China Beach: Season 3

Once again I come to this spot to review one of my most favorite of television series. I now own, and I have viewed all three available seasons of China Beach. This series means so very much to me, and I am sure to many of my fellow Vietnam Veterans. For those of us who were up in the North part of South Vietnam in I Corps, and in my own case Phu Bai. Quite a bit of what is portrayed in the series is very familiar. I was in Da Nang many times, and visited the "real" China Beach a few times as well. The real place is/was the beach near Da Nang called My Khe Beech. It did have an evacuation hospital, and did have a recreation center for what we called "In-Country R&R". Whether the doctors and nurses were anything like those in the series is neither here nor there. What is important, is that those folks did serve there, and performed the same medical services as did Colleen McMurphy, Samuel Beckett, Lila Garreau, and "Dick" Richard. I am sure that there were others like "Boonie" and "Dodger" around as well. I served with and knew many people in Vietnam, and all of those individuals have some degree of similarity to those in the series. My subsequent role in life after I retired from the Army, was as a VA Social Worker. I retired from that position after 23 years, just eight years ago. The veterans, from all of our 20th Century Wars and conflicts, deserve the best care that our nation can provide. The same goes for those currently serving in this newer century. Many of the medical personnel who served in Vietnam, also worked with the VA later on. I had the honor to work alongside some of these professionals within the VA system, and they continue as valued friends to this day. I would like to believe that we will someday have no more need for Medevac, "Dust Off", and combat medical personnel. I know this will not happen though, and I thank God that those filling these positions are still there. I love the China Beach series 3, and give it a 5 Star rating. Now, please release Season 4, and I will be a bit happier still.

Loved the first two seasons, but read a number of reviews that complained about faulty discs. I saw there were three suppliers for Season 3, so which one to buy? Flawless seasons 1 & 2 that I had were by La Entertainment, and that seemed to be the studio that Amazon chose to sell itself, so I ordered from that studio, and my season 3 discs were all perfect. Also bought season 4 by La Entertainment, which I haven't yet watched, but I did spot checks on those discs and didn't find any problems.As far as dramatic content, Season 3 had more intense emotions (characters were more challenged) compared to the lighter first two seasons. Very compelling.

My 3rd Season none of the DVD’s will play. 1,2,4Play perfectly

China Beach was the critics' choice for best television drama at its time but never was able to get decent ratings. As a Vietnam combat vet, I find situations I relate to & situations that approach incredulity. The third season seems to have turned toward more stock plots (love stories, mysteries, etc.) but it does have some tense episodes (even if unlikely) such as McMurphy being kidnapped then released by the Viet Cong. I loved it, you may hate it - but the war's over & the overriding plot line of women being able to rise to what was always considered only men's level of courage in the worst of times is still (and will always be) relevant. If you were there, it's nostalgic. If you weren't there, consider yourself lucky.

I was disappointed with this last season. I'm sure that I watched this season when it was on TV, but I didn't remember just how true to the way things were back in the 70's for Vietnam Veterans coming home from the war zone. I loved the show when it was on TV. I have enjoyed all the seasons prior to this one. I'm not saying I didn't like it, it just more of downer then the previous seasons.

I loved this series when it was on television. Dana Delaney who played Colleen was my favorite actress at the time. The series is one I can watch over and over again. Highly enjoyable!

I've been waiting a long time for this to come out on DVD. It was worth the wait! However, there are 6 dvd's for season 3. There were only 5. Nothing was missing. They just failed to make a dvd for the first 4 episodes of the season. I am confused!

The show explores the impact of the war on soldiers, non-combatant soldiers, nurses, doctors, R&R staff, civilian staff, missionaries, and the Vietnamese women and children. I had been prepared for M*A*S*H set in Viet Nam but, even though there is humor and music in every episode, there is also heartbreak and tears.

Yes, i'm afraid so. As much as it pains me, i feel as though i have to be objective with my rating. The problem, quite simply, is that there is way too much of a wobble during the season's first third. The episodes are basically okay, but there is also a bit of clunkiness. (One notable exception for the "Ghosts" epiosde, i should say.) Thereafter, things settle down and we subsequently get a few top, top episodes. But the damage had already been done.Let me justify those comments. Here, we get four new characters joining the series. This inevitably detracts from the involvement with the characters who have been around since the beginning. Dr. Richard, Boonie, Beckett and Dodger all become rather more margianalised, with the new participants giving differing levels of satisfaction. Sarge Bud Pepper is probably the most fully realised of the additions. Combat medical assistant Jeff Hyers has season regular status, but never really gets going. Until his "series out", which suddenly becomes very moving. Red Cross volunteer Holly is also not that indispensable an addition, although she gets one episode in which to shine. Last and least, however, comes the dreaded, handsome "Docteur" Gérard. He is played by Dutch actor Derek de Lint, and i could not help but groan inwardly whenever his name appeared in the opening credits. He is there to add a bit of romantic interest for McMurphy, but this storyline just drags on for way, way, way too long. We do eventually get a pay-off, but i doubt it is worth all the screen time devoted to it. An early Tom Sizemore appears, as another suitor for McMurphy, but it all seemed a bit too silly.However, the latter two-thirds offer up some great highlights.The excellent two-parter "How To Stay Alive in Vietnam" has a magnificent first episode. One of the best to date, i would suggest. "Souvenirs" is very good, with Dodger ending his time in Vietnam. "Thanks To A Grateful Nation" is staggeringly moving, as Dodger attempts to adapt to life back in "the world". Jeff Kober's performance really is wonderful. "F. N. G:" sort of takes us back to the beginning, as it were, with McMurphy and Dr. Richard's arrival in Vietnam. Another extraordinary episode, which will probably not leave a dry eye in the house. "The Gift" sees a one-off guest appearance from Barbara Babcock and interaction with Concetta Tomei which was both convincing and tear-jerking. The surreal, dreamlike season-ender "Strange Brew" has a moving montage to close things out.Other items of note are a short arc with Dorian Harewood, who has some great scenes with Marg Helgenberger. Don Cheadle has a small role in one epsiode, directed by David Soul. Vince Vaughan an even smaller one, in the season opener. This time, we get interviews with lovely Dana Delany, Nancy Giles and John Wells as bonus features. Plus a gag reel. From here, it is onwards to the final season. Time to see if it really was as good as i remember it to be.

The very best TV ever to come out of US and possibly anywhere. The world is missing out on this series. Tremendously well acted -- take the time to understand the US view of its ridiculous Vietnam conflict - how mainstream US tried to simply Not think about it. It happened. This series has so many levels to understand - cleverly thought through. So good because advisors & writers who lived it - worked on it. What a cast, what a crew and what a brave production.

A classic TV show finally available on DVD

Been waiting for this for many years. Thrilled to finally be able to buy it on DVD

fine.