“Doctor Who” 30.1 (or 4.1, depending how one counts) arrives on America’s SciFi Channel Friday, but the Brits have already seen 30.3, “Planet of the Ood.”
If I’m not mistaken, episode 30.1 (or 4.1, depending how one counts) of “Doctor Who” arrives on America’s SciFi Channel April 25, one week subsequent to SciFi’s transmission of the 2007 “Who” Christmas special.
“ApocalypseGuy” calls it a fabulous premise wasted:
Hey Herc,
First off, hope you and Harry and co. are all having a great Christmas and that you all have a prosperous 2008!
And now down to business. Doctor Who: Voyage of the Damned…
Oh, Russell T. Davies. Why do you do this to yourself? You manage to come up with yet another fabulous premise and then waste it on churning out yet another average piece of television.
A bit of Christmas cheer from veteran AICN contributor “Robogeek,” who is looking forward more to the “Doctor Who” Christmas special than to the wonderful “Charlie Wilson’s War” (but perhaps he’s already seen it?):
Will the 2008 season of “Doctor Who” be star David Tennant’s last?
"I think it's maybe David's last series," upcoming 30th-season (or 4th-season, depending how one counts) “Who” regular Catherine Tate told radio host Jonathan Ross.
The fifth (or 31st) season of “Doctor Who” is expected to air in 2010. 2009 is scheduled to bring only a trio of “Who” specials.
Rose Tyler, who was sucked into an alternate universe at the end of Dr. Who’s 28th season, will return for three episodes of the show’s 40th season, which hits the BBC early next year.
Billie Piper reprises Rose, who almost got her own spin-off series before creator Russell Davies thought better of the idea. "It spoils Doctor Who if we can see Rose ... if we see as a concrete fact that her life continues to be as exciting without the Doctor," is how Davies explained his cold feet to the BBC.
* “Who’s” 13-episode fourth season (or 30th, depending upon whether or not one counts the show’s first 26 seasons) – the one starring Catherine Tate – began shooting last month and will hit the BBC in spring 2008. (America’s SciFi Channel is currently transmitting season three-slash-29).
* In 2009 three “specials” overseen by “Queer As Folk” mastermind Russell Davies will arrive at the Beeb.
* Season five (or 31), presumably comprised of 13 episodes, will hit the BBC in 2010.
At 8 p.m. America’s SciFi Channel transmits the 2006 “Doctor Who” Christmas episode that introduced the runaway bride who will serve as the doctor’s 30th-season companion.
At 9:30 p.m., the 29th season of “Doctor Who,” concluded on the BBC Saturday, launches in America.
We start with the reviews of the 2006 Christmas episode.
“Kelvington” says:
Doctor Who – The Runaway Bride
For the second year in a row the BBC has given us a great Christmas cracker in the form of a funny “Doctor Who” romp, this could have easily been a feature film, from the effects to the story, it was a great piece of work.
“Doctor Who” will get a new companion for all 13 episodes of its fourth season, while Freema Agyeman, who played season-three companion Martha Jones, will miss the first half of season four, according to the BBC.
The actor playing the new companion has not been revealed, but should be soon. Shooting on season four begins this month.
“Who's” third season begins Friday on America's SciFi Channel.
Perhaps current “Who” showrunner Russell T. Davies, who earlier created “Queer As Folk,” will be bringing in a male companion?
“Doctor Who’s” 29th season, which just concluded on something called “the BBC,” hits America’s SciFi Channel on Friday.
Here’s what our British cousins thought of the series’ 29th season finale, “The Last of the Timelords.”
“ApocalypseGuy” says:
Hi Herc,
Another one of those long time readers first time writers here. Just finished watching the Doctor Who finale on the BBC in "limey" Britannia here tonight and thought I'd write in with a few thoughts for you.
I don't know what it is about Doctor Who but whenever Russell T. Davies puts pen to paper the story seems to either fall flat on its face or to build and build and build... and then fall flat on its face. I don't understand what it is, but time and time again he somehow manages to do it. Take this weeks episode for example; after an unprecedented brilliant all out episode last week, Davies takes the concept of the Master's return, a genocidal prime minister and sending the Earth to war, builds everything to boiling point and then... what should have been a brilliant conclusion somehow ends up being a bit of a mess with only the surprise involving Captain Jack having anything close to the pay off that the rest of the plot should have had.
“Doctor Who’s” 29th season, currently unfurling on something called “the BBC,” hits America’s SciFi Channel on July 6.
Here’s what our British cousins thought of 29.12, “The Sounds of Drums.”
“DJ Bollocks” says:
Ok so let's start by saying THIS is the penultimate episode...
Starts off with a total cop out our Tardisless crew travel in time without the Tardis via Cap'n Jack's teleport system and pissed away in a flashback and within seconds they've recognised that the newly elected Prime Minister Harold Saxon is The Master. Doctor fused the Tardis circuitry at the end of the last episode so that he could only travel to where the Tardis had just been... Fuck this is going to get complicated...
“Doctor Who’s” 29th season, currently unfurling on something called “the BBC,” hits America's SciFi Channel on July 6.
Six Britishers have a gander here at 29.11, titled “Utopia” and featuring the return of Captain Jack, the lead character in a not-American show called "Torchwood."
“Whatevermort” says:
Hi Herc,
Long-time reader, first time writer etc. I never really feel compelled, after watching something, to let others know what I thought of it: that just usually isn't my thing. But after each episode of Doctor Who over the last few weeks my wish to shout about it has grown a little more. We've had superb, sensibly handled time-travel, horror-story villains, real-time action, and now there's a huge old chunk of old-school fan pleasing.
To anticipate the question? “Doctor Who’s” 29th season, currently unfurling on something called “the BBC,” hits the SciFi Channel on July 6.
Here’s what our British cousins thought of 29.3, “Blink.”
“Doctor Dan,” who will be “on holiday” here in the states while the season’s final three episodes are broadcast on the BBC, submits his final “Who” review of the season:
DOCTOR WHO – 3.10
"Blink"
WRITER:
Steven Moffatt (Jekyll, Coupling, Press Gang)
CAST:
David Tennant (The Doctor)
Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones)
Carey Mulligan (Sally)
Thomas Nelstrop (Ben Wainwright)
Lucy Gaskell (Kathy Nightingale)
Michael Obiora (Billy Shipton)
Louis Mahoney (Old Billy)
Finaly Robertson (Larry Nightingale)
Ian Boldsworth (Banto)
Richard Cant (Malcolm Wainwright)
Ray Sawyer (Desk Sergeant)
PROGNOSIS
In an old, abandoned house, a young woman begins to find cryptic messages bleeding through from 1969 –- from a stranger called The Doctor...
DIAGNOSIS
Steven Moffat has earned himself a huge reputation in fan circles, after writing season 1's most tonally-correct adventure (The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances) and season 2's sublime The Girl In The Fireplace. It's a reputation well-deserved and Moffat refuses to put a foot wrong with his fourth effort for Doctor Who, the wonderful Blink...
As with last year's Love & Monsters, The Doctor and his companion barely feature in this episode beyond a few scenes, with most of their work consisting of recorded "one-way" interviews on DVD footage. The story really belongs to Sally Sparrow (Carey Mulligan), a young woman who enters an abandoned building with "Weeping Angel" statues scattered about in the grounds outside. She also discovers cryptic messages behind wallpaper from someone called "The Doctor", before her friend Katherine is later zapped back in time to 1920 by one of the freaky sculptures...
The plot is fairly complex for a typical Who episode, perhaps a little above younger viewers' understanding. Blink's use of time-travel logic, predestination paradoxes, single it out as one of the most stylish and intelligent episodes of the revived series.
Carey Mulligan is superb as the intrepid Sally; attractive, intelligent and plausible in all her reactions. She's such a strong character it actually crossed my mind that she could handle her own Buffy The Vampire Slayer-style series, as she's an immensely likeable presence on-screen.
The supporting cast are quite perfunctory to events, with most vanishing into the past shortly after their introduced, but none hit a wrong note. Michael Obiora makes a good impression as Detective Inspector Shipton, as does his older incarnation played by Louis Mahoney.
Blink is also one of the most stylish Doctor Who episodes, which usually means the crew have done a great job with a period location, but Blink is actually mostly in a contemporary setting. The editing and directing are brilliant throughout, particularly in the scary abandoned house with its greenish tint and some beautiful rain-soaked exteriors.
However, it's clear that Steven Moffat is the man to worship for Blink's success. He's written a marvellous script, not only for its sharp and logical plotting, but with some genuinely funny lines (The Doctor's hen joke) and sparkling dialogue. Above all else, it's just a wonderfully imaginative story that combines old-school spooky houses and sinister statues with the world of DVDs "easter eggs" and time-travel.
The Weeping Angels are a marvellous creation and it's incredible to realize they're actually make-up effect and not genuine stone! Their modus operandi and back-story is unsettling and effective, particularly in the final moments with our heroes having to resist blinking (as the Angels are only inanimate when being looked at). Marvellous stuff and, for once, we have a story where The Doctor's eventual resolution to crisis is solved by genius-level intellect -- not coincidence, luck or his bloody sonic screwdriver!
Overall, Blink is one of Doctor Who's greatest episodes and a textbook example of the intelligence and tone Russell T. Davies' staff should be aiming for more often. If there's anybody you know who doesn't rate Doctor Who's output, just show them this.
Blink is imaginative, compelling, exciting, scary and clever.
A quick review of the rather magnificent DOCTOR WHO 3.8, which has just aired in the UK...
Episode title: "Human Nature"
Guest starring: Jessica Hynes (AKA Jessica Stevenson from SPACED)
Script: Paul Cornell, adapting his own novel of the same name
Director: Charles Palmer
Synopsis: The Doctor and Martha are being pursued across spacetime by baddies known only as The Family. They're after a Time Lord, it seems. As a last-ditch measure, The Doctor pull out a device called a "Chameleon Arch" and hurriedly gives Martha a complicated set of instructions involving a pocket watch...
It's the 42nd century and The Doctor has 42 minutes. Will he get all Jack Bauer on that century's ass?
“Doctor Dan” says:
DOCTOR WHO – 3.7
"42"
WRITER:
Chris Chibnall (Life On Mars, Torchwood)
DIRECTOR:
Graeme Harper (Angels, Robin Hood)
CAST:
David Tennant (The Doctor)
Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones)
Adjoa Andoh (Francine Jones)
Michelle Collins (Kath McDonnell)
William Ash (Riley Vashtee)
Anthony Flanagan (Orin Scanell)
Matthew Chambers (Hal Korwin)
Vinette Robinson (Abi Lerner)
Gary Powell (Dev Ashton)
Rebecca Oldfield (Erina Lessak)
Elize du Toit (Sinister Woman)
PROGNOSIS
In a distant galaxy, in the 42nd-Century, a spaceship hurtles out of control towards the sun and The Doctor has 42-minutes to save the day...
DIAGNOSIS
After the rude interruption of the Eurovision Song Contest last week, the third season of Doctor Who continues with 42, from writer Chris Chibnall. Essentially, 42 combines the aesthetic of last year's The Impossible Planet/Satan Pit with the storyline of Danny Boyle's Sunshine, using the format of 24.
After arriving aboard another spaceship, this one spiralling out of control towards a sun, The Doctor and Martha fight to prevent certain doom alongside the crew, led by Kath McDonnell (Michelle Collins). Matters are complicated when two of the crew become possessed by a malevolent force, intent on burning each of them to death.
42 is a nice enough episode, enlivened by some great visuals and the occasional moment of tension, but it's also pure formula. It doesn't help that there are strong parallels to last year's The Impossible Planet, in both production design and general story, with both episode's concerning ragtag crews fighting an alien entity that possesses people. Impossible Planet's villain was an enormous demon held captive underground, whereas 42's is more ethereal in nature -- but the similarities are there.
While 42 is definitely a pale shadow of The Impossible Planet, that's not to say it's a terrible episode. The sense of pace and drama is well-balanced, although things begin to get a little strained and repetitive in the final ten minutes.
Chris Chibnall's script is most memorable for a perfect moment of tragedy when Martha finds herself jettisoned in an escape pod, inching towards oblivion, shock etched on The Doctor's face as he screams (silently) at a porthole to her. Kudos to director Graeme Harper for realizing this moment on-screen so beautifully, as it has more punch than the rest of the episode's histrionics put together.
It's getting boring to keep mentioning how perfect David Tennant is in the role these days, but it's true that his commitment and passion elevates dodgy writing and lazy plots. I'll never underestimate him, or take him for granted, as he'll be a tough act to follow when he eventually leaves the series.
Freema Agyeman seems to have settled into her role well, although it's disappointing the scripts since her introduction haven't fleshed out her character that much. She hasn't been able to play anything other than awestruck companion and model daughter so far, which has been a shame.
That said, the decision to have her mother (the excellent Adjoa Andoh) be surreptitiously poisoned against The Doctor is a great idea. Even if, in reality, three goons in your house, making you put your phone in an evidence bag, would make you more suspicious of them... not the handsome chap who saved you from a scorpion-crab creature last week. But hey.
The supporting cast are fine, although Michelle Collins doesn't convince as a ballsy captain. She sweats and huffs around, but fails to make you believe she's actually the leader of these grease-monkeys. Everyone else has characters so one-note it actually comes as a shock when Martha kisses one at the end, as their romantic sub-plot was so emotionally cold you missed it.
Being picky, the science here is totally implausible, but bad science was necessary for the plot to work . Kids, don't ask me how a magnetic field from a ship can pull in an escape pod against the gravitational force of a giant sun... go ask your teachers. While you're there, ask how The Doctor can be covered in ice one second and have it melt without leaving any water or steam...
Overall, 42 was entertaining but forgettable stuff, mired by familiarity with the story-type Chibnall wrote and his cardboard characters. I also find it strange why the two men possessed by the alien entity had to wear space-helmets, beyond the fact said helmets looked creepy. Even for aliens, it's all about "the look"; fiery eyes and baritone voices just aren't enough these days...
“Doctor Who” maven "Doctor Dan" was called away, but now he’s back - and he’s toting a review of “The Lazarus Experiment,” which aired over the BBC Saturday!
DOCTOR WHO – Episode 3.6
"The Lazarus Experiment"
WRITER:
Stephen Greenhorn
DIRECTOR:
Richard Clark
CAST:
David Tennant (The Doctor)
Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones)
Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Tish Jones)
Reggie Yates (Leo Jones)
Adjoa Andoh (Francine Jones)
Mark Gatiss (Professor Richard Lazarus)
Thelma Barlow (Lady Thaw)
Lucy O'Connell (Party Guest)
Bertie Carvel (Mysterious Man)
Martha arrives back home, only to find that her sister Tish is work ing for Professor Lazarus, a man who appears to have obtained immortality...
After the entertaining, yet ultimately underwhelming Dalek two-parter, the adventure continues courtesy of writer Stephen Clark (creator of Scottish soap River City ) with The Lazarus Experiment.
Mark Gatiss, himself a writer for the show, stars as the eponymous Lazarus, a 76-year-old genius who invents a machine that appears to be the fountain of youth. During his launch party one evening, Lazarus gives a demonstration of his system and accidentally unleashes a monster within...
The Lazarus Experiment is pure and simple stuff from writer Clark, not particularly concerned with giving audiences anything more than an honest and straight-forward story. The entire episode is just an elongated chase with a CGI monster (a skeletal scorpion with a human face), although it was nice to see Martha's family given some development.
Unlike Rose's family, Martha's clan seem to be more interesting already. It's particularly nice to see sister Tish (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and brother Leo (Reggie Yates) avoiding the "annoying hanger-on" trap that ruined Noel Clark's Mickey in series 1 and 2. But it was even better to find that Martha's mother Franchine (the excellent Adjoa Andoh) is opposed to her daughter's relationship with The Doctor, a neat juxtaposition to Jackie Tyler's flummoxed approval, especially considering how dangerous being a companion to The Doctor clearly is!
Without the layering of series 3 mythology (we even get clearer mention of the mysterious Mr Saxon), this episode would be a competent but ultimately hollow experience. This is by-the-numbers stuff that doesn't offer any surprises. If anything it made me frustrated by how The Doctor's all-purpose sonic screwdriver can be manipulated each week to do anything -- here it restructures DNA over sound waves and can locate a monster! Lazy writing, I've always though.
Overall, The Lazarus Experiment is perfectly entertaining fluff with a nice performance from Mark Gatiss, some impressive visuals and a finale that just about eradicate your memory of how shallow everything else has been. This is good honest fun for kids, interesting for fans with its nudges of mythology, but hardly essential viewing.
This week’s “Doctor Who” picks up with the typical re-cap of last weeks show, including the shot of the human Dalek. Where is where the episode begins.
This episode has both some very strong moments, but it has many flaws as well. The idea that the Daleks have the Doctor in their grasp and don’t just kill him seems like every bad James Bond moment.
I’m not sure that I’m completely down with the idea that Daleks will turn over a whole new leaf and become partly human, it’s an interesting twist but I didn’t completely accept it. And neither did the other Daleks, who quietly plan against Dalek Sec’s ideals.
Ms. Kylie Minogue
