A&E doubles down on the adrenaline with a two-episode block of “Fugitives: Caught on Tape,” promising enough high-speed pursuits and tense standoffs to satisfy even the most jaded true-crime enthusiast. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be in the passenger seat during a wrong-way highway chase or witness a suspect try to outswim a Fish and Wildlife officer, well, your oddly specific curiosities are about to be addressed.
Episode #113 kicks things off with a trifecta of mayhem. First, a man out on bond decides to test the limits of his temporary freedom, leading police on a white-knuckle chase down the wrong side of the highway. Then, the episode pivots to a shoplifting suspect who decides a standoff is the best course of action, creating a tense situation for everyone involved. Plus a child sex abuser attempts to commandeer a Homeland Security vehicle. Subtlety clearly isn’t on this episode’s agenda.
Episode #114 doesn’t let up on the gas, featuring a string of fleeing suspects who seem to believe that running away solves everything. In a slightly more heartwarming turn, officers also rescue a mother and her daughters after a crash, providing a brief respite from the criminal antics. But don’t get too comfortable, because soon we’re back to the chases, including a rather innovative attempt by a suspect to escape Fish and Wildlife officers by swimming. One wonders if he’d considered the whole “they have boats” thing.
“Fugitives: Caught on Tape” is nothing if not thorough in its documentation of law enforcement activities. The show employs footage from every conceivable angle – body cams, dashcams, security cameras, traffic cameras, and even personal cameras, offering an almost too-close-for-comfort look at the dangers officers encounter daily. It’s a stark reminder that reality TV, in this case, is about as real as it gets.
“Fugitives: Caught on Tape” airs Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 9/8c on A&E.
