I think it started with the writers’ strike and somehow got out of control on this series. None of these sets represent actual seasons, which is why the releases are called chapters. The first two chapters represent the times before and after the strike from the show’s first year. I kind of understand how that might work out. What I don’t quite get is why it is now continuing. This chapter includes the first episode of the second season and stops with the tenth, even though the season actually included 22 episodes, all of them aired before the release of the DVD’s. There doesn’t appear to be any reason to spread out these releases except to capture a couple of extra bucks from the fans. To be fair, there was a five month gap in the episodes where this chapter ends, but it is still considered by every episode guide I could find as all part of the second season. The question for fans has to be, when will they see the other 12 episodes on DVD?
The concept would appear to be slightly misplaced on ABC’s Family Network. The prerequisite underage drinking and promiscuous sexual lives don’t appear to be the best “family” entertainment. We don’t get even halfway through the pilot episode before we’re already charting those waters. To be sure, Greek is no Animal House, and the atmosphere is toned down considerably, but the issues remain, and this is not a show for the kiddies. The story is very much like a soap opera. Casey (Grammer) is a sorority sister for Zeta Beta Zeta, and after two years is a woman on the rise. She’s dating the rich and handsome Evan (McDorman) and is in line to be the next House president. Her life is about to change when her nerdy brother, Rusty (Zachar) arrives at college. In his hope to experience college life and shed some of his geek reputation, he decides to rush a fraternity and enter Casey’s perfect world. Casey’s other problem is Zeta Beta Zeta’s own new pledge in the form of Rebecca Logan (Vadsaria), the spoiled daughter of a US Senator and rival for Evan’s affections as well as the future House leadership. To further complicate matters, Rusty has pledged Omega Chi Delta, which is led by Casey’s former boyfriend, Cappie (Foster). Most of the episodes deal with the crossover of these various worlds, and there’s a ton of competition not only between the houses but the characters. The show is all about the parties and the rivalries. There’s an interesting enough group of supporting characters, all well cast, which make this series a little more interesting than it really should be.
The chapter begins with another Greek Week, and that means an intensification of those old house rivalries once again. The gang’s Spring Break activities come back to haunt a few of our characters, particularly Rebecca’s wet T-shirt contest, which ends up on the net. Politician daddy isn’t going to be happy at all about that. Let the games begin. Casey and Ashleigh end up rivals for the same guy in the annual Crush Party. Casey and Rusty put together a Casino Night to help out Ashleigh, and Cappie finds he has a need for speed, or at least a reliable car. The Kappa Tau pledges stage a mutiny. The gang heads to the House national convention in Orlando, and Casey and Frannie get into a bitter war over a change in the house charter and the accompanying vote. A Mission Impossible operation uncovers a mystery tape recording in Frannie’s room. The chapter ends as another Hell Week hits the campus. As expected it seems like pretty much each episode is focused on yet a different party or event. There’s no rest for the weary here, and party all the time seems to be the goal. Just another 10 episodes of Greek.
Video
Each episode of Greek is presented in its original 1.78:1 broadcast format. The presentation is pretty solid. Colors are not overly bright or stunning, but the level of detail is solid. This also includes a very solid black level. There are 4 episodes to a disc, and there is remarkably little to no compression artifact.
Audio
The Dolby Digital 5.1 track does everything it needs to do and more. This is an extremely dialog heavy series, so that’s what you’re going to want to hear without distractions. The clarity is good, and never does the 5.1 mix interfere with the staples. Musical cues are always solid but never overpower the drama.
There are audio commentaries with cast and crew on the episodes. They range from dry to a little too giddy for my tastes. It appears the cast and crew all enjoy themselves on set.
Special Features
Bloopers:(3:10) 3 minutes of the usual messing up and messing around.
20 Questions With The Cast Of Greek: (16:20) This is a lighthearted informal piece where the cast answers mostly silly questions. The feature contains a lot of show clips to go along with the zaniness.
Final Thoughts
It’s more of the same wacky frat and sorority house madness. Unfortunately the love lives are even more on display this set. It’s a college campus soap opera, but it does reasonably well in the ratings and is one of the few shows to debut during the writer’s strike that has survived and continues to thrive. It’s either luck or some cosmic alignment of the stars. “I knew it had to be one of those.”
