The second season of Third Watch continues to build on the great development of season one, and puts the show’s characters through the ringer – which leads to several deaths before the season’s last episode.
Third Watch focuses on a group of New York City police officers, firefighters and paramedics that work the 3-11 p.m. shift (known as the “third watch”).
The series was created by John Wells (ER, The West Wing) and Edward Allen Bernero (Criminal Minds). The regular cast featured Bobby Cannavale, Eddie Cibrian, Michael Beach, and Kim Raver.
Although the series revolves around a certain group of characters, the show’s writers do an excellent job of keep the series from getting stale or feeling like it was predictable. The series’ writers made sure to keep the show focused on the work life of its characters, but also took time to show how the job hit their personal lives once they are off the clock.
Like ER and The West Wing, Third Watch fills the series with a variety of characters keeping the audience from getting bored with a certain actor or storyline. The first season established the work lives of the Third Watch cast, but the second season opens the cast’s world up more and also gives the audience a glimpse of what led them to their career (this is often done through opening character monologues early in the season).
Using monologues and focusing on one certain character per episode is a bit annoying at first, but as the season moves on the device works. The show also moves away from focusing on one character by the second disc and returns to the same episode style of season one.
Along with giving fans more details into the lives of its characters, the second season of Third Watch has its cast handling situations ranging from tracking a sniper who targets cops; a football match between fire departments; and the departments having to deal with a frequent 911 dialer.
With a cast full of great character actors, it is impossible to pick out the series’ “star” or the main reason to watch. The cast of Third Watch all bring something to the series and makes each character important to the show. It is a true ensemble show with a true ensemble cast.
My personal favorites on the series were Jason Wiles' Bosco (who tends to speak without thinking); Molly Price’s Faith Yokas (who struggles with how to be a cop and a mom plus has to make a difficult choice at the beginning of the season); and Skipp Sudduth's John Sullivan (the veteran cop who finds a girlfriend, but is worried she might be using him to get citizenship in the country).
If the show has an anchor, it is in the character of Monte "Doc" Parker (Michael Beach) – the paramedic who is full of good advice and cares for each person he treats.
Doc is the glue that seems to hold the paramedics and firefighters together, but we start to see cracks in his armor as season two plays out. His character seems the most level headed of the group and the one who continues to care no matter how jaded the calls can make him.
The 22-episodes of season two stay fresh, but the season seems to end without a big cliffhanger that will leave you counting the days until Warner Bros. releases season three. Still, the season will leave you wanting to watch more, and I am looking forward to what the show offers in season three.
The box set is a little light on special features with a gag reel being the only big addition. It is presented in a full frame ratio, but still looks sharp.
I never caught Third Watch when it aired on television, but became a fan when I watched the DVD release of season one. Season two continued what made the show work, built on its cast, and left me still wanting to watch.
Third Watch – The Complete Second Season is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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