For those not familiar with the series, Everwood tells the story of widower Dr Andy Brown (Treat Williams), who leaves his successful job as a top Manhattan neurosurgeon to live in the small Colorado town of Everwood with his moody 15-year-old son Ephram (Gregory Brown) and 9-year-old daughter Delia (Vivien Cardone) in search of a new start. Initially, Andy and the rest of his family have some difficulty adjusting to the new setting, and getting along with Dr. Harold Abbott (Tom Amandes), with whom his professional opinions differ. However, in time, the two men begin a friendly rivalry. Ephram, who has a complex relationship with his father, struggles with adolescence, his studies as a classical pianist, and his relationship with Amy Abbott (Emily VanCamp), Dr. Abbott’s daughter. Meanwhile, sparks fly between Andy and his neighbour, Nina (Stephanie Niznik).
As the fourth season begins, Ephram returns to Everwood after an extended backpacking trip through Europe. You see, toward the end of last season young Ephram learned a big secret. At the end of the series’ second season, Ephram’s significantly older ex-girlfriend Madison (Sarah Lancaster) went to Dr. Brown and revealed that she was pregnant with Ephram’s child. He told the girl that if she left town in her ‘condition’ that he’d pay for everything she’d possibly need, just as long as she kept everything under wraps. Someone as smart as Andy should have realized that few things stay secret for long.
After spending thousands of miles apart, the relationship between father and son is no better. Andy lets Ephram stay at his house, but he’ll never lend the kid any money again. Ah, but young Delia wants her older brother to come over and eat occasionally, so dad will give him $50 for every dinner he attends (clearly this guy is made of money). Meanwhile, there’s a rather poignant—and in some ways, more interesting story arch involving Irving (John Beasley), Edna (Debra Mooney), a bestselling novel that hits a little too close to home, and an untimely death.
If that’s not enough drama for you, Andy has to deal with the fact that Nina has chosen Dr. Jake Hartman (Scott Wolf), over him. Yes, he’s a looker, but he happens to have a bit of a pill addiction. Rose Abbott’s cancer battle makes her want to adopt a child. Bright Abbott (Chris Pratt) slowly begins to mature…Kind of. As with previous seasons of Everwood, we also have the drama of Amy and Ephram’s up and down relationship.
Everwood was never as much of a soap opera as say, Dawson’s Creek, but never as saccharine as 7th Heaven. If you were a fan of the series, you’ll likely want to check this set out, as this season wraps things up nicely.
The transfer of Everwood: The Complete Fourth Season on DVD looks good. Colors are accurate and consistent. Fleshtones look normal and black levels are inky. Detail is strong. Compression artifacting is minimal.
The stereo mixes here aren’t superior, but they do the job. Dialogue sounds fine, and music has a nice presence.
English SDH and French subtitles are included.
As to special features, we get a set of deleted scenes, including an alternate ending to the series that was shot in case the show was picked up for a fifth season.
