Novelist Nick Garrett (Bryan Greenberg) continues to navigate the minefield of coming back to his hometown of Knights Ridge, Massachusetts after an extended absence. He tries to move forward from his feelings for Hannah (Laura Prepon) without much success, while his father (Tom Berenger) and other friends experience their own dramas. Above all, the question of the paternity of Hannah’s son Sam lingers in the background awaiting an answer.

CRITIQUE

A lot of television series come and go without leaving a dent in popular culture. Some become legendary pieces of mass entertainment. While the quality in both instances can vary, perhaps most interesting of all are the series that last maybe two or three seasons. Their impact is not easy to determine, and this series is one of those. The second season of October Road gives its likeable cast the same touch of melodrama and plot as seen in the first season but with a stronger sense of character and emotion.

When audiences last left prodigal son Nick Garrett, he was headed back to New York City with Eddie, played by Geoff Stults, to bring their friend Owen home to Knights Ridge. Owen left after the devastation of his wife and friend Ike having an affair. Thus begins another thirteen episodes of the drama set in a small New England town.

The thing that most stands out about this season is the comedy that balanced out the first one is dialed down a bit. I don’t think you could really call this show a dramedy anymore. Perhaps this is because the number of episodes for this season is doubled (from the first season) and the writers had more time to present a consistent tone.

As with Season One, these episodes feature nice romances. Nick and Hannah are still the central figures and that plot progresses well, but others get plenty of screen time as well, especially Eddie and Janet, which works well. This pairing - the guy all the girls wanted in high school and the overweight nice girl - is the kind of hook-up Hollywood should do more often, and the most wrenching emotion of the season is provided by the horrible but realistic events that transpire in the season’s last two episodes. I won’t give it away but most viewers will hate to see the final episode end that way between them. (Thankfully, the extras add more, which is discussed in detail below.) Furthermore, Nick’s brother Ronnie falling for Aubrey, who Nick just stopped dating, feels authentic as well.

Not a masterpiece but entertaining enough, October Road does improve slightly in its second season with a good cast and plotting that can be surprising.

THE VIDEO

October Road is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The transfer of picture quality matches its original broadcast in this format.

THE AUDIO

October Road is presented in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, a reliable sound mix here. No other language tracks are offered, and the only subtitle available is in English.

THE EXTRAS

Bumps in the Road: Season Two Bloopers: This is a brief but funny gag reel. The flubs here are the usual messed-up lines and giggle fits. In the last one, the cameraman falls! They are pretty funny- good to watch once.

The Scenic Route: A Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Tours of the different sets for the show make up this extra. The actors most associated with each set lead the tour, and this makes for a fun 6 minutes. Most interesting of all is that we learn that all the sets were transported to L.A. soundstages from Atlanta where the first season was shot.

Road’s End: The Final Chapter: The best bonus here, this is a 10-minute extended scene wrapping up the series. We see Hannah leave her wedding to Ray, and then its seven years later and Sam is leaving home for the summer after high school. The answer to the question of who is Sam’s father is given – it is Nick, as it should be. It is wonderful to see Eddie and Janet together again and to see Aubrey and Ronnie happily together and pregnant. Hannah and Nick are together as well and it is a nice ending.

FINAL THOUGHTS

October Road stands out in performance and scripting in its second season, and the distinctive touch of melodrama that distinguishes its plots remains. The fact that this is also the final season of the show will probably prompt many to at least rent this three-disc set, and the extra features will make it worth buying for some. October Road ends its run with a season that audiences will enjoy.