The Commish: Complete Second Season [DVD]

Amazon.com Tony Scali (Michael Chiklis) is everything The Shield's Vic Mackey isn't: kind, considerate, caring. (He's also a little heavier and has more hair.) Commissioner Scali loves his wife, his son, even his partners (but more on that later). He's not so crazy about the crooks, but he's always ethical in his dealings with them. It's hard to believe the two characters are incarnated by the same guy, but the Emmy Award-winning Chiklis (Spirited Away, Fantastic Four) is one versatile actor. Set in Upstate New York, The Commish is a throwback to the cop shows of the 1970s, when police had personal lives and gore wasn't obligatory, but a sensitive look at social issues--and some lighthearted humor--never hurt. Not so-coincidentally, it was created by Stephen J. Cannell (The Rockford Files) along with Stephen Kronish (24). Each episode of the second season deals with a different issue, such as domestic abuse ("Escape"), suicide ("A Time to Be Born..."), and rape ("Sleep of the Just"). So about those partners: As much as Tony loves Paulie (John Cygan), Paulie's violent tendencies concern him. Before the end of two-part season premiere "Adventures in the Skin Trade," those tendencies will get the best of him and Paulie will be forced to leave. He'll be replaced by former FBI agent Cyd (Melinda McGraw). Meanwhile, Tony and Rachel (Raging Bull's Theresa Saldana) are expecting their second child, while son David (The 4400's Kaj-Erik Eriksen) has a crush on the precocious girl next door. Notable second season guest stars include Ray Walston ("The Witches of Eastbridge"), Pat Sajak ("The Two Faces of Ed"), and Eric McCormack ("The Ides of March"). In addition, Telly Savalas (Kojak) appears in a three-episode story arc as mob boss Nicky Collette ("The Frame," "Family Business," and "Out of Business"). --Kathleen C. Fennessy