Review of O.C.: The Complete Third Season (Box Set)

Introduction

The O.C. (Orange County for those unfamiliar with the jargon) is a soap.

There. I`ve said it. It may look glossy and be full of beautiful and wealthy teens in wonderful houses, set against wonderful Californian backdrops. But it`s still a soap. A completely addictive, often unlikely, frequently entertaining soap. But then, that`s partly why it`s so damned popular, particularly with the teenage girls in my house.

Season Three sees all those beautiful and privileged trouble-causers in their final year of High School. It`s a show that`s easily compared to Beverly Hills 90210, though `OC` allows itself to drift down some fully-grown up sub-plots with the parents too, making it all feel a little bit more grown-up. `High School Musical` with a touch of `Dynasty`.

Season three begins just after Marissa`s (Mischa Barton) shooting of Ryan`s (McKenzie) brother Trey (Logan Marshall-Green). Things aren`t looking good, and in the main part get bleaker as the series progresses. Seth (Brody) seems to be about to give up on high school after messing with drugs. Sandy (Gallagher) seems inent to do whatever it takes to be successful in business.

But the show is certainly not without some happiness and warmth (it`s a close knit community after all) and there`s always a healthy dose of humour to counter the melodrama. Not to mention how great everyone looks too, despite the troubles and trevails that life has wreaked upon them.

Generally Season Three of any show is notoriously difficult. All the initial impetus goes, along with all the good ideas, and frequently a change in cast and crew. I have no idea how Season Three compares with previous seasons, though it cetianly doesn`t feel like a series running out of steam. To the contrary, the entire series seems like a giant drum roll for series four.

The 25 `hour-slot` episodes included here all take the almost Shakespearian drama ever closer to graduation day (which makes up the final cliff-hanging episode. My two teenage daughters lapped up every moment of it and by the end of the box were both declaring it the greatest series ever.

It might be worth mentioning that the generously packed (4 episodes a disc) seven disc set is nicely packaged in a slip-case with four `thin` double Amray cases inside, housing the discs.

Video

The episodes are presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The quality is breathtakingly good, with no signs of compression blocks, despite a generous four `hour long` (minus the ads) episodes per disc. Fantastic!

Audio

Dolby 2.0 and beautifully mixed. Music is an important aspect to the general atmosphere of `The OC` and they seem to always get it just right. All dialogue, effects and score are first class.

Features

With so many episodes packed onto each disc, and at such high quality compression. I`d have been surprised if the Producer`s felt the need to pad out the extras, and they haven`t.

What`s In A Name?
This is a little featurette showing where the various names came from for the series which, in truth, reveals that most are friends or relatives of the writers and producers. Some of the originals are featured here too. Fine if you have time to kill.

Making Of The Subways Video
The making of a music video with guest band `The Subways`.

Conclusion

Wow! So this is `The O.C.`, a show full of beautiful, rich people with complicated lives. I joined in (with the encouragement of my teenage daughters) here on Season Three, which I`m told is not a patch on Season`s 1 and 2.

From a new-boy`s perspective though it all seems perfectly correct and present though, with completely addictive storylines, a compelling and sparkling cast, and all set in the wealthy side of California`s Orange County where life is a beach …and then you die.

The picture quality throughout is stunning, with major production values lavished on every episode. This may play out like a daytime soap but it looks like a major feature every time, with a quality soundtrack to boot.

At 25 episodes, the set is fantastic value for money too. It won`t be to everyone`s tastes but if you like the sounds of `Dynasty for Teens` then perhaps it`s time to give it a go.