HBO has had an amazing run over the past few years. The Sopranos certainly needs no introduction. Six Feet Under proved that funeral homes can be entertaining after all. Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm is arguably the funniest show on television. But for my money, nothing really broke the mold quite like Oz, a dramatic series that took place in a maximum security prison. It premiered in 1997, recently ending its run last year after a succesful 56-episode tenure. 1999 was the year for this third season, and it was easily one of the strongest. This was a year of sweeping changes in the show, from the name of the prison itself to the ever-changing cast of characters.

First and foremost, what makes Oz so successful is the strong writing. Although the performances are universally excellent, the raw feel of the stories and dialogue really put this show over the top, and keep it ahead of the pack. There are many times when the viewer might think a character is here to stay, only to witness their death 15 minutes later. It's truly a show that commands the complete attention of the viewer, with each episode being one emotional roller-coaster after another. Pacing is steady but tight, and the overall atmosphere is one of the strongest of any television show, period.

Like many who don't subscribe to premium cable services, I never caught Oz until it came to DVD. Although HBO has a nasty habit of torturing their fans with long delays in-between season releases, you can't deny that they're worth the wait. Although this season aired in 1999, it's all new to me...and with the high quality of the show itself, I quickly devoured the season in its entirety. It offers plenty of bang for the buck, even though the price of admission is high.

List of Season Three Episodes:

Episode 1: 'The Truth, And Nothing But..." (Original Air Date: July 14, 1999)
Episode 2: 'Napoleon's Boney Parts' (Original Air Date: July 21, 1999)
Episode 3: 'Legs' (Original Air Date: July 28, 1999)
Episode 4: 'Unnatural Disasters' (Original Air Date: August 4, 1999)
Episode 5: 'U.S. Male' (Original Air Date: August 11, 1999)
Episode 6: 'Cruel And Unusual Punishments' (Original Air Date: August 18, 1999)
Episode 7: 'Secret Identities': (Original Air Date: August 25, 1999)
Episode 8: 'Out O' Time': (Original Air Date: September 1, 1999)

I've decided to spare any plot recaps and spoilers this time around, as this show is best left to tell its own stories. As usual, not ten minutes go by without a major change in the overall plot direction, whether it's the introduction of a new charatcer or the untimely death or injury of another. Alliances are made and promises broken. It seems as if no one is safe, despite Oz being a maximum security prison. Episodes clock in at approximately one hour each, although they feel like feature-length movies in their own right. As always, there is a wide range of directors for this season's episodes, including actors Matt Dillon and Steve Buscemi.

While Oz: The Complete Third Season may not be as lengthy as other TV boxed sets, there's an exhausting feel to the material that would be almost too much to handle in larger quantities. With that said, this season was the most consistent so far, and that's really saying a lot! As mentioned earlier, I'm watching this series as it progresses on DVD, and the season's closing episode left me begging for more. Unfortunately, it'll probably be another year or so until the next season is released. In the meantine, let's see what this three-disc set has to offer:

Presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Oz looks as gritty and ugly as it ever has...but that's not a bad thing. The presentation is a step up from the original broadcast, which is everything a television show on DVD needs to be. This won't be on your home theater demo anytime (especially if you have kids in the house!), but the colors are subdued and well-rendered, and the black levels are solid. Overall, the image may be a touch on the dark side, but it fits well with the tense, dangerous atmosphere. Still, it's obvious that production values may have slightly improved from the first two seasons, as the overall image quality is a little more refined. This was a very satisfying visual presentation (as expected) from HBO.

The audio is presented in three available options: English 5.1 Surround and 2.0, as well as a Spanish Mono mix (which seemed like a strange inclusion, as I don't remember this from previous seasons). Regardless of your choice, the audio is well-rendered and clear. For this review, I went for the 5.1 Surround---a very satisfying mix that puts you right in the middle of the action. Although this is primarily a dialogue-driven show, there's a lot of little details that make their way into the surround channels. The overall ambience is very good, and gives the audio presentation a major boost.

The quality of the show isn't even an issue here. Oz was one of the best shows on television, with an intriguing premise, well-developed characters, and terrific performances. Fans of the show no doubt already have this on pre-order, so I'm probably preaching to the choir when I say this one is easily Recommended. For those unfamiliar with the show, this might be tough to jump right into, so I'd suggest starting from Season One. Overall, this was a great release...the only drawbacks were the lack of more bonus features, and the hefty price tag. Still, this is an excellent presentation of a great show, and that's what makes Oz: The Complete Third Season a winner in my book.