Whilst wandering around HMV at lunchtime I've just seen the four complete series DVD box sets. I have to say I find the choice of covers rather unkind.

Series 1 - Christopher and Billie, side by side looking out concerned at something you can't see. Their position speaks of the Doctor and Rose being equals, facing up to their enemies side by side.

Series 2 - David and Billie, leaning back to back, a slight smile upon their faces. It's a cover that emphasises The Doctor and Rose's relationship far more than it does their adventures.

Series 3 - Hold on a mo, I'll come back to this one.

Series 4 - David and Catherine, David in front holding his arms out as if to shield Catherine who is only half covered as she looks on. In other words the Doctor is trying to protect Donna but she refuses to stay completely safe.

So far quite good at getting across the feel of the series concerned.

And now Series 3 - David and John Simms back to back. No Freema, she's been written out! She doesn't get a box set cover. It seems a little unkind to Freema, and reinforces the view that fans never took to her.

Yes the Master was a big deal in series 3, but Davros was a big deal in 4 and he doesn't take the companions place.

Interestingly enough, she was on the cover of the North American box set.

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/imag...n=917972&s=dvd

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/ima...F8&n=130&s=dvd

I think perhaps it had more to do with John Simm's high profile in the UK from Life on Mars. All other New Who series have had the same covers in both markets.

That's the cover of the series 3 British one too, if you turn it around, it's in a slipcase with images on both sides. Freema Agyeman was on the cover of the series 4 one here too, if you take the slipcase off.

Well online I can't see both sides, but the one with Freema is the one chosen for display here, and the one with Simm was used in the UK.

Freema was on the S3 boxset just turn it around and there she is running with David. The Master being on one side is no different to Davros being on the other side on the S4 set.

But there are different versions/editions of all the series boxsets. My S3 has a Dalek on one side and DT/FA on the other side and is nothing like either the North America one or the one with John Simm.

Did you not turn the box round and have a look on the other side?
Maybe you should go back and have a look.

Was yours the Woolies exclusive version? Blue-ish background?

Yes, I know she's on the back of the box but that isn't the cover. She's been relegated to second place by the series villain and isn't "on display" like the other companions.

The other villains, like Davros, are on the back for the other series after all.

She's always been on the cover, it depends on whever you think its the front or back. Theres a perception filter on the cover though, so you have to look at it in the corner of your eye.
Personally, I use the the Martha side or the box as the front cover, cos Martha is the best.

Plus, like mentioned before, there was a woolworths dalek vision exclusive where she was on the front.

Shes also on the inside of the series 4 cover, don't forget.

Funny enough i am looking at my Series 3 DVD of Doctor who and there is Freema on there.

Also the Davros was featured on a Slide off cover

Yes mine is blue and rather cool with the Dalek cover - I hadnt realised it was a Woollies version though.

I only ever bother with the individual releases, and the companion gets decent promotion on all of them (from memory...).

She's only a companion. Does it matter? The covers are designed to sell DVDs. I'd imagine they didn't feel Martha was a particularly exciting cover image compared to the Master.

No it doesn't matter in the grand scale scale of things.

That's why I used low key phrases such as "Interesting choice" and "It seems a little unkind" rather than "OMG!!!! THIS IS SOOOOOOO UNFAIR!!!" or "THE BBC SHOULD LOSE ALL OF IT'S LICENCE FEE FOR THIS DISGUSTING AFFRONT!!!!!!! THE B/\STARDS!!!!!"

It's just a topic of conversation, no more or less important than which companion was treated the worst or what colour Amy's eyes were or would the world end if a Blue Peter presenter told his under-voting age audience to vote Labour.

But you see there's this scheme they decided on, Doctor and Companion on the front (and yes the cover is the front to me). When the DVDs are on display in stores it's all Doctors and Companions...except for Series Three. Did someone think "Umm, Martha. She might put people off, shall we pop her on the back?"