Wings: The Complete First and Second Seasons

When this midseason replacement debuted in the spring of 1990, viewers were immediately struck by the novelty of its setting—a small airport on Nantucket Island—and the winsomeness of the largely unknown ensemble cast. Created by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee (who would later give us Frasier), Wings revolved around a tiny charter airline run by the Hackett brothers: mature, super-serious Joe (Tim Daly) and free-spirited, irresponsible Brian (Steven Weber), whose circle of friends and coworkers included lunch-counter owner Helen Chappel (Crystal Bernard), oddball mechanic Lowell Mather (Thomas Haden Church), and immigrant cab driver Antonio Scarpacci (Tony Shalhoub). The six first-season installments showed promise, but Wings really hit its stride with its 22-episode second season (1990-91), and this extra-less four-disc collection compiles all 28. Some of the best shows are built around supporting characters: “Sports and Leisure” finds the Hacketts' unlikable competitor Roy Biggins (David Schramm) trying to turn over a new leaf by attending one of Helen's parties, only to find his resolve shaken during an eventful game of Trivial Pursuit, while “Murder, She Roast” shines the spotlight on often-married Hackett employee Fay (Rebecca Schull), whom Brian mistakenly suspects of being a serial killer. Recommended. (E. Hulse)