Tour of Duty - Complete Third Season
Company B's harrowing experiences as a combat unit during the Vietnam War come to a close withTour of Duty's third season in 1989, which marked the end of this critically acclaimed television series. The episodes contained in this set are among the most dramatic of the entire program's run, as established and new characters alike meet the brutal realities and futility of the war head-on. Departing from the regular cast this season is Kim Delaney's Alex Devlin, but among the recurring players is Carl Weathers, as by-the-book Col. Brewster; Kyle Chandler (Early Edition) as Pvt. Griner; Greg Germann ofAlly McBealas the ill-fated Lt. Beller; and Lee Majors as a world-weary and middle-aged PVC (his son Lee Majors II also appears as his character's son in "Three Cheers for the Orange, White and Blue"). Story-wise, it's a downbeat season, with episodes delving into the My Lai massacre (a multi-episode arc beginning with "A Bodyguard of Lies"), racial tension ("Odd Man Out"), and finally, the challenges facing vets upon their return to the States (season closers "The Raid" and "Payback"). The solid, unsentimental writing and performances that earmark the series as a whole are in full effect in all 20 episodes of season 3, which netted an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Sound Mixing, and a Viewers for Quality Television Award for series lead Terence Knox. As with the previousTour of Dutyboxed sets, season 3 offers no supplemental features, and replaces the period pop music that dotted the show's soundtrack with a generic incidental score. While unfortunate, neither factor should prevent viewers from exploring this excellent show.--Paul Gaita