Now we're away from all the hype... (Dr. Who 2005)

Member Name: litefoot

Product:	Dr. Who 2005
Date:	12/07/05 (177 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Billie Piper, writers familiar with earlier series

Disadvantages: 45 min episodes

So, after a long absence from our screens, Doctor Who has returned. It's been a few weeks since the last episode was shown in the UK - so it's time for a look back, away from all the hype. Was it actually any good?

But first, what is my angle? I was a Doctor Who fan during the 1980s and 90s, read books, watched videos, etc. I lost interest about ten years ago but the hype leading up to the new series for 2005 reignited it a little. As a fan, I was interested to see what these new adventures would be like.

Spoiler warning - for those yet to see the new series, avoid this review :)

Still geared towards a family audience, the new series still retains the characteristics from the earlier series. The Doctor is always for the 'goodies', always fights evil and protects the underdog. He still travels around in a time machine that looks like a police box, and is joined by some unwitting human who became embroiled in one of his adventures.

The budget for the show is far higher this time - reportedly a million pounds per episode, and for the most part, it shows - the effects are far, far more impressive and the sets more lavish (although most Doctor Who fans aren't bothered about that - no really!).

The driving force behind this new series is writer Russell T Davies, who wrote acclaimed television series such as Queer as Folk and Casanova. One of his earliest series was a science-fiction children's TV serial called The Dark Season which was televised on BBC1 in the early 90s (and starred a very young Kate Winslet!). Unbeknown to many people, Davies is a hardcore fan of Doctor Who. He wrote a Who novel during the 90s (Bad Therapy, now *extremely* hard to find) and his affection for the show and writing prowess enabled him to take charge of the new incarnation of the show.

Although he has written many episodes of this series, the best episodes are those written by other writers - notably 'The Unquiet Dead' written by Mark Gatiss, one third of BBC2's comedy show The League of Gentlemen, and 'The Empty Child'/The Doctor Dances' by Stephen Moffatt, writer of another comedy series, Coupling.

Each episode is about 45 minutes long. Having been a fan of the original series, I was a bit miffed when this was announced, because back in the day, each episode was 25 minutes long with four episodes per story, and cliffhangers in each episode. It seemed that the BBC were pandering to foreign TV networks to make the series more attractive, for whom 45 minutes, plus ad breaks, is the norm (e.g. CSI, ER, etc).

Some of the new episodes hold up better than others in this regard (e.g. the World War II two parter works far better than the first episode of the series, which stuffs in far too many ingredients to cover in 45 minutes).

All the episodes are watchable, with three great episodes, some good ones and a few that are average at best (see below). However the series has held the attention throughout. It's also clear the show is in good hands because it remains true to the spirit of the original series.

Christopher Eccleston was a surprising choice to play the Doctor. Most people were expecting someone with that little bit of eccentricity such as Richard E Grant or Bill Nighy.

Until now, Eccleston was most familiar to UK viewers as serious, no nonsense DCI Billborough from Cracker, the 90s TV series starring Robbie Coltrane as psychologist Fitz. After this, Ecclestone had mainly supporting roles in films (Shallow Grave, The Others, Gone in Sixty Seconds) and recently starred in BBC1's one off drama The Second Coming.

Generally Eccleston makes a good Doctor although he occasionally struggles with some of the more manic elements of the character (it doesn't really suit him) and struggles with some of the dialogue he has to say which at times isn't very good.

The best thing about this series, however, has been Billie Piper, a true revelation in the role and proof there is more to her than singing pop songs. Prior to this she was known mainly for the aforementioned pop songs (e.g. Number 1 hit 'Because I Want To') and, rather unfairly, for marrying DJ Chris Evans at a young age. Utterly convincing from start to finish (at times Eccleston wasn't), she will be regarded as one of the best companions (if not the best) to ever travel in the TARDIS. Also, integrating her family and home life into the series is something that has never been done in Doctor Who before.

The third member of the TARDIS crew is Captain Jack Harkness, portrayed by actor John Barrowman. Barrowman co-presented Saturday morning children's tv programme Live and Kicking for a while in the 90s and wasn't very good. It's a different story this time as Barrowman relaxes into a role he is completely comfortable with.

Both Piper and Barrowman return in the second series next year.

Now we have to wait until Christmas to see how the series fares with a new lead actor. I'd have liked to have seen Eccleston stay on in the role. It's still unknown why he left. It is perhaps a good career decision, as previous incumbents of the role have not gone on to stunning success. The only actor to have avoided such typecasting is probably Peter Davison - still on our screens in TV series such as The Last Detective and At Home with the Braithwaites. Where are Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy? Even Tom Baker's TV appearances are fleeting...

Here are some small reviews for each of the 13 episodes:


'ROSE': 5/10

(A young girl called Rose Tyler encounters a stranger called the Doctor and gets involved in an alien invasion of Earth)

One word: overhyped. After all the build up over the previous 12 months, I was looking forward to a rollicking good adventure with the Doctor taking on old enemies the Autons and the Nestene Consciousness in the 21st Century. I was disappointed to discover however that they played second fiddle to introducing Rose. No, no, no! The Autons were centre stage in their 1970s stories and should have had a larger role to play. Admittedly the Rose angle was done well, and there were a couple of other nice touches, like the Auton wheelie bin that eats people and hammer-hand Mickey. It should have been a four parter - more time to cover the Autons! Not terrible but not great either - just not what I expected.

Footnote: a few days after this episode was transmitted, a department store in Canterbury had to remove all their shop dummies (resembling Autons) from their windows because the children were too scared to go in. :)


'THE END OF THE WORLD': 7/10

(The Doctor takes Rose to the far future at a time when the Sun is about to engulf the Earth)

An improvement on episode one. This time it's the Doctor and Rose who play second fiddle to the story. Not rivetting viewing but a step in the right direction, and the effects look impressive.

'THE UNQUIET DEAD' 8/10

(The Doctor and Rose arrive in Victorian Cardiff and discover that the dead are coming back to life)

The best episode so far, by miles, thanks mainly to Simon Callow's performance as Charles Dickens. Eccleston has started to settle into the role.


'ALIENS OF LONDON'/'WORLD WAR THREE' 5/10 Two parter

(Returning to present day Earth, the Doctor is called on to investigate a crashed alien spaceship in the Thames)

After the step forward with the last episode, it's two steps back with this one. A nice setup with the alien ship, but the aliens themselves turn out to be a disappointment. And aliens who make farting noises do not belong in Doctor Who! Nice effects though, especially the alien ship crashing into Big Ben. And I like Ten Downing Street going into Red Alert Status when the Doctor's presence is discovered.


'DALEK' 7/10

(The Doctor encounters the last living Dalek in a millionaire's museum of alien artefacts)

Nice to see the Daleks back, but this one is humanised too much; Daleks are evil, despicable creatures without an ounce of goodness. You are not supposed to feel sorry for Daleks!


'THE LONG GAME' 7/10

(The TARDIS takes the Doctor and Rose to Satellite 5, broadcasting news to the entire Earth Empire, and where something evil lurks on Floor 500...)

An average romp into the future, but watchable enough.


'FATHERS DAY' 8/10

(The Doctor takes Rose back in time to the day her father died)

A good episode for Rose, and the monsters - the Reapers - are quite scary.


'THE EMPTY CHILD'/'THE DOCTOR DANCES' 9/10 Two parter

(The Doctor and Rose arrive during the Blitz in London, where something sinister stalks the streets)

Aha... now we're getting down to it. Fantastic stuff, made so by the gothic horror feel that worked so well in 70s Doctor Who, and a classic Doctor Who cliffhanger at the end of Part One.


'BOOMTOWN' 6/10

(The Doctor discovers one of the Slitheen from 'World War Three' has survived and sets about capturing her)

More character stuff than plot (I prefer the latter in Who) but some nice verbal exchanges between the Doctor and the Slitheen.


'BAD WOLF'/'THE PARTING OF THE WAYS' 7/10 Two parter

(The Doctor, Rose and Jack return to Satellite 5 100 years later and becomes trapped in a number of deadly games. But a greater menace is waiting in the wings...)

Some terrible dialogue at times but generally a good way to finish the series. Nice to see hoards of Daleks swarming towards you for once, as opposed to three in the original series, when they couldn't afford anymore! A shame to see Eccleston depart after only thirteen episodes.

Doctor Who Magazine has recently published a special edition with details about the new series, including the original pitch document with notes by writer Russell T Davies. It's currently flying off the shelves of branches of WHSmith and Forbidden Planet, and will, I suspect, soon be selling for outrageous prices on eBay. It is an excellent read and I recommend it if you want more details about the show and the episodes described above.

This is my first review on here for over two years. I hope you enjoyed it :)

Summary: Doctor Who returns after a nine year wait!