Angel-
The Complete Third Season
(Fox Region 1 DVD Boxed Set)
(2001)
review by Head Cheeze

The second season of Angel reintroduced Darla (Julie Benz), the vampiress who sired Angelus. That season presented their lives in flashback form, showing both their love for the vampire lifestyle, as well as subtle hints of a wild and wreckless love between them. Like a blood-sucking Bonnie and Clyde, Angelus and Darla ravaged the world. Then a funny thing happened; Angelus got his soul back. The two suddenly found themselves on opposite sides of the fence, and, in defense of his beloved Buffy, Angel killed Darla. The evil law firm, (is there any other kind?) Wolfram & Hart, revived Darla through mystical channels in an attempt to lure Angel back to the dark side-a tactic that almost worked. Angel, who was still racked with a sense of guilt for killing Darla in the first place, shut out the rest of the world and began to embrace his suppressed dark nature, and found himself back in the arms of the woman he once loved...

Of course Angel snapped out of it and Darla, feeling confused and betrayed, fled into the underground leaving the door wide open for a shocking return in season three.

This time, however, she has an even bigger surprise for Angel; she is pregnant with his son!

I'm not a huge fan of the main story arc for Angel Season Three. First off, I've never liked the Darla character, nor do I enjoy the flashbacks to Angelus' early days simply because they show off the series' budgetary restraints. However, I do like how this turn of events effected the series direction, especially after the birth of Angel's son (dubbed Connor) and the return of a demon hunter named Holtz who has lived in stasis for a hundred years since Angelus and Darla massacred his family. There's also a massive fallout between Angel and Wesley that results in the latter parting ways with Angel Investigations, as he's presented a tempting offer to join the ranks of Wolfram & Hart.

Season Three features fewer stand-alone episodes than seasons passed, which may make it difficult for new viewers to get the gyst of what's going on, but makes for a more compulsive viewing experience. Having the set on DVD is both convenient and dangerous, seeing as how I found myself watching up to five episodes in one sitting, such is the nature of this inherently watchable series.

The Season Three Boxed Set from Fox presents all 22 episodes (in widescreen anamorphic format!!!) along with a virtual potpourri of extras. Supplementals include commentary tracks on three episodes, deleted scenes w/ optional commentary, three featurettes, audition footage, a blooper reel, stills gallery, and more. This is, by far, the most feature-packed Angel set yet, and is still priced right at just south of $60 bucks.

For Angel fans, this review is pointless since they're probably sitting at home waiting for it to arrive in the mail as we speak. However, I implore those of you who've not yet seen the show to give it a shot. While I can't recommend you start with this particular boxed set, seeing as how much of the series mythology is on display here with little-to-no explanation, do yourself a favour and view this series from the beginning. It's simply the best show on American television right now, and just keeps getting better.