Season Three of 'Peace! Friendship! Gum!' Delivers Depth

"Peace! Friendship! Gum!" – Season Three: So Little Lived, So Much Experienced

Rating: 8 out of 10
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov

Main Cast: Egor Gubarev, Valentina Lyapina, Yuri Borisov, Nikita Pavlenko, Evgeny Tkatchuk, Viktor Sukhorukov, among others.

The third season of the beloved series "Peace! Friendship! Gum!" delivers a much-anticipated continuation of the captivating tale centered around the lives of teenagers navigating the complexities of the 1990s. Set against the backdrop of the summer of 1996, the characters have aged two years and now face new challenges and trials that test their mettle.

Coming of Age: A New Chapter

The core protagonists remain familiar; however, each one has undergone significant transformations during the two-year gap:

• Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has graduated and now sells cassettes at a kiosk. This new chapter in his life introduces budding romantic endeavors with a new girlfriend.
• Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have embraced parenthood, with Vovka diving headfirst into questionable schemes to support his growing family.
• Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), who has always been a bit eccentric, is now on a quest for physical perfection, straddling the brink between commitment and obsession.
• Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) stirs the pot by arriving in town with her fiancé, catching her friends off-guard and reshaping the group dynamic.

Sanya's parents are also battling their dramas: the mother finds herself behind bars due to financial shenanigans, while the father clings to the hope that VITALIK (Arthur Beshchatny) will swoop in to save the day, ever in his usual gray-area dealings.

Intense Criminal Underbelly

This season uncovers the gritty underbelly of Tula's crime scene from a fresh perspective. While many of the key players from the previous season met their fate, the writers introduce new faces, while teasing the potential return of some presumed-dead characters.

The unexpected re-emergence of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vityok (Nikita Pavlenko) adds a layer of intrigue: their 'resurrection' is portrayed convincingly this time around, despite remaining a dramatic twist. As always, the teenagers find themselves swept into the vortex of illegal activities, becoming unwilling players in a dangerous game.

Soundtrack – The Heartbeat of the Series

Music once again plays a pivotal role, infusing the storyline with an unparalleled ambiance. The soundtrack features:

• Iconic hits from the 90s that transport viewers directly back to the era.
• Striking compositions from Mujus, channeling the anxious energy of the times.
• The album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, curiously, is integrated into the narrative as if it had been released earlier than it actually was.

This musical backdrop enhances the emotional depth of the story arcs, mirroring the spirit of change and instability that defined the 90s.

Pacing and Intrigue: What to Expect from Season Three

The initial episodes of the third season may come off as slower-paced compared to past installments, but this is merely an illusion. The tension gradually escalates with each scene, ultimately rekindling the familiar breakneck speed that fans adore.

The writers expertly walk the fine line between absurdity and realism, compelling viewers to empathize with the characters, even amidst their flaws and missteps. The burning question looms: will the series maintain its gripping tension until the very end? Or will we witness yet another whirlwind of dizzying events?

Closure: Why You Should Watch

Season three of "Peace! Friendship! Gum!" stands as a remarkable illustration of nostalgic cinema reflecting the 90s era. It melds together:

• Vibrant characters with charm and authenticity that have captured the audience's hearts.
• An era-appropriate atmosphere, brought to life through meticulous set designs, music selection, and costumes.
• A storyline that continuously keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, all wrapped in a lighthearted narrative.

This season is yet another step towards understanding that in the lives of the characters, while "little was lived, much was experienced." It comes highly recommended for those wishing to relive the nostalgia of the 90s or simply enjoy a superbly crafted Russian series.