Episodes-Series 2 (2011)

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General		Extras
Category	Comedy	None
Rating
Year Of Production	2011
Running Time	245:00
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered Dual Disc Set	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Jim Field Smith James Griffiths
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	Matt Le Blanc
Case	Amaray-Transparent-Dual
RPI	?	Music	Mark Thomas

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     Not that long after Series 1 of Episodes came to DVD fans of the show are rewarded with the release of Series 2. Firstly, a giant word of warning. Those who have yet to watch the first series or are only partly through it should take heed. It is simply impossible to review Series 2 without building spoiler city as the whole thrust of the show emerges from the last episode of Series 1. Therefore, if you want to know whether Series 2 is every bit as good as the first series the answer is-"yes". If you want to know whether the DVD quality is as good as the first series the answer is also "yes", but more of that below. Anyway, spoiler warnings having been dispensed, so here we go.

     When Series 1 ended Sean and Beverley's marriage looked to be irretrievably broken after she indulged in some ill-advised revenge sex with Matt Le Blanc only to find that Sean wasn't, after all, having an affair with Morning Randolph. Simultaneously with the dramatic reveal of the infidelity came the bittersweet news that the series, Pucks!, had been picked up for production-the unlikely trio had a hit on their hands!

     When Series 2 begins Sean and Beverley have had to find ways of working together to maintain a professional relationship whilst their personal relationship is on a knife's edge. Sean is unable to forgive Beverley for breaking his heart. She desperately wants to get him to forgive her so that they can begin again. Matt Le Blanc is in the middle. In his own way he feels guilty for what has happened, although sex to him is as disposable as tissue paper. He tries to make it up to them in the only way he knows, by buying them cars.

     Meanwhile, Le Blanc gets a big surprise at the first screening of Pucks! when Jamie, the blind wife of studio head Merc Lapidus, gives him relief in the dark! So begins a dangerous affair between the couple. Merc would go dangerously ballistic if he ever found out, notwithstanding that he has been having an affair for five years with his assistant, Carol.

     Whilst Series 1 was about the struggles getting the show into production, including the drastic changes forced upon Sean and Beverley by the studio, Series 2 is about the troubles involved in actually presenting the show to a diminishing audience. The ratings are in a slide and what's worse the audience surveys suggest that the show is really only appealing to a younger demographic who don't particularly care for the story of coach Lyman and the librarian, instead wanting to see much more of the teenage boys. Le Blanc and Morning must struggle in their own ways to convince the studio and also manipulate Sean and Beverley to increase their parts otherwise both feel that their TV careers may be over. The episode where Le Blanc tries to get a "friend" from Friends onto the show to boost ratings is sad and funny.

     Those who complained that Series 1 was not funny enough will have added complaints with Series 2. There is a good deal of drama in the unravelling of the marriage and much of the other humour comes with a serious sting in the tail. Fans will lap it up and impatiently wait for Series 3.

Video

     As with Series 1 Episodes Series 2 was shot on high-definition digital video. It comes to DVD in a 1.78:1 transfer consistent with the original television aspect ratio. It is 16×9 enhanced.

     This remains a good looking series. The image quality is crisp and clear throughout. The locations from Series 1 are mostly replicated although there are some LA looking exteriors, suggesting the budget extended a little more this time around.

     The colours are clear and vibrant.

     The flesh tones are accurate and the level of detail is pleasing throughout.

     There are no technical defects with the transfer.

    There are subtitles in English for the Hearing Impaired.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     Episodes features an English Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack running at 192 Kb/s. That is a little low for a recent TV show but the truth is that the show consists mainly of dialogue from the centre channels with little opportunity or need for surround sound. Still, I would have liked an increased bit rate to give a bit more depth to the soundtrack.

     The dialogue is clear and easy to understand throughout.

     Music is by experienced television composer Mark Thomas who scored an Emmy nomination for his jaunty main theme.

    There are no technical defects with the sound transfer.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

    No extras.

     The UK Region 2 version is also bereft of extras. A pity.

     The Emmy and Golden Globe winning series continues in style, with a little more drama this time around. Fans of Friends might get a buzz out of the "re-union" episode.

    The DVD quality is fine both in sound and vision terms.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall