3 out of 5

The FX show Terriers was a little too funny for its own good, taking about half a season to really settle into a groove of tragedy and comedy that strengthened the show over all, so it was a shame to see it go.  Similarly – and we can curse the UK for their awesomely short 4-6 episode seasons – The Invisibles hints at something a little heavier than its “aging crooks” premise, but only really gets there in the last episode.  Otherwise, the majority of this show is harmless – perfectly cast and very committedly acted, smartly written so as to avoid it just feeling like Grumpy Old Crooks – and frequently finding surprising humor beyond its curmudgeon (Anthony Head) and bumbler (Warren Clarke) character tropes.  It just never really sings as loud as it could, the first episode not really convincing me of ‘The Invisibles’ as having been once amazing thieves, or making me believe that their “retirement” in a fishing village provides them with the proper ‘why’ to start the gang again.  If it was written as all-out comedy, the low-stakes crimes per episode would be fine, but it wants to straddle a line with something seemingly a bit more daring and, again, just shambles to that point by episode 6.  Still, as with most uneven shows of this nature, it’s smart and entertaining enough to merit rewatches.  Just a shame it didn’t get more time or room to grow.