Planet of the Dead

"I don't usually do Easter. I can never find it."

Writers: Russell T Davies & Gareth Roberts

Format: TV

Broadcast: 11th April 2009

Series: 2009 Easter Special

Featuring: Tenth Doctor

Synopsis 

When a London bus takes a detour to an alien world, the Tenth Doctor must join forces with the extraordinary Lady Christina. But the mysterious planet holds terrifying secrets and time is running out as the deadly Swarm gets closer...

Verdict 

Planet of the Dead was a very good episode to have as the first ever Easter Special! It's quite a ludicrous event to have a Doctor Who special for but I'll take any excuse! The Doctor referencing that he could never find Easter seemed a nice subtle way of explaining why this was the first ever Easter Special and I liked him saying that it's always changing. There's a huge reason right there for me being an Atheist and thinking religion is just a load of rubbish. Supposedly Jesus died on the Friday and rose on the Sunday (yep, of course he did). If that's so then how can it change every year? Christmas doesn't so why should Easter? Anyway, back to the episode following the Easter reference shenanigans. We had quite the expertly planned robbery at the International Gallery, police chasing a bus and then the bus just disappearing! Why the police didn't just pull the bus over I'm not sure. I'm also not entirely convinced as to why the Doctor got on the bus but they were the major qualms I had with the episode really. The Doctor and Christina got along marvellously and there was definitely the chemistry of a Doctor and companion there but it just wasn't going to work when he found out she was a criminal. Michelle Ryan played the role wonderfully and she looked incredible whilst doing so. She wanted to see the stars for the thrill of it but after the Doctor's hurt in losing Donna it seemed like he was adamant in having no more companions. I wonder what Gabby did to convince him to change his mind! She does seem the smart choice in all fairness. The damage sustained to the bus in passing through the wormhole looked realistic and I liked how it acted as the shell for protecting people. The bus driver didn't quite have the same luck in returning back to Earth. All that returned was the burnt crisp of his skeleton. The Tritavores were an interesting species although as with the Hath in The Doctor's Daughter, I'm not a fan of not being able to understand what the species is saying. Fair play to David Tennant though in speaking the language! How he kept a straight face in delivering that scene is testament to what a good actor he is! Those on the bus who came through to San Helios were a mixed bunch I thought. Carmen and Lou were a sweet couple and I loved the psychic ability of the former. She would of course foresee the events of The End of Time at the end of the episode and continue what was said in Planet of the Ood. The Doctor's song was ending. Nathan and Barclay didn't really offer too much other than a story of where they were going on the bus, of which become locked in sand and ran out of petrol. Now that's a challenge for the Doctor! He just seemed to embrace it though as the great man would. The Titravore's ship anti-grav crystal and clamps would be the way to get home. The Doctor promised everyone he would get them home and he duly obliged. Malcolm was the star of the episode in my opinion with Lee Evans playing him magically well. The Robot reference was just wonderful and I loved their chemistry. The new best friends. I think it was a real missed opportunity not to have him meet the Eleventh Doctor! I think Matt Smith and Lee Evans would have been astounding together. Tennant was great in his own right though. The Doctor allowing Christina to escape going to jail was a nice compromise for not letting her become companion. But I maintain what she said - they'd have been great together! I think she'd have made a fine companion and offered a lot. She'd always find herself in trouble. Overall though, a very solid episode. The storm actually being a swarm of destructive Stingrays was excellent. 

Rating: 8/10