Plot: What’s it about?
When Fox was just an upstart and no one gave the network a chance, it was decided that the newcomer needed to stand out from the others. And we all know how that happened, as Fox turned into the network with attitude, running numerous controversial shows and while most failed, some became smash hits. One of the network’s first winners was Married with Children, the story of a born loser and his outrageous household. Al Bundy, played to perfection by Ed O’Neill), became a cult icon, a kind of everyman who suffered endless humiliation, but pushed onward and stuck to his guns, even in the face of certain disaster. Bundy was cheap, boorish, and crude, but he loved his family, even if he didn’t often pour his heart out. Add in lazy, greedy housewife Peggy (Katey Segal), disgruntled son Bud (David Faustino), and dumb, slutty daughter Kelly (Christina Applegate), and you have one of television’s first true dysfunctional families. The show was highly popular, even when some groups claimed it was too offensive and some sponsors pulled out, as new ones would buy in and the series remained a success. So it is natural to see the show hit DVD, though fans had hoped for complete season sets, instead of these compilation discs. Even so, fans should enjoy this disc and a brief synopsis on the included episodes is below…
1. A Dump of My Own- After endless waits to use the family bathroom, Al decides to take action and install his own personal bathroom. He begins to make plans for the best bathroom ever, complete with the toilet of all toilets, the Ferguson. A real man’s toilet with a man’s flush, this piece has been in Al’s dreams since he was a child and now, he has one of his very own. At the same time, Peggy is convinced she can win the lottery and will do anything for the cash she needs, including derailing Al’s new bathroom plans.
2. You Better Shop Around (Parts 1 & 2)- In the middle of an intense heat wave, Al refuses to invest in an air conditioner, at least until Peggy pops his wading pool. Then Al breaks down and buys a German cooling unit, one that wasn’t even cutting edge back in the first World War. When it causes a blackout, Al takes the family down to the supermarket, where they set up camp in the freezer section and soak in the cool breezes. But when the manager insists that they buy something, the Bundys wind up in another bitter feud with the Darcys. This is a two part episode and of course, both installments are included here.
3. No Chicken, No Check- Al is forced to ban the kids from using his car, which prompts them to combine their funds and buy a car to share. Even after Al warns them, they go ahead and purchase a car at a police auction of seized goods. Al does spring for insurance however, though it only covers the vehicle if a chicken is being hauled inside. Bud and Kelly soon discover the woes of sharing a car, but can they overcome their disagreements and learn to share? Or was Al right to warn them never to share?
4. I’ll See You in Court- The famous lost episode, this outlandish episode involves a special motel where getting down & dirty is the main business. When Marcy tells Peggy about the great sex she has at a place called the Hop On Inn, she knows it is time to make Al rent a room there. While Al resists at first, he is soon won over and Peggy gets her lovin’, though not quite as much as she had hoped to attain. When the television is turned on, Al notices the couple on screen is Steve and Marcy, which sparks a lawsuit over invasion of privacy. But when the two couples go to court, its the Bundys’ sex life that winds up on trial.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in full frame, as intended. These look as good as you want, as the prints look terrific and minimal defects surface. In other words, the episodes are as clean and clear as when they were first shown, though of course, DVD adds a little to the overall sharpness and refinement. The colors are bright and don’t miss a beat, while contrast is accurate and well balanced also. There is some softness, but the show has always looked this way and by turn, that’s how it should be presented in this edition. So not much else we could want, as these episodes look better than ever.
Audio: How does it sound?
A 2.0 surround option is included for each episode, which is more than adequate to handle this kind of material. The audio has a solid presence here, better than on most of the syndicated airings that I remember watching, in fact. But given the dialogue driven nature of the show, there isn’t much room for anything beyond the basics. Even so, the audience sounds lively and what limited sound effects emerge sound as good as ever, so no worries. The main focus here is on the ribald dialogue, which comes through loud and clear at all times. This disc also includes subtitles in English and Spanish.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes no bonus materials.
