Doctor Who

10 Best Episodes of Doctor Who - Season 3

Are you a fan of time travel, thrilling adventures, and saving the universe from imminent destruction? Then you're in for a treat with the long-running TV show, Doctor Who. This beloved series has captured the hearts of millions since its revival in 2005, taking viewers on a wild ride through time and space. With its unique premise and captivating storytelling, Doctor Who has become a cult classic and a must-watch for any sci-fi enthusiast.

At the center of Doctor Who is the enigmatic character known simply as the Doctor. This Time Lord, portrayed by a talented cast of actors, is a 900-year-old alien with two hearts and an insatiable desire to explore the cosmos. Armed with a trusty time-traveling spaceship called the TARDIS, the Doctor embarks on thrilling adventures across different planets and time periods. Whether it's battling sinister creatures, solving complex mysteries, or righting the wrongs of the universe, the Doctor's mission is to save lives and protect the fabric of reality itself.

Since its inception, Doctor Who has garnered a dedicated fan base, known as Whovians, who eagerly await each new episode. With a whopping 15 seasons under its belt, the show has amassed an impressive catalog of episodes that span a wide range of genres and themes. From heart-pounding action to heartwarming character moments, Doctor Who offers something for everyone. So, grab your sonic screwdriver and get ready to dive into the best episodes this iconic series has to offer.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 22, 2024.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Doctor Who - S3E6

#13 - The Lazarus Experiment (Season 3 - Episode 6)

Martha has to save her family from the lunatic schemes of the monstrous Professor Lazarus.

The episode was rated 7.31 from 1059 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E4

#12 - Daleks in Manhattan (1) (Season 3 - Episode 4)

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The Doctor investigates disappearances in New York at the height of the depression in the 1930s. Nefarious Pig Men linger in the sewers and the Daleks prepare an audacious plan at the top of the Empire State Building

The episode was rated 7.47 from 1076 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E5

#11 - Evolution of the Daleks (2) (Season 3 - Episode 5)

The newly-created Dalek-human hybrid, and the other three members of the Cult of Skaro launch an attack on Hooverville, along with their Pig Slaves. The Doctor, Martha, and Frank manage to escape, but discover that the Daleks' plan involving the Empire State Building...

The episode was rated 7.53 from 1062 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E7

#10 - 42 (Season 3 - Episode 7)

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In a far-flung galaxy, saboteurs are at work, and crew members are being possessed. The TARDIS crew find themselves in the 42nd century on a spaceship, SS Pentallian, slowly being pulled into a sun, and must find a way to survive

The episode was rated 7.60 from 1044 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E2

#9 - The Shakespeare Code (Season 3 - Episode 2)

Martha takes her first trip in the Tardis, all the way back to Elizabethan England. She and the Doctor hear of a series of bizarre deaths and discover that playwright William Shakespeare is being controlled by dangerous witch-like creatures. It seems the time-travelling duo must defeat ancient forces to prevent history from being rewritten.

The episode was rated 7.80 from 1138 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E1

#8 - Smith and Jones (Season 3 - Episode 1)

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Trainee doctor Martha Jones has her hands full balancing her medical studies with placating her demanding family. So the last thing she needs is to find that the hospital where she works has been transported to the moon, where it's invaded by an overbearing alien police force. There she encounters a patient called John Smith, who seems curiously at ease with the situation…

The episode was rated 7.93 from 1193 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E3

#7 - Gridlock (Season 3 - Episode 3)

The Doctor takes Martha to New Earth, in the far future, only to find that an entire city has become a deadly trap.

The episode was rated 7.97 from 1164 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E8

#6 - Human Nature (1) (Season 3 - Episode 8)

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England, 1913. A schoolteacher called John Smith dreams of adventures in time and space. The Doctor, along with Martha, heads to a boarding school, but what he finds is far from ordinary...

The episode was rated 8.19 from 1130 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E11

#5 - Utopia (1) (Season 3 - Episode 11)

After being brought back to life in The Parting of the Ways, Captain Jack Harkness was just left on the Gamestation by the Doctor and Rose. In this episode, Captain Jack Harkness storms back into the Doctor's life, and the TARDIS is thrown to the end of the universe itself.

The episode was rated 8.33 from 1168 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E12

#4 - The Sound of Drums (2) (Season 3 - Episode 12)

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Harry Saxon becomes Prime Minister and his reign of terror begins – but that's only the start of his ambitions, as he announces mankind's first contact with an alien race, the Toclafane. An audacious plan spanning the whole of time and space begins to close around the Earth, in the penultimate episode of Russell T Davies's Doctor Who.

The episode was rated 8.40 from 1141 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E9

#3 - The Family of Blood (2) (Season 3 - Episode 9)

It's 1913, and war comes to England early as the terrifying Family hunt for the Doctor.

The episode was rated 8.42 from 1184 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E13

#2 - Last of the Time Lords (3) (Season 3 - Episode 13)

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One year has passed since the events of "The Sound of Drums." The Earth has been conquered and its population enslaved, the Doctor is the Master's prisoner, and the warships of a new Time Lord Empire rise from the ashes. The fate of the world is in Martha Jones' hands.

The episode was rated 8.46 from 1170 votes.

Doctor Who - S3E10

#1 - Blink (Season 3 - Episode 10)

In the Doctor Who episode "Blink," the Doctor is lost in time, leaving only himself to stop the Weeping Angels. This episode has been hailed as one of the best in the series, and for good reason. Forget the Daleks, because the Weeping Angels are the real deal when it comes to scary. And the writing? Absolutely incredible. It's episodes like these that solidify Doctor Who's cult status.

What makes "Blink" even more impressive is that the main cast plays only a small part. The main character, Sally Sparrow, portrayed by the talented Carrey Mulligan, takes center stage. Mulligan's performance was spot-on, and it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role. Fans even wished she had become the Doctor's companion for the season. This episode showcases the brilliant writing of Steven Moffat, who some consider this to be his best work.

Not only is "Blink" clever, but it's also the most clever episode up until this point in the series. It's a fan favorite and often cited as one of the best episodes of New Who. Sally Sparrow's character, portrayed by the gorgeous Carey Mulligan, leaves a lasting impression. It's a shame she turned down the offer to continue as the Doctor's companion, as fans wanted to see more of their dynamic. Despite the existential crisis it may induce, "Blink" is a comfort watch for many fans and exemplifies why they love the series so much. It's safe to say that this episode is a must-watch for any Doctor Who enthusiast.

The episode was rated 9.20 from 1685 votes.

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