Wisely, the writers swiftly returned the pair to roommate status and got Grace out of her ongoing relationship with Will's former boss (Gregory Hines), bringing the show's focus back on how the pair sublimate their love lives with the cozy intimacy of friendship--one particularly strong episode flashes back to how they first met in college, replete with godawful 80s fashion. But, as ever, it's Jack and Karen who up the comic ante; Mullally and Hayes are shamelessly self-absorbed and shallow, exploiting and abusing everyone around them. Jack forces Will to play Cyrano, feeding him pick-up lines over his salesperson headset; Karen, worried that some experimental plastic surgery might turn out badly, manipulates another socialite into getting it first. Not all plotlines fly--Grace gets into a relationship with an obnoxious neighbor (Woody Harrelson) that never becomes more than stunt-casting--but the racy wit flies fast and furious, the slapstick is topnotch, and Karen's hairdo towers magnificently. --Bret Fetzer

Series 1 and 2 of Will and Grace were comic masterpieces, surpassing most other sitcoms and providing loads of laugh out loud moments. Series 3 has less of such moments, and at some points seems to drag, becoming monotonous and seemingly without many fresh ideas, so some episodes feel a bit samey.

However it's still a good show and this series does have the major bonus of a two part flashback episode which shows Will, Grace and Jack in the 80s, when Will and Grace were dating, Will had yet to realise/admit that he was gay, and Jack was already...Jack. It's essential viewing as it gives necessary background to the characters and explains Will and Grace's relationship in a way that seems to make everything clearer. It also shows how the bond between Jack and Will first grew which is very touching. This double episode is also the comedy highlight of the series with some excellent hairdos and one-liners! I loved it when Will insists he's straight and Jack snaps 'Your well-worn copy of the Dream Girls show tunes begs to differ!'.

As far as special features go, it's got pretty much the same dismal ones as series 2 - a few compilations of clips from the series, under different headings. I think the boxset would really benefit from some interviews, commentaries or especially bloopers.

So in summary, if you're already a Will and Grace fan then get this series as it still provides a good way to lose yourself for a half hour (or a few hours if you fancy watching them all at once - it's one of those shows that's easy to just keep watching!). But if you're new to the show then get series 1 and 2 first.


husbands and trophy wives...   July 19, 2005
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

this series has the funniest episode ever, episode three, husbands and trophy wives! karen is the funniest she's ever been in any series... a must watch!