The Third Season, Volume 2

Touched By An Angel is feel-good television series about angels coming down from heaven and interacting in the world of man correcting wrongs in people's life. Monica (Roma Downey) is an angel trainee working as a case worker. Under the guidance of another angel Tess (Della Reese), Monica sets misguided individuals on the right path. However another important aspect to this show is the development of Monica as she tries to understand the human way of life and her role in it. Another key character to this show is Andrew (John Dye). He is an angel of death and he helps the dying in their transition to the afterlife. He is a former case worker whose mentor was Tess. On more than one occasion he offers advice to Monica that prevents him from doing his duty (with the newfound knowledge/guidance, Monica is able to prevent unnecessary deaths).

This review covers the second volume of the third season. The first volume contained the season's first sixteen episodes. This second volume contains the last fourteen season three episodes. Volume two's content feels much like the season two episodes. (Please note that I have not seen any episodes from the volume one collection.) They provide episodic storylines that feature feel-good tales. The stories have well-written plotlines and solid acting performances from the leading cast. The stories will move you and make you feel-good.

In "Angel Of Death", Tess instructs a new angel Celeste (Hudson Leick) with her first assignment. Monica assists her on the case, which is to save a Las Vegas illusionist who performs deadly tricks. Monica and Celeste learn there is a reason he is willing to attempt death-defying tricks. His deceased twin brother is that reason. As the episode progresses the girls must convince the illusionist to embrace his life and help him find closure. The story itself is done nicely and offers a moving storyline. I also enjoyed seeing Monica guide a new-angel-to-the-trade.

"Clipped Wings" is another strong episode because it revisits an old face and plotline, Kathleen. Kathleen is a former angel who turned to the dark side to work for the Devil. Her duty is to thwart Monica in saving human lives. The aspect of having an opposing force was interesting and I liked it in season two. In this episode, Monica is temporarily relieved of duty after a performance evaluation. Fortunately, it is found Kathleen was the reason for the results. In turn, Kathleen loses her position as one of the Devil's minions for failing too many times. I enjoyed this additional exposure to the opposing force and also how Monica handled the situation.

Other very dramatic stories this season has includes "Full Moon", Monica helps a rape victim and her husband deal with her attacker being paroled, "Amazing Grace", a two-part episode with Monica handling a diverse group of individuals with racial tension between them to see each other for who they are, and "A Delicate Balance", Monica helps a woman overcome the loss of her husband. The other remaining stories offer strong, dramatic storylines that end with a feel-good note.

Overall, I thought the episodes in the third season, volume two were solid productions of a feel-good nature. The cast continues to offer heart-warming characters that are likeable. If you have enjoyed past seasons of this series, then you will want to check out this collection of episodes.

Episode Guide

17. Crisis Of Faith: After a near-fatal car collision, Reverend Daniel learns that the accident caused his son's death. Wrapped in a cocoon of guilt, the Reverend shuts himself off from all loved ones, unable to attend the funeral. Monica must convince Daniel to forgive himself and rededicate himself to helping others.
18. Angel Of Death: Tess instructs Celeste, a new angel, on her first assignment, Eric, an illusionist. Eric decides to attempt the most dangerous escape of his career. With the help of Monica, Celeste must convince Eric to stop playing hide-and-seek with his life.
19. Clipped Wings: During a performance evaluation, Monica's angel privileges are revoked. An appeal is made when it's learned that Kathleen played a role in the sentencing. The Angle of Angels deems her worthy of expanded duties. Kathleen has been rejected by her superiors and Monica helps her nemesis by asking for God's mercy.
20. Amazing Grace, Part 1: Josh is destined to go to Denver with Monica. They get a ride from Michael, who is repairing his family-owned mini-mall. Michael finds that he must work with his tenants in the face of racial discord. All of their hard work may end when tragedy strikes in a chilling cliffhanger.
21. Amazing Grace, Part 2: In the chaos following a drive-by shooting, one of the tenants is fatally wounded and Josh is blinded. Tess brings Russell to Denver, where recrimination and blame are hurled. Monica must use all of her strength to steer everyone towards healing and hope.
22. Labor Of Love: When Meg Salter surprises her husband on a flight to Paris, she is shocked to find her husband accompanied by his mistress, who is eight months' pregnant. On the disastrous flight, Monica expresses her desire for Meg to give her husband another chance. The Salters agree to raise the child, setting course for a destination of hope.
23. Have You Seen Me?: Tess and her charges take on their most difficult assignment yet when businessman Hank Monroe sees his brother on a milk carton. A maze of deceit, bribery and death further complicate matters. Hank's parents reveal the truth and the Monroes learn the true definition of family.

24. Last Call: A small Chicago bar is just the place for big dreams as God gives Monica the task of granting one pub patron a miracle. Monica is surprised to learn that nobody wants this once in a lifetime gift. Greed and envy creates further confusion and rage. A mistaken miracle leads each attendee to reassess their lives and toast to lessons learned.
25. Missing In Action: George is an Army veteran living a lonely existence in a retirement home. Monica must help him find meaning in his life. With her encouragement, he finds purpose in improving the treatment of his fellow retirees, but a shameful secret in his past threatens to destroy the progress he's made.
26. At Risk: Jason DeLee is sent to Juvenile Services, where Monica works as a program coordinator. She brings the boys to a school for children with special needs and Jason is apprised with Kelly, a young girl with cerebral palsy. Can their friendship endure parental fears and Jason's own self-doubt?
27. Full Moon: Sarah is filled with fear and anxiety after hearing that Carl Atwater, the man who raped her six years ago, is eligible for parole. Monica, working as a counselor, encourages her to share her worry with her husband, Ed. It's up to Monica to help Sarah, Ed and Carl resolve years of guilt and anguish in order to end the cycle of violence.
28. An Angel By Any Other Name: Three individuals with Downs Syndrome move into Carolyn's neighborhood. After an accident involving Carolyn, she blames Taylor, one of the three, and tries to close the group home. Monica and Taylor must work together to show Carolyn the worth of all God's creatures.
29. Inherit The Wind: Kevin Greeley is stunned to learn his deceased wealthy father left him only a bible and the mission of finding Joseph Wells. After Tess informs him he is unable to rely on his family's wealth or influence, Kevin finally gets to know his father and discovers the man he is meant to be.
30. A Delicate Balance: After the loss of her husband, Sandra Browner immerses herself in daughter Rebecca's gymnastics career. When Rebecca fails in competition, Monica steps in to help the Browners regain balance in their lives. Together, they discover that it's not falling down, but the willingness to rise again that defines us.

The DVD

Video:
The video is given in its original television aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame color. For the most part, the picture quality is average. The picture has a heavy grain and occasional compression artifacts. Overall it is decent and fits the needs of this feature.

Audio:
The audio track in this release is in English and Spanish 2.0 Dolby digital stereo sound. In terms of sound quality, it's pretty much similar to any other television release. The dialogue remains fairly flat. As well the music tends to feel the same way. Regarding the track's stereo capabilities, there is very little distinction between channels.

This release also support closed captioning.

Extras:
There are no extras included in this set.

Final Thoughts:
Touched By An Angel: The Third Season, Volume 2 offers the final fourteen episodes that completes the third season. The episodes included in this set offer content that is very similar to past episodes. The series has a feel-good nature and it works. The characters are all likeable and it is always pretty interesting to see them right some wrong in person's life, as well as learn about their back stories. Fans of the series should appreciate to have this collection of episodes on DVD.