Boss - Season 2 [Blu-ray]

"Boss" is loosely based on the great 20th century mayors of Chicago who ran the Windy City with a mixture of power, political acumen, and (dare we say it) an honest wish for the success of the city (that is, as long as all three could be simultaneously achieved). As we watch the story of "Boss" unfold over two seasons, we see a powerful Chicago mayor (Mayor Kane) as he keeps an iron fist over what he has achieved over the years in coming up the ranks of the Chicago system, and doing so while he wrestles with a serious physical illness. Although endowing the character with this illness is the twist in the story that makes it different from the city's actual mayoral history, anyone who grew up in Chicago instantly recognizes the reference (as does any reader of Mike Royko's columns in the Chicago Tribune published over those years), a steely parallel between the role and the reality: it's like dirty street fighting waged in men's dress suits. Anyone raised in the Chicago area, too, recognizes all the details: the types of clothing, the names of towns throughout the state, the hairstyles, even the styles of glasses. Of course, there were no smart phones in those years, but this is a modern telling of a slightly older story. Somebody really got this right in both execution AND detail.Fans of Boss were greatly excited to see the second season of this critically acclaimed show (Grammer won a Golden Globe for best dramatic performance in Season One), and, for the most part, Season Two does not disappoint. We can easily say again what we said after watching Season One of Boss: this is Grammer's greatest role to date, and demonstrates that his acting skills cover drama, not only comedy (as we saw in 11 years of Frasier). Grammer won four Emmy's for his work in Frasier, and, I believe, was nominated for even more, so it's a high bar to pass, but fans of Boss know that something very impressive is occurring in Grammer's portrayal of this role, something that had not happened even in a show as strong as Frasier. I said it after watching Season One of Boss, and I'll say it here again: Grammer is so good in this role that it is SCARY.Grammer has said that "Boss" is not really about politics, but rather about the craving for power. Although I can see the argument, it's really difficult to untangle the two in this setting. But that is irrelevant. Boss takes you in and drops you off into this world of political machinations, power politics, dirty campaigning, and even municipal operations (we see almost as much of the city alderman and ward bosses as we do "the Boss" himself) to the point where this could be more Machiavelli than Royko, and anyone who is interested in how political wheelings and dealings occur in such a setting will almost certainly be fascinated. We see how the Boss faces every challenge, defies every obstacle, and navigates through (and between) deceit, both personal and political, to keep himself where he wishes to be, at the reins of this most central of cities.A small criticism of Season Two of "Boss" has been that some of the story lines become a bit more extravagant and difficult believe when compared to Season One. That may be partially true, but it's not a big concern. It is true that the first season stayed within a somewhat more constrained story line and that the second tends to open up multiple simultaneous lines. Some of Season Two can be a bit difficult to follow because of that very fact, and that's why purchasing this on disk is helpful, because you may very well need to watch the show twice to pick up all the twists and outcomes. But after watching Season One and have started Season Two, you'll likely be hanging on every scene to see how the stories play out. But the overarching story line is a somewhat unusual premise, a city boss with a terrible illness and a city to keep in his pocket while he keeps himself together. And Grammer does it superbly: this is certainly his best work to date, and you find yourself being drawn into the story because of the commanding performance he elicits. The excellent performances of nearly everyone makes it a great ensemble cast.There is really no reason to watch Season Two before Season One, and, in reality, due to the complexities built into the story, Season Two will not really make a whole lot of sense without having first watched Season One. Both seasons are out on Blu-Ray and DVD, so pick up Season One first, and work through those eight episodes, and then come to Season Two (ten episodes). If you have a Blu-Ray player and a HD television, you'll see Chicago glisten in many of the shots. It's really a unique city that is almost always overshadowed by its noisier competitors on both the east and west coasts (and due to the Midwesterner's subdued demeanor) but nevertheless holds its own special beauty.Boss. It's engrossing, powerful, challenging. It's unusual. It's educating, in some strange way. It sports a superb cast, excellent production values, and doesn't insult the viewer by dumbing anything down. You'll be angry at the end of Season Two that a third season was not made, but don't let that deter you. There's really no way to rate this show as anything less than five stars.See also:Boss: Season One [Blu-ray]

Very real account of politics ....

Really great cable tv show which was unfortunately limited to only 2 seasons. Kelsey Grammer stars as the mayor of Chicago, who is hard nosed, hard headed, and definitely unscrupulous, as he manages a difficult city while also contending with a brain disorder which he tries to keep under wraps as much as possible. Connie Nielson plays his wife, and although she may initially come off sweet, don't be fooled as she can have her own agenda as well as anybody on the show. Season 2 features a mysterious assassination attempt, the controversial closing of a low rent community clearly inspired by the old Cabrini Green housing project, as well as a candidate for governor who seems poised for greatness but can't seem to get his personal life out of the way. There's plenty more going on but I'll leave it at that. Grammer is great in this, featuring fiery intensity & managing to make a shady politician somewhat sympathetic along the way. The supporting cast is generally excellent with some of my personal favorites being Kathleen Robertson as Kitty, Martin Donovan as Ezra, Jeff Hephner as Zajac, rapper/actor T.I. as Trey, and special kudos to Jonathan Groff as an assistant to the mayor. He is almost spookily great. This show has more edge & intensity than anything on the networks, and could go toe to toe with any cable series as well. Highly recommended.

I think Kelsey Grammer nailed his performance

EVERY EPISODE packs a PUNCH! After watching Kelsey Grammer in the perfected role of Frasier Crane, it was a rude and delightful awakening to see him reinvented in the role of Mayor Tom Kane in the Starz original series, BOSS. To quote one tough guy in my family, "Tom Kane scare the $#!% out of me!". Mr. Grammer's depth and range in his performance on this show are a testament to his true talent and dedication to his craft. Whew! This show get's it all in! The dialog, the story lines, the sudden twists and sharp edges give just the right balance of intrigue, political out-maneuvering, double-crossing, you-got-my-back-I-may-stab-you-in-yours D R A M A to keep everyone happy and on the edge of their seats! You will find it hard NOT to watch each episode without your mouth hanging open during at least part of it! Go on, try it … I dare you!

Very suspenseful, just when you think you've got it figured out, another turn of events throws your logic off the rails. Unbelievable storyline because of crudeness and greed of power, Ha!

good shape

This was FANTASTIC! Kelsie Grammer demonstrated what good...no make that GREAT acting is all about! As with all great actors, they can make you feel as if they really are the character they are portraying and Grammer nails it! You never feel as if he is acting. You actually believe he really is a very ill, very forceful, and very wicked Mayor Kane. This tour de force is in my opinion the best thing that Kelsie Grammer has ever done and may ever do.Sad to say, that the series was canceled after only two seasons. (Ratings most likely and ratings are $$$.) But get this if you want to see the gritty side of Chicago politics.

Genial

Perfecto todo. En cuanto a la serie un papelón del protagonista en una trama poco arriesgada, pero bien en definitiva.

La série BOSS, injustement ignorée par les médias, est un véritable bijou qui met en scène les passions humaines dans le domaine de la politique. Son acteur principal se révèle époustouflant dans son rôle avec des accents de pur tragédien, menant une double lutte implacable contre une maladie neuronale qui lui fait perdre pied et contre ce milieu impitoyable qui règne dans le monde de la politique.

this is probably the best tv i,ve ever seen.It is surprising;powerful and absolutely truthful.only two series have been made and I can see why there will not be any more.can it be bettered,or even matched.simply.NO

10時間通しで見させて頂きました。重いです。シーズン１のような展開を期待されて見ると、大きく裏切られることになるのではないかと思います。うまく言い表せられないのですが、『攻殻機動隊　STAND ALONE COMPLEX』の一期と二期の差を思い浮かべて頂けるといいかもしれません。見ていて　スカッ　とするようなお話や、熱い演出がひとつもない。ですが、面白いです。えげつないストーリー構成・展開は健在。むしろ、より一層えげつなくなっています。シーズン３の制作がキャンセルされてしまったのが非常に惜しいです。シーズン２はシーズン１と違い、　「ここで終わらせようと思えば終わらせられる」　というような締め方ではなく、　「これからが本番」　という締め方をされていたので、続きが気になって仕方ありません。チープなエンターテイメントが好まれるのは、日本に限らずどこの国でも同じなのでしょうかね。STARZの社長のインタビューがただのリップサービスでないことを願います。続編、劇場版の制作を心より待望しております。