Ahh, the list grows ever longer of shows I never watched on TV, but am catching up with on DVD. In most cases, I’m finding that a lot of the shows are better than I expected they would be, and in a few cases they are downright phenomenal. Recently I sat down to watch a few episodes of “Providence.” The main premise of the series surrounded Dr. Sydney Hansen (Melina Kanakaredes) who leaves her high profile job as a plastic surgeon and returns to her home town of Providence, Rhode Island after the death of her mother. She quickly learns that family (quirky as hers might be) is the most important thing in a person’s life. Mike Farrell, whom we know and love from so many years as B.J. Hunnicutt from “MASH”, also stars as Sydney’s veterinarian father, who was a bit of the Dr. Doolittle complex, relating better to animals than he does to people. The series also stars Concetta Tomei as Sydney’s mother. Wait a minute… didn’t I say her mother died? Let me read back a bit…. oh yes, here it is, “…after the death of her mother.”

Be that as it may, Tomei is still quite active in the series, haunting Sydney in her dreams and offering her motherly support.

Some of the quirkiness aside, I found “Providence” to be quite a delightful show, at least from the few episodes I saw on the new DVD release from Lions Gate. The set includes 12 of what are considered to be the best episodes from the series’ 5 season run. And here lies my only complaint about the set. Most of the TV shows that are currently being released in full season sets as opposed to ‘Best of…” collections. I would certainly have rather had this series, as it contains more involved story arcs, be released this way. However, if it turns out that this is all that is ever released, than it’s certainly better than not having them at all.

The episodes are spread out over 4 discs, which also include several extra features. First, there is a lengthy look back at the series that includes interviews with all of the principal actors as well as series creator/executive producer John Masius and director/executive producer Michael Fresco. It runs just under 30 minutes and gives viewers a very well-rounded look at the series. There are also several commentaries by members of the cast and crew, most notably the Pilot episode and the Series Finale. Finally, there is a Gag Reel, which is by far my favorite extra feature on any DVD release. It runs a little under 5 minutes, but has some great bloopers.

From what I could tell about “Providence”, it had all the earmarks of being a great show. I’d put it up there with “7th Heaven”, in terms of plotting and its overall commitment to family. Even though it covered some heavy themes, it was show you could easily watch with the whole family, and those are few and far between nowadays. I only hope that the sales of this set will do well enough to convince Lions Gate to release full season sets.

Episodes:
Pilot
Home Again
Tying the Not
The Letter
Don’t Go Changin’
The Thanksgiving Story
Falling
Best Man
Act Naturally
A New Beginning
Eye of the Storm
The Eleventh Hour

Starring: Melina Kanakaredes, Paula Cale, Seth Peterson, Concetta Tomei, Mike Farrell
Extras: Written Introduction by Creator John Masius, Commentaries by Melina Kanakaredes, Paula Cale, Mike Farrell, Michael Fresco, Seth Peterson, Concetta Tomei, Monica Wyatt, and Creator John Masius, Gag Reel, Retrospective Documentary Featuring New Interviews with the Cast, Creators, and Special Guests
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Lions Gate
Release Date: 5/18/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Providence - Collection an A.