Explore the Third Season of 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'

"Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" — Season Three: Few Lived, Many Experienced

Rating: 8 out of 10
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Starring: Egor Gubarev, Valentina Lyapina, Yuri Borisov, Nikita Pavlenko, Yevgeny Tkachenko, Viktor Sukhorukov, among others.

The launch of the third season of the series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has reaffirmed its status as a beloved continuation of the coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of the wild 90s. This time around, the narrative unfolds during the warm summer of 1996, two years after the last episode, plunging the characters into fresh challenges and transformations.

The Evolution of the Characters: A New Chapter in Life

The central figures of the story are familiar, yet they have matured notably with the passage of two years:

• Sanka (Egor Gubarev) has graduated from school and now earns a living selling cassettes at a local kiosk. His life embarks on a new adventure, complete with romantic entanglements with a new girlfriend.
• Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have stepped into parenthood, with Vovka juggling the pressures of family life and diving into dubious schemes to support them.
• Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), the ever-eccentric character, now strives for physical perfection, embarking on a quest to better himself.
• Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) has returned to town with a fiancé, much to the shock of her close-knit circle of friends.

Meanwhile, Sanka's parents navigate their own tumultuous realities: his mother faces incarceration for financial crimes, while his father hopes for salvation from Vitalik (Arthur Besyastny), who has always waded through the murky waters of legality.

A Rich Criminal Narrative

The series' writers unveil a fresh perspective on Tula's underbelly, illuminating the criminal landscape that thrives beneath the surface. Despite the demise of many key players in the nefarious game during the second season, new characters are introduced, and some supposedly perished figures surprise us with comebacks.

The returns of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko) evoke mixed emotions; their revival feels grounded in reality this time, although it retains a dramatic flair. Once more, the teenagers find themselves swept up in a whirlwind of events, becoming involuntary participants in a world of crime.

Soundtrack — The Soul of the Series

Music emerges yet again as a vital component of the narrative, crafting an immersive atmosphere that transports the viewer back to the 90s. The soundtrack features a delightful mix of:

• Iconic hits from the 90s, reinvigorating the period for audiences.
• Mudzus's music, capturing the tension and inspiration of those times.
• The album "Morsky" by "Mumiy Troll," which, in the series' timeline, has been released earlier than its actual debut.

This auditory backdrop not only enriches the emotional weight of the plot but elegantly reflects the era's spirit, characterized by uncertainty and change.

Dynamics and Intrigue: What to Expect from the Third Season?

At first glance, the early episodes of this season might seem to drag compared to the previous installments, but this slow pacing is merely deceptive. The suspense builds gradually with each passing scene, swiftly transitioning back to the breakneck speed that the series is known for.

The writers continue to skilfully tread the line between absurdity and realism, compelling viewers to empathize with characters despite their flaws and missteps. Will the show manage to maintain this level of tension all the way through to the finale? Or are we on the brink of yet another dizzying rollercoaster of events?

Closure: Why You Should Watch

The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" stands as a vivid testament to the nostalgia-laden cinema of the 90s. It perfectly blends:

• Vibrant characters that viewers have cherished for their authenticity and charm.
• An authentic atmosphere encapsulating the essence of the decade, conveyed through settings, music, and costumes.
• A plot that consistently keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, even while maintaining a light-hearted approach.

This season marks yet another stride in deciphering the characters' journey, illustrating that while they may have lived little, they have certainly experienced much. This series is highly recommended for those wishing to bask in the nostalgia of the 90s or simply revel in the mastery of quality Russian television.