Doctor Who - The Complete Third Series

Doctor Who fans concerned that the departure of popular companion Rose (Billie Piper) at the end of the second season might spell an end to the venerable UK science fiction series' revival were soon reassured by the program's third series, which is compiled in its entirety in this six-disc set. Not only did Freema Agyeman (as Earth doctor Martha Jones) prove to be more than a worthwhile replacement for Rose, but the quality of the series' 14 episodes maintained--and in many cases surpassed--the blend of wit, excitement and drama brought by head writer Russell T. Jones when he revived the program in 2003. Highlights from the third series include the Christmas special "The Runaway Bride" (starring comedian Catherine Tate as a temporary companion to the Doctor as he mourns the loss of Rose), "Gridlock" (the Face of Boe summons the Doctor and Martha to a future New York City to stop an invasion by his old enemy the Macra), "Human Nature" and "The Family of Blood" (a two-part serial in which the Doctor changes his biological form to escape the clutches of an alien brood who seek his immortality), and the three-part "Utopia," "The Sound of Drums" and "The Last of the Time Lords," which not only revives the Doctor's greatest adversary, The Master (played by Derek Jacobi in "Utopia" and John Simm in "Drums" and "Time Lords") but also revives Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and introduces his new position with the Torchwood team. Supplemental features are included on each of the six discs in the set; chief among them are commentary by Jones, Tennant, Agyeman, producer Phil Collinson, and members of the writing and production team (in various permutations) on each of the 14 episodes. The Doctor Who Confidential series, which aired on BBC Three and offered behind-the-scenes looks at elements from each episode, is included in its 15-minute "cut down" version (as well as an hour-long episode that covered a live performance of music from the show by the National Orchestra of Wales and hosted by Tennant), as are several video diaries shot by Tennant, who proves as engaging behind the camera as he is on the show. A smattering of deleted scenes, outtakes (mostly featuring Tennant reacting good-naturedly to his own blown lines), BBC promos for all 13 episodes (including the amusing "Vote Saxon" spot, which offers Sharon Osbourne and UK pop stars McFly throwing their support behind the Master's disguise as a human MP in the series' final two episodes), and trailers for other BBC series like Jekyll, Torchwood, and MI-5, round out this terrific set. -- Paul Gaita

Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 11/06/2007 Rating: Nr

The third season was so great. It was interesting to learn more about the Doctor and see him when he's vulnerable. There are several episodes where the Doctor has to leave everything up to Martha, his companion for Season 3. Fabulous!

Although the 3rd season of Doctor Who is not entirely bad, to say that it is the strongest and best season is just plain being crass. What makes this a `meh' season instead of a `yeah' is being debated in all the reviews posted for this DVD set, but my take is that this season, though sometimes soaring, more often that not maintained a holding pattern that sometimes dipped into the kind of flavorful mediocrity you sometimes see in the kinds of series that get helmed by producers who are more interested in playing it safe and being PC rather than trying to tell a good story. Not to take anything away from Freema Agyeman, whose on-screen presence as Martha Jones was certainly no complaint to these eyes, but at the end of the day, Martha was more cardboard than substance--take away her fawning love for the doctor and the fact (as one reviewer astutely observed) that she really doesn't display much medical knowledge despite being very close to being a professional doctor, and what's left? This is not to say that the season didn't have its moments that were sheer transcendence! The Shakespeare Code is about the best episode from any of the seasons, and Utopia does what good science fiction is supposed to do, namely blow your mind and leave it melting for more. Too bad that Shakespeare was followed by such an utterly lame episode as Gridlock--people spending years on end trapped inside a car on a highway?? Right. The two-parter of the Doctor hiding out as a human seemed like a good idea, but petered out pathetically: that alien clan seemed about as malevolent as smiley-faced field mice and didn't exactly justify the Doctor disguising himself; plus, that whole siege/defense of the boys' school (for God and country and whatever) at the climax of the two-parter seemed very bizarre and out of character, both for the Doctor (yes, I know he had his little amnesia...) and the series as a whole. The Master story arc started out brilliantly, but degenerated into near lunacy, largely thanks to the producers' decision to portray the Master as maniacal and unbalanced. Blink, of course, was the gimmick story of the season, whereby the main characters are sidelined and the nobodies get to have their day--it is, however, well-written and the whole idea of the `quantum locked' statues is spun and told very nicely. I personally wasn't sure what to make of The Runaway Bride Christmas special. I liked the character of Donna, because she was anti-everything that came before: not so easy on the eyes, a very annoying voice and manner, but also very shrewd and level-headed. In the end, Series 3 is what it is-some will worship it as the end all be all, and others, like myself, will react with a dispassionate "meh". What this series is, and continues to be however, is brazenly overpriced, which was fine for the first 2 seasons, because they were sterling, but this one . . . . . better wait for the mark-down on eBay.

This series rocks..Doctor Who has always been one of my favorite sci fi series...The new Doctor has got to be my favorite ones so far other than Tom Baker...Every show is a masterpiece and will keep you on the edge of your seat...Heres hoping that David Tenant will stick around for at least 3 more series..

Great season and of course one of the episodes made me cry. I believe it was the "Gridlock" episode. I find this season to be the best season there is and I've already watched the fourth season. But very emotional,complex and exciting. I love this show. You go Freema girl!!

Dr. Who is an amazing show and this season features some of its best episodes, with the two part "Family of Blood", and "Blink", which is the best episode in the entire series. The entire season is well written and well performed and its definitely worth buying.