Dynasty: the Third Season [DVD] [1982]

If you've seen Season Two, you'll know what to expect here. This Season builds on the fun. Thankfully, where the American and Canadian versions are split across two volumes, European fans are treated to a COMPLETE season set. As it should be!

THE SHOW

Leisurely as the pace is, it looks beautiful, and most of the plots this year are ones that Dynasty is remembered for. Each episode has a plot or a moment that would be guaranteed water-cooler talk.

HIGHLIGHTS THIS YEAR INCLUDE:
-A marriage so short, Britney Spears should be taking notes. Start counting the seconds as the ring goes on!
-Several new characters - including the proverbial long-lost son (devious Adam), Krystle's ex-husband (or is he?) and Joseph's cute but determined daughter Kirby - who sets her sights on Jeff.
-A new face for an old favourite - every bit of melodrama is squeezed out of it too, with plastic surgery in Singapore.
-Alexis becomes the most powerful woman in Denver - and plans to destroy her enemies.
-The "roaring twenties" grand opening of Fallon's hotel, La Mirage.
-A plot to drive Jeff insane - - by painting his office with poisonous paint (yes, really)!!

AND OF COURSE

-The infamous "lily pond catfight" - arguably Dynasty's most famous moment of all time. Quaint as this may seem, it's also notable for being the first time the word "bitch" was allowed to be used on American network tv

The show never takes itself seriously, and doesn't pretend to be highbrow for a minute. The emphasis is on the fun.

THE PACKAGE

A large clamshell keepcase, within a beautiful sleeve, decorated with images from the show. A perfect match for Seasons One and Two. As before, the episode guide is viewable inside the case.

Sadly, no bonus material at all (in fairness, there wasn't any on the half-volume Region 1 sets either, but something - ANYTHING - would have been nice. The disc holders are rather fragile, but fortunately, mine arrived intact. Handle with care.

A rather retrogressive move on the menu - no option to "Play All". Season 2 had it, so why not Season 3? It's a shame to interrupt a Dynasty marathon by going to the menu between each episode. Having said that, the images on the menu look nice, there's a good choice of languages for subtitles, and the chapter stops are perfectly placed, as always.

Of course - as mentioned above, - CBS/Paramount UK score points for giving us a complete season at a very reasonable price (and very soon after Seasons 1 and 2, as well - with "Series" 4 available to pre-order now). Keep up the great work guys.

Overall, a great package at a very keen price. Grab it - before Alexis sets her sights on it.

Season 3 is when Dynasty really gets going. Alexis, now a wealthy woman in her own right after marrying Cecil Colby on his death bed, is intent on ruining Blake's company and his marriage to his beloved Krystle, and now she has a new partner in crime: long lost son Adam. Poor old Jeff is still running around after Fallon, Alex's lip gloss gets more orange and more glossy by each episode, as she goes shoulder pad to shoulder pad with Krystle, and anyone else who gets in her way. Steven reappears with a new face, and this season sees the return of the glorious Sammy-Jo, as well as the introduction of new character, Kirby. These people knew how to bling it when P. Diddy was still running around in short trousers, and the sets and costumes are still impressive, nearly thirty years on. For fashionistas, you will notice how many of the outfits and looks suddenly look fashionable again - the 80's are back. And long may they reign.

couldnt wait to watch these dvds, just as great as i remembered it the 1st time around, cant wait for the next series