Once and Again: First Season

Buena Vista Home Entertainment ($59.98)

Except for loyal fans, few may realize the former ABC series Once and Again has enough episodes to include in a six-disc DVD collection. Poor scheduling and constant pre-empting eventually caused its cancellation, perplexing fans and critics alike. Creators Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick (My So-Called Life, thirtysomething) brought complexity to the story of divorcees, lovers, and eventual newlyweds Lily Manning (Sela Ward) and Rick Sammler (Billy Campbell). However, the strength of the series was not solely its telegenic leads, but in the top-notch writing and supporting cast, half of which were teens. As DVD collections go, this one is no-frills. No backstage interviews, not even a perfunctory cast list is included. (Embedded “treats”? I couldn’t find them.) Still, the Once and Again DVD set, featuring the first 22 episodes, is a must-have for fans and those seeking a tutorial on excellent TV writing.

This article appears in December 13 • 2002.

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