Key findings

• Season 3 of
  Doctor Who
  showed a darker side of the 10th Doctor and explored his grief.
• The five most popular episodes of the third season include “Blink” and “The Sound of Drums”.
• The reintroduction of Captain Jack gave the Doctor a much-needed sense of camaraderie.

Doctor Who has amassed a ton of devoted fans during its 60-year reign, all of whom hold a diverse range of opinions on the show. Every fan has a favorite Doctor, making it a franchise that defies convention and the rules of typical fandoms. As such, it’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes the show so popular or decide which era is the best.

It cannot be denied that Doctor Who has seen an incredible surge in popularity since its reboot in 2005, and many fans are eagerly awaiting the second season of the Disney+ reboot. But since 2005, many fans believe one season still stands out. Season 3 introduced Martha Jones as the newest companion and gave the lovable 10th Doctor a very different look. The result was an exciting and emotional season that fans still haven’t forgotten.

Season 3 showed a darker side of the 10th Doctor

Top 5 most popular episodes of season 3

• Season 3, Episode 10, “Blink”
• Season 3, Episode 12, “The Sound of Drums”
• Season 3, Episode 3, “Gridlock”
• Season 3, Episode 4, “Daleks in Manhattan”
• Season 3, Episode 8, “Human Nature”

Season 3 takes place after the 2006 Christmas special. The Dissolute Bride. Leaving Donna Noble behind, the Doctor travels to a vast hospital in London to uncover the secrets of the Judoon. During this action-packed adventure, he meets an emergency room doctor named Martha Jones. Along with some special guests, the pair explore all that time and space have to offer, including some encounters with the Doctor’s most famous enemies.

David Tennant’s portrayal of the Tenth Doctor is arguably the best version of the character, and fans quickly fell in love with him in Season 2. Travelling alongside Rose Tyler, he was filled with a moody optimism and loved nothing more than zipping around a new planet with his best friend by his side. Yet Season 3 offers fans a much darker version of the Doctor, tormented by grief and loss. For example, in Season 3, Episode 2, “The Shakespeare Code,” audiences see the Doctor and Martha lying next to each other in bed. During this scene, Martha seems both anxious and excited at the prospect of encountering an alien. But the Doctor remains reserved in this moment, staring off into space, lost in thought. This is a stark contrast to the man fans saw in Season 2, who couldn’t sit still and was always preparing for the next adventure. Although some fans might see this as a bit of a downgrade, the Doctor’s depressive state is realistic given the circumstances. So it seems that the writers made it a point not to sugarcoat Rose’s death and to carry the effects of this storyline into the next season.

This season also wasn’t afraid to ramp up the tension, even when it got uncomfortable for the audience. In Season 3, Episode 7, “42,” the Doctor is caught in the power of a star, causing him to scream in immense pain. This, too, is quite a shock to the audience, as they’re used to seeing him angry or passionate, but never in such a vulnerable state. So it’s clear that this season is dedicated to highlighting how grief has changed the Doctor inside and out. Although the Doctor may only hint at his true feelings, certain events in Season 3 allow his body language to express everything he’s thinking and feeling.

The reintroduction of Captain Jack gave 10 a new best friend

• Captain Jack Harkness was originally supposed to be called Jax.
• While auditioning for the role, actor John Barrowman experimented with a Scottish, English and American accent.
• He also appears in the hit video game LEGO Dimensions as an important companion.

Fans will remember Captain Jack Harkness from Season 1, the dapper trickster who helped the Ninth Doctor defeat the Chula. Although he only played a very small role in Season 1, fans quickly became obsessed with him and couldn’t wait to learn more about his story. His return to Doctor Who was highly anticipated and many fans believe he is one of the most important parts of Season 3. In addition to his exuberant personality and wry humor, he also gave the Doctor a much-needed sense of male camaraderie. In Season 3, Episode 11, “Utopia,” the men have a tender private conversation while Jack is repairing a rocket. The men talk about Rose and what it’s like to live multiple lives across time. This scene is quite moving, as it’s the first time the audience sees the Doctor speak about his true feelings. Not only does he express his worries and fears, but he also shares those thoughts with a man who understands him better than anyone else. Although Martha is incredibly smart and insightful, he just doesn’t feel comfortable enough to wear his heart on his sleeve in front of her.

Another advantage of Captain Jack in Season 3 is that he has abilities that others don’t. For example, in Season 3, Episode 12, “The Sound of Drums,” the team uses Jack’s Vortex Manipulator to travel back to the present. With the TARDIS now in the hands of the Master, the trio have no choice but to use a more primitive form of time travel. Without Jack’s influence in this episode, the Doctor and Martha would not have been able to escape Silo 16. Additionally, Martha uses the Vortex Manipulator to return to the surface after the Doctor and Jack are captured. While Jack may not be the gentlest soul in the world, his experience and resources make him a fantastic companion for the Doctor in Season 3, as he has so much more to deal with in this era.

Season 3 showed growth on all sides

• Robin Williams was offered the role of the war doctor in the 50th anniversary special Doctor’s day.
• Filming for each 45-minute episode takes about three weeks.
• James Nesbitt, David Walliams and Bill Nighy were all considered for the role of the Eleventh Doctor before Matt Smith was cast.

Doctor Who is now gearing up for its 15th season since the reboot, and fans can’t wait to see what the Doctor has in store this time around. Although many fans look back at older seasons of the show with disdain for having poor special effects and inconsistent storylines, season 3 worked to get the franchise back on track. Many fans were sad to see Rose go, but Martha Jones gave fans a companion they’d never seen before. Instead of screaming hysterically at every threat and desperately clinging to the Doctor, Martha exuded confidence and wasn’t afraid to put herself in the eye of the storm. Not to mention, this season explored many exciting storylines, such as the Daleks taking over 1920s New York or witches influencing Shakespeare’s most famous plays. So, since this season didn’t have to establish the core tenets of the series like previous seasons did, it seems the writers wanted to let their creativity run wild.

Another interesting aspect of Season 3 is that it was accompanied by a lot of spin-off content. During this time Torchwood was preparing for the release of the second season, which is intended to give audiences more insight into the elusive life of Captain Jack and his team of alien investigators. For younger viewers Sarah Jane Adventure allowed an iconic companion to step into the spotlight and fight aliens on her own terms. The BBC was also determined to provide plenty of behind-the-scenes footage so fans could see just how much work went into this beloved sci-fi series. Totally Doctor Who And Doctor Who: Confidential were shown alongside the latest episode, allowing audiences to get some behind-the-scenes glimpses and see how the team brought certain special effects to life.

Overall, Season 3 has a lot to offer and is hopelessly underrated. Both Freema Agyeman and David Tennant deliver outstanding performances and really expand the idea of ​​what it means to be a fan of the series. Although the franchise is now involved in another reboot that is expected to attract more international audiences, this season will be hard to top. Season 3 not only offers fans a healthy dose of nostalgia, but also a sense of intergalactic escapism that they can’t find in any other sci-fi franchise.