Cold Feet - Complete 3rd Series [DVD] [1997]

Although its premise of three men, three women and their interconnected lives and loves may mark the show as a copy based on an American template, Cold Feet has slowly but surely developed into a masterpiece of its own. The third series delivers more of the same, but the script is so perfectly written and delivered that it feels like they could continue running with the same premise indefinitely and no one would mind. The performances are, as ever, sublime--particularly the trio of James Nesbitt, John Thomson and Fay Ripley--and the humour is relaxed and unhurried, leaving room for large amounts of drama. With this series seeing dramatic plot lines being developed for all six characters there is also a fair amount of suspense (the story of Rachel and Adam's wedding will have you on the edge of your seat) and the writers are in no rush to wrap things up, merely leaving you agog for the developments in Series Four. Newcomers to Cold Feet should not worry about joining the show late, as they will quickly fall into step with the ins and outs of this group of British friends.

On the DVD: With eight episodes split over two discs, there is little room for any substantial extras. The scene selection process is clear and concise and there is a rather pointless photo gallery. The standard behind the scenes footage is brief but certainly entertaining, not least the material surrounding the cast's location shoot in Nesbitt's home town in Northern Ireland--including a memorable drunken ride in a police wagon.--Phil Udell