A-Team fans, listen up. On April 12, Universal is releasing all 22 episodes of the second season of this NBC hit in a three, double-sided DVD boxed set offering over 18 hours of programming pleasure. That’s right, the A-Team is back, it all its resplendent silliness, following the adventures of Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith (George Peppard), Sergeant Bosco “B.A.” (Bad Attitude) Baracas (Mr. T nee Lawrence Tero), Lieutenant Templeton “Faceman” Peck (Dirk Benedict), and Captain H.M “Howling Mad” Murdock (Dwight Schultz). There’s action, humor, and certainly, a lot of nostalgia, and if you were a fan of this series, you will not want to miss a single second.

Fans of the show are intimately familiar with the A-Team’s back-story, but it bears repeating. They first assembled in Vietnam as a crack, commando squad, but were ultimately court marshaled for a crime they did not commit. No prison could contain them, however, and after their escape, they spent years on the run from the long arm of the law.

The show debuted on January 23, 1983, running 13 episodes. The series was picked up for a second, full season premiering on September 20, 1983. The A-Team, which was produced by Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo, anchored NBC’s Tuesday night lineup, and was followed by another Cannell production, Riptide. Remington Steele rounded out the lineup.

Some argue that this was the strongest season for the show, which had a five-year run. Certainly, the scripts were fresh, and the concept was still new and different. The show was immensely popular, and during its sophomore season, garnered its highest ratings, finishing fourth overall. Eight episodes from this season were at the top of the ratings list for the week. The show is also credited for reviving NBC and making Tuesday night one of the first of the “must-see” nights for the Peacock network.

In retrospect, each episode had pretty much the same formula. Bad guys threatened good guys and the A-Team came to the rescue, kicking some serious butt along the way. It wasn’t the plot that made this series such a fan favorite, however, it was the inane dialog and quirky interaction between the most diverse group of characters ever to assemble!

This was the show that launched the erstwhile career of Mr. T, a one-time football player, sidelined by an injury he incurred while serving in the army. Mr. T was actually discovered by Sylvester Stallone who watched him compete in the World's Strongest Man competition. Stallone recruited him for the role of Clubber Lang in Rocky III, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The only downside of this DVD collection is its lack of any special features. Other than an episode of Knight Rider, there are no behind-the-scene clips, no commentary, no outtakes, or music videos. Of course, this show was filmed over twenty years ago when the idea of having such technology was inconceivable, and we were just starting to get into VHS. It’s too bad, though, because having some of these features would have rounded out this collection quite nicely.

But, of course, this DVD set is all about the show, and with 22 episodes to watch, who has time for anything else! Here’s a brief description of each episode including special guests and a thumbnail of the story line.

Disc One - Side A:
Diamonds N' Dust: The setting is Zimbabwe, and the team goes to the rescue of a damsel in distress who is trying to get the diamond mine she inherited from her father up and running. The team must deliver explosives despite the efforts of a competitor who is suspected of having had something to do with the death of the woman’s father.

Recipe For Heavy Bread: The team comes to the aid of Lin, who was a cook at the POW camp. Seems that the evil camp commander is involved in a drug war and the whole deal really does get “heavy.” This episode features former child evangelist, Marjoe Gortner.

The Only Church In Town: The team travels to Ecuador after Face receives a mysterious package and fears that his long-lost love may be in trouble. There’s no end to the sentiment in this one, as indeed, the girlfriend, who is now a nun, has been captured by outlaws who are holding her captive in the church. Night Court’s Markie Post guests in this rather sappy offering.

NOTE: The only “special feature” in the set, an episode of Knight Rider (“Brother’s Keeper”) is included on Side A.


Disc One – Side B
Bad Time On The Border It’s all about smugglers of illegal aliens and purveyors of slave labor as Hannibal goes undercover portraying a not-so-convincing alien!

When You Coming Back, Range Rider?: This one is a two-hour thriller with the A-Teamers chasing horse rustlers, while at the same time being chased by their nemesis, Colonel Decker (Lance LeGault).

The Taxicab Wars: It’s the A-Team to the rescue when a small cab company is being squeezed out of business by a nasty rival. This is one of the best episodes of the season, and features some interesting dialog between B.A. and an English couple in the cab he is driving. Hannibal’s disguise is particularly bad, and the whole episode encapsulates all those elements that made this show so much fun to watch.

Disc Two – Side A
Labor Pains: The team helps a group of migrant workers organize a union to fight a heinous boss who is subjecting them to abhorrent working conditions. Fans will certainly remember this one for the awesome cabbage fight scene. It’s a good one!

There's Always A Catch: Decker is back and threatening the team once again. This time, the setting is a fishing village where a nasty extortionist is taking advantage of the proverbial “little guy.” Murdock and Amy are called on to save the day.

Water, Water Everywhere: The A-Team helps three disabled Vietnam veterans fight off a ruthless land developer who wants their land at any cost. The vets are trying to get a hotel up and running in the desert, but the evil land developer cuts off their supply of water. No worry. The A-Team gets the job done once again.

Steel: it’s mobsters vs. A-Team in this one. Can you guess who wins? It’s a “grave” situation that’s for sure!

Disc Two – Side B
The White Ballot: Face becomes a candidate for sheriff in an attempt to block the reelection of the dishonest incumbent. This show features Clifton James who returns to reprise his role of the evil sheriff from season one.

The Maltese Cow: When a Chinese gang threatens the owners of the restaurant that just happen to be pals with the A-Team, there is no stopping the action! The gang, called a tong, is trying to smuggle a drug dealer back into the country and even the arrest of Hannibal can’t stop the A-Team.

In Plane Sight: The guys are out to prove the innocence of a pilot who was arrested in Guatemala for allegedly smuggling cocaine.

The Battle Of Bel-Air: Tawnia Baker (played by Maria Heasly) makes her debut in this episode. She starts it out right, though, being kidnapped by the very same security company that she was investigating.

Disc Three – Side A
Say It With Bullets: A female army officer hires the A-Team to investigate the murder of her brother but turns on the team, betraying them to Decker.

Pure-Dee Poison: It’s moonshine and mayhem, as the team goes after a bootlegger who is selling poison liquor to local restaurants. John Amos guests as the southern preacher who gets this investigation started.

It's A Desert Out There The A-team goes after a gang that is robbing tourists. It seems the team thinks this gang might be up to something bigger and are out to put a stop to their plot.

Chopping Spree: This episode is great! The A-Team is out to catch a gang of car thieves but in the process, B.A.’s van is stolen. What results is not a pretty sight, but his dialog in this one may be the best of the entire season. NYPD Blue’s Dennis Franz guests in this episode as Sam Friendly!

Disc Three – Side B
Harder Than It Looks: A wealthy businessman hires the A-Team to rescue his daughter after she is kidnapped by the GLA, a terrorist group. But the guys are surprised to discover that the girl’s boyfriend is one of the kidnappers and all sorts of mayhem ensues.

Deadly Maneuvers: Mercenaries capture each of the members of the A-Team individually. This is an interesting plot-twist and a particularly enjoyable episode.

Semi-Friendly Persuasion: A religious group called the Brotherhood of Man, hires the A-Team to protect them against a gang of local bad guys who disagree with their pacifistic ways. The group insists that no violence be used in their defense, and it’s a whole new game for our heroes.

Curtain Call: Murdock is shot in this, the last episode of season two, and the gang reminisces about him while at the same time, Decker is making his moves

The set lists at $49.00, but considering it contains the equivalent of six DVD's worth of material, it is well-worth it for fans of this series. If you only buy one A-Team collection, this would be the best choice.