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Shameless: Series 2 (TV)
R1 - America - Mill Creek Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Eric Cotenas (6th August 2013). |
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The Show
 ***This is a technical review only. For reviews on the show from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** Seasons 1 and 2 of the critically acclaimed and brilliantly funny drama from award-winning writer Paul Abbott features 18 hilarious episodes of the Gallaghers of Chatsworth Estate, probably the UK's most dysfunctional family. The story centers around a young group of silblings pretty much neglected by their alcoholic father (David Threlfall - "Hot Fuzz", "Nowhere Boy"), surviving by their own wits - and humor - on a rough Manchester council estate. While they won't admit it, they need help and find it in Steve (James McAvoy - "Wanted", "X-Men: First Class"), a young middle class lad who falls for Fiona (Anne-Marie Duff - "The Magdaline Sisters"), the oldest sibling, and increasingly finds himself drawn to this unconventional and unique family. Chaos ensues with more tales of how one extraordinary family goes about its normal everyday life. Season Two Episode Breakdown: "Christmas in Chatsworth" (70:03) - The Gallagher family celebrate Christmas 2004 with Veronica's mother and her arsonist son (who has burned their house down), and a money-making scheme by Kev and Lip to sell stolen meat leads the estate to be quarantined and a riot ensues. "Grandad" (43:26) - When Frank's father comes to visit his and Sheila's twins, he makes Frank get a job as window cleaner. Veronica violently objects when Karen gets a job at the pub. "Eric" (45:38) - Frank forgets to tell Kev and Veronica that they have been accepted for a trial adoption until a bullied boy arrives on their doorstep. "The Garden Competition" (47:06) - Veronica and Carol become ultra-competitive over a council "best kept garden" contest which has a free year's rent as its prize. Meanwhile, Fiona suspects Steve of having an affair. "The Big Day" (48:46) - Tony sets up Steve as bait to catch a murderous gang of car thieves, and Frank discovers his son Ian is gay. "Crooks and Robbers" (46:42) - Lip is arrested when the house he is house-sitting is burgled. A bootlegged sex tape inadvertently makes its way around the estate. "Welcome to the Family" (47:50) - Mandy becomes pregnant by Lip, but her family threatens pretend boyfriend Ian with marriage or castration. "Joey Dawson?" (44:24) - Fiona has a drunken one night stand with an old schoolmate whose fiancee turns out to be a social worker determined to take Liam away after he accidentally swallows an Ecstasy tablet. "Against the Odds" (42:40) - When Frank injures his mouth on Kash's shop door, he files a claim and incurs the wrath of his neighbors. Meanwhile, Fiona discovers she is pregnant. "Sister, Sister" (47:54) - Kev's sister (and Veronica's rival) pays a visit, and Craig's ex has an affair with Veronica's brother. "True Love" (48:42) - Steve comes out of hiding to reunite with Fiona (who is pregnant with Craig's child), Frank impersonates a dead man (again), and Kash runs for the local council.
Video
Video quality is much the same as the first season which shares this set. The near decase-old PAL-converted (not the motion estimation jobs afforded the US releases of the BBC's higher end productions) digital video is passable but probably looks better on smaller screens. The second series' Christmas special is actually on disc two of the first series, while the other ten episodes are split between discs three and four.
Audio
Audio is standard Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo, and it gets the job done with clear dialogue and a lively music track. Directional use of sound effects is a bit more sporadic, although there are some surprises. Unfortunately, no English SDH subtitles have been included (which might have helped with the thick accents).
Extras
Mill Creek's edition has absolutely no extras, but it will still be of value to stateside viewers since season two has not been available here (Warner Home Video only released the first series).
Packaging
The four discs are house inside a standard single-disc keep case in four paper sleeves held in a square divider in place of the standard spindle. It's far from ideal packaging, but at least it keeps the discs separate from one another; but hardcore collectors will probably make other arrangements, while those on the go will probably just ditch the case and stick the discs in storage album. Disc three is labeled "Series 2 Disc 1" although the first episode of the second series - the seventy-minute Christmas episode - actually appears on "Series 1 Disc 2" after the first series' seventh episode.
Overall
Considering that it contains two seasons (more than fourteen hours of video), Mill Creek's four-disc set is economically-priced
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