Daria: Season 03 (1999)

Two seasons -- 26 episodes -- into its run, animated MTV comedy Daria had its modus operandi in place. Its writers then decided to explore uncharted terrain with 1999's third season: new settings, fantastical elements, and even a musical episode. The parodies from season two continued, most notably with a sly X-Files send-up. But reaction was mixed to the jokey show tunes, mythical characters, and ghost-story send-ups that also appeared. Some fans thought the show jumped the shark with "Depth Takes a Holiday," in which the human incarnations of various holidays invaded Lawndale. But sprinkled among such experimental asides, faithful audience members found plenty of old-school Daria episodes to love, including a scathing parody of Sassy and Jane magazine personality Jane Pratt. Also mixed in with the jokey one-offs were episodes that expanded upon the heavier themes that had begun to crop up as early as the first-season finale. Death, sexual maturity, and anxiety for the post-high school future all solidified their places in the show's thematic lineup. Speaking of lineups, the voice cast experienced turnover (as in previous seasons) but ended the season with an ensemble that wouldn't change much during the show's twilight years. After this year of transition, the Daria series itself would also settle into a groove -- a rapidly maturing, sometimes nostalgic groove that reflected the inner lives of its young-adult characters. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi