S2 DVDs - convince me - I need help!

[azziria]

Help me, Obi-wan Kenobi, you're my only hope....

OK, to be serious now: when S1 came out I bought both the Blu-Ray and the DVD versions so that I could watch it on every device in my house. But now that S2 is due out on DVD, I'm seriously wondering whether to buy it or not. I feel that I *ought* to buy it, to support the wonderful actors and crew who make the show, but... is it worth it given the number of episodes I might never watch again?

However, when I look back at my LJ comments on the episodes, I see that I didn't think it was *all* bad, despite the fingernails-down-a-blackboard presence of you-know-who. But I got very upset for Alex when he was ill (and I'll admit that I *still* haven't watched the crossover episodes and probably never will, H50 without Alex/Steve brings up too many painful thoughts for me) and that that coloured my memories of the S2 episodes that went before.

So here's my plea: sell me S2. Remind me of all the *good* bits, the bits that I should watch again now that I can watch knowing that the robot left in E16. Remind me why I should buy the DVD. Cheerlead for the show so that I can rewatch (most of) S2 and go into S3 full of enthusiasm.

Help me regain my oomph and focus on the good rather than the bad!

[sunnyirish08]

hmmm the good bits.

well there the premier episode, season finale, episodes 17 through 22. the wo fat vs steve fight from episode 23. ok, alex is missing for 2 episodes, but i gotta say it gave max a window to shine and while i would have loved it if alex was there for the crossover, we got the lovely scott and ddk partnership (not the same as Mcdanno). danny's episode where grace was kidnapped was excellent all because of scott's acting. the north korea episode was good, some good acting, ok painful to watch poor steve get tortured like that, but that's what make that scene so believable. think of the lovely scene at the end of episode 23 where the core 4 all hug each other, than that right there is worth it


the bad
just ignore the opening scene after the credits where alex is carrying plank face down the stepss because she banged her ankle and they had to call an ambulance drama queen. the looks etc. just try and ignore her. also if you can get over the "team" shot in episode 5 and the hug at the end of episode 16 between steve and plank face without puking your brains, you'll do well.


there are some decent cararguments between mcdanno.
there's the outtakes, the deleted scenes, which can be seen on youtube now. i've named all the good bits that i can remember from season 2, because like you i've pretty much blocked out a lot of episodes from season 2 because of plank face.

[Leni]

Since I have seen the outakes and the deleted scenes on youtube, I don't think there is a reason to buy the DVD. Now, if I start to hear that the commentaries are incredible, then maybe. As of right now, I have no intention of buying it. That is just me.

[margarine]

I'm with ircam. You won't get any encouragement from me, azziria. Yes, even if there are good bits, the entire season was a disappointment even discounting SWMNBN. There are a few episodes worthy of S1, and I'd love to see the extras once but I'm not spending my money on the whole thing, retail, for just that. The extras last year, yes, nice, but not spectacular. Mind you, I don't care much about watching an episode with commentary and a lot of people want that, but do you really want to hear the commentary on the episodes with SWMNBN in them? The gag/blooper reels are okay but again, usually not worth buying the whole thing for. I'm likeliest to just borrow it from the library. Or maybe get it on sale drastically reduced, like $5.

[nycgal]

I don't know about buying both the reg and bluray versions (that's a hefty investment), but if you want to own the whole series on DVD, I would say you need S2 to make your series set complete.

Admittedly, the first half of S2 is mucked up by the presence of you-know-who, there are still several really good eps in the 2nd half. And while the gag reel and many of the deleted scenes were leaked and can be seen on YouTube, I always find the commentaries interesting.

Having said all of the above, here's what I've read about the extras that will be included on the S2 DVD:

Note - this is a re-post from my earlier post in the S2 DVD thread.

Disclaimer: Got this info from the Australian version of the S2 DVD details, but I am pretty sure they would include the same extras on the USA and European versions. Also no specific mention of the gag reel, but I think one of the special sections (like maybe Aloha Action!) might actually be the gag reel.

Commentary for Eps:
201: Ha’i’ole,
210: Ki’ilua

Deleted Scenes From Eps:
Ha’i’ole
Ua Lawe Wale:
Ma’ema’e
Ka Hakaka Maika’I
Ki’ilua
Alaheo Pau’ole
Mai Ka Wa Kahiko
I Helu Pu
Ha’alele
Ua Hala

Bonus Episode: NCIS: Los Angeles “Touch of Death”

Shore Lines: The Story of Hawaii 5-O

Aloha Action! Season 2

Hawaii 5-O’Ahu: An Interactive Guide to Season 2 Locations

Becoming a SEAL: An Insider’s Guide to the World’s Toughest Training

As a side note, I'm so glad they picked eps 201 and 210 for the commentaries, they both were awesome, IMO. No LW in 201 and minimal LW in 210 (except that one cringe-worthy scene where she jumps out of the chopper and hugs Steve....eeeck

Don't know if any of this info helps you make up your mind whether to purchase S2 or not, but thought I would try and provide as many details as possible.

Good luck with your decision. S2 is released on DVD Sept 18th in the US. Let us know what you decide

[biochemgeek]

Good luck with your decision, it is a tough one. I think only you can decide if what you liked in S2 outweighs what you didn't like enough to spend money on it. I tend to be a "completionist" when it comes to buying DVD's. If I decide to own a series on DVD, I buy the whole series, or none of it. One suggestion: wait a few months, or even a few years. If you really like the upcoming seasons, and eventually decide you want to own the whole set, by then S2 will probably be on sale and you can get it for cheap. Since you don't seem anxious to rewatch S2 now, I see no reason to shell out full price for it as soon as it hits shelves.

[cookiejar]

I agree with biochemgeek - wait a few months or years. Most of season 2 is difficult for me to watch between you know who and Alex's health declining, not to mention the episodes Alex missed.

[azziria]

See, there were good bits: Steve vs Wo Fat in Korea; Danny on Steve's couch; Steve and Danny watching the film together; Danny and the dog, etc.

I think the 'wait and see' approach might be the answer. If S2 proves to be the aberration and S3 is good, then I'll probably be able to re-watch S2 with a more forgiving eye; however if S3 proves (god forbid) that S1 was the fluke, then I'll have to give up the show and cut my losses anyway, because (however much I love Steve/Alex) I'm not a masochist.

[Deleted]

Sept 9, 2012 14:59:32 GMT -5 azziria said:

See, there were good bits: Steve vs Wo Fat in Korea; Danny on Steve's couch; Steve and Danny watching the film together; Danny and the dog, etc.

I think the 'wait and see' approach might be the answer. If S2 proves to be the aberration and S3 is good, then I'll probably be able to re-watch S2 with a more forgiving eye; however if S3 proves (god forbid) that S1 was the fluke, then I'll have to give up the show and cut my losses anyway, because (however much I love Steve/Alex) I'm not a masochist.

Totally agree with you! I bought the episodes I liked on iTunes and the good bits of the eps I won't watch are on youtube. Otherwise, same as you will wait and see what happens in S3 and go from there. Definitely not a masochist either.

[debraluv50]

I ordered it just to have a continuity of this great storyline. I will fast forward many scenes with LG but the DVD is still worth the purchase price to see the core 4 in action. One day, may God forbid, H50 will not be on the air. You will want to have season 2 to follow the storyline into season 3. Reconsider and make the purchase. Years from now, you will be glad you did. Also, anytime you can see Alex's smile, laugh at Danny's quick wit, be moved by Chin's compassion and watch Kono kick the bad guy to the curb is worth every penny.

[Musicfreak]

Honestly, after searching for videos/gifs for the awards, I kind of convinced myself to buy the DVD. I might wait until the price goes down a bit, which I didn't do last year. I actually pre-ordered the season 1 DVD. Anyways, I'm just going to wait until the price goes down. There really were some great moments this season. And I'll also probably end up buying it for continuity, like debraluv said. Maybe that's the bit of OCD in me. I just want to have the complete set, because at the end of the day, I freaking love this show!

[azziria]

Musicfreak, it's good to hear that your gif search convinced you to buy the DVD - part of the reason I made this post is that I *know* that there were good moments even among the less-than-good, I just need to be reminded about them.

[davilarose]

I pre-ordered the season 2 DVD---I like having the whole thing too. Plus there are good moments even in the episodes SWSNBN is in. And the ones she wasn't in---are super. So.....yeah. Plus...September is my birthday month ----so it's my birthday present to me!

[sanmars]

I am going to take the position of thinking ahead. We have all heard about the loss of the "headquarters" building to a developer. Yes, I agree LG really brought down the show and Alex had his share of troubles. We also have heard of the "allegedly comment" PL is going to leave the show.(WendieJoy) article. More important, this board has talked about how CBS cuts show, sometimes for reasons unknown to us (outside of $$$$). So I believe in showing support for a show I love and can't wait to see again thru the purchasing of S2 DVD. Hence, I did. Financially my little purchase may not make an impact to CBS but higher sales numbers might show them how much fans want H50 to stay on the air - just like the original.

[nycgal]

For anyone who is interested or missed the article by Wendie Joy that is referenced in the above post, here is the transcript.

Five-0 Redux: Bring it on, Season Three
BY WENDIE BURBRIDGE / Special to the Star-Advertiser
September 4, 2012

When "Hawaii Five-0" returns to television on Sept. 24, the wait for "Five-0" fans everywhere will end, and what a wait it has been. After a tumultuous sophomore season, the show enters its third season with new hope and new life.

The addition of a series regular, Michelle Borth as Catherine Rollins, the return of Momma McG played by Christine Lahti, as well as the promise of continued action and the show's trademarked "carguments" have helped fans make it through the long summer hiatus.

Now that it's September and we have begun the countdown to "Sunset on the Beach" in Waikiki as well as the season premiere, there is even more excitement in the air. Many diehard fans begin arriving in Hawaii this week and will attend several "Five-0" fan events next weekend, with some staying on until the "Sunset on the Beach" premiere. Despite the late announcement of the star-studded event, the heightened anticipation cannot be pacified.

But we can't deny that despite all the fervor beginning to swirl around all things "Five-0", the show has a bit of an uphill battle. I can't ignore the elephant in the room and continue to not talk about some of the trouble that has faced production last year. The fact that season two was 23 episodes versus 24, due to series star Alex O'Loughlin's break to deal with personal issues, and now the news that production offices have been sold and the show must find a new home at the end of season three. I don't think I am alone in wondering if Michelle Borth, a popular favorite with the fans when she was just a recurring guest, could perhaps face the same fan-crazed scrutiny and backlash that Lauren German, who played officer Lori Weston, experienced.

I hope none of those things hinder my Monday nights, but as a fan it's definitely something I have been thinking about. And I know from my random conversations with people who love the show and those who watch it occasionally that they have been thinking about these things as well. No one wishes the show ill will of course; it's just something we have to consider as some of the shows CBS axed last season were not that bad and had comparable ratings to "Hawaii Five-0".

So why did "Hawaii Five-0" get the renewal nod while other shows did not? Well, the list is long on that spectrum, isn't it?

I know, most of you are listing them as you read: beautiful Hawaii, the carguments, the humor, the action, the explosions, girls in bikinis and shirtless boys. Some of you are saying the writing, the strong characters, the team's feeling of ohana and love, the conflict and the drama.

Can all of this continue into season three? Can the writers continue to write good scripts and continue with the Wo Fat versus McG story arc? Can McGarrett solve the overall mystery of who and what his father was? And will we ever figure out all what all the items meant in the Champ Box?

Oh, the questions will continue. And our desire for answers will as well. One thing is for sure; we have to hope that Peter Lenkov stays on as Showrunner. You can definitely tell the difference in the scripts and the storylines when Mr. Lenkov has a hand at writing them. I'm not saying that there weren't really great episodes written by other writers; Kyle Harimoto definitely wrote a few of my favorite episodes in season two, "Leki¨and "Ka Hakak Maika".

And there are a couple of amazing directors who add a lot to the series, among them Larry Teng and Steve Boyum. Teng directed the aforementioned "Ka Hakak Maika" as well as "Mai ka w kahiko", and the very popular "return of McG episode", "Ua Hopu".

Boyum directed the season opener "Haiole" as well as the season ender "Ua Hala".

I'm afraid if Lenkov leaves (I know! Don't say it and it won't come true!) it doesn't matter how many of us love Alex O'Loughlin, or the Steve and Danno bromance, or how many "Losties" stayed on with Jin, I mean, Chin, the show could be in serious trouble. Right now, it has a lot to live up to, and some work to do to keep all of us, the diehard to the random Monday viewer, tuned in and watching.

Now, keep the death threats at bay folks, I'm not saying I don't think they are up for the challenge, and I definitely think they can knock season three out of the park; I have faith in "Five-0" for sure. But as a reviewer, I need stuff to write about, so I want the good episodes to keep on rolling. Every week. And I want good stories and cool procedurals.

I also want the show to continue filming in my home state and not head elsewhere. Let's face it, you can't film "Hawaii Five-0" anywhere else than in Hawaii. No way. It just would not be the same. And in order for the show to stay in Hawaii, they need viewers and ratings, and so the good scripts and awesome directors have to continue. We have great actors and we love them, but they can only do what the script and the director tell them to do.

And if those things are not strong, then like I said, Alex, as well as Scott, Daniel, and Grace can only do so much.

So bring it on, season three. I'm ready at my Mac's helm to blog about every episode and keep the "Redux" rolling. Because a few things are for sure, every Monday night, I'll be watching, writing, and cheering for the "Five-0" team with the rest of you. You can count on that