NYPD Blue - The Complete Third Season

Fans of NYPD Blue have had to wait a long time between the release of Season Two, a number of years ago, and the recent release of season three. But, if the quality of the episodes in season three is taken in to account, it was well worth the wait.Season two was the season of change on NYPD Blue, with Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) taking over as partner to Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz). Season three saw the two actors gel and their characters formed the friendship and the partnership that would last throughout the years.Season three also saw Franz win his second Emmy award for his portrayal of Sipowicz, the former alchoholic cop, who had been dealt a tough hand in life and often took it out on thugs and perps. In season three, however, things appeared to be turning around for Andy. He got married to DA Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence) at the end of season two, and had struck up a new relationship with his son Andy Jr. (guest star Michael DeLuise), one that continued to blossom in season three. Andy finally appeared happy, with the drinking days behind him and a partner he worked well with. Sylvia became pregnant and gave birth to Theo, making Sipowicz the happiest that any viewer of the show had seen him. It seemed his life was on track.Then came the brutal murder of Andy Jr. The younger Sipowicz was killed while trying to stop a robbery and assault, just days before he started his job as a police officer, a job that he had been learning from his father. The death of Andy Jr. sent his father over the edge, as he reverted to drinking again and got in fights and was kicked out of his home and the precinct. As the season came to an end, he had found his way back into both after being beaten badly while in a drunk stupor.Without a question, Sipowicz was one of the best television characters ever created and nobody could've played him better than Franz. He deserved all the acclaim and honors that he received for bringing this character, flaws and all, to life.For Simone, the year was a better one, at least in many regards. He began a relationship with fellow detective Diane Russell (new series regular Kim Delaney), one that would last until Simone's death a number of years later. Simone made it his personal mission to track down the killers of his partner's son and eventually ended up shooting the suspects in a street shoot out. Delaney's Diane also began the year coming out of the bottle, but was tempted back in when her mother killed her father after a domestic dispute. She stayed away, for the most part, and kept her relationship with Simone intact.Greg Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) and James Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) began to work a lot more together in the third season, eventually leading up to the pair being partners. Medavoy's clumsy, stuttering ways and Martinez's cool, hip style were complete opposites, but the pair clicked and their partnership was settled. Medavoy saved Martinez's life when he was shot in the season opener and the two helped to provide some small comic relief in many of the episodes throughout the season.Lieutenant Arthur Fancy (James McDaniel) is in charge of the 15th precinct and has his hands full with his unique group of detectives. A big moment for him is his argument with Sipowicz over a racial matter. While the two characters basically have made up by the end of the season, there is always tension between the two.Donna Abondondo (Gail O'Grady) the precinct's PAA, left the series with two episodes to go in the year. O'Grady was becoming a star and creator Steven Bocho knew they were going to lose her, so he created a job at Apple Computer in California, where the lovely Ms. Abondono headed. Her character was eventually replaced by John Irving (Bill Brotchrup), who makes a number of guest appearances in this season.The final main character was Detective Adrienne Lesniak (Justine Miceli). This was her only credited season on the show, though she had appeared in many episodes as a guest star in season two. She battles thoughts of homosexuality early in the season, but eventually enters a relationship with Martinez, but her jealousy rears its ugly head, breaking up the relationship as the season draws to a close.This set has two solid commentary tracks, as well as three featurettes, one on the season in general, one on the relationship between Andy and Andy Jr. and one on the women of NYPD Blue.The only drawback to this set is the packaging. The first two seasons had great packaging, with six discs and a great case to hold them. This season has four double-sided discs with slim cases. I imagine this was a cost issue and quite possibly, if this change hadn't been made, we may never have seen Season Three at all, so really, I can't complain too much about that.All told, this is a fantastic set and I blazed through the whole thing in a weekend. The stories are riveting, the characters are engaging and the show is addictive, just as it was when it was on network television every Tuesday at 10 p.m.

The third season of ABC-TV’s long-running series “NYPD Blue” (1995-96) continues the tradition of superb police drama established during the initial season. This was the first full season with Jimmy Smits playing Detective Bobby Simone. There are budding romances between Simone and Detective Diane Russell (Kim Delaney) and between Detectives James Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) and Adrienne Lesniak (Justine Miceli); meanwhile, Detective Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and ADA Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence) settle into married life, and tragedy strikes close to home for Sipowicz, causing him to resume some of his former bad habits. Throughout the 15th Squad detectives’ many personal travails, they must work to solve a myriad of tough, difficult criminal cases that cross their desks every week.There’s very little I can add to the steady stream of high praise that the first three seasons of this show has received. Every episode features a superbly written story that’s taut, tense, grittily realistic, and acted to perfection by every cast member.Both the 6-DVD set and the streamed video from Amazon are technically excellent, with top-notch video and audio quality. Episodes are shown in their original 4:3 aspect ratio. Video is clean, crisp, sharp, and imbued with vivid natural colors. Audio is in the original 2-channel stereo format that’s also clean and bright.“NYPD Blue” is the very first TV series I ever bought on DVD. Since then, I’ve watched it many times and have always derived tremendous entertainment from it. Highly recommended.

I was an enormous fan of NYPD Blue when it first aired back in the 90's. So, of course I am not happy that the whole series cannot be purchased as a collector's edition box set. No matter, for now at least as it's on Amazon Prime. For now. They seem to have issues keeping content and the show is unavailable elsewhere. I now am getting the joy of rewatching with my 15 year old son who loves this show! And season 3 is where it's at it's peak. The combo of Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits had the greatest on screen chemistry. And 20 years later through fresh eyes, my son agrees. He asked me how many Emmy awards each had won and I thought I was disappointed that Jimmy Smits never won. My son asked me if I knew why. I had to explain to him that E.R. was the darling of the critics and usually won most of the awards. He at first thought Anthony Edwards had to have been the winner, but when I told him George Clooney won over Smits he said, "How can the WORST Batman of all time beat out Jimmy Smits?" I just smiled and said that is why I refuse to watch award shows and that most of the time, television critics have their heads up.....Well, they're good acrobats. All of that Hollywood tofu and yoga. The point is, WATCH THIS SHOW WHILE YOU STILL HAVE THE CHANCE. You never know when Amazon will start charging Prime members to see another great show.

Hate double-sided discs. It's very rare that all the episodes will play in this format.

As powerful as remembered, this portrayal of NY police officers one they themselves recognized.22 episodes. The bonuses are of particular interest. These were recorded years later at the series' end. Creator Steven Bochco and members of the cast look back at Season 3, assessing its trends and achievements. Bochco declares the show, already so good, was steadily maturing - main characters well established and full of potential, camera work less frenetic, storylines better paced.In the cramped precinct work area, focus remains largely on Andy Sipowicz - a cop who gets results (one way and another), but the man himself seriously flawed. A reformed alcoholic, he remains a mass of prejudices, temper ever likely to erupt. Can he now be mellowing - his new wife Sylvia a civilizing influence, partner Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits excellent) helping to bring out his best. Then there is the strong relationship developing with Andy Jnr, the son neglected for so many years.Grim murder cases, often solved that very day - thanks to contacts with local low life (some decidedly Runyonesque). As ever, interviews are grippingly depicted - a range of techniques used to elicit the truth, hardened criminals suddenly realizing they have been outmanoeuvred.Great scripts. Fine cast. Note the undercurrents - so much conveyed by a look and a gesture. This is communication by shorthand - subtle interplay by actors who fit their roles like a glove.Amongst the extra features the one with Dennis Franz and Michael DeLuise was especially enjoyed. The actors recall with warmth how greatly they looked forward to their father and son scenes, these amongst the season's particular strengths.Although cases investigated are often extremely unpleasant, there is also humour (often played deadpan and thus even funnier). At times events prove intensely moving - especially in one episode, where tissues are needed.Enjoy here a show on a roll - thoroughly deserving all the praise and awards.

For a show to keep going and keep its momentum and stay fresh,no matter what show it is, it has to change and grow and not be afraid to take big chances. Not many shows did this better than NYPD Blue, and this season proves another turning point, with many changes and some shocking and painful storylines. I will always personally remember this season (as I'm sure many other fans do) for the episode 'A Death In The Family'. I also believe the follow up episode, which concludes the storyline, 'Closing Time' is equally brilliant and gives us one of the most dramatic and powerful sequences that NYPD Blue has ever done. (You'll know it when you see it).A fantastic show which kept me hooked week after week and I am proud to say I was a big fan. Now they're on these dvd packs (and it's about time, no thanks to 20th Century Fox, and I mean season 5 on), I can watch them all over again.

Watching this second time around, after having watched the original series twenty odd years ago when it was first aired, made me ask myself "Why don't they make great TV anymore" -- You would think after having made something as brilliant as this, - they would think now that we've got the formula for the perfect TV show, - let's make more of it, or even try to improve further. -- Sadly nothing has even come close to living up to the exceptionally high standards set here by Steven Bocho in this great series.

Great series. I’ve now seen the first four series and although all the episodes are enjoyable to watch, it does seem to become a bit too soapy. I don’t think I will have the stamina or will for the rest of the series.

Discs in excellent condition but box itself not in great condition and consequently DVD’s are loose in the box