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“The Pretender: The Complete Second Season“
Reviewed by: Wayne A. Klein
Genre: Drama
Video: 1.33:1
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Languages English, Spanish
Subtitles English
Length 1078 minutes
Rating NR
Release Date 9/20/05
Studio 20th Century Fox Home Video
Commentary: “Red Rock Jarod” commentary by Steve Long Mitchell, Craig Van Sickle and Fred Keller; “Bloodlines Parts 1 & 2” commentary by Andrea Parker, Michael T. Weiss, Steve Long Mitchell, Craig Van Sickle and Fred Keller
Documentaries: None
Featurettes: 3 part “Making-of” featurette
Filmography/Biography: None
Interviews: None
Trailers/TV Spots: TV spots
Alternate/Deleted Scenes: None
Music Video: None
Other: None
Cast and Crew: Michael T. Weiss, Andrea Parker, Patrick Bauchau, Jon Gries, Ryan Merriman, Ashley Peldon, Richard Marcus, Paul Dillon, Harve Presnell
Written By: Tommy Thompson, Steven Long Mitchell, Craig W. Van Sickle
Produced By: Steven Long Mitchell, Craig W. Van Sickle
Directed By: James Whitmore Jr., Steven Long Mitchell, Fred Keller
Music: John Debney (theme)
The Review:

Yes, he’s the great pretender. He may pretend to be anybody and he does it so well. The second season of “The Pretender” continued to unearth additional mysteries at the Centre. Jarod finds out, among other things, that the mysterious Mr. Lyle is assisting Miss Parker and Sydney. He continues to help those less fortunate than himself as if in some act of contrition. During the second season Jarod assumes a number of new identities including that of a college professor to help investigate a disappearance, a plastic surgeon so he can find how and why a young girl was disfigured and a gigolo (personally I think he did the last just for the fun of it but that’s not what happened in the episode). The secondseason is even better than the first particularly when the nasty character of Mr. Lyle is introduced. The exceptional season two part finale “Bloodlines” (which has commentary tracks by the writer/producers, director and two main cast members) focuses on Jarod’s desperate attempt to prevent the Centre from creating a new pretender. It’s a powerful episode which sets up the equally good season three.

Image and Sound: Fox does another stellar job with a sharp transfer. The stereo sound comes across with nice clarity. Since this series was produced before many shows were done in the surround format, there’s no opportunity to take advantage of the format. Once again we have three dual sided, dual layered discs. Once again I have misgivings about the packaging. Given the care in the transfers, extras and commentary tracks, I’m disappointed and surprised that Fox would take such a short cut as it doesn’t reduce the overall production cost all that much nor does it increase the price significantly either. ---
The Extras:

Like the first season set, we get another three part “Making of” featurette. It’s the highlight of the extras here again as it takes us behind the scenes with the creative team that drove the show. Writer/producers Steven Long Mitchell and Craig W. Van Sickle discuss the story arcs and introduction of new characters providing an idea of their ultimate intent.

Commentary: Three strong commentary tracks from the main creative team. “Red Rock Jarod” features writer/producers Van Sickle, Mitchell and director Fred Keller discussing the thought process behind this particular episode and developments that would show up further along in the season related to some of the character interactions. The best of the commentary tracks is for “Bloodlines Parts 1 & 2”. Featuring Michael T. Weiss and Andrea Parker as part of the commentary team, this commentary allows fans to hear persectives from both behind and in front of the camera.
Final Words: The second season of “The Pretender” is as involving as the first. Image quality is outstanding although some of the same issues that I had with season one are issues here as well. Still, all in all, Fox has done a marvelous job with this set.

 

 
 
 
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