Dirty Sexy Money: The Complete and Final Second Season – DVD Review

DVD Reviews, Reviews

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The writers’ strike that occurred almost two years ago caused many of your favorite shows to have shorter seasons than usual. For the numerous new shows, that actually could be considered a good thing, since every episode had to be solid to make it to a second season. But if that new show was on ABC, the chances of that show being back this fall are mostly none. ABC decided to not bring back any of its shows after the writers’ strike. In fact, it was almost an entire year before ABC decided to bring back some of their new shows. When these shows did return to television, the audience they might have gained from the first season was now cut in half. So, of course, ABC went on a cancellation spree and cleared house for the upcoming fall season. One casualty of ABC’s poor post-strike strategy was Dirty Sexy Money. But now the second and final season is on DVD.

Dirty Sexy Money centers on Nick George (Peter Krause), who has been living in the shadow of the Darling family his whole life. Now as an adult, George is leading the perfect life as an idealistic lawyer. That is until his father’s suspicious death in a plane crash. The wealthy Darlings of New York have asked Nick to take over his father’s job as their personal lawyer, but the money that will allow him the freedom to be an altruistic do-gooder is only part of the picture. That same money pulls him into the dubious behavior of the Darling family. But Nick must get close to the Darling family, because he knows that it will allow him to find out what happened to his father and get revenge on whoever is responsible. Unfortunately for Nick, this won’t be easy because The Darling family is filled with a variety interesting characters starting with the patriarch of the Darling family, Tripp (Donald Sutherland) who finds out that his wife and matriarch of the Darling family, Letitia (Jill Clayburgh) had been having an affair with Nick’s father for more than forty years. Then, there is their children, which include Nick’s old girlfriend and marriage-a-holic, Karen Darling (Natalie Zea); trouble-making and rebellious, Jeremy Darling (Seth Gabel); sweet, but insecure and childish twin sister of Jeremy, Juliet (Samaire Armstrong); attorney general and aspiring senator Patrick Darling (William Baldin), who happens to have an affair with a younger transgendered cosmetology student named Carmelita (Candis Cayne); and Reverend Brian Darling (Glenn Fitzgerald) who has illegitimately fathered a child.

The main focus of the second season continued to be mystery behind Nick’s father’s death. Letitia Darling was put on trial for the murder. Meanwhile, Nick’s marriage to Lisa (Zoe McLellan) is further complicated and strained when Jeremy Darling becomes attracted to Lisa, and Nick and Karen Darling still have resolved emotions. Not to mention the fact that Karen is still engaged to Simon Elder (Blair Underwood), who is the Darling’s chief competitor and also has eyes on more than Karen. In addition, Brian Darling’s relationship with his estranged wife and the custody battle over their son spans continents. and Patrick Darling’s wife dies under mysterious circumstances, while he still has an affair with Carmelita. Mostly it’s all “soap opera” storylines, but the first season of the series surprised many with depth underneath those storylines. Unfortunately, the series is more melodramatic in the final season. To make matters worse, despite there being a major revealation in the final episode of this season about the death of Nick’s father, it’s not one that would bring closure to the mystery. In fact, it complicates things further, and fans of Dirty Sexy Money are left with an unresolved mystery, which really sours the entire series.

Fortunately, the acting is still strong and it’s really the main reason to watch this series. Donald Sutherland is excellent as usual. Peter Krause is extremely likable as usual, and the perfect “moral compass” for the show. Other standouts include Seth Gabel and Glenn Fitzgerald. Fans should take note that Samaire Armstrong was dropped from the cast this season due to off-air issues. But Lucy Liu fills her place in the cast as she plays a bulldog defense attorney. So you will really only miss her, if you are a super fan of hers.

Dirty Sexy Money had the potential to be the next hit drama for ABC, but ABC never gave it a chance to shine. The audience it has built during the first season was lost almost completely thanks to ABC’s failure to bring it back in timely fashion. The second season is not as strongly written, as a result. The acting is still great, though, and that makes Dirty Sexy Money a watchable and entertaining series if you just want to “mindless” and “soapy” television. But fans of the series likely won’t be satisfied by this DVD set, since a resolution to the main mystery in Dirty Sexy Money is never resolved.

Episodes:

Disc One:

Episode 1 – The Birthday Present
Six months have passed since the events of last season. Even as Lisa and Nick plan to celebrate his birthday privately and quietly, Tripp and Letitia Darling decide to throw a lavish party for Nick on their yacht. Nick helps in reconciling Tripp and Patrick, who is still burdened with his troubled marriage and missing transgendered lover. Brian is reunited with his illegitimate son, while Karen and Simon Elder escalate their relationship. Jeremy reveals his feelings for Lisa to Nola Lyons. Amidst the Darling drama, a death occurs within the family, and someone is arrested for murder.

Episode 2 – The Family Lawyer
One week has passed since the events following Nick’s birthday party. Further information is revealed about Nola Jones. Leticia’s trial commences, as well as Ellen’s memorial service. Tripp asks Nick to make a decision as to who should be appointed co-chair (and successor) to Darling Enterprises, which causes all of the Darlings to make their case to Nick.

Episode 3 – The Star Witness
The witness testifying against Letitia Darling shocks Nick George. Meanwhile, Patrick is participating in a senatorial debate monitored by Dan Rather.

Episode 4 – The Silence
Letitia Darling, who is under house arrest, cannot leave the house to attend Patrick’s election party. Karen’s relationship with Simon hits a rough patch. Patrick is happily reunited with his beloved Carmelita with the senatorial election just days away. Ellen’s brother shows up and demands the truth about his sister’s death.

Disc Two:

Episode 5 – The Verdict
Nick discovers a dirty little secret about Nola during Letitia’s murder trial. Meanwhile Tripp tries to wield his influence over Patrick in choosing his chief of staff.

Episode 6 – The Injured Party
Letitia hits a young, pretty bicyclist with her car. To avoid another public scandal, Tripp invites the young woman to recuperate at the Darling mansion, where she charms a few but makes others suspicious. The claws come out during a catty showdown between Lisa and Karen over Nick. Meanwhile fired prosecutor Nola Lyons delights Patrick with her aggressive ways as his new Chief of Staff, but Tripp and the spurned Jeremy are less than pleased by her presence; and, much to Brian’s surprise, Andrea refuses to fight her cancer by entering a medical trial.

Episode 7 – The Facts
All the Darling family members celebrate Thanksgiving away from their New York Mansion while Clark their chauffeur sets the record straight with a reporter on all the scandals and rumors. Letitia’s fashion show takes place in the Darling Mansion.

Episode 8 – The Summer House
Karen believes she will be fifth time lucky with her marriage to Simon Elder but Tripp and Nick have other ideas as they try to stop the wedding. Brian and Andrea bond. Lisa bids to make Nick envious of Jeremy.

Episode 9 – The Plan
Senator Patrick Darling invites Carmelita to his inauguration despite being warned by Tripp and Nick. Chase makes threats against the Darlings. Brian prays to God, while Karen faces an armed intruder.

Disc Three:

Episode 10 – The Organ Donor
The Darlings deal with the aftermath of Chase’s shooting spree at Patrick’s inauguration.

Episode 11 – The Convertible
When Lisa takes Nick’s daughter and leaves the state without his permission, he, Brian and Karen go after them in Tripp’s private jet. Feelings rise between Nick and Karen while Brian has an agenda of his own.

Episode 12 – The Unexpected Arrival
Simon follows Karen to a clinic, and finds out that she is pregnant. Karen has to tell Nick that she is expecting Simon’s baby. Patrick is having dating problems with a Senator that he needs support from. Brian gets kicked out by Andrea.

Episode 13 – The Bad Guy
Simon is tortured by Nola to get the truth about her brother with the help of Nick. Later, he takes Simon to Darlings’ private clinic to recover. There, Simon unveils the truth about his plans, the business he had with Nola’s father, and who is behind all his evil deeds. Trying to avoid her departure with her family, Jeremy proposes to Nola. When she rejects him, he goes on a crazy weekend in Vegas and marries Simon’s nurse from the clinic. Then Nola returns to accept his proposal. Nick is summoned to stop Lisa from publishing an exposé on the Darlings. And while Brian redesigns Nick’s apartment, Karen receives some life-changing news and Patrick takes his arrangement with the Congressman’s wife to the next step by getting emotionally involved.

The video is given in anamorphic widescreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, which is enhanced for 16X9 TVs. The transfer is great with minimal grain. On par with the first season’s DVD release.

The audio included is in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound. There are subtitles available in English, Spanish, and French. The dialogue and music come out loud and clear. No major problems in the audio, and it may be a smidge better than your average TV on DVD set.

“Directing the Darlings” Featurette
This runs 11 minutes and series director, Jamie Babbitt, shares her director’s diary cam for a step-by-step look at what it’s like to bring this series to television.

“Total Knockout” Featurette
This runs 9 minutes and this is a look at a day in the life of Natalie Zea, who plays Karen Darling. Nothing really important is said, but fans might enjoy this nonetheless.

“Dirty Sexy Crafty” Featurette
This runs 9 minutes and it’s all about the food and beverage services on the set. We need them interact with the cast and all of that. Certainly unique and somewhat interesting.

“Faux Pas” Bloopers
This is 2 minutes worth of the usual mess-ups and gags.

Deleted Scenes
There is a total of seven scenes that total 6 minutes that didn’t make the final cut for this season. Nothing to see here. Strictly for fans.

The second season is not as strong as the first, but if you enjoy “soapy” drama, this could be your new addiction.





Buena Vista Home Entertainment presents Dirty Sexy Money: Season 2. Created by Craig Wright. Starring Peter Krause, Zoe McLellan, Donald Sutherland, Jill Clayburgh, William Baldwin, Natalie Zea, Seth Gabel, Samaire Armstrong, Glenn Fitzgerald, Blair Underwood, and Lucy Liu. Running time: 560 minutes. Rated: NOT RATED. Released on DVD: August 18, 2009. Available at Amazon.com

I'm not embarrassed to say that my favorite television show of all-time is The O.C. I live by the motto "you can't fight fate!" More importantly, I watch WAY too much television, but I do so for the benefit of everyone reading this now. So to my mom and my wife, I say thanks for reading! To everyone else that might stumble across this, remember TiVo should be your best friend!