Before The Shield, Emmy and
Golden Globe Award winner Michael
Chiklis made his television breakthrough
in this offbeat comedy/action/drama
hit from Co-Creators Stephen J. Cannell (Hunter, The Rockford
Files) and
Stephen Kronish. Chiklis stars
as Commissioner Tony J. Scali, a
street-smart Brooklyn policeman turned cop of a small upstate city
where crime - and Scali - both have a mind of their own. Here in
Season Two, Tony takes on pornographers, kidnappers, high-end
prostitutes, lowbrow thugs, dangerous friends, deadly mobsters,
cops on strike, a new baby at home with wife Rachel (Theresa
Saldana) and more.
CRITIQUE
The Commish
is not a police procedural type show, but instead it focuses on
the major character of Anthony Scali, his family, and the officers
who work for him. The characters are really good but most
importantly realistic. Michael Chiklis is terrific and it's fun to
see him play a different cop (Police Commissioner) than on The
Shield. Stories for the second season range from very good to
average. There aren't any clunkers, but the average episodes are
totally watchable. The highlight episodes this season include:
Adventures in the Skin Trade Parts 1 & 2, Family Business
and Out of Business. There are several more but these stand
out for me.
THE AUDIO
Anchor Bay
Entertainment presents
The Commish in 1.33:1 fullscreen format. The video looks
a bit soft here and there while detail and sharpness are presented
just decent enough. The opening credits look the worst it seems,
but the episodes themselves come off alright with a decent
presentation.
THE AUDIO
Anchor Bay
Entertainment presents
The Commish in English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo. Dialogue
is presented clearly most of the time as are the sound effects and
music. The front speakers do a decent job and that's all there is.
THE EXTRAS
Available on DVD-ROM
is "The Adventures in the Skin Trade Part 1" script by
Stephen Kronish, the co-creator and executive producer. Also on
hand are some scenes in Spanish and a photo gallery.
At least one or two commentaries should've accompanied this set.
The best extras were
on the Season 1 DVD with interviews by Stephen J. Cannell, Michael
Chiklis and others.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Commish
offers some pretty good episodes this season, but the extras are
lacking. Still I'm recommending this six-disc DVD set. Newcomers
to the show could start here, but going back to the first season
is advised.
