....“Series 2” is so much more satisfying because almost all the characters go through an emotional grinder and no one is left unscathed.
"To Be A Somebody"
After a Pakistani storekeeper is murdered and a witness says he saw a skinhead leave the store soon after, the police assumes that the killing is racially motivated and tries to quell the rumblings in the minority communities. Fitz, though, has a different theory but Penhaligon won´t hear any of it after he stood her up at the airport. We soon see Albie Kinsella (Robert Carlyle) go on a killing spree as he, in his own demented mind, tries to avenge the deaths of Liverpool FC soccer supporters in the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium tragedy. This is my favorite "Cracker" episode among the six so far. It cleverly ties the fictional crime portrayed here to a real tragedy that is probably still affecting its victims psychologically. A great episode that is full of tension and emotional distress.
"The Big Crunch"
This time, the writers delve into the world of religious fanaticism, giving appropriate social commentary to hypocritical behavior among religious zealots. A teenage girl, Joanne (Samantha Morton) goes missing and many assume that she has run away from home. As usual, Fitz has his own idea of what really happened to her and as he digs deeper into the evidence, finds a disturbing crime that leads to a deeply religious sect run by Joanne´s school headmaster Kenneth Trant (Jim Carter) and his wife Virginia (Maureen O´Brien). A boy is falsely accused of kidnapping Joanne and Fitz has to quickly rectify the matter before things get worse.
"Men Should Weep"
This particular episode is an explosive and personal one as the crime entangles Penhaligon, Beck, Fitz and Judith into its web. A serial rapist, taxi driver Floyd Malcolm (Graham Aggrey) is on the loose and everyone is on edge. Malcolm is very arrogant and believes that he will never be caught. The already complicated relationships between Fitz and Penhaligon and Fitz and his wife Judith are forever changed when unforeseen circumstances muddle the waters further.
Video:
Looking slightly better than the previous release, "Cracker: Series 2" still looks a little blurry and grainy. Presented in its original full frame (1.33:1) broadcast aspect ratio, colors look marginally faded and without much life. However, even with these somewhat video shortcomings, "Cracker" is still an enjoyable viewing experience. No subtitle options are included on this DVD set.
Audio:
Somehow, the Dolby Surround 2.0 audio sounds better than I remember from "Series 1". Maybe it´s my new speakers :) but I do swear that the audio this time around projects clear dialogue and better-sounding music. No other audio or language options are available.
Extras:
While Series 1 is quite bare and only had a biography of Coltran as an extra feature, Series 2 does not include any special features.
Packaging:
The packaging for this DVD set is quite unique. Like the previous release, it is in a form of a book with very thick cardboard covers. Opening it will reveal Disc One on the left panel and Disc Three on the right. When you open panel holding Disc Three, Disc Two will be revealed. There are no snaps or any type of mechanism to hold the package shut, just the disc panels themselves fit into each other.
Film Value:
While I enjoyed "Series 1", "Series 2" is so much more satisfying because almost all the characters go through an emotional grinder and no one is left unscathed. Created by popular TV/film writer, Jimmy McGovern, "Cracker" is more than a regular crime drama. It is also an in-depth character study that is both edgy and emotional as well. As a flawed hero, Fitz is the perfect foil for many of his counterparts in the police force and also his long-suffering wife Judith. "Cracker" effectively proves that sensationalism is unneeded when you have really intelligent stories and well-written dialogue to back up an able cast.
After a Pakistani storekeeper is murdered and a witness says he saw a skinhead leave the store soon after, the police assumes that the killing is racially motivated and tries to quell the rumblings in the minority communities. Fitz, though, has a different theory but Penhaligon won´t hear any of it after he stood her up at the airport. We soon see Albie Kinsella (Robert Carlyle) go on a killing spree as he, in his own demented mind, tries to avenge the deaths of Liverpool FC soccer supporters in the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium tragedy. This is my favorite "Cracker" episode among the six so far. It cleverly ties the fictional crime portrayed here to a real tragedy that is probably still affecting its victims psychologically. A great episode that is full of tension and emotional distress.
"The Big Crunch"
This time, the writers delve into the world of religious fanaticism, giving appropriate social commentary to hypocritical behavior among religious zealots. A teenage girl, Joanne (Samantha Morton) goes missing and many assume that she has run away from home. As usual, Fitz has his own idea of what really happened to her and as he digs deeper into the evidence, finds a disturbing crime that leads to a deeply religious sect run by Joanne´s school headmaster Kenneth Trant (Jim Carter) and his wife Virginia (Maureen O´Brien). A boy is falsely accused of kidnapping Joanne and Fitz has to quickly rectify the matter before things get worse.
"Men Should Weep"
This particular episode is an explosive and personal one as the crime entangles Penhaligon, Beck, Fitz and Judith into its web. A serial rapist, taxi driver Floyd Malcolm (Graham Aggrey) is on the loose and everyone is on edge. Malcolm is very arrogant and believes that he will never be caught. The already complicated relationships between Fitz and Penhaligon and Fitz and his wife Judith are forever changed when unforeseen circumstances muddle the waters further.
Video:
Looking slightly better than the previous release, "Cracker: Series 2" still looks a little blurry and grainy. Presented in its original full frame (1.33:1) broadcast aspect ratio, colors look marginally faded and without much life. However, even with these somewhat video shortcomings, "Cracker" is still an enjoyable viewing experience. No subtitle options are included on this DVD set.
Audio:
Somehow, the Dolby Surround 2.0 audio sounds better than I remember from "Series 1". Maybe it´s my new speakers :) but I do swear that the audio this time around projects clear dialogue and better-sounding music. No other audio or language options are available.
Extras:
While Series 1 is quite bare and only had a biography of Coltran as an extra feature, Series 2 does not include any special features.
Packaging:
The packaging for this DVD set is quite unique. Like the previous release, it is in a form of a book with very thick cardboard covers. Opening it will reveal Disc One on the left panel and Disc Three on the right. When you open panel holding Disc Three, Disc Two will be revealed. There are no snaps or any type of mechanism to hold the package shut, just the disc panels themselves fit into each other.
Film Value:
While I enjoyed "Series 1", "Series 2" is so much more satisfying because almost all the characters go through an emotional grinder and no one is left unscathed. Created by popular TV/film writer, Jimmy McGovern, "Cracker" is more than a regular crime drama. It is also an in-depth character study that is both edgy and emotional as well. As a flawed hero, Fitz is the perfect foil for many of his counterparts in the police force and also his long-suffering wife Judith. "Cracker" effectively proves that sensationalism is unneeded when you have really intelligent stories and well-written dialogue to back up an able cast.
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