Doctor Who: (New Series 3): Series 3 Box Set (6 Discs)

Certainly the least consistent of the new Who series, but with a few really good episodes towards the end to pull the score back up. Easiest way to demonstrate this is by a brief review of each episode:

(1) Smith and Jones - Fun episode, introduces the new assistant, decent guest baddie.
(2) The Shakespeare Code - Following the pattern of the previous two series we have the historical figure piece. Not a bad script, but can't compete with Dickens or Queen Victoria.
(3) Gridlock - Rather silly story, some good moments, but essentially a cheapo that redresses the same car set ten times.
(4) Daleks in Manhattan - This is where things really come undone, terrible script and a plot that makes no real sense.
(5) Evolution of the Daleks - Again, after the interesting use of the Daleks in the first and second series, we now have the ridiculous sight of a man in a rubber face mask staggering about the place - the ending is rubbish too.
(6) The Lazarus Experiment - Interesting idea, great performance from Gatiss, but the digital monster effects aren't quite up to scratch.
(7) 42 - Boring story, very reminiscent of the Ood plot from series two, pointless episode telling the same tale that's been done to death in cheapo sci-fi horrors for years.
(8) Human Nature - A little slow, but different, and so at least keeps the interest.
(9) The Family of Blood - Almost back on track, a few moving scenes, but the ending is a little overblown.
(10) Blink - The episode where The Doctor is hardly in it, but with a story that suits this approach. Doesn't make too much sense if you think about it in depth, but certainly the most original episode.
(11) Utopia - Some dodgy looking monster men, but apart from that a good episode with decent performances.
(12) The Sound of Drums - A marked improvement, following on the story from the excellent Utopia.
(13) Last of the Time Lords - Slows down a little from the previous episode. Although the script and performances are still generally there, the ending is the weakest so far -and even resorts to stealing the last shot from 'Flash Gordon'.

Excitement - check.
An exellent Doctor - check.
A wonderful companion - check.

This series of Doctor Who has really outdone itself in the standards that it has set. Freema Agyeman took to the role of Martha Jones brilliantly, even with the expectation that she wouldn't be as good as Rose, and David Tennant once again charmed the audience with his witty portrayal of The Doctor. This, plus the fact that John Barrowman returns as Captain Jack Harkness and John Simm makes an appearence as the Doctor's arch-enemy The Master, makes this series really stand out. I would definatly recommend this to anyone!

Loved each series of the new generation of doctor who episodes. The only reason it does not get 5 stars for perfection is due to the overpricing of the boxsets for 13 episodes a pop. And why is it only ever these boxsets that never seem to be in any sales / offers???

This is the kind of pricing that encourages illegal downloads. It cannot be justified no matter how good the quality of programme making is.

sorry to gripe... i do love the Doctor and all who are involved in putting the fine franchise on our screens. plus it the only programme that gets my whole family young and old around the tv at the same time.

keep up the good work...but drop the prices sometime...you might sell alot more.

Although the series 3 finale is the weakest out of the new 4 bringing back the Master (especially as John Simm) was a class act as he seemed to born for the role, also Martha Jones as the new companion was great i'd have to say better than Rose who was more like a school girl pining after the doctor. Episodes like "42"/"blink"/"utopia" were superb and altough Eccelston was a great doctor Tennant has to be the best.

I really love the new Who so I won't bore you with loads of gushing. I'll simply say that this is a great boxset, has a few decent extras but of course it's the episodes that you'll come back to again and again. I'll just leave you with my ratings for each episode. It's always interesting to me reading other people's thoughts on their own favourites.

The Runaway Bride - ****
Smith and Jones - ****
The Shakespeare Code - ****
Gridlock - ****
Daleks in Manhattan - **
Evolution of the Daleks - **
The Lazarus Experiment - ***
42 - **
Human Nature - *****
The Family of Blood - *****
Blink - ***** (my fave episode of the season)
Utopia - ***
The Sound of Drums - ****
The Last of the Time Lords - ****