Once and Again: The Complete 2nd Season DVD Review:

For a while it seemed that only the teenagers were allowed relationship problems on television, and adults were mostly just doctors, cops, and lawyers. There were a few exceptions, however, and Once and Again was actually one of the first to combine the use of teenage and adult relationships, always allowing focus to remain on the older characters. It must have worked with audiences because the show was a hit, and also featured performances by many actors who went on to have successful careers. What is truly impressive about Once and Again is the ease in which it creates touching moments with well written dialogue and comfortable actors.

In the first season of Once and Again two divorced single parents, Rick and Lily, meet by chance because of their kids. They begin a relationship together which proves to be much more difficult now that they have children and ex-spouses. Mix in judgmental siblings and co-workers and their relationship seemed destined to fail from the very beginning. By the beginning of the second season this has been proven false and Rick and Lily are in the middle of joining the two families, at first just to meet and then officially through marriage.

The format for Once and Again is original in the fact that each episode is driven by black and white interview style footage from the characters, mixed in with the story. This helps to add insight to each situation and further build a bond between the audience and each character. Each character is given their own time in the spotlight as episodes focus on different plots and sub-plots. Even though they all center around Rick and Lily, these shows must revolve around conflict and at times their relationship is fine and others must be examined instead.

The show would seem to lose a little steam now that Rick and Lily are definitely together, even with the pre-wedding jitters and problems with the kids, but the seasons flow together nearly seamlessly. The other stories become more interesting, particularly the ones involving the kid’s personal lives, although the tension between the two older kids possibly having romantic involvement is silly. What is really interesting is the relationships that the girls begin to form with each other.

Season two is fit onto five discs, which fortunately have seen a makeover from season one. The discs in season one looked photocopied and cheap, but season two discs are in color and look much nicer. The menus have also been updated as well. The wedding style menus of season one are gone, which is ironic considering the fact that there is more reason for it in season two. Instead a more rustic menu replaces it. Special features include commentary on select episodes.



Ryan Izay