Exploring Season Three of 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
A Review of Season Three of the Series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": The Spirit of the '90s, Coming of Age, and the Inevitable Changes
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The popular series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has captured the hearts of audiences by striking a delicate balance between celebrated nostalgia for the tumultuous '90s and an engaging, layered storyline. The third season, which premiered on the online platform Premier, takes us once again into the vibrant atmosphere of provincial Russia in the mid-'90s, but this time it does so through the lens of the characters' journey into adulthood.
Characters Mature, Complications Increase
At the forefront of this season are our unyielding group of friends, who find themselves embroiled in unexpected situations, even after the passage of two years. Set during the summer of 1996—a symbolically rich time marking a new chapter in the characters' lives—the story unfolds with complexities that mirror their growth.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has left school behind, facing the tough realities of adult life. His budding romance with a new girlfriend (Alexandra Khromova) adds a sweet touch to the narrative; however, it does little to alleviate the daily struggles, like working at a booth selling cassettes.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) are navigating the challenges of young parenthood. Vovka, while exuding his typical bravado, finds himself resorting to dubious methods to support his family.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), a character with an unstable inner world, is now heavily invested in physical self-improvement, which adds a layer of drama to his persona.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) makes her return to her hometown not solo, but with a fiancé (Fedor Fedotov), much to the surprise of her old friends.
Sanya’s family issues also take center stage, with his mother (Ksenia Katalymova) arrested for financial crimes while his father (Stepan Devonin) clings to the hope of assistance from a former partner who may not be what he seems.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers have chosen to be straightforward in their representation of Tula as the setting. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city has experienced significant changes. The demise of several key figures in the criminal underworld has prompted the creators to introduce new characters and even bring back familiar faces thought to be long gone.
Viewers can expect the unexpected return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the previous season seemed irreversible. This time, the writers have provided a more plausible rationale for their survival, injecting intrigue and momentum into the unfolding story.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical score remains one of the series' standout features. The compositions by Mujus brilliantly encapsulate the atmosphere of a time fraught with anxiety yet brimming with hope. The series also features iconic hits from the '90s that evoke a powerful sense of nostalgia. Notably, there is a special emphasis on the album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll", which, despite real-life chronology, is released a year earlier in this narrative.
A Slow Start or a Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike its predecessors, this third season kicks off with a comparatively slow build-up. However, the tension is palpable from the very first episodes. The burning question remains whether the creators will maintain this pacing or, as in previous seasons, plunge the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous adventures.
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" stands as a commendable continuation of a narrative focused on growing up, the trials of choice, and the spirit of the challenging '90s. Despite some controversial plot decisions, the series retains its status as one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. Intrigue, pace, and emotional depth render this show a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama infused with historic significance.