This had to be one of the bigger surprises I've had doing this review series.I knew I liked this series.I knew I liked a good chunk of the series but I had alot of pleasant surprises rewatching this and even a couple of bad ones but I'll get to that.But I think aside from the basic plot of the series which I'll explain in the episode by episode review there's something I have to bring up in this series in particular.The soundtrack.This is easily the best soundtrack for any television series of all time and in honesty it's a huge part of why it's so good.While it really is russel t davies who brought the series back to life murray gold changed it from a half dead corpse to a thriving flower of a series.
Well okay I indulge in a little hyperbole there but the music does make a huge difference in particular in this back half of this series but I do highly reccomend checking out really any given bit of the soundtrack of any given series of doctor who really it's worth a listen.
But I'm drifting a little this series was a big step not only a change of companion from rose to donna(Christmas special) to martha the series companion for series 3,but just the size of everything and While I'm not certain of this the budget became alot bigger and you can really tell.But really one of the bigger changes was in the doctor himself
10th doctor (David Tennant)
I always wonder why alot of people say the second series was their favorite in terms of the 10th doctor's run since really I definatly think that this is where the 10th began flight.I hate saying it's because rose is out of the picture though that is why.I have nothing against rose last season or in the first but because of the very independant companion this season it allows us to really see how the doctor is.After the time war the 9th was aggressive and alot more volatile then most doctor's being involved in a war of his own but now we really get to see how the 10th is affected by the after effect of the war.
The scenes of him reminiscing gallifrey are some of the more beautiful scenes in the series just because you can really tell with this doctor how much he misses his home and he really starts to deserve the name the lonely angel.Again alot of it is the music helping but it's really sad when you start thinking about how far he's gone since the old days.He also goes through a moment that really would've broken another man at the end of the series but I'll get to that in the episode section for it.
Long story short though In my opinion this is one of the best series for the 10th doctor so far anyway I do recall series 4.5 (The specials) to have a bigger impact but this is fantastic for the 10th
Martha Jones (Freema agyeman)
Ah Miss Martha jones.I love the hell out of her.When I was asked a while back who my favorite companion I believe my response was something like "Well probably donna but then shortly after amy and rory tied then martha and rose are somewhere down there" I'm retracting that statement right now.After rewatching this series I can say easily That Miss martha jones is easily my favorite companion.
She's easily the least connected to the doctor out of any companion.No two sided romance,No childhood relationship and no prior adventures in an earlier series but to me that just makes her so much more independant and to be honest more interesting.I love seeing her interact with her family who are a whole 'nother case of awesome.Everything around her is just so interesting or fun to watch or something.the acting on freema's part is amazing as well I really do think she's massivly underappreciated as an actor with the exception of a few scenes but even then I've seen few actors have perfect performances in a role.
But wait there's more.Her infatuation with the doctor is so very fun to watch as well.She feels like someone who is in a one way relationship.And in all honesty part of it feels like that's why she's sticking around hence why when she left she pretty much said she was done with him in every way shape and form(Though she came back next season for a few episodes but that's next season) and really it's a perfect one season arc.I just adore everything about her.....and yes she's pretty damn cute too
That's another thing I love about this series.There is really only a major focus on two characters.that means both get huge development this season.I mean captain jack shows back up but really I could just save time and put it in the episodes he's in.but speaking of the episodes he's in there is only and I mean only one villain I can put a focus on.
The Master/Harold Saxon (John simm)
While I have talked alot about this guy once in my top ten villains countdown.There is something I want to clear up.While he was just bearly beaten out by the number one villains the daleks.The master is more of a threat and far more intelligent then any other villain on doctor who or really any other villain in general.A genius,A psychopath driven mad by the sound of drums.The Master is one of the most dangerous but also one of the most entertaining.
I can say this without a doubt,The master has the single greatest victory lap I've ever seen.The I can't decide scene.My god it's amazing.It's hilarious,It's dominant,The song is insanly catchy,And the fact he's doing this a year afterwards just gives me an image of him waking up every day.brushing his teeth,getting dressed for the day,and doing that routine every single day for a year.What else do I say but the master is just the most fun and one of the more intimidating villains I've ever seen
When I first started rewatching this series I was convinced that it was the first two series again.Slow start the threequel.But while it is kinda slow it feels alot better and more natural being a new companion while the first had an excuse of being the first series of the show coming back and the second wasn't quite as bad as the second but this series feels alot better.The slowness works and it doesn't feel slow.Slow but it works if that makes any sense.
Episode 1 The Runaway Bride
First of all....Donna is one of my favorite companions.She's just such a hoot to watch.But all in all It's okay.Eerily similar enemies to last years in the form of the santa robots and the rachnos are okay but it just comes off a touch off kilter to me.I can't put my finger on it.A few funny lines and some decent moments but all in all better then last year but that's not saying much
Episode 2 Smith and jones
This is an interesting one.While I love how the introduction of martha is similar to how rose came in.focusing on her then having the doctor show up randomly keeping the focus on the companion instead of the doctor which I love and while some villains coming off goofy ruin a mood I love how goofy the judoon are.I mean space rhino police my god.But while they fit there is one that I don't like nearly as much but is far more goofy.The shapeshifter.While the judoon are silly they can work as a good villain.I think the shapeshifter may have ruined straws for me.no realy she sucks blood with straws......That's remarkably silly but not in a good way.It just comes off a bit overboard to me even for doctor who.Good ep,great start to martha but good lord the plasmavore(Shapeshifter) sucks....actually the judoon language was pretty goofy too what is it with first eps they just can't quite do right....maybe next companion?
Episode 3 The shakespeare code
This is the point where they kinda decided to answer a few questions namely the butterfly effect which the doctor kind of shrugs off(the butterfly effect for those that don't know is a small mistake having huge consequences.So killing a butterfly in shakespeares time could have htiler win WW2 somehow that kind of thing) and that martha is black in olden times some of which were not exactly kind to people of her skin color.I actually think that went pretty well in the explanation of it but all that really happens is a small explanation on pretending to be from another country.or later on just acting as a servant.though with the villains and whatnot are okay and I actually like this one.old england looks great and while shakespeare looks a bit off works enough and it's a fine episode
Episode 4 gridlock
This a a mixed bag but all in all not a bad mixed bag.While the return of the cat nun from last season.(Forgive me I can't recall her name) and the face of boe is a welcome addition as well the twist of why the higher ups aren't doing anything is great but the car sections can drag alot though they do their best in all honesty it comes off pretty good.I actually dig the episode since it does come off as a tragedy for the people stuck in cars and it's pretty good all things considered.A big surprise since my recallection of it wasn't that good so a very pleasant surprise
So the start all things considered was really good but would it continue.Well considering the next two parted featured daleks it was have to be pretty good right?.....right?
Episode 5-6 Daleks in manhattan-Evolution of the daleks
Oh boy.....this is by far the worst dalek story in the revived series but is it that bad? Well Not really but compared to alot of other episodes with daleks it's underwhelming.I do love the setting but then again I'm a big sucker for noire-esque setting but that is kinda negated by the goddamn pigmen.
WHY DO DALEKS NEED PIG SLAVES?!?!
No really why? For stealth? Well they`re using diagoras for that.What about muscle? Well I do doubt that since THEY`RE DALEKS!! A dalek needs a bodyguard like tommy lee jones needs to be in Batman Forever 2. I can understand them doing it.The Cult of skaro does seem to be scientific in nature and performing experiments and whatnot but it just feels wrong.I will say this though while some things about it are weak or just weird the evolved version of dalek sec is actually pretty neat to think about.A dalek mind combined with human all of the bad and good sides of that and the good is winning.I just found that whole part fascinating and for that it`s okay
After the okay two parter the series would slow down for a bit with the next few episodes while some were pretty good other more fan favorite episodes would only serve to confuse me as to why they were as popular as they are.
Episode 7 The lazourous experiment
This episode serves more for foreshadowing and martha`s development and that of her family then the real story though all in all it`s okay as a story.I will say the plot is pretty cool and leads to some cool moments near the end and I also have to say the monster design is absolutly gruesome but,And I can`t explain why but I just don`t go back to this one often.It`s kind of strange but there`s just something off abotu everything to me.it`s not bad for any real reason just not amazing I guess.It`s weird
Episode 8 42
Does anyone else think of the satan pit two parter when they see this episode? Maybe that one`s just me but between the same space suit used in both episodes and the heavy almost slasher movie theme to both episodes just exudes a very similar tone to it though all things considered I really do suggest this episode over that one even with the amazing scene with david`s almost shakespeare like performance.Because of one thing;The feeling of dread you feel when martha is in the escape pod after getting ejected.You feel like she really could die from this and it would just turn into a plot point it`s realy well done and if for that alone as well as some good development for martha I highly reccomend checking this one out
Episode 9-10 Human nature-the family of blood
Oh boy.I`m gonna get some hate for this but I really don`t see why this episode is so damn popular.I mean I do but I don`t think it`s worth the insanely boring first episode and the goofy as hell villains.I mean there are some decent in-jokes and references and hey The consistancy of people making fun of martha because of her skin color as unfortunate as that is does show good common sense since it would be that way back then but I just don`t care since that first episode kills momentum.yes David`s performance at the end was amazing and yes the idea of that is also incredible but I just don`t think it`s worth it for a boring first part and for an okay first half of the second part.And did I mention the goofy as hell villains? I`m sorry I`m sure the actor is fine but the lead guy (Son of mine) when he`s taken by the alien just overacts a bit while as a human he was pretty good so it`s not the actor there.I don`t know the episode just can`t hold me fully.And I never watch just one part it`s one story so I won`t just skip Human nature and watch Family of blood.as a whole it`s just not great to me if you like it all the power to you and I do reccomend it since so many people do so it`s worth a watch but while I don`t hate it I just have no motivation to watch it
Episode 11 Blink
This episode however is a fan loved episode I CAN understand people loving it.The premise is simple but very unique and well done.The tone and feel of the episode forboding and dark but still having a good sense of humor about it.The characters introduced are great and all of that while the doctor is in so very little of the episode same with martha.This is just a damn cool episode and the debut of a damn cool if simplistic villain in the weeping angels.I cannot suggest watching this enough.
This however is one of the best hyped end stories of all time.if you looked carefully you would find 9 times they brought up harold saxon or Yana or you are not alone and the sheer preparation and how it involves so many elements from the series it`s just amazing.
Episode 12-13-14 Utopia-The sound of drums-The last of the time lords
You know Because of how much went into these episodes I actaually think I have a new champion for favorite episode.the first episode is the weaker of the the three being really only a set up but it holds interest with what`s going on and something is always happening to keep that interest until the end which is a gorgeous twist even if you could see it coming were you an old school fan.Also the return of captain jack harkness helps keeping so much interest as well just trying to see how he acts to both martha and the 10th doctor.The second episode is where things go into full blast and it`s just an amazing to watch episode.I can say with no exaggeration that every scene with The master is it is amazing.He is so goddamn fun to watch and I think he may be the most fun villain ever and he has so much fun.
The plot from that point on I won`t spoil but let`s just say a pretty bittersweet ending and proof that in my opinion there is no question that as one being the master is the greatest villain ever......though the daleks as a group are better but that`s for another day.Also the resolution of martha`s character arc is pretty amazing as well it feels just complete to me.All in all probably my favorite end to a season ever and toppling doomsday as my favorite story in doctor who history.
Like I said there were some unexpected downsides with family of blood`s two parter but in my opinion this series is fantastic and if you do like those eps then again all the power to you and in my opinion that makes this series one of the better ones in the revived.Second best actually.Next to what....you`ll see later but nonetheless the doctor moves from facing one of his greatest enemies to another old threat and this one has much bigger plans then domination.His return harolds the end of reality.
