Editorial Review:Description:The third installment of Doctor Who is full of new thrills, new laughs, new heartbreak and some terrifying new monsters. From the moment the Doctor walks into the life of medical student Martha Jones he changes it forever. In Elizabethan London, they meet William Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre while back in present day London, 76-year-old Professor Lazarus recaptures his youth with consequences that threaten Martha's entire family. And, the Doctor's sworn enemies, the Daleks, who have been hiding in 1930's New York, return with a terrifying plan for humanity.
Amazon.com: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
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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He's ancient and forever..He burns at the center of time and he can see the turn of the universe!!!
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..
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I've got a fever and the only prescription for it is more Doctor Who.
* 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!! ...
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Best TV Series Ever!!!
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.
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Tardis Dramaticus
* This series of Doctor Who is absolutely brilliant. While it still has a lot of light-hearted moments which make the show a lot of fun to watch, this series took a rather serious turn partly to due with the quasi-romantic involvement of Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) but primarily some fantastic writing. The storyline in \"Human Nature\" and \"Family of Blood\" is incredible and David Tennant's acting is top-notch. It's not often Doctor Who tugs at my heartstrings, but several episodes here did. This box set is well worth the money. ...
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A Great Season With Just A Few Slips In Time
David Tennant's second season as everybody's favorite Doctor is wonderful. It features some of the best adventures in the revived show's run. While many may miss Billie Piper's Rose, Freema Agyeman is more than sufficient as the Doctor's latest companion, Martha. The duo meet in the season opener (albeit the second show of the actual season), "Smith & Jones." That particular episode gives viewers a dose of creepiness thanks to a blood-sucking villain who's on the run from the Judoon, a rhino-like alien species who patrol the stars looking for baddies.
The rest of the season is filled with plenty of highlights. In particular, the Doctor and Martha face off against witches in "The Shakespeare Code" which actually features William Shakespeare (a theme of bumping into literary legends that has flourished in the series revival). Two excellent two-show arcs also pop up during this season. The Daleks return in "Daleks in Manhattan" and "Evolution of the Daleks" and a new enemy appears in "Human Nature" and "Family of Blood."
The best show of the entire revival is also found in this season of Who. "Blink" is scary, suspenseful and the pinnacle of the creepiness that haunts this entire season. Using a familiar fixture of cemetaries, churches and office buildings, this story will make you look twice (and not blink) at certain statues you come across in everyday life.
With so much excellence running throughout the entire season, you'd think that even the subpar episodes would be brilliant. Unfortunately that isn't so. While "The Lazarus Experiment," "42" and the first episode of a three show arc, "Utopia," are all solid, episodes such as the dull "Gridlock" and the downright goofy "The Last of the Time Lords" actually grate the nerves of fans of the original series. Even the return of Captain Jack can't save the season finale from being something of a disappointment. "The Runaway Bride" also toys with the goofy factor.
Two of the Doctor's classic television villains return this season. One gets a CGI update in the not-so-hot "Gridlock" and the other appears in the three-episode finale (although sharp viewers will recognize his name before he actually appears on screen). Derek Jacobi and John Simm portray this baddie who I'll keep nameless for now, but Simm's portrayal is too over-the-top for me. There's even a very light hint at another of the Doctor's classic foes, but whether or not SHE will ever make a comeback is unknown at this time.
Special features include "Doctor Who Confidential" episodes, Tennant's video diary, deleted scenes, promos, etc. including a fun political endorsement from Sharon Osbourne for a character that viewers will get to know quite well by the end of the season.
Tennant and Agyeman are the glue that keeps this season afloat. While there are a few misses in this season, their performances and the excellence of "Blink" and "The Shakespeare Code" make this a must-have season.
Recommended to fans of both the classic and revived Who series as well as anybody who enjoys action, suspense, comedy and a good dose of horror to boot.
