RESCUE ME the Complete First Season

DVD Review by David Blackwell

DETAILS: 594 minutes, two audio commentaries, four featurettes, gag reel, deleted scenes, Season 2 sneak peek, and previews

STUDIO: SPHE/ FX Networks

RELEASE DATE: 6-7-2005

DISC 1- GUTS, GAY, KANSAS, DNA

DISC 2- ORPHANS, REVENGE, BUTTERFLY, INCHES

DISC 3- ALARM, IMMORTAL, MOM, LEAVING, SANCTUARY

ANALYSIS: Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary) is a troubled New York City firefighter. He is suffering from the recent seperation from his wife (and three kids) and being haunted by the ghosts of fallen comrades (and the ones he couldn't save). Tommy even begins dating his cousin's widow. RESCUE ME looks at the lives of other firefighters on the job and when they're not on the job. One firefighter writes poetry that his wife thinks is terrible. Another firefighter has to suddenly care for the daughter he never knew he had. Then Company 62 also has to deal with the loss of one of their own and a woman firefighter coming as a replacement. RESCUE ME is one of the best dramas on TV with it's deft blend of drama, humor, and flawed characters. Denis Leary is at his best with the role of Tommy Gavin. RESCUE ME first came about when Leary's cousin (a firefighter) diead ina fire in 1999. In a way, the show serves a as tribute to his cousin while showing what firefighters go through.

VIDEO: 1.78:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)

Just as good as the FX broadcasts and even better. Not bad at all.

AUDIO: English 2.0 Dolby Surround

Subtitles: None (Close Captioned)

I have no issues with the audio, but they should have included an English subtitles track instead of just Close Captioning.

SPECIAL FEATURES: RESCUE ME has a verity of extras from two audio commentaries with Denis Leary and Peter Tolan for the series premiere and the season finale to four featurettes to a gag reel to deleted scenes to a peak at Season 2. The four featurettes are HOW IT BEGAN, AUTHENTICY, THE CAST, and THE LOOK. Denis Leary and Peter Tolan taklk about how the show was born, the way real firefighters appreciate the show, and more. The gag reel has beleeped out swear words and flubbed lines. The Season 2 Sneak Peak gives a glimpse at scenes from season 2 which is airing on FX right now.

FINAL ANALYSIS: If you love the show, rediscover season 1. But if you just found the show with season 2, go buy the season 1 set to see how it all began because RESCUE ME is one of the best dramas on TV right now.

this DVD Review is (c)8-16-2005 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permssion. Look for additional content at http://www.livejournal.com/users/enterlinemedia and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com