Ray reviews ARMY WIVES: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON!

Available at Amazon from Monday 30th June priced at $32.99 Look, I'm a dude. I don't like soap operas. I have never watched more than 0.32 seconds of the Lifetime channel. I actually had my cable provider block the Oxygen network from my cable plan so that I would not ever be exposed, even subliminally. In other words, I am not the target audience for ARMY WIVES. But the chicks love it. The series engagingly follows Roxy LeBlanc (SALLY PRESSMAN), a bartender in a seedy southern bar, as she marries an army officer and moves onto the base. She soon discovers the intricate web of gossip and intrigue among the catty wives. Roxy's charm and quick thinking earn her some endearing friends, including top dog Claudia Joy Holden (KIM DELANEY). It also earns her the emnity of the camp gossip hounds, who snear and connive behind her back. I went into this with few expectations, and came away pleasantly surprised. The stories are tightly woven together, creating a cliched but believable world populated by some engaging characters. Like every soap opera, there are always some elements overcooked - for instance, the gossip mavens on the base are wildly over-the-top; you almost expect them to start cackling like the Wicked Witch of the West. But overall, the show's first season justifies some of its success. Much of the credit for this goes to a nice cast. In a pivotal role, PRESSMAN shines as Roxy. Her southern spunk enlivens the actresses around her and infuses the show with a lot of warmth. DELANEY is also excellent as den mother Holden, exuding a strength and regality that nicely complements Roxy's rough edges. The direction of each episode is remarkably lush and cinematic for television, with a lot of location shooting and expansive set pieces. Obviously a lot of money is being pumped into this production. This was a pleasant surprise for a soap-opera-free dude like me. EXTRAS Besides the episodes themselves, there is little else here. Fans might like the deleted storyline included here entitled HUMP FOR THE LUMP. There is also a fun conversation with the cast that again showcases their natural charm and cohesion. OVERALL A nice package for the fans, and a surprisingly fun time for non-fans.