Highway To Heaven coming to Blu-ray, March 13, 2023 from VEI. (1 Viewer)

[HonkyTonkMan]

On Monday, December 25th,
I watched both the syndicated and extended versions of the
"Highway to Heaven" Season Two episode "To Bind the Wounds".

Here is a brief synopsis of this episode:

"Jonathan Smith and Mark Gordon help a whole town remember how a young soldier
who was killed in Vietnam touched their lives after the attempts of his father
to have a memorial made to commemorate his son are ignored."

The late actor Eli Wallach,
brilliantly portrayed the grieving father character Timothy Charles in this episode.

The other episode of "Highway to Heaven" that Eli Wallach
had co-starred in was the Season Three episode "A Father's Faith".

I have some extremely frustrating news to share with the folks here at HomeTheaterForum.

Unfortunately, the syndicated version of this incredible, unique and heartwarming episode
includes a 42-seconds in length nighttime bedroom scene
that isn't even included in the VEI extended version of this episode.

This is what was said during that 42-seconds in length nighttime bedroom scene.

Mark Gordon: Jonathan, Do You Really Need That Light On?
Jonathan Smith: Hmm
Mark Gordon: The Light, The Light, I Can't Sleep With The Light On
Jonathan Smith: Sure You Can, Just Close Your Eyes

Mark Gordon: Jonathan, You May Know A Lot Of Things,
But I Know About Me And I Cannot Sleep In A Room With The Lights On

Jonathan Smith: Well, Try
Mark Gordon: (starts snoring just a few seconds later)
Jonathan Smith: Yeah, That's More Like It Buddy. You Sleep Good, You've Got Work To Do.

In the syndicated version of this episode,
this 42-seconds in length nighttime bedroom scene
appears immediately before the Ted Barker Vietnam War nightmare scene was shown.

Can anyone here at HomeTheaterForum confirm if the "missing from the extended version"
42-seconds in length nighttime bedroom scene featuring Mark Gordon and Jonathan Smith
was actually included in the original NBC broadcast version of this episode from February 19, 1986?

Or, Is there a possibility that this 42-seconds in length nighttime bedroom scene featuring
Mark Gordon and Jonathan Smith might have been exclusive to just the syndicated version
of this episode all of this time?

If that 42-seconds in length nighttime bedroom scene had actually been included in the
VEI extended version of this episode,
then the running time of this episode would have been at least (49:12).

Here are the four brand new scenes that are exclusive to just the extended version of this episode.

1. In the syndicated version of this episode,
the episode opens with Victor French's character Mark Gordon saying
"18 years after being reported missing in action."

In the VEI extended version of this episode,
there's an exactly 60-seconds in length conversation scene between
Mark Gordon and Michael Landon's character Jonathan Smith
that occurs before it even gets to the "18 years after being reported missing in action" part.

2. Immediately following the part when Timothy Charles told Jonathan Smith and Mark Gordon
"I'm Sorry, Look, Let's, Let's Go Get A Drink. This Is Supposed To Be An Irish Wake",
there is a private indoors scene which features Timothy Charles, Mark Gordon and Jonathan Smith.
The first 32 seconds of this scene is exclusive to just the extended version of this episode.

3. Immediately following the ending of the scene which had featured a dream sequence
of late actress Meg Wyllie's character Miss Foley,
a 1 minute and 14 seconds in length scene which features
an elderly couple walking past the motel rooms #168 and #169,
a motel scene featuring a private conversation between Mark Gordon and Jonathan Smith,
and then Miss Foley arriving at their motel room to tell Jonathan Smith
that she actually does remember the deceased Vietnam War hero Timothy Charles Jr.
appeared exclusively in the extended version of this episode.

4. Immediately following the part when Timothy Charles told a crowd of people,
"I, I Don't Quite Know What To Say
All, These Last Few Days,
I, I Decided The World Didn't Give A Damn Whether My Son Tim Was Ever Here Or Not.
But, I Can See Today That I Was Wrong, Very Wrong.
I Want To Apologize For All The Things I Felt About You.
But, But Try To Understand That Tim Was My Son And Uh",
a 20-seconds in length scene which features Frank Barker
(the owner of Barker Construction Company and the father of the Vietnam War veteran Ted Barker)
saying to Timothy Charles
"We're the ones that ought to apologize.
We're the ones that turned our backs, not only on your son, but on the sons of so many.
Tim, Tim, your boy saved my son's life"
appeared exclusively in the extended version of this episode.

So, those four brand new scenes add up to 3 minutes and 6 seconds
of brand new material that is exclusive only to the extended version of this episode.

On the old Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Two,
this episode had a running time of (44:59).

On this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set,
this episode runs for (48:30).

The words "Hell" and "Damn" were both restored in the VEI version of this episode.

On the old A&E DVD release of Season Two,
the words "Hell" and "Damn" were each sadly omitted from this episode.

I don't know if the old Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Two
had restored the words "Hell" and "Damn" back into this episode.

 

[HonkyTonkMan]

On Tuesday, December 26th,
I watched both the syndicated and uncut versions of the
"Highway to Heaven" Season Two episode "Close Encounters of the Heavenly Kind".

Here is the official synopsis of this episode.

"Jonathan Smith and Mark Gordon emerge from a meteor crater to offer
extraterrestrial encouragement to Adam, a young, bullied orphan
whose eccentric grandfather is in danger of losing him to a heartless social worker."

It's so freaking obvious that the inspiration for the title of this particular episode
was from Steven Spielberg's classic (1977) science fiction and drama motion picture
"Close Encounters of the Third Kind".

The late actor Harold J. Stone,
brilliantly portrayed the grieving grandfather character Harvey Milsap who is a widower
in the "Highway to Heaven" Season Two episode "Close Encounters of the Heavenly Kind".

One of Harvey Milsap's favorite things to do is to attempt to send messages into
outer space electronically in hopes that an alien life form
would actually hear his messages and then answer back to him.

The late actress Louise Latham,
brilliantly portrayed the housemaster character Mildred Kelsey in this episode.

Michael Landon's character Jonathan Smith and Victor French's character Mark Gordon
became Mildred Kelsey's very first boarders during the very early portion of this episode.

So, by becoming Mildred Kelsey's boarders,
Jonathan Smith and Mark Gordon each lived with the usually very lonely Mildred Kelsey
at her house for the vast majority of this episode.

Jerry Supiran,
who is best known for his role as Jamie Lawson in all 96 episodes
of the syndicated (1985-1989) science fiction and comedy sitcom "Small Wonder",
brilliantly portrayed the character Adam,
the grandson of Harold J. Stone's character Harvey Milsap
in the "Highway to Heaven" Season Two episode "Close Encounters of the Heavenly Kind".

Here are the five brand new scenes that are exclusive to just the uncut version of this episode.

1. Immediately following the ending of the outdoors night scene which had featured this exact dialogue:

Mark Gordon: "What Is It?"
Jonathan Smith: "Listen"
Mark Gordon: "What Are You Listening For, A Sign From Heaven?"
Jonathan Smith: "There"
Mark Gordon: "Look At That. Whoa, Will You Look At That?"
Jonathan Smith: "Let's Go"
Mark Gordon: "Where?"
Jonathan Smith: "Let's Follow That Star"
Mark Gordon: "Why Did I Know He Was Going To Say That?",

the first 15 seconds of the outdoors night scene with Harvey Milsap and his grandson Adam
appeared exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

2. The final 6 seconds of that outdoors night scene with Harvey Milsap and his grandson Adam
is also exclusive to just the uncut version of this episode.

3. Immediately following the ending of the scene which had featured this exact dialogue:

Harvey Milsap: "Where'd You Meet Those Two?"
Adam: "On The Dirt Road While I Was Looking For The Meteor"
Harvey Milsap: "Oh, You Find Anything?"
Adam: "No, No, Not A Thing",

a 56-seconds in length scene which featured Adam
watching some neighborhood bullies playing baseball at a baseball field
and Mark Gordon then soon approaching a very discouraged Adam at the baseball field,
and Mark Gordon then starting a conversation with Adam at the baseball field,
and then soon afterwards, Mark Gordon and Adam walking away from the baseball field area together
appeared exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

That 56-seconds in length scene appeared just prior to the part when
Adam threw an errant baseball pitch in Jonathan Smith's direction,
and also just prior to the part when Adam learned how to effectively throw a baseball pitch.

4. Immediately following the ending of the scene which had featured
Jonathan Smith asking Harvey Milsap "Harvey, You Mind If I Ride Into Town With You?"
and Harvey Milsap replying to him by saying "Be My Guest",
a 1 minute and 26 seconds in length scene which features
Jonathan Smith and Harvey Milsap having a conversation with each other
while Harvey Milsap is driving his truck
appeared exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

5. Immediately following the part which had featured Adam saying to Jonathan Smith
"Just in Case I Don't Believe In Myself Enough. Be Sure To Give The Note To Grandpa",
and Jonathan Smith then replying to Adam by saying "I Will, Adam",
and Adam then replying back to Jonathan Smith by saying "Bye" and then Adam shutting the door,
a 7-seconds in length expanded continuation of that scene which featured a still indoors
Jonathan Smith grinning, smiling and giggling with no one else around
appeared exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

So, those five brand new scenes add up to 2 minutes and 50 seconds
of brand new material that is exclusive only to the uncut version
of this splendid, fascinating, unique, enjoyable, entertaining and heartwarming episode.

On the old Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Two,
this episode had a running time of just (45:06).

On this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set,
this episode has a running time of (48:56).

VEI is the only DVD and Blu-Ray distributor that has ever issued the uncut version
of this episode on DVD and Blu-Ray.

 

[HonkyTonkMan]

On Wednesday, December 27th,
I watched both the syndicated and uncut versions of the
"Highway to Heaven" Season Two episode "Friends".

Here is the official synopsis of this spectacular, dramatic, unique, emotional and heartwarming episode.

"Jonathan Smith and Mark Gordon are substitute teachers at a high school
where a lesson on true friendship is underscored by Jonathan's assigning of an
ostracized overweight girl to tutor a brash baseball star in danger of flunking out of school."

The late actress Judy Carmen delivered such a spectacular, emotional and unforgettable
performance as Jenny Bates in this episode.

Darren Dalton,
best known for his supporting roles in the movies "The Outsiders" (1983) and "Red Dawn" (1984),
delivered such a magnificent performance as high school baseball star Jack Mason in the
"Highway to Heaven" Season Two episode "Friends".

Throughout this entire episode,
Jack Mason never did find out that Jenny had six different framed photographs of him in her bedroom
and that for quite a significant amount of time, had a secret crush on him.

Here are the five brand new scenes that are exclusive to just the uncut version of this episode.

1. This is what had occurred during the opening sequence
in both the syndicated and uncut versions of this episode.

Jenny Bates drove up to the Sugarland Donuts and Pastries shop during the night,
got out of her red car, walked into the Sugarland Donuts and Pastries shop,
purchased 12 large donuts for the price of $3.10,
started eating the first of the twelve large donuts while she was driving her red car on a busy city road,
and before she had even arrived back to her house,
she had already eaten all 12 of those large donuts,
and then the scene ended with Jenny Bates parking her red car in her garage,
then removing her car key from the ignition
and then very soon afterwards,
looked at herself through the interior rear view mirror of her red car.

In the syndicated version of this episode,
this opening sequence ended 5 seconds too soon.

Exclusive to just the uncut version of this episode is the newly restored
final 5 seconds of this entirely Jenny Bates oriented opening sequence.

2. Immediately following the ending of the scene that is listed directly above this one,
a 50-seconds in length scene which featured Victor French's character Mark Gordon
getting awoken at 6:15 in the morning by his alarm clock
which then immediately afterwards, led to a private conversation between him
and Michael Landon's character Jonathan Smith
appeared exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

3. Immediately following the "music in the background" classroom scene which had featured
Jack Mason happily letting his buddy Jenny Bates
know that Jonathan Smith had graded his most recent algebra related homework assignment a B+
which then resulted in Jenny Bates smiling back at Jack Mason,
a 44-seconds in length outdoors conversation scene between Jack Mason and Jenny Bates
appeared exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

4. Immediately following the ending of the outdoors conversation scene that is listed directly above,
a 1 minute and 1 second in length indoors conversation scene between
Jenny Bates (who was wearing a lavender colored dress during this scene)
and her mother appeared exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

5. Immediately following the ending of the night scene which had featured an
upset, devastated and traumatized Jenny Bates swiftly driving away from cruel Arlene's house,
a 36-seconds in length night scene which featured the following events would appear.
Outdoors footage of the frontside of a house during the night,
Mark Gordon speaking to Jonathan Smith just prior to the telephone ringing,
which just happened to be a telephone call from an upset, worried and off-screen Jack Mason
to Jonathan Smith, and then after that very brief telephone call conversation had ended,
another conversation between Mark Gordon and Jonathan Smith would immediately begin.

So, those five brand new scenes add up to 3 minutes and 16 seconds
of brand new material that is exclusive only to the uncut version of this episode.

On the old Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Two,
this episode had a running time of just (44:13).

On this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set,
this episode has a running time of (49:29).

VEI is the only DVD and Blu-Ray distributor that has ever issued the uncut version
of this episode on DVD and Blu-Ray.

 

[HonkyTonkMan]

On Thursday, December 28th,
I watched both the syndicated and uncut versions of the
"Highway to Heaven" Season Two episode "The Torch".

Here is a brief synopsis of this episode.

"The son of a Nazi death camp survivor clashes with a Neo-Nazi
who disputes the Holocaust with tragic results."

The late actor and singer Herschel Bernardi,
best known for his supporting role as Lieutenant Jacoby in 102 episodes of the classic
NBC (1958-1960) and ABC (1960-1961) private eye television series "Peter Gunn",
for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award,
and also for his role as Arnie Nuvo in the CBS (1970-1972) sitcom "Arnie",
which had earned him two consecutive Golden Globe Award nominations,
portrayed a Jewish character named Everett Soloman
in the "Highway to Heaven" Season Two episode "The Torch".

The Jewish character Everett Soloman was a survivor of the Nazi death camp
who had suffered such a enormous amount of personal tragedy and trauma
during his lifetime due to the hideous, evil, heinous, cruel, despicable and violent actions
that were committed by the Nazis and Neo-Nazis against himself, his own family members and friends.

The actor David Kaufman,
portrayed the Jewish character Joseph Soloman,
the son of the Holocaust survivor Everett Soloman in this episode.

The late actor Paul Koslo,
best known for his roles in movies such as "The Losers" (1970), "Scandalous John" (1971),
"The Omega Man" (1971), "Vanishing Point" (1971), "Joe Kidd" (1972),
"The Laughing Policeman" (1973), "The Stone Killer" (1973), "Freebie and the Bean" (1974),
"Mr. Majestyk" (1974), "Rooster Cogburn" (1975), "The Drowning Pool" (1975),
"Voyage of the Damned" (1976), "Love and Bullets" (1979), "Heaven's Gate" (1980),
"Kenny Rogers as The Gambler: The Adventure Continues" (1983) and "The Annihilators" (1985),
portrayed Neo-Nazi leader Jan Baldt in the "Highway to Heaven" Season Two episode "The Torch".

The actress Mary Ann Chinn,
portrayed May Baldt,
the wife of Paul Koslo's Neo-Nazi leader character Jan Baldt in this episode.

The actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar,
portrayed Rolf Baldt,
the young son of Jan Baldt and May Baldt in this episode.

Here are the four brand new scenes that are exclusive to just the uncut version of "The Torch".

1. Immediately following the part that had featured
the Neo-Nazi leader character Jan Baldt telling his wife May Baldt this exact dialogue,
"So, He'll Come Up When He's Done, OK? OK"
and then Jan Baldt opening and closing the door of his basement as soon as the conversation had ended,
a 15-seconds in length expanded continuation of that scene which featured
a very frustrated May Baldt walking back up the stairs all by herself and then closing a door
appeared exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

2. Immediately following the ending of the scene that is listed directly above this one,
the first 8 seconds of the high school scene
appeared exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

3. During that exact same high school scene,
Immediately following the part when the Jewish character Paul Hiller (portrayed by Thom Bierdz)
had told Everett Soloman's son Joseph "Like I Said, I'm Going To That Rally",
followed by the part when Paul Hiller walked away from Joseph,
followed by the part when a close-up view of the facial expression of Joseph had been shown,
the final two seconds of the close-up view of Joseph's facial expression scene
is exclusive to just the uncut version of this episode.

4. Immediately following the ending of the scene that is listed directly above this one,
a 2 minutes and 52 seconds in length scene which featured the following events
appeared exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

Everett Soloman's son Joseph Soloman serving
Victor French's character Mark Gordon and Michael Landon's character Jonathan Smith
blintzes that Joseph had just cooked for them on the stove moments earlier.
Blintzes are rolled filled pancakes in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine.
Joseph also served sour cream and strawberry preserves to Mark and Jonathan during this scene
and then just seconds later, Joseph had gotten very emotional and upset
which then led right into a very serious conversation between Joseph, Mark and Jonathan.

So, those four brand new scenes add up to 3 minutes and 17 seconds
of brand new material that is exclusive only to the uncut version of this episode.

On the old Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Two,
this episode had a running time of just (45:15).

On this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set,
this episode has a running time of (49:31).

VEI is the only DVD and Blu-Ray distributor that has ever issued the uncut version
of this episode on DVD and Blu-Ray.

 

[HonkyTonkMan]

On Tuesday, January 2nd,
I watched both the syndicated and uncut versions of the "Highway to Heaven"
Season Two episodes "The Monster (Part 1)" and "The Monster (Part 2)".

The actor Jeff Kober portrayed the recluse character Julian Bradley in both of these amazing episodes.

Julian Bradley was a brilliant sculpture artist and also a totally misunderstood class act,
who for at least 25 years prior to the events of this two-part episode,
had been unfairly and sadly regarded as a monster by everyone in town except for his mother
and was also usually referred to as Frankenstein by the folks in town too.

The late actress Ann Doran portrayed the character Mrs. Bradley,
the protective and strict mother of Jeff Kober's character Julian Bradley in both of these episodes.

The actress Annabella Price portrayed the character Rachel McCulloch in both of these episodes.
Rachel McCulloch was a blind woman who would soon be regaining her eyesight following a surgery.

The late actress Barbara Townsend portrayed the character Ella McCulloch,
the loving and caring aunt of Rachel McCulloch in both of these episodes.

The actor Peter Billingsley,
best known for his iconic roles as Ralphie in the classic movie "A Christmas Story" (1983),
and its recent sequel "A Christmas Story Christmas" (2022),
and also known for his role as Jack Simmons in the (1985) movie "The Dirt Bike Kid",
portrayed the young child character Ridley in both parts of this two-part "Highway to Heaven" episode.

The late actor James Troesh portrayed the character Scotty Wilson in both of these amazing episodes.

He also portrayed the character Scotty Wilson in these other amazing "Highway to Heaven" episodes.

"One Fresh Batch of Lemonade (Part 1)", "One Fresh Batch of Lemonade (Part 2)",
"A Match Made in Heaven", "A Special Love (Part 1)", and "A Special Love (Part 2)".

In real life, James Troesh was paralyzed at the age of 14 due to falling off of a roof
and sustaining a spinal injury as a result of the tragic fall,
which rendered him quadriplegic for the remainder of his life,
making him one of the very few quadriplegic actors to be successful in the entertainment industry
and the first quadriplegic actor to ever join the Screen Actors Guild.

In "The Monster (Part 2)",
the struggling, depressed and suicidal attorney Scott Wilson (portrayed by James Troesh),
finally got his very first client, Julian Bradley.

The actress Margie Impert portrayed Diane Wilson, the sister of Victor French's character Mark Gordon,
and the wife of James Troesh's character Scotty Wilson
in these five amazing "Highway to Heaven" episodes.

"A Match Match in Heaven", "The Monster (Part 1)", "The Monster (Part 2)",
"A Special Love (Part 1)" and "A Special Love (Part 2)".

Here are the four brand new scenes that are exclusive to just the uncut version of "The Monster (Part 1)".

1. Immediately following the part when the character Ella McCulloch
had told Michael Landon's character Jonathan Smith
"Now, You Can Start Fixing Up The Cottage Right Away",
the first 43 seconds of the outdoors night scene which features both Julian Bradley and Jonathan Smith
appears exclusively in just the uncut version of this episode.

2. Immediately following the outdoors daylight scene which had featured
the-then blind character Rachel McCulloch walking towards the cottage
in order to speak privately with Jonathan Smith,,
the first second of the scene which features
Jonathan Smith carrying a pail of paint in his right hand and a ladder in his left hand
appears exclusively in just the uncut version of this episode.

3. Immediately following the ending of the scene which had featured
the-then blind character Rachel McCulloch saying
"Take Me Up There, Indeed. Could Find That Spot With My Eyes Closed",
a 1 minute and 42 seconds in length North County Hospital conversation scene
which features the characters Scotty Wilson, Terry Dewhurst and Jonathan Smith
appears exclusively in just the uncut version of this episode.

4. Immediately following the ending of the scene which had featured
Scotty Wilson telling his wife "I'm Taking The Pressure Off You, Diane,
I Know It's Tough To Walk Out On A Cripple, Out Of Guilt And All,
So, I'll Make It Easy On You. I'll Get Willis To Move Me Out Tonight",
the first 34 seconds of the outdoors flowers scene with Julian Bradley and Rachel McCulloch
appears exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

So, those four brand new scenes add up to exactly 3 minutes
of brand new material that is exclusive only to the uncut version of "The Monster (Part 1)".

On the old Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Two,
this episode had a running time of just (45:17).

On this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set,
this episode has a running time of (49:07).

VEI is the only DVD and Blu-Ray distributor that has ever issued the uncut version
of this episode on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Here are the differences between the syndicated and uncut versions of "The Monster (Part 2)",

1. In the syndicated version of "The Monster (Part 2)",
the opening recap portion had a total running time of just 1 minute and 27 seconds.

In the uncut version of "The Monster (Part 2)",
the opening recap portion has a running time of 2 minutes and 57 seconds.

The first 53 seconds of the opening recap portion appears in the uncut version of this episode,
but not the syndicated version of it.

2. During the portion of the opening recap sequence which showed Julian Bradley
getting emotional and upset and then yelling at Rachel McCulloch,
that 34-seconds in length scene is in the uncut version of this episode,
but not the syndicated version of it.

3. Immediately following the part that had featured a close-up shot of the
"Calaveras County Courthouse" building logo sign,
the first 49 seconds of the scene which features Jonathan Smith
testifying under oath at Julian Bradley's court trial
while being questioned by his attorney buddy Scotty Wilson
appears exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

4. Immediately following the ending of the scene which had featured Julian Bradley
telling his attorney Scotty Wilson "My Mother Was Right, She Tried To Tell Me, But I Wouldn't Listen,
I'm A Monster Just Like They Say. I'm Sorry, I Know You Mean Well,
But You Can Never Understand How I Feel. I Want To Die. I Want My Life To Be Over",
the first 28 seconds of the prosecutor's closing statements scene
appears exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

So, the uncut version of the episode "The Monster (Part 2)" has 2 minutes and 44 seconds
worth of footage that isn't even included in the syndicated version of this episode.

On the old Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Two,
this episode had a running time of just (45:18).

On this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set,
this episode has a running time of (50:09).

VEI is the only DVD and Blu-Ray distributor that has ever issued the uncut version
of this episode on DVD and Blu-Ray.

 

[HonkyTonkMan]

On Saturday, January 6th,
I watched both the syndicated and uncut versions of the
"Highway to Heaven" Season Two episode "A Song for Jason (Part 1)".

Here is a brief synopsis of this phenomenal, unique, dramatic, emotional and unforgettable episode.

"Jonathan Smith and Mark Gordon become counselors at Camp Good Times,
a summer camp for children with cancer."

The actor Joshua John Miller portrayed child cancer patient Jason Winner in parts 1 and 2.
Jason Winner was the son of singing star Miki Winner
(portrayed by Barry Williams of "The Brady Bunch").

The actress Jessica Drake portrayed Sharon Winner in parts 1 and 2.
Sharon Winner was the mother of Jason Winner and the estranged wife of Miki Winner.

The actor Michael Bacall portrayed the child cancer patient Jimmy Patterson in parts 1 and 2.
Jimmy Patterson was the best friend of Jason Winner.

The late actor Herbert Edelman portrayed Dr. Cohn in parts 1 and 2.

The actor Brian Lane Green portrayed 16-year-old cancer patient Gary Duncan in parts 1 and 2.

The actor Grant Owens portrayed Ted Duncan in parts 1 and 2.
Ted Duncan was the father of Gary Duncan.

The actress Melissa Reeves portrayed Gary Duncan's girlfriend Cathy in Part 1.

The actor Giovanni Ribisi portrayed child cancer patient Curtis Johnson in parts 1 and 2.

The late actor Matt Landers portrayed Bob Johnson in parts 1 and 2.
Bob Johnson was the father of Curtis Johnson.

The actress Robin Riker portrayed Sherri Johnson in parts 1 and 2.
Sherri Johnson was the mother of Curtis Johnson and the wife of Bob Johnson.

The actor Dylan Brown portrayed Dennis Johnson in parts 1 and 2.
Dennis Johnson was the younger brother of Curtis Johnson
and the youngest child of Bob Johnson and Sherri Johnson.

The actress Emily Banks portrayed hospital employee
and Camp Good Times counselor Betty in parts 1 and 2.

Betty's son was battling cancer.

The actress Charlotte Stewart portrayed hospital nurse
and Camp Good Times counselor Cindy in parts 1 and 2.

Here are the two scenes that are included in just the uncut version of "A Song for Jason (Part 1)".

1. In the syndicated version of this episode,
the first words spoken in the episode were by Victor French's character Mark Gordon
when he asked Michael Landon's character Jonathan Smith "What's Our Next Assignment Anyhow?"

In the uncut version of this episode,
there is a 54-seconds in length conversation scene between Mark Gordon and Jonathan Smith
that takes place even before the "What's Our Next Assignment Anyhow?" line ever gets spoken.

2. Immediately following the ending of the scene which had featured
Jonathan Smith saying to 16-year-old cancer patient Gary Duncan
"Okay, Just Remember There's A Place Where You Can Go And Be With A Bunch Of Kids
That Know Exactly What You're Going Through Because They're Going Through It Too",
a 1 minute and 31 seconds in length scene which features a hospital room scene with
Dr. Cohn, Curtis Johnson and Curtis's parents Bob and Sherri
appears exclusively in the uncut version of this episode.

So, those two brand new scenes add up to 2 minutes and 25 seconds
of brand new material that is exclusive to just the uncut version of this episode.

On the old Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Two,
this episode had a running time of just (45:17).

On this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set,
this episode has a running time of (49:40).

VEI is the only DVD and Blu-Ray distributor that has ever issued the uncut version
of this episode on DVD and Blu-Ray.

 

[HonkyTonkMan]

On Saturday, January 6th,
I also watched both the uncut and syndicated versions of the "Highway to Heaven"
Season Two episode "A Song for Jason (Part 2)".

The actress Jill Carroll portrayed Camp Good Times counselor Trish in Part 2.
Trish was 18-years-old.
Trish also turned out to become the new girlfriend of Brian Lane Green's character Gary Duncan.
Gary Duncan was a 16-year-old cancer patient.
It was also revealed during Part 2 that Trish had recently been battling cancer as well.

Unfortunately, I've got some miserable, horrible, dreadful, atrocious, horrendous, awful,
appalling, abysmal, disappointing, frustrating and terrible news to share regarding the
(2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2.

The (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2 is actually the syndicated version of Part 2.

Shockingly, the uncut version of Part 2 is actually included on the old
A&E Home Video and Mill Creek Entertainment DVD sets of Season Two.

How Do I Know This?

I know this because Part 2's opening recap sequence in the uncut version has
"Last Week on Highway to Heaven" written on the screen.

In the (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2,
Part 2's opening recap sequence has
"Previously on Highway to Heaven" written on the screen.

Part 1 originally aired on NBC on Wednesday, September 18, 1985.
Part 2 originally aired on NBC on Wednesday, September 25, 1985.

Also, the (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2
is actually missing two brief scenes that are only included in the
A&E Home Video and Mill Creek Entertainment DVD versions of this episode.

I'm absolutely irate, outraged, mad, infuriated, aggravated, frustrated,
irritated angry, furious, disappointed, agitated, upset and enraged
that the syndicated version of Part 2 was digitally remastered in HD,
but not the previously released A&E Home Video and Mill Creek Entertainment
uncut version of this episode.

What a truly horrendous, definitely embarrassing, completely inexcusable
and absolutely preventable error that actually was.

Someone at the studio really screwed up big time while deciding which version of Part 2
would actually be getting the digitally remastered in HD treatment.

Here are the two scenes that the (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2 is sadly missing.

1. Immediately following the part when a frustrated and upset Gary Duncan asked Jonathan Smith
"What About The Phone?" and Jonathan Smith replying to him by saying
"There's A Phone Behind The Med Shed. Do You Have Any Change?"
followed by Gary Duncan nodding his head yes,
followed by Jonathan Smith saying to him "Then I'll Get Back To The Bear Cubs",
and Jonathan Smith then starting to walk away,
a 16 seconds in length expanded continuation of that scene
which features Jonathan Smith saying to Gary Duncan
"Oh, That Little Kid In Line, Curtis, He Wanted To Say Thank You"
appears exclusively in the A&E Home Video and Mill Creek Entertainment DVD versions of this episode.

2. Immediately following the Camp Good Times outdoors part when Sherri Johnson
had told Jonathan Smith "Maybe, Next Time",
a 16-seconds in length continuation of that scene which features the following dialogue
appears exclusively in the A&E Home Video and Mill Creek Entertainment DVD versions of this episode.

Sherri Johnson: "I, I Just Think He's Too Frightened To Get Anything Out Of This."
Jonathan Smith: "Well, I Think You'd Better Take A Look At Your Son First."

On the old A&E Home Video DVD release of Season Two,
this episode had a running time of (48:15).

On the old Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Two,
this episode had a running time of (48:19).

On this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set,
this episode has a totally meaningless and completely deceiving running time of (49:05)
considering the (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of this episode is only the syndicated version.

I definitely won't ever be watching the (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2 ever again.

Whenever I do watch Part 2 of this episode again,
it's going to be just the A&E Home Video DVD version of it.

So, my advice to folks is to completely ignore the (2023) digitally remastered in HD version
of Part 2 of this episode from now until the end of time
and just watch the A&E Home Video or Mill Creek Entertainment uncut version of this episode instead.

The (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2 is absolutely meaningless, truly pointless,
completely useless, a total waste of precious time, definitely lackluster
and also such a major disappointment as far as I'm concerned
due to it being just the syndicated version of this episode.

The (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2 indeed does have far superior picture quality
and also far superior audio quality than the old DVD versions of Part 2,
but the (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2 is still an incomplete version of this episode.

 

[HonkyTonkMan]

On Sunday, January 7, 2024,
I rewatched the (2014) Mill Creek Entertainment DVD versions
and the (2023) VEI versions of the "Highway to Heaven" Season Five episodes
"Hello and Farewell (Part 1)" and "Hello and Farewell (Part 2)".

On Saturday, December 9, 2023,
I posted a remark on Page #6 of this thread stating that I didn't think the
(2023) digitally remastered in HD versions of these two episodes were missing any scenes
on the VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set.

Now, I realize my drastic mistake by figuring out that the (2023) digitally remastered in HD
version of "Hello and Farewell (Part 2)" is actually missing four scenes.

My viewing of the uncut version of "Hello and Farewell (Part 2)"
from the Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Five
on Sunday, January 7, 2024 was actually the first time that I had revisited the
uncut version of this episode in over 9 years.

This was just the third time that I had ever seen the uncut version of
"Hello and Farewell (Part 2)".

I regret not remembering enough about Part 2
which had resulted in me not previously noticing that the
(2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2 was actually missing some scenes
while I was watching the (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2
for the first time ever in early December of 2023.

There's absolutely nothing missing from the (2023) digitally remastered in HD
version of "Hello and Farewell (Part 1)" though.

So, Part 1 is presented in uncut form on this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set
and also on the Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Five as well.

Here is a brief synopsis of Part 1 of this episode.

"A U.S. military nurse who formerly served as a nurse in Vietnam during the Vietnam War
suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
while a teenage boy awaiting to enter pilot training, learns that he was adopted."

Here is a brief synopsis of Part 2 of this episode.

"An adopted teenage boy learns that his biological mother is a U.S. military nurse suffering from PTSD."

The actress Cristina Raines delivered such a moving, brilliant, heartfelt, believable, convincing,
dramatic and emotional performance in the role of Commander Kimberly Michaels
in both parts of this phenomenal and unique episode.

The late actor Matthew Perry portrayed David Hastings in both parts of this incredible episode.

Here are the four scenes that are missing from the (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2.

1. Immediately following the ending of the scene which had featured Commander Kimberly Michaels
saying "I Love Him, I Love Him" during a heated argument with Commander Matthew Rogers,
a 2 minutes and 58 seconds in length scene featuring a frustrated Commander Matthew Rogers
drinking liquor at a bar while Jonathan Smith and him are having a conversation
appears in the (2014) Mill Creek Entertainment DVD version of this episode.

2. Immediately following the part when Jonathan Smith had told Commander Kimberly Michaels
"That's What The Group Is For, Talking About The Hurt And Getting Past It,
Maybe, Sometime You'll Share Your Pain With Them" while driving her home in a car at night,
an unedited 7 seconds in length night scene outside of the Natural Foods restaurant
which featured a man walking with his female companion to the restaurant
and then opening the entrance door of the restaurant for her
and then the two of them walking into the restaurant together
appears in the (2014) Mill Creek Entertainment DVD version of this episode.

3. Immediately following the ending of the TV News Broadcast scene
which had made Commander Kimberly Michaels so very emotional,
a 4-seconds in length outdoors daylight scene which showed the outside of a hospital building
with a "Ambulance Parking" sign connected to the building
appears in the (2014) Mill Creek Entertainment DVD version of this episode.

4. Immediately following the part when Sgt. Major Travis Hastings
had said "It's Gotta Be" to his wife Annie Hastings while hugging her,
a 45-seconds in length scene which features Mark Gordon driving his iconic gray car
with passengers Jonathan Smith and Commander Kimberly Michaels
up to the house where the Hastings family was living at, then parking the car at the house,
and then Jonathan Smith and Commander Kimberly Michaels
having a conversation with each other inside of the car
just prior to the scene when the door bell of the Hastings house had been rung
appears in the (2014) Mill Creek Entertainment DVD version of this episode.

So, that's 3 minutes and 54 seconds worth of material that the
(2023) digitally remastered in HD version of this episode doesn't actually include.

On the (2014) Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Five,
Part 2 had a running time of (49:27).

On this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set,
Part 2 has a disastrous running time of just (45:13).

Mill Creek Entertainment is the only DVD and Blu-Ray distributor
that has ever issued the uncut version of Part 2 on disc.

It's absolutely heartbreaking that the vastly superior uncut version of Part 2
still hasn't ever been digitally remastered in HD.

I won't ever be watching the (2023) digitally remastered in HD version of Part 2 again.
This HD version is obviously the butchered syndicated version of this episode.

Whenever I do get around to watching Part 2 again,
it would be just the uncut Mill Creek Entertainment DVD version of Part 2 that I'll be watching.

I completely take back the A+ rating that I had previously given this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set.

I'm terribly frustrated that the syndicated versions of
"A Song for Jason (Part 2)" and "Hello and Farewell (Part 2)"
were digitally remastered in HD instead of the "already available on DVD"
uncut versions of those particular episodes.

I can't figure out why the 42-seconds in length bedroom scene
from the syndicated version of the Season Two episode "To Bind the Wounds"
wasn't just magically added to the (2023) digitally remastered in HD extended version
of the episode in order to make the episode truly complete for the first time ever
on disc considering how truly amazing the current technology actually is.

It's absolutely heartbreaking that there won't ever be a truly great
complete series DVD or Blu-Ray box set of "Highway to Heaven".

I wish that there would have been a complete series DVD or Blu-Ray box set of
"Highway to Heaven" that had actually included every episode of this television series
in uncut form.

The studio that actually has access to the original uncut master sources of "Highway to Heaven"
episodes has made way too many stupid mistakes which has resulted in syndicated versions
of dozens and dozens and dozens of episodes of this television series
getting released on DVD through the years
and syndicated versions of numerous "Highway to Heaven" episodes being released on Blu-Ray too.

I wish that the studio that actually has access to the original uncut master sources
of "Highway to Heaven" episodes was actually a studio
that wouldn't have ever erroneously sent out master sources of syndicated versions of
"Highway to Heaven" episodes to DVD or Blu-Ray distributors for a DVD or Blu-Ray release.

 

[HonkyTonkMan]

On Sunday, January 14th,
I rewatched the (2014) Mill Creek Entertainment DVD version
and the (2023) VEI version of the "Highway to Heaven" Season Five episode
"Whose Trash Is It, Anyway?".

On the (2014) Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Five,
this episode had a running time of (47:19).

On this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set,
this episode has a running time of (48:30).

The main reason why I decided to rewatch the Mill Creek Entertainment and VEI versions
of this episode earlier today was to see if the VEI version had any footage in it
that wasn't included in the Mill Creek Entertainment DVD version of this episode.

Other than the picture and audio quality,
the only other differences between these two particular versions of this incredible episode
is the (2014) Mill Creek Entertainment DVD version
presented this episode in its original 4:3 aspect ratio
and included the 30-seconds in length opening teaser sequence,
while the VEI version presented this episode in the 16:9 aspect ratio
and failed to include the 30-seconds in length opening teaser sequence.

This VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set presents all of the "Highway to Heaven" episodes
in the 16:9 aspect ratio instead of their original 4:3 aspect ratio.

So, "Whose Trash Is It, Anyway?" is presented in uncut form on both the
Mill Creek Entertainment DVD release of Season Five and this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set
even though the VEI version doesn't include the 30-seconds in length opening teaser sequence.

On this VEI 21-disc Blu-Ray box set,
none of the single part stand-alone episodes include an opening teaser sequence.