>>214407596
There's a stark difference and shift in the series that builds up to season 7. Seasons 1-3 are absolute classics. For me personally? There are a few lackluster episodes in season four, but season five comes back with an absolute vengeance and every single episode is an absolute classic. And they manage to keep that going through season six. By the time we hit season 7, the HD cameras came in and more professional looking shots like cranes and such were being used. So gone was the notion of it being a documentary series ala COPS from the criminals perspective that it started out as. Season 7 was Mike Clattenburg's last season, as well as Barrie Dunn. The put out a few movies, some of which were actually kinda miserable in tone and content, but they seem to have made something of a comeback as of late.

Just start with those seven seasons, man. You can decide whether or not you want to tune in after that.