Well, what a good start to Season 3, and of course all eyes were on Martha. As a contrast to Rose, Martha is the sensible one and reacts to the Doctor much as we all would - 'is that your name?' 'you are quite. mad. ' and, after the Doctor says he's a Timelord, replies 'not a bit pompous then?'. However, I see a trend here with all the assistants giving the Doctor doe eyes so that they all follow him around like lovesick puppies. Martha's not quite as bad as Rose for that, but you can see it going that way. Have some respect, girl!
But back to the story...If you need one, you'l find a detailed plot synopsis here from Wiki (damn they're quick).
Basically, plot was OK, imaginative, although the Jadoon were clearly the Vogons from Hitch Hikers. Justice is Swift! Lots of the usual running up and down corridors, etc, a bit of science for the kids. The Slabs were a bit dull though.
The story was good, a few twists, although fairly predictable. I don't care what anyone says about the effects, they're the best the BBC have ever had, so I'm not complaining! I remember the early series of Red Dwarf (well, the later ones too for that matter). And Blakes Seven.
But as always, a bloodthirsty villian, a murderous alien vampire, played brilliantly by 'Dinnerladies' Anne Reid, who hammed it up good. That's how we like our villians on Doctor Who! One thing that strikes me in this episode though - we are now seeing the Doctor - and indeed David Tennant - getting into his role and he hasn't calmed down with the goofiness at all. Sometimes it's irritating, but every Doctor has to have his quirks, the Tenth Doctor's clothes being relatively normal, no dodgy vegetables strapped to his lapel, long scarves or frilly shirts. Although the pining for Rose thing is getting a bit old. Yes, Billie was great and we'll all miss her, but we have to move on! I suspect it is meant to deepen the Doctor's compassion, though.
What was annoying about this episode? Martha's family was completely pointless and very badly acted (her sister wasn't too bad) and, whilst it served its purpose by explaining that Martha is the sensible, slightly put upon member of the family who solves all the problems, after Rose's family ties, it seemed a bit cliche. I just hope we don't see them again, but with Russel T Davies's enthusuasm for the human compassion storylines in this new 'imagining' you never know.
And so where to now Martha? She's only down for one trip according to the Doctor. Is it going to be a Tegan where the navigation system fails and he can't get her back to her own time? Hope it's something more imaginative than that, but time will tell. Oh, and the kiss? Was that added in just to give the fans something to see on the trailer? Not really necessary as part of the plot - was certainly a bit contrived!
Oh, and that young doctor had way too much of a speaking part not to turn up in later episode(s)...
Next week, the Shakespeare Code...
I don't really like the historical ones, but this one was great, although very cheesy with all the Shakespeare and Harry Potter puns they could have possibly squeezed in.
Mrs_F
Funny how his assistants are always young and beautiful and never plump, plain and middleaged. Oh well, that is a job I must remember not to apply for then.
X