Once again, Wicked maven Jonathan Morgan impresses and depresses with a dark story buoyed by the-future-will-have-it-legendary animal sexuality of Wicked's sometime reigning superduo, Missy and Mickey G. It's unpopular to feature depression, sorry suicides and unhappy endings in post-PC "couples" vids, which may account, more or less, for the breath of, er, fresh air Mr. Morgan's stories blow across the genre.

Why, oh why, then, won't he commit the final coup de grâce of refusing porn clichés âla Missy, supposed painter, in a ridiculous, open-fronted midriff-and-more baring, immaculate, embroidered-collared Clothestime sweater, working in full makeup and overdone 'do, employing elementary-school art-hour technique to what we're asked to believe is going to be art? Or not spending the money on another take when her hair gets caught in her lipstick in a scene where such a distraction can't be overcome by drama? Or enabling what has to have been Scotty Schwartz's suggestion that his art gallery owner embarrass scenes with a faggy lisp and huge beret? Or letting a friend hankering for a rock-and-roll career "contribute" to what was otherwise a pre-nom-worthy soundtrack?

Why, in other words, does most of Morgan's considerable ability and vision get spent on everything pre- and post-production, but too infrequently at the crux: during the production itself?

On the "just porno" front, yes, you noted correctly that there are only two female performers featured here, and this economy works to the show's utter advantage. Missy is a jewel,  a jewell, and her vulnerability and sheer monster willingness comprise the arc this tape anchors itself to. It's the 9 1/2 Weeks "stranger takes lost girl on a strange journey" conceit, with not-a-nice-guy-anymore Mickey G. essaying the Big Bad Wolf (with a heart) role. The barnburner is a gangbang, where Missy, blindfolded, is taken, taken, taken and taken by Mr. Marcus, Michael J. Cox, Ian Daniels and Kyle Stone -- a Best Group Sex Scene pre-nom.

Pre-nom Missy, Best Actress -- Video and Mickey G., Best Actor -- Video; and Anthony Crane, George Kaplan and Reo D'Genero for best non-sex-perfs.