Organized crime. Webster's Dictionary defines it as something that is bad. I agree. So when you mix politics in with the crime, you are asking for double bad.

Now, take the crime and all the politics then add in some Irishmen, and you get Massachusetts. But sometimes, you end up with Rhode Island and a true gem of a TV drama.

Showtime's “Brotherhood” began its tumultuous second season recently with its usual panache for violence, family dysfunction, dirty politics and seamless story flow that you can't get in any other crime drama.

Bullets, potatoes, filibusters, union contracts, crucifixes and touring caps were flying all over the damned place. It was beautiful.

For those who haven't seen the show, it centers on the Caffee family of Providence, R.I., specifically brothers Tommy and Michael. One is a rising star in local politics; the other is a prominent member of the Irish mob scene.

While Tommy, a state rep, does everything he can to represent his constituency as honestly and genuinely as he is able, he never can truly remove himself from his brother's reputation. Then there is the local Irish crime boss who is always popping into Tommy's life, and his wife, Eileen, is a roaring addict and slut.

Michael, on the other hand, is a lying psychopath killer. Yet both adhere to a strong sense of family loyalty. Also, Tommy is an ends-justifies-the-means sort of fellow, and he plays that card often in the hallowed halls of the state legislature.

While he plays the yang of the of the brotherhood relationship, he's not opposed to pulling the yin from time to time.

Season Two sees the addition of a few new characters and removes one prominent member of Season One. Within the first four episodes of Season Two, you will see how Eileen's confession to Tommy about her affairs and drug use drags the family down; Tommy falls from grace; Michael deals with the near-death beating he received at the end of Season One leaving him with minor brain damage; about four murders; some raunchy sex; a politician falls; and most interesting is the complete destruction of officer Declan Giggs.

Giggs' drinking and blown marriage lead him to that line that blurs criminal and cop. Now he is in the very position he spent all Season One trying to avoid.

But I am out of room, and I am not even close to telling you how good this show is. I never even got to tell you about the Chinese prostitution house across the street and saga of the missing ear.