Indeed you have thought this post out well….

I hit “popup menu” on my remote and up popped this wonderful screen with all the episode titles and even some special features. It’s official, you’re my new favorite person! Thanks! Kate

I have the blu-ray set of season 1. But I don’t have any means to play those discs myself - had to visit my brother to be able to watch them (so I don’t have any real experience with these types of discs) ! Anyway, I had the same problem that you described (episodes started right away) - but my brother doesn’t use a stand-alone player, he has a blu-ray drive on his computer, which is connected to his big plasma screen (this show looks more than awesome on that screen !). I was wondering about the menu as well at first, but after a while I found this option, which was called “popup-menu” or something like that. On the remote my brother uses there is some kind of “information” button (maybe right-click with a mouse, but haven’t tried), to access things like the regular menus, audio options etc. - and also this popup-menu.

I can’t help you if you have a regular blu-ray player… but try Google and look for your specific type of player and how you can access the popup menu with it.

It did seem like they lost some of their writing staff, and notable series touches along with them. The double names bit seemed to disappear, for awhile. Remember how clients’ and victims’ first and last names often rhymed? The music wasn’t as bright and magical as I remember. No more CGI’d swoops over perfect fields of grass and flowers (or far fewer). And they didn’t bring back Paul Ruben’s character and develop that “smell of death” plot angle, concerning Chuck.

Anyway, I too am sad that it’s all over. A great experiment in story writing and style. And I doubt we’ll see the like of it ever again. Or at least not for some time. When shows like this die, it’s usually about one thing, money. I’m sure it was costly to do, in order to maintain those extra unique qualities it had. Each Pushing Daisies episode was like a small movie. Both thrilling and whimsical. But Tv producers would rather have a one room sitcom, or a “reality” game show. They’re a lot cheaper. Quality always seems to be a deal breaker with Television. If they can’t cheapen it, in the 2nd season, and sustain high ratings. Then they just drop it entirely.

If Pushing Daisies had been done for a cable network, like HBO or USA, it might have survived. Most series that have continued for years, seem to have the syndication afterlife, that mostly cable Tv productions provide. It would be great if P.D. made the jump to cable. The way some other series did in the past. As long as it’s kept intact. And doesn’t end up being a shadow of what it use to be.