Doctor Who: Ranking The New Who Openers From Worst To Best
5. Smith And Jones
Judoon platoon upon the Moon. Series 3 was definitely were David Tennant made the role of The Doctor his own, and this was helped through the introduction of Martha as his latest companion. The tone, and feel of Series 3 just felt perfect, and moved Doctor Who, and the Tenth Doctor, in all the right directions. Although he was a bit of dick towards Martha. Talk about being hung up on Rose.
Although Smith and Jones felt like a typical Russell T Davies opener, it was unique in pushing the boundaries of scale and threat level. An entire hospital was transported to the Moon. Sure, the episode feels rather low key after that point. There's no big disasters, or countdowns to universal destruction, but the immediate danger of the contained narrative is always apparent. These patients are in serious danger, and time, and resources are against the Tenth Doctor.
The Judoon also made for a great contribution to the Whoniverse. Their design is distinctive, and Nicholas Briggs delivers another iconic voice to Doctor Who's ever growing monster catalogue. Even the villain (though slightly silly) comes across as menacing, and rather unsettling. Particularly since she sucks people's blood through a straw. The topping on the cake was how Martha constantly proved herself throughout, before having one of the best welcoming's aboard the TARDIS (even if The Doctor was, once again, being a bit of a dick to her).