12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A six star season, but the DVD set itself could have been better, August 23, 2006
This review is from: Roseanne - The Complete Third Season (DVD)
Season three of Roseanne doesn't revolve around any particular overriding story arc, but the kids are definitely beginning to grow up. As in almost every season, there are quite a few changes taking place in all of the characters' lives, but the show's greatness mainly lies in the "real life" way that each situation is handled and in the raw emotions and interactions of the characters, not in the situations themselves.
"The Test" is a great season opener as Roseanne and her family wait for the outcome of her home pregnancy test. There are some precious moments, such as when DJ asks if he was an accident, and Roseanne tells him that he was a surprise, the difference being that "an accident is something that you wouldn't do over again if you had the chance, but a surprise is something you didn't even know you wanted until you got it." The girls show their selfish side, trying to make a case for not having the baby even before the test is complete. Becky goes as far as asking her mother "Don't you want me to go to college?".
The audience gets their first look at the late Glenn Quinn as rebel and smart-mouth Mark Healey in "Becky, Beds, and Boys". Mark doesn't even pretend to care what the Conners think when he shows up in a bar, obviously under-aged and the Conners see him there. His answer to their question of how he got in there when he is only 18 is that he has a piece of paper that says he is 21. Becky's concerned parents forbid her to see Mark anymore, but she keeps coming up with ways to see him anyway. I liked how Mark was portrayed in these early seasons when he was "Rebel Without a Cause" as opposed to the last three seasons when he was transformed into "Rebel Without a Clue". Mark and Becky are the cause of quite a bit of trouble, starting with "Her Boyfriend's Back", in which Mark and Becky take Dan's prize Harley out for a ride without telling him. This infuriates Dan who doesn't even bother punishing Becky - his hurt and anger are so deep that he just ignors her for days. Of course, this is far worse than any punishment he could have given her.
In the Halloween episode, DJ decides he wants to dress as a witch this year, and this has Dan very upset as he believes it might mean DJ is having trouble with his own gender identity. You see, Dan believes only girls should dress as witches. Meanwhile, Roseanne decides to find out what it's like to be one of the guys by dressing up in Dan's clothes. She then goes to the Lobo and enjoys conversing with a group of men there on a variety of subjects. You even see Roseanne trying to make conversation with "another" man at the urinal. Unfortunately, the restroom scene has been cut from most (if not all) syndicated showings of this episode. We also get another look at Crystal's desperation for male companionship as she shows an interest in Roseanne ( alias Bob) after "Bob" pays her some well placed compliments.
"PMS I Love You" is one of my all time favorites. Dan's birthday party collides with Roseanne's PMS, and she is on a rampage. Dan, being the guest of honor, must ride out the rollercoaster of his wife's emotions, including her blurting out to everyone present that he cried when he saw "Old Yeller". In one of those great moments that Dan and Jackie often have together, Dan vents to her privately about how his 39 years have been a blur and he wonders when will it be his turn, when does HE get to have HIS PMS?
Ned Beatty returns as Dan's father, although he is more subdued and less buffoonish than he was in season one when he was first introduced. Dan, however, is still somewhat contemptuous of his dad, and it doesn't make things any better when he finds out that his father is planning to marry one of Roseanne's friends. Matters go from bad to worse when he finds out why - the bride-to-be is pregnant. Dan fears that his new brother/sister will have the same kind of life he had as a child - a life with an unhappy mother and an absentee father who is always on the road.
The other plot developments include Jackie being injured and leaving the police force, Roseanne getting a job at Rodbell's, a diner in the mall, and Dan opening a motorcycle shop of his own. This is truly one of the best seasons of Roseanne, and I highly recommend it. I just wish that there were more extras and interviews in the DVD sets than we have been getting.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
YOU ARE MISSED GLENN QUINN, March 16, 2006
This review is from: Roseanne - The Complete Third Season (DVD)
Roseanne Barr (yes, Rosey has taken back her given last-name when she "regained" her sanity) is a genius and a modern-day Lucille Ball. Roseanne spoke for the masses (middle-class, working Americans) when we had no voice. And Roseanne made it ok to be different, to be crazy, to be fat, to be g-a-y, or to be anything else you wanted to be in a Busch-lead society.
I don't think any other TV "sitcom" in the history of modern American culture has touched more lives or portrayed a more realistic nuclear family than "Roseanne." My family was "Roseanne" and there millions of other "Roseanne" families in America, right?
There are a total of twenty-five episodes from Season 3. All the episodes on this box-set will be UN-CUT.
Here's a list of all the episodes from Season 3 with the original ABC air dates:
The Test First aired: 9/18/1990
The family awaits the results of Roseanne's pregnancy test. This was Rosanne's first episode after her "National Anthem" controversy.
Friends and Relatives First aired: 9/25/1990
Lending money to his dead-beat pal Arnie comes easily for Dan, while supporting his family takes a little more effort and thought.
Like, a Virgin First aired: 10/2/1990
Roseanne decides it's time to give Becky "the talk."
Like, a New Job First aired: 10/9/1990
Another "like a" title :-). Despite her misgivings, Roseanne, working late as a coffee-shop waitress, leaves Dan in charge.
Goodbye, Mr. Right First aired: 10/16/1990
After Officer Harris gets slightly injured, Gary says he's tired of always worrying about her.
Becky, Beds and Boys First aired: 10/23/1990
Becky's folks pressure her to stop dating a boy. The tragically late, and very enduring Glenn Quinn makes his "Roseanne" debut as Mark Healy.
Trick or Treat First aired: 10/30/1990
Roseanne, mistaken for a guy in her lumberjack Halloween costume, plays along with some of the patrons.
PMS, I Love You First aired: 11/6/1990
Roseanne is at her bitchiest-best in this ep about Dan's birthday "surprise party."
Bird is the Word First aired: 11/13/1990
Becky is suspended for allegedly giving the finger in her class photo.
Dream Lover First aired: 11/27/1990
Dan ill-advisedly tells Roseanne he's having dreams of a mysterious, and oddly homely, other woman, Marge Dolman (played by Patrika Darbo). Incidenlty, a few years later when the "poison Arnolds" were hot news, Patrika played Roseanne in a horrible network telepic.
Do You Know Where Your Parents Are? First aired: 12/4/1990
Since the girls continually break curfew, Dan and Roseanne celebrate the anniversary of their first lovemaking by revisiting the restaurant/hotel. This is an ep that Nick at Nite doesn't like to air; perhaps because of the sexual themes.
Confessions First aired: 12/18/1990
An angry and deflated Roseanne discovered that her mother always thought sister Jackie had more talent to reach her potential.
The Courtship of Eddie, Dan's Father First aired: 1/8/1991
Dan's visiting father astonishes everyone by announcing his plans to marry thrice-married Crystal.
The Wedding First aired: 1/15/1991
Against Dan's wishes, Roseanne forges ahead with wedding preparations, of Crystal and Ed.
Becky Doesn't Live Here Anymore First aired: 1/22/1991
Another ep where Becky has a temper-tantrum, and runs to Jackie's 1-room pad.
Home-Ec First aired: 2/5/1991
Darlene is embarassed when Roseanne gives Darlene's home economics class a lesson.
Valentine's Day First aired: 2/12/1991
Roseanne is mad at Dan for forgetting Valentine's Day.
Communicable Theater First aired: 2/19/1991
Roseanne is torn between taking care of her flu-stricken husband and helping Jackie learn lines for her play. Roseanne rips Jackie a new-one but then feels bad for her short-temper and big-mouth.
Vegas Interruptus First aired: 2/26/1991
Roseanne may lose her job if she and Dan go on their long-awaited trip to Las Vegas.
Her Boyfriend's Back First aired: 3/12/1991
Hotty Mark is back for more trouble when he gets his hands on Becky and Dan's bike!
Troubles with the Rubbles First aired: 3/26/1991
The new neighbor next door, Kathy Bowman, looks down on Roseanne and complains that D. J. is a bad influence on her son, Todd.
Second Time Around First aired: 4/2/1991
Roseanne helps Crystal with her Lamaze classes.
Dances with Darlene First aired: 4/30/1991
Roseanne tries to convince Darlene to wear something feminine to a school dance.
Scenes from a Barbecue First aired: 5/7/1991
Nana Mary (the legendary Ms. Shelley Winters) makes her "Roseanne" debut as Rosie's outspoken grandmother at the Connors' mother's day celebration. ABC & their sponsors must have loved all these holiday-themed epsisodes.
The Pied Piper of Lanford First aired: 5/14/1991
Dan and Roseanne commit to opening a motorcycle shop with a free-spirited old friend who leaves at the last minute.
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