Judge Ryan Keefer believes that a man with a mullet is a very
spiritual being, and God bless him and his mullet for doing what he
does every day. God love you, Duane "Dog" Chapman!
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The Charge
==========
You can run, but Dog'll get you.
Opening Statement
=================
Well, it's about time reality television started turning their cameras
towards the more, shall we say, unique jobs in the American workforce.
The viewing public is already well established in restaurant kitchens,
business boardrooms and pop star stages. And at various points over
the last several years, shows have been produced that have taken the
viewer inside such establishments as casinos, tattoo parlors, and even
the wholesome household that is Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Brown. So is
watching the inner sanctum of a bail bondsmen's office any more
entertaining?
Facts of the Case
=================
Obviously, since we're on the second season of Dog the Bounty Hunter
on DVD, and the Dog/Chapman clan has recently had a third season of
episodes start to air on A&E, so they must be doing something right.
When your channel is famous for airing American Justice, along with
re-airing shows originally broadcast on NBC, you can get starved for
personalities that have any form of charisma. The episodes that
comprise the "Best of" the second season are:
• "Baby's Back in Town"
• "Surprise! Surprise!"
• "No Ice in Paradise"
• "Dog II: Son of Dog"
• "Brother's Keeper"
• "Momma's Boys"
• "This Dog Can Hunt"
With the exception of the last one, all episodes are consistent with
the half-hour of air time that they get each Tuesday night.
The Evidence
============
For those who are somewhat unfamiliar with the Duane Chapman story,
allow me to bring you up to speed; a convicted criminal in Texas,
Chapman felt ashamed by what he did and how his parents felt about
him, so he decided to track those who did other bad acts and put them
away. Among the over 6,000 criminals he has captured in the past have
been Wayne Williams (child murderer in Atlanta) and Willie Scatarie
(murderer of DJ Alan Berg). He gained national notoriety in 2003, when
Chapman, his son Leland and his brother Tim captured the heir to the
Max Factor cosmetics fortune, one Andrew Luster, who was convicted of
a variety of sexual assault and battery charges in California before
fleeing to Mexico. He arrived in Hawaii in 1989 and became so enamored
with the island lifestyle, culture and people, he made his home there,
traveling occasionally to Colorado (as he does in "This Dog Can Hunt"
to assist some bondsmen).
Now watching Dog chase a fugitive can't be the entire focus of episode
after episode, and what occurs in the second season of Dog the Bounty
Hunter is that more of the home life with Dog and his large-chested
wife Beth is incorporated into the fold. Some of Dog's virtual garden
of genetic seeds come back home (he has, after all, 12 children from
several marriages), specifically one of his daughters named Lyssa
(pronounced Lisa) and one of his oldest sons, named Duane Lee. And the
older children play an active role in Dog's bond office in downtown
Oahu, named Da Kine Bail Bonds. So much so that they each contribute
to captures on separate episodes.
The thing that separates this from a normal fugitive capture is that
Dog does not hesitate to try to talk some sense into the guy/girl he's
catching. He doesn't necessarily preach to them, but perhaps the best
way to try to explain it is that Dog is keyed in to the very spiritual
nature of the native Hawaiian people. Moreover, he's walked down the
same road as many of the people he captures, so he can relate to them
in a way that few people can. Granted, some of the advice he gives
does sound a little bit corny and contrived, but many of the people
that are caught do feel a bit of shame and relief (to some degree) and
are very emotional.
Dog and his gang also try to do what they can to help Hawaii and its
people overcome a large addiction to crystal meth (or "ice" as it's
more commonly known) which, by some estimates, has 30,000 of the
state's 1.2 million people as addicts to the substance. Dog is
especially hard on dealers of the product, and tries to help the
addicts however he can, many of whom have subsequently gone to rehab
and emerged as healthier human beings that contribute to the state,
and have the Dog to thank for it. Dog is even recognized during this
season for his work in trying to stop the use of ice, and continues to
do so (probably as this is being read).
One would normally expect a bail bondsman to be a gruff, no-nonsense
guy who breaks noses and heads in his quest to bring his fugitive back
so they aren't responsible for the bond. And some of Dog and his crew
are a little bit over-amped from time to time. But after the initial
rough treatment, one would expect to be treated with honor and
respect, unless they were a stone-cold dealer with no remorse or
regrets. The Dog does what he can to help those that perhaps can't or
don't have the chance to get back on their feet, and living on an
island full of generous, loving people, he gives them something that
they haven't had in a long time.
The Rebuttal Witnesses
======================
It's not really that the idea or concept of a "Best of" compilation
disc that annoys me, it's the fact that there are virtually no extras
whatsoever to accompany this release or the Season One compilation
disc that was previously released. Understanding that throwing Dog and
his gang in front of a TV and having them do a commentary track is a
little bit too much, but there aren't even topical interviews here
that I could complain aren't in-depth enough. There are biographies
for Dog and his crew, including his nephew Justin, who doesn't appear
on this disc at all. Otherwise on just a purely entertainment level,
what's here is OK.
Closing Statement
=================
God forbid that the main television exports from the Aloha state over
the last two decades have been Tom Selleck and Duane "Dog" Chapman.
Both have goofy looking mustaches, both appear to invest a bit in hair
care products, and both are involved in the investigation and law
enforcement arenas. One is a dramatic impression, the other is flesh
and blood reality, but both are very charismatic, good hearted
characters. Dog the Bounty Hunter is trying to do whatever he can to
make his corner of the world better for all to enjoy. Is that
something he should be persecuted for? Hardly.
The Verdict
===========
Dog, Beth, Duane Lee, Tim, Leland and the rest of the group at Da Kine
are found not guilty, the work they do is sometimes thankless, yet
they receive rewards that few would want to receive. Here's hoping
that they can help rid the Aloha state of ice and make it an even
better paradise than it already is.
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=================
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Give us your feedback! [beta]
=============================
Did we give Dog: The Bounty Hunter: The Best Of Season Two a fair
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What's "fair"? Whether positive or negative, our reviews should be
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Share your thoughts on this review in the Jury Room
Scales of Justice
=================
Video:
84
Audio:
81
Extras:
19
Acting:
83
Story:
88
Judgment:
70
Perp Profile
============
Studio: A&E
Video Formats:
• Full Frame
Audio Formats:
• Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (English)
Subtitles:
• None
Running Time: 176 Minutes
Release Year: 2005
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Genres:
• Crime
• Reality Television
• Television Shows and Movies
Distinguishing Marks
====================
• Dog's Bounty Hunting Pop Quiz
• Cast Biographies
Accomplices
===========
• IMDb
• Official Site
• Dog the Bounty Hunter Official Site
• Season One Review
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