The Complete Third Series

I got into Doctor Who a bit late in the game. By the time I finished Fear Her the first few episodes of the 3rd series had already aired, so I knew Rose left and was replaced by Martha. I was very very skeptical to say the least. Here's my episode by episode review:

The Runaway Bride: I'd only ever seen Catharine Tate in Starter for 10 (Yeah, I'm American) so I had no idea of her comedy show (or how repititive it was..killed a great thing, imho) so I only knew her strictly as an actress. I really really enjoyed this episode. I think it was refreshing to see a companion stand up to the Doctor in a way that we hadn't seen in a while and honestly wouldn't you be a bit overwhelemed and angry if that happened to you on your wedding day? All in all good Doctor Who 8/10

Smith and Jones: Great fun! A perfect introduction to Martha and a great season opener..! And I don't mind the blue suit at all. The pacing was great, I could've done without the "genetic transfer" but all in all a great episode! 9.5/10

The Shakespeare Code: One of my favorites episodes of the entire show. I'm a massive fan of Dean Lennox Kelly (Mostly because of Shameless) so I was happily shocked to see him play Shakespeare. The story was great as were the performances. 10/10

Gridlock: I didn't care for this episode the first time I saw it but after watching it a second time I found myself appreciating it a bit more. It was great to see Martha finally confront the Doctor and get a straight answer from him. It was also nice to see the Face of Boe again. 8/10

Daleks in Manhattan - I've only watched this episode once and I don't plan on watching it again. I live in NY so I'm biased but Tallulah's accent was way over-the-top, so that was a bit of a turn off for me from the minute she spoke. The story had great potential; it could've been quite epic really. It just felt tired and old and the episode began to drag quite a bit toward the end. Even though I had the second part available to watch right away I gave myself a couple of days to digest what I had just put myself through. 6/10 (which is only so high due to the acting, mostly by David and Freema)

Evolution of the Daleks - Take the pacing of the first part and slow that down by a hundred times and you get this episode. It wasn't terrible..the acting is great, the effects are good, the story had such potential (some moments are great while others fall terribly flat) but it's definitely forgettable. 5.5/10

The Lazarus Experiment - This is when I regained my faith in the series. While it wasn't great it was interesting to have the villian be human. Mark Gatiss was great (as always) as were the rest of the cast. The effects were good considering how complicated Lazarus was designed. All in all a decent episode. 8/10

42 - I know that everyone calls this the "The Impossible Planet" of series 3 but they're not THAT similar. Okay, maybe they are a bit, but the differences that are there are great enough to allow me to enjoy this episode. The story is interesting, the acting is absolutely superb (This is when I finally began to notice just how brilliant David Tennant really is). Once again a bit more of my faith in the series was restored. 8/10

Human Nature - Where do I even begin? This is, without a doubt in my mind, the best Doctor Who story ever written. Everyone is absolutely fantastic, especially Jessica Hynes and David Tennant! I'm used to seeing the former in strictly comedy roles but she is a great dramatic actress! David Tennant completely transformed himself! There was nothing of the Doctor in John Smith. Freema was great as well; she really shown in this episode, I was finally convinced she had what took to be a companion. The Family were brilliant as well. 10/10

The Family of Blood - This is what television should be. Plain and simple. I have never cried so much over an episode of a show in my entire life. The dilemma that John was faced with really got to me. I found myself even more upset when the Doctor reappeared (I just didn't think it was fair, I can't explain it in a short review). By far the best episode of any television show I have ever watched. 10/10

Blink - An amazing episode to follow the previous two with! Sally was a pleasure to watch, very relatable, and the Easter Egg bit is genius! David Tennant stole the last scene with his bow and arrow. The ending is also perfect; just when you think the danger is over..10/10

Utopia - Very very slow moving but the pay-off is well worth the wait. Having Jack back was great! It was also nice to see him back to his old Doctor Who self. I'm just a bit saddened that the Jacobi didn't stay on..though I do think John Simm was great as well. 9/10

The Sound of Drums - Great episode. It was interesting and exciting to see the group on the run as outlaws. The pacing is perfect and John Simm captures that manic insanity the Master now seems to have perfectly. 9/10

The Last of the Time Lords - I love this episode. It drags a bit in the middle but the Scissor Sisters sequence was perfect!! It was interesting and refreshing to see the Doctor stuck in a situation like that. The climax was great as well (if a bit cheesy and I was a little surprised at how no one seemed to care that the President had still been killed..mind you if it was our current President I wouldn't either, but still) but the ending ripped out my heart. But I'm convinced it's not the end of the Master. I just can't wait to find out how the Titanic was able to crash though the TARDIS.

All in all I'd give it a solid 9/10 (the crap episodes were crap but the amazing episodes really redeem it for me).

It's taken him 3 series-but finally Russel T Davies has ressurected Doctor Who into something that resembles its original self.
Ok...Series one was good. Series two had some brilliant episodes and some terrible episodes.
But this series has been absolutley incredible! Not a single episode has been anything but brilliant. SO for this reason, I'm going to be as critical as possible, in order to give you an idea about each one.

1-Smith & Jones-After so long, it borught I smile to my face just to see his face again. This is probably one of the weakest stories in the series, but for obvious reasons. The general plot line was exactly breath-taking, but an epic story would have clouded the introduction of Martha Jones who beats Billie Piper by FAR. Despite this, the story is exciting and enjoyable. Definatly not one to be missed.

2-The Shakespeare Code-A very enjoyable story. The relationship between Martha and The Doctor begins to develop well and though the enemies are quite cliche, Shakespeare's involvement is both entising and hysterical on occasions. An interesting and original plot for Doctor Who. Again, not one of the best, but the seeds of the series are still growing and are WELL worth the wait!

3-Gridlock-An incredibly original storyline, this episode plays beautiful on the 'traffic jam' idea, being uncomfortably claustaphobic most of the way though. The return of the 'Face Of Bo' was hugely welcomed and after a second familiar face [an enemy from the Troughton years] are brought, the story dusn't seem like it could get much better. However it does-throughout the entire episode, the promise of Bo's ancient secret is ever lingering in the background. Untill the end. His final words to the Doctor sends shivers down my spine-even now. The first completely floorless episode of this series-its just getting warmed up!

4&5-Daleks Of Manhatten/Evolution Of The Daleks-It was refreshing to see The Dalek's involved in such an classic series style plan. If you are a fan of the original series-this story is definatly for you. The whole thing feels like the classic series-and brings all the best qualities of the new series. In my own personal opinion, the use of the Daleks in the series was a mistake, after being used twice in the first series and once in the last-they could of done with a break. Much of the fear they used to bring has been numbed by this point, which is a shame. But the Emporer Dalek keeps the old enemy exciting and unpredictable. The final scene of the first episode is breath taking. Infact the second episode even more so. Though this double episode, to some was the poorest part of Series 3, fans of the Classic Series will favour this above all.

6-The Lazerus Experiment-Again, this episode has an old-series feel to it in terms of storyline. Mark Gatiss is execellent throughout and the final moments made me cry-which does not happen regularly. Martha's family is brought into the story again which is needed by now and the ever ominous name 'Mr Saxon' comes into the main frame. Old fans of the show may be developing their own ideas about who this character is...I shall say no more for now.

7-42-Seen Sunshine? If so, imagine the storyline of that put into Doctor Who and you've pretty much got this episode sussed. Not to say its not good though, its fabulous. The villians, once again, feel like something from the Classic Series-stalkish and absoltuly terrifying. The entire episode is fast paced and involving and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The climax to the story is slightly disapointing and to be brutally honest, weve seen ot all before. But that dusn't really matter when the episode is this enjoyable and tense. Not the greatest, but very fun. It was nice to see the Doctor in space again. This episode will be enjoyed most of all by fans of 'The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit from Series 2.

8&9-Human Nature/The Family Of Blood-Originally a book written at the time of Sylvester McCoy. This story is the first to create an huge passing of time especially in the eyes of Martha. This story is brilliant-absolutly brilliant. The lead villian, played by a young man of only 18, is incredibly creepy-just look at his eyes! The main enemy creatures in the story are terrifying aswell! One of the few storys in Doctor Who that needed a double episode and got one. Everyone I have spoken to about this episode has said the climax to the story made them cry...including myself I'm sad to say. Infact the entire story has a beautiful metaphor behind it, based the year before World War 1 begun. This story shows the Doctor in a light which has never been shown and probably never will be again.

10-Blink-If I told you Doctor Who could scare you senseless, would you believe me? I'd probably slap me for saying it. But they did it. From the very beginning of the episode, you know this won't be any old story. The last time they tried to do an episode from an outside character's point of view, it was 'Love & Monsters' in Series 2, which most Doctor Who would deny ever existing. But this one is incredble. The enemies of the story are horrible, absolutly horrible. This story made me scream twice...actually scream. A timeless Who Episode you will NEVER forget...just don't blink!

11-Utopia-The first small boulders begin to fall, and slowly, very slowly I become aware that a great avalanche is near. This episode is perfect-I say perfect because no other word I think of does it justice. DEREK JACOBI! Do you need anything more in an episode??? Well guess what-you get CAPTAIN JACK back again-and about time to! This episode begins literally straight from the ending of Torchwood's first series and see's Jack running for his life towards the TARDIS. My main criticism of this story is the underplaying of the creatures-the cannabalistic, sabour-toothed humanoids, covered in tatoos and pearcings-they are only really used twice in the whole story. But does it really matter? Not when the rest of the story is breath taking. Jacobi is timeless, and the return of Jack brough equal smiles all round. BUT THE CLIMAX. Classic fans of the show crossed their fingers for the awaited return of The Doctor's greatest nemesis-and it boy did it happen! The plot twist is jaw dropping-it literally had me shouting at the television. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined Derek Jacobi-one the England's greatest actors on the greatest show ever made-uttering the words that every fan was dying to hear:
"I...am...The Master!"
And so the avalanche begins.

12&13-The Sound Of Drums/Last Of The Time Lords-Never in my opinion has a double episode in the new series of Doctor Who successfully climaxed the tension its first episode had created. This was the first. The desperation is dragged throughout the story and the viewer really can't begin to imagine how the Doctor [or rather Martha] will ever solve the situation. So many questions are built up in the series and all are answered, much to the viewer's satisfaction. John Simm is perfect as The Master, he brings something new and fearful to the character. He truely is the perfect match for David Tennant's Doctor. Just so we don't get to involved with new character's, Tennant's acting is beautiful in this story, bringing tears to the eyes of Who fans worldwide. Martha's character is once again developed well and the second great passing of time in the series is introduced.
The final moments are the story are greatly upsetting. Captain Jack says his goodbye's and gives away possibly the most shocking story twist in all of the show's history. Not only that, but smiles develop as it becomes of obvious a Torchwood Series 2 is on the cards!
Martha's departure is unexpected-deeply upsetting and yet, somehow appreciated. Her character has been developed beautifully throughout the series and we have come to love her as much as The Doctor has. Though her goodbyes bring tears to our eyes, we are lead to believe she will return, and lets hope she does!
And once again, the Series ends with a confusing and hilarious ending. A great crash in the TARDIS sends the Doctor flying to the floor. Picking himself up again-the Doctor finds the front of a giant boat sticking into the TARDIS. Picking up the rubber ring which has fallen off the Doctor's confusion increases.......THE TITANIC?!

This series has been amazing, and to be honest, my Saturdays will never be the same again...well, not untill Series 4 begins! But for now...the pre-order is on the cards, and I urge you to do the same! I hope this review has been useful to you, whether it has been to recall the fantastic series which it has been, or to find out whether it's worth adding to your DVD collection, if the latter-THE ANSWER IS YES!!!
Bye bye Doctor, we'll see you at Christmas! x

This third season of Doctor Who's relaunch is the consistantly finest one yet, with such diverse topics as hospitals on the moon, Shakespeare at the Globe, Cat People in cars surrounded by giant crabs and the marvellous sight of the Daleks in residence at the Empire State Building. These were followed by a Quatermass like mad scientist after eternal youth, the Doctor being burned from the inside by a living sun, the Doctor then making himself human and falling in love and fighting animated scarecrows, and the absolutely super scarey statues that move so fast they kill you if you blink.

All top notch stuff, however the season will be remembered for one thing, the return of the Master. As a Doctor Who fan for the last 38 years I have become very good at spotting throwaway lines and plot suggestions that point to an old enemy returning and I actually figured out that the mysterious Mister Saxon was the Master before season 3 even started, honestly I did.

Utopia was the story that featured the big return and I was delighted that Sir Derek Jacobi was to play the part, even if it was only for five minutes. Sir Derek is one of Great Britain's finest actors ever and has raised the bar in the quality of the quest stars used in the series. It is a fact that Sir Derek's five minutes as the Master was light years ahead of Eric Robert's trashy version from the 1996 Paul McGann film version, he nailed the part instantly and provided one of the more tension filled endings to an episode ever. The Master's regeneration was one of those 'moments' in Doctor Who's history that will be talked about for years to come as another wonderful actor took over the part and made it his own, John Simm.

John Simm's Master is the more insane and comedic of all the various incarnations of the part, being over the top and slightly campy but John Simm never lets us forget just how evil and dangerous his character is. This new approach to the portrayal of the Master may upset some fans but to me it works. The actor playing the Doctor influences the casting of the Master, if the Doctor is older then the Master will match. Jon Pertwee was the Doctor to first encounter the Master on screen and he was played by the late great Roger Delgado who was of similar age and mannerisms to Pertwee, now John Simm's Master would not have worked opposite Jon Pertwee but with David Tennant feels totally right as they mirror each other perfectly. Equal but opposite in everything.

I will not go into plot details because that has been done by some of my fellow reviewers and I don't believe in giving the game away anyway but this season can almost be judged as an ongoing narrative for the entire year with events leading in to others and story strands binding together, all pulling towards the climax and what a climax it is, ending on a ultimate cliffhanger to the Christmas Special, which deals with something that has fascinated me for my whole life, it's going to be a long wait.

The previous two seasons had been hit and miss but season three is perfect, there are no substanded stories here and Doctor Who just gets better and better, it is the only show on TV that my entire family sit down together to watch and that is special as non of them were fans of the classic series. The only slight problem that I have now is how on earth is season 4 going to top this? That's the challenge now to beat the previous season.

I don't yet know what special features will be included on this set but for sheer quality family entertainment this boxset is essential.

I wholeheartedly recommend it.

OK, I'm biased - a huge Who fan, both old and new. The first series of the revival blew me away, the second I enjoyed but it had a bit of a 'difficult second album' feel to me. Some of the episodes were brilliant, whereas others misfired (Love and Monsters anyone)? However, with series three, I think the team have hit some dizzy new heights in terms of scope, particularly in the 'running theme' for this year. Bad Wolf was fairly clumsy plot device, Torchwood was obviously setting up said series, but this year - references to Mr Saxon didn't feel gratuitously shoe-horned in, it didn't occur every episode (as far as I noticed), and it set up the last 3 episodes nicely.

Stand-out episodes for me - Blink, Human Nature/Family of Blood, Utopia (purely for the last 10 minutes), The Sound of Drums (and particularly John Simm's performance), and 42. However, I enjoyed every episode this year, even the Dalek 2 parter, which I though took the metal monsters in a new-ish direction, but which other people hated. Come on, it wasn't that bad... Although I do think they should be rested next year (and I'm a self-confessed Dalek nut).

Since this revived series has recycled other forms of Who very successfully (Dalek and Rise of the Cybermen from audio adventures, Human Nature from Paul Cornell's 7th Doctor novel, heck, even Sally Sparrow from Blink was in the 2005 annual), how about a new series introduction to Davros, using the Big Finish audio range as inspiration?

Back on track - series 3 is the best yet, containing some fantastic stories, set pieces, performances, direction, special effects and concepts. But don't just take my word for it. After all, as I said at the start of this review, I'm biased...

I don't understand why people are knocking the latest Doctor Who series - I didn't notice one clanger of an episode throughout!
It was a tall order - as it had to replace Rose Tyler but it succeeded through and through. The first series took a while to get into - and this is the same - where it does take a while - but when it starts rolling (and you start caring for Martha Jones) - it is brilliant!
So this is what I think of the latest series:

X1: THE RUNAWAY BRIDE
The first half - BRILLIANT! A rollercoaster ride. But the explanation of what is going on - does slow it all down - and the budget is tight: Okay - not as good as The Christmas Invasion BUT still a rollicking adventure!
E1: SMITH AND JONES
A brilliant first episode. A great introduction to Martha Jones - has a Douglas Adams sense of humour about it which makes it different!
E2: THE SHAKESPEARE CODE
This does feel abit to similar to previous episodes - but is still a nice little tale. It's a good educational one for the kids!
E3: GRIDLOCK
The third in the 'future' series. This had alot to live up to with The Face Of Boe and all that. And was slightly disappointing but in hindsight has some good moments.
E4: DALEKS IN MANHATTEN
This has an air of excitement about it - with Daleks, musical numbers, and Manhatten- also another history lesson. There's alot of different characters and an epicness about it. It's all very exciting.
E5: EVOLUTION OF THE DALEKS
Mmmm - this wasn't as good as the first part. Trying to wrap it all up, got abit messy for me really - and was one storyline too far! Shame really. And we still don't know much about Martha! But it's not that bad!
E6: THE LAZARUS EXPERIMENT
The CGI of this was abit dodgy for me - but the story was brilliant. And we get introduced to the main story thread of the series. Lovely. AND we get to know more about Martha!
E7: 42
Edge of your seat stuff. From start to finish. This is gripping. It resembles 'The Satan Pit' big time - but is more fast paced. It's a big sci-fi nail biter.
E8: Human Nature
Suddenly the series goes into EPIC proportions. This is absolutel wonderful stuff. And is one of the best storylines EVER!!!
E9: The Family Of Blood
The second part - and the wrap up is really good. Quite emotional actually - and really dark. It's a great story.
E10: Blink
This is the BEST episode of the series. The scariest and original. Has less of the Doctor and Martha in it - but certainly doesn't suffer.
E11: Utopia
Another great episode. And the second half of it - is so amazing. Even on repeated viewings it still gets me.
E12: THE SOUND OF DRUMS
A great episode... Lots of things go wrong and you don't know how the Doctor is going to get out of it. A great cliff hanger!
E13: THE LAST OF THE TIME LORDS
Was this a disappointing ending? Well - it was different to what you expect - and has loads of surprises - and it feels different - so it can't be a bad thing can it.

I really liked this series, and friends who don't watch Doctor Who have started to watch it as this series is SO good. It is aiming for a mainstream audience - and is doing a wonderful job.
Bring it on - and David Tennant is superb!!! AND Freema Agymen is brilliant. Okay - who knows about Catherine Tate but - lets just trust them to keep doing a great job of it!