I saw the DVD at my local library, and recalling how I liked the show when I saw it years ago, I checked it out. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing again the first part of the series. The characters were well played, believable and interesting, as was the plot. However, the second part was a disappointment. The writing seemed stilted, focusing on prurient and unlikely sexual encounters to the detriment of continuation of the story. It seemed that the supposedly upright and principled male characters lost all self control when it came to dealing with women. They had to have 'it'. I don't watch the Soaps, but I think this segment was pretty much written with that venue in mind. Too bad.

"Rich Man, Poor Man; Book II" picks up where "Book I" left off and soon fast forwards five years as we follow Rudy Jordache's messy political career, his relationships with his nephew and stepson, with three women who impact him greatly and his inevitable showdown with the slimy Falconetti.After a somewhat slow buildup, "Book II" kicks into high gear about 10 episodes in and never lets up. Rudy's battle in the political arena is very well handled, suspenseful and really dramatic. Always lurking in the background is Falconetti, who's vendetta against Rudy proves fateful in the end.As said; "Book II" starts out fairly slowly, introducing us to Wes (Gregg Henry), Tom Jordache's son, and Billy (James Carroll Jordan), Rudy's stepson. Wes is definitely his father's son and ultimately hunts down Falconetti to even the score. Billy, like his father in "Book I", proves to be an opportunist as he relentlessly pursues a career in the music industry and betrays Rudy's trust to further himself.But the main interest here is Rudy; his political career as he tries to expose a corrupt and venomous businessman and bring him down. The main side story is Falconetti's vendetta against Rudy and as the end draws near; that story takes center stage. And it all culminates in one unforgettable ending.It was nearly impossible to replicate the near-perfect success of "Book I" but this follow-up comes damn close. Wes and Billy really grow on you, especially Billy as he becomes more and more decent as the season progresses. Both Henry and Jordan are likable actors and they pull off their roles respectively. Other solid supporting actors include Susan Sullivan, Kay Lenz, John Anderson and especially Peter Haskell as Charles Estep, the corrupt businessman Rudy wages war against.But top honors go to Peter Strauss as Rudy and William Smith as Falconetti. Just over 30 years old, Strauss effortlessly plays middle aged Rudy very convincingly and injects fire and passion into this very subdued character whose life is never very pleasurable for too long. William Smith is just perfect as Falconetti, who here gets much more screen time and you get a good glimpse into his twisted mind.Highly recommended.

I enjoyed book II because it showed how the family after many year's of fighting and being bitter towards each they finally realized by sticking together they could accomplish so many more things in life. I also liked how Rudy became some what of a father figure for Wesley and Billy. He tried to show them just how important family really is and being bitter about things in their life does not have to continue you have to except the past and learn from it.Once the boy's saw how Rudy was alway's there for them trying to help them learn from their mistakes overcome them with out using their fist help make them better men.He wanted them to overcome their past so they could have a better life.Abuse tore his family apart and knew it had to stop.He also taught them that a good education was very important.I would love to purchase book II to complete the story.

The continuation of RICH MAN POOR MAN is entirely different from the very beginning. Rudi Jordache (Peter Strauss) makes the political career and leaves Julie Prescott. What is more, it is no longer the story of two different brothers because one of them, Tom, is dead. A kind of replacement for his character appears to be Wesley (Gregg Henry), his son. He is similar, gets into trouble as easily as his father did, and even behaves in a similar fashion. Into view comes Julie's son, Billy Abbot, who is, on the one hand, very ambitious and good at his job, but, on the other hand, falls into serious problems. The sequel is equally involving.Most of the content is occupied by two major plots: the problems that Rudi has to cope with as a senator (one of them is indeed the investigation of the mysterious scandals of Tricorp company, the mysterious past of Estepp's wife, and Jordache-Estepp conflict) and the story of Falconetti, who is set free from prison and seeks revenge on the senator and his family.The whole story is showed equally well as the first 12 parts. As I already wrote in my previous comments on RICH MAN POOR MAN Book II, all characters are ambiguous, not totally good or evil. Nevertheless, Rudi appears to be better than in the first part. His career is not so much of utmost importance but he looks at other people's happiness too. He cares for Tom's son Wesley; helps Billy financially, and aims at other values in life. All other characters are, like most people, very unique. Two interesting new characters, worth mentioning are: Annie Addams (Cassie Yates), who wants to be famous, but later realizes that career is not the most important thing in life; and Ramona (Penny Peyser) who is a wonderful individual, especially when applied to her attitude towards abortion (young girls and women should see it).The acting is EXCELLENT. Most cast perform very well. I particularly like Peter Strauss as a tired senator seeking for a calm life, William Smith as crazy Falconetti, and Susan Sullivan as ambitious but jealous Maggie.After the sad final scene of dying Rudi, noticed by nobody, I came into conclusion that there is one message not directly but rather implicitly conveyed at the end. The most important thing in life is not career, not riches, not even fame. It is friendship. Friendship between Wess and Roy, between Wess and Rudi, and every single friendship in everyone's life...I would recommend everyone to see both parts of RICH MAN POOR MAN. It is, though quite long, a wonderful lesson of life.