DVD Review: Private Practice – The Complete Third Season

Private Practice was definitely not short on drama during the 23 episodes that comprise the third season. Addison (Kate Walsh) discovers a family secret, Violet (Amy Brennerman) struggles while recovering from having her baby taken, and Naomi (Audra McDonald) and Sam (Taye Diggs) find out that they are going to be grandparents. There was definitely a whole lot going on at Oceanside Wellness including Cooper (Paul Adelstein) coping with Charlotte (KaDee Strickland) joining the practice, Pete (Tim Daly) leaving to work at Naomi’s practice, and the death of a beloved character that no one saw coming.

The audience was introduced to two new characters this season, Dr. Gabriel Fife (Michael Patrick Thorton) and Dr. Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone). Dr. Fife is a new doctor at Naomi’s practice, who is researching new medical advancements, when he is not working the nerves of his fellow doctors in the building. Dr. Shepherd is the younger sister of Grey’s Anatomy character Dr. Derek Shepherd who, like her older brother, is also a brain surgeon.

Speaking of Grey’s Anatomy, there were two crossovers with the series during the past season. Private Practice was first visited by Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and then later by McSteamy himself, Dr. Mark Sloan (Eric Dane). The crossovers were done well this season, plus it was nice to see the characters from both shows interact with one another. Being able to crossover from Grey’s Anatomy to Private Practice just adds another dynamic to the show.

The five-disc set also includes never before seen DVD extras including an entertaining gag reel, Kate Walsh’s favorite things about season three, and a slew of deleted scenes.

During the “Kate’s Top 8” vignette, the Private Practice star lists her favorite things about season three. As a bonus, you also get to hear from various cast members, along with the show’s creator Shonda Rhimes and producer Betsy Beers. It is interesting to hear what the cast thinks about the various story lines that took place throughout the season.

There were a lot of scenes that seem to hit the cutting room floor this season. The was a scene between Dell (Chris Lowell) and Maya (Geffri Maya) that I wish had been included in its intended episode. It was nice to see the banter between the two characters, especially since the audience usually saw Maya either talking to Addison, Sam or Naomi. Giving her character a new outlet to turn to was a good decision. The audience didn’t see a lot of Dell as much this past season, so seeing his character in the extras on the DVD set was a treat.

With another deleted scene where Addison and Amelia are outside talking on Addison’s deck with the ocean in the background, the special effects (i.e. the ocean) hadn’t been added in yet. The audience truly gets a behind-the-scenes experience while watching the actors work against a blue screen.

This DVD set will definitely be appreciated by any Private Practice fan.

Private Practice: The Complete Third Season is available in stores now.