Heritage: The Ghost Writers

"I did always want to meet a mermaid."

Writer: Roy Gill

Format: Audio

Released: October 2020

Series: Paternoster Gang 1.11

Featuring: Vastra, Jenny, Strax

Synopsis

While Jenny and Strax investigate sightings of fauns beneath streetlights and mermaids in bath-houses, Madame Vastra is invited into a different mystery.

The literary members of the Antediluvian Club have strict criteria for entry, and Miss Edith Renner needs Vastra to access their secrets.

Verdict

The Ghost Writers was another excellent story to continue my way through the Heritage fourth and final volume! After four series of links and a semi story arc weaving its way through, I thought this had a real feel of leading towards an ultimate end. The story in of itself was excellent and tied into the overall arc nicely by the end, but the theme of literature and story writing was very well suited to the Victorian era and a perfect use of the Paternoster Gang. I thought Strax was on top form once again here and the comedy he provides never ceases to be tremendous. His comments about hair and how the Sontarans had long outgrown such rudimentary parts of their makeup were funny, but when Edith produced a pen she had concealed beneath her own hair Strax was keen to make note of the military use of concealment. It could prove very handy which was just incredible. The Sontaran mind working at its best. I liked how there was a dual threat going on with the mysteries at the AD Club concerning Vastra with Strax and Jenny then concerned with the strangeness of mermaid sightings. That was fun and the potential jealousy felt by Vastra when Jenny talked about how she'd always wanted to meet a mermaid was nicely done. Strax's comments about their loveable tiff were delightful and the idea of him giving them relationship advice was wonderful. Jenny didn't exactly welcome it! It was really nice though for Strax to mention how this was an incredibly rare instance of Jenny and Vastra having a potential tiff, and it would soon result in smooching. Strax was clearly not qualified, but his opinion on the matter was more than welcomed from this listener. I thought the use of ink was initially a little odd for it to have such prominence in the story, but it made more sense as the episode enrolled and we were introduced to the Sisterhood of Ikor. Maude being a member alongside Edith was great and I loved how the latter described everything and how they linked with the Tenebrae. I thought the efforts to de-code that were great and Vastra recognising the symbol on its cover as a warning was brilliant. She was deeply concerned and I'm enjoying the links back to her time and era. Given the cliffhanger and what came, I expect something drastic to return from the Dawn of Time. Vastra's introduction to the AD Club was a highlight as she calmly proclaimed herself as a lizard lady from such an age. The veil made sense now! Edith realising what Vastra was before she'd even seen her was really astute and well cut out. Jonas was a very good character and I liked his efforts to obtain more ink when the words seemed to dry up. The concept of the Tractate and the ink written within actually being a vessel for the last remnants of Ikor was fantastic. The actual description of the ink in a book telling a story and this situation being the opposite was brilliant as it seemed to argue against all logic! I loved the conclusion as Strax and Jenny were warned of others coming, whilst the Sisterhood of Ikor's Tenebrae was very much on its way to Earth. It was a really dramatic and well done cliffhanger to lead into what is hopefully a great finale! Overall, a really good listen. 

Rating: 9/10

Heritage: Merry Christmas, Mr Jago

"Everything has its time."

Writer: Paul Morris

Format: Audio

Released: October 2020

Series: Paternoster Gang 1.10

Featuring: Vastra, Jenny, Strax, Jago

Synopsis

As Vastra searches for relics of prehistory, Jenny worries about security, and Strax wants to find a suitable gift for his friend.

Henry Gordon Jago has been invited to spend Christmas at Paternoster Row – but when presents are unwrapped, the surprises inside could prove deadly!

Verdict

Merry Christmas, Mr Jago was an excellent start to the fourth and final series of Heritage for the Paternoster Gang! Whilst I'm yet to hear how events conclude for this terrific trio, I do hope this isn't the last of series for the gang. They're marvellous and it was so fun for them to link up with Henry Gordon Jago here. A clash of two eras in the Victorian times was bound to happen eventually given the respective spinoffs for Big Finish, and it certainly didn't disappoint! Although I am still a mile behind on the Jago & Litefoot spinoff, it was lovely to hear Jago alongside the Gang here and they all seemed to have mutual knowledge of one another which was fun. Given what they were involved with, that's hardly a surprise. I liked how with a main cast of four characters, we split them off into pairs and the combination of Strax and Jago just could not be topped. They were so good together and I have to say that this must go down as one of the best stories for our loveable Sontaran. Strax was in fine form and had conjured up quite the defence systems against the awful nuisance of carol singers. His references to not having an acid moat installed because of the issues it would cause to the milkman was hilarious and I loved the silliness of him not being entirely sure on how his own security systems worked. Vastra's request for training was met with a dumbfounded reaction because the less people that knew how they worked, the more effective security it was! There was some sort of lost logic there. It was just amusing and I really love Strax. The pairing with Jago worked well and the pair really bounced off each other well. The relationship between Vastra and Jenny here was great as always and I liked that Smallpiece was back as the organiser of an alien auction. That went against his arrangement with Vastra so a bidding war ensued between her and a fellow masked bidder for a relic from the Silurian era. Or was it Eocene? That comment was a nice way to pay homage to The Sea Devils. I liked the concept of Vastra being afraid of something that caused terrible issues to the Silurians back in her own time, so she couldn't resist the humorously named Gribblites from getting loose in the Victorian era. Except, that was of course exactly what happened. Their ability to reproduce quickly caused quite the flurry of activity for Strax in his defensive actions. He seemed a little admiring of their ability and how that aided them from being defeated which I really enjoyed. Alice was a fun character with it working well that she was the mysterious bidder all along. That wasn't a huge surprise, but Vastra knowing it to be so because her scent was a wonderful moment. Alice had her own collection of alien artefacts and that explained her interests. I thought the conclusion worked well as all of the characters came together and with Strax's calculations of four minutes before the critters were unstoppable, the solution was found with Alice being critical to that. Vastra was genuinely scared of what might happen should they all get loose, so it was neat and tidy for them to all be in one place for their finality. The Christmas setting was a lot of fun and just the image of Jago in a Father Christmas costume was enough to provide the humour! Overall, a lovely little audio!

Rating: 9/10

Etheria

"Sleepwalking here will get you killed."

Writer: Nick Wallace

Format: Audio

Released: September 2015

Series: Short Trips 5.09

Featuring: First Doctor, Vicki, Steven

Synopsis

Having escaped an ambush by pirates, the Doctor and Vicki are stranded on a strange world, in the shadow of vast rock formation and islands in the sky. The only way home is through the treacherous Etherlands, where the invisible Ether alters the perception of anyone who enters...

Verdict

Etheria was a very good little Short Trips audio! This was a fascinating adventure and a great way to spend 36 minutes on the train en route to the football. It flew by! That’s always a good sign and I liked how there was no time wasted into being thrust into action. Starting with Vicki dreaming of the Doctor and Steven arguing was very intriguing, with that not seeming like the most exciting of dreams! I really liked how there was no introduction to the Ether and how it was explained more and more as the story went on. It was enigmatic and could move which peaked by interest and Thalar as the TARDIS trio’s apparent informant or guide was a good character. Vicki was probably a little too trusting of him and I liked the characterisation of the First Doctor in him having his doubts. He was sceptical by nature which is always fun. I liked the description of the Ether being a substance and its invisibility obviously added an extra dimension to the issues it brought to the forefront of the adventure. I was impressed with the eery background music that accompanied the Ether and it really added to the atmosphere of the story. The nature of it magnifying sensations and making them feel richer was really good as it utilised the sights around everyone instead of altering them. That was a nice change. The whole nature of the TARDIS trio having escaped from pirates prior to the Ether events was interesting and it seemed that Steven hadn’t been so lucky with the escape. Thalar was told by Vicki that the trio were travellers and that really worried the Doctor, but she assured him the TARDIS hadn’t been mentioned. Nonetheless, the Doctor’s suspicions remained, and rightly so. I loved the name of the Etherlands as the part of village that its inhabitants never ventured to as if one did, they were lost forever. So that was a fun thing to stand between the Doctor and the TARDIS. Thalar’s talk of childhood explorations into the Etherlands and the temptation of going where is forbidden was very relatable. It’s just human nature isn’t it, everyone is curious by instinct. This was no childhood game anymore and the only thing to search for was escape. I thought that basis worked well. The metal tumbleweeds worked well as a final threat in the Etherlands and an attack LwYs has potential. The truth about Thalar was an excellent moment as he lied and turned out to be no guide! This was as far into the Ether as anyone had ever ventured and he was just hoping to use the Doctor and company as a means to escape. The Doctor’s doubts were proven right but he didn’t boast about that to Vicki which was nice. I think it might have been different if it was somebody like Ian! The Ether did exist, but the causes were amplified by the mysterious box found at the end. It went all the way back to the pirates which hadn’t even existed and it was all the machine as part of an alive atmosphere. The box was clever, but it still short circuited to set things right. Overall, a great little audio!

Rating: 8/10

Geronimo!: The End

"I've missed having a cause worth fighting for."

Writer: Rochana Patel

Format: Audio

Released: October 2022

Series: Eleventh Doctor Chronicles 3.03

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Valarie

Synopsis

Valarie/The Doctor is dying. Only the Doctor/Valarie can save Valarie/the Doctor, but for her/him to survive, the Doctor/Valarie will have to die in her/his place. 

For the Doctor/Valarie, this is journey's' end.

Verdict

The End was another brilliant episode to conclude this sublime Geronimo! third series of Eleventh Doctor Chronicles! It goes without saying that this is the best set from the Chronicles range so far and I really hope this approach is taken forward in the future as it works so much better than the traditional Companion Chronicle style of adventure with just one or two actors. This feels genuine and part of that is down to the excellence of Jacob Dudman as the Eleventh Doctor who really brings this incarnation to life for Big Finish. It really is tremendous and it's so good that we get to expand on this era whilst Matt Smith is hitting the big time on the incredible House of the Dragon. I've been really impressed with Valarie as the new companion between Amy/Rory and Clara, and she has settled into the role so quickly. Starting this story with the Doctor having a cardiac arrest and being pronounced deceased before the opening titles had even hit showed that the episode meant business! I loved the atmosphere of unease when events started repeating and shifting, with Valarie then seemingly being the one to die with the Doctor intact. It was timey-wimey confusion and I love that. The Doctor being brought back to life thanks to the medibot was a little like cheating, but it was fun for the computer to be ignored. Of course the Doctor wasn't dead! I liked the isolated setting and with it being twenty-three light years into deep space. So the arrival of the Doctor and Valarie was quite the surprise! I thought the use of an infection in space was really well done, especially with the culprit not actually existing in this dimension. They just dropped in for a bite. The concept of the Time Spiders was terrific and I loved the idea of them actually being the ones to wove the Web of Time. Legend had it that they scuttled up and down its webs and now with the Time Lords being no more as their form of pest control, the time was ripe for a new opportunity to feast. They were a little late given that it was the War Doctor, not the Eleventh, who ended the Time War but better late than never! I was impressed with how well the Doctor sold the threat of the Spiders and just as he warned of the impact the egg sack breaching would have on the universe, it only went and split! Luna was a really good character on the ship and I liked her relationship with Vega. Delphine rounded out the cast nicely as we had a really strong set of characters. Valarie actually dying from the infection was a big surprise and with us not knowing her fate and the name of the episode, I could easily have bought that this would be her demise. She would die unless she was put into cryo-freeze and give the Doctor time to find a cure, and I loved her trust in the Time Lord as she didn't even hesitate. Vega not wanting to leave his ship despite the only course of action being to blow it up was admirable, and the Doctor would be staying too as he felt guilty for their presence as he suspected the Spiders hitched a ride on the TARDIS. The mother of the Time Spiders was very weary of the Doctor which was fun and hearing him and the crew whisper and sneak past a collection of the arachnids was eery stuff. I loved the idea of the Time Spiders protecting their eggs with a time loop as that explained the multiple timelines nicely, and the plan to use Valarie as bait was very good. The loop could be broken but she might die and that was something she accepted, but the Doctor took her place after the timeline in which she did die. He accepted death with no more regenerations left and that was a startling moment, it was worth it to save the universe from the Time Spiders. The miracle of the anti-venom arriving in a container was delightful and the Doctor had been playing the long game and using the time loop to his advantage to have been running analysis to find a cure since their arrival! I thought that was great stuff. The phone call at the end leaning into the overall story arc was really intriguing and it appears that the Doctor will soon meet another Time Lord, that is if he and Valarie can survive then TARDIS blowing up in a sensational cliffhanger! Overall, a marvellous episode to conclude a brilliant series. 

Rating: 9/10

Geronimo!: The House of Masks

"She wishes for us all to be washed away beneath the water."

Writer: Georgia Cook

Format: Audio

Released: October 2022

Series: Eleventh Doctor Chronicles 3.02

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Valarie

Synopsis

For Valarie's first trip through time and space, the TARDIS takes them to one of the Doctor's favourite places: Venice, during Carnivale. 

Unfortunately, not everyone is there to enjoy the party. Captain Tomasi has a murder to commit, and he needs Valarie's help to do it...

Verdict

The House of Masks was another tremendous audio adventure to continue my way through the Geronimo! third series of Eleventh Doctor Chronicles! This followed up The Inheritance in spectacular fashion and this is shaping up to be quite the memorable volume of adventures. I'm loving the full cast nature of the episodes and following on immediately where the previous story left off was good, although the TARDIS wasn't so much hijacked as it appeared in the cliffhanger. The TARDIS was drawn to Venice though against its will and was tracking a mysterious caller which is fascinating given what we know of the 'woman on the phone' that would come in The Bells of Saint John to unite the Doctor and Clara. Is Missy up to her old tricks again perhaps? I'd love for that to be the case. I thought it was great to take the Eleventh Doctor back to Venice as it's a really brilliant setting with so much potential. I really enjoyed his reference to The Vampires of Venice with the fish-eating vampires causing chaos in the city, and despite that it was a place the Doctor loved. He was thrilled to arrive during the Carnivale which was something I didn't have knowledge of prior to listening to this story, but it worked well and added to the fun of the eighteenth century setting. For Valarie's first trip in the TARDIS, this was a really strong one and she was pretty darn excellent. I'm already a big fan of hers and I'm very excited by the prospect of another ten adventures with her as companion! The mentions to Clara are a good reminder of the Doctor's intentions in the long run. Valarie's reaction to the psychic paper and knowing all about it showed she was no ordinary companion and knew the science behind it like it was nothing! She also seemed to have a universal translator in her systems which also meant the Doctor couldn't show off the TARDIS translation circuits! The opposing sides of Sicura and Tomasi at the party were intriguing and I loved how the background of their rivalry and history was explained as the episode went on. Sicura heading the house and being in control was fantastic and I loved that there was no way out. That's always fun to tackle. The pause that occurred by the party guests when the Doctor and Valarie tried to leave was startlingly uncomfortable with the silence. The passengers all being puppets following a devastating crash during the previous year's Carnivale was a brilliant revelation and Sicura now had lured in all of the people as puppets to represent those that died in the crash. She couldn't report all of the fatalities, but Tomasi was the ship's captain and the only other survivor. He knew the truth and was horrified but was completely stuck in a nightmare. His reaction to the Doctor and Valarie as newcomers sparked hope which was lovely and I liked his development from a supposed murderer to helping free everyone. The power diverter was a good aim to get and trying to ensure the ship returned to manual control by using it was great stuff. Sicura was able to be talked out of the horrifying situation she was in control of, and that sparked an incredibly heartfelt moment between the Doctor and Valarie. He needed her to know the scale of deaths he had caused in the Time War and the explanation of its horrors and the only way to end it for the sake of the universe was sublime stuff. I was a massive fan of that and the Doctor obviously still carries it with him, whilst she has shared trauma with her mum's recent death still being a fresh wound. The semi-cliffhanger finish of the mysterious caller supposedly having called the TARDIS from everywhere at once was really interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays into the finale! Overall, a superb audio! 

Rating: 10/10

Geronimo!: The Inheritance

"You brought a bomb to our house!"

Writer: Alfie Shaw

Format: Audio

Released: October 2022

Series: Eleventh Doctor Chronicles 3.01

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Valarie

Synopsis

For Patricia and Valarie Lockwood, it was to be an evening like any other. Dinner with a few friends, a chance to unwind and forget the horrors of the world. However, their plans are disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious stranger. A man who brings tragedy in his wake. 

Verdict

The Inheritance was an outstanding start to the Geronimo! third volume of Eleventh Doctor Chronicles! Whilst this is the third instalment of Chronicles for the Eleventh Doctor, this very much feels like a fresh start with the introduction of Valarie as a new companion! I'm all in favour of giving this incarnation of the Doctor a new companion because there is a lot of room for manoeuvring given the nature of Steven Moffat's storytelling during his tenure. We've already had Alice join for Titan Comics in an earlier gap, but this series and beyond looks set to utilise the gap between The Snowmen and The Bells of Saint John which is so fun. We even get a prologue titled Clara where we have the Doctor enlisting the help of some of his oldest and dearest friends including the Brigadier and River Song to try and find a Clara Oswin Oswald. She needs saving and to be found, and the Doctor is determined to find her which is lovely. He's not just sulking on a cloud anymore which is nice! I thought the humour of his arrival at the RYC Bar as the initials were the same as Run You Clever Boy And Remember was magnificent, and the Doctor's defeated reaction to it just being a bar for a yacht club was glorious. I was such a fan of that. I really enjoyed the 54th century setting and the punk rock vibe this episode had. It felt very much like Blade Runner which was cool and Valarie not being wholly organic will provide an added dimension to her character as a companion. This serves as quite the introduction for her as we experience the death of her mother Patricia which obviously makes her pretty vulnerable so it's a big task for the Doctor to keep her focused despite the emotional torment that would occur. The idea of Earth being plagued with an infection in its own currency was very intriguing, especially when it was all digital by this point in history! Arabella was a brilliant villain as the head of the Fulcrum and that whole organisation was fascinating. The idea of UNIT files being used this far into the future was delightful and the Doctor was still being tasked with answering distress calls. Even if he was very late! The very concept of a buy-to-live scheme was excellent and I loved that with Arabella unwilling to delete the currency from Earth, everyone had to spend it! That was exciting stuff. I liked how the Doctor was blackmailed into finding a cure with the TARDIS held hostage, but when he didn't have one he tried to fake his way out which was really good. The balance of life versus profit was brilliant throughout and it really highlighted where some people stood. There could only be one answer. I loved the Doctor's reply of 'always' when asked if he'd risk everything just for one girl and that was exactly true for Valarie. I was mightily impressed with Jacob Dudman's take on the Eleventh Doctor. It really was uncanny and could have fooled me if they put Matt Smith's name in the credits! It was that good. The outrage the Doctor felt towards Arabella for her lack of heart was incredible and a shining moment as he had no issues in adding her to his conscience considering he'd already wiped out his home planet. It's pretty rare we see the Doctor actually encourage someone dying, but that's how horrified he was by Arabella. I get the feeling she might be back in the future, but it was all about Valarie from there and her no longer being in the hospital and it being two weeks later for her when the Doctor returned was amusing. He's never been great at timekeeping! The irony. The cliffhanger of the TARDIS being hijacked after we had a lovely moment of Valarie stepping inside for the first time was nice and I appreciate the continuity and story arc I expect we'll get. Overall, a perfect start! 

Rating: 10/10

The Hesitation Deviation

"I would like you to help me forget the Doctor."

Writer: James Goss

Format: Audio

Released: December 2016

Series: Short Trips 6.12

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Benny

Synopsis

The Doctor brings Bernice Summerfield to a planet where they get Christmas just right. But this year, something's gone very wrong. An ancient force has been hunting the Doctor for a long time, and finally, it has found him. As it closes in on the Time Lord, Bernice must make a truly terrible decision. One that she'll immediately forget.

Verdict

The Hesitation Deviation was an outstanding little Short Trips adventure! It’s not often I give out a perfect rating in this range and that’s often down to the format and the stories just being a little too short to be really fleshed out, but this was just tremendous from start to finish! I really loved this story and I had no thoughts or expectations heading in which probably helped its case, and it came quite spontaneously as a download error on the Big Finish app meant I couldn’t continue with my initial planned audio and had to fill the time on my lunch break with this rather quickly! It started brilliantly with Benny heading to a robot therapist. That in of itself was a fun basis but then the idea of her wanting to erase all memories of the Doctor was very shocking! That all would come around to tie together nicely as the audio developed, but for a way to start a story it was excellent and just unfathomable to think it would happen. Benny’s comments about the Doctor were actually really great and I loved the idea of him being the universe’s best friend. That’s such a simple and perfect description of the Doctor. Benny was not shy in hiding the conflicting thoughts she has about the Doctor with him being both brilliant and annoying. The planet of Christmas was a fantastic setting and I loved that it did the celebration better than anyone else. It did it right in banning all mentions of Christmas until a fortnight before the actual day itself and that would be something I would endorse happening in this country! The media go absolutely crazy so a ban on a mention of it would go down nicely with me. The Doctor and Benny coming there for a celebration was good stuff. Lisa Bowerman was tremendous as the narrator and she really brings a nice personality to Benny. I still haven’t experienced Bernice’s timeline in any kind of chronological order but I’m a huge fan of hers and she brings a bit more maturity to the companion role alongside independence. That was clear with her wanting an alcoholic drink which is simple but a really good example of her being different as a companion. Benny’s intuition in something being wrong on the planet was very good and it was a little sad that on a Christmas celebration planet, the children were not talking. That’s a sure fire sign that something is wrong. Benny describing her life with the Doctor as mending the pot holes of the universe was excellent and just a tremendous description of life. I loved that a lot. The suggestion of these events being the last time Benny would be with the Doctor was a shock and I adored the self mockery of her description of finally finding a soldier with a good shot. Surely it was the law of averages that she would get hit! It was a peaceful world and the sudden turn of events when all eyes were on the Doctor and Benny was a fine injection of darkness. The suggestion of the Doctor having been running from the ultimate weapon for a long time was wonderful and that weapon being words was magnificent! I loved how the ultimate weapon was described as powerful, cunning, self-sustaining and persistent, and that could only mean it was words! What else would be used to take on the Doctor? The concept of the virus being hidden in the pauses between words was superb. I adored that and it was so simple but incredibly effective. Benny pondering on the Doctor’s question of if her life would be better without the Doctor was really interesting and a strong point of discussion to be had. The virus getting stuck in the robot when Benny asked to forget the Doctor was brilliant and a really simple and effective way to defeat it. I was a big fan. Overall, a quite glorious adventure!

Rating: 10/10

Journey's End

"Behold the might of the true Dalek race."

Writer: Russell T Davies 

Format: TV

Broadcast: 05 July 2018

Series: 4.13

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna, Rose, Martha, Captain Jack, Sarah Jane, Mickey

Synopsis 

As Davros and the Daleks threaten the entire universe, the Doctor's companions join forces. However, the prophecy declares that one of them will die...

Verdict 

Journey's End is an excellent episode to conclude the fourth series of Doctor Who! It really does feel like a finale even more so than other series of the modern era because in a way it kind of does bring the curtain down on a large aspect of the era. It’s the last series for the Tenth Doctor. Donna departs as a regular companion and it’s an emotional end for Rose. We also see Martha, Captain Jack, Sarah Jane, Mickey and more for the last time that’s not a cameo in this era and it all ties up very nicely with Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures teams having a strong involvement. Of course, it picks up where The Stolen Earth left off with the Doctor mid-regeneration and the use of the hand in the jar is still something I question. I remember being a little disappointed on broadcast that we weren’t getting a new Doctor as I’m a sucker for a regeneration. I had myself wondering here if the skipped change here will have anything to do with the Fourteenth Doctor taking a familiar form. I’m not entirely sure what but with Donna also set to return I can’t help but feel this episode will play at least a small part. The helplessness of the Doctor and his companions here is staggering and it’s incredible really to see the Daleks and Davros almost in complete control. They render the TARDIS useless and this usual safe haven is nothing more than a wooden box. That’s quite the concept to deal with! Once the regeneration change doesn’t happen, the reaction of Jack is still something I adore and it’s nice for Rose to still have her Doctor there. She’d come a long way! The mentions of the Dimension Canon were good and I thought that was fun to hear now I’ve blogged the first two series of Rose’s spin-off series for Big Finish under the same title. That was good. Mickey and Jackie showing up to save Sarah Jane was terrific and we really did have everyone together! I loved that Rose was able to see how good Martha was when she was threatening Davros with the Austerhagen key, and her reaction towards Rose was wonderful as she knew the Doctor had finally found her. One benefit of Davros destroying all of reality and seeing the walls between dimensions break down! The meeting between the Doctor and Davros is great with the former able to goad the latter from his position in the vault as his own creations’ pet. He didn’t take well to that and the deranged and maniacal performance is Davros at his best. He almost gets consumed when his plan of the reality bomb is coming into fruition which is just tremendous to see. This is also a stellar performance from David Tennant as the Doctor. On more than one occasion he shows such despair at what’s happening. The scale and audacity of the reality bomb is one thing, but the idea of his former companions being weaponised hurts the most. That’s a very powerful thing and is arguably Davros at his best. He revels in the Doctor’s sorrow. As if losing the TARDIS and Donna wasn’t enough! The arrival of the Meta-Crisis Doctor is sensational and whilst it’s probably slightly far fetched, it’s so much fun to have a version of the Tenth Doctor that has a bit of Donna thrown in. Yes he arrived naked in all his glory, but the moments where he and Donna bounce off each other with insults and he’s shushing her is just tremendous. It’s so well done. I love the acknowledgement of Genesis of the Daleks with Davros recognising Sarah Jane from being there on Skaro at the creation of the Daleks, and it’s lovely that she mentions she’s learned to fight since then. It’s a magnificent moment. The return of the TARDIS is brilliant just as Davros thinks he’s wiped out reality, with the reactions to another version of the Doctor being stellar. Jack’s thoughts are quite something! But it’s Donna who then steals the show amidst the backdrop of warnings from Dalek Caan that one child of time would still die. That was so ominous and this version of Caan is chilling. I’d love to get a depiction of him in the Time War. Davros shooting Donna with the electric bolt and giving her the boost she required to become the Doctor-Donna and part-Time Lord was good stuff and Catherine Tate just owns it. She revels in her newfound knowledge and defeats the Daleks with relative ease sending 26 planets back home. The way everything comes together at the end with Mr Smith linking the Torchwood Rift around the TARDIS brings all three shows together very nicely. There’s even a lovely reference to The Unquiet Dead as the Doctor and Rose see Gwen who looks very familiar! The moment on the beach with Rose back home in the parallel universe is strong stuff as she is told she has to carry the burden of the new Meta-Crisis Doctor. He can grow old with her and he even tells her he loves her, just what the actual Doctor didn’t get to say in Doomsday. That just had to be tough for the Doctor to see a version of himself get to have a life with Rose that he never could. I’d never really considered that before so that hit home here. The ending with Donna is so sad as she realises what’s going on and having her memory wiped is such a shame. I don’t like it when that happens but the emotion here was uncharted. It’s a somber end for an incredible companion! Overall, a sensational episode. 

Rating: 10/10

The Stolen Earth

"Now the Daleks are the masters of Earth!"

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Broadcast: April 2023

Series: 4.12

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna, Martha, Rose, Captain Jack, Sarah Jane

Synopsis 

Earth's greatest heroes join together to fight the invading force of the new Dalek Empire, but lurking in the shadows is an old and familiar enemy long thought dead...

Verdict 

The Stolen Earth was a magnificent episode to continue my way through the modern era of Doctor Who alongside my girlfriend Gemma. This is very much her era of the show and with her being a huge Rose fan, having her return here in full form alongside the Doctor and an all star ensemble of companions is tremendous. I like to banter with her about Martha as she’s not a fan of her so I was keen to point out that our saviour was here who walked the Earth spreading the message of the Doctor. After the cliffhanger ending of Turn Left with the Bad Wolf connotations and Rose returning, the way her reunion with the Doctor was built up was fantastic. Of course, before that happens we are reintroduced to a whole host of companions as this episode really sets the scene for a celebration of Doctor Who and its spin-offs. Martha takes centre stage at UNIT which is really good and from there we see the Torchwood team which is super fun to get Gwen and Ianto in Doctor Who. The moment where Gwen is on the phone to Rhys is a nice touch and shows respect to Torchwood whilst Ianto got some humour when watching Paul O’Grady’s take on the planets in the sky. Sarah Jane and Luke featuring was fantastic too and it’s nice to incorporate The Sarah Jane Adventures. Mr Smith gets a moment to shine with his grand entrance which was good and Wilf also arrives on the scene to steal the show with a different shine in the form of a paint gun. That being his defence against the Daleks was wonderful and the way he asked Rose if she’d like to swap after her gun destroyed the Dalek was brilliant. This episode really does have the Daleks at their best as we hear UNIT declare that Earth surrenders and the reactions of Jack and Sarah when they hear that it is the Daleks at the centre of the planetary web is outstanding. We’re introduced to the Supreme Dalek who looks resplendent in red and the return of Dalek Caan is marvellous. Now referred to as the Abomination, the appearance of being battered is terrific. And then of course there’s Davros. The way he was lurking in the shadows before we fully see him is fantastic stuff and I love how Donna’s reaction sold everything about his appearance as his face appeared on the video call. Sarah’s reaction was excellent as well as she remembered the events of Genesis of the Daleks where he was seemingly killed, yet here he was to confront the Doctor once again. Tennant was brilliant in selling what Davros being alive meant and the fact that Dalek Caan’s emergency temporal shift at the end of Evolution of the Daleks took him back into the Time War itself was brilliant. A fine way for them to escape and make the Daleks born again, literally from Davros himself. That was a chilling image. The scenes at the Shadow Proclamation could easily get lost in the shuffle but they were really good in explaining the situation with planets disappearing. It tied in nicely with the series arc with Adipose III and Pyrovilia also going missing. The Doctor’s introduction to the Judoon was brilliant and I adored Donna’s reaction. It’s a shame we didn’t get more of the rhino police! The cliffhanger finish to this episode is sensational and I remember my reaction on broadcast being one of pure shock and confusion. I’d already seen in the newspapers that David Tennant had been spotted filming The Next Doctor, so how could he be regenerating here? The emotion with Rose was superb. Overall, a superb episode!

Rating: 10

Turn Left

"I see the future, tell me the past."

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Released: 21 June 2008

Series: 4.11

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna, Rose

Synopsis 

As Donna Noble's world collapses around her, she finds help from a mysterious blonde woman – but can Donna and Rose stop the approaching darkness without the Doctor?

Verdict 

Turn Left was an outstanding episode to continue my way through the Series 4 rewatch! I’ve been watching the modern era alongside my partner Gemma who is what I would describe as a serious Rose stan so having her back here was good stuff, but she was more interested in this trilogy just being the start of a sensational finale! And she’s right. This is quite the way to start and it’s incredible really to say that two of the best episodes of this and the previous series barely feature the Doctor. However, despite barely featuring this episode is all about the Doctor and what happens when he’s not around. Playing with the idea of the Doctor dying in The Runaway Bride is tremendous and the way the impact of that is felt as the episode rolls on. It’s sublime stuff. Even the start in the alien market is fun and it’s just nice to see the Doctor and Donna enjoying themselves and getting indulged with some local delicacies. Of course, that wouldn’t last long as Donna was invited for a palm reading and it became a rather eventful one! The decision of turning left or right in a car doesn’t seem like a big one in somebody’s life, but it’s significance here was sensational! The fate of the universe literally was at stake. After being teased on a couple of occasions throughout the series, it’s nice for Rose to fully arrive and she shares a strong relationship with Donna. The way she constantly looked at Donna’s back was great in putting notice on the Time Beetle. Her being there to explain a lot of the events that were happening where the Doctor initially stopped them was fantastic. Having the events of Smith and Jones take the lives of both Martha and Sarah Jane was quite something, and Donna’s sacking from her PA job being the background for that was incredible. The comic value of her outburst and comments was marvellous. Her lack of compassion for the hospital and reaction when it was returned was just outstanding. And the wondering hands comment! Truly special. Donna at her very best. Moving from there with Voyage of the Damned and London getting destroyed was obviously traumatic with much of the south of England being consumed by radiation. That sent the Noble to family to Leeds and news quickly hit that sixty million Americans had turned into fat that simply walked away onto an alien spaceship. Capturing Partners in Crime like that was incredible and really sold just how deadly the Adipose threat was! Torchwood sacrificing themselves to prevent the Sontarans capturing Earth in The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky was fantastic continuity to include them. It was just fun to see the ATMOS running rampant again. The image of the ‘labour camps’ being introduced again as England was for the English once again was so powerful. Wilf’s comment about that being what they called them last time and it happening again was phenomenal. If only the Doctor was around to prevent this situation. Donna being convinced to take the help of Rose due to the stars going out was superb and will tie in nicely with the finale to come. Her horror at realising she’d have to die in order to return the world to normality was played so well, as she sacrificed herself in front of a lorry to create a traffic jam and send Donna left. The Doctor’s arrival at the end and hearing that it was Rose who helped his current companion and gave the message of Bad Wolf was fantastic. Those words being emblazoned on everything was some image and the end of the universe was coming. Overall, a tremendous episode!

Rating: 10/10

Midnight

"She's goy my voice. She's got my words."

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Broadcast: 14 June 2008

Series: 4.10

Featuring: Tenth Doctor

Synopsis 

The Tenth Doctor and Donna go to a leisure planet for a simple, relaxing holiday. However, life with the Doctor can never be that simple. Things decide to go horribly wrong when the Doctor offs on a bus trip to see the Sapphire Waterfall, starting with the bus shutting down. When a mystery entity infiltrates the shuttle, no one is to be trusted. Not even the Doctor himself...

Verdict

Midnight was a great episode to continue our way through the fourth series of the modern era of Doctor Who! This is such an interesting episode and I swear that my enjoyment differs every time I watch it. I always think I give it a perfect rating but when it comes to actually watching it I usually give it the same rating. That’s what happened here after checking out my previous blog entry. It’s a good move and Gemma informed me before we watched that it was intended to be a subtly political episode, something I hadn’t realised beforehand. That’s probably because on my last viewing I was only really getting interested in politics and I can certainly see that here. It’s clever from Russell T Davies in how he wrote it. The contained setting of the transporter was excellent and it was obvious from the moment the Doctor put the phone down to Donna that he wasn’t going to have a simple trip to the sapphire waterfall. The phone call to Donna was fun and this being the Donna-lite episode with what’s to come works surprisingly well. She isn’t missed but boy I bet she would be a hoot on this journey! Sky was actually sensational and whilst it does go on a little too long, the uncomfortable nature of her first repeating and then talking in sync with the Doctor and his fellow passengers was brilliant. It’s so unique and I really appreciate the acting on display. I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been and they really do a splendid job. The way the directing is done adds to the uncomfortable feel and whilst I do think it is slightly overboard and a little clumsy, that probably suits the feel and theme of the episode. The passengers all compliment each other well with a wide range of characters. We have Jethro who is quite quiet as a whole but then peaks up when he can have a little fun with Sky. He’s the only one paying attention to her though when everyone else is bickering and questioning why the Doctor is in charge. I loved the moment where the Doctor had to admit that he was interested in what was going on, although I do think it was unfair for him to be accused of enjoying events. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by a brand new life form? The knocking on the outside of the species from a diamond planet was excellent. I thought it was pretty comical for the Doctor to use a stethoscope though! Sky being infected and then actually focusing on the Doctor as the cleverest voice in the room was great and the slow deterioration of the Doctor was sublime. The use of the Doctor’s phrases set a lightbulb off in the stewardess’s mind as she could see that Sky had taken the Doctor’s voice. It wasn’t the right thing to throw him out, which was a powerful thing to be happening. Just when something different popped up, the human instance was to commit murder. The Doctor challenging them on that was a really good Doctor moment. Show them that you’re better. The stewardess sacrificing herself to take out Sky was very sudden and I’m not sure why she couldn’t just push her out, but the fact nobody knew her name was just incredible. That was so powerful. The events had clearly impacted the Doctor as he was noticeable different when talking to Donna about what he’d experienced. He didn’t even want her joking about the repeating. Overall, another great episode! 

Rating: 8/10

Forest of the Dead

"You've always known how I was going to die."

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Broadcast: 07 June 2008

Series: 4.09

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna, River

Synopsis 

As shadows rise, the Doctor forges an alliance with the mysterious River Song. However, can anyone stop the Vashta Nerada?

Verdict

Forest of the Dead was a great episode to conclude the story already started in Silence in the Library. I think when judging this as a stand-alone it doesn’t quite live up to the first part, but it is still very much brilliant! I like how the action continues right from where we left off in the cliffhanger and the threat of the Vashta Nerada is still very much felt. For some reason, the prospect of them actually arriving was more scary than when they started hunting and actually seeking. The moment where they seemed to learn to speak was freaky though and I was glad that we got voices put to the shadowy makeup of the creatures. The fact they used the voices of their victims was excellent and the image of them in the tinted out spacesuit was so striking and it worked tremendously well. The story of the Doctor and River was excellent here and is the highlight of the episode. The moment where River has no option but to gain his trust given then severity of the situation with the Vashta Nerada was sensational as she whispered his own name into his ear. The reaction of the Doctor was extraordinary and it was a sublime performance from David Tennant. It really is such a powerful moment and later learning that it was his name is marvellous. The Doctor stating there is only one time where he could give that was palpable and we would see that a couple of series later of course. Watching in hindsight and hearing all of the references to what would become The Husbands of River Song really is delightful. It is an incredible story over a long course of time with the years to come and even the mentions of a new haircut and suit referencing the Twelfth Doctor is so good. It is extraordinary how everything comes together, even with the sonic screwdriver hand over. I love everything about it. Donna has quite the eventful episode here when she is saved to the computer and the passing of time within there was fascinating. As soon as something was said, events moved straight there and having Dr Moon there to explain worked well. He was an ominous character that worked very well. The truth about him as the literal Doctor Moon was terrific and I love the whole idea behind CAL and saving the 4,022 people. Actually having her watch the events in the Library unfold on television was a lot of fun, but her childish mood swings were causing some issues! I loved the revelation that the Vashta Nerada came in the books as microspores, and it worked well to learn of the family connection on the Library with River's team. The Doctor was in fine form as he was angry at the Vashta Nerada for impersonating Anita and the moment he tells them to look him up is just sensational. Donna being told her kids weren't real by Evangelista was another powerful moment and all of the children being the same was pretty disturbing. The moment at the end where it appears the episode is petering out after River sacrifices herself is so good as the Doctor realises he can still save her. He's had two regenerations to work it out and plan as he always knew how she would die, and once again he can save her and her entire archaeology team. It is a fitting end to a superb episode! 

Rating: 9/10

Silence in the Library

"If you want to live, count the shadows."

Writer: Steven Moffat\

Format: TV

Broadcast: 31 May 2008

Series: 4.08

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna, River 

Synopsis 

The Doctor takes Donna to a planet-sized library in the fifty-first century. They find it empty of human life, with countless other living beings. An information kiosk warns them to "count the shadows". An archaeologist expedition arrives, led by the mysterious Professor River Song, who brings a cryptic last message...

Verdict

Silence in the Library was an excellent episode to continue our way through the fourth series of Doctor Who! We are really getting into the nitty gritty of the series now as things begin to take shape leading to the finale, there is an ominous warning for Donna as River Song debuts in incredible fashion. It is so fun now watching this adventure for the first time in a very long time knowing all we do about River's journey with the Doctor. River's arrival is brilliant and right from the off she seems so important and owns the stage. The relationship with the Doctor even at this point is sublime and her reaction when she realises that the Doctor isn't joking about not knowing who she is. Obviously, we come to know the significance of that and what it means for her as the journey continues in the Moffat era, but right here the seeds are sewn so well. It really is extraordinary how well River's story is told over the course of a number of series. The episode in of itself is excellent and it really is Moffat at his best with the concept of the Vashta Nerada. They will be more prominent in the next episode, but the way they are slowly built to here is fantastic stuff. The Doctor has clearly met them before, albeit in smaller clusters, and it is nice that Big Finish have filled in some of those gaps, but they are introduced so well here. Taking shadows and making them deeply scary was sublime and I loved that the Doctor was differentiating between not every shadow, but any shadow. That was really important and just exciting. The Vashta Nerada were beastly in their devouring and the double shadows was a brilliant visual. The Doctor was outstanding in trying to solve the threat and keep the expedition safe, although I did think his comments about archaeologists were a little harsh! Donna was in extraordinary form here with her reaction to the Doctor's sonic screwdriver being hilarious, but the moment where she asked River how she knew the Doctor and her emotional tale was met with a brash reply was simply wonderful. An extraordinarily good moment! The mystery of Cal and Dr Moon was really good too and the way it tied in with the Library was very intriguing. It was a fun twist and the moment where the Doctor and the expedition team are on the phone staring through the television is rather disturbing! Dr Moon telling Cal that her nightmares were actually real and the real world was not as it was worked tremendously well! I thought the death of Miss Evangelista was horrifying and the struggle of Donna to help her through her final moments was very powerful. Proper Dave's death and consumption was also horrifying and really made the Vashta Nerada a threat. The cliffhanger is excellent with the chasing down by the Vashta Nerada that had taken over Dave, but the fate of Donna really makes it as the Doctor realises she never made it to the TARDIS. Cal states she had been saved, but it looks all gloomy! Overall, a quite brilliant episode! 

Rating: 10/10

 

The Unicorn and the Wasp

"Solving a murder mystery with Agatha Christie. Brilliant!"

Writer: Gareth Roberts

Format: TV

Broadcast: 17 May 2008

Series: 4.07

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna

Synopsis 

In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared for ten whole days. A disappearance shrouded in mystery as many wondered if it was amnesia, a nervous breakdown... or a giant alien wasp?

Verdict

The Unicorn and the Wasp was an outstanding episode to continue our way through the fourth series of the modern era of Doctor Who! This really is a classic and it has been quite some time since my previous viewing, but it was an absolute delight. I have somehow never clocked that Christopher Benjamin is in this episode outside of his tremendous role as Jago which really did take me by surprise. The premise of the episode is simple and just a lot of fun despite the looming and then actual threat of murder. The Doctor and Donna's reaction to meeting Agatha Christie was an absolute delight and the pair were on fire together here. The chemistry they share is sublime and this might just be their best outing together. Donna was very happy to get in on a 1920s party and the concept of the Doctor and Donna just having fun was lovely. Of course, when the Doctor meets Agatha Christie there just has to be a murder mystery! That was exactly how the story panned out and Donna realising the unlikelihood of that happening was really clever and showcased her abilities as companion. It was an impressive catch. I loved the setting as being the day Agatha Christie mysteriously went missing for ten days as that provided immediate excitement and told us that something was about to happen. Donna seemed intrigued, as was I! The characters staying at the lodgings were fun and they complimented the TARDIS pairing brilliantly, but the obvious star was Christie. There are so many sequences in this episode that are just sheerly delightful and the first of those was when the Doctor was infected by the Vespiform and had to mime what he needed to use his Time Lord biology and some fancy tricks with enzymes to rid himself of the poison. The moment where Donna states "oh it's a song!" had Gemma and myself in hysterics. It was sheer comedic brilliance! That continued as the episode went on when the murders happened and the questioning occurred as the Doctor utilised the psychic paper to show he was a police officer. Donna constantly asking for confirmation on whoever the Doctor and Agatha were accusing as the murderers was hilarious stuff. She never gave up and that was magnificent. The truth regarding Lady Eddison and her son was intriguing and whilst the effects of her transformed Vespiform child have not done overly well in the passage of fourteen years, it's a good idea and does work well. The titular Unicorn is less impactful and that is absolutely fine. It fills a fine part of the mystery at hand. The ending where Agatha seems to initiate the events that we were previewed as she would go missing was great and Donna causing the Wasp to actually drown as it went after what it wanted following the information corruption was brilliant and rather emphatic! There was no need for Agatha to sacrifice herself despite it being admirable, and her memory was soon forgotten of these events. The Doctor showing Donna a copy of a book by Christie in the year 5,000,000,000 was a lovely touch and it was fun for the Doctor to still have some Carrionite and Cyber keepsakes locked away. Oh, and The Unquiet Dead reference was tremendous! As a whole, this was just a glorious adventure from start to finish. One of the best! 

Rating: 10/10

The Doctor's Daughter

"You are such a soldier."

Writer: Stephen Greenhorn

Format: TV

Broadcast: 10 May 2008

Series: 4.06

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna, Martha

Synopsis 

On the planet Messaline, in the middle of an endless war, the Doctor meets the most important woman of his life. Could he really have a daughter?

Verdict

The Doctor's Daughter was a great episode to continue our way through the fourth series of modern Doctor Who! I was surprised to hear that Gemma often mentioned she skipped this episode when she would watch the series, but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised considering that Martha is featured! She initially didn't have a pleasant opinion on the Twelfth Doctor but I won her around after a rewatch, but alas no such occurrence seems to be on the cards here with Martha. I do hope that might change, but with just the final two episodes to come my time is running out! This story really has a frantic pace and that is to its benefit. The Doctor is almost immediately thrust into the action and in the space of the pre-credits we have a shaky TARDIS trip and the Doctor being forced into having his DNA extrapolated to see his very own daughter born! Jenny arrived in no time at all and she was all soldier, not exactly what you would expect from the Doctor's offspring. Their discussion on being a soldier and the Doctor arguing that he was far from that was intriguing, especially when the conversation moved to the Time War. The Doctor's involvement in that was obviously that of a soldier and he could not exactly defend that, but he was able to start teaching Jenny a little about having a choice and not always having to resort to warfare. That was lovely to see and I thought David Tennant played it so well to show those fatherly qualities. His discussion with Donna about having been a father before was really important and it was nice to reference, showing that Susan was not forgotten! Jenny was just a lot of fun and the moment where she uses her good looks to seduce her way out of the cell was brilliant, but the comment from Donna to the Doctor about liking to see him do it just topped it off. I think I have forgotten just how good Donna is as a companion and she provides so much humour, just like with her Rambo comment at the start. The war against the Hath was decent and I thought the discussion on warfare was a little on the head, Donna deducing that the numbers stamped were actually the dates of section completion. Whilst I remain convinced that the date would be stamped in such a way, showcasing her technical skills was delightful. The Hath are a bit awkward with their lack of speech and I am still astounded there were no subtitles used as it didn't make much sense. Martha's relationship with the one she fixed the dislocated shoulder of was nice and his death was a very powerful moment. The finding of the Source was good and I enjoyed that the Doctor ended the war that lasted a week through countless generations as the planet would be terraformed. However, the drama didn't end there as Jenny was shot and the Doctor was outraged. The moment where it looks like he might pull the trigger but then emphasises that he never would is sublime. Jenny surviving after all with an apparent semi-regeneration was really good and I am so glad Big Finish were able to pick up on her further adventures! Overall, a really great episode. 

Rating: 8/10

The Poison Sky

"The bravery of idiots is bravery nonetheless."

Writer: Helen Raynor

Format: TV

Broadcast: 03 May 2008

Series: 4.05

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna, Martha

Synopsis

As the Sontarans choke the Earth, the Doctor battles to keep both Martha and Donna alive. As the truth behind the Sontaran's plan is revealed, the Doctor faces impossible odds to save the planet and humanity from falling into the hands of his old enemies...

Verdict

The Poison Sky was an excellent episode to conclude the story already started in The Sontaran Stratagem and continue our way on our Series 4 rewatch of the modern era. Don't be fooled by the blog dates as we actually waited over a week between episodes to finish off this story and that was unique for me in a rewatch. The only time I would wait a week between parts of a multi-episode story is on broadcast when that's forced so this was unique and really allowed me to judge this episode by itself. Of course, I've seen it several times before and knew everything that was happening, but it was fun to look back. Martha is out of action for much of the episode with her Sontaran clone in her place, and it's always fun to see the giveaways that she isn't the real deal. It's clear the Doctor knows right from the off and his explanation when he gets to the real version about the hair follicle and her just smelling was great stuff. I liked the delay of the clone giving the code red about Sontarans to UNIT and the battle between this organisation and the Sontarans is an excellent clash. It really was a long time coming and having the human soldier mindset come up against a species bred for war was delightful. The Doctor was always going to have a losing battle when trying to maintain peace as it was clear that with the ATMOS gas on the rise in density, UNIT would go to arms despite the Doctor's warning that it was a losing battle. You'd think that if the Doctor warranted a salute in the previous episode, they would listen to what he had to say given his track record! The humour that came from Donna in this episode was sublime as she was the Doctor's weapon on board the Sontaran ship, and the three fingers comment still makes me laugh to this day. I also love the reference to The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances when the Doctor adorns the gas mask. I remember bursting out laughing on broadcast and actually rewinding to that point to rewatch immediately after the episode finished so that brings back fun memories. The use of the Valiant to help clear the gas initially and then the Doctor's rigged device to cover the planet was nicely done and I was really impressed with the special effects. I think it's quite fun to have the Sontarans basically cowering away above the planet and the Doctor confronting them as cowards about that was brilliant. He knew he'd get a bite and the mentioning of the never ending war with the Rutans was terrific. I loved the idea of the Sontarans turning the Earth into a clone world and their boasting about getting the TARDIS was fantastic. I liked the destruction of Luke Rattigan from thinking he could take himself and the other geniuses to an Earth 0.2, and his decision to do something clever with his life and wipe out the Sontarans at the last moment was very good. I've always been a little uncomfortable with the Doctor's decision to push him into doing that with his departing comment, but it's an emphatic end for the Sontarans. The cliffhanger finish with Martha staying on board the self-flying TARDIS is great stuff too! Overall, a really strong episode. 

Rating: 9/10

The Sontaran Stratagem

"These are toy soldiers. The playthings of children."

Writer: Helen Rayner

Format: TV

Broadcast: 26 April 2008

Series: 4.04

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna, Martha

Synopsis

Martha Jones summons the Doctor back to modern-day Earth, but an old enemy lies in wait. Reunited with UNIT and his former companion, the Doctor is in a battle against the Sontarans and the dangerous ATMOS which is in every car on Earth. But what exactly is the Sontaran plan?

Verdict

The Sontaran Stratagem was an outstanding episode to continue our way through the modern era rewatch and Series 4! This is one I've been particularly looking forward to for a number of reasons! I love the Sontarans so any chance I get to blog a story in which they feature then I'm a big fan and they rarely, if ever, let me down. There's something so brilliant about them that I can't exactly put into words but they just work and they have a firm place in Doctor Who folklore now. Another reason I was excited was because this sees a quick return for Martha Jones and even though she's not the companion anymore, it's wonderful to have her back and she really has moved on quickly. Gemma is far from her biggest fan so having her back allowed for some personal banter on the sofa which I always appreciate. Thanks to her experience in the field with the Doctor and everything she endured between The Sound of Drums and Last of the Time Lords, UNIT had fast tracked Martha into becoming a doctor and that was neat. It was fun for her to be engaged now to Tom Milligan and the humour wasn't lost on her that he was a doctor disappearing to strange places. That sounded familiar! The moment where the phone rings in the TARDIS is delightful and I think it is only with this rewatch that I am fully appreciating just how funny Donna is. The humour she provides is staggeringly good but it doesn't turn Doctor Who into an all out comedy which is impressive. She nails it. Her reaction to meeting Martha was lovely and the Doctor being worried that they would fight was amusing as he quickly became the target of some jokes. So skinny you'd get a paper cut! Brilliant stuff. The inclusion of UNIT is fantastic and it's nice to have the Doctor go back in the modern era. He still had a reputation that preceded him and I loved the salute sequences. The Doctor wasn't interested in one, but Donna was! Glorious stuff. I was slightly taken aback by just how small the Sontarans appeared here as they seemed incredibly tiny! They're still terrific though, although I must admit I have become less of a fan of their appearance beneath the helmet as it really did look potato-esque! I think earlier and later stories do them much more justice. The plan of using ATMOS and over 400 million cars to their advantage is incredible though and whilst the Doctor has merits in challenging them over their prevention of bullets and hiding away, the scale of the threat they provide is sublime. I think the reveal of the Sontaran appearance was built to nicely and a nice way to show homage to past helmet reveals, and Skorr getting to share in the honour with Staal was nicely done. The Doctor's comments about Staal's nickname being The Undefeated was incredible as well. The moment where Donna talks about going home and the Doctor misinterpreting it as her meaning she was permanently leaving the TARDIS was tremendous, as was the Doctor expecting a much bigger bang when the ATMOS system terminated. Luke and the Doctor have a really solid stand off of geniuses, and seeing him revel in the Sontar-Ha chants of the cliffhanger was good stuff. The cliffhanger itself is extraordinarily good and must go down as one of my favourites. The helplessness of the Doctor is in full view and bringing it to home with Wilf stuck in the car is incredible.The music does so much to add to it and I really can't compliment it enough. Overall, an excellent episode! 

Rating: 10/10

Planet of the Ood

"The Ood are happy to serve."

Writer: Keith Temple

Format: TV

Broadcast: 19 April 2008

Series: 4.03

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna

Synopsis

Finding themselves on the Ood-Sphere planet in the forty-second century, the Doctor and Donna discover the truth about the Ood's willingness to serve humankind.

Verdict

Planet of the Ood was a really good episode to continue our way through the Series 4 rewatch! It's always nice when we get a returning monster and whilst the Ood were from the enemies in their previous appearance in The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit, their unfortunate ability to be controlled through their telepathic nature came into play once again here. I liked how the Doctor's last meeting with the Ood was referenced and the way he revealed to Donna that it was the Devil who had controlled them was marvellous. She wasn't buying that! I thought this was another stellar outing for Donna in the companion role and watching back all these years later, it's crazy to think she was this good in what was only her third episode as official companion. The humour that came from the arrival on the Ood-Sphere and how cold it was worked really well. It was so fun for Donna to shun the Doctor as he gave an emotive speech about the wonders of travelling the universe and where you could end up purely so she could get a coat. The relationship between the pair was excellent here and a lot of emotion came from them finding the Ood that had been shot after going red eye. I liked how the red eye of the Ood was played on in the episode and the fear that comes from the image of the Ood going that way is great stuff. The actual makeup of the Ood-Sphere was good and the way it was basically one big advertisement for the Ood as a slave didn't sit well with Donna. I loved the reference to The Sensorites with the Doctor mentioning previously coming to this solar system a long time, and the suggestion there of the Sensorities and the Ood being possibly related was lovely. I was glad to be able to explain the significance of that reference to Gemma as sprouting knowledge is what I love to do for those not aware of the Classic era happenings. Donna's glee at being in the year 4126 was wonderful and a really nice reminder of this being early days. By the end of the episode though she knew life with the Doctor wasn't all a song and dance, and she did want to pop home. The focus on the circle as far as the Ood were concerned was well done and the scene of multiple Ood rising and saying that all at once was memorable. Halpen's journey through the episode from a stressed businessman losing his hair to actually becoming Ood is something I still find a little odd, but the scene of his transformation and the reaction of Donna is glorious. Catherine Tate sells it tremendously. David Tennant does as well as that even shocked the Doctor. Some hair tonic! The Ood brain is a good element of the story as well and the scene of it consuming didn't quite live up to modern day special effects which was a shame and is slowly ruining my childhood! The ominous ending with Ood Sigma warning of the Doctor-Donna's song coming to an end soon was dark and it's quite incredible really that we get this so early on in the series. Regardless, it's strong for the arc of the Tenth Doctor's time conning to an end and a good episode as a whole!

Rating: 8/10

The Fires of Pompeii

"The gods are always watching."

Writer: James Moran

Format: TV

Broadcast: 12 April 2008

Series: 4.02

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna

Synopsis

Psychic powers and stone beasts run riot in old Pompeii, but can Donna dare the Doctor to change established history?

Verdict

The Fires of Pompeii was an outstanding episode to continue my rewatch through the modern era of Doctor Who alongside my girlfriend Gemma. Unfortunately, this is not one she massively likes as she's not a fan of the historical episodes but for me that's right in my ballpark. I just love this episode and it does seem to get better every time I watch it. I must have watched countless times in the years immediately following broadcast, but I also blogged it pretty recently during the pandemic Tweet-alongs that were organised by Emily Cook. That time seems a totally different world away now, but I had no issues revisiting this here and it's become quite a pivotal episode in hindsight. It's delightful in having both Karen Gillan and Peter Capaldi feature in minor roles before they'd go onto the game-changing roles of Amy and the Twelfth Doctor, and the latter really would come into play as an explanation of why he had his own face! Hearing the voice of Gillan being almost unrecognisably as Amy was fascinating and it's also fun to see Capaldi revelling in the role of Caecilius. The fact that he bought the TARDIS is modern art is just so fun and I loved the sequence where the Doctor poses as an inspector. Proclaiming him and Donna as Spartacus was delightful and the initial confusion of them being a couple is always amusing. The setting of Pompeii on volcano day is a pivotal one and the different reactions of the Doctor and Donna are pretty powerful. The Doctor knows it is a fixed point in time so can't really interfere in what's going to happen, but that's difficult for Donna to accept. The sequence where the Doctor mentions being a Time Lord from Gallifrey and Donna retorts about being a human is magnificent stuff and with this being her first proper trip in the TARDIS, Donna absolutely shines. There's already the foreshadowing of the finale with the Doctor being told she's coming, Donna having something on her back and Pyrovilia being missing as part of the stolen planets. The episode really is perfect in my eyes. I really liked the design of the Pyrovile and even fourteen years later I was impressed with how well the special effects held up. The CGI of the Doctor and Donna running from the volcano as it erupted was particularly brilliant. Donna's reaction to the place of women in Pompeii at this time was great and I liked how she was trying female empowerment. Her warning of the eruption being proclaimed as false prophecy was excellent and her reaction to almost being sacrificed to the gods was marvellous. The Pyrovile Priestess was fantastic too and the disturbing nature of her appearance really adds to the Pyrovile as an enemy. The threat of the world being at stake and the Doctor's only option being to explode the volcano and cause the eruption that buries Pompeii is staggeringly good and the emotional investment there is incredible stuff. The performance of Catherine Tate when the Doctor is just going to let everybody die is outstanding and Donna's appeal to just save someone is so well done. The Doctor admitting that he does need someone is a nice touch, and this really does affirm Donna as companion. Overall, a phenomenal episode!

Rating: 10/10

Partners in Crime

"It's a beautifully fat country."

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Broadcast: 

Series: 4.01

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna

Synopsis

Donna Noble is determined to find the Tenth Doctor again – even if it means braving the villainous Miss Foster. But when the alien threat escalates out of control, can Donna find her Time Lord before the march of the Adipose begins at last?

Verdict

Partners in Crime was a very fun episode to kick off my rewatching of Series 4 alongside Gemma for the first time! She has been incredibly excited to get going with this series and after a lengthy delay from finishing Torchwood Series 2, it was finally time to get going on this. She goes as far as giving it a perfect rating which I don't agree with, but one of her prime reasons in doing so was the absence of Martha which I found amusing. I think it's a brilliant reintroduction for Donna following her debut in The Runaway Bride and she has clearly matured since then. The idea of her seeking out trouble in the hopes of finding the Doctor again to take him up on his offer of travelling in the TARDIS is excellent and very logical! I was a big fan of that and Adipose Industries at the centre of it is a little odd but it does the job. The idea of the fat walking away is a good one but I'm not sure there's a massive amount of logic when it comes to why fat was used as the source for numerous new baby bodies. It's an odd choice but the UK was a prime candidate when it came to searching for obesity! A lot of memories came flooding back when watching this episode again, especially with the Miss Foster wielding the sonic pen scene. I remember the furore that caused in the trailer and all of the speculation so that was fun to see in hindsight all these years later. I also enjoy the subtle continuity with episodes to come as we see a taxi with the Atmos sticker that will play a big part in The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky later in the series as well as mentions of a lost planet which will be crucial in the finale. Having things all tied up like that is something I really do appreciate. The humour that comes with the silent meeting through the window and door between the Doctor and Donna is extraordinary and is one of the all time great comedy moments in the show. It's without doubt the highlight of then episode. Catherine Tate shines! I love the chemistry between the Doctor and Donna and it's fun to see them constantly missing each other by the slightest second until they finally do reunite. Donna having already packed her bags for the TARDIS adventure is terrific and so in line with her character, but the Noble family member I enjoyed most was Wilf. His fascination with space and the stars was delightful and his reaction to seeing Donna in the blue box after missing the Adipose nursery ship behind was a joyous conclusion. It's so sad that Bernard Cribbins passed away earlier this year but it's fitting that his final television appearance will be in Doctor Who. The fate of Miss Foster is brutal as she falls to her death with the nanny not needed after mum and dad had their Adipose children now, as they knew it was a crime so cutting ties with the accomplice made sense. The tease at the end of the episode with the return of Rose was very good and I remember spoiling this for my mum on broadcast and she wasn't too pleased! It certainly put a smile on Gemma's face and I just remember it being such a thrill when it first aired. Overall, a great episode! 

Rating: 8/10