For it's third season, Smallville continued to make for good television, taking even more risks with the well known Superman mythology and turning it inside out a bit. Even though we know what happens to Clark, Lex, and Lana in the end, the series makes the the trip more interesting, because your not always sure what will happen while on the path to their destiny.
Still under the influence of Red Kryptonite, Clark Kent (Tom Welling), now calling himself Kal, continues to work and play in Metropolis. His parents, Jonathan (John Schnieder) and Martha (Annette O'Toole), are desperate to get him to return home. Jonathan makes a deal with the esscense of Clark's Kryptonian father, Jor-El (voiced by Superman movie alum Terrence Stamp), that will have reprecussions down the road. Lex Luthor's (Michael Rosenbaum) fate was left unclear by second season's end as his "wife" Helen (Emmanuelle Vaugier) put him in a dire situation. His return marks a turning point in, not only their relationship, but the one he has with his scheming father Lionel (John Glover)--their games with each other continue. Knowing Clark's secret isn't the only thing that's troubling pal Pete Ross (Sam Jones III) Chloe (Allison Mack) may live to regret going against Lionel. Lana is injured in an accident and meets Adam Knight (Ian Somerhadler) who shakes things up for her and Clark. Other highlights include Asylum, where three former foes return. Clark meets two men slated to impact his future: Perry White (Michael McKean) and Morgan Edge (the great Rutger Hauer) We learn more about Lex's past in Memoria and Dr. Swan (special guest Christopher Reeve in his last appearance) has a visit from Lionel in Legacy.
The season did have a few "clunkers", every year does, but they were few and far between. The show's producers also made sure the epispdes continuing plot threads were clever enough to be entertained by them. The third season DVD box set contains all 22 episodes and a wealth of extras in the same vein of the season two set. There are 3 episode commentary tracks: Exile, Memoria, and Truth, featuring either the show's producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, cast members Glover, Rosenbaum, and Mack, as well as directors James Marshall and Greg Beeman. These are fine tracks Rosenbaum is always a kick to hear from. I wish there were more of them though. There are quite a few deleted scenes from selected episodes with optional commentary. These are good to see but offer nothing earth shattering in terms of plot. The featurette Producing Smallville: The Heroes Behind The Camera is a nice look at the folks who make it work from week to week. Allison Mack starring in The Chloe Chronicles: Volume II - Webisodes from season 3 is ok but I liked volume one better...A brief but fun gag reel, an easter Egg has cast member Michael Rosenbaum interview one of the crew as they role play for a DVD interview in a fun exchange, and DVD-ROM capabilities with links to the show's website tops off the set. A season 3 episode guide booklet is also included.
Smallville season 3 is another winner of a box set.
An absolute MUST HAVE DVD!
Product Details
- Starring: Tom Welling
Encoding: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
Format: Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Box set
Rated: NR
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: November 16, 2004
Run Time: 950
DVD Features:
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
Audio commentary on three episodes by the show's producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar and cast members Michael Rosenbaum, Allison Mack and John Glover.
All 22 episodes from the 2003-04 season
Audio commentary on three episodes by the show's producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar and cast members Michael Rosenbaum, Allison Mack and John Glover.
Producing Smallville: The Heroes Behind The Camera - a behind-the-scenes featurette
The Chloe Chronicles: Volume II - Webisodes from season 3
Unaired scenes with optional commentary
Gag reel
Easter Egg - cast member Michael Rosenbaum interviews one of the crew as they role play a DVD executive interview
DVD-ROM capabilities with link to Smallville website
Number of discs: 6
Amazon.com Sales Rank in DVD: #238
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