The writer's strike threw a monkey wrench in America's TV viewing this year, cutting the season short for a number of shows and leaving many plotlines dangling. For some shows, it feels like so long since there's been a new episode that it's hard to remember all those loose ends.
Luckily, a number of good TV shows are out on DVD this week, just before their second seasons premiere. Here are a few that are worth catching up on:
Pushing Daisies, Season 1
This weird little show about a pie-maker who can bring back the dead wth a touch of his finger (and re-dead them as long as he does it right away) is easily one of the most charming on network television. The production is positively Burton-esque and the script somehow splits the difference between J.K. Rowling and Wes Anderson (with Harry Potter audio-book narrator Jim Dale doing voice-overs for a little extra atmosphere). Bonus: the lovely Kristin Chenoweth as a waitress who pines for the piemaker and has a penchant for low-cut tops. Unfortunately, there were only nine episodes in the first season -- and we were left seriously hanging. But those nine episodes plus the extras on this DVD set make the package well worthwhile. Catch up before the new season debuts October 1.
Torchwood: The Complete Second Season
This Doctor Who spinoff really hit its stride in the second season. It's sort of an English X-Files meets NCIS -- a little darker and more consistent in tone than the show that spawned it, the second season saw some interesting crossover between the two shows at the same time that its own universe really took off. The revelations about (and fate-tempting adventures of) the immortal, bisexual Captain Jack Harkness are worth boning up on before the third season debuts next week in 2009.
Chuck: The Complete First Season
Take one average computer geek. Download a bunch of top-secret government knowledge into his head. Add a sexy spy girl and constant danger. Shake well and enjoy.
Criminal Minds: The Complete Third Season
When star Mandy Patinkin left this show about FBI profilers, some predicted it wasn't long for this world. But Joe Montegna stepped in for the third season and fans gave him a chance. Catch up on his entrance before the fourth season kicks off.
