Catherine Chandler (Linda Hamilton) has spent the last two years loving Vincent (Ron Perlman), the noble, intelligent man-beast who saved her life. Recent events had driven Vincent nearly to the edge of madness as he fought with his savage side. When Catherine ventures to him as he struggles, he collapses. As he rebuilds his strength, Catherine helps her boss at the D.A.’s office with a case involving a shadowy, powerful, dangerous drug lord. She also learns she is pregnant. The drug lord kidnaps her and does the unthinkable.

CRITIQUE

Recently, fairytales seem to be enjoying a surge of public popularity, as the success of Enchanted proves. Timeless romance is the core ingredient of such stories, and so their appeal really isn’t surprising. Television is no stranger to these types of stories as well, and the late 1980’s and early ‘90s produced one stellar example. Steadfastly romantic, the third and final season of Beauty and the Beast also has stunning plotting and memorable performances, as well as the artistic production values that are a trademark of the series.

To warn you upfront, if you haven’t seen this show, this review will contain spoilers. Stop reading now if you don’t wish to know what happens. Showing a daring that few series would have in the same situation, Beauty and the Beast begins its third and final season with a sucker-punch of a two-part episode in which a psychotic drug lord takes Catherine prisoner while she is pregnant, then murders her after she gives birth, taking the baby. The emotional impact of this shocking plotting is immeasurable.

This also signals a switch in the series - the balance between the worlds above and below in the story switches to favor the world above as Vincent single-mindedly searches for his son. The last few episodes seem to hint at another turn toward the world below but we’ll never know what might have happened next.

To investigate Catherine’s murder, her boss and friend Joe Maxwell (the infinitely likable Jay Acovone) brings Diana Bennet (Jo Anderson) on board. This restores a strong female presence in the series in place of Hamilton and the final scenes of the finale suggest that perhaps a Vincent/Diana/Joe triangle may not have been out of the question had the show continued.

The central concern of the season, though, is Vincent rescuing his son and the episodes are well-done in many ways. “Invictus,” the one in which he does recover his son and Catherine’s killer is killed, is a tremendous payoff. The costumes and music of the series remains Pre-Raphaelite to the last and very effective. The use of classic works of music and poetry, especially a Dylan Thomas poem from which the premiere takes its name, works as well.

Beauty and the Beast ends it run with a third season full of what makes it a thoroughly romantic and unique show.

THE VIDEO

The original television aspect ratio is preserved on this set, which is still a good format for a series on DVD. The transfer is problem-free as well. The moody lighting of every episode works as it always did.

THE AUDIO

Dolby Digital for the English track is the format, but its only stereo, not 5.1 surround. I suppose the age of this series owes to that. Everything still sounds good, though, especially the music composed for the series that won it three Emmys in that category.

THE EXTRAS

There are no extra features on this 3-disc set.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The third and final season of Beauty and the Beast offers stunning drama and production values, all ground in a lush tone of romance. Television from this time period was never so romantic and rarely as good overall. The lack of extra features is unfortunate but the series will be enough for many viewers, both those who remember the show and newcomers who can just now discover it on DVD.