(Contains portions of my reviews of previous sets) Stephen J. Cannell has been responsible for a large number of successful television shows over the years, but one of my favorites was “Wiseguy.” This was a show I followed through its entire run, and one that I had always wished I had recorded. The show’s central character during its initial seasons was Vinnie Terranova (Ken Wahl), who was an undercover FBI Agent. Though it might seem that shows that feature cops or FBI agents are pretty much done to death, occasionally some originality slips through. Such was the case when Cannell envisioned “Wiseguy.” Up until recently, most series of this type pretty much ran their plotlines on an episode-by-episode basis, with little real character development. When “Wiseguy” premiered in 1987, viewers were treated to a whole lot more. The series was made up of ‘story arcs’, where each one of Terranova’s assignments would take up several episodes. This allowed more complex plotting and strong character development.

For example in the first story arc, “The Steelgrave Arc,” Terranova had to infiltrate a branch of the mob controlled by Sonny Steelgrave (the late Ray Sharkey). During the course of those ten episodes, Terranova did indeed get himself ‘inside’ but also formed a strong relationship with Steelgrave, much like that of a brother. So as the arc came to a close, the emotional impact was much stronger than what you might normally have in a one-episode type sting operation.

The series was further enhanced by the ‘see-sawing’ of the characters. Wahl’s portrayal of Terranova painted him as a somewhat tortured figure. The secret he was keeping had a strong effect on his psyche, as there were temptations to do the wrong thing. He actually had to be kept in line by his boss, Frank McPike (Jonathan Banks), and his ‘lifeline’ within the bureau “Uncle Mike” (“Highlander’s” Jim Byrnes).

It was a real treat re-visiting the series last year with the release of this first story arc on DVD by Studio Works Entertainment. The four-disc set offered up all ten episodes of the “Steelgrave Arc”, and even included a couple of bonus episodes that bridge the gap between this arc and the next. These two episodes also allow a look into the lives of a couple of the peripheral characters.

After checking out the first set, I was ready for more. Fortunately, the wait turned out to be shorter than I had hoped. The new DVD release of “Wiseguy: Mel Profitt” came out just a couple of months later and let me tell you, it nearly eclipsed the first arc in terms of intensity. One of the reasons for the arc ended up being so good was the actor playing Profitt, Kevin Spacey. Even back then, you could see the potential for stardom Spacey carried into each and every scene. He is as intense an actor as they get.

Now that the third DVD set is gearing up to be released, I thought I’d check it out. This time we have two complete story arcs on one set. “White Supremacy” and “Garment Trade.” Having had enough of the OCB, Terranova decides to call it quits. He returns to his old neighborhood, only to find out that it is true that you can never go home again. A white supremacist group has taken things over, which is bad enough, but then they kill his brother so Terranova fights back.

I had mixed feelings about this story arc, mostly because of the outcome. Paul Guilfoyle (“CSI”) does a great job in this 4 episode arc as the underling to the ‘guy in charge’, played by Fred Dalton Thompson. In a storyline that hails all too true, the ‘guy in charge’ gets away, while those under him pay the price. I missed some of the character development that the series had the luxury of having on its longer arcs, but it’s still a worthwhile watch.

The second one takes place over 5 episodes, and in an unlikely bit of casting, delivers us Jerry Lewis and Ron Silver as father and son garment traders. The OCB must face a new mobster threat, played by Stanley Tucci. Tucci has always been an extraordinarily good character actor and he is excellent here.

The one odd thing that casts its shadow over this arc is the absence of Ken Wahl. Right at the beginning of this arc, Wahl had an accident and had to sit out the remaining episodes. A new character was brought in, played by Anthony Denison. He did a great job filling in, but it was just a little weird since it was Wahl’s series.

Unconventional to a fault, the DVD follows up these arcs with four stand-alone episodes. They’re all pretty good, but I think the series works best when they can carry over into multiple episodes.

There are both improvements and disappointments to the new DVD release from StudioWorks. Both the picture and sound have been reworked and so are much better than in previous sets. However, there is a surprising lack of extra features this time around. The last set had interviews in abundance, yet this set only has commentary on four episodes. And they are on the four stand alone episodes to boot. All are by Ken Wahl, and as good as he was in the series, he’s not really that engaging of a speaker. I hope future sets bring back the extras.

“Wiseguy” was a great series when it originally aired, and still is even by today’s standards. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to these first three DVD sets, and am now clamoring for the next one. As it is, I’m hoping that StudioWorks will release the entire series and then follow it up with the 1996 reunion TV movie. I guarantee I’ll be watching them if they do.

Episodes:
Going Home
School of Hard Knox
Revenge of the Mud People
Last of the True Believers
7th Avenue Freeze Out
Next of Kin
All of Nothing
Where’s the Money
Postcard from Morocco
Stairway to Heaven
White Noise
The Reunion
Romp

Starring: Ken Wahl, Stanley Tucci, Jerry Lewis, Fred Dalton Thompson, Paul Guilfoyle
Extras: Audio Commentary by Ken Wahl on Fours Episode
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: StudioWorks
Release Date: 7/6/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
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We'll give Wiseguy: Prey For the City an A.