Once again Sony is helping us baby boomers recall our lives in the 80's. That's right, more and more shows from the past are getting the DVD treatment, some good, some bad. In this case, it is one of the good as we are getting to catch up on the 2nd season of "Hart to Hart." The 1st season already hit store shelves several months ago and I actually had a great time watching it and this new set. I used to watch the series when I was a kid, and while it is a bit on the dated side still allows for some enjoyable entertainment. Knowing full well that a handful of you were too young to remember this show… and in some cases probably too young to have even been born yet, let me tell you all about "Hart to Hart." Actually, I don't have that much time... let me sum up. The series starred Robert Wagner and Stephanie Powers as the millionaire jet-setting Harts. Since the life of a millionaire jet-setter can be a bit on the boring side, the Harts chase after their ultimate hobby… solving crimes. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that their lives bring them face to face with mind boggling crimes on daily basis.

Like all detective shows of the 80's (well, pretty much all detective shows), there are a lot of times that you have to suspend believability when it comes to the Harts abilities to solve crimes. But the show gets buy on the charm of its two stars, as well as that of the late Lionel Stander as the Hart's chauffer/bodyguard/etc… Each week, the trio would go up against murderers, kidnappers and the like and like the Canadian Mounties, always got their man (or sometimes woman).

What I thought was a little unusual about the 2nd season "Hart to Hart" though was that there weren't many big name guest stars. The series was exceptionally popular and the guest list from the 1st season was pretty impressive. This time around I only caught an appearance by Kenneth Mars and John Ireland. Of course, if you keep a keen eye out, you will catch an early TV appearance by George Wendt as a police sergeant.

The 20 episode available on this new set are every bit as enjoyable as those that were on the 1st season set, but I was disappointed to see that there were no extra features. I was a little surprised as the 1st seasons set had commentaries and a nice featurette, but this time around… nothing. There were some really good episodes in the 2nd season that would have benefited from a commentary or two, but no luck.

Ah well, I guess beggars can’t be choosers. Sometimes just getting a series on DVD is enough. Hopefully sales will be brisk enough to warrant releases of the final three seasons and the 8 (count 'em 8) TV movies that followed nearly 10 years after the cancellation of the series. I'll certainly keep watching.

Episodes:
Murder Murder on the Wall
What Murder?
The Lady is Murder
Murder is a Man's Best Friend
'Tis the Season to be Murdered
Murder Wrap
Murder in Paradise
Ex-Wives Can be Murder
Murder is a Drag
Hart-Shaped Murder
Slow Boat to Murder
Murder in the Saddle
Homemade Murder
Solid Gold Murder
Getting Aweigh with Murder
The Murder of Jonathan Hart
The Latest in High Fashion Murder
Operation Murder
Murder Takes a Bow
Blue Chip Murder

Starring: Robert Wagner, Stefanie Powers
Extras: Audio Commentary on the Pilot, Featurette – “The Hart of Season One”
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 9/19/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Hart to Hart: Season 2 a B-.