Revenge - The Complete Third Season

You would think by the third season a series like "Revenge" would lose its punch. Surely, Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp) has had the opportunity to decimate her enemies many times over. She's not Hamlet. Conscience and doubt don't seem to be factors that are overwhelming her.

Nevertheless, this series remains compelling. This is mostly because the writing is even tighter than in the previous seasons, and the cliffhangers are so sensational that you never want to stop the DVD.

This season Emily flits between three men (Josh Bowman, Nick Wechsler and Barry Sloane) each one even hotter than they were last season. With so much to choose from, it's little wonder Emily doesn't finish or drop her scheming and settle down with just one of the perfect men in her life.

This season Emily comes closer than ever to her goal, almost getting Conrad Grayson (Henry Czerny) to confess to everything. But it's really Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe) that Emily wants to take down, and she plans to do this by framing her for murder.

Who will be Victoria's victim? Emily has found the perfect person. Herself.

Everyone talks the same; with that pattering, dry irony -- overly stylized and hyper-clever -- but you become accustomed to this. Everyone detests each other and has a temporary reconciliation. All problems and adversity are quickly overcome, though characters are continually swearing that this is the last straw.

There is that persistent question: why do we trust a character who has betrayed everyone in the cast many times over? Take for instance the secret relationship between Emily and Aiden Mathis (Barry Sloane). How can we take Emily's claims of love seriously when she's proven herself to be someone that is not to be believed?

If for no other reason, you'll want to watch this series for Nolan Ross (Gabriel Mann), one of the sexiest nerds on television. His latest love interest, Victoria's estranged son Patrick Osbourne (Justin Hartley) is absolutely beautiful. They make the perfect couple. Unfortunately, no one who remains in Emily's world of absurd wealth and destruction will ever be capable of true happiness.

Even though this is just a DVD, the sets are so pristine and well lit that the images up-res well. As long as your television isn't too large and you have a decent Blu-ray player.

Bonus features include your usual faire; deleted scenes, bloopers and audio commentary on the season finale. Still, there is a featurette, "Table for Five," that's not to be missed. In it the sexy men of "Revenge," Josh Bowman, Nick Wechsler, Barry Sloane, Gabriel Mann and Henry Czerny, hang out at the Stowaway and share jokes and stories.

"Revenge: The Complete Third Season"
Format: DVD
Rated: TV PG
www.abc.com/revenge