Customer Reviews

Rescue Me: The Complete Fifth Season

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This release is going to be a bit upsetting to anyone that bought the two halves of season 5 separately. I'm glad I held off, as the combined halves are selling for the same price as one of the half season sets. I know why they do stuff like this; but I don't know why they don't care about enraging the fans of the show.

Before I review the season, I feel the need to let potential buyers know that this season 5 is merely a compilation of the dvd sets for season 5.1 and 5.2. Not just the discs are the same, but the actual packaging for these sets, including the covers are included as well. Essentially this is just a large cover over the two sets previously available. So, if you have the other sets, there's nothing knew. Similarly, if you have 5.1, better stick with getting 5.2 when its on sale (if its still available). However, if you don't have either, this is the way to go, even though it's a slightly clunky packaging.

As to the show, it feels like a return to form in many ways. Not that season 4 was bad, it just felt like the show was starting to show some signs of aging. Season 5 really ups the ante, and makes the show feels fresh again, something difficult for a show five seasons in its run. I was shocked by Michael J. Fox's performance, definitely out of character of his usual role, and rather impressive. He provided a great foil for Dennis's character, and was very fun to watch. I also felt the writing was stronger, giving the characters more interesting stories, and were generally speaking a lot of fun. Overall, I recommend season 5 as a whole and recommend it to fans of the show, especially those who thought season 4 was a little more disappointing.

The complete Fifth Season is the better buy & it would be a waste of time and money to purchase this season by the volumes versus the complete version with both volumes together. There is no difference for those of you wanting to know what is or isn't there in comparison to each other. I worried I may miss out on any special extras or the like, but I didn't. The better deal is the complete set, save your money and just get the "complete" version.

I came on Rescue Me a bit later than most people. I only started watching last month, but thanks to the miracle that is Netflix I have watched to the end of season five. Now I am asking myself "Why did I wait so long to start watching this show?" The show is definitely one of the more solid shows on television today. It's no surprise that this show is on FX and not one of the big three networks (Four, I guess, if you count Fox). They're tackling issues that most networks, other than cable, wouldn't even touch. The acting is solid all the way through. A lot of the times when a show has a lot of different players one or more of the characters gets left out when it comes to development. However, the writers (Leary being one of them) does a great job fleshing out the characters and making sure that none of them become two-dimensional cut outs. At some points in the show, especially when Tom is talking to his dead friends, the show almost feels like we are seeing a stage production which help to heighten the emotions both the characters and the audience are feeling.

From the beginning credits to the end credits, Rescue Me is a solid show well worth every one's time. It's a shame to learn that the show is being cancelled after next season. Apparently, there are not enough viewers to keep the show going. Again, it's a darn shame, but I can understand why the viewership dropped. A show like Rescue Me requires that the audience become involved with what is happening on screen.You become emotional invested not only in what Tommy is doing, but the other characters as well. Other shows on television require very little from their audience. In fact, most shows cater to the most common denominator of Americans. And sadly to say, those shows are the ones that usually have the high numbers and keep getting renewed season and season.

I don't think that had I watched from the very first episode the show would have stayed on the air. However, I could have told a couple of people how great the show was and in turn, if those people watched the show, they could have turned other people on to it. It's a snowball affect. Weirder things have happened. Look at Family Guy.

The only problem that I have with the show are the female characters.There is not one stable female in the whole show. Not a single one. Sheila is straight off her rocker. If anyone is a candidate for therapy it's Janet. Then they all blame Tommy Gavin (Leary) for what's going on. For example, Sheila and Janet both wanted to have sex with Tommy, no strings attached. However, when Tommy tries to get a little more serious with Janet she says no and that it won't happen. A scene later she's telling him to decide if he wants to be with her or Sheila. Wow, talk about bipolar. Sheila is just as guilty as Janet in the "Let's be crazy and blame everything on Tommy" category. Nothing that they say or do jibes with what has gone on in the show. Sheila says that he is a horrible, self-centered person, but it's Janet that drugged him on more that one occasion ( I still want to know if he is every going to find out about that).Heck, not even the children are balanced. The only female character that is somewhat balanced was Uncle Teddy's wife, but the writers killed her off. I wonder what kind of relationship the writers have had with women in the past that they now write all women as screwed-up, crazy, and mentally unhinged. I haven't seen season six yet, but I hope he kicks all the women in his life to the curb.

Until, season six stand back 200 feet.

What can I say, It's the cast of Rescue Me that makes the show. Thanks to them all for six great seasons.

This is a Christmas gift for our son, Thank you for the prompt delivery. condition of package was perfect. This is definitely a NEW DVD. Thank you

I've been a big fan of the show from the beginning so it's hard for me to admit, but this show has lost a lot of momentum. Season six was weak and rehashed a lot of the same old subject matter and the final season has been fragmented and uninteresting to say the least. While I am disappointed in the way the show has ended, up until that point it is quite good so I still recommend seasons one through five.

Rescue me is seriously one of the best television shows to ever be on the air. It caught me from the first episode & i've never missed an episode since. I recently purchased all of the seasons available on DVD because I love asking family or friends if they've ever seen the show & when they say No, I start from episode 1 and get them hooked. The casting couldn't be better, the writing is some of the best i've ever seen and the performances are flawless. It may sound strange to root for the guy that's an alcoholic, adulterer, who could definitely use parenting classes, but you find yourself pulling for Tommy and his family and just wanting everything to work out. In almost every episode there are moments that might make you cry if not for the hilarious way someone will say something so inappropriate at just the right time. If you haven't watched any of the episodes, do yourself a favor & buy them all, you won't be sorry you did!

We really like the Rescue Me series. Denis Leary, while crass,does a great job in this series. The show begins to take on more of a political angle in this series and it does detract from some of the plot lines. Overall, good series, but realize has lots of vulgarity. Not for virgin ears. :)

This is the best season yet of Rescue Me. There's never a dull moment in Tommy's life and struggle for sobriety. Watching and waiting to see if he ever "gets it".