Like the previous release, everything here is Season 1 material, and appears to be presented roughly in order of production. There are a few exceptions, where the order that episodes aired seems to be favored over production dates. There are two episodes contained here, "Unfair Science Fair" and its counterpart ""Unfair Science Fair" Redux," that never saw air time and will be a huge perk for regular viewers of the show. Perhaps because of these extras, the DVD game is really pretty ordinary. Also in the letdown category is that absence of special content on this DVD as we had on the previous collection. No deleted material, voice tracks for episodes, interviews with the creators, etc. In the days of Hulu and other means for accessing episodes without plunking down cash for a DVD, producers and directors need to get smarter about releases that actually add value. In this instance, we have the extra episodes, but not much more.
Readers unfamiliar with Phineas and Ferb need only imagine a variation on the Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure formula, where Bill and Ted happen to be smart, self-possessed, in-charge individuals. Phineas and Ferb are, by their sister Candace's reckoning, wreaking havoc during their summer vacation. It's hard for her to tear herself away from the adoration of the boy she's crushing on to punish her brothers, but she makes the time. The payoff for her is usually crushing and public humiliation. If Candace is a foil for Phineas and Ferb, wait'll you get a look at the rivalry between Perry, the boys' pet platypus, and the evil pseudo-genius Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Each episode contains a series of adventures Phineas and Ferb undertake, while Perry is simultaneously (and unknown to his owners) saving mankind from evil. There is a funny scene in the episode "Toy to the World," where it looks like Perry may be discovered finally as a daring secret agent. Lucky for him, Phineas and Ferb are convinced like the rest of us that a platypus generally is up to absolutely nothing.
Like the first collection, the format of Phineas and Ferb: The Daze of Summer is to collect five "double episodes." The content that's here is fine, but we want more behind-the-scenes with the show's creators. Go ahead and accuse us of being spoiled by DVDs laden with features to the point that a separate DVD was required... All that's true, and illustrates why Phineas and Ferb: The Daze of Summer missed out on some opportunity. Other than this, we have 90 minutes of hilarious animation that will please kids while sending parents into paroxysms of laughter. Most shows have a hard time operating effectively on two levels, so Phineas and Ferb is the rare exception. Looking at the episode list, we still seem to have at least one more DVD compilation coming, which we'll await with bated breath. Keep the laughs and cultural allusions coming!
