I'm watching modern era Doctor Who (2005-present) for the second time. Doctor Who is a TV series that is dear to me but at the same time somewhat uneven so for the benefit of future me and hopefully others I'm writing a short episode guide this rewatch.

I try to avoid spoilers as far as possible except when needed to justify my verdict or when spoiler warnings are well past their due date, such which episodes have the Doctor reincarnate. Double episodes are combined into one review.

S03E00 The Runaway Bride - Ok

Worth watching for the introduction of Donna who makes a great companion and counterbalance to the Tenth Doctor. The story is otherwise unmemorable.

S03E01 Smith and Jones - Skip

Bad directing, bad script, bad villain. The Doctor is apparently trying to impress girls now.

S03E02 The Shakespeare Code - Ok

Your basic historic episode. Some good parts (Shakespeare) and some bad parts (the witches).

S03E03 Gridlock - Ok

There is more than the usual amount of presuppositions and "how did we get here?" in this episode. It's an imaginative story albeit a bit cartoonish in some parts. The conclusion of the New Earth trilogy. Also: kittens!

S03E04-05 Daleks in Manhattan & Evolution of the Daleks - Skip

A bit of history and the Daleks of the Cult of Skaro are back. I barely remembered these episodes from last time and after a rewatch I realized why: it's completely uninspiring and I zoned out for most of the second half. It's a shame because I like the gist of the story and the Cult of Skaro as villain but the execution was just too bad.

S03E06 The Lazarus Experiment - N/A

I remember it as silly so I skipped it this time.

S03E07 42 - Ok

A foreboding of Chris Chibnall's writing style that later ruined three series and one Doctor. Lots of long-winded monologues and telling-not-showing. Martha gets all cuddly, or is subjected to some cuddling anyway. When she is not running around screaming for the Doctor that is. The overall story is not terrible though, so it gets an OK from me. There is a minor reference to this season's story arc but not a crucial one.

S03E08-09 Human Nature & The Family of Blood - Watch

One of the best stories in the modern series. It's a Doctor Who historical drama with a moral dilemma. You can tell that David Tennant is experienced acting in such dramas because he makes an amazing role here. Martha is, perhaps for the first time, actually companion-like instead of just being not-Rose. It's a shame that she didn't get to be a real companion earlier. Great acting also from a few faces who would later be seen in Game of Thrones. After watching Human Nature don't forget to look up the deleted scene from it.

S03E10 Blink - Watch

Scary stuff. This episode is a bit unusual in that it is not told from the perspective of the Doctor and companion. I think it worked out well.

S03E11-13 Utopia & The Sound of Drums & Last of the Time Lords - Watch

In which we meet my favorite Doctor Who antagonist. The universe is in serious trouble before it is made all right again. The ending is very Doctor Who-like. I like how Martha finally got a more significant and independent role at last. A great conclusion to this series.