Customer Reviews

Beauty and the Beast - The Second Season

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Beauty & The Beast's second season had a rough start, owing to the writer's guild strike in the fall of 1988. But out of adversity often come great things, and greatness is in abundance during this beloved series' sophomore year.

I don't want to give away too many plot points, for those who haven't seen (or maybe have forgotten) the events of the series. But to be fair to those who'd rather be surprised....MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD. It's safe to say that the love between Catherine and Vincent grows stronger, even as they brave seemingly insurmountable obstacles to their relationship. Returning guest stars from season one include Linda Hamilton's then-husband Bruce Abbott as Devin; Edward Albert as the ambitious yet tragic Elliot Burch; Terrylene as the deaf-mute Laura; and the wonderful Tony Jay as Vincent's chief nemesis, Paracelsus. And the many returning Tunnel characters get a chance to shine in the impressive "Dead of Winter," and in "Labyrinths," in which we learn the reasons many of them now reside beneath the streets of New York City.

I will begrudgingly acknowledge there were a couple of sub-standard episodes. These include the somewhat Vincent-less "Trial," in which Catherine prosecutes a man accused of killing his son; and the excessively violent "The Hollow Men." But these are but two blemishes in an otherwise excellent season of television.

On the plus side, the aforementioned "Dead of Winter" is only one of three episodes that with a Christmas theme. "Remember Love" is the B & B version of "It's a Wonderful Life"; "God Bless the Child" offers a message of hope, even as an unforeseen obstacle threatens Vincent & Catherine's relastionship. And t.v. just doesn't get any better than the season closing trilogy, which elevate this gentle romantic fantasy to near-operatic proportions. And in the best tradition of cliffhanging season-enders, leave you dying to know what comes next.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Beauty & The Beast. I hope everyone who has enjoyed this unique show will continue to support its release on DVD. We still have one more season--albeit a shortened and somewhat controvesial one--to go!

Although long rumoured to have had only women devotees, in fact BEAUTY AND THE BEAST remains to this day my own favourite American television serial as well. It debuted in 1987, during perhaps the most EXTERNALLY oppressive period in my wife's and my entire marriage. Feeling alienated from so much around us, we drew deeper into our already close relationship and spent countless hours together reading aloud, listening to good music, and drinking MANY pots of tea. So this programme about a couple estranged from the 'normal' world -- whose love, nigh-mystical understanding of one another, and taste for simple joys were so like our own -- was deeply encouraging. Then too, its many literary allusions actually advanced our own interest in classic literature. I credit the scripts with our appreciation of everything from Shakespeare's 29th sonnet to Rilke's LETTERS TO A YOUNG POET to THE VELVETEEN RABBIT.

Of course, the show was not flawless. Its earliest episodes suffered from excessive Beast-to-the-rescue plotlines; and after Linda Hamilton's departure, the truncated third and final season was seriously marred by a misguided decision to escalate action and violence, presumably in hope of better ratings. The serial's middle run was by far its best, focusing on Vincent and Catherine's deeply-romantic yet functionally-platonic relationship, the intriguing history of the tunnel community, and the mysterious wonders and perils of the vast realms even further Below. Yet, whatever its strengths and weaknesses, that the programme came to be at all was a blessing beyond hope in a medium so often glutted with mere ugliness and inanity. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was that rarest of television phenomena: A true work of art.

This is one of the best TV series ever! It has all the ingredients that make a classic - well-plotted storylines, a cast of interesting characters, and above all, an otherworldly romance between the gentle, noble Vincent, and the luminously beautiful Catherine. In each scene where they come together, you cannot help but be mesmerised by the tremendous depth of emotion and feeling that is seen on their faces, their body language, and their dialogue. These two share an on-screen chemistry that is quite rare even till today. Linda Hamilton plays her role with a measure of beauty, courage and conviction that is utterly convincing. Ron Perlman's Vincent is the gentle beast, who is kind and loving to his friends and the needy and brutally vicious to the scum of society. His love for Catherine is so poetic, yet even when these two yearning souls are exchanging romantic dialogue or reading from books under the moonlight, they appear convincing and their love for each other rings true. I know I'm gushing here but it is this compelling love story that makes the show what it is, and although each episode has its share of thrills, it is Vincent's & Catherine's unerring love for each other that compels us to view the show. I can't wait for the DVD release.

It stands to reason that, since you are reading this in the Season Two section, you are already well aware of the epic majesty and absolute Love that are Vincent and Catherine. Words are beyond insufficient in describing this series for those who remain mournfully ignorant, but if it will intrigue new viewers, it is definitely worth the effort.

In short, "Beauty and the Beast" is Poetry in sight, sound and emotion. This is the one series that will forever be known as the impossibly beautiful, heart-wrenching, and all-consuming dream that changed everyone who understood its message. I truly pity those who refused to do so, even if it was in part due to them that such a brilliant masterpiece was cancelled so quickly.

Now to the topic at hand: Season Two, the most beloved of many a fan. Personally, I disagree. Every single episode captured my imagination and left me aching for more, even in the most violent and tragic moments. I simply love them all, so much so that I own a boot-leg "all season" set (rest assured that I have bought the official versions and will continue to do so). However, I will admit to having something very close to a "favorite," and it happens to reside in this season, so... take from that what you will.

"Brothers," in my opinion, encapsulates the very spirit of a very difficult to define series, and it has dear Charles. When he and Vincent talk about the misleading effects of appearances, giving Charles the courage to remove his bag-like mask... I literally wept from sheer joy. While it is true that the man will never be an Adonis by "normal" standards because of the disfigurement from his disease, he could power an entire hemisphere indefinitely with that smile. Seeing him come to terms with his differences, with the support of his newfound friends, and gain the courage to face the World Above for the sake of his eternally restless "brother" Devon left me deeply moved. Such is the incandescence of all Vincent, Catherine, and their world have been trying to share with us for the last two decades. I can only pray that more will listen in time.

Like the rest of the hopelessly addicted followers, I eagerly await this release, when I might add the in-store version to my Amazon pre-order as I have with Season One. Will the extremely controversial Season Three have the same luck? I sincerely hope so.

The second season is less violent than the first and deals much more with personal issues. One the best is "God Bless the child" and "A Fair and Perfect Night". Well worth buying. Keep the Dream Alive.

edited 7/23/07:

What can be added to what has already been said? Season 2 looks great on DVD.
I am going through them one by one. One of my favorites is still "God Bless the Child". I love how Lana accepts Vincent and never flinches away. Very, very beautiful. The woman who plays Lana I thought was a very gifted actress too.

If you are a fan, you must purchase Season 2. The ending of episode, "Sticks and Stones" of Catherine and Vincent talking is one of the very best moments of their love.

I look forward to seeing Ron Pearlman and Linda Hamilton's interviews in the last couple of episodes.

Although I despaired at how the third season ended (so cruel), I truly loved the first and second (especially the second) seasons of this incredibly gorgeous series. It amazes me that with the type of junk that is on TV today, something like this was ever made. (I cannot tell you how many times I have re-read Shakespeare's Sonnets since this series was on...Shakespeare did indeed "know everything.") Not only is the romance between the two leading characters incredibly moving and uplifting, all of the characters are of amazing interest, original and compelling. Of course the "underground" community is the most interesting, but with Katherine as the conduit between the two worlds, it causes one to hold one's breath throughout each episode, regardless of where the action is taking place. The setting of the underground world is beyond belief --- beautiful and frightening and literally fantastic. The love between Father and Vincent is so amazingly touching. I would love it if one special TV movie with the full cast could be made --- not that anything could add to the story, but perhaps one special incredibly intelligent writer could come up with something so that once again we could see Vincent, Katherine, Father, and everyone. I know it's not possible; wouldn't make any sense given the way it played out, but still... But I am so happy that these DVD's are finally available. I've been aching for them. Thank you, whoever made this decision, for making it available once again to the world. Maybe, in addition to we fans who loved it so the first time around, it will also find a new audience who loves it as much as we do. That will be a real gift. I just hope the word gets out about these DVD's so that people know they can now buy them and watch them once again. Thank you so much!

Many fans wrote reviews for season one, stating their thanks but complaining that there were no extra features on the release. Well, the studio listened to the fans. This release has recently taped special introductions to certain episodes by both Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton. It is neat seeing them together again, some 17 years after the series ended. The first introduction begins at the front before season two begins with "Chamber Music." As to the video quality on this DVD set, I looked at two episodes last night, "Dead of Winter" and "God Bless the Child," and they were, in my opinion, both of higher quality than the episodes in the season one set. I viewed "The Watcher" tonight and it looked fantastic. They cleaned up season two better than season one. I should note that there is also a video introduction by Perlman and Hamilton before the last season two episode, "The Rest is Silence." I am so grateful they were asked and willing to take part in this season two DVD release. If you haven't bought it yet, you need to!

I am really crazy for this series. From the pilot to its untimely end, I hardly ever missed an episode of this remarkable series. The 1st Season was a cut above ordinary TV--but the 2nd Season--truly magnificent. The episodes that I recall as really memorable such as 'Orphans', or 'Brothers' are inspirational. But what I really am captivated by are the trilogy that end the 2nd Season. Beginning with 'What Rough Beast', continuing with Ceremony of Innocence', and then ending the season with 'The Rest is Silence' we come to the conclusion that this was no ordinary series---this is dramatic Literature, plain and simple!
I highly recommend this DVD from Beauty and the Beast 2nd Season. It will rarely disappoint!

When Beauty and the Beast first came out all those years ago, I was going thru an extremely rough period in my life. It became a true to life story for me with the pitfalls and the romance of the characters mirroring some of my own life. I was enchanted and spirited by Catherine, Vincent, Father, Mouse and the others, each with their own plots, concerns, hurts and loves. I was crushed as many were, when the story came to an end. And although I taped the series, I wrote and wished for a professional copy to surface for my collection to be a great one. Now I find, that it has not only been produced for the consumer to purchase, but once again, it arrives at another rough period in my life, to help heal me once again. Only this time, I get to have a perfect copy of a wonderfully, feel good, make you laugh or make you cry of this beautiful show. Thank you so very much for releasing it after all these years.

I love beauty and the beast. Hopefully the second season will include at least some special features. I'm sure any fan would faint if there were any episode commentaries from Linda Hamilton and Ron Pearlman. I know I probably would. Also what happened to the lost love letters that were included on the VHS versions. Hopefully we'll be able to see them on a future release.