Doctor Who: The Waters Of Mars – The Starstore Review
The penultimate Doctor Who story to feature David Tennant as the tenth Doctor has now aired, and all that remains is the two part finale to his era, is this episode treading water to the big ending? Not in the slightest. In fact, as we head to the downfall of the tenth Doctor, we have been given one of the best episodes in a long time. The tension is definitely building towards his final episodes, and the character takes a rather stunning turn with Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars.
While the plot of this special episode isn’t particularly new, i.e. the Doctor trapped on a research station (this time on Mars) with a bunch of scientists and pioneers, who then start getting picked off one by one by an alien entity. The beauty of this episode centres around David Tennant’s performance and the moral dilemma that the Doctor finds himself trapped in. Without giving too much away for those of you that are yet to see the episode, the Doctor is placed in a situation where he must decide between what he has been taught since his first incarnation and what he feels in his heart(s).
The alien entities, essentially water-spewing zombies, look fantastically scary, and I am sure there were a fair few nightmares had by kids up and down the country, especially if there was a tap running in the house at the time. The new Doctor Who special is well written, beautifully shot and briskly paced, and the visuals give it a suitably epic feeling, which is much needed if it’s to be seen as more than just an extended regular episode.
There are a few things that didn’t work completely though, such as the inhabitants of the station weren’t really given much in the way of characterization beyond some rather standard deep space SF stereotypes. Then again, SF stereotypes can be fun, which they are for the most part here. It is the script itself and the nature of the Doctor’s dilemma that are the most compelling thing with this special, along with a very, very strong performance from David Tennant. The tenth Doctor really does surprise you towards the end of the episode, which sets up what is to come very nicely indeed.
The links to earlier events in Doctor Who series four are a nice touch, keeping it in continuity with the larger DW universe. Lindsay Duncan is on fine form as the main companion of the Doctor for the episode, but she is more a partner than a companion, really, and heads up a fine supporting cast who are sadly not given a great deal to do other than run around and shout.
There are some great character touches, such as the videos from home, but the special would have needed another twenty minutes or so to fully flesh these characters out. A fine special episode indeed, and certainly the best so far after The Next Doctor and Planet Of the Dead. The teaser trailer of ‘The End of Time’ looks amazing, and what’s going on with the Master’s head turning invisible, revealing his skull? We shall soon find out…
