The Riches: Season 2

Compiling all seven episodes from the second and final 2007 season of this highly touted FX-aired series, the opener of The Riches: Season 2 finds the gypsy family headed up by Wayne Malloy (Eddie Izzard) and his ex-con wife Dahlia (Minnie Driver) still comfortably ensconced in a tony neighborhood, continuing to impersonate wealthy Doug and Cherien Rich (killed in a car crash witnessed solely by the Malloys). Dahlia and the children—Di Di (Shannon Marie Woodward), Cael (Noel Fisher), and Sam (Aidan Mitchell)—hit the road, while Wayne stays behind to clean up a mess created by the late Pete Mintzy (a tying-up of the first season's loose ends). Year two's running subplots involve Wayne's participation in a lucrative real estate deal touted by his neighbor Hugh Panetta (the excellent Gregg Henry) and ongoing efforts to keep Wayne's embittered cousin Dale (Todd Stashwick) from blowing the family's cover. Not surprisingly, the series finale is a little disappointing, failing to effectively tie up the numerous plot threads of this truncated season. Although both the real Riches and the imposter Riches are now effectively six feet under, fans of the first season will want to see this send-off. DVD extras include a featurette on Izzard. Recommended. (E. Hulse)