Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Second Season – DVD Review

DVD Reviews, Reviews

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The New Zealand duo, Brett and Jemaine, exploded onto the American comedy scene in 2007 with the first season of their show, Flight of the Conchords. They released a CD and started selling out concerts all over the country (I should know, I tried twice and failed to see them!) Now they’re back with a second season. Can New Zealand’s fourth most popular folk duo make lighting strike twice?

I am pleased to answer that question with an enthusiastic yes! While I won’t go so far as to say season 2 is as good as season 1, it’s a very solid ten episodes that are all filled with laughs.

Season 1 ended with Murray managing the wildly popular Crazy Dogs while Brett and Jemaine remained as they were, unknown. Season 2 opens with a bit of a shocker for Murray. It turns out the Crazy Dogs ripped off a Polish song. Now Murray is back at the New Zealand Consulate and managing the Conchords. The guys deal with all sorts of situations this season including starting a gang, selling their instruments to pay bills, posing as a Simon & Garfunkel cover band and dealing with all sorts of relationship issues, between themselves as well as women. This season also includes a slew of create special guests including Patton Oswalt, Art Garfunkel, Lucy Lawless, Jim Gaffigan, Greg Proops, Sarah Wynter, and Kristen Wiig. And if you thought season 1 had a sad ending, wait till see how this one ends.

The only complaint about this season is that the songs aren’t as strong. There are certainly stand out numbers like “Fashion Is Danger,” “Sugalumps,” “Too Many Dicks (on the dance floor)” and “Hurt Feelings,” but others fall a little flat. Part of the problem here is that many of the other cast members sing this season. Murray, Mel, Doug (Mel’s husband) and others all lend their vocal styling to the show to mixed results. The best musical moments come when it’s just Brett and Jemaine doing what they do best.

All-in-All though, Flight of the Conchords is a hilarious show and lucky for us it continues to be. We can only hope they boys have yet another season in them.

Episodes:

Disc 1:

A Good Opportunity (1/18/09)

Now managing themselves the guys land themselves a gig recording a jingle for a female toothpaste commercial. Meanwhile Murray loses everything when he learns that the Crazy Dogs stole someone else’s song. However when the boys run into trouble without their green cards it’s Murray to the rescue!
Songs: “Rejected,” “Femident Toothpaste,” “Angels.”

The New Cup (1/25/09)

Brett decides to buy a second cup so he and Jemaine no longer have to sure. Too bad that is exactly how short they are on their bills and everything gets shut off. They are forced to sell their guitars, which proves for poor performances. Finally Jemaine becomes a prostitute in hopes of raising the needed money.
Songs: “Sugalumps”, “You Don’t Have To Be A Prostitute.”

The Tough Brets (2/1/09)

After dissing a slew of rappers in a song, Bret is worried that some of them might seek retribution so he starts a gang. Meanwhile Murray is forced to deal with a group of mean Australian business men.
Songs: “Hurt Feelings”, “Hurt Feelings (reprise),” “Stay Cool.”

Murray Takes It To The Next Level (2/8/09)

Murray decides he wants to take his friendship with Brett and Jemaine to the next level and introduces them to his friend Jim. Meanwhile Mel is upset at Brett for his inappropriate behavior in her dreams.
Songs: “Dreams,” “Friends.”

Unnatural Love (2/15/09)

Jemaine his horrified when he wakes up after a one night stand to find out she’s Australian! Bret and Murray warn against continuing the relationship but Jemaine can’t seem to resist her. (It is also worth noting that this episode was directed by Michel Gondry!)
Songs: “Too Many Dicks (on the dance floor),” “Carol Brown.”

Love Is A Weapon Of Choice (2/22/09)

Bret and Jemaine meet a woman in the park who has lost her epileptic dog. The trouble begins when both men fall in love with her and the battles begin (including how his her name pronounced: Barbra or Brabrah?)
Songs: “We’re Both In Love With A Sexy Lady,” “Love Is A Weapon Of Choice, “Epileptic Dogs.”

Disc 2:

Prime Minister (3/1/09)

The Prime Minister is coming to visit and Murray is determined to get him a meeting with the president. Meanwhile, Bret and Jemaine take a job as Simon & Garfunkel impersonators. Much to Mel’s dismay, a girl fall madly in love with Jemaine, but only when he’s dressed like Art Garfunkel. The guys impersonating gives Murray an idea when the White House is less than helpful.
Songs: “Demon Woman,” “Oh, Dance Baby.”

New Zealand Town (3/8/09)

The guys want the job of opening band for the New Yorks new New Zealand Town. However the Prime Minister isn’t sure they’re “cool enough.” So Murray introduces them to hair gel which gets them the job, but can the boys handle the hair gel and being that cool?
Song: “Fashion Is Danger.”

Wing Men (3/15/09)

Bret has a crush on the girl at the pet store but doesn’t know how to talk to her so he enlists the help of Jemaine and Dave. Meanwhile, Murray regrets making Greg his scapegoat.
Songs: “Rambling Through The Avenues Of Time (aka Bret’s Day),” “I Told You I Was Freaky.”

Evicted (3/2209)

Bret and Jemaine are evited when their landlord learns they’ve been paying with New Zealand currency. With nowhere else to turn they move in with Mel and Doug who end up having a huge fight. Meanwhile, Murray has the idea to turn the Conchords story into a musical. But will it be enough to save the band?
Songs: “Petrov, Yelyena, and Me,” “Flight of the Conchords: The Broadway Musical.”

The show is presented in a widescreen format and sound is in 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound. The show looks and sounds great. This is a well produced show and is very polished.

Flight of the Conchords: Taking Off (30 min.) This is a cool documentary about the making of the first season, the bands first tour, how they blew up so quickly in America and how they guys reacted to that. This is an interesting and entertaining piece.

Deleted Scenes: (23 min.) While these are actually funny scenes and worth watching, it makes sense why they were cut.

Outtakes: (8 min.) Typical outtakes montage, but a very funny one. Jemaine has a very infectious laugh.

Dave’s Pawn Shop Commercials: (6 min.) There are three of these and they are all pretty damn funny.

While season 1 of Flight of the Conchords was comic genius, season 2 every easily could have suffered from severe sophomore slump. And while it’s true many of the songs weren’t as strong, this is still a very funny, solid season and a must own for all Conchords fans.




HBO presents Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Second Season. Created by: Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie and James Bobin. Starring: Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie, Rhys Darby, Kristen Schaal and Arj Barker. Running time: 300 min. on two discs. Not Rated. Released on DVD: August 4, 2009. Available at Amazon.com

Mike Noyes received his Masters Degree in Film from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco. A few of his short films can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/user/mikebnoyes. He recently published his first novel which you can buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Days-Years-Mike-Noyes-ebook/dp/B07D48NT6B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528774538&sr=8-1&keywords=seven+days+seven+years