Watching Doctor Who

For the record, I have only seen the British version of this episode, as the TV had been a bit occupied around here. So I’m not sure if the song that was played during a pivotal moment in the episode made it into the USA version. Just in case, here is the link to the music video for it. I’m not sure how they’d cut ir out, but one never knows. This is episode two of the huge three part finale for series 3. Let’s get to the discussion, shall we?

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The Sound of Drums

Utopia is the first part of the first three-parter of the New Doctor Who. Yes, that does mean two episodes with cliff-hangers in a row. In this episode we see the reappearance of Captain Jack Harkness on Doctor Who, the TARDIS crew has to deal with some unexpected developments, and a very famous actor plays a pivotal role. So, come on past the spoiler barrier to join the discussion.

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Utopia, Captain Jack Harkness, Doctor Who

Because of the way that the shooting schedule for Doctor Who works out, at least in series 2 & 3, there is an episode that hasn’t got much Doctor in it in each series. May I just say that I hope that Steven Moffat writes every single one of those episodes in the future? This episode was originally a short story by Steven Moffat called What I Did On My Christmas Holidays by Sally Sparrow. It appeared in the 2006 Doctor Who Annual. The baddies featured in this episode have been recently voted the scariest monsters of the year. Okay, enough build up already. On to the good stuff!

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Blink, Steven Moffat, What I Did On My Christmas Holidays, Sally Sparrow

This episode and the one that came before it are adapted by Paul Cornell from a Doctor Who tie-in novel called Human Nature by…Paul Cornell. If you would like to read the novel online, you may do so here. The novel features the Seventh Doctor and a different companion named Bernice Summerfield, so things are a bit different. Okay…there are actually several differences. For your moment of irony this week, I’ll just mention that right before I posted the review of Human Nature, two weeks ago, the episode in which John Smith falls down the stairs…I fell down the stairs. Life can stop imitating art now. Anyway, on to the review!

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The Family of Blood, Human Nature

This episode and its sequel are adapted by Paul Cornell from a Doctor Who tie-in novel called Human Nature. If you would like to read the novel online, you may do so here. The novel features the Seventh Doctor and a different companion named Bernice Summerfield, so things are a bit different. If you choose to read ahead, though, be sure to expect spoilers. If you can’t wait the extra week for the second part (yes, in case you haven’t noticed, part 2 will be delayed a week and will appear on 9/7) you might think about reading the book. Right-o, let’s get to the good stuff, shall we?

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Human Nature

Chris Chibnall is the author of the episode this week. He is also the co-producer of Torchwood, and wrote four of the episodes for the first series of that show. This episode even comes complete with a prologue if you are interested. 42 is even more fast paced than usual. All sorts of running about. I’m sure that all the Douglas Adams fans out there will enjoy the title. Right then, let’s get on to the review. (Oh, and Erik? Thanks for the suggestion!)

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42

Where to begin? This time around there’s poetry, references to Classic Doctor Who, and even a Spinal Tap reference. (The poem quoted in this episode is The Hollow Men by T.S. Eliot.) Ah well. Just dive right in. It’s the only way to experience things, right?

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The Lazarus Experiment

(Firstly, I’d like to apologize for this review being so late. My weekend was a bit…hectic. Anyway…) What did I tell you? This episode gets started and it doesn’t really slow down. Quite a ride, eh? There’s so much to talk about. Let’s get started, shall we?

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Evolution of the Daleks

Daleks in Manhattan is part one of a two. The title itself could be considered a spoiler, really, as it tells you where the episode takes place and who the baddies are. I can’t say too much more here except that I enjoyed the variety of American accents that they came up with, and did you know that the guy who plays Solomon was in the first Highlander film? Right then, on to the review!

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Daleks in Manhattan

Well, here at last is the review for the latest episode (in the US) of Doctor Who - Gridlock. I’m sorry that this review took so long, but there was this little book that I had to read. Yeah. I plead Harry Potter addiction. The book was taunting me. I had to read it…

Hey Look! Zeppelins! *sneaks away*

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Gridlock, Doctor Who

I really enjoy this episode of Doctor Who, and I would gladly watch it several times in a row. Perhaps this has something to do with my Shakespeare obsession. Who can say? This episode even has a fellow playing a lute in it. I’ve always wanted to play the lute. Maybe I should have kept up with those guitar lessons all of those years ago. Sigh. All right, enough with my fixation on things Renaissance. (Did I mention that I was once a Medieval Studies major?) This episode is fun and full of pop culture references. For more specifics, venture past the spoiler barrier.

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The Shakespeare Code, Doctor Who, Shakespeare

This is (finally) my review of the second Doctor Who Christmas Special. Like The Christmas Invasion, it is a bit longer than a normal episode, and it is also a bit of a departure from the normal course of things. There’s a lot to talk about, so if you would like to know what I think (and see why it generally takes me 2 hours to do one of these) venture past the spoiler barrier.

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The Runaway Bride, Doctor Who

This is a reference post to help provide easier access to all of the Series Two reviews. I am including The Christmas Invasion in series two, as it had the 10th Doctor in it. The Runaway Bride will be listed as part of series three. Links to all of the reviews appear in order below.

Special: Children in Need Special 2005

Special: The Christmas Invasion

1. New Earth

2. Tooth and Claw

3. School Reunion

4. The Girl in the Fireplace

5. Rise of the Cybermen

6. Age of Steel

7. Idiot’s Lantern

8. The Impossible Planet

9. The Satan Pit

10. Love and Monsters

11. Fear Her

12. Army of Ghosts

13. Doomsday

Children in Need Special 2005, The Christmas Invasion, New Earth, Tooth and Claw, School Reunion, The Girl in the Fireplace, Rise of the Cybermen, Age of Steel, Idiot’s Lantern, The Impossible Planet, The Satan Pit, Love and Monsters, Fear Her, Army of Ghosts, Doomsday

Well, here you are, the last series two episode that I needed to review. I am officially caught up. The next group of episodes will begin in July in the US, so that is when I will begin reviewing them here. I may take a break from reviewing until then, unless I can manage to finish my review of An Unearthly Child. That story is a bit longer than the modern episodes, you see. One of the surprises of this episode is: I don’t want Rose’s outfit. (Okay, so I wouldn’t mind a pair of her boots.) On to the spoilery stuff.

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The Age of Steel

This is one of the last two episodes that have been shown in the US that I haven’t reviewed yet. Wouldn’t you know it? It’s a two-parter. So, there’s a lot of set up that occurs this time around. Want to know what I’m talking about? Then go beyond the spoiler barrier…

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Rise of the Cybermen