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Season 3 – American Dreams

Play trailer Poster for Season 3 – American Dreams Sep 2004 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Meg is a Philadelphia teen in the 1960s who dances on Dick Clark's locally produced "American Bandstand." As she becomes an adult, Meg finds herself grappling with serious issues as her friends and family are affected by the war in Vietnam, racism, feminism, and even teen marriage and pregnancy.

Critics Reviews

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Noel Holston Newsday 09/17/2019
Not only is "Dreams" one of the few well-done family dramas left in prime time, but it's practically alone in its determination to deal with those thorny questions of race that never seem to get that "national conversation" they've long been due. Go to Full Review Maureen Ryan Chicago Tribune 09/17/2019
The thoughtful "Dreams" greatest strength is its ability to take seriously the moral decisions faced by members of the Walker and Pryor families, who are struggling to maintain their composure and even find some prosperity as the turbulent '60s unfold. Go to Full Review Melanie McFarland Seattle Post-Intelligencer 09/17/2019
The acting is great and the story lines are excellent, but high-schooler Meg (Brittany Snow) and her love of music, augmented by numerous pop-star cameos, also keep viewers hooked. Go to Full Review Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 09/17/2019
Plays to all the show's strengths: socially relevant issues, some comedic family moments and scenes of intense drama. Go to Full Review Cynthia Fuchs PopMatters 09/11/2019
[NBC's] abandonment of the series is too bad, honestly, for it is one of the few to grapple weekly with current events and anxieties, in the guise of not-so-nostalgic "history." Go to Full Review Read all reviews
American Dreams — Season 3

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Cast & Crew

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Gail O'Grady

Helen Pryor

Tom Verica

Jack Pryor

Brittany Snow

Meg Pryor

Will Estes

John "JJ" Pryor, Jr.

Sarah Ramos

Patty Pryor

Ethan Dampf

Will Pryor

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 26, 2004 Long Shots & Short Skirts Word of Meg's arrest is leaked to the newspapers, compromising Jack's run for city council; Beth is hesitant to join an organization of soldier's wives despite Helen's invitation; JJ awakens in a military hospital. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 3, 2004 Charade The Pryors are shocked by their new neighbors, a single woman and Playboy bunny with a son old enough to attend East Catholic; Meg continues her anti-war campaign; Jack's run for city council begins to affect his family and professional life. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 10, 2004 Leaders of the Pack Meg is unable to recruit other students for her play until Chris makes her an offer that involves breaking and entering; Jack prepares to embrace alternative voting groups in his run for city council; Roxanne moves in with the Pryors. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 17, 2004 Surround Me JJ experiences other aspects of the Vietnam War; Jack continues his campaign despite some dirty tricks from his opposition; Meg continues to work on her play; Chris' influence begins to show; Cal and Beth grow closer. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 24, 2004 So Long, Farewell Meg gets in trouble at school when she adds an anti-war element to her play; Luke's return to Philadelphia turns Roxanne's life upside down; Helen has an uncomfortable encounter at work; Jack's new role is overwhelming. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 31, 2004 Clear and Present Danger Meg's reckless anti-war behavior lands her in jail; the Pryors learn that JJ is MIA after he and his squad are captured by the Vietcong. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 7, 2004 What Dreams May Come When news that JJ is missing reaches home, everything reminds Helen of her son; Jack goes to Washington, D.C., to find some answers and agrees to bring Meg with him; the family receives an unexpected package during Thanksgiving dinner. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 14, 2004 One in a Million JJ is found alive in the jungle but tries to escape from his rescuer; Meg is asked to speak at an assembly honoring East Catholic students serving in the war; Helen goes to see a psychiatrist. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 21, 2004 Tidings of Comfort and Joy As JJ struggles for survival in the jungle, he comes across a fellow American soldier, and together they encourage each other to stay alive until they find help. Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 2, 2005 Home Again JJ's experience in Vietnam still haunts him, and when Beth tries to help him cope, they rekindle their love and decide to set a wedding date. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 9, 2005 Truth Be Told Meg and Chris (Milo Ventimiglia) take their relationship to the next level, but her excitement is short-lived when he confesses that he lied to her; Helen is upset at the thought of JJ and Beth not having a Roman Catholic ceremony. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 23, 2005 For Richer, for Poorer While preparing for the wedding, JJ receives a plea for help from Vietnam and must use the money he has been saving for a house. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 30, 2005 Starting Over When Chris leaves town, Meg is left without a date to her senior prom, so JJ decides that he will escort her. Details Episode 14 Aired Mar 9, 2005 Commencement Meg and Sam struggle to define their relationship as Meg prepares her senior speech on the hope of the future; Helen helps Shelly (Daphne Zuniga) get a job at the travel agency. Details Episode 15 Aired Mar 16, 2005 California Dreamin' When Meg and Roxanne are selected to dance on "American Bandstand," they travel to Hollywood and visit the set of "I Dream of Jeannie" along the way. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 23, 2005 No Satisfaction When Jack's older brother is in a near-fatal car accident, Jack must make one of the most difficult decisions of his life. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 30, 2005 It's My Life When Chris tells Meg he has been drafted, she must decide if she will leave her family and dodge the draft with him. Details

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Season Info

Executive Producer
Dick Clark, Jonathan Prince
Network
NBC
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 26, 2004