The Paper Chase: Season Three [DVD]

In the 3rd season we find the find Hart the President of the Law review. But before he was chosen to be the President we hear that his nemesis (rival) on the Law Review Rita Harriman wants to be the Law Review's “first” female President. I found this odd because it was in the first season we learned that a then female President of the Law Review helped Hart (even though he refused her help). Season 3 adds some new cast members. In the 2nd season we saw Wills Bell sue the city over a pothole and gain some experience in court. In the 3rd season we see Ford defending another student who hit a professor. We also see how Ford’s younger brother gave some free advice to someone and how it backfired on him getting him into deep trouble. In another episode Kingsfield is absent from class and is nowhere to be found but that was also a way of teaching the class something important. There were hard hitting episodes about a sitting Supreme Court Judge’s bias and Ford finding out that his girlfriend is pregnant, but the episode that I like the best was the talent show in which Willis Bell pulls of an incredible impression of Kingsfield (because he believed Kingsfield was away on a trip) and when he takes a bow on stage he locks eyes with Kingsfield in the audience who does not appear to be amused. I also liked how the law students rallied around their first year law student who was a mother and going through a divorce. When I found out that there was a 4th season consisting of only 5 episodes I ordered it but in reality it could have been included on this DVD in much the same way that Seasons 1 & 2 of T.J. Hooker appear on one release because there were only 5 episodes in the first season of that show.

John Jay Osborn Jr., the author of the book upon which the movie was based, and who consulted on the movie, also consulted on and wrote for the series, all of which was based on his law school experiences back in the day. The seasons follow Hart, Ford and Bell through their journey from 1Ls to 4Ls, and ultimately out into the world as law grads. As a non-law student and a non-lawyer, what I find interesting in the series, and a bit lacking in the movie, is the time the series takes to explore relationships, friendships and everyday trials and tribulations of several students as they each endure their own uphill battle to cram reams of esoteric knowledge into their very human brains over a limited time, any way it will fit. Season three finds the guys as 3Ls, third-year law students. Spoiler alert: Hart becomes president of Law Review, where his earnest over-eager passion for getting to the truth serves him well. While studying law, some become entangled in legal intrigue outside of school. Good thing they're starting to think like lawyers!!

"Paper Chase" the television series was one of the best shows EVER! And this DVD set allows me to finally (re-)watch the final season. Now I have the entire series on DVD so I can enjoy the episodes for years to come.

I saw this when it aired on PBS and now that I have it I watched twice in as many weeks and will watch it again. It is on the level of "Passengers", Good will hunting", "Benny and Joon" and a few others that I watch over and over for the craftsmanship as well as the story.

For a TV show that aired more than thirty years ago, the Paper Chase is a series that holds up remarkably well. Season 3 continues the stories of James Hart and his colleagues as they navigate the murky waters of law school while responding to the relentless Professor Kingsfield. Season 3 also introduces the newest crop of 1L's including a much younger Lanie Kazan (who went on to star in such hits as My Big Fat Greek Wedding). I enjoyed the camaraderie between the cast and the effective use of life lessons and professionalism for our would-be lawyers. For example, one episode is a cautionary tale about the unlicensed practice of law - a law student provides the wrong advice to a mechanic in a landlord tenant dispute and faces a Bar complaint and potential prosecution by a zealous district attorney. Other episodes show the pressures of studying, the use of drugs, and other issues such as assault and divorce. This show may not be for everyone, but it is well-written and well-acted, and for twelve episodes, it was certainly worth the wait. Let's hope that the final season will be available on DVD soon.

I’m very excited to see the release of Season 3. Now if Season 4 will come right behind it then my collection will be complete. Superb writing and acting and the real life feel of how law school is makes this a top notch series that I’m proud to be able to enjoy after all these years! UPDATE: just found out Season 4 comes out in Jan 2018!! Hooray!!

excellent series, great smart actors telling the story. love every episode.

the long wait is finally over what a great series my only small complaint season 1 and 2 were region free but season 3 is region 1 though they are all advertised as region 1