The Dino Hunters

Shots Fired is a one‑hour episode from the gritty adventure series that’s been making the rounds on the satellite channels. It stars Sam Clayton as a down‑on‑his‑luck palaeontologist, the fierce Harris‑Bolan clan (played by the always‑intimidating Dalia Hsu and Kian Patel) and the scheming poacher‑turned‑entrepreneur Jared (a slick turn by Milo Grant). Think of it as a stripped‑back “Jurassic Park” meets “Yellowstone”, only the dinosaurs are fossils and the land‑dispute feels very real. The episode juggles three threads that eventually knot together. Clayton is tasked with hauling a 20,000‑lb dinosaur fossil across rough terrain to a lab – a logistical nightmare that turns into a tense cat‑and‑mouse chase when the Harris‑Bolan clan drives off a band of poachers threatening their territory. Meanwhile, Jared rolls the dice on a final, risky bid to cash in on the fossil’s value, putting him on a collision course with both men. The story stays fairly linear, with plenty of moments where the audience is left wondering whether the fossil will ever make it to the lab. Honestly, it’s a mixed bag. The chase scenes have a surprisingly proper sense of scale, and the clan’s tribal dynamics feel fresh compared with the usual “evil corporation” villains. On the downside, the pacing drags in the middle – the fossil‑transport segment feels a bit ropy, and the CGI of the dig site looks dated. Still, if you enjoy low‑budget adventure with a dash of moral grey, it’s worth a watch, especially for the solid performances from Hsu and Patel. Rated TV‑14. Expect moderate violence (gunfire, hand‑to‑hand fights), some strong language and a few tense moments that could be unsettling for younger viewers. This is the first terrestrial broadcast of the episode, airing as part of season 2’s “Land of Bones” arc, so you’ll get a glimpse of the series’ evolving tone. Fair warning: the episode leans heavily on dialogue‑driven tension, so bring a cuppa and a willingness to sit through a few slower beats.