The Waters of Mars

"Your death creates the future."

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Broadcast: 15 November 2009

Series: 2009 Winter Special

Featuring: Tenth Doctor

Synopsis

Back on Earth, the Doctor finds a clue in the search for the origins of the degeneration weapon. In his Sixth body, he meets Jackie Tyler and Lady Christina de Souza – thrown together by fate, or something more? – in pursuit of a powerful item of jeweller.

Meanwhile, a Time Lord renegade has duped Harry Sullivan into helping him stop the Doctor's travel before they begin – and all are set on a collision course.

Verdict

The Waters of Mars is an excellent episode! As far as the 2009 Specials go, this one might be the very best. It’s incredible really that a story with this title and seeing Doctor Who visit the red planet is all about a human emotional story. This is such a powerful episode where we see the Doctor fully come off the rails in a way we never have before. It’s so good and I don’t think any other Doctor would have been better suited. The effects of the Time War linger on and the Doctor is still clearly hurt by recent events with the fate of Donna, but he wasn’t interested anymore. The Laws of Time were his and he was proclaimed as the Time Lord Victorious. That’s such fun stuff and the emotion in Tennant’s eyes as the Doctor now in charge was sublime. He plays this version of the Time Lord so well. I liked how he was a little buoyant at the start of the episode to find himself on Mars but things go terribly wrong quite quickly when he realises the date. His reaction to meeting Adelaide Brooke and the rest of the crew was great but he didn’t really hold back their fate. He was quick to point out Mia’s young age as 27 and was just in awe. It’s quite amazing to see a young Gemma Chan in the episode here knowing what she has gone on to become as a major star. Yuri is a fun character in the episode and I also liked Ed’s simplicity in being a typical middle aged man. He just took everything in his stride and he made the ultimate sacrifice in blowing up the rocket before take off. Action Five would be taken after all. Seeing the Doctor watch events unfold knowing it was a fixed point in time and that he should leave was superb because it went against every fibre in his being to not help. He knew he could and that was the worst thing. The Flood are a strong enemy and I really like the use of water as a means of fear. It always wins and with human beings consisting of 60% water, they were the perfect hosts. And that look! It’s iconic and definitely up there with one of the scariest we’ve seen. It’s excellent and sadistic. I thought the use of the news website bulletins on the fate of Adelaide and her crew, especially with the obituaries as the Doctor ticked off each crew member one by one, was really clever. It’s unique for sure and works well. It serves an important purpose. The only thing I don’t like in the episode, other than the Ice Warriors not appearing on their homeworld, is Gadget. It just looked clumsy and is a bit annoying, feeling a little bit of a cheat for the way it gets to the TARDIS. The story of Brooke’s inspiration for the future exploration of mankind is nicely done and harking back to The Stolen Earth with her seeing a Dalek that left her alone because of her death being a fixed point is terrific. Adelaide challenging the Doctor on his changing history and taking matters into her own hands by killing herself is such a powerful ending. She would still become the inspiration to her granddaughter and beyond. Overall, an excellent episode!

Rating: 9/10