Watch The Border

Name: The Border
Genre: Drama
Released: 2008-01-07
Cast: James McGowan

2008
3 Seasons
7.1 (913)

The Border is a Canadian drama television series produced by the CBC that aired for three seasons from 2008 to 2010. The plot focuses on the elite team of officers within the fictional Immigration and Customs Security agency (ICS) who are responsible for protecting Canada's borders from any and all potential security threats. The lead character of the show is ICS team leader, Major Mike Kessler, played by James McGowan. Kessler is a tough and loyal officer who believes that protecting Canada's borders is a critical duty that should be pursued with utmost dedication. The rest of the team is comprised of various skilled and dedicated officers, including Kessler's second in command, Deputy Director Maggie Norton (played by Catherine Disher), and intelligence analyst, Gray Jackson (played by Graham Abbey). The show explores a vast list of complex issues, ranging from terrorism and smuggling to human trafficking and government corruption. With this much complexity, the series never shies away from examining relevant issues and topics to keep its audiences connected. Each episode typically features an individual storyline relating to national security, usually involving some form of criminal activity at the Canadian border. As the show is set in Canada, its primary setting is Toronto and surrounding areas, but the team is willing to travel the globe to investigate cases. Throughout the series, the show also introduces various recurring characters, both allies and foes of the ICS. They form a pool of characters that the team interacts with from time to time, adding depth and variety to the show. Some of the recurring faces are assigned to other law enforcement agencies or governmental departments, such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), who are interested in assisting ICS in various circumstances. A notable inclusion in the show is a critical character named Lorna Corbett (played by Grace Park), who served as the ICS liaison with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in aid of joint operations, especially where American interests were involved. The inclusion of Lorna demonstrates the strong link between the USA and Canada when it comes to national security concerns. One of the unique features of The Border is its emphasis on Canadian immigration law, public policy, and political affairs. As the ICS deals with immigration and customs regulations, the show provides an insight into how Canada deals with immigration issues, such as asylum seekers, refugee process, and visa regulations. The characters of the show possess different backgrounds, personalities, and experiences, lending to intriguing conflicts, cracking jokes, and drama. The show successfully demonstrates their commitment to fighting for national security, but it also successfully creates an acknowledgement of the extensive mental strain that comes with the territory. PTSD, anxiety, and substance abuse are frequently touched upon issues that add a level of depth to the characters involved. As an action show, viewers can expect plenty of thrilling sequences, including car chases, hand-to-hand combat, and high-speed pursuits. The show often challenges viewers to delve into the moral grey area, showcasing the moral and ethical nature of law enforcement. Aside from its notable cast and usual storyline, the show's technical production aspects are top-notch. The show is filmed in high definition, creating stunning and highly detailed visuals. The stylish camera shots are recreated artistically, especially during tactical operations and their aftermath. The elaborate set-pieces during episodes lend to the immersion into the dangerous situations the agents get involved in. Overall, The Border is a highly enjoyable Canadian television show that weaves multiple storylines and recurring characters within an overarching narrative. The storylines are carefully designed to explore contemporary issues, with a careful balance of action, drama, and suspense. The technical aspects and acting performances contribute greatly to providing viewers with a thrilling and memorable show. Even though the show ended in 2010, it continues to be a popular and highly recommended Canadian show.

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Seasons

3 2 1

12. No Refuge

January 14, 2010

Ramon Esteban, the boyfriend of Kessler's ex-wife, is a Mexican journalist whose articles on Los Zetas have put him on the cartel's hit list. When Kessler, Carver, and Gray attempt to transfer Ramon from Terri's shelter into protective custody, Kessler must fight an all-out attack with an unlikely team of warriors.

11. Credible Threat

January 7, 2010

The US President's visit to Canada has the ICS Squad on full alert. Working with Liz Carver and the Secret Service, ICS sifts through hundreds of threats and uncovers an assassination plot by a Lebanese terrorist, working for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

10. Spoils Of War

December 10, 2009

Kessler, Darnell, and Charlotte uncover a deadly Canadian link to coltan smuggling in the Congo.

9. Dying Art

December 3, 2009

Kessler sends Khali and Darnell to Montreal to investigate claims that a golden Buddha was stolen and illegally imported to Canada.

8. Dark Ride

November 26, 2009

A snuff film is confiscated at the Maine-New Brunswick border and Carver finds the body of the victim in the US. ICS traces the video back to a biker gang, Satans Guard. Maggie goes to the east coast to see her daughter Kim whose former biker boyfriend is eager to inform on his former associates.

7. Bride Price

November 19, 2009

A Indian 18-year-old arrives in Canada looking for her "runaway groom". Using a false identity, he had married Mina for a $50,000 dowry and then disappeared back to Canada.

6. Kiss And Cry

November 12, 2009

Zoe helps a star figure skater, who claims to be a freedom activist and will face torture and execution if returned to China, escape from the Chinese Secret Service.

5. Missing In Action

November 5, 2009

Kessler and a young DHS agent are kidnapped and held for ransom in Afghanistan. Darnell and Carver join the search and discover that their prime suspect is also their best hope of getting them out alive.

4. Hate Metal

October 29, 2009

Back on active duty, Carver tracks a murder suspect, a racist Cole Thorpe, to Canada. Kessler assigns Gray to infiltrate Thorpe's British Columbia-based neo-Nazi operation.

3. Killer Debt

October 22, 2009

When a wealthy philanthropist is murdered, the prime suspect is his financial advisor who has engineered a massive Ponzi scheme to defraud his investors out of billions.

2. Broken

October 15, 2009

Agent Bianca LaGarda escorts a Guantanamo Bay prisoner back to Canada. Kessler and ICS enter questionable moral territory as they use him as bait to capture notorious terrorist. At the official inquiry into the 'Ndrangheta shoot-out, the future of ICS is at risk.

1. The Dead

October 8, 2009

Kessler and Carver struggle to survive while Gray hunts down Layla's killers. The Squad is forced to the sidelines, as Special Counsel Louise Tilden investigates the role of ICS in the tragedy.

Description

The lead character of the show is ICS team leader, Major Mike Kessler, played by James McGowan. Kessler is a tough and loyal officer who believes that protecting Canada's borders is a critical duty that should be pursued with utmost dedication. The rest of the team is comprised of various skilled and dedicated officers, including Kessler's second in command, Deputy Director Maggie Norton (played by Catherine Disher), and intelligence analyst, Gray Jackson (played by Graham Abbey).

The show explores a vast list of complex issues, ranging from terrorism and smuggling to human trafficking and government corruption. With this much complexity, the series never shies away from examining relevant issues and topics to keep its audiences connected.

Each episode typically features an individual storyline relating to national security, usually involving some form of criminal activity at the Canadian border. As the show is set in Canada, its primary setting is Toronto and surrounding areas, but the team is willing to travel the globe to investigate cases.

Throughout the series, the show also introduces various recurring characters, both allies and foes of the ICS. They form a pool of characters that the team interacts with from time to time, adding depth and variety to the show. Some of the recurring faces are assigned to other law enforcement agencies or governmental departments, such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), who are interested in assisting ICS in various circumstances.

A notable inclusion in the show is a critical character named Lorna Corbett (played by Grace Park), who served as the ICS liaison with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in aid of joint operations, especially where American interests were involved. The inclusion of Lorna demonstrates the strong link between the USA and Canada when it comes to national security concerns.

One of the unique features of The Border is its emphasis on Canadian immigration law, public policy, and political affairs. As the ICS deals with immigration and customs regulations, the show provides an insight into how Canada deals with immigration issues, such as asylum seekers, refugee process, and visa regulations.

The characters of the show possess different backgrounds, personalities, and experiences, lending to intriguing conflicts, cracking jokes, and drama. The show successfully demonstrates their commitment to fighting for national security, but it also successfully creates an acknowledgement of the extensive mental strain that comes with the territory. PTSD, anxiety, and substance abuse are frequently touched upon issues that add a level of depth to the characters involved.

As an action show, viewers can expect plenty of thrilling sequences, including car chases, hand-to-hand combat, and high-speed pursuits. The show often challenges viewers to delve into the moral grey area, showcasing the moral and ethical nature of law enforcement.

Aside from its notable cast and usual storyline, the show's technical production aspects are top-notch. The show is filmed in high definition, creating stunning and highly detailed visuals. The stylish camera shots are recreated artistically, especially during tactical operations and their aftermath. The elaborate set-pieces during episodes lend to the immersion into the dangerous situations the agents get involved in.

Overall, The Border is a highly enjoyable Canadian television show that weaves multiple storylines and recurring characters within an overarching narrative. The storylines are carefully designed to explore contemporary issues, with a careful balance of action, drama, and suspense. The technical aspects and acting performances contribute greatly to providing viewers with a thrilling and memorable show. Even though the show ended in 2010, it continues to be a popular and highly recommended Canadian show.

The Border is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (38 episodes). The series first aired on January 7, 2008.

Where to Watch The Border

The Border is available for streaming on the CBC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Border on demand at and Tubi TV.