Customer Reviews

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete Third Season [6 Discs]

5 star:		(182)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Amazing show, amazing season. Of course it has flaws, but...

In third season, it's clear for everyone that the actors are totally comfortable playing their characters, everyone knows what to do, when to do it and how to do it. The level of confidence is rising and rising.

Of course it has flaws. You just can't produce 22 perfect episodes that will please everybody. The producers, writers and cast do the best they can in the short time and relatively small budget they have at their disposal.

One question, however, does not leave my mind: how can an actress (I'm talking about Sarah Mihcelle Gellar here) give such stupendous, gorgeous, solid, breathtaking, emotional performances episode after episode, season after season, no matter if the material that they give her is good or bad? She bears more than half of the credit for Buffy being the hit it was. She TOTALLY controls the show when she's on camera. I sincerely hope she has a marvellous and well suceeded movie career (away from Scooby-Doo movies, I mean...)

As for third season properly speaking, it has ups and lows. I particularly enjoy almost everything the show ever produced, but sometimes I did not. Faith, for example. She just not fit. Shés annoying. Of course it was a character created for us to hate, but not to ANNOY the viewer. Everytime she's on screen with her wooden dialogue, I simply wanted to go fast forward (but I didn't, of course!). I also agree with with a reviewer tha said that it would have been better if the Scooby-gang treated her like a basket case beyond help, instead of trying to save her. Anyway, Joss Whedon always suprise the audience doing the exact OPPOSITE of what we would expect (Example 1: Xander and Willow - their potential beautiful romance didn't last nothing, and it was never "officalized" - Example 2: Wesley and Cordelia flirting - the flirting lasts a lot of episodes and, when they finally kiss, there is no chemistry between them and the romance is over even before it starts.)

Also, we have someplot holes and weakness we must forget in order to remember that it's, after all, just a television show for entertainment. Even if the Ascension worked for the Mayor, what were his intentions? Sure, he would eat the entire school populace, but after that? The Army, police, Air Force, all of them would transform that giant worm in small pieces very briefly. No big threat indeed!

Season 3 is a mixture of things that worked very well and things that didn't work at all for the series.
Some of the episodes that worked well included "Homecoming," when Buffy goes up against Cordelia to win the Homecoming Queen election. This episode worked so well because it went back to Buffy's roots and remembered that Buffy started out as a blonde-bimbo-valleygirl who would have been concerned with becoming Homecoming Queen. I always thought that there would be much more tension between Buffy and Cordelia than was ever played up, so I was glad to see this episode recognize who Buffy used to be and have that hit head-on who she is now. The introduction of Anya in "The Wish" is a breath of fresh air. The episode is also interesting in and of itself because of the way it sets up a world without Buffy. Xander and Willow as vampires are brilliant and really drive home the importance of the slayer. Willow's first hint at her coming sexual exploration in "Doppelgangland" was just one of the highlights of that episode. The idea of an evil verion of Willow - the sweetest of the sweet - it intriguing and interesting to watch. Finally, "Earshot", the airdate of which was delayed due to the Columbine tragedy, is a great episode where Buffy has to deal with (what she thinks) is a new but real threat to highschoolers everywhere. The idea that Buffy should also deal with non-supernatural threats is a great moment away from the vampires and demons.
These few great episodes, though, are surrounded by many sub-par efforts by the Buffy writers and directors. Among the worst episodes are "Gingerbread" and "The Zeppo". In "Gingerbread" Joyce tries to rally Sunnydale residents against the supernatural forces trying to take over the town. The concept just doesn't work and the episode turns out flat and boring. "The Zeppo" which tries to give Xander a chance to play the hero is so poorly written and just boring in general that I haven't even been able to watch it all the way through. The Graduation episodes which highlight the Mayor's ascention are okay, but don't really affect the audience at all. I'd rather see Buffy fight a single vampire in a well choreographed fight scene than hundreds of teens running around pretend-fighting a giant snake. I think that Faith was also a thorn in the side of the show this season. She just never really fit into the stories at all and didn't even really provide that great of a doppelganger for Buffy. She was just more irritating than effective.
Overall, a mediocre season.

From its start in 1997, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" has been a pop culture phenominon that attracted a wide variety of audience-the people who loved soap operas, the horror buffs, the sci-fi people, the drama dwellers, and so much more. "Buffy" has so much to offer and so much to look foreward to each week. Weather its a character's changing or a spectacular looking monster, there's nothing quite like "Buffy". And if you thought that the greatness of the show was over after its awesome first two seasons, you couldn't expect season three. This is a great season for the show, and deals with Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her friends after the events of season two all the way up to their graduation day. Season three is great because of its clever story, great cast, and intense special effects. This is Buffy's last year of High School, and she's graduating with a 'bang'.
First off, the all out story is magnificent. After the heartbreaking season finale of season two, Buffy is drawn out of hiding in LA and realizes that she cannot escape her 'destiny'. She when she arrives back home to her worried mother (Kristine Sutherland), he watcher Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), and her group of friends including Willow (Alyson Hannigan), Xander (Nicholas Brendan), Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), and Oz (Seth Green) only to discover that while she was gone the monsters were growing bigger and badder. And her personal grief over the loss of her true love Angel (David Boreanaz) gets even more confusing when he mysteriously reappears from a hell dimension, untrusting of the slayer. Even with that, the real surprises come from the new slayer in town, Faith (Eliza Dushku), who is just like Buffy- confused and lost. Faith and Angel adjust to Sunnydale, and soon enough Buffy and her gang realize that the Mayor (Harry Groener) is really and evil monster planning an apocalypse. Sure, there's no real connection to Buffy and her friends there, and this seems just like a normal baddie. But things get even worse when one of Buffy's own turn the sides and after a mistake they take the side of the Mayor, creating a very uncomfortable and threatening enemy to the slayer. The relationships keep on building, with Willow and Oz, Xander and Cordelia, Buffy and Angel, and... Giles and Joyce? Willow loves Oz, but is still attracted to Xander, and Xander has grown an attraction with Willow even though he is dating Cordelia. Soon, that leads to trouble and breakup. Buffy and Angel begin to realize that their relationship is doomed, and with the troublesome Faith in town, Buffy has competition for all of her men- best friend Xander and boyfriend Angel. For sure, this season has a good storyline that is not as great as season two, but it can surely hold its own.
Second, the cast is great still, and they are only getting better as the show goes on. Sarah Michelle Gellar makes Buffy a likable and lovable girl who is really just human, and her choices she realizes effect her whole life. Gellar can be confused, happy, sad, and scared, plus be convincing above it all. Alyson Hannigan and Nicholas Brendan play the friends who don't know how to act around Buffy, each other, or really anyone. Hannigan is a perfect match as a best friend for Gellar, and Brendan can always be the guy you love, or the guy you just want to kill. Anthony Stewart Head still acts as the grown supervisor to Buffy and her friends, but we also get to see the wild side of his character and have fun with it. Head can be a child or a stucky librarian. Seth Green and Charisma Carpernter both are just perfect for their roles, and are both so funny with their witty lines. Kristine Sutherland is the motherly type and very convincing. Harry Groener is a different type of villain that distinguishes him from the Master and Angelus because he is a typical guy with a very evil streak. The real season stealer is Eliza Dushku, with her unforgettable Faith character. Dushku proves that she can act, as a confused girl trying to fit into the world, even if it means murder. The cast is great, and Joss Wheadon once again leads a crew of magnificent writers, and with his imagination, you have a great show.
Lastly, the special effects of this season are amazing. For a television show, there sure are a lot of effects that really capture you and amaze you. The magic spells and flaoting objects are cool enough, but heads splitting open, giant snakes, really fat vampires, alternate dimensions, and of course the improved vampire dusting. On the DVD there is a whole featurette on the special effects of the show and how they are done, which is pretty interesting.
In conclusion, this is a great show that will make your jaw drop for sure. Whether its the clever story, great acting and writing, or the spectacular special effects, Season Three is a must for any true Buffy fan. Loaded with tons of extras, this box set is unbelievable. Don't miss out on the best of the best, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Complete your collection today!

Season Three of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (BtVS), for me and many other fans, was the high point of the series to date (though the current-and-final seventh season may yet manage to outdo it). There are several reasons for this:

1.) It featured BtVS's most memorable villains, the rogue Slayer Faith and the enigmatic Mayor Wilkins, and wove them into an ongoing story arc that remains the most compelling in the history of the series.

2.) It featured some of the best character development in a series that has distinguished itself by strong character development. Buffy, Angel, Giles, Willow, Xander, Oz, Faith, and even Cordelia are explored in captivating detail. This is one season when everybody got their chance to shine.

3.) The intensity of emotion that runs through this season is remarkable and often gut-wrenching. Part of the reason everyone gets a chance to shine is that everyone is put through the wringer. Episodes like "Dead Man's Party", "Beauty and the Beasts", "Lover's Walk", "Amends", and "Enemies" grab hold of your heart and twist it mercilessly, as the characters live out their all-too-believable suffering on screen. Few shows have so many actors who are so good at conveying emotion as the BtVS cast, and their performances in this season were phenomenal.

4.) Oz rocks! The guitarist who won Willow's heart in Season 2 really comes into his own as one of the Scoobies in Season 3. Which is a good thing, because about half a dozen episodes into Season 4 he's gone for good. :( Enjoy the unique, delightful humor of the Scooby Gang's resident werewolf while he lasts.

5.) Faith rocks, too, but she's been reviewed in detail elsewhere, so I won't waste space here.

6.) The Big Finish. The two-part "Graduation" is one of the best, most satisfying season finales in Buffy history; only the season 6 finale "Two to Go"/"Grave" has come close to matching it. Watching the way our heroes deal with their private fears and personal issues while preparing for Armageddon is just flat-out great television, and the climactic battle is unmatched by any other fight in the history of the Buffy-verse.

Consistently strong from beginning to end, Season 3 currently stands at the pinnacle of achievement in the annals of Joss Whedon's cult-hit creation. A must-have for every Buffy fan!

While many people claim that Season Two is the best season ever of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I favor Season Three instead. It features the introduction of fan favorites Eliza Dushku (as Faith, a renegade Slayer) and Emma Caulfield (as Anya, former "patron saint" of scorned women) as well as a keeps-you-guessing storyline. Season Three is also the most consistent season - there are no "stinker" episodes like Season Two's "Bad Eggs" or Season Four's "Beer Bad."

This set contains all 22 episodes of the first season. They are:

"Anne" - After sending Angel to hell at the end of the previous Season, Buffy has run to L.A. and changed her name, abandoning her Slayer responsibilities. But when someone she's previously helped recognizes her and asks for her aid again, can she refuse?

"Dead Man's Party" - Buffy's back, but not all is right. She's still expelled from school, and her friends have some serious repressed anger that's just waiting to burst out. And then there's the zombies that crash her "welcome home" party...

"Faith, Hope and Trick" - Eliza Dushku (Bring It On) appears as sexy new Slayer Faith, whose camaraderie with Buffy's friends makes her a bit jealous. It also features the introduction of Mr. Trick, one of the funnier (and one of the few black) characters to appear on Buffy.

"Beauty and the Beasts" - Angel's back from Hell slightly feral and werewolf Oz may have been getting out of his cage during the full moon. When there's a series of brutal murders, Buffy and Willow have to consider the possibility that one of their boyfriends is the culprit.

"Homecoming" - One of the funniest episodes of Buffy ever, along with "Doppelgangland" (see below). Buffy and Cordelia are in a no-holds-barred race to become Homecoming Queen. But they're soon in big trouble when Homecoming coincides with Mr. Trick's new big game event, Slayerfest '98.

"Band Candy" - Another hysterically funny episode, in which a batch of magically enhanced candy makes all the adults in Sunnydale act like irresponsible teenagers - including Giles and Buffy's mother Joyce.

"Revelations" - The Scooby Gang has found out about Angel's return, and are not happy with Buffy for keeping it a secret. And Faith's new Watcher, Gwendolyn Post, arrives in Sunnydale.

"Lover's Walk" - James Marsters returns as a lovelorn Spike, who's lost Drusilla to a Chaos Demon. When he kidnaps Willow and Xander, and forces Buffy and Angel to work together with him, you know badness is going to ensue...and it does in a heartbreaking conclusion.

"The Wish" - Enraged by Xander's betrayal and her social ostracism, Cordelia wishes that Buffy had never come to Sunnydale. Little does she know that vengeance demon Anya (Emma Caulfield) is there to make it come true. Suddenly she finds herself in a world where Willow and Xander are vampires and the Master rules Sunnydale after dark.

"Amends" - When the ghosts of Angel's past victims appear to torment him, Buffy must find out what is doing this. Also, Willow and Oz reconcile.

"Gingerbread" - When Joyce finds two children's bodies, apparently killed by witches, the town gears up for a massive witch hunt. Buffy and Willow find themselves caught in the middle of it.

"Helpless" - On her eighteenth birthday, Buffy finds herself losing her Slayer powers. When her mother is kidnapped by a psychotic vampire unleashed by the Watcher's Council, Buffy must save her armed with only her wits.

"The Zeppo" - While Buffy and co. stave off yet another apocalypse, Xander finds himself hanging out with a bunch of zombies, saving the school from being blown up, and...losing his virginity!?

"Bad Girls" - New Watcher Wesley Wyndham-Pryce makes his appearance, and Faith shows Buffy a walk on the wild side that ends in tragedy.

"Consequences" - After the deputy mayor's death, Buffy and Faith find themselves feeling trapped and scared. Faith takes a decided turn for the worse, and joins forces with the cheerfully evil Mayor of Sunnydale.

"Doppelgangland" - A spell performed by Willow and Anya brings Vampire Willow from the world of "The Wish" (see above) to normal Sunnydale. Hysterically funny; the highlight has to be when Willow masquerades as Vampire Willow.

"Enemies" - Faith shows her true colors when she and the Mayor ask a demon to remove Angel's soul, returning him to the soulless vampire Angelus.

"Earshot" - Buffy gains telepathy after killing a demon, and hears a death threat aimed at the school's students. Unfortunately, the ability to hear others' minds is slowly driving her insane.

"Choices" - The Box of Gavrok, an item essential to the Mayor's Ascension, arrives in Sunnydale. The Scoobies manage to capture it, but in the process Willow is kidnapped. Stop the Ascension, or save Willow?

"The Prom" - It's prom time again in Sunnydale. But when hellhounds trained to attack people in formal wear are unleashed, Buffy must put her plans on hold to stop them. Also, Angel decides to break up with Buffy.

"Graduation Day, Parts One and Two" - The climactic two-part season finale. When Faith poisons Angel, the only cure is the blood of a Slayer. Buffy goes after Faith, but only succeeds in putting her in a coma. Angel must drink from Buffy to survive. And, of course, the Mayor Ascends into a gigantic snake.

The growing trend up until this point was that Buffy the Vampire Slayer seemed to get better after each season. The first season was a great start to the show, the second season was amazing, and the third season somehow managed to become even better. Over the course of the rest of the show, there would be some fantastic seasons. But, season three has managed to remain the best season of the entire show.

The relationship between Buffy and Angel is brought to a whole new level in this season, because of the events that took place in season two. Season three also introduced a beautiful and renegade slayer named Faith(Eliza Dushku) whose love for killing would eventually cause her to become an excellent villan, as well as the evil mayor of Sunnydale ( Harry Groener)that would definately practice the age old metaphor of "killing people with kindness". The suspense for season three is intense, because there is a countdown throughout the season that comes to a head on Graduation Day in which the mayor wishes to ascend to a higher level of being to destroy the world. There were so many great episodes in season three, that it is hard to choose a favorite. There were so many in fact, that 20 out of the 22 episodes were fantastic. The overall direction of season three was fantastic, and each episode seemed to build off the last one. Among season three's best episodes are - "The Wish" ( my all time favorite episode), "Dopplegangland","The Zeppo","Lover's Walk", "Band Candy", "Homecoming", "Lover's Walk", "Revelations", "Amends", "Earshot", "Prom", and "Graduation Day" PTS.1&2.

Overall, this is a must for any fan of the show. This would be worth owning just for the season itself. However, the DVD set is fantastic as well. You get commentary on several episodes, as well as five featurettes, and more.

A solid 5 stars...

I know many consider this season to be one of the best, if not THE best. I don't fully agree, because for some reason I prefer Season 2 over this one. I'm not quite sure why - oh, who am I kidding, I have a pretty good idea. Although the second season had more than a few duds among the episodes, I loved the introduction of Spike (James Marsters) and Drusilla (Juliet Landau), Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Angel (David Boreanaz) consummating their relationship, only to have the gypsy curse that was bestowed on him turn him evil and back to the malevolent Angeleus. Angel on the dark side was refreshing after the mushiness of their slayer/vampire forbidden romance. The conclusion of Season 2 had Buffy killing Angel after his soul had been restored in order to stop the opening of hell. Unable to deal with the heartbreak of killing her lover, Buffy fled Sunnydale and began working as a waitress in LA going by her middle name. She tries to ignore her calling but finds herself drawn to helping Lily (Julia Lee, who appeared in Season 2 episode "Lie To Me" and in future episodes of "Angel"), and she again saves others from evil and it makes her realize it's time to head home. Unfortunately, her running away left her mother, Watcher and friends feeling betrayed, hurt and excluded. Buffy must deal with this, along with the fact that she was expelled from Sunnydale High and must work hard to prove herself upon her re-admittance.

The slayer also attempts to have a "normal life" once again with dating a regular guy, Scott Hope (Fab Filippo) but somehow, Angel returns to the earthly plane after being tortured in hell and his soul has been restored, leading to more angst and conflict for all concerned.

I think my main problems with this season were that the Buffy/Angel romance began to feel really redundant and seemed to have lost the spark that it had in the first two seasons, and Spike only appears in one episode, despite being featured on one of the discs. I got that Buffy and Angel are doomed and can never be mostly because of the fact that they cannot become intimate again or else his evil, souless side will be unleashed again. But it seemed like Whedon and company were hitting us over the head with it. It was getting so tired that I was relieved when Boreanaz spun off to his own series, "Angel". I really think Spike should have figured more in this season, but, I shouldn't complain since he becomes such a vital part of the Scooby Gang later on.

Now I'm going to gush. I LOVE Spike, and "Lover's Walk" was probably one of the best episodes of the season. At this point, he's a vicious vampire with a vulnerable side, especially when it comes to love and needing a mom (both of which is foreshadowing the future, as Marsters becomes a series regular starting with the fourth season), and a sense of humor to boot. Also, his speech to Buffy and Angel on how they can never just be friends will love each other until it kills them both (not to mention his barbs at Angel for being "all soul having again") could really be yet another forerunner of what was to come later between him and Buffy.

The series costume designer, Cynthia Bergstrom, admitted that the wardrobe choice for Buffy this season was a bit, well, questionable. Some of the coats and jackets she sported, not to mention the out of character purses and handbags, didn't come off well onscreen.

More on the positive side, some of the best villains make the rounds, the Mayor of Sunnydale (Harry Groener), black vampire Trick (K. Todd Freeman), psycho former watcher Gwendolyn Post (Serena Scott-Thomas), fellow slayer Faith (Eliza Dushku), who starts off as a friend but gets too easily drawn to darkness, and the introduction of the First, the powerful evil that will be fought in the seventh and final season. The First has the ability to take on the appearance of dead people (in the episode, "Amends", Angel is tortured by the the people he killed, including teacher Jenny Calendar (Robia LaMorte) a former gypsy whose people put the curse on Angel, and Giles's (Anthony Steward Head) ill-fated love interest in seasons 1 and 2). Giles' friend turned foe Ethan Rayne (Robin Sachs) also makes an appearance. Oh, and we get to see Buffy's old nemesis, the Master (Mark Metcalf) in "The Wish". "Band Candy" is probably among the most humorous episodes (although humor pretty much always plays a part in every installment), it was a hoot to see all the adults (including Principal Snyder, portrayed by Armin Shimerman) act like teenagers, or more specifically, the teenagers of their era (Giles was so great - and hot! - as a 60s type dude who made me think of the "kitchen sink" British dramas of the period). I also enjoyed a look back at Angel's history (and also Spike's later) which began in Season 2 and would continue throughout both shows.

The other scoobies, too, have their great moments. Some have said that Xander (Nicholas Brendon) was a jerk at times in this season and I agree, but I think it gave Brendon a chance to show more range, and I think he could have played darker a bit more often (like in season 1 episode "The Pack" and this season's "The Wish"). He's still priceless as a goofy, geeky guy, and kind of sweet, but I like seeing him with an edge. He and Willow (Alyson Hannigan), who is also dabbling in Wicca (discovering the powers that will make her even stronger), discover their attraction for one another after years of friendship, but it's ill-fated when their love significant others, snobby but perky Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and werewolf/musician Oz (the adorable Seth Green) discover Xander and Willow a liplock. Carpenter too, shows more versatility in her scenes in the hospital after she's impaled in "Lover's Walk" - just like Gellar and Hannigan, she can break your heart. It was a good choice to have Cordy join Angel in LA, and I think the character of vengeance demon Anya (Emma Caulfield) was clearly being set up as a replacement for Cordelia (for the comic relief, as well as a love interest for Xander). Willow's vamp alter ego is also a revelation, and I think it was a great choice to let Hannigan play that in two episodes, "The Wish" and "Doppelgangland" (and vamp Willow is yet another foreshadowing device for things to come). New Watcher Wesley Wyndam-Price (Alexis Denisof, who also spun off to "Angel") catches Cordy's eye for a while after she breaks up with Xander leading to more humorous and touching interludes. Faith's attraction to darkness comes across like gang-busters too and her relationship with the Mayor is like the father and daughter of hell, in an interesting way.

Buffy's mom Joyce (Kristine Sutherland) is also fun to watch, with the exception of her massive overprotectiveness of Buffy, which grates on one's nerves after while. In "Band Candy", "Lover's Walk" and "Gingerbread" she gives her own brand of humor. Another anvil that is dropped is the mention of "little sis" by Faith, which will figure at the end of season 4.

I have to say something about episode 18, "Earshot" (which features recurring character Jonathan, played by Danny Strong), since it was yanked by the WB because of the Columbine Massacre. I guess the network felt it was necessary to air it later due to the tragedy that occurred, but I don't think it would have been an outrage had it aired right then. Buffy is able to hear people's thoughts, and in doing so, she stops Jonathan's plan to carry out a school shooting. If anything, that was positive rather than negative, and empowering in a way.

Once again, in the last few episodes, were are told by people, including the mayor no less, how Buffy and Angel's romance can go nowhere. Clearly setting up Angel breaking up with Buffy and moving to LA, I got the message more than once, heck, pretty much all season long. I almost wanted a clean break so Buffy could move on already. I did like Willow and Oz finding their way back to each other and becoming intimate, the opposite of Xander and Cordy's relationship, which was pretty much dead from when she saw him kissing Willow. As I said, Anya becomes Xander's love interest not long after. Although Xander did finally lose his virginity to Faith in "The Zeppo". Speaking of Faith, Buffy does manage to defeat her, but it's hardly a triumphant moment, in fact, it's quite sad because we know that Faith hasn't had an easy life and lost her way. Fortunately, Faith makes guest appearances in both "Buffy" and "Angel" in the future and is clearly an important part of Buffyverse.

This season ends with a two-parter, "Graduation Day" the Mayor's Ascension, leaving our herione, the scoobies and Angel (who was poisoned by Faith, which can only be cured by the Slayer's blood), fighting against the evil (and vampires of course) and Angel leaving as Buffy watches (he had called it quits with her in the previous episode, "The Prom"). Bangel fans got some angsty, heartbreaking and somewhat erotic romantic scenes when Buffy gets Angel do feed on her blood in order for him to survive. Oh, and we get to see Sunnydale High destroyed (remember how you used to bemoan the fact that you had to go to school?).

In conclusion, I don't rank this season as my favorite but it's pretty good and a vital part of the series.

I think Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one fo the greatest dramas ever. From all the seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer I've seen however (I haven't seen seven) this has to be my least favorite. Primarly for reasons not even related to the show's story quality. My major gripe with this season was that it was visually bland and dark with colors so annoyling drab I could barely watch some episodes (luckily ever other season has fantastic colors and visual style). The seasons colors seem to be just made out of over-dark greens and grays. I am perfectly fine with visual darkness (when used effectively and in the right spots and isn't overused on a grand scale) but I also need visual variety and to some degree brigtness. The literal darkness of the season turned me off visually for many episodes. I have this same gripe with the show Angel which in my opinion is stuck in overdarkness for seasons 2-4. This isn't just because of the DVDs either (considering the visual flaws, the technical apects of this dvd are relatively good) because seaosn 3 looks even worse on tv. Even relatively bright episodes like Earshot have an annoying greenish and grayishness to them. I don't know if this is just me but season 3, visually, is a disaster.

Now to my storywise gripes with this season. The Buffy/Angel relationship felt doomed and dragging, the overall arc wasn't interesting and lost momentum, and the bad girl Faith lost appeal because of the "let's save her" attitude taken on by her friends and the visual style which seemed to somehow upstage Eliza Dusku's fantastic acting. It would have been best to not make any effort to humanize Faith and have the other characters treat her like a straight sociopath. Also the high-school setting was getting old. Also some very interesting villians (a la Mr. Trick) were underutilized. And some not so great villians (a la the mayor) were overutilized. Also the finale episode's big battle didn't make sense and had horrible effects (but was fun).

Now to what was good with the season. There are a number of standout episodes espicially the parallel universe ones and Earshot. Also the season opener is fantastic and Lover's Walk (Spike's brilliant season 3 cameo) ranks among one of the greatest episodes of Buffy. The character of Wesley was a great addition to the show (but lost all his charm on Angel when he went from a "caricature" to a dark, brood, and "complex" "character" an unwise decion). Principal Snyder remains in my opinion one of the greatest and funniest Buffy characters ever (and since he's not shown too much in the dark the visual flaws don't affect as much. Also his resembelence to a ferrangi (well he plays Quark on Star Trek Ds9, who I believe shares a loveable ruthlessness with Snyder) just made him more funny. Ever time I saw him I started expecting him to spurt out quotes from the rules of aquisition or give a lecture on profit. The main character's development is okay. I lost all my real caring for the Buffy/Angel realtionship, Faith was a lost cause from the begininning, and Xander and Willow were meant for eachother, but I loved what they did with Giles's character.

The extras are great, but some of the commentaries are hard to watch due to the fact that some apply to some of the visually blander episodes.

Do I recomend it, yes.

Do I guarantee you'll enjoy it visually, no.

But it's still Buffy, it's still quality and you still have to see it.

Maybe these visual flaws are only noticed by me or don't apply to anyone else, who knows.

This was a good season, there were some great episodes, the introduction of the sultry bad girl slayer Faith(Kendra's replacement), and a great big bad the Mayor. There weren't many stand out episodes but this season had a lot going for it.

Faith was a welcome addition to the scoobies. We had always known that Buffy didn't want the burden of being a slayer, but Faith was the first idea of what would happen if a slayer were violent and vindictive. She seemed like a savoir for Buffy at first, she could take over the job as slayer for Buffy. She enjoyed slaying to the point that she felt hungry and "aroused" afterwards. Her life wasn't an issue as it had always been spartan, so she adjusted to it because she felt it was what she did.

The Mayor is one of my favorite big bads. He was evil, but with a smiling face. A man who believed in family values, civic duty, pure living, but worshipped otherwordly beings and was planning on ascending to become a true demon, a giant dinosaur like creature. The dymnamic between him and Faith was precious in the latter parts of the season, but I don't want to give anything away to those who haven't seen it.

The other scoobies felt change as well and grew as people. Xander and Willow both go through various relationship ups and downs. Angel returns and the gang accepts that he is no longer angelus even though the memory of the pain he caused is still freash in their minds.

There were only a few bad elements of this season. 1. They didn't really explore Faith's character enough. She felt sometimes like a bit of a cliche, well acted, but still a bit cliche. 2. there weren't many standout episodes, but it made up for it that the ones that did stand out were excellent. 3. They had an intersting henchman, Mr Trick, that seemed to leave the show too quickly.

Highlights of the Season
Faith Hope and Trick: The introduction of Faith, the rebel slayer. They find that she is running from something, a very old vampire and his lacky Trick.

Band Candy: Funny episode with the return of Giles's nemesis Ethan. The group is coherced by the principal. to sell band candy for the school. But the adults that buy it have strange reactions. They start acting more and more immature and irresponsible. It is some sort of ruse to keep the town distracted for a ritual by the mayor.

Revalations: A new watcher, Gwendolyn Post, comes into town to take over Faith's training. She is also looking for a strange gauntlet with magical powers to destroy it before it can be used by dark forces. But the question is brought up, has angel really come back good, or does he have an ultimatum?

The Wish: Cordelia decides that all her problems stem from Buffy. So she makes a wish, that Buffy never came to Sunnydale. Unfortunately she makes it to a "vengence" demon in disguise, anyanka, that grants the wishes of scorned women. This creates an alternate reality where the master was never stopped and rules sunnydale, Xander and Willow are vampire, Angel is a toy for the Master, and people in Sunnydale live in fear.

Gingerbread: great, albiet a bit strange, episode. While Buffy's mom is watching over her on patrol, she finds two dead children with a symbol of magic on them. She becomes obsessed with them and destroying the occult mennace in Sunnydale, going as far as book burning and witch hunts.

Helpless: An example of how cruel and dangerous the watcher counsel can be.

The Zeppo: For all those who wondered what Xander's worth was in the group. It shows what happens to him on a mission they decide is too dangerous for him to participate in, very funny episode, good ending.

Revalations: A new watcher, Gwendolyn Post, comes into town to take over Faith's training. She is also looking for a strange gauntlet with magical powers to destroy it before it can be used by dark forces. But the question is brought up, has angel really come back good, or does he have an ultimatum?

Dopplegangland: The return of the alternate vampire version of Willow. For all those who liked seeing Willow in leather, here it is again.

Earshot: This is a strange episode where Buffy is infected with the blood of a demon, and it gives her their telepathy. But she can't control it, and starts loosing it from not being able to silence the thoughts of everyone she comes close to.

Graduation Day part 1: Angel is poisoned by Faith on orders from the Mayor to keep him from meddling with the Ascension. It needs the blood of a slayer to cure the poison, Buffy decides to use Faith's.

Gradutation Day Part 2: The day of Ascension is at hand, the scoobies feel that they are facing their doom. They don't know for certain what is going to happen and how they can face it. But they band together with the graduating class to try and stop the Mayor, who is giving a speech at their graduation.

It has a great plot and character development. 8 out of 10. The show has been a hit since day.I enjoy watching all the characters and the demons they fight.The acting is great, and like the first one there is drama and action.I enjoyed Faith and Anya.This season arc was great don't get me wrong but I enjoyed the first two seasons a little more.Buffy is just as vivid and witty as she's always been.I really reccomend you get this season on dvd; it has 6 discs and an episode guide with alot of bunus footage.If your into vampires or just want something like Dawson's Creek then this is the show for you.(8/10(...)Willow, Xander and Oz continue the business of vampire slaying and wonder where their friend and leader Buffy has gone. Buffy takes a job as a waitress in Los Angeles where she is living in a dumpy apartment and going by her middle name, "Anne." Meanwhile, back in Sunnydale, Giles tries to figure out where Buffy is as well and Buffy's mother Joyce blames the Watcher for her daughter's disappearance. After fighting the evil Ken in LA, Buffy decides to return to Sunnydale. Unfortunately, she arrives and her duties are immediately thrown into motion. During Buffy's senior year at Sunnydale high...
The Scooby Gang fight a demon named Ovu Mobani that came from a demon mask.
We meet another new Slayer (brought on when Kendra was killed) named Faith. Buffy gets a new man named Scott Hope.
The gang fights against two vamps named Kakistos and Mr. Trick.
Angel returns. We are introduced to a killing machine Dr. Jekyll.
A homecoming battle ensues between and the Scoobies and an international gang of vamps and demons lead by Trick.
A cursed candy causes everyone in Sunnydale to act immature.
Faith's Watcher, Gwendolyn Post, seeks the Glove of Myhnegon for evil doing.
Spike kidnaps Xander and Willow in order to get Willow to cast a spell that will make Dru love Spike.
Cordy wishes that Buffy had never moved to Sunnydale creating an alternate reality created by demon Anyanka.
Angel is convinced by a demon that takes the form of his former victims to kill the Buffster and himself.
Two children are killed. The mothers of Sunnydale start an organization called Mothers Opposed to the Occult.
Buffy must fight a ferocious vampire without her powers during a Watchers Council test.
Giles is pink-slipped from the Watchers Council.
A crew of demons wants Xander to join their dead gang. Xander ends up having a one-nighter with Faith.
Buffy gets her new watcher Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. Faith kills the Mayor's aide.
Faith becomes an unruly killing machine.
Evil Willow returns when Willow attempts to get Anya's powers back.
Faith moves in on Angel. The evil mayor wants to dust his own soul to get more powerful.
Buffy acquires ESP and learns of a plan for a couple of students to go on school shooting rampage.
The mayor's new evil powers increase in strength.

Angel gives Buff her walking papers. A pack of hellhounds disrupts the Sunnydale prom.
Faith nails Angel with a poison arrow. The only cure: Slayer blood.
Buffy allows Angel to suck her blood nearly dry. The Scoobies take down the serpentine mayor as Sunnydale high is destroyed.
At the season's conclusion, Faith goes into a coma. The Scooby Gang goes to prom and graduates from high school. Angel, and Cordy leave for Los Angeles.

"Buffy's third season has 22 worthy episodes that advance the show's mythology as they entertain, and the DVDs boast good extras."
-- Forrest Hartman, RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL