The Film
Well, they've done is again. That little network known as The CW (remember them?) managed to pack a bunch of sexy, stylish actors into a show and make it into a success. Of course, it helps that The Vampire Diaries capitalizes on a trend that just won't die (at least not permanently) already.
The Vampire Diaries is the story of Stefan and Damon (Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder), two sexy brothers held over from the Civil War era. The two revisit their old stomping grounds of Mystic Falls, only to find that 2011 has a better wardrobe, better hairstyles, and Elena, the doppleganger for Katherine, the pair's past love (dually played by Nina Dobrev). When the real long lost love turns up with an evil plan and a slightly different hairstyle than Elena, the group cooks up a lot of drama, as well as a pretty hearty body count.
The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Second Season is filled with more angst, smoldering looks, and a pack of new problems, which includes new vampires, werewolves, and some kind of freaky hybrid. There is so much going on here that it just might make your head spin. Although we wouldn't be surprised if that was a character trait they're saving for next season.
The Vampire Diaries is sort of like Gossip Girl, except with supernatural overtones. It also has a lot more long stares. Even better, it's bloody, dramatic and filled with gorgeous people. Basically, it's the type of show you either love or hate, and if you love it, you'll be completely sucked into all 22 episodes in The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Second Season.
The Picture
Despite being about the undead, there are a lot of bright colors throughout this season. That's a good thing, too, because it's really where this 4-disc 1.78:1 transfer really shines. Some of the darker scenes tend to swallow up some of the detail. Black shirts and black hair don't always play well against other black shirts and the black-ish backdrop that seems to run rampant throughout the show. The colors, on the other hand, are pretty darn impressive and lifelike -- you know, for a show filled with non-living characters. If you want some detail, look for close-ups. You actually won't be able to miss them, since there are a good amount of them this season. They look very nice. Yes, vampires use that evil eye thing a lot, and you'll get a good glimpse of detail in those moments. Overall, The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Second Season is a surprisingly good looking set. Remember, this is The CW, people. If they put more into this show than Two and a Half Men puts into craft services, we'd be stunned. That said, you're going to be pleased with what the turnout is here.
The Sound
Warner Bros. has packed this set with a nice DTS-HD Master Audio track. It's nothing that you'll write into your diary, vampire or otherwise. That said, it does add a little atmospheric punch in between all of the dramatic dialogue. The surrounds are mainly used for the creepy, supernatural-style soundtrack. There are a few whooshes of action that sweep across the soundfield and manage to break up all of the drama with a nice little jolt. However, for a show about creatures of the night, they sure to talk a lot. Don't worry though; you won't miss one breathy word of that dialogue; it sounds just wonderful. It's just a shame that it doesn't offer up a more immersive experience. We're not blaming the audio. That's just the nature of this overly dramatic beast.
The Extras
The special features for this season of The Vampire Diaries don't completely suck, but they aren't overwhelming either. The first disc has deleted scenes from the first four episodes. The second disc has deleted scenes on an additional four episodes, and throws in commentary for the episode titled, "Masquerade." The key to this commentary is that it features executive producers Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. As the disc says, make sure to watch all of the episodes before listening in; they spill a few spoilers. Disc three is kind of a dud, with deleted scenes from only one episode. The fourth disc is where you'll find more of the meat, with a gag reel (yes, they laugh!) and three different featurettes.
Final Thoughts
If you don't love The Vampire Diaries, The CW or vampires, then you'll have very little use for the 22 episodes (plus extras!) included in The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Second Season. If you're a fan of the show, vampires, or even guilty pleasures such as Gossip Girl, Melrose Place, and the Twilight series, suck this one up and add it to your Blu-ray collection.
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