The Bionic Woman: Series 2 [DVD]

This was a great fun science fiction series from the 1970s. This is season two of the Bionic Woman. It was a spin off series from the Six Million Dollar Man. That show was based on the novel "Cyborg" by Martin Caidin, The title role of Steve Austin, the main character was played by Lee Majors. The story of the original novel and the later series is the crash of former astronaut Steve Austin as he tests a new craft, Austin is severely injured in the crash and is "rebuilt". His right arm, both legs and left eye are replaced by "bionic" implants that enhance his strength, speed and vision far above human normality. The Six Million Dollar Man had been very succesful and during season two there was a two part story that introduced the character of Jaime Sommers played by Lindsay Wagner, Jamie was a professional tennis player who rekindled an old romance with Austin, only to experience a parachuting accident that resulted in her being given bionic parts similar to Austin. Ultimately, however, her body "rejected" her bionic hardware and she died. The character was very popular, however, and the following season it was revealed that she had barely survived, having been saved by an experimental cryogenic procedure, and she was given her own spin-off series, The Bionic Woman.So this DVD release brings the complete second season of the Bionic Woman This spin off series had its own unique style. Jamie Sommers uses her Bionics only when she has to. She usually manages to hide her special ability and often uses them in a way that makes it look like other people have actually lifted something heavy or broken down a door or lock. Jamie has a Bionic right arm, two Bionic legs and a Bionic ear.Some of the stories re visit ideas from the Six Million Dollar Man and the first series of The Bionic Woman. For example robots. (The roots of such a story line can be found in the earlier British Series The Avengers, but understandable here with simular artificial robotics through Bionics)Also the show featured the slow-motion action sequences. This was an idea that was copied from another succesful show "Kung Fu" but had the the accompanying "electronic" sound effects.. For some people the show was just far fetched nonesence. Some people would even dismiss it as daft. However, the show had one major ingrediant. It was fun. This is science fiction where anything is possible. Where the "what if" thought comes into play. This was a good show that you shouldn't take too seriously. It was meant to be far fetched, fun and entertaining. The world is serious enough so this was great escapism.There are two regular characters familiar from the Six Million Dollar Man with Dr Ruby Wells played by Martin E Brookes and Oscar Goldman played by Richard Anderson. Also Lee Majors guests as Steve Austin.For me the Bionic Woman was a more interesting character that Steve Austin. She has confidence but is also vunrable. She is slighty scatter brained and gentle. She has interesting asignments that put her in glamourous situations and gritty moments in tough environments. There is great humour also and the whole thing is just good fun. This was the original Bionic Woman with interesting stories, bright scenes, light heartedness, well produced, escapist fun.

I can watch bionic woman over and over again. I know that they've made a modern version, but to me, Lindsay wagner is a fantastic acter and because she is, the original will never be out of date.

The Original Bionic Woman (1976-78) with the lovely and talented Lindsay Wagner really has stood the test of time as so many of Jaime Sommer's fans showed their loyalty and sheer love of the show with the record sales of the DVDs.The show may be late '70's but it did not need to rely on special effects or sensational storylines - the characters and quality of the scripts shine through.A great buy and one that will appeal to Bionic Woman fans young and not so young.

but i am here for the six million dollar man, you know its gonna be great when hes in it

My first impression whilst watching these episodes is realising that they have been heavily butchered in syndication. It was quite the revelation that Alex 7000 had actually preyed upon Jaime's fear of snakes in "Doomsday is Tomorrow." That part had been edited from every single episode I have seen in syndication! Also, the part where Jaime leaps up onto the gantry in that same episode to escape the rocket fire had been cut. This is actually a very good piece of film and stunt work, because it does actually look like Jaime has leapt 20 feet into the air. Brilliant editing.I do have to remark upon the mislabling of this set, however. This is NOT THE COMPLETE 2ND SEASON! The Return of Bigfoot is missing, part 2 of which aired as a Bionic Woman episode. My guess is that Universal have decided to package the "Bionic Bigfoot" episodes with the Six Million Dollar Man sets, as they have been syndicated that way. However, Jaime Sommers does appear in both parts, and Universal might just as well have included both parts of this classic episode for us Bionic Woman fans along with the notation that these were crossover episodes. After all, to be entirely correct, they're going ot have to do this with the SMDM sets that contain these episodes. Okay, enough ranting and pouting about that.Thank you, Universal-Playback, for offering the Bionic Woman in unedited form. The only complaint I have is with the sound quality. There is some background static on the soundtrack during several episodes. I tried different players with the same results. I don't know if Universal Playback's source material contained this technical flaw or whether this is indeed a defect in the discs themselves.The picture quality, on the other hand, is very good. I had forgotten how cute Lindsay Wagner was back then. She's still not hard on the eyes these days.By far, this is the best of the Bionic Woman seasons...but, that doesn't mean Universal should stop there. We fans still want the 3rd season, complete with the handful of rubbish episodes that went along with it.Enjoy...this is a great classic show from the 70's. Why Universal have not released this stateside is beyond me.

Excellent

I was pleased with season 1 and am also pleased with this set. Except it is not complete. The second season pilot episode is actually Part 2 of a 2 part story that began as the 4th season pilot of Six Million Dollar Man entitled Return Of Bigfoot. So "In This Corner, jaime Somers" is actually episode 2 of the 2nd season. Another trivia item is that Part 2 of "Kill Oscar" is actually a Six Million Dollar Man episode and its obvious when Lee Majors isn't credited as a Guest Star in Part 2 and the text font for the episode credits is the same as all the SMDM episodes. But from what I have heard that is because when it aired in UK it aired as a Bionic Woman Episode so thats why the changes were made. Nevertherless, I am glad that was kept on the disk. Now lets hope that Univeral Playback doesn't wait so long in releasing season 3 as a year is a long time to wait. Of course as soon as I get all the sets, MCA in the US will of course release them stateside...it always happens.

Arrived prompt and what does what it says