Doctor Who: Every Series 3 Episode Ranked From Worst To Best
The best and worst of Martha Jones' time in the TARDIS.
Russell T Davies' first go as showrunner of Doctor Who had an air of being constantly in flux. Of the four series he worked on, each saw a different pairing of Doctor and Companion. Where season 2 saw David Tennant take on the role of the space-faring adventurer, series 3 saw the tenth incarnation fly alongside a new companion in Freema Agyeman's Martha Jones.
In the long-run, this meant that every season had its very clear identity. Series 3 features a heartbroken Doctor, stricken with grief after losing Rose, joined by a woman who falls immediately in love with him. Fans are divided on Martha to this day, just as they are about series 3.
The season has an unfortunate number of dud episodes as well as those that are close to greatness but fall shy. However, it also has some of the most recognised and beloved stories of Ten's time-travelling career as well as a strong over-arching narrative.
Where series 3 ranks amongst others is up for debate, but in its stead here is every episode of the season ranked from worst to best.
11. The Shakespeare Code
With the show now in its third year, the "Doctor meets historical figure" hook was firmly in place and Dean Lennox as William Shakespeare is a solid choice. Taking the story into the Globe Theatre - a location so unshakeably linked with the legendary playwright - allows the setting to be grounded, especially for London residents and tourists who have stepped foot in the real theatre.
That grounding does little to hold onto an episode that just barely keeps itself together.
A few clever winks and nods are fine but this story feels like 50% gags about Bill's life and work. A more light-hearted adventure is not a problem but everything is quite under-baked here and it feels as though writer Gareth Roberts loses sight of the real drive of the episode amongst the desire to be funny.
The villains of the piece are pure pantomime, looking more like costume shop witches than anything original. Compared to last season's clash with the werewolf, they're the after-school CBBC versions of the folklore rather than a new twist. Worse yet, they're defeated by "the power of words". This series has a set of quite rubbish bad guys but this is pitiful.
Oh well, shout-out to Super Hans for putting way too much effort into his bit-part as an insane asylum resident.