Product Details

• Actors: Jack Davenport, Gina Bellman, Sarah Alexander, Kate Isitt, Ben Miles
• Directors: Martin Dennis
• Writers: Steven Moffat
• Producers: Beryl Vertue, Jo Kay, Sophie Clarke-Jervoise, Sue Vertue
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC Warner
• DVD Release Date: January 25, 2005
• Run Time: 180 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00065GX8C
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,284 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Comedy > Series & Sequels > Coupling

• For more information about "Coupling - The Complete Fourth Season" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

• This is item 4 in The Coupling Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Season 4: Feel free to insert your own "four-play" joke, or for that matter, your own "insert" joke. Sex is still topic 1 for the intertwined group of "exes and best friends," but in this pivotal season there are momentous "relationship issues" that will upend all their lives (insert your own "upend" joke while you're at it). Susan is pregnant, inspiring in Steve nightmares about his own execution and unflattering comparisons of the birth process to John Hurt's iconic gut-busting scene in Alien. Missing in action is the Kramer-esque Jeff (although he makes something of a return in the season finale). Joining the ensemble is Oliver, who is more in the Chandler mode as a lovable loser with the ladies. These inevitable comparisons to "Sein-Friends" are no doubt heresy to Coupling's most devoted viewers. Indeed, this series does benefit from creator and sole writer Steven Moffat's comic voice and vision. He provides his ever-game cast some witty, funny-'cause-it's-true dialogue, as in Oliver's observation that "Tea isn't compatible with porn." This Britcom is also less inhibited in language and sexual situations than its American counterparts. In the cleverly-constructed opening episode, in which the same "9-1/2 Minutes" are witnessed from three different perspectives, Sally and Jane can do what was left to the imagination when Monica and Rachel offered to make out in front of Joey and Chandler. The birth of Susan and Steven's baby ends the six-episode season on a satisfying and surprisingly moving grace note. A bonus disc takes viewers behind the scenes with segments devoted to bloopers and interviews with cast and crew. --Donald Liebenson

Product Description
Movie DVD

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A hairy, inquisitive sex octopus?", October 14, 2004

By	Heather Baldwin (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been a huge fan of this show from the beginning. This DVD's release date isn't for a few months, but I wanted to share my insights. The fourth season starts a few weeks after the end of the third season left off, with lots of new twists and turns, great jokes, and compelling stories. The bad news is that Richard Coyle, who plays Jeff, left the show (the character travels to the isle of Lesbos, and you fans can easily decipher the joke, I'm sure). But the good news is that a new character named Oliver, played by Richard Mylan, is an enjoyable enough replacement, despite having big shoes to fill. Here is a recap of the six episodes (if you haven't seen the finale of season three, then there might be some spoilers):

1.) 9 1/2 Minutes - A well-written story from three interweaving points of view, taking place in the bar: a.) Patrick and Sally encounter their first major conflict in their new relationship; b.) Susan is upset with Steve when he shares his odd view about her pregnacy; c.) Jane fears her blind date is her gynecologist, but it turns out to be a goofy guy named Oliver, who runs a sci-fi bookstore.

2.) Nightlines - Relationship troubles lead to a late-night phone call between Susan, Sally, Steve, and Patrick. Out of the blue, Jane joins into the conversation, and it is revealed that she keeps a key to her ex-lover's flat. But it's not who we expected. Meanwhile, Oliver receives a visit at his store from his ex-girlfriend Tamsin, whom Susan befriended earlier in the day at a seminar for pregnant women.

3.) Bed Time - A battle of wits develops between Patrick and Sally, as Patrick attemps to go home after sex, and Sally finds ways to make him spend the night at her place. Later, Sally hosts a dinner party and Oliver, Jane's date to the party, worries about his "nipple erections".

4.) Circus of the Epidurals - Steve and Susan attend an antenatal class, with Tamsin, Sally, Jane, Oliver, and Patrick in tow. The instructor turns out to be Jill (Jane's former therapist from season one's "Inferno"). Steve and the other men in the class are baffled about why a woman in labor would refuse painkillers, leading to a standoff between him and Jill.

5.) The Naked Living Room - The evolution Oliver's flat has gone through after his break-up with Tamsin is shown, becoming "unedited" as the months pass. He runs into Jane at the supermarket one day, and completely panics when she asks him to bring her up to his flat. Later, Susan begins to go into labor.

6.) 9 1/2 Months - While waiting for Susan to begin childbirth at the hospital, Steve falls asleep and dreams that a female version of Jeff has returned from Lesbos. Steve recaps the events of the day to her: a.) Sally and Patrick's relationship changes when she learns the truth about one of his previous partners, and then she discovers a mysterious box hidden in Patrick's video cupboard; b.) Oliver's romantic night with Jane is foiled by the arrival of Steve and Susan on the way to the hospital, and he wonders if Jane still has feelings for Steve. Finally, Steve and Susan's baby is born.

Overall, an excellent group of episodes with many funny and touching moments. And although the character of Oliver doesn't match the greatness of Jeff's character, fans should still give him a chance. I highly recommend this DVD, which I'll purchase when it is finally released.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I like it very much but its not the same anymore..., March 9, 2005

By	Scott Pointon "Former Marine, Librarian, Wood... (Crest Hill, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

First of all let me say that I am a huge fan of this series. I predict that this show will be remembered as hilarious twenty years from now! As for Season 4, I have some mixed feelings.

It is interesting to see the five returning characters evolve into relatively stable people. Its only natural when we see Jane finally getting over Steve and Patrick and Sally making a go of it that we find ourselves pulling for them. The problem with that is, as the show and its characters mature, its becoming less funny. It happens to a lot of comedies (think M*A*S*H*). So I don't know if Coupling has run its course or not, but if it has not it will be a challenge for Mr. Moffatt to breathe new hilarity into this cast.

Now for Oliver. Quirky characters are not new to this series. At times Jeff, Jane, and Sally have all been way over the top and with great results. With Oliver however, you find yourself almost embarrassed for him at times. Where Jeff seemed to be able to deliver the crazy lines and still be funny, the Oliver character doesn't seem as able to pull it off...

I hate to say that "Jeff" departing has ruined Coupling, but it was definitely a damaging blow. Overall, Season 4 is still worth watching, but in my opinion it is the least funny of all and makes me wonder about the future of the show.

If you have seen the first three seasons, then this is a must buy. If you have not seen them, by all means watch them first!

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Goodbye Coupling, March 25, 2005

By	Hank Hanacek "British Comedy Fan" (Vancouver Island) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One underlying problem to those serials penned by only one creative mind is that they inevitably run out of steam. "Coupling IV" demonstrates this in spades. While I & II were fine examples of the genre and made one eagerly anticipate each new episode, relish each situation and have empathy with each well-developed character, this stalled somewhat in III. True, Stephen Moffat tried in the third season to introduce novel scenarios and tricks to maintain interest, and was quite successful in maintaining viewer interest and enjoyment, but this lagged badly in IV.

One essential problem of course is the departure of Richard Coyle and his replacement by Richard Mylan. Mylan's "Oliver" character is a whiny, lisping schlemiel who just doesn't fit into the Coupling ensemble. Another problem is the stridency of Jack Davenport in his role; one can tell that this actor is getting tired of his role and no longer enjoys the part.

Although every season of Coupling has been a fine example of British Humour, one could do well to own just the first three seasons. In many ways, the last season does a lot to undermine the total enjoyment of the first three collections. My advice is to forego the disappointment and save the money.