Plot: What’s it about?
James Evans (John Amos) and his wife Florida (Esther Rolle) don’t have much money, but they have ample love for their family. The couple lives in the projects of Chicago, along with sons Michael (Ralph Carter) & J.J. (Jimmie Walker) and daughter Thelma (BernNadette Stanis), while neighbor Wilona (Ja’net Dubois) is around so often, you’d think she was a relative. The times are tough for the Evans, with minimal funds and pressures coming from all directions, but they do what they can, to make it through the hardships and grow closer together. The family doesn’t look for a handout when money gets tight, instead they look to their own devices, whether it be cutting back on already thin luxuries or even trying to win the rent money through a gamble. Just when it seems as though the bills won’t get paid or someone is in trouble too deep, the Evans work together to overcome their limitations as individuals, which helps them succeed as a family household. Even when the money is spent, they have each other and that means laughter, companionship, and of course, love. The Evans face all kinds of issues in this first season, such as discrimination, religion, health problems, artistic merit, school troubles, romance, and even sex. But through it all, they all know they have somewhere to turn, as the Evans make sure to take care of their own. And with that kind of support, can anything stop this poor, but proud family?
Dy-No-Mite! You know what that means, as Jimmie Walker and the rest of the cast of Good Times has now arrived on DVD. A spin-off of a spin-off, Good Times found immense success with viewers of all kinds, thanks to its humorous take on life’s hardships. The unique part of Good Times was that the family was black, which set up different situations that the rest of the sitcoms, though the overall tone was universal, to be sure. The writing is solid throughout the series, with episodes that seem just as hilarious now, which is a credit to the writers involved. The show balances its humor with a liberal dose of drama, but the line is walked with care and the series pulls off both genres with ease. The problems the Evans family face are serious, but they manage to stay optimistic and that is why they’re able to remain so close. The show also promotes good values and ethics, as some of the characters find themselves in hot water, but the bond of family always proves to be enough to pull them out of trouble. And family is the real focus of Good Times, that special dynamic of the varied people in their household and how they interact. The Evans might not have much money, but have each other and that’s always enough. This second season is a good one, so let’s hope to see the rest of this series released soon.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in full frame, as intended. The image here is soft, but as the show was made in the 70s, we should expect that. But detail is solid enough, thanks to some clean source prints that were used here. I found the visuals to be as good as when the show is broadcast in reruns, though DVD offers some enhanced sharpness, so in the end, these episodes look even better than on television. The colors have minimal flaws, so fading is never an issue, while black levels are accurate at all times as well. I did some minor compression errors, but nothing to get all worked up about. Columbia has done some good work here, given the age and nature of the material involved, so fans should be pleased.
Audio: How does it sound?
This release supplies 2.0 surround options for the episodes, but don’t count on much beyond the sheer essentials. The surrounds aren’t used much, but that’s never a problem, since this material doesn’t need much atmosphere. I didn’t detect any issues with the sound effects, which have a basic, but effective presence, so the mixes sound natural, which means any surround use isn’t forced. No troubles with the music either, as the tunes come across in lively fashion, which adds to the enjoyment of the show. The dialogue is clean and never gets drowned out, so all of J.J.’s one liners are as sharp as a tack. Columbia continues a worrisome trend with their television releases here, as no subtitles have been included. I hope the studio soon sees the error of this practice and resumes the inclusion of subtitle options.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This release includes no bonus materials.
