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Rating:  - Wonderful season, still a few flaws in presentation.
In this season, there was less of the gratuitous punch-throwing melodrama of the first season, and more thought-provoking drama and character insight. It truly was a splendid season for the show. Cast and crew were at the top of their form, and the guest stars were probably the best of the entire run of the series.
HURRAH to Roxbury Entertainment for releasing the entire season in one package! (Not-so-hurrah for apparently going back to the one-volume-at-a-time way for the upcoming Season 3, however.) And HURRAH for abandoning the phony letterboxing of the earlier attempt at Season 2! The show was shot and broadcast in 4:3 aspect ratio, that's how the scenes were originally composed, and that's still how it looks best.
And yet, there are technical shortcomings on these DVDs--especially, flaws that were not present in the original film medium--and it is hard to comprehend why they are present; it's not as if DVD mastering is still a poorly understood art. Not just a few, but MANY scene changes are accompanied by inexplicable breaks in both video and audio. Audio levels are poorly managed; entire episodes require cranking up the volume control, while yet another requires a quick downward adjustment and apologies afterward to the neighbors.
The packaging is a puzzlement as well. The complete Season 1 set gave us the air dates of each episode, but not a clue where they were filmed. Season 2 gives us the locations, but leaves the broadcast dates a mystery. Although this is a secondary issue and does not detract appreciably from the joy of watching this great series once again, having both types of information available at the same time would be a plus. And speaking of information, the "cast bios" special features would be far more informative if they did include a little actual biographical information--not merely the names of other shows in which the person appeared.
Overall, a good set that I'm glad to have in my collection; but it could have been great with just a little more attention to detail.
Rating:  - Name a show better or more thought provoking?
This series is incredible. Some might want to call the acting of George Maharis and Martin Milner over the top in some scenes, but those scenes are far and few and in between. This show gladly was a part of my childhood. Although I did not see the episodes when they originally aired in the 60's, I did see them all in syndication when I was in my young teens after school when I got home from school. Todd and Buzz where the epitomy of cool, and the fact that, much like Richard Kimble in the Fugitive, they helped people with life problems from town to town, state to state was riveting and endearing. They do not make shows like this anymore, nor is there a want for them. It is a shame. Yes, there was Highway to Heaven and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman recently, but this show, along with the Fugitive, showed the human and emotional side to the caring American spirit that is sadly, vanishing right before our very eyes.
Rating: - Buzzin about Tod & Buz
Kudos to the people at Infinity for the release of this fine treatise of American entertainment. I love the film prints and audio qualities which comprise this product. I have viewed all of the Season 2 episodes and I remain impressed with the story lines and the world famous guest stars who appear. This season is the true strength of the series. George Maharis had just hit his stride with the Buz character and he and Milner had great chemistry. Maharis earned an Emmy nomination this season for his intense, charismatic performances. The most compelling episodes of the series are contained in Season 2. Among them are A Month Of Sundays, Goodnight Sweet Blues, Birdcage On My Foot, The Mud Nest, The Thin White Line, A City Of Wheels, Aren't You Surprised To See Me?, and Even Stones Have Eyes. George Maharis was conspicuously absent on disc 8, episodes 59-62, due to a bout with hepatitis. Martin Milner went solo, pausing at times to "place a call to Buz" in Santa Monica Hospital. The episodes were not as strong during this time, which might have led some of the Nielsens to believe that the series had lost its steam. More to the point, the only thing the series was missing was its "Buzz". Overall, the writing was great, though at times a bit poetry laden. There are fewer original commercials in this Second Season package than there were in the First Season. But DON'T let that stop you! The Second Season is finally on DVD and rightfully so. It's been a long time coming now and the show still does not get it's due. In my mind, Route 66 might be among the top 10-15 dramas in TV history.
Rating: - First class release
Season 2 of Route 66 is very well done and collectors of the series will be very happy with this release. Bring on seasons 3 & 4 soon!
Rating: - I itch to hit the road.
This show was a few years before I was born and I must say that I have been waiting a long time to see it. I too love to see America and since this show cameout on DVD I have taken four trips to different parts of the country just because they showed them on this show. I love the scenery and liked seeing how America used to be before it became one big mall. I love the jazz inspired episodes. My only complaint is that some of the episodes are very dark and have the touching of human tragedy. I guess we are used to happy endings. I love to drive, but I have never driven a corvette for long periods of time. The shows are beautifully done and I envy Tod and Buz for having experienced such a wonderful road trip (and get paid for it).Please keep the other seasons coming.
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