Season three of All In The Family has always been my personal favorite so I was excited to see that they were out on DVD when I went Christmas shopping this past Holiday season. I quickly made my purchase and watched it the second I got home expecting a visually enhanced rendition of the presentation of the twenty four classic episodes that made up the third season of this revolutionary television show. I was disappointed greatly.

The picture quality is horrible, too bright and slightly fuzzy but not fuzzy to the point of looking like a bootleg but you can still notice it. Even the box it comes in looks cheaply made and definitely not fitting for this masterpiece of a series. Still, my purchase was justifiable by the fact that is maybe the best season of All In The Family. Everyone has their favorite and with a show like All In The Family, it's timeless quality might have you changing your mind all the time.

There are many memories to be relived here and many great times awaiting anyone who hasn't seen All In The Family before. There are also many lessons to be learned such as in Gloria and the Riddle in which we're taught the acceptance of women as surgeons by way of a riddle. The Bunkers and The Swingers is one of the most hilarious episodes on this set. Edith meets a couple in the classified ads section of a magazine and becomes their pen pals. What Edith didn't know is that the classifieds were for swingers or "wife swappers." Archie's reaction to this is hilarious. This is a true gem.

Edith Flips Her Wig has Edith wondering if she's a kleptomaniac after absentmindedly lifting a wig from a department store. The Threat has the Bunkers offering a place to stay for an old friend's well-endowed wife while she's in town. While she's there she makes a pass at Archie while Mike and Gloria look on. While explaining to them what happened in the kitchen, Edith over hears it and goes up to the house guest's room, asking her to leave. Jean Stapleton gives one of her best performances as Edith here and looks to be genuinely on the verge of tears as she tells the guest "and if I stay here any longer, I may cry."

There's far too much to go through on this DVD set but those would be my personal high lights. One horrible thing about this DVD set is to any unknowing All In The Family fan, you won't be able to see what the episodes are until after you open the box being that it only has two titles listed on the back. But for anyone who isn't too in particular you'll do just fine making your purchase of any of the All In The Family seasons.

Kudos to Columbia Tristar for the release of this set but shame on them for not handling it with more love. And everyone loves Archie, Edith, Gloria and Michael. This set deserved better attendance from the studio in terms of presentation and visual quality. Still, it's a great set to have and despite a few set backs, you'll enjoy it time and time again.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older