The series was previously available on DVD in a set billed "The Definitive Edition." It seems irony is still an integral part of this series, even in its afterlife. Now, this Blu-ray special edition is the true definitive version of the series. Boasting hours of brand-new content, not to mention fully restored and remastered prints of every episode, The Twilight Zone is better than ever – and likely bolder and more visually striking than it was in its original broadcast.
Image Entertainment brings this season (29 episodes total) to Blu-ray using four BD50 discs. The show is encoded using the AVC codec. Obviously, given the age and low budget of this series, one shouldn't expect a perfect, pristine restoration. Such a feat would likely be impossible. That said, what Image has done with this restoration is truly admirable.
The black-and-white series comes to life like never before. Blacks are bolder. Depth and textures are far more realized. Contrast is spot-on. And shadows are just perfect. Obviously, some dirt and dust makes its way into the print. So does some noise. But again, factoring the age – this release is just breathtaking. Curiously though, Rod Serling's "next week" promos are presented in 1080i. Not sure why that is. I'm guessing these promos come from a different source than the masters used for each episode. Regardless, there's honestly not much more worth complaining about here.
The same can be said for the show's uncompressed PCM mono mixes. Obviously, there's nothing really earth-shattering about these tracks, but considering how grimy and scratchy The Twilight Zone has often sounded over the years on TV, this mix is a suitable improvement. Don't expect greatness though – the show's age and low budget limit the sound's quality greatly – but don't expect to be disappointed, either.
As for extras, honestly, there so many here it's simply stunning. Fans are treated to an insane collection of goodies, as well as dozens of brand-new BD-exclusive features, including 25 new commentary tracks (you read that right), 15 radio dramas, brand new interviews, vintage interviews and a bonus episode ("Nightmare at Ground Zero") from the show Suspense, written by Rod Serling. Quality there is hardly impressive.
Classic "Definitive Edition" DVD extras include even more commentary tracks, vintage audio recollections with the cast and crew, sponsor billboards, Rod Serling's "Next Week" promos, and 22 isolated score tracks – an awesome extra worthy of the price of this set alone.
In short, if you're a fan of the series, you're bound to fall in love with this show all over again. There's so much here to explore, it's simply staggering. Every episode of this second season gets treated like a special edition. And rarely does a special feature fail to be fun, insightful or wholly fascinating. The radio dramas are a real treat. It's a shame though that Image didn't make this extra downloadable for portable media devices. But still, their inclusion on the discs is immensely enjoyable.
So, it seems it's time to trade in those "Definitive Edition" DVDs. There's a new definitive set in town. And coupled with terrific audio and video, this second season of The Twilight Zone is better than ever. If you're a fan of this series, or a curious newcomer, buy this set!