Featured TV on DVD Review: Todd and The Book Of Pure Evil: Season 2

July 2, 2013

Todd and The Book Of Pure Evil: Season 2 - Buy from Amazon

Todd and the Book of Pure Evil is a Canadian TV show that is a parody of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and similar shows. I previously reviewed season one and loved it. Unfortunately, season two turned out to be the final season. Did it fall apart during season two and is that why it was canceled? Or was it just too much of a cult series?

The Show

First a quick recap. ... The show focuses on four friends, Todd Smith, Curtis Weaver (Bill Turnbull), Jenny Kolinsky, and Hannah B. Williams (Melanie Leishman), who learn of the Book of Pure Evil, which grants wishes and turns on those who use its powers. They were occasionally aided by the janitor, Jimmy, who offers cryptic but often times incomprehensible advice; three stoners in the parking lot, who help Todd a lot while calling him a loser; and the guidance counselor, Atticus Murphy Jr. (Chris Leavins). For most of the season, we get the usual Freak-of-the-week, while learning a little about the overall mythos. For instance, Jenny's father was investigating the book when he disappeared and she's eager to learn what happened to him. We immediately learn Atticus is involved in the cult that kidnapped Jenny's father. In fact, Atticus's father is the leader of said cult and Atticus is only helping the gang to get the book for his father.

As the season continued, we learned another important fact about the book. There is a pure evil one who will use the book to bring about the end of the world, and that person is... Todd. Todd will destroy the world, which is why the three parking lot stoners were helping him. Turns out they are evil as well. This obviously is troubling for the gang and they get into a big fight. This results in Atticus getting the book, but instead of returning it to his father's cult, he kills his dad and takes over.

So in the first episode, Atticus is the leader of the evil cult, but things are not going so well. It turns out his father was the only one who knew how to use the Book of Pure Evil without it turning on you, and now that he's dead, they are pretty much screwed. The situation gets worse when one of the minions uses the book to get a feast, but eating the food turns him and the other senior citizens into cannibals. (Did I mention the cult headquarters were in a retirement home? It's a low rent cult.) After the feast, the book flies off, which it tends to do. They aren't back to square one, exactly. Jenny did find her father and they know more than they did before, but they are still in a race to find the book before the cult can.

From this point on, it is mostly freak-of-the-week type episodes that deal with lonely students, environmental fanatics, a peeping tom, an evil birthday cake, etc. There is also a callback episode, 2 Girls, 1 Tongue, in which Charlotte (Angela Jill Guingcangco), Curtis's ex-girlfriend, and current Phantom of Crowley High returns. There are also a few episodes that focus more on the mythos than that week's freak. In Daddy Tissues, Jenny's dad awakes from his coma, which should be good news for the gang. He knows more about the book than anyone else and he might know how to destroy it. However, he doesn't want to destroy it, he wants to use it. The final few episodes also deal with the overall mythos and are heavy in spoilers, but I will say the season ends on a heavy note that sets up season three really well.

I loved the first season and the second season was even better. Todd and the Book of Pure Evil is very funny, although the humor is low class for the most part. There is more drama this time around and the characters continue to show growth and depth. Todd and Curtis are still stoners and stupid, but they've matured at least a little. I also liked Curtis's and Hannah's relationship. Todd and Jenny also have good chemistry together and their relationship gets a little more complicated. Even the supporting characters get more involved. It's too bad the show was canceled before they were able to tie up all of the storylines. ... Or was it? They did have a successful Indiegogo campaign for an animated movie that will give a proper ending to the series and I'm really looking forward to seeing that.

The Extras

Extras on the first disc are limited to audio commentary tracks on two episodes, Simply the Beast and See You Later, Masturbator. The second disc also has an audio commentary track on Black Tie Showdown, the finale. The second disc also has 12 minutes of deleted and extended scenes, as well as six minutes of extended musical numbers from 2 Girls, 1 Tongue. Up next are three minutes behind-the-scenes footage of three special effects shots. There are six minutes of outtakes. There is a short tribute to all of the students, faculty, and others who have died over the two seasons. Up next there is a 17-minute making of featurette for B.Y.O.B.O.P.E. Finally, there's a 16-minute Q&A with the cast.

Like last time, these are the Canadian version of the episodes, which means there are a few swear words here and there.

The Verdict

If you liked Season One of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, then Season Two is absolutely worth picking up. If you haven't seen either seasons, it is worth checking out, but start with season one.


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Filed under: Video Review, Maggie Castle, Alex House, Jason Mewes