Customer Reviews

Road to Avonlea: Season 3

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Road to Avonlea is my all-time favourite television show, and I'm so pleased that it's becoming available on DVD. Season 3 is an excellent season, and in my opinion, one of the best. There is great character development as the children (especially Felicity) begin to grow up. We also get to see another side of Aunt Janet (other than as Alec's wife), as well as more episodes with Gus Pike. The focus is becoming less on Sara Stanley (although she is still a main character) and more on the rest of the King family.
My only complaint with this DVD is the lack of bonus features. I hope the next RtA DVD includes features such as cast interviews, behind-the-scenes, and bonus footage.

episodes on this DVD (I put a * next to my favourites):

*The Ties that Bind - Olivia and Jasper's wedding! very funny, and very touching

Felix and Blackie - Felix starts a delivery service with his horse, Blackie.

*Another Point of View - Aunt Hetty resigns from teaching Avonlea School, and she is replaced by Professor Dimple, who introduces the students to modern ways of learning.

When she was bad...she was horrid (2 parts) - Sara gets fed up with Aunt Hetty controlling her life, so she runs away and leaves a double (Jo Pitts) in her place.

Aunt Janet Rebels - Aunt Janet campaigns for women's rights to vote.

A Dark and Stormy Night - Gus gets a job at the White Sands hotel and falls for a mysterious guest.

*Friends and Relations - the ladies are off to an auction while the men go ice fishing. Sara and Felicity must mind their mischievous cousin "Lucky".

Vows of Silence - Felicity "borrows" her mother's valuable family heirloom and loses it. She is afraid to confess the truth until she fears it will be too late.

After the Honeymoon - Jasper entertains a (female) scientist Sidney Carver, who is researching bats. Olivia tries to support Jasper, even though she finds the work horrifying.

*The Calamitous Courting of Hetty King - Aunt Hetty is wooed by a dynamic skate salesman, Wally Higgins.

*High Society - Felicity is offered a chance at a scholarship at the prestigious Kingsport Ladies College.

Old Friends, Old Wounds - The town loses a beloved citizen.

Charming children and adults get into fun predicaments. If you liked "Little House on the Prairie" or "Anne of Green Gables"; you should like this. Seasons 1-6 are excellent.

Beautiful scenery, farm, horses, period costumes, with women in pretty dresses, period sets, realistic characters, likeable characters, lively pace, and inviting activities, take you to a nicer place.

Christopher Reeve, from the movie "Superman", guest-stars in a melodrama, mysterious but lively episode "A Dark and Stormy Night" (Writer-Hart Hanson). Another good episode is where Sarah and Felicity babysit their little nephew who is a little terror; the "Friends & Relations" episode. Usually an episode is able to focus on just a few of the characters with depth; but in this unique episode, many of the characters interact, at a lively pace. Very creative that the writer (Heather Conkie) was able to involve everyone with depth (and I wonder if it was planned or just happened with the plot). The episode "Vows of Silence" has a scene that is very funny, and another quietly funny/charming scene (Writer-Hart Hanson).

Mr. Sullivan spared no expense to create warm and humorous escapades.

This series has been my best money value; dividing the 13-episodes by the cost: $51÷13 episodes = $3.92 per 46-minute episode. Sells new in Canada for $80.

Road to Avonlea not only has a scenic setting and a wonderful score, but characters who are engaging and so easy to relate to. Every episode provides something new to ponder and reflect on, and there's always an enlightening message at the end. Season 3 also happens to be one of the best seasons in the series (there are seven of them in all) and the episodes are:
The Ties that Bind - explores both Hetty and Olivia's feelings as Olivia's marriage to Jasper looms on the horizon.
But When She Was Bad...She was Horrid (Parts 1 & 2) - Sara Stanley, Hetty's niece is frustrated by what she perceives as her aunt controlling her life and runs away. A double stands in for her with predictably hilarious results.
Felix and Blackie - Felix's entrepreneurial adventure with his horse Blackie.
Another Point of View - I found this particularly interesting because of my educational background. Hetty resigns from her teaching post and is perturbed to find her replacement, Prof.Dimple using unconventional methods in his teaching.
Aunt Janet Rebels - Aunt Janet puts her own marriage at risk by fighting for women's right to vote.
A Dark and Stormy Night - Gus Pike finds employment at the White Sands hotel and gets involved in some mysterious activities.
Friends and Relations - a fun episode where Sara and Felicity take charge of their naughty cousin Lucky as the adults pursue their own interests.
Vows of Silence - Felicity finds herself in a pickle when she loses her mother's family heirloom which she took without Janet's permission.
After the Honeymoon - Olivia tries to overcome her own fears to support her husband's work which involves research on bats.
High Society - Felicity employs duplicity when she is offered a chance at winning a prestigious scholarship to a renowned ladies college.
The Calamitous Courting of Hetty King - the romantic misadventures of Aunt Hetty.
Old Friends, Old Wounds - death of a well-liked inhabitant in the town.

The Road to Avonlea series is a beloved series which is sure to lift your spirits. In this age of insipid TV programs, this is truly to be treasured as it is quality family programming with positive messages.

Avonlea is one of the best series out there. You can purchase it a LOT cheaper from Amazon vendors, even with postage, so check them out....but DO purchase as much as this series as you can, especially if you like wonderful family stories, that are both funny and touching. You will wish you lived on PE Island with all of these characters once you get to know them all!

This is a great 3rd installment to the series. My girls and I have to pace ourselves so we don't watch them all in less than a week! Even the men in our family enjoy them!

This whole series is so refreshing. I just adore every season. I am a true fan of Avonlea. I only wish more follow-up movies had been done.

I think this is better than anything we've put out on this side of the border. It makes the Waltons seem cold and lacking depth and color.

My daughters (ages 11 and 7) and I love the Avonlea series! You can't ask for a more family friendly show with many well presented life lessons. The shows are so well written and encompass the action, comedy, and tragedy of every-day life on Prince Edward Island circa the early 1900's.

I loved it!!!! Even better than season 1 and 2!!! But, of course I loved 1 and 2 too. Wonderful movies to watch with family and friend.

The episode "When she was bad, she was horrid" features the amazing acting talents of Sarah Polley, playing two parts, the sweet Sara Stanley, and the pick-pocket Jo Pitts. The young actress goes much deeper than some crude behavior and language. She walks, talks, even looks different in the two roles. Watch her face, and observer her, and you'll be impressed.
Of course, the rest of the episodes are classic, warm, Avonlea that we all love. The characters are flawed, but forgiving and seeking forgiveness. Would that the world were more like Avonlea.
John C