Sometimes, there are shows that get a lot of critical acclaim and increased success, but despite that success, even someone who writes about television might not get a chance to see all of them.
Such was the case for me with Scandal. I’ve heard fantastic things, especially about series lead Kerry Washington. I’ve also been impressed knowing that Scandal is one of those rare shows to actually grow year to year ratings wise. When presented with the opportunity to review the Season 2 DVD set which was recently released, I jumped at the chance.
And, you know what? I’ve only been able to see a few episodes so far, I’ve managed to keep myself mostly unspoiled, but I like it. A lot.
While DVD and streaming might work against live TV viewing, these things also have advantages, as one could conceivably breeze through this season (plus the very short Season 1) in a few days’ time, ready for the Season 3 premiere on October 3. If potential buyers are like me, they may have never seen it before. But it’s worth it.
I’ll be honest: I expected a show to be a bit soapier, and I was kind of glad it wasn’t. Though I know it has its soapy aspects, there’s also a “thriller” element and even a procedural one, at least in the ones I’ve seen so far. I also like Olivia Pope, whose message manipulations and even possible hypocrisy give her multiple layers. It’s not just a show for women, as I had kind of feared; there’s material for both men and women. Olivia is also not the only character to get behind, which I should have expected, since producer Shonda Rhimes is known for her ensemble casts.
I should also point out one other thing when writing this review: I have, at this time, not seen Scandal Season 1, yet the “Previously On…” at the start of the season premiere explained all I need to know. I might have to seek out a Season 1 DVD sometime, or look on Netflix, to catch up.
Scandal Season 2 is comprised of 22 episodes, all on this DVD, and it all concludes with an extended version of the season finale, “White Hat’s Back On.”
Here are some further comments on this set:
The Extras: I did spoil myself a little bit so I could accurately review the extra features. There’s a fascinating look at the “Seven Fifty-Two” episode that explores Huck’s past and Olivia’s connection to him. I also like that Shonda Rhimes, in this feature, comments that “nobody is good and nobody is bad,” which talks about those layers that I mentioned earlier in my review. There’s also a behind the scenes look at the President’s assassination attempt, and if those features aren’t enough, deleted scenes and outtakes are also features parts of this set.
Graphics and Sound: While I thought the picture on Revenge could have been better, being just a DVD release, Scandal does not seem to have that problem. This show looks fantastic despite not being Blu-ray.
The Packaging: The cover art is a little generic, but the disc art and menus look fantastic.
Is It Worth It? Sometimes through DVD you can find a new show to enjoy. This is definitely one for me.
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