I totally agree with you about season 2 vs season 3, Toni. I really had very little emotional investment in season 3. The final 4 were all great dancers, but I didn't really care which one won (well, as long as the shorter guy - see that's how bad it is, I can't even remember his name now - didn't win.).
I do think it was kinda cool that Allyson fr Sea2 and Sabra fr sea3 were both in High School Musical 1.
Season 3 also showed how small the world of dance can be. You had lots of siblings and Denise Wall has trained at least 3 of the top 10's cumulatively between the last 2 seasons (Danny, Travis and Jamie)