Overview: This hugely popular prime-time soap opera follows the exploits of the Carringtons and Colbys both "oilrich" family dynasties in Denver CO as they accrue and manipulate power and wealth.

DVD Verdict: The unforgettable court room entrance of Alexis Carrington in the previous season inevitably altered not only the already complex dynamics of the beleagured Carringtons, but for better and worse the series' plotting and pace. This season ups the ante with nearly every episode having at least one jaw dropping moment - from the abduction of Fallon's baby climaxing on a roof over Denver all the way to (season 3 volume 2) the burning cabin season finale.

This season provides many pivotal moments: Alexis gradually assumes the shoulder padded mantle of powerful businesswoman, yet another lost Carrington heir pops up to cause more trouble, Fallon opens La Mirage with a jazz age party Fitzgerald would've killed to attend, Jeff is poisoned by paint fumes, Steven returns with a reconstructed mug and a smidgen less antagonistic attitude, Kirby does Sabrina with disastrous results. And let's not forget the brawl in the lilly pond!

Some scenes are positively operatic: when Cecil Colby has a fatal heart attack with Alexis standing by his hospital bedside in bridal white (!) - the score plays strings each time they try to defibrillate him and crescendos when he flatlines, closing with a distraught Alexis bowed head weeping behind white veil - ah, good times that! - Maria Callas as Lucia di Lamermoor couldn't have done any better. Kidding.

Arguably the other primetime serials were better written or had more fleshed out characterizations - yet none of them compares to the stylized histrionics of Denver's first family. With liberal paraphrasing of a quote from our favorite villainess: After Alexis throws a party, all the world will know it's been done.

Unfortunately though, if you purchased seasons 1 and 2 and were looking forward to buying season 3 in much the same manner (ie; all that seasons episodes in the one box set), you are going to be severely disappointed! Indeed, splitting one season into two volumes is quite ridiculous, especially for a soap opera! And with no extras it just takes it to a whole new monetary level for Paramount over the fans/consumers. This is a Full Screen Presentation (1.33:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs but does not come with any Special Features.