Rating: 
Summary: Law and Order - The Second Year: Revolving Door Starts
Review: The second season of "Law & Order" marked the beginning of the "revolving door" with regards to the cast. The very first departure is prominently featured in the very first episode: Det. Max Greevy (George Dzundza) is killed. Enter Det. Logan's (Chris Noth) newest partner: Det. Phil Cerreta played by the dominating Paul Sorvino. The chemistry is different between the two officers, but it works well, perhaps even a little better than what previously existed.Returning once again are the other members of the ensemble cast including: Michael Moriarty as Ben Stone, Richard Brooks as Paul Robinette, Steven Hill as Adam Schiff, Dann Florek as Donald Cragen, and as mentioned above Chris Noth as Mike Logan. Reruns on most of the cable channels feature more recent episodes. It is nice to be able to go further back in time to see the early episodes that defined L&O as a remarkable series that would continue for 14 seasons and counting! Many of these episodes are "ripped from the headlines", though not all. This DVD features fresh new interviews from cast members such as: Paul Sorvino, Chris Noth, and Jerry Orbach (who would join the cast next season, but appears for the first time this season). The packaging is somewhat different. On the exterior, it appears very much the same, though the box is reduced in size. Inside, instead of 6 discs with 4 episodes per disc, there are 3 discs with 8 episodes per disc front and back. I guess that feature helps save space. Also of note, the artwork beautifully featured on the discs of the first season boxset are not on these 3 discs. They bare no artwork at all. If you're a "Law & Order" fan, this boxset is a must. And the interviews with cast members (I won't spoil the details) definitely make it worth the purchase price. So, sit back and watch some of your favorite early moments in the series that made it the smash hit that it is today!
Rating:
Summary: Slow pace allows for more acting - bonus DVD stuff so-so.
Review: The second season of Law and Order runs at a nicely slower pace than today's version, which allows for more acting and arguably a more fulfilling show. As far as the DVD, the transfer is far better than the first season but bonus features are still disappointing. Law and Order's frequent plot reversals started off as an attempt to avoid lawsuits (change a few plot lines to avoid libel) but is now a cornerstone of the series. As in season 1, however, season 2 has slightly less complicated plot lines that allow for more development. The overall pace is thus a nice shift; Chris Noth and Paul Sorvino have longer conversations with witnesses than the standard confirm time and location grilling. Less plot drama allows for more reality too; one note is the courtroom sessions in general actually make an attempt to follow true trial rules on testimony, and giving Steven Hill more lines than "make the deal" is good to watch. Guest stars like William Macy, Nick Turturro, and Jerry Orbach (as an attorney pouring his first cup of L&O coffee meeting with Stone as opposing counsel!) make the watching-for-future stars aspect of the early years fun. As far as subject, where season 1 had Dick Wolf being able to pick and choose from how many years of New York crime, season 2 seems to have more current events. Still, some very good episodes on things like blackmail, divorce, stalking a star, and other crimes from the early 90s that are still relevant today. Not limiting the crime to murder (part of the cost of the spinoffs) also helps. Besides the nicely retro hair of Robinette, you almost get a sense of nostalgia watching people with their early 90s complaints - the economy of that era stinking, crime waves ripping through previously good neighborhoods, and cops without cell phones and laptops pulling over to use the payphone. The quality of the transfer is a lot better than the first year where flecking was a major problem, even though Universal has crowded 8 episodes onto each DVD. Bonus features, however, cost this a star. There's a nice 30 minute movie on the first three seasons of Law and Order with every major actor (except Hill) from that era of the series showing up to discuss it. There are certainly interesting tidbits, like the tension among the cast, George Dzundza and Sorvino discussing why they left, Noth floating the idea of himself as the veteran cop rather than Orbach, and some good cracks about how present and former cast got off paying tickets at times. However, there is absolutely no commentary from directors or writers during the episodes, or for that matter from other parties that might be interesting (like real law enforcement types comparing the cases they were based on to the episode) that could have easily been accomplished without too much cost and effort. (For that matter, any commentary on the second season rather than a retrospective on the first three would have been a lot more appropriate). At least there's no ad for a new Law and Order game as in the season 1 DVD, but Universal could do a lot better on something that you can see in reruns constantly. Still, very much worth having for the L&O fan, and for those who aren't big current L&O fans a pretty good way to be converted.
Rating:
Summary: Slow pace allows for more acting - bonus DVD stuff so-so.
Review: The second season of Law and Order runs at a nicely slower pace than today's version, which allows for more acting and arguably a more fulfilling show. As far as the DVD, the transfer is far better than the first season but bonus features are still disappointing. Law and Order's frequent plot reversals started off as an attempt to avoid lawsuits (change a few plot lines to avoid libel) but is now a cornerstone of the series. As in season 1, however, season 2 has slightly less complicated plot lines that allow for more development. The overall pace is thus a nice shift; Chris Noth and Paul Sorvino have longer conversations with witnesses than the standard confirm time and location grilling. Less plot drama allows for more reality too; one note is the courtroom sessions in general actually make an attempt to follow true trial rules on testimony, and giving Steven Hill more lines than "make the deal" is good to watch. Guest stars like William Macy, Nick Turturro, and Jerry Orbach (as an attorney pouring his first cup of L&O coffee meeting with Stone as opposing counsel!) make the watching-for-future stars aspect of the early years fun. As far as subject, where season 1 had Dick Wolf being able to pick and choose from how many years of New York crime, season 2 seems to have more current events. Still, some very good episodes on things like blackmail, divorce, stalking a star, and other crimes from the early 90s that are still relevant today. Not limiting the crime to murder (part of the cost of the spinoffs) also helps. Besides the nicely retro hair of Robinette, you almost get a sense of nostalgia watching people with their early 90s complaints - the economy of that era stinking, crime waves ripping through previously good neighborhoods, and cops without cell phones and laptops pulling over to use the payphone. The quality of the transfer is a lot better than the first year where flecking was a major problem, even though Universal has crowded 8 episodes onto each DVD. Bonus features, however, cost this a star. There's a nice 30 minute movie on the first three seasons of Law and Order with every major actor (except Hill) from that era of the series showing up to discuss it. There are certainly interesting tidbits, like the tension among the cast, George Dzundza and Sorvino discussing why they left, Noth floating the idea of himself as the veteran cop rather than Orbach, and some good cracks about how present and former cast got off paying tickets at times. However, there is absolutely no commentary from directors or writers during the episodes, or for that matter from other parties that might be interesting (like real law enforcement types comparing the cases they were based on to the episode) that could have easily been accomplished without too much cost and effort. (For that matter, any commentary on the second season rather than a retrospective on the first three would have been a lot more appropriate). At least there's no ad for a new Law and Order game as in the season 1 DVD, but Universal could do a lot better on something that you can see in reruns constantly. Still, very much worth having for the L&O fan, and for those who aren't big current L&O fans a pretty good way to be converted.
Rating: 
Summary: Law and Order Season 2
Review: This is "Law and Order" at it's best. There is no over all story line like most shows have nowadays. George Dzundza is replaced by the much more likeable Paul Sorvino as Detective Sergeant Phil Cerreta, Mike Logan's (Chris Noth) new partner. The format is the same as before; the police investigate the murder (or sometimes other crime) and then hand off the case to the New York District Attorneys Ben Stone (Michael Moriarty, still my favorite character in the series thus far), Paul Robinette (Richard Brooks) and their boss D.A. Adam Schiff (Steven Hill). The crimes range from murder to blackmail, stalking to statutory rape in the church. The guest players this year are all excellent, as usual; William H. Macy (always a treat to watch), Maura Tierney, Allyson Janney, ans many others. My gfavorite episode waswhere the detectives catch a serial killer, but he's eventually let go because of illeagle impresonment and interigation tactics. This season is also important for the introduction of Carolyn MacCormack as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet, who adds a lot of warmth to the otherwise cold atmosphere. Also of interest is Jerry Orbach as a lawyer, a year before he joined the cast as Det. Lenny Brisco. All in all, this is the best season in the shows history.
Rating:
Summary: Law and Order Season 2
Review: This is "Law and Order" at it's best. There is no over all story line like most shows have nowadays. George Dzundza is replaced by the much more likeable Paul Sorvino as Detective Sergeant Phil Cerreta, Mike Logan's (Chris Noth) new partner. The format is the same as before; the police investigate the murder (or sometimes other crime) and then hand off the case to the New York District Attorneys Ben Stone (Michael Moriarty, still my favorite character in the series thus far), Paul Robinette (Richard Brooks) and their boss D.A. Adam Schiff (Steven Hill). The crimes range from murder to blackmail, stalking to statutory rape in the church. The guest players this year are all excellent, as usual; William H. Macy (always a treat to watch), Maura Tierney, Allyson Janney, ans many others. My gfavorite episode waswhere the detectives catch a serial killer, but he's eventually let go because of illeagle impresonment and interigation tactics. This season is also important for the introduction of Carolyn MacCormack as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet, who adds a lot of warmth to the otherwise cold atmosphere. Also of interest is Jerry Orbach as a lawyer, a year before he joined the cast as Det. Lenny Brisco. All in all, this is the best season in the shows history.
Rating: 
Summary: My only problem...
Review: was that these were double-sided DVDs, which you flip over to get three episodes a side, six per DVD. However, disappointingly, I was unable to watch several episodes because they kept skipping and locking up the player. (I tried it on different machines.) If this is because of the double-side format I have no idea. Just a warning from a frustrated viewer...
Rating:
Summary: Second Year Not as Intense as the First, But Still Good
Review: What a neat feeling it is to watch these older episodes and to experience the days when Law & Order was original and unique. The format of the program has never changed in the 14 years the show has been on the air. The first half of the program is dedicated to the police investigation (usually a murder.) The second half was dedicated to the prosecution of the criminals involved. Many fans of the early years like myself appreciate the subtle characterizations that the writers and actors brought to their parts. That kind of authenticity is lacking in today's cliché-ridden scripts with cardboard characters.
The best episode is, "Confession," in which Mike Logan (Chris Noth) crosses the line after his partner from the first season is murdered. Logan's struggle through the grieving process does not detract from the show's format, but only enhances it as Logan meets his new partner, Phil Ceretta (Paul Sorvino.) Other standout episodes include, "God Bless the child," "Heaven," "Vengeance," and "The Fertile Fields." Its strange to see Jerry Orbach playing a slick defense lawyer in, "The Wages of Love," a year before he would become the show's corner-stone character, Lenny Briscoe. Some of the content was watered down a bit after advertisers bucked the idea of hot-button story lines that were common in season one. Still, the material is gritty and realistic and the writing feels fresh.
The bonus documentary will appeal to old-school fans like myself. It includes interviews with Chris Noth, Michael Moriarty, George Dzundza, Dan Florek, Richard Brooks, Paul Sorvino and Jerry Orbach. Its neat to get inside of their heads a bit, though it is sometimes sad when you see the shape that Mr. Moriarty is in now.
The disks now contain eight episodes each (four per side.) This doesn't seem to cut down on picture quality much and the audio is still better quality than what you find on television. If you want to see Law & Order long before it was just another tired cop/lawyer franchise, buy these DVD's.
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