'The Unit - The Complete Second Season'
(Dennis Haysbert, et al / 6-Disc DVD / NR / (2006) 2007 / 20th Century Fox)
Overview: Known only as "THE UNIT," they are an ultra-secret contingent of Special Forces soldiers who operate outside the usual military chain of command. Their very existence is a closely held secret protected by the soldiers themselves. Their wives, who are also in on the secret, strictly adhere to a fictitious cover story that is provided for them. "THE UNIT" chronicles a team of unknown heroes who, without ever receiving credit, risk their lives while protecting others.
DVD Verdict: Full of action, intrigue, and espionage, 'The Unit' offers a dramatic, fictionalized look inside the military while also giving viewers a peek inside the private lives of the elite squad. Conceived by the critically acclaimed David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross, House of Games), The Unit is an elite, covert Special Forces team that operates outside the military chain of command. The first season's 13 episodes offer insight into the characters without revealing too much about the men who make up the operation.
Are they extremely patriotic, or are they adrenalin junkies who have to be in danger to feel validated? The answer probably falls somewhere in between, and the viewer gets the feeling that as much as the men love their wives and children, it's their jobs that give them their true reason for living. Led by veteran Jonas Blane (Dennis Haysbert, 24), the Unit deals with terrorism, rescue missions, and assassinations quickly, discreetly, and efficiently. If all goes well, someone else gets the credit. If things go awry, it's their necks on the line.
Nicely done again. I believe that the characters in the second season were subtly changed and corrected to become more likable and acceptable. The colonel stopping the affair with one of his subordinates' wife was a recommendable improvement. I was bit disgusting to see a commanding officer doing unethical stuff like this. But what we have seen in the 2nd season was the even stronger performance of Robert Patrick who played colonel Tom Ryan. An absolutely necessary presence in the whole series, his said performance in the second season was textbook. He has become a more caring and fair officer for those he commanded.
Molly Blane was still a bit out of place and pretentious. Kim Brown did an even job in the second season, but it was just so dangerous to re-ignite an old distinguished romance with her college boyfriend ... a broken dream that in the end turned out to be lucky! Tiffy was still a shaky person who tried her best to stay on a straight track, always getting the possibility to fall and commit adultery again. Her episode of getting a windfall precious coin turned out to be the most interesting episode in this season! We also got a new and younger female character in this season. She garnered the same weakness as Tiffy, but the role and the actress was not to be sympathized or liked as much. Charles Grey, the bomb expert, was graciously given a chance to play one episode of sad romance with a female Israeli ally, a short and sad one but one which also turned out to be another great episodes.
Bob 'Cool Breeze' Brown played by Scott Foley has become a more and more important role player this time. The actor also looked more confident and comfortable in this series. Demore Barnes who played Hector Williams was still quite vague and overlooked in a somewhat lightweight role, but he played dutifully well as required. Mack 'Dirt Diver' Gerhardt played by Max Martini was still a tortured mind and spirit, always capable of carrying out the toughest missions - but simply couldn't deal with his unstable and not too trustworthy wife, the aforementioned Tiffy. But he also seasonably stumbled once so it kind of evens itself up!
And, as Robert Patrick's indispensable commanding officer role, Dennis Haysbert's role as Jonas 'Snake Doctor' Blane, is also the soul of the whole storyline. One of the best professionals ever created and seen in motion pictures, his performance was impeccable and believing. Guess his deep vibrant voice also played an important factor here within such a commanding role. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:
9 Audio Commentaries
Paradise Lost: The Making of the Season 2 Finale
Mission: The Making of Sub-Conscious
Dark of the Moon: Working with Weapons
www.FoxHome.com