Wiseguy S1 Pt2

The product and the service were great. Can't have S1 pt1 and not have pt2 This DVD brings back memories when there were good writing on tv programs.

The one great thing about Wiseguy as a TV series was that it was very dynamic and rich. Unlike other shows at the time (and since), Wiseguy dove in one direction one week and then another the next. The music was great, the actors second to none, and the story lines and script well written. They made for memorable television viewing when they were first aired and now they make for very enjoyable viewing via DVD.

I was first introduced to Wiseguy right from the start. My father had a thing for taping anything he thought had a certain "coolness" to it, and for whatever reason, he happened to tape the pilot episode of the Steelgrave arc before even watching it. He was hooked. We all were, the whole family. Once Steelgrave met his fate and the Profitt Arc started though, our interest faded out. Ray Sharkey was such an amazing presence on screen that it was depressing to see him gone.

But years later, after having gotten the dvds, I prefer the Profitt Arc to Steelgrave's. There is so much going on - Vinnie and his personal conflicts and desires, Frank's frustration with keeping Vinnie moving straight ahead while increasingly feeling the strain of his lifestyle on his family and personal life, Profit's layers of insanity, Susan's desire to live the "normal" life while still capable of conducting cold-hearted business, and the mysterious Roger Lococco and all the intrigue of his personal history. Throw in some wide-reaching conspiracy, the occult, Malthusian obsession, incredible fortunes and government corruption, and you have just scratched the surface of understanding what great programming this arc provides.

My favorite character in this arc is without a doubt Roger Lococco. William Russ makes Lococco so cool and rich. There's so much going on about him that is smart, experienced, calculating, funny, and torn, all while executing a very charismatic and cool demeanor. His personality drips through and runs down the screen. Vinnie's line that "Roger Lococco is a half-dead souless killer who sleeps with his eyes open" is accurate when it comes to his ability to get the job done, but his personality and wit makes him far more than a goon with no conscience. On the contrary, Lococco is very much driven by his conscience and William Russ' portrayal is second to none. The way he calls everyone "Buckwheat" was fantastic! No one could have pulled this off better.

I would suggest buying this dvd set - don't rent them one by one via Netflix or something, because you're going to want to watch them back to back. Buy the set and set aside a rainy Saturday to sit home and watch the whole arc. Quickly get up from the couch and grab something to eat when the credits come on and get back into your cozy spot for the next episode until you get to the finale. I've had several of those days. Ahhh... what an enjoyable way to spend some a day off!

What tops off this dvd set nicely was the bonus disc with cast interviews, reminiscing about their experiences filming Wiseguy. Joan Severence is still unbelievably gorgeous and Kevin Spacey's stories are great entertainment. My favorite has to be the final interview, that of William Russ, who played Roger Lococco. When speaking of how every now and then, a fan will lean over to him and say, "How's it going, Buckwheat", he said he thanks them. You can clearly tell that he really enjoyed the work and the character and truly enjoys the honor of having given the world that character. If I ever have the honor of meeting him, I will indeed take advantage of the opportunity to thank him for his contribution to excellent television.

GREAT MOMENTS OF THE PROFITT ARC:

- Vinnie's first encounter with Lococco at the Delta Marina Hotel

- Roger showing Vinnie "The Lococco Special" (a gantling gun installed in the trunk of his car to wipe out tails)

- Vinnie observing Louis Cabra's "Blood Dance"

- Mel's Viking funeral

- The secret meetings between Lococco and Herb Ketcher

- The Senate hearings on the plot for the invasion of Isle Pavot

- Lococco's tormenting of Susan to make her believe Mel was still alive

- Lococco's final appearance

This was an arc of outstanding quality. I find some of the official reviews a bit misleading. While this arc starts about the Profits, the writers were smart enough to realize their strange quality would only last so long. About the middle of the arc the focus starts to shift to Roger. But this focus is so slow and subtle! I can remember as a teen watching each week for Roger and being sure that something was happening with that plot. How wonderful for the audience to be treated to not one, but two complex stories in one arc and not be insulted by a poor transition. There were at least 5 wonderful plots here, two major, three or four minor, but all wonderfully realized. So if a possibly incestuous couple isn't your cup of tea, don't let that stop you from watching this outstanding arc.

I also think that people should know that this is not straight crime drama, it is more like the story of Vinny so we follow him along but aren't bored by the more formula parts of the tales of an FBI agent. This show never takes the "law and order" type formula of crime, arrest, trial, jail, and the good guys aren't always good but they aren't bad in the more cliche' ways I have seen in other dramas. Everyone in this show is a human first and agent, crime boss, etc second.