Doctor Who - The Complete Series 3 Box Set [2007]

Amazon.co.uk Review

There were a few moments in the third season of the revived Doctor Who when you begin to wonder if the bubble has burst. A couple of tepid Dalek episodes, and a handful of forgettable stories, make you begin--perhaps for the first time since the show's revival--whether it's already hits its peak.

But never underestimate the new Doctor Who. For the back run of series three is as good as anything that's gone before it, with ingenious plotting, the clever layering of elements it casually--nah, crucially--refers to later on, and some quite superb individual episodes. It not only restores any hint of lost faith, it sets the bar even higher.

Examples? The stunning single story Blink is extremely clever, genuinely scary and has immense rewatch value. While the equally strong double-header of Human Nature and The Family Of Blood is a two-parter in the traditional Doctor Who way, building up its story in a measured and really effectively creepy way.

Then there's the finale. Presenting the Doctor with one of his finest, most ingenious villains makes for quite brilliant television (albeit with a slightly underwhelming concluding episode), as exciting to long-time fans of Doctor Who as it is for the newcomers.

And that, ultimately, is the brilliance of Doctor Who. It staggers so many levels of viewer enthusiasm, appeals to an extremely broad age demographic, and woos over fans new and old in a manner that no show currently on television can manage. And while the cliché of hiding behind the sofa may not be as accurate as it once was, Doctor Who season three will undoubtedly leave you gripped to the TV. --Simon Brew

Customer Reviews:

Not as good as seasons 1 or 2, but still entertaining.......2008-03-07

As other reviewers have said before, there are some poor episodes and some great episodes in this season. David Tennant is still brilliant as the doctor, but is notably subdued throughout this whole season. Martha is ok as his companion, but lacks the fun, quick witted attributes of Rose. The episode '42' just seems like a badly rehashed version of 'The Impossible Planet.' David Tennant's unhappy silence at the end of the episode, where he seems to be remembering the adventures he had with Rose on the impossible planet seem to confirm that there is something lacking. The whole season is less sharp, less funny and the storylines are generally not as good but overall still entertaining. Worth watching for episodes such as 'Blink.' Four stars for David Tennant, but only three stars for the writing in the first half of the season and for his new companion!

Quite simply amazing.......2008-02-19

Barcode: 5014503238520

The return of Doctor Who to the BBC is one of the best things ever to happen in modern television. It is by far the best programme on at the moment and while the first two series were already excellent - series three blows them out of the water. It's ability to move the viewer is incredible, the production value resulting in a veritable piece of eye candy and every episode is directed and scripted wonderfully to result in a finished product that is simply beautiful.

Far more consistent in quality than the last two series here's what i think of each of the episodes of series three.

1. Smith & Jones - 9.5/10
Introduces the gorgeous Martha, by far a better companion than Rose and it clear from this first episode how amazing her and The Doctor's chemistry together is. The idea of the hospital in space is just genius, this is a high paced episode that never lets down the suspense.

2. The Shakespeare code - 9.5/10
Nice to see some more episodes set in the past like this one, Shakespeare and the witches are beautifully acted, i love the whole look and feel of this episode.

3. Gridlock - 9.5/10
Some heavy themes of hope such like going on in this episode, again, brilliant imagery and we see the return of the face of Bo (not actually one of my favourite characters but he role is shown to be vital later in the series)

4 & 5. Dalek's in Manhattan & Evolution of the Daleks - 9.5/10
A lot of people don't like these episodes but i love them - while the theme of the Daleks continuing to 'just escape' is getting pushed a little far now they are always effective villains. The idea of the Dalek's evolving and beginning to express emotion is extremely powerful as is the sub-plot of the romance between Talulah and Lazlowe.

6. The Lazarus Experiment - 8/10
This and the next episode, 42 feel kinda like buffer episodes between the two awesome 2-parters in this series. The theme of aging/rejuvenation is done well but the plot is a touch too simplistic.

7. 42 - 7.5/10
The unfortunate worst episode in the series - that said, it is far from bad though. It is important to stress that these two episodes here do not let the series down, when viewed as a whole instead of in weekly chunks it is simply part of the amazing 'Doctor Who Series 3 experience'.

8 & 9. Human Nature & The Family of Blood - 10/10
The beginning of the perfect second half of the series. The idea of the Doctor as a human and fearing to return to his Timelord self and leave behind nurse Redfern is heartbreaking. Baines is a terrifying villain in his arrogance and clipped commands. The scene where the school takes up arms against the scarecrows in the light of the coming war is incredibly moving.

10. Blink - 10/10
It needs to be said, Sally Sparrow is one of the most instantly likable and amazing characters in Doctor Who ever. Her interaction with the Doctor across time by way of the DVD easter eggs is done to perfection and the stone angels are scary as hell.

11, 12 & 13. - Utopia, The Sound Of Drums & Last of the Time Lords
The epic three-parter that closes the series, from the far-future to modern times gone wrong this is drama of the highest quality. Sees the welcome return of Jack whose inability to die doesn't seem like a cheat at all - instead he becomes, like the Doctor says 'a fact' - that being his reasuring constant presence alongside the viewer. John Simm is brilliantly evil and eccentric as the Master.

And with all that said, words still don't do it justice. Freema as Martha is amazing and i am so sad to see her leave after only one series, come back please! David as the Doctor is amazing, please don't ever go! If you think you don't like Doctor Who then i emplore you to watch this series - you will fall in love with the characters, the worlds and most of all you will know in your heart that Doctor Who is truly the finest thing on TV ever.

FANTASTIC!!!.......2008-01-28

Great DVD.I love Doctor Who. I think the DVDs are good and the special features are great.

Quite possibly the best series of the three modern series........2008-01-24

Series one is all about rose and her interaction with the doctor's universe, which is brilliant and as the doctor would say fantastic.
Series two just the fantastic chemistry between billie piper and david tennent leading to the events of the series finale are excellent.
I think series three is the best because it is about the doctor's story getting concrete glimpses into what makes his character tick.
Smith and Jones - the first episode of the series is the best series opener by a long way. great monsters great performances, film like special effects fast and frantic an ideal opening to the series.
The Shakespeare Code - a perfect contrast and a belter of a performance for the actor who plays shakespeare.
Gridlock - on my favs , brilliant special effects great acting from tennent and finally more and more stuff about the doctor starts to come out.
Daleks in new york / evolution of the daleks - a solid two parter that i think is much better in the second episode. I was never a big fan of the daleks in the old series , but everytime they appear a cracking story always makes an appearence as well.
The Lazarus eperiment - great acting and sparring from tennent and mark gatiss as lazarus in this one.
42 - the weakest episode i think but still plenty to enjoy including shocking and quite possibly the best piece of acting from tennent in the series so far oh and i almost forgot jaw dropping special effects as well.
Human nature / the familly of blood - a different kind of doctor who tale but very good never the less other people i know thought this was perhaps the best who ever so it's appeal is possibly broadened by these two eps.
Blink - terriyfying. Steven moffat the writer comes up with another gem. He did quite possibly the best modern episode ever series two the girl in the fireplace and this is another belter eventhought the doctor is not the star on screen or is he?
The last three episodes are an excellent cruscendo to the series where an old foe comes bank to see the doctor as well as an old friend.
Series three a must for science fiction fans and more importaintely anyone who is a fan of just plain great telly. Telly where the lengh of episode is only forty five minutes but the serie has got even grander and filmaic. Quite simply fantastic!

A good season.......2008-01-14

Series 3 is a series which had some good stories and some bad stories. Some of the good ones are Blink,Utopia and Last of the Timelords. Some of the bad stories are The Shakespeare Code and the two Dalek stories.

Overall a good season with some good stories and some bad- 8/10

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