Nash Bridges lasted six seasons, and as Nash tells his second wife while signing the divorce papers, "it was fun while it lasted." These entertaining eight episodes from the 1996 first season set the stage for this offbeat series that put a resonant baby boomer spin on the traditional cop show. Nash (Don Johnson), a former gridiron hero and rising star on the force, is now in his "mature years," twice-divorced with a teenage daughter he rarely sees. His father (the great, grizzled James Gammon) is in the early stages of Alzheimer's ("When his mind goes out, it breaks your heart," Nash's sister tells him). Although Nash's personal life is in a shambles, he excels on the job as the leader of San Francisco's Special Investigations Unit, although as his one obnoxious rival on the force rants, his "methodology" is suspect. Nash's character is tailor-made for star Johnson's considerable charisma and charm, and much of the fun in each episode comes from watching the unflappable Nash try to keep his cool under fire. Johnson receives solid support from costars Cheech Marin as Nash's former partner Joe Dominguez, now a private investigator with a penchant for get-rich quick schemes; Annette O'Toole (one of Hollywood's most criminally underutilized actresses) as Nash's adversarial first ex-wife; Jeff Perry as Harvey Leek, a tech-savvy former hippie; and Jamie Gomez as Evan, a reckless young cop. All are upstaged, however, by Nash's car, an instantly iconic 1970 Plymouth Barracuda ("They only made 14 of them," Nash states) in which the characters often interact. In the illuminating "Writer's Roundtable," one of the arresting DVD extras included on this two-disc set, the writers jokingly call the "Cuda" the "moving confessional," and proclaim that these scenes are "the heart and soul of the show." Other bonuses include a pair of episode audio commentaries (one with Marin and series creator Carlton Cuse; the other with Johnson), a brief vintage on-set interview with Johnson and Marin, and a featurette in which it is revealed that the series had its origins in an idea from Johnson's Aspen, CO neighbor, the late Hunter S. Thompson. Not must-see TV, this is still a strong optional purchase for larger collections. (D. Liebenson)
Nash Bridges: The First Season
Paramount, 2 discs, 375 min., not rated, DVD: $39.98 January 19, 2009
Nash Bridges: The First Season
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