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Once and Again - The Complete First Season

The lack of a fast pace may have been what kept the show "Once And Again" from attaining the audience it so richly deserved during its television run from 1999 to 2002. It's almost hard to believe that the series wasn't a success, considering the talented cast, the involving plot, the fact that the show takes its time in developing itself, and attention to little things like emotion and feeling, two things that many of today's television series lack. ***

The show focuses on two of the most honest characters in TV history: Sela Ward, the ideal embodiment of beauty, doesn't allow her looks or her fame to stand in the way of giving us a wonderful performance as Lily Manning, a single mom who begins a relationship with single dad Rick Sammler, who is played by Billy Campbell, a terrific actor who isn't afraid to show a soft side beneath his rugged good looks. Their relationship is crafted with utmost attention to the endearing moments and heartfelt tenderness that such a story requires, and the various writers and directors on the show have worked hard in keeping with that sense of likeability the material benefits from. Now on DVD, the show's first season is available for all to enjoy and remember.

The first season was shot in the 1.33:1 standard size image, and for a television show, the DVD is of remarkable clarity. Colors work well with the intentions of the creators in keeping with the at-times dismal tone, while at the same time being well-saturated and solid throughout. Blacks are also deep and penetrating, detail is sharp and well-defined by sharp edges, and the overall lack of noise or distractions should provide for a pleasurable viewing experience. ***

The sound is mastered in Dolby Digital 2.0, with most of the track consisting of dialogue and front-end congestion, with little attention to the surrounds or deep bass (this is a television show, people, not a Superbit release of "Spider-Man"). The dialogue from the center channels sound remarkably clean for a 2.0 track, and while there are tendencies for the center channel to leak into the front channels, it's nothing too imposing.