Ordinary People, Bionic Woman Season 2

Ordinary People is a profoundly moving and unsentimental look at a family spiraling out of control after the death of one of their sons. The themes of unconditional love and forgiveness, or lack thereof, propel the plot to its understated, yet tragic, ending. These are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. This film packs an emotional wallop. Not many DVD extras but still worth a purchase.

My favorite ’70s show in its best and strongest season is Bionic Woman: Season 2. Not only was there Bigfoot and evil twins, but this season also introduced the Fembots (female robots). With superhuman strength, faces that fly off revealing wires, and sparks, this is ’70s sci-fi/camp heaven. Lindsay Wagner (as Jaime Sommers) wins a Best Actress Emmy for the two-parter, Deadly Ringer, playing her own twin. The DVD extras and interviews with the cast and creator are great fun.

• Ordinary People (USA) 1980, Paramount
• List price: $9.95
• The Bionic Woman: Season 2 (USA) 1976, Universal
• List price: $26.98 (five discs)

Michael Mizerany, Choreographer for Ion Theater’s Ass, or A Midsummer Night’s Fever