Review: School Reunion (10th Doctor)
There’s no new Doctor Who this Saturday! *sob* So, I’ll try to come up with some fun stuff to entertain you here in the meantime. (By the way, according to my estimations, I will run out of New series episodes to review at the end of May. So, it looks like I’ll have to be extra creative for June.) Here is my review for School Reunion, which is early for some of you, but late for others. It features the return of some old friends, and the first appearance of a new enemy. Oh, and Anthony Head. Want more information? Then Step into the Spoiler Zone!
Episode: School Reunion by Russell T. Davies
Rating (1 to 5): 4.5
Baddie: Krillitanes
Rose is trapped: Well, The School is locked down while she’s inside.
The Doctor is trapped: Well, The School is locked down while he’s inside.
The Doctor enjoys: Seeing Sarah Jane. Kenny hitting the fire alarm to fight the bats.
The Doctor dislikes:The Word Correctamundo. Saying “Team,” “gang,” or “Comrades.” Krillitanes trying to crack the Skasis Paradigm.
The Doctor apologizes to: Kenny, about the Krillitanes being his teachers.
Doctor-y Strangeness: His conversation with the Mr. Finch. His temptation by Mr. Finch. His conversation with Rose outside the chip shop.
Scary Stuff: The Krillitanes.
Torchwood? On the classified files Mickey is trying to access.
Does someone local help out? Mickey and Kenny. Sarah Jane and K-9, too, if they count as local.
What we learn: The Doctor can teach Physics. K-9 was cutting edge in the year 5000. Abereen is not next to Croyden. The Doctor is no Dinner Lady. Krillitanes are a composite race. The Sonic Screwdriver can open anything except a dead lock seal. Cracking the Skasis Paradigm makes Time and space and matter your playthings. A great way to combat Big Bat People is with a fire alarm.
My Favorite Bits: The Doctor: Physics Teacher. Correctamundo. Happy slappy hoodies… Dinner-lady screams, “she does that.” Sarah Jane! The Conversation between The Doctor and Sarah Jane. “The World is very strange.” Sarah Jane’s TARDIS reveal, then Doctor reveal. “Okay. Now I can.” “Ah, mate. The Mrs. and the Ex. Welcome to every man’s worst nightmare.” K-9! “Though I have prepares a little ‘I was right’ dance.” “…and add another suitcase full of bad.” “Oh my God. I’m the tin dog.” “If I don’t like it, then it will stop.” “I’m so old now. I used to have so much mercy. You get one warning. That was it.” Sarah Jane and Rose laughing at The Doctor. The Doctor being tempted by Mr. Finch. “-Are they my teachers? -Yeah. Sorry.” New K-9!
Observations and musings:
Poor Rose. Stuck as a dinner lady. And then to be faced with one of The Doctor’s former companions, of whom he is obviously fond, and yet he never talks about. What must the future seem like to her then? Such a rude awakening. At least he says that he will never leave her behind. He doesn’t say why he is so specific about it, though. I love the Rose and Sarah Jane bonding session. The Doctor’s response to their helpless laughter is just perfect. Rose just needs to remember that some things are worth getting your heart broken for. Too bad Sarah Jane isn’t coming with them, but at least she has her own show, now.
I wish that The Doctor had been my physics teacher. Can you imagine the job interview? Oh, and the look on his face when he first sees Sarah Jane. All stunned and pleased. But then he is forced to look at some things that he would rather not think about. Why didn’t he come back for Sarah Jane? Will he ever leave Rose in the same way? Well, he barely manages to avoid telling Rose how difficult it is watching someone you love grow old and die. I’m thinking that The Doctor hates introspection. His confrontation with Mr. Finch is just perfect. We have The Doctor with the same form of arrogance that he displayed in New Earth, with just a dash of Oncoming Storm. “I’m so old now. I used to have so much mercy. You get one warning. That was it.” Oh, and he almost gives in to Mr. Finch. Thank heavens for Sarah Jane just then.
Isn’t Anthony Head perfect? He plays such a wonderful baddie. He also does all of the narration for the Doctor Who: Confidentials, by the way. I like this episode. It has so many layers! Sarah Jane!!! (oh, and K-9!!!) I loved the whole: “I can’t believe it’s you.” *scream in the distance* “Okay. Now I can.” Nice little Old School nod, there. Mickey gets to help save the day! With a little help from K-9. “We are in a car.” Speaking of cars, Sarah Jane’s car gets a bit smashed up going through the front of that school. Oops. Next review is: Girl in the Fireplace. See you then!
Image Source: http://www.time-and-space.co.uk/
School Reunion, Russell T. Davies
May 7th, 2007 at 4:54 am
This was probably my favorite episode of the season. The one thing I didn’t like about it is that it probably precluded Anthony Head from playing either The Master or The Doctor in the future.
The acknowlegement of The Doctor’s impact on people, and the examination of what it means to be The Doctor’s Companion is exactly the kind of added depth that I love in the new series.
May 7th, 2007 at 10:30 am
[...] (By the way, according to my estimations, I will run out of New series episodes to review at the end of May. So, it looks like I’ll have to be extra creative for June.) Here is my review for School Reunion, which is early for some of … Original post by Elisa Share This [...]
May 7th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Eric J, I know what you mean. Anthony Head would have made a great addition to the cast in a more long term role. But it was really nice to see how much he and David pushed their acting skills to meet one another.
May 8th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Well, since both Ian Marter and Colin Baker played one off roles before their regular roles…never say never! (yes, I am holding out hope for Anthony to be The Master)
May 8th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
And so did Freema… Good point Erik!