After the mostly light-hearted first season, things began to get really dark on 'The Pretender.' True, Jarod [Michael T. Weiss] still went on 'pretends' and righted wrongs, usually in the most ironic manner possible, and continued to discover the delights he had been forbidden in The Centre - but the stakes were raised by the addition of the charming homicidal maniac, Mr. Lyle ['Desperate Housewives" James Denton, then going by Jamie] and the duplicitous Brigitte [Pamela Gidley].

Among the season's many highlights were changes for the manufactured idiot savant, Angelo [Paul Dillon], the return of Jarod's brother, Kyle [Jeffrey Donovan] and the engagement of Miss Parker's [Andrea Parker] father [Harve Presnell] to the aforementioned Brigitte. We learned that Broots [Jon Gries] has a daughter [and were treated to the glorious experience of seeing Miss Parker babysit!] and that she came to idolize Miss Parker [her Mini-Parker was a twisted visual treat].

Despite occasional factual errors that could have been cleared up with a phone call, or a few moments research, the second season continued to build an intriguing, multi-layered mythology that still feels as fresh as when it originally aired, seven years ago. Strong characters, unusual plotting and an engrossing 'Big Picture' made 'The Pretender' an addictive pleasure.

The season two DVD set has three featurettes on the making of season two - a look at the show's growing mythology and how it ties into identity and family; commentaries on 'Red Rock Jarod' [co-creators Craig Van Sickle and Steven Mitchell, and director/producer Fred Keller], and the two-part season finale, 'Bloodlines' [with Van Sickle, Mitchell, Keller, Michael T. Weiss and Andrea Parker - and their camaraderie makes for a fun experience]. Besides the usual behind-the-scenes technical stuff, and anecdotes, we learn some amazing stuff from the commentaries - like which cast member married Brigitte Bardot's sister, for example - and which cast member has had lead roles in films in six different languages.

Grade: The Pretender - Season Two: A-
Grade: Features: B

Final Grade: B+