Everwood Season 4 DVD Review: Unforgettable And Brilliant
Finally! The entire series of Everwood is now available for those of you that missed out when the series premiered nearly 10 years ago. There was concern after the not-so-great DVD sales of Season 1, that fans would never see the remaining 3 seasons released. No need to worry anymore!
Everwood is the best family drama I’ve ever seen, and I’m not exaggerating. The writing, the acting… everything is as good as it gets. It’s one of those shows where the fans and the critics know what’s up – but the rest of America just didn’t jump on the bandwagon. And we were so close to having a 5th Season, but many fans speculate (including myself) that 7th Heaven‘s revival (at the birth of CW) was what killed the series.
So what’s all the fuss about? It’s old school WB drama that you just can’t find on television anymore. Those of you that grew up watching Felicity, Dawson’s Creek, and Gilmore Girls know exactly what I am talking about. Everwood fits right in those series. It tells the story of a father and son who don’t quite get along. Andy Brown (Treat Williams) was a world-class neurosurgeon who didn’t truly appreciate his family until a horrible accident claimed the life of his wife. In an effort to do things right… and bond with his two children Ephram (Gregory Smith) and Delia (Vivien Cardone), he uprooted them and moved them from New York City to Everwood, Colorado. This didn’t go over well with Ephram who felt like this was just another one of his father’s giant mess-up’s. But by the time we get to the final season, Season 4, we start to see this relationship slowly grow and repair itself.
Ephram continues to battle his feelings for Amy (Emily Vancamp), Andy struggles to stay friends with Nina (Stephanie Niznik) after she chooses Jake (Scott Wolf) over him, and Bright and Hannah are finally together. I think I’ve illustrated the obvious drama and tangled web of the characters, but what is impossible for me to illustrate is the superb quality of the writing. Every episode will leave you feeling like you just saw something incredibly special. And you did.
Special features include over 40 minutes of un-aired scenes including a 10-minute alternate Season 4 finale (had CW picked them up). Needless to say, the summer after this season would have been incredibly painful for fans had they aired this version. Madison (Sarah Lancaster) returns and Ephram doesn’t profess his love for Amy – instead he seems to be drawn back to Madison. I’m incredibly grateful to the writers that they made an alternate ending for fans that wrapped things up, because if this version had aired – I don’t think any Everwood fan would have had closure.
You’d be crazy not to get this DVD… and the 3 Seasons before it. That’s all I’m saying. Best. Family. Drama. Ever.
Grade: A+
Review By: Emma Loggins
10 years already? 🙁
I need to get my hands on the final 3 seasons so I can watch the rest again. It surely was a great show.
Yeah nearly – 9 years ago when season 1 premiered. Hard to believe isn’t it? You definitely need to get the DVDs though!
Amazing review, Em! I miss the show 🙁 But so glad that I’ve at least completed my Everwood DVD collection now, despite all the music changes.
yeah the music changes still really bother me. Same with other shows from that era. But it’s definitely great that all 4 seasons are available now, I was worried we were never going to get 2-4. Glad you liked the review! I definitely miss the show too, so glad that they took the time to do an alternative ending in case they got cancelled – I would have not been happy at all if the cliffhanger had aired and then the series got cancelled.
I don’t think any music changes can be as bad as they are with the Roswell dvd’s. :p
Give me back Save Tonight!!!
Seriously. Especially the pilot. I think that’s the most obvious show with music changes.