SF Signal: Thoughts on Doctor Who, Season 3 (so far)

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Thoughts on Doctor Who, Season 3 (so far)

I'm still lovin' Doctor Who.

After a strong season two finish, I was waiting for season 3 to start and, so far (8 episodes in) I am not disappointed. Here's why:

So far the episodes have a nice mixture of adventure, special effects and humor. And Daleks. (Why is it that a Time Lord is ever surprised to learn that they are once again not yet completely eliminated?) My daughter and I have enjoyed all the episodes so far. This is one show she actually looks forward to. I like to think it's because of time spent with her old man instead of pig people and one-eyed squid heads.
In the "Runaway Bride" premiere, The Doctor was essentially flying solo. It was a nice break from the Doctor/sidekick formuala.
Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) is turning out to be a decent sidekick. She's a tough, likabale female character - easily able to meet any situation.
It looks like they are trying to create a multi-episode story arc with the mysterious people who know about the Doctor and who are trying to track him via Martha's mother. Insert ominous music here. Perhaps this will be this season's "~~Lone~~ Bad Wolf"?
In one episode ("Daleks in Manhattan" or "Evolution of the Daleks" - can't recall), the writers made an effort (however brief) to show that the sonic screwdriver is not the Universal Fixxer-Upper Device by having the Doctor drop it beyond his reach. He had to find other means to foil the Daleks. Of course, Martha handed it back to him just before the episode ended. Welcome to equilibrium.
The show is still loads of campy fun and one of the few shows we keep watching every week. Unlike a certain other show I could name. (Ah-Aaaaah!)

The arc in season 1 of the new Doctor Who was "Bad Wolf" not "Lone Wolf."

Posted by Josh on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at 7:55 AM

er...that's what I meant...

Posted by John on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at 8:00 AM

As you are aware Im sure, the entirety of S3 has already run elsewhere in the world...I've seen all of it and it just gets better and better.

Cant wait for S4.

Posted by Michael Natale on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at 8:57 AM

La...la...la....I won't tell...la...la...la...I won't tell.

So, I've seen the entire season and let me say that starting with this week's episode, if you think it's been good so far, you ain't seen nothin' yet! This week's two part story is one of the BEST things not only on Dr Who but on TV this past year. It does have a cliffhanger in the middle and SciFi will make you wait two weeks to get the resolution....which many send you running for BT air.

That said, it only gets better. Series three has a run of episodes that are all great. It is pretty much an uninterrupted run of brilliance not equalled or topped since Tom Baker was Doctor and Phillip Hichcliffe was producing. (If you're an old school Dr Who fan, you'll know why that is a huge statement).

I think you're going to love it....

And yes, the storyline is building somewhere....but I won't tell you where. I will say not only does it payoff for all of series three, but all the series until now....

Posted by Michael on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at 9:03 AM

Yep, I know the US airings lag behind. I am trying my best to avoid spoilers. And I heard about the confluence of Doctors, too... Sounds cool!

Posted by John on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at 9:28 AM

Without giving anything away, this season's "Bad Wolf" is "Mr. Saxon." He already has been mentioned multiple times in various episodes, though we have yet to see him. I haven't seen the rest of the season yet (season 26, not season 4; I hate that they don't keep track of things as they should). But I keep up with it on the official Doctor Who site as well as on YouTube. Oh, and one more thing, remember what the giant Face guy on his death bed said to the Doctor: *Y*ou *A*re *N*ot *A*lone.

Posted by Bill S. on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at 10:53 AM

Sorry, that should be season 29 for "Series 3." Which means next season is the 30th. Huzzah for that landmark anniversary!

Posted by Bill S. on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at 11:22 AM

Got to agree with Michael, season 3 doesn't really take off until the two-parter is over. Episode 10 had my girlfriend digging her nails into my arms in fear.

Posted by Jeff P on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at 4:04 PM

Best since Baker and Hinchliffe? Recommendation indeed, Michael!

And for anyone who hasn't yet seen Doctors Hartnell throgh McCoy...shame! Get going!

Blessings
Richard

Posted by Richard Novak on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at 9:41 PM