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Dead Like Me:The Complete Second Series
01/12/2007 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
DVD region 2. pub: MGM F1-ORG 3470601000. 4 DVDs 672 minutes 15 episodes plus extras. Price: £15.00 (UK - if you know where to look) stars: Ellen Muth, Laura Harris, Callum Blue, Jasmine Guy and Mandy Patinkin. Buy Dead Like Me in the USA - or Buy Dead Like Me in the UK  check outwebsite: www.mgm.com/dvd
When I look at the language options of DVDs, I wonder a couple things. Like do people of foreign countries look at any other language other than their native tongue? The other largely falls under the line of is there such a language as 'bad language' in the options?
When I reviewed the first series of 'Dead Like Me', I wondered how such a programme survived on American television. I've since been informed that the bleep button is in regular use. The boxsets are unmitigated and you can hear everything as it was intended. Although I have to confess that my own level of swearing rarely reaches the foulness used here, in many respects, it does seem appropriate for the characters in this series.
For those who are missing out, the series enters the life of the seriously dead where a few are brought back to serve Death by retrieving souls. The latest recruit was Georgia 'George' Lass (actress Ellen Muth) after being hit by the lavatory seat from space station debris. She joins a team led by Rube Sofer (actor Mandy Patinkin), Daisy Adare (actress Laura Harris), Mason (actor Callum Blue) and Roxy (actress Jasmine Guy) who are specifically tasked to pick up the souls of those who die violently. In short, they are grim reapers, given human form although not their original appearance to outsiders doing their job. With all the new series coming out at the moment using a similar theme, look back to this one which started it. The studios must like the idea to keep the theme going and looking at the Net, it seems there's a third series in the works as I type.
Things have moved on in some ways. Roxy has been inspired to change from being a traffic warden to a police officer. George is more comfortable with her purpose. Mason still fouls up as much as ever in everything but reaping. Daisy wants to prove she still has her acting charm. Rube revisits old memories and relatives. George's family are still grieving for her although the parents have split up. In many respects, this could be a serious series. It isn't. What makes 'Dead Like Me' work is its sarcastic humour which allows the reapers to get through their days and gives a 'human' feel to everything. Things are not always as expected and will touch you when you least expect it. The show also has a lot of heart so that you care for these people.
One of the things I was pondering on this time was why these particular people were chosen to be reapers. We see members of other teams this time. One boy belongs to a group that reaps animal souls. Another does the same for the aged infirmed. If anything, they are a sharp contrast to the team we watch. They are...er...angels compared to our team who all have poorly realised lives when various episodes show some of their background. If anything, George and Roxy seem to be the odd ones in the pile although the latter got fouler and attitude after her 'death'. If anything the only element I can see is that they are essentially lost souls who didn't do anything worthwhile in their own lifetimes and being given the task now.
Saying that, this is the kind of series you will want to watch time and again. I watched the first series again before watching the second series and it hasn't lost anything. I can see myself periodically returning to watch these misfits do their job. All the characters, including the supporting cast, have strong three-dimensional roles which have been more and more displayed as the series continues. It is a delight to watch and see what they get up to. Just be careful of anyone gently rubbing your arm.
GF Willmetts
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