Timothy Hutton's visionary Nero Wolfe shines like the brightest star in TV's endless night.

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Wolfe feigns a nervous breakdown

Nero Wolfe: You're not going to cut me! They're coming in hordes! I see them on chariots with spiked wheels, waving insolent banners of inflation! Oh! Archie! They're pelting me with worthless coins!

Dr. Vollmer is skeptical

Nero Wolfe: Do you want to pay two dollars a pound for butter? Fifty cents for shoestrings? A dollar for a bottle of beer? Hmph. Well? Confound it, answer me!
Archie: I don't know if it's the willies or what, but as you can see -
Nero Wolfe: Just because I ask you to lend me five dollars until the beginning of the next war, does not mean that I'm a frugal person.
Dr. Vollmer: Who wrote this script for him?
Archie: It's been like this ever since I brought him home.
Dr. Vollmer: He's been out of the house?
Nero Wolfe: Archie tells me that you're masquerading as a doctor. Bah! They'll take your clothes off too! Oh, yes, they'll examine every inch of your skin, and they'll find the mark. The one that entitles you to a discount.

Wolfe loses patience

Nero Wolfe: Aren't you a physician? Don't you know a nervous breakdown when you see one?
Dr. Vollmer: Yes. Yes, I do.
Nero Wolfe: Well, then, what's the matter with it?
Dr. Vollmer: It doesn't seem, um, typical.
Nero Wolfe: That's a faulty observation! That's a defect in your training! Specifically, it's a persecution complex, you idiot!
Dr. Vollmer: And who's been doing the persecuting?

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Verily, the powers that be at A&E stand out like royalty in the poorhouse. At a time when most networks are canceling their best shows after four or five episodes, A&E waited two full seasons before they cancelled theirs. Now admittedly, Nero Wolfe would think that this flummery still makes them buffoons, but I feel quite charitable toward them, for while the dimwits at Fox left only 13 episodes each of Wonderfalls and Firefly, A&E left 27 wonderful episodes of Nero Wolfe, in addition to the original pilot. Of course, they did fumble the DVD release, but we will talk more about that later.

Over the years, there have been many tries to make Rex Stout's prolific body of work into theater. And of course, when we speak of a prolific body, we cannot help but think of his 1/7th ton protagonist, Nero Wolfe. Wolfe, the original obsessive compulsive detective, prefers to avoid the world by solving cases without leaving his Manhattan brownstone or the comfort of well appointed study. His day is reduced to a rigid schedule, with time allotted for sumptuous gourmet meals, reading, thinking, and, of course, his beloved orchids. When his day his interrupted, he reacts like a petulant child, even when the interruption is one as important as murder.

You notice that I called Wolfe a protagonist, and not a hero, for that role is reserved for his assistant, Archie Goodwin. Goodwin is the good looking, fast talking front man for the portly Wolfe. Part con man, part hired muscle, part Casanova and all smart mouth Goodwin carries out Wolfe's commands with a precarious mixture of and respect and contempt, as he walks a tightrope between law enforcer and law breaker.

Perhaps it was the realization that Goodwin, not Wolfe, was the central interest of the story that has made Timothy Hutton's version of Nero Wolfe succeed when so many before it have failed. It was Hutton who produced the series, directed key episodes, and cast himself as the irrepressible Goodwin. Recognizing that he needed a real heavyweight to play against, Hutton cast Maury Chaykin as the brilliant recluse. This is a relationship that works at every level. They make a smooth seamless team, with Wolfe relying completely on Goodwin's bravery and veracity just as Goodwin relies on Wolfe's intellect, but the interplay between them is sharp, pointed, and often silly. Like some strange dance choreographed by Disney, their verbal exchanges resemble a ballet between a ponderous hippo and a very dapper alligator. Their dance macabre is made all the more poignant by the underlying realization, that each needs the other to continue in a life which they both very much enjoy. You notice that I speak of the roles not the actors, for such is the talent of the two that they disappear into their characters, until only their creations remain.

Hutton truly understands Goodwin, showing us first the hard bitten exterior he uses to protect himself from the world. But then, in brief glimpses through the chinks in his armor, he slowly reveals the inner man, who shows tenderness, remorse and understandable fear, At times he reveals a deep caring for his rotund employer. Chaykin excels as the irritable, childish, manipulative, irascible bully, Wolfe. While capable of great civility, Wolfe does not suffer fools gladly, and compared to his own intellect, he considers almost everyone else a fool. Nevertheless, although Wolfe would never admit it, he has great respect for his colleagues even Inspector Cramer (Bill Smitrovich), and he regards Goodwin with parental affection.

Apart from the brilliance of the leads, there are two main reasons that this production of Nero Wolfe is outstanding, the cast and the attention to detail.

Let us speak first about the cast. This series handles its talented cast like that of a repertory theater. A small core of central characters appears each week, but that is true of any series. However, each episode, the non-recurring roles are played by the same group of actors. They appear in a different roles each time you see them, sometimes client sometimes suspect sometimes victim, and sometimes killer too. I could mention each and every actor in this cast, for their ability and the chameleon ways they handle their roles. It is clear that they became immersed in the project, for some cross over and direct episodes too. As a representative of such a fine ensemble, let me only mention Kari Matchette, the resident femme fetal, for the amazing range of roles she portrays, and her inevitable flirting with Goodwin, a verbal and visual firework display which lights up the screen. I hope the rest of the cast will forgive me for omitting them, for to give them all the credit they deserve, I would be writing for a week.

Adding to the depth provided by this fine troupe of thespians is an almost fanatical attention to detail. This is a faithful conversion of a novel to a TV show, capturing almost every nuance of Rex Stout's intricate and convoluted plots. This is also one of the most studious and accurate period pieces that you will ever encounter, from the wonderful costumes, the luminous sets, the unbelievable street scenes, to the fabulous classical/jazz score that enhances and enriches every episode. And this is no gritty, grungy Sam Spade. Color abounds -- rich glowing vibrant color -- from Goodwin's outrageous wardrobe (outfits few men could carry with success) to the rich crimsons, yellows and golds of Wolfe's home. And yet, in the frequent and meaningful close ups, we see all the detail and natural color of a wildlife documentary. This brilliance is done with excellent camerawork, costumes and sets and not some electronic flummery. Flummery is, by the way, one of Wolfe's favorite words.

And now we go where few of my reviews have gone before. Always when I discuss media, I discuss content. I rarely discuss the media itself, but this time I must. This is simply the best transference of a TV show to DVD that I have ever seen. It is, in my opinion, far clearer, sharper and richer that the original broadcast. I have a decent but not exceptional DVD player attached to an excellent HDTV. The picture quality of this DVD almost leapt off the screen and pinned me to the couch. The sound, conveyed to me by a high quality stereo (not surround sound) was brilliant in clarity and depth. Wow! The feeling was not unlike the time that after reading 1000 National Geographic magazines, I drove around a bend and saw the Grand Canyon for the very first time.

Alas, it is in the making of this fine DVD that A&E made their second major error. For some reason, the masters they sent to the DVD encoders were rerun copies, with scenes cut to allow for extra commercials. Luckily, fans of the show, already outraged by its cancellation, reacted in righteous rage. Under a wave of protest, A&E, admitted its blunder, and re-released the DVD with all episodes intact, and a "Collectors' Edition" label stuck on the front. This of course, is the final irony, for the Collectors Edition has no more added content than the original, and that content is too pitiful to comment on here.

Sour grapes aside, this is truly TV at its very best. Five stars for this beauty, even if it has used up my entire days supply of the word "brilliant". Viewers who do not normally like mysteries will enjoy it for its craftsmanship, with masterful performances and wonderful settings. And did I mention that this is very re-watchable -- I have already seen each episode twice. The quality plots, performances and sets make this a very attractive DVD to own. Head on down to the store and vote with your dollars, for there are/were rumblings afoot, and if the DVD makes enough money, a third season may yet be made. The second season is now also available on DVD.

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Episode Summary.

The first DVD of the series has eleven episodes dramatizing eight of Rex Stout's classic novels. By all means skip this section, but my plot summaries give little away.

1. The Doorbell Rang.

Wolfe: You're waving your legs around because your tail is between them.

Director: Timothy Hutton. Teleplay: Michael Jaffe

An extra long episode introduces the characters. When rich widow Rachel Bruner distributes a book that criticizes the FBI, she draws Hoover's ire. She hires Wolfe to force the FBI to stop pestering her and her friends. An impossible assignment becomes trickier, when a murder is added to the mix.


2. Champagne for One. Parts 1 & 2.

Goodwin: "You said I would demean myself. You didn't say I would get involved in an unprofitable homicide.

Director: Timothy Hutton. Teleplay: Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin.

While Goodwin attends a dinner party for unwed mothers, he learns that one of the mothers has threatened suicide and carries cyanide in her purse. Naturally, when she dies of cyanide poisoning everyone believes it is a suicide, everyone except Goodwin.


3 Prisoner's Base. Parts 1 & 2.

Wolfe: Your presence here, Miss Eads, is preposterous. This is neither a rooming house, nor an asylum for hysterical women. It is my—
Miss Eads: I am not hysterical.
Wolfe: Very well, I withdraw it. It is not an asylum for unhysterical women.

Director: Neil Fearnley. Teleplay: Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin

A young woman asks Goodwin if she can stay in Nero Wolfe's brownstone, but when Wolfe discovers her presence, he ask her to leave. Moments later, she is killed. Goodwin feels responsible, but he needs Wolfe's help to find the murderer.


4. Eeny Meeny Murder Moe.

Goodwin: You can come down now, she's gone.
Nero Wolfe walks in and sees a woman dead on the floor and recoils
Wolfe: You said she was gone.
Goodwin: Well, she is. She's dead.

Director: John L'Ecuyer. Teleplay: Sharon Elizabeth Doyle.

When someone enters Wolfe's study, and murders a woman with Wolfe's own necktie, his normally unflappable demeanor becomes distinctly flapped. Goodwin must save the day.


5. Disguise for Murder.

Wolfe: We still have plenty of ham left?
Fritz: Yes, sir.
Wolfe: Good. Sandwiches then! For us, for the guests in the front room…but NOT for the POLICE. The POLICE SHALL RECEIVE NO SANDWICHES!

Director: John L'Ecuyer. Teleplay: Sharon Elizabeth Doyle

When Wolfe invites the Manhattan Flower Club into house home for a showing of his orchids, another woman is murdered in Wolfe's office, which allows an irate Inspector Cramer to take over.


6. Door to Death.

Wolfe: May I sit down?
All: NO!
Wolfe: I'm afraid I must overrule you.

Director: Holly Dale. Teleplay: Sharon Elizabeth Doyle.

In a rare excursion, Wolfe travels to Westchester to hire gardener. When he arrives, he finds that his would-be gardener is the prime suspect in a woman's murder.


7. Christmas Party.

Wolfe: What of the thousands of others you've dallied with?

Director: Holly Dale. Teleplay: Sharon Elizabeth Doyle.

When Goodwin gets engaged, Wolfe is suspicious and decides to spy on him at a Christmas party. He inadvertently becomes the prime suspect in a murder.


8. Over My Dead Body. Parts 1 & 2.

Wolfe: Chinless scoundrel! Never trust a man without a chin!

Director: Timothy Hutton. Teleplay: Sharon Elizabeth Doyle and Janet Roach.

When a beautiful young woman arrives on Wolfe's doorstep and announces that she is his daughter, a web of international intrigue and murder ensues. In what is arguably the best episode, the first season ends with a bang.

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A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2001)

Regular cast:

Timothy Hutton - Archie Goodwin
Maury Chaykin - Nero Wolfe
Bill Smitrovich - Inspector Cramer
Saul Rubinek - Lon Cohen
Colin Fox - Fritz Brenner
Conrad Dunn - Saul Panzer
Fulvio Cecere - Fred Durkin
Trent McMullen - Orrie Cather
R.D. Reid - Sergeant Purley Stebbins

Regular guests include:

Robert Bockstael (10)
Kari Matchett (9)
David Schurmann (8)
James Tolkan (8)
Boyd Banks (7)
Nicky Guadagni (6)
Aron Tager (5)
Francie Swift (5)
Harant Alianak (5)
Steve Cumyn (5)
Christine Brubaker (4)
Debra Monk (4)
Ken Kramer (4)
Marty Moreau (4)
Richard Waugh (4)
David Hemblen (3)
Diana Barrington (3)
George Plimpton (3)
Janine Theriault (3)
Kathryn Zenna (3)
Marian Seldes (3)
Michael Rhoades (3)
Nancy Beatty (3)
Ron Rifkin (3)
Wayne Best (3)

I attempted to include all actors that appeared in more than one role. The number in parentheses is the number of episodes (not stories) that they appeared in. I had to develop this information myself, so please excuse me if there are any errors or omissions.

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Abridged Version.

In the original issue of the Season One DVD, all but two of the episodes contained cuts. It appears that A&E supplied the DVD production company with masters from repeat broadcasts, in which scenes were trimmed to allow for more commercial time. Some of the cuts are miniscule, others omit important scenes, all are annoying and unnecessary.

A copy that does not have the "Collectors Edition" sticker may or may not be the abridged edition. The only way to tell is to look and see if there were any cuts.

CHAMPAGNE FOR ONE: Part 2, Chapter 2, at 08:56, cut approx. 20 secs.
Summary: After Cramer confronts Wolfe in the plant rooms, the DVD cuts from Cramer leaving the room to Wolfe on the phone with Saul.
Missing: Cramer leaves the plant room and Archie pesters him down the stairs and out the door, saying finally "You oughta take off your coat before you leave or you'll catch cold."

If your copy has the coat scene missing, you have the abridged version. You can exchange the disks for the full version. First you should contact the company you bought it from for exchange information. If all else fails, Call A&E at 888-423-1212 for instructions. A&E has consented to replace abridged disks purchased through eBay if they are returned with payment for shipping.

This information was extracted from a Nero Wolfe fan site and edited for brevity. For a full list of cuts and a lot more background information, please visit the site at:

http://entwold.home.att.net/NeroWolfeDVDs.htm

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Fans of quality-but-cancelled TV shows, like Nero Wolfe and Wonderfalls, should watch out for the resurrection of the SF gem Firefly, when the movie, Serenity, opens later this month. This Fox cancelled series, which is currently being rebroadcast on SF, was created by Joss Whedon of Buffy fame, and many of us SF junkies consider it his best work ever. The early reviews on the movie are off the scale. I can hardly wait.

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Please check out some of my other entertainment reviews:

My Man Godfrey *****
The 39 Steps *****
Twister ****
Saving Grace ***
Wonderfalls *****
Dante's Peak ****
The Day After Tomorrow ***
Finding Neverland *****
Dodgeball -- A True Underdog Story ****
Kiss of the Dragon ****

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Don’t forget to enter my exciting Save the Planet write-off

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Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older