How I Met Your Mother - Season Three – DVD Review

By June L. Oct 16, 2008, 20:00 GMT

A love story in reverse: "How I Met Your Mother" is a comedy about Ted (Josh Radnor) and how he fell in love. When Ted\'s best friends Marshall (Jason Segel) and Lilly (Alyson Hannigan) decide to tie the knot it sparks the search for his own Miss Right. Helping him in his quest is his bar-hopping "wing-man" Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), a confirmed bachelor with plenty of wild schemes for ...more

To have a whole season of a favorite television show for repeated viewings is rarely as much fun, or as welcome as a year of the series How I Met Your Mother.  These are exceptional stories that entertain us, make us laugh and still touch something very deep and real that exists in human relationships. 

For three years fans have followed the lives of Marshall, Lily, Barney and Ted, as Ted tells his children (sometime in the future) just exactly how he met their mother.  Now Season 3 is out on DVD, and all the jokes and clever bits are there for unending enjoyment. 

The season opener has Ted (Josh Radnor) explaining how difficult a time it was for him, accepting the breakup with Robin (Cobie Smulders.)  It became even harder when Robin returned from her post-break up trip to Argentina with a souvenir, Gael (Enrique Iglesias) a hot singer, wind surfer and masseuse. 

Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) is jealous of Gael’s influence with the ladies, Lily (Alyson Hannigan) is charmed by his exotic demeanor, and even Marshall (Jason Segel) falls under his spell.  Poor Ted is driven into the arms of Amy (Mandy Moore) a tattooed party girl, and wakes up with a souvenir of his own, a tattoo of a butterfly on his lower back.

That is just the beginning of a season that tells so many stories, has such great lines and is peppered with a number of notable guest stars.  Season 3 has everyone from Enrique Iglesias to Britney Spears, and as Robin and Ted adjust to their break up and finding new relationships, Marshall and Lily are adjusting to married life, overspending their budget, and settling into a perfect apartment that has just one serious flaw. 

Barney is still on the prowl for as many women as he can get, but is in for some surprises.  In one unforgettable episode, the viewer will learn the rules and the importance of the “Bro Code.”

Season 3 (which by the way really IS “legendary”) is presented on 3 discs containing all 20 episodes.  They are presented in widescreen format, in English audio, but with English, French or Spanish subtitles available.  Running time is 429 minutes not including the special features. 

This set is loaded with really good special features, which are on each of the discs.  Disc one has a Series Retrospective featurette, Lily and Marshall’s Honeymoon Videos, a Cast Favorites featurette, behind the scenes featurette for episode “We’re Not From Here,” and additional scenes “How It Really Happened.” 

Disc two has commentary on the episode “The Platinum Rule” by show co-creator Carter Bays, director Pam Fryman, and editor Sue Federman, commentary on episode “Ten Sessions” by Carter Bays and cast members Josh Radnor and Sarah Chalke, “You Just Got Slapped” music video and a gag reel. 

Disc three has commentary on “The Bracket” by show co-creator Carig Thomas and cast member Neil Patrick Harris and writer Joe Kelly, commentary on “The Chain of Screaming” by writer Chris Harris, cast member Jason Segel and his driver Danny Bress, Commentary on “Sandcastles in the Sand by Craig Thomas and cast member Cobie Smulder, direcor Pam Gryman and writer Kourtney Kang, commentary on “Everything Must Go” by cast member Alyson Hannigan and producer Jonathan Groff, commentary on “Miracles” by Carter Bays and Pam Fryman, “Ted Mosby is a Jerk audio trak and Robin Sparkles “Sandcastles in the Sand” music video.  

In fast paced well-crafted stories with dialogue superb in wit and intelligence, and a fabulous cast of talented actors and actresses, this is a show that is dear to the hearts of many.

How I Met Your Mother - Season Three is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.