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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mel O&#039;Drama" data-source="post: 404018" data-attributes="member: 23">Season ThreeAs I’ve wrapped up another season this is an obligatory check-in really. I don’t feel I have much to say about it, but it’s mostly more of the same which is no bad thing.I feel the tone has become a tad broader with this season. This works in large part because it seems to come from a kind of confidence or comfort within the cast, and also because it’s balanced with a willingness to address topics that feel more grounded and semi-dramatic.There’s a recurring theme of scenarios where we see characters dealing with low self-esteem: Murray’s depression. Rhoda struggling to cope with success from winning a beauty contest. Jerry Van Dyke’s character’s wish to broaden his scope beyond being Chuckles The Clown, leading to painfully bad stand-up. Georgette’s people-pleasing. Even Lou’s emotional (and possible actual) infidelity with his new boss. In addition this season has given us an example of a non-stereotypical gay character whose homosexuality isn’t there for cheap laughs. I’d imagine this to be one of the first such examples on television (Number 96’s Don Finlayson had been around for almost a year by this point and was a recurring character to boot, but that’s a different genre).I’d say Georgette perhaps embodies the different tone at this point. Up to this point, Ted’s been the most caricature-ish character with most others staying comparably in-check. But Georgette with her funny voice and almost one-dimensional niceness is entering the same territory. There are a few saving graces here. Firstly, it could be argued that Ted needed someone as cartoony as he is to partner up with. Secondly, the niceness has been acknowledged as something that frustrates other characters as much as it could the viewer. Finally there’s Georgia Engel’s performance, which gives the character a vulnerability as well as keeping her likeable.We’ve now met all four of Mary and Rhoda’s parents, and it’s interesting to see the similarities in the dynamics. Both have critical or controlling mothers and more placid fathers who are also kept on a short leash by their wives. Nanette Fabray has done a nice job of making Mary’s mother a passive-aggressive nightmare.With Season Four just around the corner, I’m already dreading the exit of Rhoda who is the best thing about Mary’s home life and an essential part of the series. At this point, I’ve shifted my position on the spinoff and would be up for watching it if the opportunity arose, which it probably won’t since it seems difficult to buy on DVD round these parts (the first season is on YouTube but even if I could reconcile the questionable legality life is just too short to watch headache-inducing poor quality uploads). In better news, my next episode sees the first appearance of Sue Ann.I’ll probably dive into Season Four in the next week or so.</blockquote>

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