By the fourth season of Friends, the sextet of stars had become household names and Thursday nights had become MUST See TV. The season also showed a continuing melding of the actors into their onscreen personas that made us love each of them for their particular ways. Rachel's hair was a fashion statement, Joey made dumb jocks seem actually sweet and tender, and Phobe, well she's definitely an original.
By now the writers felt it was time to throw the gang some loops so season 4 introduced dashes of jealously, romance and lust into the mix in just the right amounts. The season seemed to run only yesterday but actually was from Fall 1997 until Spring 1998. Some more serious issues also creeped into the storylines including the saga of Phobe becoming a surrogate mother. Ross also finds himself drawn into a speedy romance that ends the season with a two part wedding that is both poignant and hillarious.
Friends has already joined the ranks of Cheers, Seinfeld, Gilligans Island and other great ensemble sitcoms to become one that TV will remember for a long time. Season four was the strongest yet and definitely one that most fans of solid comedy and writing will appreciate.
The complete season list includes 23 episodes spread over five discs. These can be found at http://www.nbc.com/Friends/episode_guide/index.html
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The Disc:
Friends fans who picked up the first three seasons will know what to expect here. Each episode has been newly remastered in its original 4:3 broadcast aspect ratio bringing a vibrant picture from the already colorful television broadcasts. Sounds come in the same newly remixed English Dolby Digital 5.0 surround setups. As with the previous seasons this is quite impressive considering the clarity of the center channel and the ambiance of the surrounds for a simple comedy.
As with the previous versions we get the uncut extended versions featuring "never-before-seen footage." As to what exactly is unseen remains a mystery to me but Warner has never deceived us before. Next up is screen-specific audio commentaries by producers Kevin S. Bright, Marta Kauffman and David Crane, on the episodes "The One with Chandler in a Box," "The One with the Embryos" and "The One with Ross's Wedding." All of these are interesting to listen to especially for thier lighthearted approach.
Next up is Friends coffee guy Gunther in a new featurette Friends Around the World. At 9 minutes this feature illustrates how the Friends are translated into different languages around the world. I really enjoyed this little ditty as I didn't realize how popular Friends has become in other parts of the world.
Finally there is the usual small time stuff such as the Friends of Friends clip index, What's Up with Your Friends? video character profiles, and Who Knows Whom Best Ross's Ultimate Challenge?
bottom line:
One of TV's classics already, the fourth season of Friends shows just how quickly this series jelled and became one of America's Must See shows. Definitely with a modest price one of the best DVD's to own.
By - Brian "Shroom" Gray
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