Written by: Ashtyn at 3:46 pm
Filed under: Cable,Television
Writer: Michelle Paradise
Director: Lee Friedlander, Mina Shum, Gary Harvey
Cast: Michelle Paradise, Marnie Alton, Angela Featherstone, Heather Matarazzo, Megan Cavanagh, Amy Dudgeon, Stacy Grant, Darby Stanchfield
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: MTV
Release Date: May 20, 2008
Move over The L Word because Logo’s new lesbian-driven series Exes & Ohs is set to give the popular Showtime drama a run for its money. Sure, Logo is a much newer network and Exes & Ohs only had six episodes during its first season run, but fans seem receptive to this new show because it seems more real to them.
This witty take on the lesbian life is garnering a fan base that has fans clamoring for a second season. While only six episodes were produced for the first season, the network hasn’t yet decided on whether a second season is in Logo’s best interest or not. I’m hoping it does return because I really was able to get into this show a lot more than I thought I would!
Release Information:
Exes & Ohs debuted on Logo (Showcase in Canada) on October 8, 2007. The show was based on the short, The Ten Rules: A Lesbian Survival Guide, which was made by the writer, producer, and star of Exes & Ohs, Michelle Paradise. The show had a six episode first season and as I previously mentioned, it is still in discussion as to whether a second season will be produced.
Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season was just released on May 20, 2008, through MTV (Paramount), Logo’s parent company. The DVD is available both online and off at a selection of retailers. At Amazon, you can pick up a copy of Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season for $16.99.
The Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season Plot
The biggest difference between Exes & Ohs and other shows about lesbians is the diversity of the characters. Besides Paradise, who plays the lead character, Jennifer, there is Chris (Megan Cavanagh – A League of their Own, Robin Hood: Men in Tights) and her partner, Kris (Angela Featherstone – Cracker), Crutch (Heather Matarazzo – Welcome to the Dollhouse, The Princess Diaries) and Sam (Marnie Alton). Just by the names you’d recognize, you can see how much more realistic this cast is as opposed to other shows that have a group of women who all look like Hollywood actresses.
Each of the women has their own distinct part and personality. Jennifer is a documentary filmmaker. She’s just looking for the right girl to settle down with and believe me when I say that she makes many mistakes along the way. Chris and Kris are trying to expand their family, while expanding their business which is in the pet accessories field. Crutch is a struggling, young musician who is navigating her way through the complex world of the lesbian all while trying to jump-start her career. As the youngest in the bunch, she has quite a lot to learn. Then there’s Sam. Sam is the eternal bachelorette. Afraid of commitment, Sam likes to bed em and move on. With different women coming together from so many different standpoints, their bond as lesbians is what draws them all together.
Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season is made up of six episodes. The episodes, with a brief synopsis of each are listed below:
1.1 “There Must be Rules…” – After Jennifer discovers her ex is getting married and she is trapped on the yacht where the nuptials are about to take place, she turns to another for solace and perhaps even sweet revenge.
1.2 “Roads Previously not Taken” – Sam convinces Jennifer it is time for her to return to the land of the single lesbian and this means she needs to start dating women! In the mean time, Chris and Kris must find homes for stray animals.
1.3 “Cutthroat” – Crutch needs to find a place to live and that seems to be easier said than done. Chris and Kris are overwhelmed by the prospect of becoming parents, and they’re busy trying to start up a new pet-themed shop. In the meantime, Sam and Jennifer compete for the same girl’s affections, while memories of their past together seem to surface.
1.4 “Love, Money and a Six Olive Martini” – Sam has a confrontation with her father over his apparent homophobia. Crutch tries to find a better job. Jennifer finds someone to sponsor her film though there are definitely strings attached to the deal.
1.5 “Pole Dancing and other forms of Therapy” – Crutch helps a young fan of hers discover her budding sexuality, while Jennifer discovers her own, less inhibited sexuality after taking a pole-dancing class. Chris and Kris try to find the right man to be their sperm donor.
1.6 “What Goes Around…” – Jennifer gets mad at Sienna (her ex), for coming to her when she needs a friend. Despite Jennifer’s anger, she can’t seem to get rid of her. Chris and Kris find their donor and the insemination occurs. Crutch gathers a fan base and Sam goes to therapy.
I wouldn’t say Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season is a groundbreaking DVD. This type of show has been done before. How the show is done is what makes it unique. It’s bold, brass and unforgiving. Like real life, this show is going to tell you like it is.
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Acting:
Directing:
Audio/Visual:
The visual quality for Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season is the same quality you would see if you watched the show on Logo. The standard, full frames are available at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season looks good. It has a decent contrast and bright colors with very few if any visual errors. Still, I would have much preferred an anamorphic transfer. I wish more television shows would take the time for something a bit more dazzling than the status quo!
Once again, Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season has the standard Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo mix. I like my soundtracks dynamic and this show could have benefited from a 5.1 track if given the chance. While there is just the English track and no subtitles, Closed Captioning is readily available for the hearing impaired. While no volume fiddling is needed and everything comes through clearly I’m just not in love with this track.
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Bonus Features:
Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season has a few nice features that can be enjoyed after you watch the six, first season episodes. The first feature goes behind the scenes of Exes & Ohs. This is your typical behind the scenes look at the making of the series. It contains some juicy tidbits about the show, its inception and more! There is a featurette called extrasodes. These are mini-episodes that provide extra information about the characters and the show.
There is an interview section included in the bonuses. These interviews are with the main cast members who provide insight not only into their specific characters, but on the show as a whole. Finally, there is an Extras and Ohs section with additional goodies for rabid fans! You can check all the bonuses out when you purchase Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season. While this is just a small collection of extras, who knows what a prospective second season of the show will have to offer in its DVD set.
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Bottom Line:
Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season is recommended for fans of lesbian drama. If you’re looking for something more than what is already out there you might want to check the series out by renting it or through Logo before purchasing it. Otherwise, you can pick Exes & Ohs: The Complete First Season and if you know you’re going to like the show then you should.
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UPDATE: We just received word that Logo has picked up the second season of Exes & Ohs!
Technorati Tags: Exes & Ohs, MTV, Logo, The Complete First Season, Michelle Paradise, lesbian, Megan Cavanagh, Heather Matarazzo, DVD review
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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
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Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.
