THE JOY OF SETS,
Settle in with latest box set releases
For TV lovers, this time of year might as well be Christmas. In the weeks before the fall TV season launches, the networks release DVD sets of beloved favorites. With so many reruns and reality retreads, this is the moment to get caught up on old favorites and find new shows to ship.
Sure, streaming might be preferred these days. But with Netflix's practice of deleting hundreds of titles a month, the only sure way to have a favorite show is to buy a copy and keep it in your library. DVD sets often come with bonus features that don't always show up on streaming services, making them a great investment for fans.
Turn up the air conditioner, settle in on the sofa and enjoy these shows: (Note: Prices are suggested retail — you might find lower prices at your favorite store or online shop.) “Black Sails: The Complete Fourth Season” ($49.98, Blu-ray, $49.98, available Aug. 29), Starz's prequel series to “Treasure Island” wrapped its stellar run with twists and action and one of the best series finales in recent memory. Actor Tom Hopper, just seen on HBO's “Game of Thrones” as Dickon Tarly, takes his Billy Bones into dark waters, while Capt. Flint (the magnificent Toby Stephens) makes a final stand. Both DVD and Bluray sets come with about 40 minutes of bonus footage, including cast roundtables and featurettes exploring how the pirate world was created. “Supergirl: The Complete Second Season” ($49.99, Blu-ray, $54.97, available Tuesday) finds the Maid of Might fighting alongside her cousin Superman (guest Tyler Hoechlin, the most affable incarnation since Christopher Reeve), battling her boyfriend's insane mother (in a brilliant bit of casting, Teri Hatcher of “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”) and being the best sister ever to Alex (a heartbreaking Chyler Leigh). The set includes several featurettes, including
the cast's 2016 ComicCon panel.
This TV series just closed its season a few
weeks ago, but “Masterpiece Mystery! Grantchester: The Complete Third
Season” ($22.98, Blu-ray, $30.89) is already available. This season was easily its most wrenching as everyone's favorite vicar, Sidney (James Norton), found himself torn between his faith and the woman he loved like never before (and yet still had time to solve some baffling murder mysteries). The set includes making-of featurettes and a special look at the Christmas episode. There's no word on a fourth season because star Norton is just so much in demand. Grab this while you can.
Family problems came to the forefront to devilish effect on “Lucifer: The Complete Second Season” ( $25.86, Blu-ray, $41.79, available Tuesday). The vacationing master of hell (Tom Ellis) found himself teaming with his angel brother to find their mother (Tricia Helfer). Bonus features include the 2016 Comic Con panel, a gag reel and unaired scenes.
Forget David Lynch. Who thought a live-action series adaptation of Archie comics would be the real “Twin Peaks” reboot we secretly needed? “Riverdale: The Complete First
Season” ($24.57, Blu-ray, $31.50, available now) finds Archie and the gang perplexed by the murder of one of their classmates. The set includes unaired scenes, a gag reel and five featurettes, including my favorite just for its title alone, “Riverdale: The Ultimate Sin.”