DVD Review: Girlfriends: The Third Season

In the series first two seasons Girlfriends seemed to focus on the humorous side of jobs, romances and life in general. As season three unfolds, Girlfriends still has some funny moments but deal with some decidedly more dramatic issues. The girls and their male friend deal with new relationships, divorce, work discrimination and even AIDS.

Keeping relationships together are a central theme of Girlfriends: The Third Season. Joan starts the season in search of a new boyfriend. She has a chance meeting with an actor named Ellis Carter (Adrian Lester) and they have an on and off relationship all season. As with all of her prior relationships, there is a lot of bickering and she tries not to "go all Joan on him." Joan's attempt to be supportive is put to the test in "Blinded by the Lights" when Ellis asks her to the premiere of his new movie but requests that they pretend their not together so he can maintain his single status. While Joan tries to be the supportive girlfriend, her female friends don't approve of her sacrifices.

After admitting to having and affair during the second season, Maya is having all kinds of marital difficulties. In the season premiere, "Coming to Terms" Maya is still struggling to get Darnell to talk to her after a month apart. The couple eventually seeks counseling from their minister but don't find it helpful. Despite a brief romantic tryst, Darnell announces he wants a divorce. After that, Maya is forced to deal with the issues of being single and raising a child.

Meanwhile, Toni meets the perfect man a rich, plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Garrett. However, he has some faults that Toni seems to bring up at every turn--he's short and white--though the doctor obviously brings her great happiness, the fact that she can't change his height or race bothers her some. In the episode, "Happy Valentine's Day...Baby?" When Todd gives Toni a Valentine's Day card with a picture of an African-American couple running on the beach hand-in-hand, she freaks out and immediately worries that Todd is only with her because of her race. She is unable to read between the lines and understand what Todd is really saying. The two do get married in a beautiful two-part wedding episode at the end of the season.

Lynn Searcy is the aimless one. The big news this season is Lynn gets a job! In "Don't Leave Me a Loan," the girlfriends "help" her prepare for her interviews--by wrestling her to the ground and forcing her into a wardrobe change, as well as offering emotional support. Lynn also meets her biological mother. After an old friend reveals she has AIDS, Lynn decides to make a documentary about the disease and its affect on the African-American community.

William Dent is the best male friend a woman could have. He's funny, helpful and he listens. During the third season, William starts to date Monica (Keesha Sharp) a woman who wants to push William to the top of hid profession, no matter the cost. He later has a fling with a woman named Sharon Upton Farley (Anne-Marie Johnson) who got the partnership he wanted at his law firm.

The third season of Girlfriends effectively mixes humor with dramatic situations to create an enjoyable program to watch. The writing is solid and all of the actors seem to work well together.

The video on Girlfriends: The Third Season is presented in widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The picture is fairly clear, with only some occasional side graininess that shouldn't affect the overall viewing experience. The audio track is in English Dolby digital stereo sound. This release also supports closed captioning.

Special features include: "It's What You Wear That Counts" (17:24): is an interview about the show's wardrobe. It features Mara Brock Akil, Stacy Beverly, Jill Marie Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Persia White. The focus is on Stacy Beverly, who is responsible for Girlfriends wardrobe. "Here Comes The Bride: An Invitation Inside "The Wedding" (20:52): is an interview about the season finale and all of the key season three moments leading up to it. It features Mara Brock Akil, Salin Akil, Jill Marie Jones, Reggie Hayes, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Persia White. The discussion focuses on Toni and Todd's relationship.