The CW’s gothic teen soap opera has some bite in its second season, expanding the storylines and offering some exciting dynamics to many of the characters. Warner’s 4-disc set is sure to please fans with improved audio and video (over the broadcast versions), along with a small serving of bonus features. This set is a perfect way to prepare for the Season Three premiere on September 15, 2011 on your local CW station.
The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray)
Studio: Warner Bros. Home Video
US DVD Release Date: August 30, 2011
Original Broadcast Year: 2010-2011
Rated: TV-14
Running Time: 927 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English)
Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish
Movie: 3.5 out of 5
I had originally dismissed The Vampire Diaries as a TV knockoff of the Twilight movie franchise. And, on the surface, it is easy to understand why. The series main storyline revolves around the small-town romance between a vampire and a human teenage girl, and one of the main story arcs for this second season involved the relationship between vampires and werewolves.
The television series, developed by Kevin Williamson (Scream, Dawson’s Creek) and Julie Plec (Kyle XY), is based on a series of novels by L.J. Smith that were first published in 1991, a good 14 years prior to the publication of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight. Although it is a safe bet that the success of the latter books and movies had something to do with the CW television network commissioning a pilot and eventual series, the similarities between the two, more or less, end there.
The writing and acting are much stronger on The Vampire Diaries. Both Williamson and Plec are heavily involved in the producing and writing of the show and are credited with writing most of the episodes for the second season. The small town feel is authentic, and the story arcs feel like they are well-thought out, not too overly contrived. Nina Dobrev (Degrassi: The Next Generation) shines not only as the innocent Elena Gilbert, but also as her “older” vampire doppelganger and untrustworthy Katherine Pierce over various timelines (15th and 19th centuries, as well as modern day). Paul Wesley (Army Wives, 24) is very good as Elena’s love interest, Stefan Salvatore, but he has the unfortunate coincidence (?) of bearing a somewhat striking similarity to actor Robert Pattinson (Edward from the Twilight series). Ian Sommerhalder (Lost), who has the looks of a young Rob Lowe, is charming with an edge of danger as Stefan’s older brother, Damon, who is also in love with Elena. The supporting cast, which includes Steven R. McQueen, Kat Graham, Candice Accola, Michael Trevino, and Matthew Davis, are equally good. My major problem with the cast is that none of them look like high school students (maybe college, though), and possibly less than 20 minutes from the entire season actually takes place in a classroom or school hallway. Obviously, the show’s demographics are teenage girls, but the producers would be better off just forgetting about school altogether, rather than occasionally reminding the audience every few episodes.
The Vampire Diaries is set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, a hotbed of supernatural activity that includes vampires, witches, and werewolves.
As season two opens, Elena finds that Katherine has attempted to kill her uncle (and birth father) John (David Anders, Heroes) and her brother Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) has attempted suicide to become a vampire. Apparently, Katherine has returned to obtain a moonstone in an effort to stop Klaus (Joseph Morgan, Doc Martin), one of the Original vampires, from transforming into a hybrid (part vamp, part werewolf).
I had not watched the first season of this series, so it took me a few episodes (and reading season one episode guides) to become familiar with the plotlines and characters. Thankfully, the recaps of prior episodes have been left intact on this Blu-ray release. The reveal of the werewolf plotline, as well as Katherine’s many double and triple crosses, plus the flashbacks to Katherine’s past and the season finale cliffhanger, make this 22-episode season a fun ride.
Video: 4 out of 5
The Vampire Diaries is broadcast on most CW stations in 1080i. Warner Home Video presents all 22 episodes from the second season in a very nice 1080p/24Hz transfer using the AVC codec.
Detail is somewhat improved over the original broadcasts, and compression artifacts are not an issue. Shot on-location in Atlanta, Georgia with Sony F35 digital cameras, film grain is not an issue, yet the episodes have a film-like appearance. Colors are consistent, and blacks are deep without crushing.
Audio: 4 out of 5
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks are a vast improvement over the compressed Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks used in the original broadcasts. Overall fidelity is excellent, with occasionally active surround and LFE channels when necessary. Dialogue is mostly centered, and is very understandable.
Special Features: 3.5 out of 5
The set includes deleted scenes (listed as unaired scenes in the liner notes) for several episodes that are spread out over the four discs, as well as a commentary track for one episode, with four featurettes appearing on disc four. Oddly, the main menu includes navigation for the entire set, regardless of what disc is in your player. Selecting a feature not on the inserted disc prompts you to insert the required disc. All four discs are housed in a standard-sized 4-disc Blu-ray keepcase, which is stored in a full-color paperboard sleeve. A 12-page color booklet is also included, listing each disc’s contents and a main cast listing. Each disc is also BD-Live enabled, taking you to Warner’s online portal consisting of trailers and promos of upcoming titles you can stream to your player.
Disc One:
Deleted Scenes for The Return (SD, 3:39)
Deleted Scene for Brave New World (SD, 1:21)
Deleted Scenes for Bad Moon Rising (SD, 1:54)
Deleted Scenes for Memory Lane (SD, 1:31)
Disc Two:
Commentary by Executive Producers and Episode Writers Kevin Wiliamson and Julie Plec on Masquerade
Deleted Scene for Masquerade (SD, 0:23)
Deleted Scene for Rose (SD, 0:53)
Deleted Scene for Katerina (SD, 2:42)
Deleted Scenes for By The Light Of The Moon (SD, 4:35)
Disc Three:
Deleted Scene for Daddy Issues (SD, 0:57)
Disc Four:
Her Own Worst Enemy… Elena, Katherine, and Nina! (HD, 9:29): Nina Dobrev, Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, Producer Pascal Verschooris, Editors Joshua Butler and Lance Anderson, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, abnd Candice Accola discuss the many tricks used in the series to transform Nina Dobrev into either Elena or Katherine, and how they were able to get both characters into the same shot.
The Perfect Love Triangle: Vampires, Werewolves, Witches (HD, 9:00): Executive Producers Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson, along with the cast, discuss the various love lives of the characters.
Pages Of The Wolf: The Myth And The Mystery (HD, 5:38): Executive Producers Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson, Ian Somerhalder, Michael Trevino, and Candice Accola discuss the legends and lore of these mythic creatures as they relate to the series.
Pages Of The Wolf: Building The Beasts (HD, 5:27): Animal Trainer Chris Edrington, Iam Somerhalder, Michael Trevino, and Visual Effects Supervisor Mat Beck discuss the use of real wolves and CGI manipulation to create the werewolves used on the series.
Pages Of The Wolf: Howling At The Moon (HD, 7:29): Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, Michael Trevino, CG Supervisor David Alexander, VFX Supervisor John Walsh, and Visual Effects Supervisor Mat Beck discuss how the werewolf transformations were achieved.
Second Bite (SD, 2:37): The blooper reel from season two consists of blown lines and goofing off on-camera between takes.
Overall: 3.5 out of 5
I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this series, and fans will appreciate the much improved audio and video presentation compared to the network broadcasts, as well as the interesting bonus features. A definite must-have for fans, and a recommended rental for the curious.
The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray)
Studio: Warner Bros. Home Video
US DVD Release Date: August 30, 2011
Original Broadcast Year: 2010-2011
Rated: TV-14
Running Time: 927 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English)
Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish
Movie: 3.5 out of 5
I had originally dismissed The Vampire Diaries as a TV knockoff of the Twilight movie franchise. And, on the surface, it is easy to understand why. The series main storyline revolves around the small-town romance between a vampire and a human teenage girl, and one of the main story arcs for this second season involved the relationship between vampires and werewolves.
The television series, developed by Kevin Williamson (Scream, Dawson’s Creek) and Julie Plec (Kyle XY), is based on a series of novels by L.J. Smith that were first published in 1991, a good 14 years prior to the publication of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight. Although it is a safe bet that the success of the latter books and movies had something to do with the CW television network commissioning a pilot and eventual series, the similarities between the two, more or less, end there.
The writing and acting are much stronger on The Vampire Diaries. Both Williamson and Plec are heavily involved in the producing and writing of the show and are credited with writing most of the episodes for the second season. The small town feel is authentic, and the story arcs feel like they are well-thought out, not too overly contrived. Nina Dobrev (Degrassi: The Next Generation) shines not only as the innocent Elena Gilbert, but also as her “older” vampire doppelganger and untrustworthy Katherine Pierce over various timelines (15th and 19th centuries, as well as modern day). Paul Wesley (Army Wives, 24) is very good as Elena’s love interest, Stefan Salvatore, but he has the unfortunate coincidence (?) of bearing a somewhat striking similarity to actor Robert Pattinson (Edward from the Twilight series). Ian Sommerhalder (Lost), who has the looks of a young Rob Lowe, is charming with an edge of danger as Stefan’s older brother, Damon, who is also in love with Elena. The supporting cast, which includes Steven R. McQueen, Kat Graham, Candice Accola, Michael Trevino, and Matthew Davis, are equally good. My major problem with the cast is that none of them look like high school students (maybe college, though), and possibly less than 20 minutes from the entire season actually takes place in a classroom or school hallway. Obviously, the show’s demographics are teenage girls, but the producers would be better off just forgetting about school altogether, rather than occasionally reminding the audience every few episodes.
The Vampire Diaries is set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, a hotbed of supernatural activity that includes vampires, witches, and werewolves.
As season two opens, Elena finds that Katherine has attempted to kill her uncle (and birth father) John (David Anders, Heroes) and her brother Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) has attempted suicide to become a vampire. Apparently, Katherine has returned to obtain a moonstone in an effort to stop Klaus (Joseph Morgan, Doc Martin), one of the Original vampires, from transforming into a hybrid (part vamp, part werewolf).
I had not watched the first season of this series, so it took me a few episodes (and reading season one episode guides) to become familiar with the plotlines and characters. Thankfully, the recaps of prior episodes have been left intact on this Blu-ray release. The reveal of the werewolf plotline, as well as Katherine’s many double and triple crosses, plus the flashbacks to Katherine’s past and the season finale cliffhanger, make this 22-episode season a fun ride.
Video: 4 out of 5
The Vampire Diaries is broadcast on most CW stations in 1080i. Warner Home Video presents all 22 episodes from the second season in a very nice 1080p/24Hz transfer using the AVC codec.
Detail is somewhat improved over the original broadcasts, and compression artifacts are not an issue. Shot on-location in Atlanta, Georgia with Sony F35 digital cameras, film grain is not an issue, yet the episodes have a film-like appearance. Colors are consistent, and blacks are deep without crushing.
Audio: 4 out of 5
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks are a vast improvement over the compressed Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks used in the original broadcasts. Overall fidelity is excellent, with occasionally active surround and LFE channels when necessary. Dialogue is mostly centered, and is very understandable.
Special Features: 3.5 out of 5
The set includes deleted scenes (listed as unaired scenes in the liner notes) for several episodes that are spread out over the four discs, as well as a commentary track for one episode, with four featurettes appearing on disc four. Oddly, the main menu includes navigation for the entire set, regardless of what disc is in your player. Selecting a feature not on the inserted disc prompts you to insert the required disc. All four discs are housed in a standard-sized 4-disc Blu-ray keepcase, which is stored in a full-color paperboard sleeve. A 12-page color booklet is also included, listing each disc’s contents and a main cast listing. Each disc is also BD-Live enabled, taking you to Warner’s online portal consisting of trailers and promos of upcoming titles you can stream to your player.
Disc One:
Deleted Scenes for The Return (SD, 3:39)
Why a Vampire, Jeremy?
Caroline’s Still In Surgery
Thank You for Coming, Mason
Deleted Scene for Brave New World (SD, 1:21)
Pick Your Prize
Deleted Scenes for Bad Moon Rising (SD, 1:54)
So What Activates The Curse?
This Is Katherine’s Family Book
Deleted Scenes for Memory Lane (SD, 1:31)
How Come I Never Knew About Werewolves?
Selfless… The New Me
Disc Two:
Commentary by Executive Producers and Episode Writers Kevin Wiliamson and Julie Plec on Masquerade
Deleted Scene for Masquerade (SD, 0:23)
There’s A New Wolf On The Horizon
Deleted Scene for Rose (SD, 0:53)
Elena Checks Out The House
Deleted Scene for Katerina (SD, 2:42)
Why Can’t You Be With Him?
Deleted Scenes for By The Light Of The Moon (SD, 4:35)
I’m Worried About Bonnie
You Stay Out Of My Dreams
Look At You Catching On
Wolf By Night/Jules By Day
Disc Three:
Deleted Scene for Daddy Issues (SD, 0:57)
Are You Staying Or Going?
Disc Four:
Her Own Worst Enemy… Elena, Katherine, and Nina! (HD, 9:29): Nina Dobrev, Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, Producer Pascal Verschooris, Editors Joshua Butler and Lance Anderson, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, abnd Candice Accola discuss the many tricks used in the series to transform Nina Dobrev into either Elena or Katherine, and how they were able to get both characters into the same shot.
The Perfect Love Triangle: Vampires, Werewolves, Witches (HD, 9:00): Executive Producers Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson, along with the cast, discuss the various love lives of the characters.
Pages Of The Wolf: The Myth And The Mystery (HD, 5:38): Executive Producers Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson, Ian Somerhalder, Michael Trevino, and Candice Accola discuss the legends and lore of these mythic creatures as they relate to the series.
Pages Of The Wolf: Building The Beasts (HD, 5:27): Animal Trainer Chris Edrington, Iam Somerhalder, Michael Trevino, and Visual Effects Supervisor Mat Beck discuss the use of real wolves and CGI manipulation to create the werewolves used on the series.
Pages Of The Wolf: Howling At The Moon (HD, 7:29): Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, Michael Trevino, CG Supervisor David Alexander, VFX Supervisor John Walsh, and Visual Effects Supervisor Mat Beck discuss how the werewolf transformations were achieved.
Second Bite (SD, 2:37): The blooper reel from season two consists of blown lines and goofing off on-camera between takes.
Overall: 3.5 out of 5
I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this series, and fans will appreciate the much improved audio and video presentation compared to the network broadcasts, as well as the interesting bonus features. A definite must-have for fans, and a recommended rental for the curious.
