'Comanche Moon' is new to DVD
"Comanche Moon" (Sony, 2007, two discs, $29.95). This sequel to "Lonesome Dove" can't touch that classic TV western miniseries of two decades ago. But it does stand well enough on its own to satisfy fans of the genre.
If anyone had told me that comic actor Steve Zahn is a logical choice to take over Robert Duvall's role as Gus McCrae, I'd have laughed. But despite mimicking some of Duvall's inflections and gestures — or perhaps because of it — he makes the character his own, and he's great. Karl Urban is also good, taking over the Tommy Lee Jones role as Woodrow Call.
The story in this three-part miniseries establishes the young Texas Rangers by following their private lives, in and out of romantic entanglements, and their early exploits battling Indians (including the great Wes Studi, and "Law & Order: SVU's" Adam Beach), with many allusions to characters who first showed up in "Lonesome Dove."
It's too long, of course, but watch it over a few nights and it'll have you wishing that westerns were more common these days on the large and small screens.
Extras: widescreen, three episodes, featurettes, interview with author/co-screenwriter Larry McMurtry
There are also regular characters, the captain (Gavin MacLeod), the doctor (Bernie Kopell), the cruise director (Lauren Tewes), the bartender (Ted Lange) and the steward, Gopher (Fred Grandy).
And, of course, guests who are the usual mix of TV personalities and faded movie stars. In this set you'll find Meredith Baxter, Bonnie Franklin, Sherman Hemsley, John Ritter, Diahann Carroll, Ruth Gordon, Ray Bolger, Steve Allen, Phil Silvers, Leslie Nielsen and many more.
For those of us of a certain age, there's also nostalgia value for an era when sex was all innuendo, crassness was not allowed and there was always a happy ending. "The Love Boat" provides a brief escape from the real world, which is what a vacation cruise should do.
Extras: full frame, 12 episodes, promos
"The Equalizer: Season One" (Universal, 1985-86, five discs, $49.98). Edward Woodward, who earlier gained international prominence in the Australian film "Breaker Morant," stars in this mystery/action series as a secret agent-turned-good Samaritan.
He's Robert McCall, who has left a U.S. intelligence agency to set up shop in his Manhattan apartment as the title character, soliciting work for the downtrodden who have nowhere else to turn. He's part detective, part bodyguard, part enforcer, and apparently atoning for past sins, taking no payment for his services.
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