Voyage of the Damned

"You dreamt of another sky."

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Broadcast: 25 December 2007

Series: 2007 Christmas Special

Synopsis

A spacecraft set on an apocalyptic collision course with Earth, a host of killer robots and an evil severed-headed mastermind - it's just another Christmas for the Doctor...

The Doctor is astounded when his ship is struck by the Titanic - a space-going reproduction of the luxury ocean liner. Venturing on board, he meets several of the alien tourists, but when the ship is devastated by a meteor shower, the Doctor and his new friends find themselves stranded in the wrecked, timebomb of a craft set on collision course with Earth...

Verdict

Voyage of the Damned was a very good Christmas Special episode! I can't quite believe it has been fifteen years now since this story aired on television and it's been at least six years since my last viewing, but I wouldn't like to estimate a number of times that I've seen this one. Over the last couple of years I have been watching the modern era of the show with my girlfriend Gemma for the first time and this was another instalment on that list. She didn't seem a huge fan beforehand and whilst it's not a bad episode, it's not one of her favourites. Now, I don't rate it as highly as some other Christmas specials but I still think it's a terrific hour and perfect really for a jolly Christmas romp despite all of the death that occurs. I forget how good David Tennant can be in the role and with no companion around, this was another stellar performance. There's obviously a defining moment for his incarnation of the Doctor when he responds to the question of who he is, and the directing and music that accompanies that as then Doctor reels off his personal info and credentials were excellent. With Kylie Minogue guest starring, it's not a huge surprise that this episode ranks as the highest viewed one of the modern era and with the way television is now viewed there is no way that this will ever be beaten in my opinion. Astrid Peth fills the companion role magnificently and I love how the Doctor takes a liking to her immediately as she years for another sky. She just wanted to travel and see, so of course the Doctor would adhere to her request. Bannakaffalatta was an amusing character and I really liked the humour that came with his interaction with the Doctor regarding his full name. He was just a nice character and the truth about him being a cyborg was very good. Astrid mentioning how cyborgs had rights now said a lot about the planet Stow! Mr Copper was an amusing man and his degree in Earthonomics was very funny with the story of worshipping Santa and his vicious claws, and then the UK going to war with Turkey and eating them! The Doctor's reaction to that was marvellous as well. I liked the desperation that came with the missiles heading to the ship and Alonso trying to stop the Captain and play by the book was admirable. He was brilliant in keeping things together despite being shot and the Doctor's reaction to his name and then Allons-Y Alonso line was great stuff. The deaths of Foon and Morvin were very emotional but I liked that they got a lovely moment together over the 5,000 credits spent to enter the competition to win tickets aboard the Titanic. The Host were very strong enemies being controlled by Max Capricorn who looked like a brilliant villain as just a head. The Doctor's joke about getting ahead in business was delightful too. The fate of Astrid in sacrificing herself to take him out was heartfelt and the Doctor was clearly horrified by all of the loss ensued, so much so that he didn't even seem massively pleased when he saved the ship from crashing into Buckingham Palace. The Doctor having to let her go when the teleport didn't have enough power to reassemble her molecules. Overall though, a really strong Christmas episode! 

Rating: 8/10