Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Season 3 (Box Set 1) [1998]

This VHS Box Set contains the first 11 episodes of Season 3 - the remaining 11 can be found in the second Box Set of Season 3. This Box Set begins with the superb Season 3 opening episode "Anne." At the end of Season 2, Buffy had revealed to her mum that she was the Slayer and sent a fully restored Angel to Hell. It became all too much for her and she left Sunnydale to find herself and settle down. In this episode we see Buffy living in a lonely and desolate town, where she takes up a job as a waitress, using her middle name "Anne" as a disguise. She figures her slaying days are far behind her, but when approached by an old friend who is desperate to find her missing boyfriend, her Slayer instincts are stirred - finally realising she is the Slayer, whether she likes it or not. After helping the girl (by literally going to Hell and back), she returns home to her mum. In "Dead Man's Party," Buffy discovers Principle Snyder is refusing to let her back into Sunnydale High. Her friends seem to be ignoring her and everyone is just acting strange. It's not until Buffy fights off a legion of zombies that things return to "normal." "Faith, Hope And Trick" is one of the most important episodes in this Box Set. There's a new Slayer in town, who goes by the name of Faith. Along with Buffy, Faith works side by side with her for a large portion of Season 3 - until things turn nasty. The end of this episode also sees Angel return from Hell. "Beauty And The Beasts" is another brilliant episode. When Willow lets Xander watch Oz, who is in full werewolf-mode and locked in the school library, things get nasty. Xander falls asleep on duty and a friend of Oz's is mauled. Did Oz do it...or did Angel, who is back from Hell and in a very bad mood? "Homecoming" is another superb episode, which is a perfect example of what the show's first three seasons were all about; popularity battles at school, along with the horrors of vampire and demon activity. Buffy and Cordelia compete in the run for Homecoming Queen, while Mr Trick kicks off SlayerFest '98. "Band Candy" is an all-time favourite episode amongst many fans of Buffy. As Buffy stresses over her SATs, Principle Snyder enlists the students to sell candy to raise money for the band's new uniforms...but where exactly is the candy from - and who's behind the evil plan to turn all Sunnydale's adults into awkward and frustrating teenagers? In "Revelations," Faith's "new watcher" arrives. The Scoobies discover Angel has returned - news of which startles them all, especially Xander and Giles. Faith's new watcher goes by the name of Gwendolyn Post, but what are her real reasons for visiting Sunnydale?

"Lover's Walk" is another favourite episode amongst many fans. Love casts its magic spell and leaves a trail of broken hearts in Sunnydale. Spike has returned and blames Angel and Buffy when Drusilla breaks up with him, Cordelia and Oz catch Xander and Willow kissing and Buffy decides it's time she stops seeing Angel. "The Wish" is an absolutely excellent episode of Buffy - and definitely a highlight of Season 3. We are introduced to Anya - a vengeance demon who performs wishes for upset women. Cordelia finds out you must be careful what you wish for, when she wishes a Sunnydale without Buffy Summers. She soon regrets her wish when the town is over-run with vampires and realises the true meaning of Hell. "Amends" is another superb episode. The Christmas spirit is dead in Sunnydale; Buffy and the Gang's research into why Angel has been sent back from Hell leads them to "The First Evil" and the first snow Sunnydale has ever seen. Meanwhile, Willow and Oz decide to give their relationship another shot after their break-up a few episodes previously. This Box Set ends with the brilliant "Gingerbread." When two young children are found dead, the whole town rallies together and blames the death on witchcraft. When witch paraphernalia is discovered by Principal Snyder in Willow's locker, no one believes it was a birthday present for Buffy's upcoming 18th birthday. Under the influence of "Hansel and Gretel," Buffy's mum - along with others - hold Willow, Buffy and Amy hostage - ready to burn them at the stake!

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

Season 3 is my second favourite Buffy season after Season 5, and is definitely one not to be missed by fans of the show - and people who are wanting to get into watching Buffy. This first half of Season 3 is amazing, but pales in comparison to the explosive and gripping second half! There isn't a rubbish episode in this Box Set, making it a worthy purchase and a definite 5 star rating. Buy it now from Amazon.co.uk!


Good but Box Set2 runs circles around it!   December 1, 2002
 1 out of 6 found this review helpful

Season3.1 is quite slow, as most of the episodes are quite simular, but it does have its good points these are, the introduction to the new bad girl Faith who is another slayer who was called after Kendra is killed(becoming pt1 season2.2)At first she gets in Buffys Bad books for stealing her freinds, but soon they become freinds(Faith, Hope and Trick),
Anyanka (The Wish) is introdused after Cordelia wishes for Buffy Summers to have never of came to Sunydale, this of course comes true!
The best eps in this Season are, Faith Hope and Trick, Revalations,and The Wish!!!!
The worst eps have to be, Amends and Lovers Walk (as it is very slow!)


FFAAANNTTAASSTTIICC!   December 27, 2001
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This is 'thee' Buffy box set. i got it on xmas day & watched the whole thing. this is excellent. my favourite episodes being lovers walk, amends, faith, hope & trick and of course Anne & not forgetting the chance to see the gorgeous Angel naked!!!! You have to buy this box set if it be the one one buffy box set you buy, go buy it now!