Customer Reviews

Kyle XY: The Complete Third And Final Season

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I discovered Kyle XY via Hulu recommendation and from the pilot episode, I was hooked. Kyle XY is a love first, sci-fi second series. And by love, I mean all facets of it from familial and neighborly love to romantic love. It delivered well-balanced messages of respect and caring without being preachy. The sci-fi element that was woven into the story added a touch of excitement and kept the viewer on edge. It reminded me of Dawson's Creek meets Seventh Heaven meets Smallville. It wasn't perfect, but I soaked in every episode and after the shocking season three conclusion, I needed to know what happened.

Although I'd already seen all the episodes in the third season, I got the DVDs because I read in a producer's interview that there would be a special bonus feature wrapping up the show's loose ends. One hour long show meant to wrap up everything wouldn't be what I'd hoped for, but it would be better than nothing. Right? Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

The season three DVD set includes 3 discs with each episode from the final season. The third disc also has some bonus features. One of the features is "Kyle XY: Future Revealed." As I anxiously awaited the final world-altering episode, my hopes were dashed when it turned out to be a fifteen minute interview with the producers explaining how the story's various threads would have been tied up had the show continued for another season. In fact, all the information they shared was already provided through various written and video interviews posted online and broadcast on TV. Basically, we're told what would have happened, with a few episodic clips thrown in for good measure, but it's still rather unsatisfying.

Also on the DVD are some deleted scenes spanning a few seconds to a couple of minutes each and don't get fooled by the "Sneak Peeks"--they are previews for upcoming programs and not sneak peeks for any future episodes of Kyle XY.

It would be lovely if the writers and producers could collaborate on a book which wraps up the Kyle XY storyline or even a full-length made for TV conclusion to the series, but I'm not holding my breath. To sum up, if you're looking for closure to the Kyle XY series, you probably won't get it on these DVDs.

TV fans frequently castigate FOX for the long string of premature cancellations of potentially (or actually) great shows over the past fifteen years. They have built up a great deal of ill will with fans, with many people refusing to give FOX series tries because of a lack of confidence that they will stick with the shows. The damage done to FOX by their quick trigger finger is difficult to calculate. Until recently, I was loathe to watch any show on the network, so intense was my anger at them. Thankfully, things seem to have changed somewhat. New FOX head of programming Kevin Reilly -- who built a reputation at NBC for his patience with critically acclaimed shows with weak ratings, shows like FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, 30 ROCK, and THE OFFICE -- seems to have brought a similar patience with him. While shows like the marvelous TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES have been cancelled, he can't be accused of any silly cancellations that we saw with he predecessors.

But just as things have been improving at FOX, so things have been worsening at ABC. In fact, ABC seems to be determined to become the new FOX. The most shocking cancellation was unquestionably PUSHING DAISIES, which was not only one of the most critically acclaimed shows on TV, but led all shows for most nominations at the 2008 Emmys. They cancelled at the same time the delightful ELI STONE and later managed to cancel a substantial portion of its entire schedule. Now ABC Family has joined the party, cancelling network mainstay KYLE XY.

KYLE XY was not one of the best shows on TV. The writing was not as sharp as it could have been and the overall story arc seemed to drift at times. Nonetheless, KYLE XY was for three years a series I watched with ongoing interest and enjoyment. I loved the Trager family and was increasingly enjoying the surprising love triangle between Kyle, Amanda, and Jesse. I've also had an ongoing interest in shows featuring technologically altered people, such as Max in DARK ANGEL (a character Kyle resembles in some ways) or Jake in JAKE 2.0 or River Tam in FIREFLY.

I didn't care for Jesse much in Season 2, but I not only came to like her character in the current season, but actually enjoyed the complexity of the surprising love triangle that resulted as Kyle came to recognize her romantically. I have no idea how that would have ended, but it would have been delightful to find out. Another romance on the show seemed more likely to remain ended, as Joss's girlfriend Andy moved with her mothers to Cleveland. Magda Apanowicz, who played Andy, got a role on the BSG prequel CAPRICA, a much higher profile series. But the whole question of Amanda versus Jesse was left completely in the air.

I think all the television networks should commit themselves to a pact with their audiences. Over the years dozens and dozens of shows have been cancelled in midstory. When most shows were episodic rather than serial in format, this didn't matter. But virtually all shows worth watching -- and all of the shows I watch, without exception -- are serials. They tell an ongoing story. PUSHING DAISIES will end (as of this date the final three episodes have not been broadcast) with a host of story arcs dangling. The same is true of ELI STONE and KYLE XY. I think television would improve, ratings would improve, and attitudes towards networks would improve if all the networks would vow to allow all television series to have a proper conclusion. This could be done either by allowing a series an extra 2 or 3 episodes to wrap up the story or a mini-series or made for TV movie (or even a direct-to-TV movie) to do the same. As it is, I have immense anger towards FOX (though that has been dissipating somewhat the past couple of years) and a growing anger at ABC and ABC Family for scores of irritating cancellations. Let the series finish what they started!!!! In addition to all the other advantages, it would increase DVD sales. One of the reasons why WONDERFALLS is so satisfying on DVD is that while it was cancelled by FOX after four episodes, 13 were filmed and appear on DVD, the final episode providing a very satisfying ending to the short series. Right now when networks cancel a series, they just leave things in a mess.

But I also think that executive producers need to stop ending each season with a big cliffhanger. If you know a show is safe and that it has been renewed, a cliffhanger is not irresponsible. But I think it is stupid to write a cliffhanger for a show that is on the fence or in signficant danger of cancellation. I loved VERONICA MARS, but Rob Thomas knew the show was at risk of ending. He should have ended the show with something that could have served as a series ender in case it was cancelled. There is an important precedent for what I am suggesting. Even though BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER was able to end on its own terms, Joss Whedon felt that there was always a possibility of cancellation. So each season of BUFFY (and most seasons of ANGEL) end in a way so that it could have stood as a series finale.

Still, when networks cancel shows after work on the current season has ended, then they ought to allow some sort of ending. This is certainly the case with KYLE XY. There was simply no opportunity for the writers to provide anything like a series ending. At the very least ABC Family should have ordered three more episodes with the understanding that they would be the last.

I hope that whoever does the hiring and firing replaces the programming people at ABC and ABC Family. It isn't just that the networks have a string of bad shows; they are cancelling the best shows simply because the ratings are weak. If you have a critically acclaimed show, you always have the potential to build an audience. But if you replace it with crap, you have neither critical acclaim nor potential. As things stand, once LOST is finished, I may be finished with ABC as well, with the lone caveat that I'm anxious to see what they do with the pilot that they are developing for FABLES, based on the extraordinary comics by Bill Willingham. But apart from that, ABC has become the network from which I have the least expectations.

Alrighty ABC - I hope you all see this. This is a bunch of BS! How could you get everyone started on a great show like this and call it quits!Get a beautiful romance between Kyle and Jesse and then cut us off... Do things go back to normal? Who does he choose, jessi or amanda? when he chooses one what happens to the other? Where is his family? are they okay? I am boycotting your program/channel or anything ABC Family or plain ABC until you give me a fix on Kyle XY... You guys can't just stop a season like this in the middle - especially one that was getting as good as this one. You guys should have atleast ended it with one or a couple of your "ABC family original movies". What kind of morons run a channel like this? I am outraged and I will boycott this stupid channel until I have this problem resolved. If anyone reads this one please support in the ABC Family boycott until Kyle XY is resolved, I will not buy season three, I do not want to "hear" about Kyle XY "future revealed" I want to SEE the future revealed, I want to see the actors doing what they do best, I want to see their facial expressions, I am just saying that I want more and that ABC has left me wanting - but nothing other than this show!

Kyle XY is one of my favourite sci-fi shows ever. To me I rate it on par with the Highlander series with Adrian Paul. As the series continued it got better and better until the ABC Family decided to cancel it due to what it said was not high enough ratings. What they did not understand was everyone I knew Tivoed the series to watch it later. Now I don't know if Tivo's are part of the Nielson ratings but it should be. Many people I know cannot watch shows during the week and wait until the weekend to watch the shows due to their busy lives.

ABC Family has been removed from my list of TV channels to watch due to the cancellation of this series. It was not fair not to end it after 3 seasons and taking a year off between screenings and expecting people to stop every thing to watch it. When everyone Tivo's their shows.

ABC IS BIG ON QUITTING A REALLY GOOD SHOW BEFORE IT REALLY ENDS. THEY DID

IT TO LOIS AND CLARK YEARS BACK. MOVED THEM FROM THIS DAY TO THAT AND THEN SAID THEY HAD LOST THEIR RATING.!!THANK GOODNESS I HAD COPIED IT!!

AND OF COURSE I COPIED KYLE XY. VERY GOOD SHOW.. DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT

WAS WRITERS OR COST FOR THIS ONE. SAME FOR FLASH GORDON, AND ANOTHER FAVORITE--ELI STONE WITH JOHNNY LEE MILLER. I'M 82, GREAT GRANDMA 9X,SO AM I IN MY 2ND CHILDHOOD, OR JUST DIDN'T GROW UP, CAUSE I LOVE THESE KID SHOWS!

I never watch TV series during the regular season and I didn't know this was the final season until I purchased the DVD. I had no idea how the story ended, or more precisely how it didn't end. What a major disappointment! Despite this, I felt the writing was the best of all 3 seasons specially the relationship between Kyle and Jesse.

What a complete rip off. This so called Season 3 is actually the second half of the Second season. A terrible end to an awesome show.

It came out in Australia weeks ago, long before the release date of the USA. So, i didnt find out about this till it was in the dvd player.

And the so called never seen before features are exactly the same as my copy of season 2, (which is a US copy). Even the front cover is the same. Just a different colour. Boooooo. Now they've realized they were on a good thing with the show, now they will milk it for all its worth.

Corporate Losers. Just an out-rage i tell you

This series had so much promise but, when the third season rolled around and they knew it was going to be canceled, they left the audience hanging. They had a place they could have cut it off but did not. The writers, producers, etc. were entirely unfair to their audience and deserve to be booed and boycotted, but alas, only the station it was broadcast on got the boycott in my home because there were too many people involved to avoid all shows involving said people.

Kyle XY ranks as my all time fav tv series. I became so engrossed with the characters and the plot Ive actually had some withdrawel like sypmtoms now that the show is over. Very to similiar to when Sara Conner Cronnicals was cancelled, but worse. :(

Producers picked a pretty bad place to leave the series, with many unresolved conflicts.

This third (and ultimately final) season of Kyle XY is almost a contradiction in terms. On one hand, clearly a show of this caliber needed a more definitive ending than a cliffhanger that never gets resolved. On the other hand, though, it is clear that this season "jumped the shark" by focusing on the same relationship themes each and every episode.

The overall plotline of this final season is actually very interesting. Much more information is revealed about Latnok, while Kyle and Jessi struggle to incorporate that knowledge and make their own decisions about the organization that created them.

All the other predictable aspects of Kyle XY are apparent as well: The Josh/Andi relationship is cute and touching, Lori and Decklin are still annoying as all get-up, and the Traeger parents still waffle between being overprotective and fair. In essence, the basic elements of the show remain unchanged.

Here is the big problem: Ever single 10 episodes in this season take on the exact same basic format...

Jessi does something stupid...Kyle yells at her...Kyle eventually helps her and they make up in a romantic moment...Amanda walks in on said romantic moment...Amanda gets mad and does something dumb...Kyle saves her (but needs Jessi's help to do so)...Amanda makes up with Kyle...Kyle is still confused. Rinse, lather, repeat.

Whereas earlier seasons focused on comedy or adventures, this go-round is quite heavy on sappy drama, which gets old and boring after roughly two episodes.

Overall, Kyle XY is a great little niche show that deserves a better ending than this abbreviated code and cancellation. That being said, considering the broken-record emotional themes of this season, perhaps the show ended before it truly became painful to watch. I just wish that Kyle's remarkable backstory would have given us more closure instead of just leave us hanging.

I recommend watching the "Kyle XY: Future Revealed" interviews either on this DVD or found on YouTube. Though a sorry substitute for true closure, at least we can discover where the show WOULD have been headed had it been allowed to play out.