My expectations rose considerably when the opening credits gave both director James Avalon and series creator Nica Noelle scripting acknowledgment, and I was duly rewarded with a quality edition of Sweet Sinner's "The Escort" series. For the unaware, title derives from this not being about the usual prostitutes or call girls.
In fact, star Dana DeArmond plays a bored housewife for whom turning tricks is more a part of self-realization rather than a substitute for mah jongg or mode of paying for new shoes & trinkets. Her hubby Evan Stone is neglecting her, cheating with his lovely secretary (blonde Zoey Monroe).
Excellent credits' sequence of Dana getting dressed for "work" (out-call service) leads to her servicing Marcus London, who gives a rather 3-dimensional performance rather than stock clichés of a typical john.
This performance is rewarded by the chief (if corny) plot gimmick of London being hired as new whiz of a lawyer by Stone's firm - Evan invites his new colleague to dinner with his beautiful wife (Lily Banks guest starring in non-sex role). The shock of recognition between Dana and her recent client is well-played and as they say, the plot thickens.
An even greater stretch of credulity is the next crucial thread of events whereby London gives Stone Dana's escort business card as a referral, wisely surmising that an ongoing affair with his secretary is bad for their law firm. We know this will lead to a crucial showdown between the spouses, but scripters Nica and James have another trick up their sleeves, in that Dana & Evan's adult son Seth Gamble finds the card and makes an appointment of his own with The Escort.
I won't spoil the several subsequent twists, other than to mention that Avalon milks the mistaken/unknown identity theme by having a blindfold injected into the scenario, BDSM style, a rare case of this prop actually being meaningful in a porn context. For the fans' benefit (and his too), Gamble gets to hump the extremely beautiful British actress Ava Dalush, portraying another prostitute. Another non-sex cameo is provided by Chad Alva as Seth's best bud.
Filing a minority report here, I loved seeing Dana play a normal character, not the kinky, "I'll try anything" extremist her career has dictated to date. Hopefully her fans will come to appreciate subtlety when warranted.
In fact, star Dana DeArmond plays a bored housewife for whom turning tricks is more a part of self-realization rather than a substitute for mah jongg or mode of paying for new shoes & trinkets. Her hubby Evan Stone is neglecting her, cheating with his lovely secretary (blonde Zoey Monroe).
Excellent credits' sequence of Dana getting dressed for "work" (out-call service) leads to her servicing Marcus London, who gives a rather 3-dimensional performance rather than stock clichés of a typical john.
This performance is rewarded by the chief (if corny) plot gimmick of London being hired as new whiz of a lawyer by Stone's firm - Evan invites his new colleague to dinner with his beautiful wife (Lily Banks guest starring in non-sex role). The shock of recognition between Dana and her recent client is well-played and as they say, the plot thickens.
An even greater stretch of credulity is the next crucial thread of events whereby London gives Stone Dana's escort business card as a referral, wisely surmising that an ongoing affair with his secretary is bad for their law firm. We know this will lead to a crucial showdown between the spouses, but scripters Nica and James have another trick up their sleeves, in that Dana & Evan's adult son Seth Gamble finds the card and makes an appointment of his own with The Escort.
I won't spoil the several subsequent twists, other than to mention that Avalon milks the mistaken/unknown identity theme by having a blindfold injected into the scenario, BDSM style, a rare case of this prop actually being meaningful in a porn context. For the fans' benefit (and his too), Gamble gets to hump the extremely beautiful British actress Ava Dalush, portraying another prostitute. Another non-sex cameo is provided by Chad Alva as Seth's best bud.
Filing a minority report here, I loved seeing Dana play a normal character, not the kinky, "I'll try anything" extremist her career has dictated to date. Hopefully her fans will come to appreciate subtlety when warranted.