DVD Review: Sabrina The Teenage Witch – The Third Season

By June L. Jan 22, 2008, 17:24 GMT

When Sabrina Spellman is informed by her aunts, Hilda and Zelda, that she is a witch on her 16th birthday, she is hesitant to believe them. Having been sent to live with them in Massachusetts by her Warlock father and mortal mother, Sabrina learns the tricks of magic in order to receive her witch\'s license. Along the way, she gets into many scrapes while figuring out how certain spells work. ...more

Every season of Sabrina The Teenage Witch was fun to watch.  The Third Season 1998-1999 had perhaps the best stories with some of the funniest situations not to mention an ongoing mystery to add to the brew that drew audience members of all ages.  It is great to have this series on DVD, to enjoy again!

Sabrina Spellman (Melissa Joan Hart) is a young witch in modern times, who has come to live with her aunts Hilda (Caroline Rhea) and Zelda (Beth Broderick) to learn how to manage her magic gifts responsibly.  Who hasn’t wished that they had a magic potion or a super spell to get them out of a jam? 

Sabrina as a typical teenager embodies all the emotions of humans, and uses her gifts unwisely at times for personal gain.  The lessons learned from the hysterical consequences of Sabrina’s goofs are the same ones we mere mortals must learn. 

Each episode focuses on a topic like humility, honesty, understanding, tolerance, kindness, compassion, or unselfishness, and the viewer learns along with Sabrina that the right thing is not always the easiest thing to do.

In season three Sabrina has earned her long sought after witch’s license, but in order to be able to use it, she must solve the mystery of her family secret.  Throughout the season, various Spellman family members show up to reveal another bit or clue to the secret. 

This gives the show a great opportunity for some wonderful guest star performances, and expands the notion of family from the other realm having some similarities to mortal families.  In addition, Sabrina must still go to school and maintain the life of a typical high school student without using any of her magic. 

As always, the enchanted cat Salem Saberhagen (voiced by Nick Bakay) has some of the best scenes and great lines.  The writers for this character incorporated a lot of cat attitude and behaviors into Salem’s personality.  The puppet Salem is funny, but the real cat that is used interchangeably in some scenes is amazing to watch!

Sabrina Season 3 is presented on four discs containing all 25 episodes in full screen format.  The playing time is a bit over nine hours. There is notation that some episodes have been edited and some music has been changed. 

Overall, this did not appear to alter the feel of Season Three.  It is a fun family favorite that can be enjoyed by everyone.
 
Sabrina The Teenage Witch – The Third Season is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.