Incomplete Set Saved by Fox's Memorable Departure

This is a companion piece to my review of Volume One of this collection. I've already included background and character info over there, so I assume it would be superfluous to copy and paste it over here.

This second volume ends with the 100th episode of the series, which is the very last episode that Michael J. Fox appeared in. Given that these are Michael J. Fox's favorite episodes, there are understandably no Charlie Sheen episodes available. This is a good thing as the Sheen episodes were not very good (a fault of the writing, not Sheen). Still there are some other missteps with missing episodes that are very disappointing.

The first season was the strongest of the show, but there is only one episode included in this volume (three in the previous one). Carla Gugino, who portrayed Mike's girlfriend Ashley for the first 12 episodes, does not appear in this set. Also missing is the wonderful Paula Marshall, who portrayed Mike's girlfriend Laurie during the 2nd season. She was not in the first volume and her exclusion from both DVD sets is unfortunate. There are guest appearances by Fox's wife Tracy Pollan, Back to the Future co-star Christopher Lloyd, Cheers alum George Wendt, and Daily Show host Jon Stewart that do not make either set.

It's also infuriating that the most politically charged episodes are missing from either set. Considering Fox's political activism, I wonder if he really did choose these episodes. "Pride and Prejudice" showed a struggle between Carter and Mike over a new needle exchange policy, designed to reduce the spread of AIDS among drug users. "Grand Illusion" took on the issue of gay marriage, where Carter staged a mock wedding to protest the Mayor's stance on the issue. "In the Heat of the Day" dealt with racial profiling, as Carter was arrested while jogging in Central Park. The most puzzling omission is "Porn in the U.S.A.", a hilarious episode that dealt with the Mayor being called a hypocrite for his stance against public access pornography.

It is understandable that some episodes were missed. Choosing 22 episodes from a list of 100 must have been really difficult. But this is exactly why they should have released DVD's of each complete season. I have heard discussion of the show being released in individual seasons down the line. I hope its true, because collections like this are a backwards step to the days when you had to order your Columbia House tapes 2-3 episodes at a time.

Episode Reviews for this Disc:

"Kiss Me, Stupid"

The only episode in this volume from the first season is a terrific Valentine's Day themed story that wonderfully works the entire ensemble cast together. Mike goes on a horrible blind date with a friend of Nikki's, while Carter awaits the arrival of former boyfriend Spence (Luke Perry) only to find out he is now straight and engaged. Meanwhile, Paul's date with girlfriend Claudia hits a road bump when he accidentally poisons her. From here, a hilarious series of escalating sexual musical chairs begins and eventually the entire gang is together, commiserating over the insanity of the day.

"Radio Daze"

Another fun and extremely energetic episode. The Mayor receives constant criticism from a shock jock radio host (think Howard Stern), who Mike challenges to a mock election. There are some terrific one liners when The Mayor appears on the talk show himself. While many episodes show the Mayor as a bumbling fool, this one shows his more resourceful, witty side and makes you realize why he was able to get elected in the first place.

"They Shoot Horses, Don't They"

Who's the Boss? alum Alyssa Milano shows up for a guest appearance as the Mayor's rebellious daughter, who decides to ride a horse bare naked in order to protest animal rights abuses. This episode includes a fantastic homage to NYPD Blue (which at the time aired right after Spin City), when Mike and Stuart interrogate James.

"Dead Dog Talking"

The first mistaken choice on this disc. In the 3rd season premiere, the staff gets ready for the Mayor's re-election bid. This is a fairly mundane episode and far from one of the funniest. My guess is this was included because it was the first appearance of Carter's 19 year old suicidal dog Rags, who would become a comic highlight for the show during the next two seasons.

"There's Something About Heidi"

The casting department on Spin City usually did a very good job of picking a romantic interest for Mike. Carla Gugino, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Paula Marshall, Heather Locklear, and Connie Britton all were terrific matches for Fox. Unfortunately, they missed big with Heidi Klum and that's why her introductory episode here is a disappointment. What made the other characters interesting was their personality and how it contrasted with Mike's. The problem with Heidi is she had no acting ability and thus her character had no personality.

"Gone With the Wind"

Another Heidi episode and not much better than the first. This one revolves around Mike trying to keep his relationship with Heidi a secret. It does contain one great moment. As Mike finally works up the courage to have sex with Heidi, we see a fantasy sequence as he walks across the room in an astronaut uniform, repeating Neil Armstrong's famous words.

"An Officer and a Gentleman"

Finally done with the Heidi episodes, we get a fun guest appearance from Lou Diamond Phillips as Mike's childhood friend Nate, who is now in the Navy. Mike is stunned to find out that Nate is not only gay, but interested in Carter. The friendship between Mike and Carter slowly developed over the course of the show and was one of my favorite aspects of Spin City. This episode explores that very well and includes a laugh out loud re-enactment of the famous movie scene from the episode title.

"Quest for Fire"

The choices made for season 3 make me wonder if they were just randomly drawn from a hat. None of them are even close to the best episodes from the season, much less the series. It is one of the few episodes from this set that really shows Mike and Nikki's developing romance, although we never actually get to see them together on either volume. There's a terrible subplot about Paul trying to adjust to life in Harlem.

"The Marry Caitlin Moore Show"

Another good Mike and Caitlin episode. Mike looks for a director for the Mayor's Senate campaign and inadvertently hires Caitlin's ex-boyfriend. This isn't one of the best episodes focusing on their relationship, but it's always a blast to see Fox and Locklear in a scene together. This also contains an appearance from The View (pre Lisa Ling departure, yum).

"Goodbye"

After 100 episodes, Michael J. Fox decided it was time to fight the good fight and work for a cure for Parkinson's. For one of the most storied sitcom actors of his generation, they had to find the perfect way to send him off that made sense dramatically and was still funny. Most shows would have invented a last minute romantic triangle, and have Fox choose one of them and run away with her at the very end. However, the way Spin City did it was so much better. A muckraking reporter begins to pester Mike about the Mayor's ties to organized crime. Mike traces the root of this story back to Nikki's boyfriend Tony, who is apparently a known mobster and the staff had granted him what seemed to be innocent little favors. As the evidence keeps piling on, Mike decides to take the fall himself and asks the Mayor to fire him. This was the perfect way to end the series. During the run of Spin City, the most notable thing about Mike's character is that he was willing to do anything to protect the Mayor. He stayed true to that to the very end, even when it meant his career. "Goodbye" marks one of the most noble departures for a character in television history. Volume 2 is worth buying if only for this episode alone.