TARDISWATCH 2008: DOCTOR WHO FEATURE REVIEWS
EPISODE 11: TURN LEFT
An independent, unofficial series of Doctor Who reviews and analysis from a lifelong fan of the show
Last year’s antepenultimate (is that even a word?) episode, Utoipia, formed the first part of what was essentially a three part story, and this year’s eleventh episode does the same thing, albeit in much more of an intriguing way. Where last year’s was a huge scale future tale, this one is more akin to something like series 1’s ‘Father’s Day’, a rather solemn story that tugs at heartstrings and tear ducts alike. Fans longing for the old days of multiple part stories are now getting what we want to a certain extent, and it is working in the show’s favour that longer stories are being integrated into the new era- it gives much more room to build things up.Judging by the teaser for next week’s episode, it looks as though RTD’s promises of an even more epic climax are going to be true. Some people have noted that this episode felt a little like RTD giving himself a pat on the back for what has gone before, and why shouldn’t he? He took a creaky old science fiction programme and turned it into the most vibrant thing on British TV. That deserves more than a pat on the back, but maybe not quite what Donna has on hers…Keep checking back for the latest news on new Doctor Who merchandise!
DOCTOR WHO: TURN LEFT – EPISODE REVIEW
Rose is back! But wait… the Doctor is dead? The Titanic hit Buck palace? The Adipose destroyed America? The inhabitants of the ruined London are forced into emergency housing and labour camps? It must be time for an alternate history story. As a lead-in to the immense climax to the series, it is a great episode, and also works as a great piece of drama in itself. The fact that the Doctor is barely in it works in its favour- seeing Rose and UNIT trying to get Donna to correct the timelines after her past is altered by an alien parasite is a wonderful thing, and sets up the crossover to come. Torchwood, Sarah Jane, Martha and so on all get a mention, ready for their appearances next week, and Catherine Tate gets to play another version of Donna again, once more proving she is a much better actress than many fans originally gave her credit for.Billie Piper returns to the character that transformed her into one of the country’s most respected young actresses, and carries the role of lead character here with grace and presence. There are some moments where she seems to struggle a little with Rose’s accent (as she stated herself it took a while for her to get used to the character again), but for the most part she is excellent, and is very welcome back on our screens. The story, while convoluted and chock full of paradoxes and plot holes, is still a thrilling 45 minutes, and bodes extremely well for the story that it paves the way for…8/10
THE STOLEN PLANET: HERE COMES THE DARKNESS
The teaser trailer for next week’s episode has sent fans into a frenzy. The sight of just about everyone the Doctor has met coming back to fight off the darkness (i.e. Davros and the rejuvenated Daleks), looks like it is going to be the pinnacle of the series since its return. Seeing the Torchwood characters and Sarah Jane making an appearance as well as the return of Martha, and Rose, and Donna, and and and… is just magnificent. This is the point where the world needs to wake up and see the truth- British science fiction TV doesn’t just compete- it surpasses on every level. Proof? Here you go:
