One of the best crafted cable series, "MAD MEN: SEASON 3," is now available on blu-ray from LIONSGATE.  This drama of the time in which season 3 opens, 1963, presents plenty of subtext, both for issues having to be faced by America as well as the series' main characters.  While season 2 veered towards becoming overly soap-opera-ish in spots, "SEASON 3" has pulled the series even tighter than its first season, focusing mostly on Don Draper and his wife, Betty.  Unfortunately, it's impossible to say too much about this season without revealing a major twist revealed in "SEASON 2," and we don't want to ruin it. The British takeover of Sterling Cooper assumes a prominent back-story to this season as well, adding more tension to some of the most impeccably written scripts of the 3 seasons. Season 3 is the best season so far, perhaps due to the weight and seriousness of the themes it takes on. Dealing with death can easily become bad melodrama, but that's never the case in this season, even when dealing with Kennedy's assassination and the loss of other major characters. Seldom has a gay character been so well developed as the one of "Sal" is handled here. Sal is someone it's made really easy to empathize with, and the way he's written makesp for one of the most seemingly honest, respectful portrayals of such a character in the entire history of the medium.

LIONSGATE FILMS has provided the correct 1.78:1 aspect ratio for this AVC MPEG-4 1080p blu-ray. Colors are vibrant throughout! The production design and the meticulous attention to detail of the period gives "MAD MEN" the look of an incredibly expensive production. Thankfully, the level of detail going into the series is on par with the level of detail displayed. Even the stitching of clothes is visible! Contrast is flawless, with inky blacks ensuring none of the image is lost to shadow. A MAGNIFICENT LOOKING TRANSFER!!!

LIONSGATE FILMS has provided a DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix. Being a dialogue-driven series, and much of it within interior locations, surrounds aren't on prominent display. However the front soundstage is active and the level of discrete/separation effects, prevents anyone from mistaking this as a monaural presentation. Dialogue is crisp and perfectly presented, regardless of the layers of effects and music.  And, music plays an important role in the series, complimented by surrounds, in just the right key moments.

As with the previous LIONSGATE FILMS releases of the first two seasons, there are plenty of extras here. In addition to the wonderful commentaries offered for various episodes, there are also photo galleries, documentaries and the footage to the famous "I HAVE A DREAM" speech of the great Martin Luther King.