Collectors will be happy to know the fourth season of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” receives its Blu-ray upgrade this week, and those with a long memory will enjoy the DVD debut of “Sugarfoot.”
“Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Fourth Season” (CBS/Paramount/Blu-ray, 1990-91, six discs, $130, 26 episodes, deleted scenes, audio commentaries, featurettes, promos). Some fans deride the fourth season of this “Star Trek” TV series, but I’ve enjoyed watching these episodes again, especially the first, which wraps up a two-parter about the Borg, and the last, which begins a two-parter about the Klingons.
But there are plenty of worthy episodes in between, as Capt. Picard and crew enter a wormhole, deal with combative relatives, meet a new alien race and even battle that oldest of plot devices, amnesia. Wesley (Wil Wheaton) leaves the series in the ninth episode (though he returns for four episodes over the next few years).
All of the bonus features from previous editions are here, along with some new things, including never-before-seen deleted scenes. And the Blu-ray transfers really are brilliant, in terms of both picture and sound.
“Star Trek: The Next Generation: Redemption” (CBS/Paramount/Blu-ray, 1991, $28.28, audio commentary, featurette, promos). This is the last episode of “Season 4” and the first episode of “Season 5,” about Worf (Michael Dorn) having his allegiance to Star Fleet threatened when his Klingon home world erupts in civil war. The two episodes are edited here as an uninterrupted 90-minute movie, and it works very well as a stand-alone show for fans.
“Sugarfoot: The Complete First Season” (Warner Archive, 1957-58, b/w, five discs, $39.95, 20 episodes.) This easygoing, highly entertaining western with a sharp sense of humor (adapted from the Will Rogers Jr. 1954 film “The Boy From Oklahoma”) stars Will Hutchins as a young teetotaler who has studied the law (via correspondence courses) and travels from town to town, romancing a few ladies and helping those in need, though his frontier skills are somewhat lacking.
Guests include James Garner (as his “Maverick” character), Charles Bronson, Connie Stevens, Dennis Hopper, Slim Pickens, Iron Eyes Cody and future “Bonanza” stars Dan Blocker and Pernell Roberts. A twice-monthly, hourlong program, “Sugarfoot” was in rotation with “Cheyenne.” (Available at www.WarnerArchive.com)
“Midsomer Murders: Series 1” (Acorn, 1996-97, three discs, $59.99, five episodes, text production notes, map). After packaging this wonderful murder-mystery series in sets that did not parallel the British seasons, Acorn is now releasing the show as it was originally conceived. And if you haven’t indulged, do so. This is a terrific blend of police procedural and character drama in a country setting, and each episode is feature-length. Emily Mortimer guests in the pilot as detective Barnaby (John Nettles), and Sgt. Troy (Daniel Casey) investigate a killing that may be linked to an earlier death. (Series 2-5 are also available, $54.99 each)
“The Adventures of Superboy: The Complete Third Season” (Warner Archive, 1990-91, three discs, $29.95, 26 episodes). This half-hour live-action series takes a left turn this season and turns into “The X-Files” (three years before that show came around) as Clark and Lana become interns at the U.S. government’s Bureau for Extra-Normal Matters. Think Superboy as Carl Kolchak. (Available at www.WarnerArchive.com)
“Banshee: The Complete First Season” (HBO/Cinemax/Blu-ray, 2013, four discs, $49.99, 10 episodes, deleted scenes, audio commentaries, featurettes, interactive features, episode of “Strike Back”). This Cinemax series is a dark film-noir thriller set in Banshee, a fictional small town in Pennsylvania, with an ex-con assuming a sheriff’s identity but continuing his criminal activities. (Explicit language, violence, sex, nudity.) (Also on DVD, $39.98)
“The Angry Beavers: The Complete Series” (Shout!, 1997-2001, 10 discs, $29.93, 52 episodes). No relation to “Angry Birds.” This animated series, an off-the-wall, zany show about young beaver brothers living the bachelor life in an Oregon forest, is a Nickelodeon favorite.
“Meet the Small Potatoes” (Universal, 2013, $5.98, 70-minute movie, 10 animated shorts). British children’s show aimed at preschoolers, with a quartet of singing spuds whose whimsical tunes cover a variety of subjects.
“Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Best of Daizy!” (Anchor Bay, 2013, $14.98, six episodes, bonus episode, coloring/activity sheets, music videos). Daizy stars in these episodes from the educational animated series that airs on Nick Jr.
“The Magic School Bus: In a Pickle” (Scholastic, 2013, $12.95, three episodes, bonus episode). Animated science-adventure series for ages 4-10.
“The Magic School Bus: Revving Up” (Scholastic, 2013, three discs, $24.95, 10 episodes, two bonus episodes). Collection of three previously released discs: “Under Construction,” “Getting Energized” and “Cracks a Yolk.”
Chris Hicks is the author of "Has Hollywood Lost Its Mind? A Parents Guide to Movie Ratings." His website is www.hicksflicks.com
Email: hicks@deseretnews.com