Sunday night, the show will finally be back - easily one of the best televisions shows currently in production. From the ensemble acting to the inside view it offers of Hollywood and the exceptional narrative arcs that tie each episode together, "Entourage" isn’t just entertaining, it’s all-encompassing. And as we’ve waited long months for the show’s return, something great has been missing from my weekly routine.

Each season of "Entourage" has felt like a different experience, mostly because the dynamics of the drama have shifted so profoundly. It’s a series that’s almost seemed like five shows in one. In the beginning, it was a story of a hot new star (Adrian Grenier) who had just launched to public attention in a mid-budget film, and the whirlwind that surrounded his crew of best friends (played by Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara) as they suddenly found themselves the talk of Tinseltown.

Then, there was the rush of excitement as they were approached by James Cameron, one of the industry’s top talents, to star in a summer tentpole. But when the star refused to star in the sequel, and emerged as a prima donna, things started to turn. He decided to go the indie route, pushing for an Oscar with an independent film that went on to bomb at Cannes. He tried to get back into the thick of things with another studio picture, only to watch it dissolve due to a disagreement with a director. And at the end of last season, he found himself back at New York, unable to get access to auditions, wondering if his brief ride at the top had only been the precursor to a bleak crash and burn.

All around him, his friends have dealt with similar issues. His brother (Dillon) was the loser before he landed a role on a hit TV show. His manager (Connolly) was dependent on his success until he started getting other clients. There are ups and downs in this show more believable and surprising than what I’m used to on TV. And the new season, which launches Sunday evening, begins with a similar twist: Martin Scorsese swinging in for the rescue.

What sets "Entourage" apart are the turbulent - and titillating - twists of fate that could only happen in the entertainment world, and the partnerships between friends, and Vince’s agent (played by Golden Globe-winner Jeremy Piven) that attempt to make heads and tails out of this crazy industry - a world steeped in egos, box office receipts and sheer dumb luck.

It’s an infectious, ingenious cross-section of power, politics and personalities, and this next season of "Entourage" could very well be the best one yet.

E-mail: SnyderReviews@hotmail.com