Special Unit 2 (2001–2002) User Reviews

Unusual, fun series

[merrywood · 8/10 · 18 July 2008]

The luck of the draw, not the quality of either a show or a cast member is the unfortunate arbiter of success in the industry. Talented, attractive ladies like Alexondra Lee, for example, might fade while less deserving people thrive. Fortunately Michael Landes, who was perfectly cast for the lead in SP2 has prevailed.

As for those who do not see the quality in a show like this, one that had fine production values and very witty dialog, cleverly cartoonish villains and a good cast their observations reveal the level of their aesthetic acuity and level of intelligence so no further commentary is required.

It's hoped that the well deserved re-runs on Sci Fi Channel will somehow bring this show back on the air.

Could have done more

[jenny_claire-33619 · 8/10 · 16 July 2018]

Hi, enjoyed the series, just wish you could have done more seasons. Hope you do think of starting a new series.

Lawless Links Locked-up

[The_Rook · 8/10 · 15 June 2007]

Fun SciFi series. This is now airing on SciFi channel in the DC Metro area. Special Unit 2 is a special police unit formed to capture and contain unusual people or creatures (slang is Links) that commit crimes against humanity. They have special weapons similar to those use by M.I.B since they face an unusual variety of perpetrators (perps). Take this with an open mind and a sense of humor and you will probably enjoy it. Decent cast, directing, stories, effects, and music. This only had a short season of 19 episodes but it was a good one. Unfortunately like so many decent SciFi series it was canceled. I hope that like the short lived "Threshold" they will put this series on DVD.

Another great show gets the axe.

[Graheim · 13 May 2002]

Well, Special Unit 2 was canceled in 02/2002. It's a shame. It was one of the most creative and funny shows to come across the small screen in some time. The quick witted, sharp tongued characters were the perfect match for the utter "campy-ness" of the show's premise. Sheer genius. Let's hope UPN decides to bring this one back.

Upn, please bring back Special Unit 2

[naugrad · 10/10 · 23 July 2006]

The very first episode that I saw of "Special Unit 2" I was already addicted to the show. After the first show, I started taping it off the air. The story lines were great. It was a whole new ballgame compared to "Men in Black." Why did Upn have to cancel the show? At least I have the shows on several tapes...if I can find them.

How did the writers come up with fresh ideas? One episode that I remember almost crying because they showed the aliens that killed Nick's first love. In another episode, Nick nearly dies because he mets Medusa and Carl looks at Nick's near death body and says, "If you see any light don't go near it." Nick suddenly sees this bright light and angelic music, and then Carl's head is front of him blocking the light. Telling him to avoid the light.

Upn, if you are reading this...please bring back Special Unit 2. Thank you.

Angel meets law and order

[dillon-77085 · 10/10 · 19 March 2021]

If you like Buffy, Angel and things like that you'll like this. Same strange, and creative basis but these gutys are actual cops of the mysterious Special Unit 2. Half a dozen main characters who carry the stories and deal with a variety of mythical creatures. The scripts are snappy and as is usual with a series like this has a lot of humour and self deprecation. Theres the inevitable will they wont they between Male and female leads and comedy sidekick Carl the gnome provides most of the humour. It's a bit like police squad, the squad toom.banter and a rather mysterious tentacle taking the role of a hardly ever seen in full Al. Characters are likeable and thers enough of them to give variety to the stories and subplots, but not so many you forget who they are. Good script, good camera work, some nice editing, and some wicked make up and creature designs. Pretty much the whole package

SU2 could more likely be considered to have infringed upon another show

[Perdicus6 · 10/10 · 23 January 2009]

Far from being a copyright infringement against the role playing game "Bureau 13," which wasn't even a TV entertainment program, SU2 could more likely have been considered to have been a ripoff of "Painkiller Jane," a really hot SF Channel Action Adventure show.

Agent "Painkiller Jane" Vasco, along with her covert government unit, must track down and contain the spread of "Neuros" – genetically altered humans who possess extraordinary, and often deadly, neurological powers.

Detective Kate Benson, along with her covert Chicago Police Department unit, must track down and contain (or kill) "Links" – genetically arrested creatures existing between pre-humans and humans who possess extraordinary, and often deadly, neurological powers.

Certainly no similarities there. Could SU2 have been a ripoff of "Painkiller Jane?" Not likely, since "Painkiller Jane" started airing 5 years after SU2.

So, could SU2 have been a ripoff of "Bureau 13"? Not likely, since it is extremely difficult to adapt a video game to the screen. The only instance I can think of where this was done successfully was Mortal Kombat.

So, what about the claim of copyright infringement against SU2? I don't buy it for a second!

Great SHow I caught on a cable channel

[xtro181 · 10/10 · 18 November 2009]

Smart writing! Great casting! Original take on Freaky Things! Yep! ALL of this is Special Unit 2. Too bad X_files fans and gamers see a resemblance to the shows they covet. I liked X Files and I like video games too, but c'mon folks! I don't compare every drama or comedy to the works of Shakespeare! Special Unit 2 was FRESH, INVITING, COMIC, DARING and, hell, yes! DAMN GREAT! It is a variation of themes that we all love and to COMPARE it to others is not doing it justice.

It sits just fine in my top list of Sci-Fi shows and I really can't care about why it was canceled. Maybe because it was a clone of something or whatever. In my book, the network made a bad decision because of whatever statistical reasons or legal reasons, or even perhaps, God forbid, a stupid network executive decision. Let's admit it folks!!!!!! Network executives are not Gods and do make mistakes when it comes to MONEY and ART. The crap on TV proves it! Special Unit 2 was a great show that got canned because the executives at UPN decided that. When was the last time UPN called you asking what shows you wanted to see. I bet it is NEVER.

While the UPN folks were talking to their lawyers and reading ratings the public got left out. It is the way it is.

MAYBE... some SMART and brilliant writer will revive the show, buck the X-File yahoos an the "comparison" people and go a-new, but, that is not the way the industry seems to work! Just my 2-cents worth.

Fun show

[mhorg2018 · 6/10 · 3 July 2018]

A really fun show about a secret police unit that hunts down things like goblins, demons and succubi. The leads had a lot of good chemistry and the guy who played Mickey on Seinfield stole every scene he was in. This really should have gotten more of a chance.

Don't really watch the episodes for it's unrealistic and unbelievable plots, yet view it for the pretty and attractive eye candy treatment of Alexondra Lee.

[blanbrn · 8/10 · 8 June 2009]

I had missed this series the first time around back in 2001 and 2002 when it ran originally on the UPN network. Over the last couple of years from time to time I've caught various episodes on the Sci Fi cable channel when they have ran day long marathons. Overall I must say that much of the plots and shows are campy and so unrealistic and unbelievable that they mostly are a silly drag. Still even if your a sci fiction fan still most episodes are a little enjoyable the way it's spiced and mixed up with tales of vampires, monsters, dreams, supernatural, and closet creatures.

The setting is in the windy city of Chicago, IL it involves a police unit and each episode has it's focus on two detective partners the team of Nick O' Malley(Michael Landes)and Kate Benson(the attractive and cute Alexondra Lee). The detective team have good chemistry even though it's somewhat of a pain and not very likable that they have a sidekick friend that being a midget leprechaun! And episodes feature the chase of monsters and it involves supernatural occurrences. I even remember one episode where Kate(Alexondra Lee)has a damsel in distress scene as she is tied up and gagged along with two other females one being an African American the other an Asian chick. I must say really the best part of the show is the treat of seeing the attractiveness and nice beauty of Alexondra Lee certainly she's some sexy eye candy! Overall the show didn't last that long just about 19 episodes, as clearly the camp and far out annoying plots contributed to the show being fired. Still even for a sci fiction fan it's fantasy mixture is tasty enough to watch, still those are only appetizers the real treat and best reason to watch this show is the beautiful and cute attractive Alexondra Lee. I just wonder where Alexondra is I would love to see her in something again and I hope it's soon. Still catch some episodes of this sci fiction show if you can if anything Alexondra Lee will make your day!

Watching the DVDs again.

[scubafiend · 9/10 · 3 March 2024]

I love this show! I periodically binge watch it end to end.

My only complaint (other than it got canceled too soon) is that the audio engineer should have been fired! I don't have a particular opinion one way or the other of the music selection itself - not my favorite but not the worst. My issue is the abysmal mix. The music is so loud I have to have the remote handy to mute it whenever the music comes blasting on. The only option in order to hear the dialog is to do the mute thing or suffer the ear splitting music volume, both of which detract from the enjoyment of the show. If it wasn't a consistent issue I would guess it is a one episode issue but unfortunately that is not the case.

As to the complaints that it is a rip of MIB or other similar movie/show is like saying every space movie/show is a rip of Star Trek or Star Wars. Not true. The stories are fun and unique. Sad that it did not continue!

Why, oh why did they allow this schlock to be made?

[jimridgway · 4/10 · 10 February 2007]

A great concept gone wrong. Poor acting, even worse writing....After watching the first two episodes I was wondering why it ever made it to season two. The characters are forgettable, the writing is poor, the sets are just OK. The special effects are simply sad - so much better has been made in the same time-frame - where is the money going on this one? The first episode starts out interesting then goes downhill fast - the precept of the whole show is just silly. Now don't get me wrong, I am a huge Sci-Fi fan and 'geek' - but this show simply doesn't cut it. As I said in the beginning, I am truly surprised it made it to season two - so much better has been canceled after only one season (Jake 2.0 for example). This show was just bad.

Why SU2 was canceled

[deeare98 · 28 January 2007]

The reason the show was canceled was due to a copyright infringement. It turns out that the show was based on a role playing game and no one got permission from the creator to pinch his stuff.

He tried to talk to the producers and writers but couldn't find any satisfactory answer to the infringement. The producers decided to cancel the show.

I believe the name of the RPG was "Bureau 13", I was also told that the writers had played the game when they were younger.

They probably forgot where they got the idea for the show (I least I hope it was accidental.)

Dave

Unrealistic Dialog

[mike_berger · 2/10 · 1 June 2009]

This show had pretty good stories, but bad dialog. The main character was especially annoying. It's quite obvious why this show was canceled, although, like most UPN shows, I never knew it even existed until it was in syndicated re-runs.

Most of it's plots seemed to be copied from other shows and movies, leading me to think the producers didn't have an original idea in their heads.

I haven't commented enough. You've got to have at least ten lines of text. The special effect were not bad for a 2001 show.

The gnome was a nice character.

Definitely worth a look and some of your video tape!

[DrkAngel · 11 April 2001]

Special Unit 2 at first seems like it might be a plain old rip-off show with just smart-ass characters and big ass guns and cheesy monsters. That is a huge misconception on what this show is all about and is. Special Unit 2 is actually a refreshing and unique show that UPN should be proud of. The monsters are designed by the mad genius in Patrick Tatopoulos. They are simply beautiful yet wicked looking at the same time. The show has the uncanny ability to show off clever dialogue and strong writing with strong characters. Nick O'Malley may seem like the typical badass good guy, when he is that but so much more. In the first episode he makes it pretty clear he doesn't care about anyone other than himself. He dispels that formulaic theme in no time when he shows he is supporting the family of his deceased partner from 2 years prior. He does care, he just keeps it inside to protect himself from the everyday pain he endures to kill the monsters that killed his partner. So we care about him as much as we cheer on his wicked skills as a monster killer and wicked one-liners. Kate Benson is another character we care about as well, who has the ability to see past things normal don't do. She grew up being looked down upon for her ability to look past the obvious and what lurks beneath the surface and that's how she finds herself in Special Unit 2. She is a true good cop but quickly learns being by the book won't solve cases all the time. She still has her convictions and morals whose driving force is not loss but for what she wants to discover and learn. The cast of this show clearly has the best chemistry I've seen on a show in recent memory. They all play off of each other with such ease it's a sight to behold. The special effects are brilliant and so are the production values and art direction. Special Unit 2 works on many different levels from the acting to the creature effects. There is more to Special Unit 2 than just an elite monster fighting team concept. It has a heart and special magic that makes it work that I haven't seen on many shows in recent memory. Stargate SG-1 and First Wave have that, not many others do. Special Unit 2 is worth a chance to see Alexondra Lee, Michael Landes, Richard Gant, and Danny Woodburn show their talents. This is a kick ass show with a heart that is also very beautiful and haunting at the same time. There are strong artistic values to this show that make it that much better than other shows in this genre. Special Unit 2 is worth a look and some of your videotape!

Stepping Stone for Katz, Middling Show for Fans

[tangent-cc · 5/10 · 30 July 2010]

What a difference a decade makes. I never saw this show when it was on UPN in 2001-02. So, I can take a much better perspective.

The show was average at best. It had its good moments and not-so-good moments. However, the show was mainly a developing ground for creator Evan Katz, who would learn from it and go on to create, produce and write the classic "24."

Good parts: great special effects and a good supporting cast, namely Danny Woodburn as Carl the Gnome, always trying to pull off the big heist while not violating parole; Jonathan Togo in his first acting gig and a few years before becoming Ryan Wolfe on 141 episodes and counting of "CSI: Miami", and Pauley Perrette, already a seasoned veteran but is interesting here as Alice Kramer, with blonde bobbed hair, slinky outfits and bare skin with not a single tattoo.

Bad parts: Clichéd characters. Michael Landes' Det. Nick O'Malley is a man with the cliché itchy trigger finger who lost his last partner and hasn't gotten past it. Alexondra Lee's Det. Kate Benson is a beautiful cop with a lot of repressed sexual feelings. Richard Gant as Captain Page was one of the most stilted characters I've seen on TV in a long time as the token black cop who stays in the office.

In brief, Special Unit 2 is a section of the Chicago Police Department that handles supernatural incidents. For its part, it stayed away from vampires but every other supernatural being was fair game.

Detectives O'Malley and Benson are the two main characters, sort of Mulder and Sculley. Alas, Landres and Lee didn't have anywhere near the chemistry of Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny.

The show had its moments, such as in the pilot where SU2 had to save Chicago from gargoyles using the citizens as food. The acting was strong, the effects were above average and there was even some suspense.

Seeing Togo as a geek with a pip-squeaky voice is a trip and Perrette as anything but Abby Sciuto is almost mind-bending. Woodburn was always comical at the right time, except when playing against Gant's woodenness.

UPN didn't have a big budget for the show and cast the best people it could get. Like the fledgling WB, it was struggling against the Big Four. Low budgets have been sci-fi shows' greatest threats.

Katz had a great story and had written all of the episodes. What he did not have were great actors who could believably pull off the lead characters. Due to budget constraints, he had to take what the show could afford.

Landres went on to the kind of episodic TV guest shots one uses to pay the bills, while Lee disappeared from TV after a guest spot on "CSI" in 2006. From today's 20/20 hindsight point of view, it might have been better for Togo and Perrette to play the leads. Now, they would have made quite the mismatched pair.

They weren't cast in the lead, though. Landres and Lee were and they could not bring it off. Their own interactions seemed forced. Landres conveyed no authority. Lee seemed uncomfortable in the role.

"SU2" aired for one full season and a few shows of a second season before UPN pulled the plug. The network allegedly had to call it quits because both it and Katz found the concept of the show very appealing. Unfortunately, the concept was almost identical to "Bureau 13," a role- playing game and series of novels by Nick Pollotta in 1991 centered around a secret unit of the FBI that investigates paranormal and supernatural criminals.

Chris Carter acknowledged the material when he created "X Files" and Steven Spielberg did the same when he came up with "Men in Black." For some reason, UPN and Katz didn't nor would they respond to Pollotta's calls.

UPN pulled the plug on the show, perhaps sensing that it would not win a plagiarism lawsuit.

Too bad for people all the way around.

What were they thinking?

[LUEXANA · 6 February 2003]

This was one of the best shows on the air. It had a talented and likable cast. Snappy and hilarious humor abounded on this show. I even adored the camera work. I loved the shots going from the street, thru the back of the dry cleaners and down the stairs to the units secret headquarters. You saw those shots more often during the shows original short term run when Sean Whalen played resident historian on the show. I have been a fan of that hottie Michael Landes since his days as "Jimmie the photographer" on Lois and Clark the New Adventures of Superman. I was so happy to see him on this show. He can act, he's got great comic timing and he's got the wise-cracking, smart-aleck persona down-pat. Although he had great chemistry with the curvy, tough yet vulnerable "Kate", he seemed to have even more so with Carl the gnome. I loved watching them share screen time. In my opinion there was no better episode than the premiere. You have to see it to truly appreciate what they were trying to do with this series. Of course UPN being UPN canceled this show. What were they thinking? Probably the same thing they were thinking when they canceled NOWHERE MAN, one of the best and most mysterious shows EVER. They replaced that show with "Homeboys in Outerspace". I can't even put my outrage into words. UPN makes some really crap--- choices. Anyway I hope to one day be able to either tape these shows off of cable or buy their collections. GREAT STUFF!!! Feel free to write to me.

I just got to know you, and now you're gone.

[dreamer2point2 · 28 February 2002]

Well, I was so disappointed in UPN for cancelling this show only to replace it with 2 half hour teen angst shows just like a dozen others out there. When I first saw this show I didn't think a whole lot of it. It seemed silly. However, in a very short time the characters had started to really come together and take on a life of their own. This is not something you see every day. I think the writing was top notch and the actors were able to take full advantage of it. The show got funnier and better each week.

Just when O'Malley and Carl were starting to become a solid team, UPN pulled the plug. What a mistake.

Enjoyable Premier of Sci-Fi Cop Show

[a.v. boy · 4 October 2001]

Very impressed by first episode. Well-written, playful, and original sci-fi series. Loopy creatures mix freely with humans in what appears to be a normal Earth city of the not too distant future. Headquarters of Special Unit 2 is in the back of a dry-cleaning store, perhaps a tribute to Man From U.N.C.L.E. Hill Street Blues (or maybe Barney Miller) meets Outer Limits. One of the regulars at first appears to be a dwarf, but with the bulbous nose, serrated elfin ears, and traditional costume, you might notice he's a little odd. Turns out he's a genuine "gnome", and an important part of Special Unit 2. In the first episode, we meet the "parasites", creatures who take over people for "joy rides".

Reminds me a bit of the "leaky universes" theme that ran through many of Clifford Simak's sci-fi novels, weird things showing up where they're not expected. Here, though, anything goes, and the police of Special Unit 2 just deal with it, muddling through as best they can, although with a lot of help and guidance from our friendly gnome.

Fans of the original Star Trek who remember how they introduced a new critter or two almost each week, and fans of the original Star Wars bar scene, probably would enjoy something here.

I hope they can keep it up. The first episode is very promising. If they cheap out on the writing, or run out of ideas for new and funny villains, it could go downhill rapidly. Let's hope they don't. This idea for a series has a lot of potential!

I LOVE IT!!

[tweetybrdbeck · 29 July 2003]

I loved this show! I would watch every episode, it was so GOOD! And the characters were great together. I like Carl the Nome, he was always funny and getting into something. It's to bad they canceled the show, I thought it was a great hit, and I miss. One of the many shows I watched and really liked, and by fact i don't watch TV much, because most all of it sucks. Everything is the same, but this show was different. I really really liked it. I give it a perfect 10.

Why did you leave me.

[mr_pivac1985 · 24 February 2003]

I realy enjoyed watching this programme late at night while I was in bed, and then they went and canceled it.

this tv show was one of the best programmes I have seen in a long time, It always kept me entertained.

9/10

greatest witty show on tv

[gzenon · 1 February 2002]

It's all about mixing together a cast of excellent actors, good scripts, nice effects, and, to top it all off, truly witty dialogue. Really, everything written by Jeff from Wisconsin is true. The show and the characters tackle serious crimes, but they do it with style. The cast really does work well together. The characters respect each other, but they don't let that get in the way of constantly barraging each other with barbs and sarcastic comments. You can't help but relate to them--they're the kind of people you'd like to go drinking with--there's something appealing about each one. But the wit is what puts it over the edge. This is wit like The Thin Man, like Bogie, like Jimmy Stewart. Good stuff. Who would have guessed.

Oh, and the music by is by Mark Snow. Enough said.

Still Watching It

[lastlime · 5 September 2005]

I started watching SU2 on the first night it aired..saw all 19 episodes...recently bought it on DVD from Ebay. great show..as the other commenter said, there was great chemistry between the two stars..unfortunate we never saw them get together..Carl the Gnome was hilarious and so was Jonathan Togo. we're lucky it ran for a second season. hope they (officially) come out with it on DVD. great monsters and special effects, the plots were strong and believable. love this show. too bad i haven't seen Alexondra Lee or Michael Landes in anything recently. email me at [e-mail] if you have questions.

Cheezy, Popcorn Fun!

[TomRMD · 30 May 2001]

The cleaning store front to the SU2 Station is a tip o' the lid to "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.", and that's how to consider this show, with the same tongue-in-cheek slyness at the detective/horror/paranormal genre. Indeed, this show succeeds where "The Lone Gunmen" fell flat.

Fresh new series with a great sense of humor

[monstermania · 30 January 2002]

I found out about the show just a few months ago, and I love it. Despite what other comments have stated, it is not Men in Black the live action series, as the subjects are links, not aliens. It is a great idea for a show that the missing links have been identified and they are on the rampage in Chicago. The chemistry is great between the leads, and anything involving Carl the gnome and his theft habits is hilarious. The sense of humor is the defining characteristic of the show, and is like nothing a sci-fi addict like me had ever seen. It is fresh and original, and the clever scripting is perfect for the show. The best episodes are the ones where the leads are under the influence of a link, and they are not themselves. It shows what great actors the producers chose for the series, as they demonstrate their amazing versatility. The effects are great, and the production is much better than some of the series on tv. Overall, this this show is a gem and should not be missed by any dedicated sci-fi fan.