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Weeds: Season 5
By: Iggy Michniacki on 1.18.2010
Please Note: if you enjoy the review for Weeds: Season 5 feel free to check out our reviews for Weeds: Season 1, Weeds: Season 2, Weeds: Season 3 and Weeds: Season 4.
The Movie Itself:
I’ll start with the statement that those who have not had the opportunity to visit the first four seasons of Weeds may not want to dive right into season five. Weeds does an incredible job of intertwining its characters’ past with present, and reintroducing events that have happened in the previous seasons.
For those not familiar with Weeds, I will also say that it is a fun comedic drama that deals much more with a very dysfunctional family than actual drugs itself. And although drugs are a part of every episode, the characters are the driving points of the show and cause and affect the events that occur more than any narcotic.
Weeds: Season 5 is the turning point for many of the popular characters. Even though Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) seems to stay the same, her supporting cast makes many adjustments and changes that drive the series in a different direction. Sylas and Shane (Hunter Parrish and Alexander Gould) come into their own this season, with one cleaning up and straightening up, and the other going far, far off the deep end. Estaban Reyes (Demian Bichir) becomes more than just a mysterious political drug-lord, developing into a wonderfully likable character who ‘mans up.’ And Andy (Justin Kirk) falls madly in love with Alanis Morissette (as Dr. Audra Kitson) while trying to turn into a grown up and actually get on with his life.
The other cast doesn’t pass on the opportunity to change as well, with Dean Hodes (Andy Milder) getting back on the professional horse, Isabelle Hodes (Allie Grant) developing into a mastermind of sorts, and Celia Hodes (Elizabeth Perkins) being dragged through hell to finally land what she feels to be her dream. Oh, and there’s Doug (Kevin Nealon) who really is just Doug.
As mentioned, not much plot discussion is needed and that’s for a multitude of reasons. First, those familiar with Weeds know the story is ever changing and the characters are the driving point that entertain. Second, every episode ties into the last leaving each with a long list of spoilers, cliff-hangers, and twists that wrap and warp this season into a clever little spectacle. And although this season was entertaining, it wasn’t the greatest.
Honestly, it was a bit of a disappointment to see the season only go thirteen episodes, although the previous four seasons were just as short if not shorter. The success of the show going five seasons really rests in the fact that Weeds could really be broken down into three seasons, with the first two merging into one, the distinctive third season standing on its own and the last two (four and five) unraveling into one twenty-five plus episode bi-lingual roller coaster that revamped the show. As bad as the short seasons seems, I guess the blame can’t be put on Showtime, Lionsgate, or even Weeds as many programs are flirting with the shorter season idea thanks in part to our generations short attention span. The short season can be supported even more by its subject matter with some of its audience more worried about what’s in the fridge and if the heat is banging on their door than what is on television.
The other negatives were few and far between in this season, with my biggest pet peeve being a reintroduction to a negative from season three. Once again, every character that has a tie to religion is considered a nutcase, and somebody who’s against abortion (which I am against as well) is a crazy protester who needs a restraining order. (Editor's note: the character isn't just for shock value, though, as he plays a bigger role later on)
As much as the previous paragraphs seems like I want to just trash on this show, I honestly can’t. And barring those set of negatives, Weeds has made a successful run through five seasons keeping audiences laughing from the comedy and caught up in the drama. The characters are the magic in this production, both from the written aspect of them and the acting aspect. Each character seems to be more complicated and twisted than the last, and each actor seems to fill the shoes of their fictional counterpart with perfection. Kevin Nealon once again steals the spotlight of every scene he’s in, as he and Justin Kirk continue to bring plenty of laughter to the show. The young Botwins, Parrish and Gould, start to really come into their own this season, showing signs of vast improvement.
The show is cleverly written although it lacks the smartness that many great comedies seem to have. Each episode relies on everything else from the series, but survives on its own with the twists and turns it tosses at the audience. Much like the episodes, the characters all rely on each other, but seem to be walking on their own journey at the same time.
Weeds: Season 5 really pulls away from the weed and towards the interesting dilemma Nancy found herself in at the cliffhanging end of Weeds: Season 4. And even though some of the subject matter has changed, I can’t say the show is any less worthy and most fans of the series will continue to enjoy this entertaining ride that leaves us with another ending to be talked about until the next season airs.
Rating: 7/10
The Presentation:
I mentioned in the Weeds: Season 4 review that the Blu-ray presentation improved with each new season. However, I mentioned in the Weeds: Season 3 review that what goes up must come down (referring to the series) and the presentation for Weeds: Season 5 reflects more of the Season 3 statement than the Season 4 one.
The video is presented in full 1080p via a Mpeg-4 codec that delivers a good picture that also falls shy of what Season 4 was able to dish out. As you’ll see in the extras, Season 5 seems to not have gotten as much love as the previous seasons with video showing a bit more inconsistency than before. Once again, I’ve put all the negative talk out there to tell you that I’m still impressed enough to say it’s a good looking picture. Colors are vibrant and strong, helping each episode stand out a bit more than on standard definition. Detail is strong, helping the viewer see what was intended with clothing, background and characters. And overall, the picture is clean, crisp and clear leaving little to be distracted about. There is the slight inconsistency, and some brighter shots throughout the season don’t seem to hold all the detail and color, but Weeds: Season 5 should look good enough to keep one satisfied.
The audio is another step down from Season 4, with the DTS-HD 7.1 English track that is clear but not as deep. The dynamics of the track seem to fall short leaving some detail in lower and higher sounds out of the equation. Conversations are clear and loud, however, never being drowned out by anything else the soundtrack has to offer. For a season that offers a bit of action, one also might expect more from the subwoofer that had a tendency to lay dormant for the majority of the thirteen episodes. The surround sound came into play when needed, but overall the audio sounded front heavy. Much like the video, the audio is enough to get the job done and be considered strong. It is just a bit disappointing to know the shows potential for Blu-ray presentation and see it fall short this many seasons in.
Rating: 7/10 (video 7/10, audio 7/10)
 The Extras:
It seems that each season slims down further when it comes to extra features. And although slimming is what all the Hollywood types go for, I want a little meat on the bones and a little more than just the show on my disc. Oh well, at least the majority of said features are in high definition, and I guess after five seasons you start running out of featurette ideas.
Audio Commentaries: Six episodes include audio commentary from different actors/actresses and Kohen (creator of the show). Each one offers a different view and pace, but all of them are entertaining enough to venture through.
History of Weed (HD): Not the history of Weeds, although there are plenty of shameless plugs, but the history of the drug itself. This featurette acts a bit like a documentary, and our friends who don’t try to keep all their brain cells working might enjoy this one a bit more than I did.
Yes we Cannabis (SD): More for the dead-heads, with the title being self-explanatory.
Little Titles (HD): A quick look back through the different beginning sequences. Once again there is catering to those who smoke to much pot and it comes in commentary form for those who can’t figure out what image is what.
Really Backstage With Kevin Nealon (HD): An interesting, sometimes annoying, sometimes funny featurette that takes the audience backstage with host Kevin Nealon.
Crazy Love: A Guide to the Dysfunctional Relationships of 'Weeds' (HD): Each actor takes a look into their fictional character’s head and talks about their love life, lack of love life, or what their idea love life is (from a fictional stand-point).
Bloopers (HD): Self-explanatory.
University of Andy (SD): Needless to say Justin Kirk’s character is one of the two funny ones to be found on Weeds and he extends his humor into these webisode PSAs. These are quite hilarious and should be found worth the while to anybody that enjoys the show.
Rating: 5/10
 Overall:
Weeds: Season 5 takes a different route for a group of characters that fans of the show have come to enjoy. The creative team still has offered enough twists, comedy and drama to keep this much like the Weeds seasons of the past but also has removed enough of certain consistent mechanisms to have some fans wondering what is going on. The Blu-ray offers a solid presentation although it seems to take a step backwards from the previous season. Weeds fans shouldn’t hesitate taking a chance on something they’ve taken a chance on for four years, and newcomers should look into starting at the beginning before diving this deep into the show.
Rating: 7/10
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