Rating: 
Summary: The beat goes on...
Review: As an unabashed fan of "Queer As Folk" I waited a long time for the arrival of season 3 on DVD. I was particularly compelled by the season 2 finale, so I very eagerly caught up with season 3 when it was released last month. For the most part, the show has maintained and even built on the things that make it work. It is beginning to show some signs of a sophomore slump, though. More than once the slow pace and repetitive plots left me bored, only to win me back."Queer As Folk" is the kind of show that will eventually be deconstructed in gay studies classes. Those who dismiss it simply do not realize how groundbreaking it really is. Gale Harold heads the cast as the delightfully non traditional Brian Kinney, whose values seem to be a hybrid of 80s corporate greed and 70s free love. He is a gay supremacist who won't behave the way straight people want him to, even while he feeds off and even reinforces straight values in his work life. Love him or hate him, he is one of the most original gay characters ever. His character is humanized by his lifelong friendships with Michael (Hal Sparks) and Lindsay (Thea Gill), a lesbian who is raising Brian's son with her partner Melanie (Michelle Clunie), and by his on-again, off-again relationship with Justin (Randy Harrison). The friends live their lives against the backdrop of Liberty Avenue, a fictional Castro-like neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Critics blast the show for suggesting that all gay men are promiscuous. There is some validity to the concern, because all the male characters on the show are regular club goers, most have engaged in one night stands and several have been depicted in group sex scenes. However, the criticism hits a snag when you consider the following: all the female characters on "Sex in the City" engage in promiscuous behavior, and no one thinks all women are like those characters. Both shows present a particular aspect of urban life, and do not purport to be universal or exhaustive in their depictions. They are also both shows that rely pretty heavily on fantasy and idealized situations and characters. I know some people who are like Brian Kinney and Samantha Jones, but they are the exceptions in life. My one criticism of the show is its tendency to repeat certain plot types. Many of the developments this season have been done before, in slightly different realizations. There are things to love though. I still can't get enough of the offbeat pairing of Ted (Scott Lowell) and Emmett (Peter Paige) -- chalk one up for the bizarre pairing of Rosenkrantz and Gildenstern! I felt tied into knots by the end of the season with those two. I give all the credit to Peter Paige -- he draws me in every time. Also, I still find myself fascinated by the countercultural values of Brian. Some of his speeches this season belong in sociology class -- he's a provocateur. Gale Harold gets my vote as the most underappreciated actor working today. I think he's excellent. Still love the show. Still waiting on season 4!
Rating: 
Summary: Not just another season, a revalation
Review: I will review on the DVD itself when I get my hands on a copy. Right now I would like to share my thoughts on season 3 itself. Season 3 even though it was shorter, did alot of things with the lives of the characters & storylines. Justin deals with making a decision only to have it blow up in his face (Ethan) & then decides that he wants Brian. Justin also realises that Brian does love him, but Brian doesn't have to say it. Because Brian always showed him that. Actions speak louder than words. I feel like Justin matured even more in this season. Ted turns into Blake pretty much & gets addicted to crystal which obviously devestates Emmett. We watch Ted's actions tear apart his and Emmett's relationship as well as his relationship with his friends. The whole season will have you in suspense with the whole Stockwell case. Brian is helping Stockwell, the biggest homophobic candidate for mayor of Pittsburgh, get elected. But in the end, well I won't give it away. But from episode one to fourteen, there are no fillers, just lots and lots of a great show that will keep your eyes glued to the screen. The cast is as amazing as ever, they all have such amazing chemistry together. Plus season 3 is where Brian & Justin reunite for one of the best Queer As Folk episodes ever. There's just alot of big AND little things that happened in this season that make it just as solid as seasons one and two even though it was alot shorter. Season 4 is definetly an anticipation for me & the official premiere is April 18th, 2004 10PM EST. Don't miss this season on DVD & don't miss season 4!
Rating:
Summary: QAF Season 3
Review: There is only one word to describe season 3--fabulous. The cast definitely comes of age during the 14 episodes. It also brings to the forefront social issues that confront our community on a daily basis. Season 3 is successful in making two points about life that is universal whether you are gay or straight. They are: 1) Stand up for what you really believe in. 2) Without taking risks, you will never accomplish anything worthwhile. And who can forget Debbie's classic line in the last episode--"mourn the losses for they are many, but also celebrate the victories for they are few". Fabulous.
Rating:
Summary: QAF (Growing Up)
Review: I was pleased to purchase season three and even more pleased to watch all fourteen hours in one sitting (leaving me late for work the next morning.) The third season is all about growing up. I have read the reviews and I see people are upset by the "dullness" of the season when in reality it is the most exciting.
Season three shows every character growing and rounding out their characteristics and behaviors.
The character Brian begins to take a stand on what is important and though most people do not like him, I admit he and Melanie are my favorites.
Justin also takes a stand and this time he stands up to someone who hurts him. And as he says, "Brian never made me promises, you did." I think people have been forgetting that broken promises can be as heartbreaking as anything else.
Melanie and Lindsay this season take a very interesting turn. Lindsay becomes much more dominant and Melanie seems to have a new respect for her partner that shows in her decision making. Onto Ted and Emmit. I adore Ted's character (he is most like the gay men I know, insecure but wonderful.) His dark fall into the world of drugs should be seen as acting gold. And Emmit's support of a lover and his own heartbreak (and career moves) are thrilling. Though he does seem to play the abused housewife. Michael and Ben. Oh, what to say. This relationship grows the most this season. We see a loving couple grapple with issues from work to home and overcome them all. I adore both characters and this season shows their personalities in sync. One thing I miss and of course thank you womever for mentioning it... Michael and Brian's friendship has been pushed to just three or four scenes out of the entire season. I am hoping season four will pick their friendship back up.
Rating:
Summary: As potent and sexy as ever!!
Review: QUEER AS FOLK [Season Three] (USA 2003): Justin's relationship with Ethan is compromised by his continued feelings for Brian, despite the fact that Brian is now working for a right-wing mayoral candidate whose 'family-friendly' policies have begun to affect the lives of everyone on Liberty Avenue. A brush with the law brings Ted's world crashing down, leading to a rift in his romance with Emmett, while Michael and Ben take responsibility for young street hustler Hunter, who complicates their lives. Mel and Lindsay decide to have another child, and Debbie struggles to gain justice for a gay teenager whose murder wasn't properly investigated or resolved. Still potent and sexy, and still fired by a nice line in sarcastic wit, the third season of "Queer as Folk" is a marked improvement over the rudderless Season Two, with a greater emphasis on drama and social issues than ever before. There's still plenty of comedy (Hunter's first encounter with Brian is as funny as it is profane), and the raunch factor is as strong as always, but the stories are no longer dependent on mere shock value, and are linked by the machinations of a corrupt former cop whose political ambitions have a direct bearing on the lives of the central characters. With only 14 episodes this time out (as opposed to 22 in Season One and 20 in Season Two), the narrative turns darker as it progresses, as various characters reach a crossroads in their relationships, and an unsolved murder leads to a series of dramatic revelations. Gale Harold still dominates proceedings as Brian, an ambiguous character whose contempt for the world is matched only by his love for the friends with whom he shares it, but the entire cast is given room to shine, and they seize the opportunity with a vengeance. In such a strong ensemble, Harris Allan (Hunter) stands out as the hardened hustler whose abrasive personality masks a profound desire for companionship and acceptance, while ultra-sexy Fabrizio Filippo - whose character (Ethan) demonstrated the greatest potential for recurrent storylines - is sadly wasted in a minor role which concludes rather too abruptly (still, you get to see him naked in Episode One!!). Elsewhere, Jack Wetherall (Vic), Makyla Smith (Daphne) and Sherry Miller (Justin's mom) make strong but fleeting appearances, and there are brief cameos from several other QAF alumni, including Dean Armstrong (Blake) and John Furey (Justin's dad). The scripts are stronger, tighter, and more focused than ever before, and the whole thing culminates in a glorious finale that's VERY different from previous seasons. A triumph. Showtime's 5-disc DVD presentation comes in fancy, sturdy packaging and contains a ton of extras which focus more on the technical crew than the cast members (three seasons into this show, and there are still no definitive on-camera interviews with the main actors!). Picture quality is a little grainy in places, and the surround soundtrack is fairly subdued for the most part, though used aggressively during nightclub sequences. Executive producers/co-writers Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman are joined by principal cast members for a picture-in-picture audio commentary on the final episode, a joyous gathering which provides a very real sense of the easy attitude and familial bonds these talented individuals have clearly cultivated amongst themselves. As with the Season Two box-set, viewers are advised that the 'Next on QAF' sections in each episode's sub-menu contain spoilers, particularly the one for the season finale, which just about gives away the entire plot!! 664m 38s (14 episodes)
1.78:1 / Anamorphically enhanced
Dolby 5.1
Closed captions
Region 1
Rating:
Summary: Another great installment of this addictive show
Review: When this show first came out, I had no interest in watching it.. I dismissed it as a soap opera with the vapidness of Will & Grace (not to mention reinforcement of totally lame stereotypes) + a bit of nudity for the more prurient among us. 3 seasons in and I'm happy to be wrong. It seems that every season there seem to be some really good story lines, and a couple of totally lame ones. This season's lame one has got to be Ted's crystal meth addiction - how many times will Ted fall off the self-esteem wagon and wallow in self-pity? It's old. However, the continued development of Justin - originally one of my least favorite characters, he's gotten the bulk of the character "growth" thus far - and the strengthening story line that followed Brian's work on the Stockwell campaign made up for the other bland storylines. I was a bit disappointed that this season had 5-6 fewer episodes than the first two, but the DVD package was well worth the money and I added it happily to the first two seasons.
Rating:
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: 
Summary: Entertaining R-rated soap opera
Review: Although I'd seen a handful of episodes from seasons 1 and 2, the third season of the American "Queer as Folk" is the first season I've seen in its entirety. And although I'm nowhere near as smitten with the show as a lot of my gay friends are, I do admit that the show is very fun and entertaining. The most interesting thing about this season was watching the development of Brian, who is by far the most three-dimensional character on the show. In the beginning of the season, still smarting from his breakup with Justin, Brian's behavior is cold and cruel, and yet by the end of the season we see him willing to bankrupt himself in order to keep a homophobic candidate from becoming city mayor. In one particularly telling episode, where Brian is accused of molestation by his horrific 12-year-old nephew, we get a glimpse into Brian's family life, and it starts to become apparent why the character would have become so hardened. His relationship with Justin, rekindled by the end of the season, becomes more interesting as well, because it becomes apparent that, although younger, precocious, sneaky Justin is in many ways Brian's match. If you take away the graphic sex scenes (which, I'm not going to lie, I do appreciate), what you're left with is a show that reminds me a little bit of Beverly Hills 90210: attractive, sexy, (mostly) likable characters who tend to have a penchant for substance abuse and romantic drama. So as an entertaining, sexy nighttime soap opera, the show works. However, as a groundbreaking, seminal drama, HBO's excellent "Six Feet Under" is still light years ahead.
Rating:
Summary: Prostitution, Politics and Pregnancy
Review: I suppose you could add accusations of pedophila to the list as well. Season Three featured a mere 14 episodes (disappointing after seasons 1 and 2). At about 45 minutes per episode, then racks up to only 10 1/2 hours of the brilliant but pompous Brian, the beautiful Justin, the too often pathetic Ted, the delightful Emmett, "Mel and Linds" - the token lesbians, the too often winey Michael, professor Ben, the artful Ethan, street hustler Hunter, and of course the outraguous and outspoken Debbie. Ok, so do I like it or not? I love it! Kudos to Showtime, and the performers for bringing what I refer to as "ground-breaking television". Seasons 1 and 2 were riveting. Season 3 missed the mark, but I hold the producers and directors accountable for that. The season lacked depth, seems as we never really reached deep into the story lines. The ensemble cast is wonderful, and for the most part, we all know someone who fits each characters role - to some extent. I've never met Ted in my life. I was about to write this reveiw after seeing 13 of the 14 epsiodes - but decided to wait until I completed the 14th and final episode of Season 3 (I own the DVD collections and do not get Showtime). Because, and almost only because of epsiode 14, I give the season 3 FOUR STARS. Without, 3 at best. Somehow, we finally got focused again on what this show is all about. Love and life in the GLBT world. Debbie's closing words to Emmett are the reason why we NEED Queer As Folk (don't read ahead if you haven't seen the show yet): "Mourn the losses because they're many; but celebrate the victories because they're few". Another reason we need this show is to REMIND us what it is we are supposed to be doing - standing up and speaking out for our rights! If we don't keep doing, someone WILL come along and take them away. Support Queer As Folk, and support Showtime. Though many episodes may not exactly portray your reality of gay life, remember this is only television, and television rarely portrays "real life" (especially those reality shows). But in our culture, there are nightclubs, bathhouses (or back rooms), overbearing Moms, young people on the streets, people living with HIV, politicians who would rather see us dead, and so on. Queer As Folk is reality and each show is a reminder of our community. If you don't like the gratutious sex (and I for one could manage to see far less anonymous sex on the show), ask Showtime to produce a non-cable version. Does all this sex happen in our community? I don't know because I don't partake in it, but I beleive in many of our larger metro areas it does. So indeed, it too is reality. Buy, rent or borrow Queer As Folk - it's not only for gay men either!
Rating: 
Summary: Are you people taking crazy pills????
Review: You've got to be kidding me? This show started with promise but has become arguably the worst hour of television on the tube. Horribly written by cliche-riddled lunkheads, it's both sophmoric and utterly predictable. i don't care about the controversy it kicked up with its promiscuity or how some complained it doesn't reflect the entire gay community. Who cares? It's stories are abyssmal. I could string together more realistic dialouge by typing blindfolded. And that stupid rushing camera movement every five seconds...blow me. This could have been a show on the scale of The Sopranos and Six Feet Under. Instead it's just gay Melrose Place, but with less intrigue and intelligence. Embarrassing to say the least. The writing staff should be sent back to school after being fired outright.
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