No other hour long drama had as much heart, humor and chutzpah as Here Come the Brides. Here was a series epic in its emotional resonance, and as cheery and breezy as a Pacific Northwest spring. While on the outside, Brides looked like a homage to the whole “barefoot and pregnant” school of thought, it was really an attack on the stifling status quo of the era (late ‘60s) in which it was made. Not only did it champion women’s rights years before the feminist foothold went mainstream, but it showcased the paternalistic male as a haughty, conceited softie at heart. It was a clarion call to arms in a simplistic, subversive package. Don’t believe it? Check out this pristine DVD presentation of the first season and decide for yourself.

It’s the Gravity’s Rainbow of ‘60s British science fiction series, an utterly compelling and completely baffling exercise in puzzle box plotting and sly social commentary. Co-created by its star, the elegant Englishmen Patrick McGoohan, as a critical response to all the action oriented espionage brought about by a certain 007, it was only supposed to last seven episodes. But ITC executive Sir Lew Grade demanded a full season, and a compromise was reached. Oddly enough, after only 13 installments, Grade cancelled the series, and then reluctantly allowed an additional four episodes to finish up the storylines. Still talked about nearly 40 years later, this finely crafted conundrum is wildly inventive and intelligent. Now collected in one complete box set, you too can get lost in this excellent episodic experiment. [Amazon]

It was an idea so outlandish it shouldn’t have worked –- a midseason replacement series that used a single day in the life of a federal agent as the basis for its dramatic narrative. After all, how much could happen in a mere 24 hours? Well, if you’re Jack Bauer (the terrific Kiefer Sutherland), the answer is amazingly intricate. Season Five, available in an impressive DVD set overflowing with added content (including a preview of Season Six) presented Bauer with his most baffling case yet –- a series of assassinations and a nerve gas threat that, at first, appeared linked to some rogue Russian and a recently signed anti-terrorism treaty. But the truth was far more terrifying, as he eventually learns of a link to…well, you’ll just have to watch to find out.  [Amazon]

Talk about perfectly timed… we’re in a vital election year and Warner Home Video has served up the best DVD set of the season.  The award-winning Aaron Sorkin drama left the airwaves just this past May and already we’ve got the deluxe treatment on offer.  All seven seasons come in a handsome blue box with requisite presidential seal, organized like a nifty set of government files inside—a rare occasion where the bureaucratic aesthetic is pleasing.  The bonus documentaries offer a fascinating look behind the scenes, especially the 30-minute short on the live debate between Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda). Yeah, the price tag is high, but this is some of the best writing and acting on a US TV drama ever, so it’s worth every penny.  Plus, with such lavish packaging, it has “buy me as a present” stamped all over it.  This is an essential addition to the DVD collection of anyone who believes in TV as a true art form. [Amazon]

The West Wing - Debate Rehearsal

Shaun Cassidy (that’s right, Mr. “Da Do Run Run” himself) can’t seem to get a break in network television. He has masterminded several sensational series (American Gothic, The Agency, the recent Invasion) only to see them unceremoniously cancelled before their time. Nowhere was this truer than in his sword and sandal epic for Fox, Roar. Starring an unknown Heath Ledger and centering on a young Irishman’s battles against the oncoming Roman onslaught, Fox hoped that the series could cash in on some of Hercules/Xena’s crazed cult audience. Sadly, the show was not a campy kitsch companion piece to said series, and after 13 scant installments, it was cancelled. Thanks to DVD however, fans and newcomers have a chance to revisit this special series—and ponder what if. [Amazon]