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Queer as Folk - The Complete Third Season (Showtime)

Queer as Folk - The Complete Third Season (Showtime)

List Price: $109.98
Your Price: $82.49
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Another great season, great character development
Review: Everyone has a strong opinion on this show. I for one thoroughly enjoyed season 3. My review, without spoilers:

Scott Lowell's performance as Ted addicted to crystal meth is outstanding. Peter Paige also does a spectacular job as Emmitt, Ted's boyfriend, trying to deal with the addition. This saga within the series is one of the best parts of season three.

That being said, I could have done without Hunter: was he added to the show simply to have a twink on hand now that Justin is maturing? Also, I would love to see just ONE episode where it isn't necessary for the cast to get their freak on at Babylon, the disco.

I cringe when I see the illicit, casual sex and casual drug use on the show. I will respect the writers' decision to include it, as it's part of gay life. But the writers could be more inclusive of the diversity of opinions in the community by adding a character that is opposed to casual sex and recreational drug use. They do exist!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Better than Season 2
Review: I was ready to give up on Queer as Folk after Season 2. I'm tired of seeing how many positions, how many partners, how many ways Brian can have sex. But this Season, amid Brian's constant need to quench his lust, there were storylines and plots that were interesting. Emmet and Ted's relationship hits a rather rocky spot, from which there was no turning back. Debbie's relationship also becomes strained....while Michael and his professor take in an HIV + hustler. Brian has to deal with the consequences of his terrific work in advertising for a client who is bent on destroying Pittsburg's gay community. There are plenty of things going on this season with the character's, including Lindsey and Mel, which made this season, though shorter, much more interesting for me. I'd love to see the writers and directors back of the sexual content (not completely) but enough to focus more on the characters and other facets of the gay community. It seems anytime they do focus on another part of the gay community (such as a bear/leather bar) it is with comtempt and negativity. Anyone who is gay or has gay friends know that "Queer as Folk" certainly doesn't emcompass the complete gay experience. But for the next season it would be nice to see QAF expand their horizons beyond the pretty boys we see on a regular basis.

As far as the extra features, there is plenty there. Photo galleries, a cool music video, behind the scenes with actors, etc. Overall, if you are a fan of the show, you'll definitely wan to add this to your dvd library. A season worth watching....let's hope they give us more story and less sex in Season 4!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Queer As Folk Continues To Please
Review: "Queer As Folk" continues entertaining audiences as proven in this DVD set. When the show debuted on Showtime in 2000, many wondered how long it can maintain its surprise and shock value. Before its debut, only "Will And Grace" and "Ellen" had expored GLBT issues to such heights. This offered issues that the community can relate to. It's since earned numerous nominations from the GLAAD (Gays, Lesbians, and Allies Against Defamination) Awards for Outstanding TV sitcom. The third season proves that it sustains its great quality while comprising new and interesting ideas. It expresses many views that many unfortunately consider taboo and places it into their faces in great magnitudes. Such daring techniques earn the cast and crew tremendous respect for doing what many would never consider. The third season explores numerous issues for the first time: politics, hustling, drug abuse, and others. The brilliant plot continues to entertain audiences as it has in the past.

Those who have watched the first two seasons will notice some change in events and settings. An unexpected hero arising to save a town from being led by a homophobic mayor candatite and crystal meth beginning to tumble the life of an unexpected man are only two events that will shock and mesmerize longtime fans. Justin's break-up, the future of "Rage" comic book, and if best friends Ted and Emmitt's relationship blossoms into romance. Viewers will notice a broader prospective on HIV/ AIDS as Ben suffers a life crisis after his friend/ ex-boyfriend dies of AIDS, leading to steroid use, and helps a 15-year-old hustler, later discovering they can relate to each other more than they planned. Such chilling chain of events and others lead to a surprising conclusion that leaves audiences anxiously awaiting for season four.

The variety of personalities within the characters offer greater viewing entertainment. Without it, "Queer As Folk" wouldn't have as much impact. The actors express their individual character's traits wonderfully. Michelle Clunie (Mel), Thea Gill (Lindsay), Robert Gant (Ben), Scott Lowell (Ted), Peter Paige (Emmitt), Gale Howard (Brian), Hal Sparks (Michael), Randy Harrison (Justin), and Sharon Gless (Debbie) star. Their talents alone greatly express the characters' development throughout the season.

After viewing the whole season, those pleased with the DVD set should also watch the bonus features. Kristine W.'s new music video is great to dance to. The features and facts about the show's background and the creation are interesting. Viewers will learn about the creation and the secrets of Babylon, the actors' history before and during the show, and more. Specials on some actors' activism, participation in gay parades, autograph signing festivals offer more of their background on their acting influences.

"Queer As Folk" third season edition proves that it will remain on the air for a while longer. This series of episodes is sure to pleases audiences. Those interested in this should watch the first and the second season first. Otherwise, the chain of events will be confusing.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great show
Review: Regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation, compared to most of the bland drivel on television this is just a great show.
As well as the gay issue, which is pretty much dealt with in all the other reviews, i think this show succeeds largely due to depthful characters, well written scripts, and artful shooting. A quality series.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: johncharles
Review: we have a television station here in australia that has been broadcasting this series from the first eposide of series 1. i have also got the dvd's of the english version which has been fairly closely followied . the series has been excellent from the time justin decided to go for it. pity brian could not be perswaded to tell jason he loves him. ted is a bit of a deadhead (nice one) michael is a creampuff and annoying in that it is time he let brian go for good. pity ethan was cast out. maybe he may come back. he did not deserve to be elimated by one encounter. overall this is a great series and my hat goes out to the actors and writers producers for there efforts. they should all be given medals for their service to all male and femail gays.the 3 rd. series is still running here so i am hoping all will turn out the best for all of us thanks to the boys and girls charles

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: What Were They Thinking?
Review: As a middle-aged, intelligent, experienced gay man who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s and who has seen gay culture from all angles, Imust admit up front that I have never found QAF all that compelling or revelatory. Season ONE was good (for the most part) in its depiction of the emptiness and shallowness of gay bar culture (a fact which I am sure is mirrored in straight bar culture as well). The characters were introduced well and their interactions rang true. The more negative aspects of the bar scene were not glossed over, though I have always questioned more fervent supportersof the show why they feel this is a *good* thing for us. The bones I found to pipck were relatively minor: [(no characters involved in ANY spare time activity related to AIDS or to other charity; not a single major male character with facial hair (EXTREMELY unrealistic!!); no focus on gay men over 30 (a SERIOUS omission yet to be corrected); little or no focus on the aftermath of the AIDS epidemic.]

Season TWO started the downhill slide, with Ted's slide into the Internet porn business serving notice that dramatic creativity was going to take a back seat to titilation and an easy backdrop for puns and one-liners that would have made me cringe in high school. And the lesbians started their slow fade into the background - a fade that we all pretty much knew was coming...

But Season THREE I found truly incomprehensible - and ultimately insulting. The emphasis on venality and exploitation of others reached new highs (or lows, depending on your point of view) and I found nearly ALL of the characters becoming LESS likeable or worthy of respect.

A previous reviewer made salient points regarding the near-exclusive emphasis on sex and drugs in this series by its major male protagonists - a complaint that I echo strongly here. Certainly most of the sexual interaction in this series is gratuitous and does nothing to further either the character's development nor their relationships with others. (Certainly Brian is one of the most UNappealing gay characters I have ever encountered in any genre and his psychological motivations for his seeming 'against character' actions ring painfully false and contrived.) The drug use (apart from Ted's self-loathing-motivated descent) appears at random and fades away, to little effect or, seeming, purpose. Aside from Ben's actions in trying to 'save' the male prostitute, the characters are completely self-absorbed and narcissistic. The most appealing characters get little screen time or story lines. And it seems the easy road is taken regarding characterization - characters are either cardboard stereotypes or walk-ons who appear briefly, then fade away when no longer required, their story lines left dangling (Ethan).

The Titanic is approaching the iceberg at full speed. Season FOUR will determine whether the inevitable happens or whether there is a last-minute course correction that saves the ship and returns us to a more satisfying and realistic voyage through the complex world of gay friendship and relationships.

Hopefully, (...), the course correction will begin. But Season THREE stands as example of the need for some serious rethinking of the series AND its characters directions.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A must see
Review: I am a huge fan of Queer As Folk and this season I think is the best of all three so far. For instance the writers have decided to focus more on the story lines and characters other than the spe (sex per eposoide).

In this season you find Emmett and Ted in some pretty hard times, Brian risking it all, Melanie and Lindsey looking for their own little miracle, as well as Hunter, Michael and Ben finding the true meaning of a family, and last but not least Justin finally growing up.

I was compelled by this season and it's a must see for anyone. The series itself is ground breaking and pushes the limits. I've never seen things done on television before that this show does. After watching one eposoide you'll fall in love with these characters and never miss another eposoide again.

I own these dvds and watch it over and over again because it's highly addictive and the acting is superb. Everytime I watch it I'm completely blown away by the actors and the way they devliver their lines. It's definately worth the money and it's something you'll love to watch over numerous times.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Give your cash to a charity instead
Review: Showtime has claimed this show is groundbreaking. Season 1 was. Season 2 it became predictable. Season 3? Gilligan's Island had more value.

The writing and directing became pedestrian. I can't fault the actors for appearing bored. What they were given was laughable and embarrassing.

The show has a "cult" following comprised of mostly women. Not the audience that Showtime and the producers had expected. Unfortunately the show has turned into a bad nighttime soap opera with male nudity as it's claim to fame. It pretends to be tackling serious issues which are pertinent to the gay community, but ultimately does it in such a hackneyed way that these important issues become simply bad plot devices with little substance.

Often compared to "Sex and the City" it never rises to that level (no pun intended). The humor tends to be juvenile in nature and the friendships with little depth.

The actors have gained a certain amount of notoriety amongst the "fans" yet are, on the whole, unknown outside this show. Not a good sign for their future career moves.

If you can borrow this from someone you'd be better off than buying it. Unless you're a rabid fan you'll see the enormous holes and find yourself wishing you'd spent your money more wisely. Better yet, give your cash to a charity of your choice. You'll feel a lot better about yourself.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Still addictive
Review: QAF will certainly never reach Switzerland so thanks to DVD's. I own all 3 seasons and simply can stop watching. I tell myself "keep an episode for each week and make it longer". I can't ! I watch them in a row then start again. Fabulous cast ! To be honest, don't like all the plots and I find season 3 too rough, too underground and less "real life". Some plots are hard to believe or not really worth it. Still, dont' miss this season !!! Keep it going !!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Only 4 stars because of the story dragging down
Review: Even though the story started dragging this season, it's still a brilliant show with outstanding acting. It's nitty gritty and to the point and those who think the gay community doesn't act like this on a regular basis is either living in a guilded cage and never leaves their house or they live in a city of 25 people, bolted in the closet and doesn't realize what the real world is like and they really need to visit San Antonio on a regular basis.

Anyway...the DVD is great, the transfers are beautiful with slight pixel funk on the black tones in some scenes. The menus are easy to navigate, but, the only problem I have with all of the sets is the pumped up music on the audio. When you watch the DVDs after midnight when everyone else in the house is trying to sleep, riding the volume control on the remote between scenes isn't fun. To me the best and greatest addition on the extras by the BigWigs was including the Kristine W. video, "Some Lovin'"...originally used as a promo for the show at different times between the movie gaps on ShowTime. Awesome song and very entertaining video of the cast just having fun, with some of them showing some very impressive dance moves. For those few that haven't watched it yet, the blonde toward the end of the video is actually Peter Paige in drag, which I didn't catch until the 2nd time I watched it.

For the DVD collector and QAF lover, this set is totally worth the cost.


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