> Re: I forgot how much I loved Season Three!!!!
My favorites from Season 3 are:
"The Leap Home"
- It was nice to see Sam's family which helped to give his character a little more depth. I also liked that Sam had a bit of a breakdown, where he got pushed to his breaking point and wanted to quit leaping altogether. It was also realistic and tragic that Sam wasn't able to change much, if anything, in his family's history (at least not until the next episode where he saves Tom).
I like that there aren't happy endings to every episode because in a way it suggests that some things are just simply meant to be. Cases in point: Al's time as a P.O.W. in Vietnam and failed marriage, the death of his sister, Trudy, the death of Sam's father, etc. I feel that some of these aspects helped to make our heroes who they are.
"The Boogiem*n"
- Dean Stockwell as the Devil is priceless! Acting-wise, I think it's definitely one of his stand out moments in the series. I
still find this episode creepy after all these years. I think it does a surprisingly good job of being scary and suspenseful, especially the end.
"Black On White On Fire"
- I like the fact that this episode is intense and is also one of the few in the series that doesn't have a happy ending. It does a good job of making me care about the characters.
"The Great Spontini"
- Even though the episode may be a little formulaic, I related to the theme of divorce. It's also the "official" introduction of the Gummi Bear Handlink. The scene where Al's first handlink breaks is also memorable.
"Last Dance Before An Execution"
- This is one of those episodes that I like more now that I'm older. When I was younger and watched it, for whatever reason I didn't care for it too much. What I like about this episode is its overall feeling of suspense. The clock is ticking! It's also always interesting when the leapee is bad as well.
"Shock Theater"
- I think Scott Bakula does his best acting in the series in this episode. It's also one of those episodes where the traditional formula is changed which helps to make it more exciting. I also think this is one of the best episodes in the series. Al's "alphabet rap" is enjoyable, too.
As great as Season 3 is, though, I have to agree with Tom that Season 5 is my favorite. I simply found it the most exciting and interesting. While the evil leaper episodes started to get a little ridiculous by "Revenge," the lame lack of a good explanation for Sam to be able to leap to 1862 in "The Leap Between the States" and the seemingly unnecessary leap into Elvis Presley in "Memphis Melody," I still liked the 5th season because it took the show into what I felt was a much needed new direction. And who could forget "Mirror Image"? 'Nuff said.
