TARDIS WATCH 2008: DOCTOR WHO FEATURE REVIEWS PART 2

Now that the awkward premier episode is done with, we can get down to some powerful Doctor Who stories for a few weeks before the big arc starts to make its presence felt properly, and we’re off with a Historical, which keeps in with the sequence of earlier series- there always tends to be a historical story in the first three episodes. I do like this habit, and while it has become a tad predictable, it both shows off the wealth of possibilities and reminds us all of The Doctor’s time travelling abilities- not everything happens in contemporary London or Cardiff!

Actually this seems to be a series which isn’t going to stick around in one place for too long,. That was a bone of contention with fans during earlier series, but this was understandable- budget is tight, even now with the show a massive hit. But now, the boat has really been pushed out with what is shaping up to be the most far-reaching and epic series yet. So then, how are the Doctor and Donna getting along?

Donna’s first trip back in time is quite a harrowing experience for the feisty redhead. Aiming for Rome, The Doctor lands in Pompeii the day before Vesuvius erupts, and discovers all manner of alien goings-on that are playing on the superstitions o the time, and why have all the soothsayers suddenly become powerful psychics? What follows is a great adventure episode, with lots of running, lots of shouting and some o the best effects that have graced the series since it came back. There is a huge atmosphere to the episode, almost filmic in places, which helps the viewers take in the magnitude of the story.

Two things grind a bit with the episode though, namely (you guessed it) Catherine Tate, whose character of Donna Noble is becoming incredibly annoying already, and the fact that, once again, the Doctor is responsible for one of the most historic moments in human history.

Now, call me an old codger, but does anyone remember Earthshock? That superb fifth Doctor story ended with the Doctor failing to stop the ship that Adric was trapped on from hitting the earth and wiping out the Dinosaurs, thus paving the way for mankind to exist! There are now far too many instances of historic events being used as plot points, as eventually it will get to a point where the Doctor is responsible for absolutely everything that happens on earth. Granted, The Fires of Pompeii saw he Doctor keep history intact, but still, it’s the same thing again.

Having said that, this was a fantastic episode, and if Donna will SHUT UP for a moment, I think we’re going to have the best series yet. The teaser for next week’s looks great- the Ood are back!

Episode rating: 7 out of 10

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL FILMING COMMENCES
Principal photography on the 2008 Doctor Who Christmas special has now begun, and spy photos reveal that it will apparently have a Victorian theme, and feature the surprising return of a classic set of Doctor Who monsters that fans old and new will be thrilled to see onscreen again, albeit in a brand new guise…

 

FIRST DVD OF SERIES 4 TO BE CERT 12
The BBFC have passed the first volume of the Doctor Who series four DVDs as a 12 certificate. While Partners in Crime and the Fires of Pompeii passed as PG, the third episode, airing this coming Saturday, Planet of the Ood, has been deemed too frightening for children and has thus received the 12 rating.

 

DOCTOR WHO CONCERT ANNOUNCED
This year’s proms will once again feature an evening themed around the music of Doctor Who. The Doctor Who evening will be presented by Freema Agyeman and take place on the 27th of July, and will also feature other ‘Space’ themed tunes.