Rating: 
Summary: Good Show!
Review: Just finished watching the second season of "Dark Angel"; purchased both seasons on Amazon. I had never seen it when it aired, so it was nice to view it all without commercials & continuously. I really enjoyed both seasons, but I feel that the first season was better; in the second season they went off on some rather bizaare tangents. Unfortunately they lost, for the most part, the character of Lydecker, who was a multi-dimensional character with many as yet unexplored aspects. He was unfortunately replaced with a comic villain, White. There were times when I wondered how the other actors kept a straight face playing opposite him; this seemed somewhat out of place to the tone of the program in general.
While I understand that it is necessary to keep the love interests apart(in true soap opera tradition), I felt that the virus keeping apart Logan & Max was bogus; it seemed too obviously to be a plot device & didn't come from a true place but the worst, in my opinion, was the breeding cult episodes, which recalled every bad cliche about Satan worshippers that you ever saw in any 1970's "Movie of the Week". (Hey, just because they're devil-worshippers doesn't mean they're freaks!) Beyond that this is a great show; very enjoyable & watchable; it's unfortunate that it was cancelled, and I agree with other comments that it would be nice to see how this all came out, maybe in a follow-up movie.
Rating:
Summary: Better and better
Review: Don't know why so many are complaining about this second season. The first was excellent, but became so confining in area and characters it was hard to hold and grow.
The second season opened the series up and by the end had great promise for stories. As the season ended I looked forward to the next year and what could be done with the various characters and situations. That the idiots that cancelled are probably the same ones that dropped the hammer on Homicide and other potentially great shows. Always the worst part is that there ARE NOT ENOUGH TOP SHOWS APPEARING ON THE DESKS. So they substitute whatever they can find, and I spend more and more of my watching time on the cable channels. If the Networks want to commit suicide this is certainly the way to do it
Rating: 
Summary: 21/2 stars, first season so much better than this one
Review: First season was depressing in that it depicted a dark, dismal future America, this second season is depressing in that the writers/producers threw away so much of what I liked about the first one.
Jessica Alba's Max is still the smart mouthed 20 yr. old or so Jam Pony employee out to secretly make the world just a little bit better but that is most of what didn't change. First season gradually got away from the Manticore X5's needing tryptophan supplements to survive and being prone to sudden rapid aging (no explanation given, they just dropped the ideas)but on the whole Season One stayed pretty consistent.
Second season starts off where First ended with Max a captive at Manticore after a rescue attempt of those her group of escapees left behind. As the season progresses we find that many of the secondary characters (including Lydecker)have dissappeared without much if any explanation and Max is now some sort of super X5 with no junk DNA.
For some reason the producers/writers felt the need to introduce characters that are more animal than human and a hitherto secret race of superhumans out to rule the world. A character called "Father" is mentioned but described as long missing, apparently he designed Max to save everything in the future, I was never sure if maybe he might've been one of these super men.
I guess ratings got so bad that by season's end producer James Cameron came in to do the season finale, it was interesting but Ms. Alba was about all that was any good in it.
I remember that it was a toss-up over whether Dark Angel would have a third season( the sloppy finale left us hanging)or Joss Whedon's Firefly would take it's place. I don't think Dark Angel would've lasted much longer than Firefly did.
Rating: 
Summary: Full Screen
Review: While the second season of Dark Angel certainly wasn't as good as the first, there were some great moments. It still beats the majority of the crap on TV. Unfortunately, this set (like the first season) is only available in a pan and scan version, thanks to the idiots at FOX. The show gets a decent rating, but the DVD sucks because of this format. If something's filmed in 16:9, it should be presented in 16:9. This so called "Full Screen" version does NOT fill my 16:9 screen, and (if it doesn't affect you now) when you have a 16:9 TV in the future, it will.
Rating: 
Summary: Where we discover that Fox was really behind Manticore
Review: While the first season of Dark Angel was more consistent, the second season offered much more interesting developments for the unproduced third season to fulfill. As it is, we'll be stuck with an unresolved cliff hanger (unless the Dark Angel novels somehow resolve this--I've not read any of them). Captured by Manticore the entity that created her and other mutants, Max escapes and initiates the destruction of the organization. Suddenly, she isn't as alone as during the first season; she owes her life to Alec another X5 similar to her and a DNA mixed breed (he's part human, part canine)named Joshua. With Manticore destroyed, it seems like smooth sailing for Max and others of her kind. Unfortunately, there's a new threat pursuing her and her fellow X5's and X6's.While season two's episodes are ripe with possibility, those possibilities aren't developed as well as they could be; The shift of focus in the series with Manticore gone helps emancipate the show from the variation on The Fugitive theme. Dark Angel always echoed that series and Run For Your Life another series from the 1960's (which Cameron no doubt was a fan of and saw). Cameron and co-creator Charles Eglee chose a different path from those series realizing the limits one can run into in terms of plot developments and story arcs. The best episodes hold their own and, in some cases, are superior even to the best from the first season. That said, the quality varies a bit more here than the first season because the focus isn't quite as sharp. Actor John Savage is missed. Although his character could be one dimensional in the early episodes of season one, as the series progressed, Savage brought an undercurrent of tension to the series with his moody, subtle portrayal. On the other hand, Alba and Weatherly continued to improve bringing nice shading to their characters and their interactions. The grand finale for season two has considerable pedigree; it's based on a story by Cameron and Eglee but written by Deep Space Nine and Fame producer/writer Ira Steven Behr one of the finest writers working in television. He and co-writer/series line producer Rene Echevarria (another Deep Space Nine and Next Generation veteran)created the best episode of the season with Freak Nation. The real icing on the cake for Cameron and Dark Angel fans is the fact that Cameron directed this 90 minute episode himself. He's been MIA from film for far too long. The extras are similar to the previous season--commentary on three key episodes (although Cameron does not appear on the commentary track for Freak Nation)including the season premiere and the final episode. There's three featurettes including a piece on creating the monsters of Manticore and one self explainatory feaurette entitled Max Resurrected. The amusing blooper reel is included as well. Although there's no revealing interviews with Cameron or Eglee (which would have been nice--we might have found out what direction they planned on taking the series during season three), the commentary tracks give considerable insight into the creative process for the show. The DVD picture quality varies from good to very good depending upon what time of the day the bulk of the episode takes place in. The darker episodes tend to show a bit more digital compression artifacts. The series looks and sounds really good on the whole. I do have an issue with the packaging; Fox has embraced the accordion style packaging included here and it sucks; the quality of the packaging is poor. The plastic DVD holders continually come loose or pop out and the packaging doesn't stand up well to wear and tear. Fox should have taken a look at the Alias boxed set as an example for this series. Both series are priced roughly the same (and considerably less than any of the Star Trek boxed sets--kudos for that at least) so clearly this comes down to profit margin. Extras are nice and do attract fans to purchase a series vs. continually watching their videotaped or DVD-R home made recordings. On the other hand, three featurettes, 3 commentary tracks and the blooper reel isn't exactly might not be enough incentive for most fans to fork over the additional money for this set. I'm sure that Dark Angel had footage shot for foreign markets (different standards and running times demand these types of differences be created). Why not research it and include those as well? Although they usually don't have additional major plot points, they're, again, an added incentive to purchase this for fans of the series. These are minor flaws to be sure (although the packaging is a major issue for me)but it would enhance the value of the series and, perhaps, increase sales. Although the show began to lose their core audience during season one and two, if Fox had continued to give this series a chance I've not doubt it could have turned into another X-Files for the network. As a fan of the first five seasons of X-Files, I found Angel to be in roughly the same place by season two although the writing was better earlier with this series. Hopefully, Fox will come to their senses and order at least a two hour series to conclude the show at some point although this late in the game (over a year later)it's unlikely to happen; the sets were struck and the cast is scattered all over the place. It's a pity because this cult series deserved the chance to shine and with a little TLC it had a pretty good chance of happening.
Rating:
Summary: INCREDIBLE
Review: i think the second season of Dark Angel is fantastic. Jessica Alba never fails to put on a beautiful performance, both by acting and looks. she is such a good example of a woman who i want to become in life: capable to take care of herself and be in the lead, yet have a true sweetness and purity that isn't feighned at all. you can see it in her smile and hear it in her laugh. its amazing. michael weatherly does a fantasic job as logan and they are definately up there with buffy and angel for the best TV romance and couple. they both share one word: forbidden. yet, nomatter what happens, they always come through for eachother. i think the last scene in Freak Nation, where they hold hands is so incredible. to me, it means that, yes, their bodies cannot touch, but their hearts are. both of their hearts are touching and will always be touching; the heart is one. and i love how they both give eachother's hands a little squeeze because it shows that they will always cling to eachother and i for one, think they make a great couple. i am very upset that Fox cancelled it, but it is a great show and i definately recommend it, along with season one of course. also, michael always looks beyond hot throughout season 1 and 2. altogther he is mouth-watering to look at. he is in great shape and his face is art work. and original cindy and newcomer Alec(who's also HOT!) Normal and Sketch are great too. they are very funny and sincere and i really feel the whole gang got a lot closer. to me, the series finalle, was an end to a chapter, not the whole book, which really symbolizes life, because life itself doesn't ever end like a book, so i think to myself: why not make TV real? and dark angel does so. oh, one more thing: joshua, great character too.
Rating:
Summary: Read my review!
Review: I loved the season one of Darkangel and I missed s2 almost completely, but lucky me, there are DVD's for sale. I've heard many times that this season is doomed to dissapoint, but I have only one thing to reply: ITS GREAT! And there are improvements. Especially the new caracter Alec (Jensen Ackles) who's being sarcastic all the time.(tell me this isn't funny: Max: "We gonna have to distract them."
Alec: "Tell me you're going to get naked.") Jessica Alba does another great job, being Max, the tough I-don't-need-anyone kickass. Logan (Michael Weatherly) is being very irritating (In a good way!) as miracle-computer-boy and I even like Johsua, the dog guy. Though, like any other series, this one isn't completely perfect. I found the virus thing quite unbelieveble, though it saves us from a Max/Logan soap cliche. And, yes I have to admit it: Logan's hair really looks bad. And the same goes for his glasses, they just don't look right on him. But even these little things can't prevent me from giving it 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: The end of the story for Max and the post-Pulse transgenics
Review: Watching the second season of "Dark Angel" knowing that the show would be cancelled it becomes easier to see that there the fundamental dynamic of the series was just changed way too much. After all, gone is John Savage's villainous Lydeker, who had at least a proprietary interest in the transgenics. In his place is a Snidley Whiplash type, Agent White (Martin Cummins), who wants to kill all the transgenics, not so much because of orders from the government but because of a much larger ancient conspiracy (e.g, "Exposure") having to do with the whole eugenics vs. transgenics argument (pretend there is one). Instead of the super-soliders from the X-5 series trying to blend in with humanity and avoid being killed by their creators, we know have transgenics of every description, which far too often becomes a "freak" of the week. While in the case of Joshua (Kevin Durand), the first transgenic, this has some nice payoffs, the rest of it is just becomes a bit much and you need a program to keep all the transgenic clear in your mind. Then there is the whole romantic relationship between Max (Jessica Alba) and Logan (Michael Weatherly), which starts off the second season with him thinking she is dead. Then he gets the good news, she is alive, but the bad news: she has been given a virus that is genetically programmed to kill Eyes Only. You have to admit, it terms of keeping apart two people who seriously want to get together, this is a rather creative way, and there are a couple of very good episodes dealing with their romantic problems (e.g., "Borrowed Time," "Hello, Goodbye"). We are supposed to then throw X-5 Alex (Jensen Ackles) into the mix as a love triangle, but I can never believe Sam would be unfaithful to Logan, let along want to go the kissing cousin route. I prefer the problems with the X-6s ("Bag 'Em") and the X-7s ("Designate This"). Perhaps the best proof of how the show was matching steps forwards with step backwards is in the supporting cast. With Alex and Joshua becoming the third and fourth most important characters in the show after Max and Logan, that meant reduced roles for Original Cindy (Valarie Rae Miller) and Norman (J.C. MacKenzie). The latter is reduced to on-going homoerotic shtick with Alex, especially in the Manty Coro bits, and the former is reduced to popping in to episodes for brief moments of clear thinking and moral support. This is underscore by their return to prominence in the series finale, "Freak Nation" (raise your hand if the final scene reminds you of a line from CSN&Y's "Deja Vu"). Perhaps the problems with Season 2 of "Dark Angle" is that making things bigger and going the whole "X-Men" route with the public outcry to get the wicked mutants, is just pretty much a complete flip on the more intimate and secretive world of post-Pulse Seattle we got in Season 1 (and if you listen to the commentary track for "Freak Nation" you can learn what further changes were coming in Season 3). It seems strange to fault a show for moving in new directions, given how often they become stagnant, but all these changes might just have been too much too soon. Then again, the fault might be audiences were not particularly open to so many changes. You certainly cannot say that watching Alba as Max got tiresome (just her comic book refusal to ever kill any of the homicidal maniacs after her and her buddies). Ironically, FOX's reasoning for cancelling "Dark Angel" was that they did not want to do two futuristic science-fiction shows (i.e., costly sets and special effects), and decided to go with the highly anticipated sci-fi western "Firefly" from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon. Of course, "Firefly" never had the ratings of "Dark Angel" and never made it to double figures on episodes. If you missed "Dark Angel," then it is certainly worthwhile checking it out on DVD. The second season is not as good as the first, but still way above average in terms of science fiction shows. James Cameron directed the finale, which marked the first (and so far only) time he has dealt with human actors as a director since "Titanic." The DVD also includes some featurettes and a gag reel, but the chief attraction in the extras are the few but definitely above average commentary tracks.
Rating:
Summary: A let down after season 1
Review: Series 1 of Dark Angel was original, & not so completely removed from reality that you thought "that couldn't possibly happen", & that's one of the reasons I liked it.
Series2, sadly in my opinion, removes itself completely from reality.
We find that Manticore (the genetic engineering facility that created our heroine, Max) had created all sorts of creatures, from dog men to panther women. And then there's the "breeding cult" storyline, in which we have people that are even more dangerous than the transgenics, but were just bred that way (possibly with alien help, but we never really get this resolved).
Series 2 does have some good points - the character of Alec is great fun, & really cute, & we get to see William Gregory Lee reprise his role as Zack, however it all just got too strange & moved away from why I liked Dark Angel in the first place.
Stll, I was sorry when they cancelled it, & I would love to see a movie made to tie up all the loose ends.
Rating: 
Summary: Jumping the Shark
Review: In an interview it was said that season 2 was going to be "lighter" because of 9-11. Big mistake. Dog boy? There were so many bad bad moments. I became embarassed to having admitted to liking the show during the 1st season. That's what killed it. Mia and her mind games was funny but overall this season languished without a direction. Suddenly Jessica Alba being the most beautiful woman in the world couldn't do anything for the show. It's such a shame that this season killed the show. Remember the panning shot of her on the tower as a trailer before the show debuted in 2000, the potential it had? Maybe someone with a real talent could revive this concept and make Max the hero with emotions she was promised to be. But only as a theatrical release.
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