Title: Army Wives: The Complete Third Season DVD
Running time: 773 minutes
MPAA: PG
Release date: February 9, 2010
ASIN: B002W1HBK2
Studio: ABC Studios
Review source: Click Communications
Army Wives is soap-ish but not too overly sudsy. Is it because of the recaps everything or the mini cliff-hangers leading into the commercials? When I see Joanna Kerns name as director, I hum “Show me that smile,” and think, “I’m glad to see that she’s directing this show.” [Why do I care? I don’t know really. I liked Growing Pains when I was in high school so much that I wrote to Kirk Cameron and got his autograph—and yes, it’s real]
Army Wives:S3 begins exactly where S2 left off. Everyone is worried that 16-year-old Emmalin [Katelyn Pippy] ran off with her 18-year-old PFC boyfriend Logan. Now, why would any soldier ever date the Brigadier General’s daughter? After they manage to get her back on base, she refuses to go to Brussels with her parents. Claudia Joy [Kim Delaney] thinks it might be a good idea to stay on base and let her finish the school year in Charlotte. Denise [Catherine Bell] gets fired for her affair with Mac. What is this the 1950s? I understand the Army’s issues but does Denise have to suffer so much? It also doesn’t really reflect today’s society. Mac dumps her because he’s getting back together with his ex. Seeing her in action as a nurse adds quite a lot to the show. Roxy [Sally Pressman] faces money issues and worries about losing Betty’s. She nearly gives in to the offer from Betty’s shady relative. Luckily, she has an ex-cop as a best friend. Pamela [Brigid Branagh] does some recon work and then calls in a favor from her old pals at the Boston Police Dept. [No wonder I like her so much.] and the police arrest the dude for attempted larceny.
Denise, Denise and more Denise. I cannot get enough of Bell’s forlorn nurse. Those sad eyes and wan smile. She’s introspective, caring, and thoughtful. Then she sparkles a bit when something is really important and meaningful to her. Bell shines as conflicted wife Denise. Unfortunately this season, she gives up on being a nurse and becomes a paramedic. What kind of career change is that? Stalwart, perfect Army wife Claudia Joy is played with meticulous care and decorum by Delaney. A sharp departure from her days as an NYPD Blue cop, here she’s restrained and nurturing and the voice of reason for everyone. This season she deals with a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis and it really rocks her idyllic world. Wild child Roxy [Pressman] doesn’t understand the role of the Army wife yet. She has much to learn. She’s happy that Trevor has taken a position in the recruiting office but it’s still not enough family time for her. What about when she’s working at the bar? There’s a bit of disparity in covering this marriage. Pamela is one tough cookie. She’s independent, out-spoken, and fearless. Her special ops husband is hiding secrets from her and she does not like it one bit. Pamela and Denise are the most realistic, strong characters on the show. Often Army Wives is sexist but I imagine being an Army wife really sets you back a decade or so.
What attracted me to Army Wives is that is can be a tearjerker: full of sadness; heartbreak; tragedy; and betrayal. But it is also beautiful and endearing. There is connection, passion, and reality in the heartfelt scenes and most difficult moments. It’s also a guilty pleasure. It is Lifetime TV, after all.
DVD Special Features: bloopers, Army Wives gives back and a bit about shooting around Charleston, SC.
Definitely a guilty pleasure – and addictive TV!