TV Gold

To anyone (myself included) whom has a keen interest and enjoyment in Gene Roddenberry’s “Earth Final Conflict” series the rejuvenation of an aging scientist in “The Lazarus Experiment” will seem rather familiar territory. In a second season story entitled “Second Chances” we were similarly presented with a fountain of restored youth experimental venture this one being implemented between human and Taelon scientists. The de-evolving of the central Lazarus character can again be likened back to the American series which presented us with the Taelons reverting to their primitive Atavus state when severed from their species collective commonality. Of course I like others would give the BBC story the more approving nod on this aspect due to another impressive CGI rendered creation from the Mill which certainly helps strengthen the ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ type central premise. I guess for me the main strengths of “The Lazarus Experiment”, apart from the glossy looking ‘Genetic Manipulation Device’ itself would have to be the stunning Welsh Assembly Building and Southwark Cathedral settings which certainly helped elevate the overall feel of this fairly routine sci-fi ‘scientist meddling with the forces of creation’ plot retread. Other than that I feel fairly neutral regarding this fairly standard sixth episode.

I guess for me at least this story really had a feel of being like other series (like perhaps BBC’s ‘Bugs’) or possibly a James Bond film (David certainly looks good and every inch the secret agent in a tux!) due in part to the location shooting involved. You could liken the Doctor and Martha in the audience watching a scientist conduct his experiments to those witnessed back in the Pertwee era whether that be in “The Mind of Evil” or “The Time Monster”. Nice to see more of the Jones clan and there certainly seems to be trouble brewing from Martha’s mum whom has learnt more about the Doctor from certain informed sources attending the demonstration. Looks like we could be in for significant fireworks later in this third season!

Regarding '42' I'd like to say...

In presenting the series first ‘real-time’ adventure the grimy hot and sweaty interior of the SS Pentallian as portrayed in "42" will undoubtedly draw comparisons with the previous years two-parter set in a similarly hostile working environment. As if the desperate attempts to restart the engines so as to escape plunging into the sun wasn’t enough there’s the additional threat of an alien organism stalking the ship and through possessed individuals it goes about the corridors indiscriminately burning crewmembers to death with its stare. Following an attempted rescue of a jettisoned escape pod containing Martha, the Doctor looks towards the surface of the sun and from what he witnesses incredulously conjects that ‘it’s alive’. Certainly an effectively realised memorable sequence which feels like an evocative appreciative nod towards Arthur C. Clarke’s “2001:A Space Odyssey” and its subsequent sequels. Once again we have the familiar ‘link to earth’ narrative via mobile phone link this time between Martha and Francine, her deeply concerned Mum, the most amusing of which has to be the ‘most number one singles (Beatles or Elvis)’ question pertaining to the crews attempts to make its way through secure access hatches. “42” presents reflective moments regarding the consequences of travelling with the Doctor from both Martha’s (in the escape pod) and Francine’s (with more government agency interest in her daughters contact with the wandering Time Lord) perspective, an aspect that no doubt will crop up again in a future story. In summation basically for me “42” feels a fairly routine runaround which although more entertaining than perhaps “Gridlock” really leaves too many unanswered questions (i.e. what was the creature which presumably caused the SS Pentallian to plunge sunwards) to be entirely satisfactory.

Now we’ve seen this ‘aliens possessing crewmembers’ aspect before in the classic series. Looking back to 1977’s “The Invisible Enemy” you might remember that the Nucleus of the Swarm inflected firstly the Doctor through the TARDIS console (an arc of electrical energy sparking into his eyes) and this was passed on, in the same way, to various personnel of Titan base. It certainly seemed quite a traumatic sight during “42” to witness the creature possessing the Doctor and led to a similarly nerve-wracking attempted freezing out of the organism. Again looking back to the ‘classic series’ I recall similar icy catatonic experiences faced by the Doctor to occur in both “The Daemons” (lying on a bed upstairs in the ‘Cloven Hoof’ pub following his encounter with the stone like Bok) and in the opening episode of “Planet of the Daleks” (lying on a pull out bed in the TARDIS console room following his encounter with the Master and the Daleks at the end of the preceding “Frontier In Space” story).

Could we be lookng at the best yet? Personally I enjoyed this more than my previous favourite "The Shakespeare Code" and would like to open my comments with the following...

At its heart “Human Nature”, derived from a popular novel, presents us with the intriguing premise of the Doctor assuming human form, through a ‘chameleon arch’ headset in a desperate attempt to escape a powerful evil alien force. In my opinion this is very successful in dramatically presenting Tennant with a chance to deliver the appreciably believable alternative persona of pre World War I boys school teacher John Smith. In the tradition of some of the greatest classic series stories the science fiction element is very much placed at the periphery of events which allows an enjoyably pleasing focus on both character interaction and authentically recreating old style settings once more playing to the BBC’s historical re-enactment strengths. The most evident main threatening aspect posed here is undoubted the lumbering unnervingly realised scarecrows, inanimate objects coming alive from their isolated field locations. They seem such an obvious low cost everyday rural construct that it does indeed make you wonder why they haven’t been used to this effect in the series before. I reckon you’ll now never look at Jon Pertwee’s “Worzel Gummidge” ITV series in the same innocent way! In the final analysis “Human Nature” is an extremely strong opener for this feature length tale and if second part “Family of Blood” can match it in strongly engaging chilling escapist drama then we may indeed be looking potentially at the best that Season Three has to offer.

...and my second 'bite of this episode' goes as follows...

Early on we are told that the date is 10th November 1913, placing it in that intriguing English ‘age of innocence’ just before the horrors of World War II, which although fleetingly illustrated in ‘flashback’ sequences, largely presents us with an intriguing glimpse at what life was like back then. The setting of a boys private school setting had me thinking back to “The Best Years of Your Death”, an episode from the first series of the “Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)” remake. When I first saw the scarecrows beginning to move I momentarily thought we might be seeing the return of the Master, the Doctor’s Time Lord nemesis whom had assumed this disguise early on in “The Mark of the Rani” which would have been a big surprise but I guess it was never really on the cards! Before emerging from their fields we briefly see a little girl with a red balloon on a string and again the country lane setting jogged my memory once more this time thoughts returned to the early moments of “Corn Dolly” a first season story from Terry Nation’s “Survivors”. Now some purists would probably take exception to a story which detaches the Doctor from his Time Lord identity seemingly for the entire duration of the adventure however for myself I delight in such an imaginative premise. It presents a welcome opportunity to further demonstrate what a versatile highly talented and accomplished actor we are fortunate to have in the lead role. Tenant rises to the challenge of the ordinary academic with suitable and believable style with a character that is plagued by strange dreams of another life. However it is his handwritten journal that is the most intriguing item replete with easily recognised sketched drawings of Daleks, Cybermen, Clockwork men and other series characters. Now we’ve seen the Doctor go ‘undercover’ before, during “School Reunion” however this time it is only the companion whom holds the key to his past and for both Martha and actress Freema Agyeman this has to be the most challenging of scripts with regard to the duos ongoing relationship. Their relationship in “Human Nature” is merely schoolteacher and maid with the now human John Smith’s eye wandering towards the school matron whom he slowly falls in love with. This is something that we’ve never seen previously in the franchise and it will indeed be intriguing to see how this develops during the second and concluding episode of this tale. This matter of the Doctor assuming human identity through a clearly painful procedure does at first seem irreversible however mention of the silver plated pocket watch holds some chance that it may be reversible. The whole humans possessed by aliens seems like a throwback to cult sci-fi films of the fifties like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” but imitation can be construed as the sincerest form of flattery. The first aspect of sci-fi in “Human Nature” comes from the beam of green light scanning the darkened countryside landscape to be followed by Baines encountering the invisible ship, something that was used during the incomplete 1979 classic series story “Shada”. For “Human Nature” the crackle of green light across its extensive frame (courtesy of The Mill) meant it was obviously the more successful however once inside this craft I rather thought it was rather like that of what we’d seen of the Zygon craft in 1976’s “Terror of the Zygons”.

Right lets get back to this with...

Although delivering a satisfactorily exciting ‘classic rampaging monster’ sequence, concluding part “The Family of Blood” goes further to offer up particularly strong character interaction and development expanding on that which had been established in the previous weeks episode. At the centre of this has to be the pain and anguish expressed by ‘John Smith’ at the prospect of losing the settled and contented life style he has at the school by regaining his Time Lord identity. Fascinatingly we gain a brief glimpse at a possible future for ‘John’ and his fiancée Jean (replete with their wedding, holding their first child, a family walk in the countryside and in elderly life together) when the couple simultaneously touch the mystical pocket watch. This key object aspect of the story indeed has a profound effect on the temporary holder, schoolboy Tim whom witnesses the wonders that the Time Lord has experienced and he gains strength and moral courage from the interaction. With the subsequently bequeathed timepiece in his possession we witness him on the battlefield and later the entirely endearing scene showing his attendance at a memorial ceremony, the old man he becomes briefly glancing to the near distance to see our duo present for this touching moment. For “The Family of Blood” themselves their ultimate fate is both elegant and convincingly realised in a chilling manner hinting at a slightly darker side than had previously been seen to the Doctor should he ever be crossed. In summation not only is “The Family of Blood” an entirely commendable conclusion it is also, considering the overall script concept of these two parts that Paul Cornell has delivered, undoubtedly the most pleasing, entertainingly dramatic adventure that the new series of Doctor Who has ever created.

Just a little bit more to say about this weeks episode...

Nothing really to add here other than the classic series briefly touched on the First World War setting during portions of Patrick Troughton’s epic finale “The War Games” were our trio were initially wandering around ‘no mans land’ before being picked up be an Army ambulance. The Second Doctor, during this story, exclaimed to Jamie that he thought that barbed wire was ‘filthy stuff’ and conveyed his thoughts about the conflict as they made their way from where the TARDIS had landed. The scene in “The Family of Blood” where the young boys of the school easily adapt to handling and using the variety of weapons at their disposal is both disturbing and historically I guess entirely accurate as a precursor to the following years ‘great war’.

...and on towards next weeks "Blink", a doctor-lite story at the (seemingly) regular time of 7.10pm on BBC1!

Really dialed into this tenth episode on its BBC3 rerun last night... a real gem that I would like to sum up as follows...

Lets face it a so called ‘Doctor-lite’ story is never really in with a strong chance of being considered the best of the season especially when considering the other fine instalments that can be found elsewhere in this third run. However all credit to Steven Moffatt whom once again illustrates his writing pedigree with “Blink”, a story that despite its budgetary and special effects restraints provides us with a suitably taunt, atmospheric and ultimately chilling thriller. Although relegated to the sidelines the lack of Doctor’s presence isn’t overtly noticeable due in part to the intriguing and at some times puzzling premise that he is able to have a conversation with story leading character Sally through DVD disc easter eggs. It is a bold concept as indeed is the main protagonists of the piece, stone statues that are only able to move and attack in the ‘blink of an eye’, some of whom, especially in the climactic finale portray some truly scary facial expressions combined with suitably chilling lighting. With a satisfactory final payoff and a ‘sting in the tail’ intimation that all statues have the potential to exhibit the menacing characteristics portrayed here “Blink” surprisingly succeeds despite its noticeable limitations.

Scratching around for other things to say about this other than...

Nothing much to say here other than I thought there was a passing similarity to Sally receiving a letter dated 5thh December 1920 to that which happened at the end of “Back To The Future Part II”. In that film you might recall Marty receiving a letter from Western Union which claimed that the Doc was now living a live back in the Wild West of 1885!

Now looking towards 16th June at 7.15pm and the return of Captain Jack in 'Utopia'

I think it is safe to say that this series is by far and away the best collection of episodes that this revived run has offered up, miles better than 2005 and 2006, can't really find a truely dud episode amongst them. Even "Gridlock" has some redeeming qualities amongst the slow moving plot. But enough waffle, down to business with what I thought of episode eleven...

For the most part “Utopia” feels like a fairly routine undemanding story of a brave scientist vainly striving to save his people from extermination from the indigenous Futurekind race on a primitive planet located on the outer reaches of the known universe. The main factor that elevates it above more usual fair has got to be the inspired casting of noted classical actor Sir Derek Jacobi. Now as a big fan of the timeless BBC period drama series classic “I, Claudius” I was expecting a similarly polished acting performance and he certainly didn’t disappoint by admirably rising to the challenge bringing a suitably believable aspect to the character of dedicated, brilliant scientist Professor Yana (ably assisted by the endearing blue skinned reptile Chantho). It is however in the last ten minutes that “Utopia” really comes on fire (quite literarily!) with numerous dramatic revelations and links to previous episodes culminating in a quite astonishing and truly breathtaking reveal of the main protagonist. This unexpected plot gasp which poses the greatest possible danger for the Doctor (which I believe will ultimately alter the series dynamic from this point on) leads into an unexpected single episode cliffhanger which undoubtedly leaves viewers breathless as to the possible ramifications for the series future and how things will play out during the seasons dramatic two-part finale.

BEWARE - SPOILER ALERT!

Now looking more in detail its difficult not to cover the central reveal offered up within this story so what I've typed next features the main surprise of "Utopia"...

When the Doctor, Martha and Captain Jack looked down on the city in “Utopia” I immediately thought back to a similar type of scene cropping up in “The Sun Makers” (with the Doctor and Leela) and “The Krotons” (with the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe). Thinking about the last time that The Master was featured in the series the starting point for his return would have to either take off from his being stranded on the planet of the Cheeta people in “Survival” or maybe you would include his ultimate fate in the 1996 Paul McGann movie. I personally think that the former is a much more appropriate starting point however there is again the matter of at what point in his life the Master is at. It was established during both “The Deadly Assassin” and “The Keeper of Traken” that he was on his final regeneration and he possessed the body of Traken Consul Tremas. If we are led to believe that Professor Yana is indeed the Master it does make you wonder how is able to live beyond the precepts of established Time Lord metabolism. Although, like most viewers, I am absolutely delighted that such a character of equal and opposite intellect to our series lead is back to challenge the Doctor there is still that lifespan question on my mind and at present I can’t quite understand how he still lives. Maybe this is something that will be covered in a future confrontation between the two rival Time Lords.

In summing up a totally awesome conclusion to this episode and can't wait to see what happens next in "The Sound of Drums" next Saturday evening at 7.15pm!

So here we are at the penultimate season three episode already, my hasn't it gone by so quickly. Here's what I think of this one...

The fairly leisurely pace of a ‘first of a two-parter’ is I feel rather maintained in “The Sound of Drums” which although playing to the accomplished acting talents of John Simm does appear to overtly convey a character whom initially delights in a combination of macho posturing and insane humour. For the most part the premise of facilitating the conquest of the planet Earth by the Toclafane (small spherical robotic flying lifeforms replete with multiple blades and lasers) under the alias of recently elected British Prime Minister Harold Saxon is typical fare for renegade Time Lord, the Master. Factoring in the use of ‘innocent pawns’ in the form of the Jones family clan plus the adaptation of the TARDIS as a paradox machine and you have all the classic hallmarks of a familiar tussle between the Doctor and the Master that harks back to the Pertwee era. Further script ‘icing on the cake’ is the Doctor’s relating the Master’s early childhood back on Gallifrey hinting at the reasoning behind his evil persona. For the most part “The Sound of Drums” feels fairly perfunctory but the general routine feel is largely saved by a totally ‘killer cliffhanger’ which perfectly grabs viewers leaving them, once again, panting to know next weeks outcome.

More 'broader thoughts' from me...

In the opening seconds of “The Sound of Drums” we witness the Doctor, Martha and Captain Jack emerge from a ‘time tunnel’ onto present day Earth thanks to the Captain’s vortex manipulator device. Personally I thought that this bore a direct similarity to the effect created for the travellers in the American Sci-Fi series “Sliders”. When our trio are making their way through the infrastructure of the aircraft carrier Valiant it seemed, to me, to be slightly reminiscent of a similar journey that the Doctor and Peri took during “The Two Doctors”. The rip in the sky that the Master engineered in order to let six billion Toclafane pour through looked, I thought, somewhat similar to the Nexus as featured in 1994’s “Star Trek : Generation” movie. Thinking about the Toclafane themselves and you could think of them as being a more advanced, compacted version of the Mechanoids as featured during the latter stages of 1965’s “The Chase”. Playing the American President is actor Colin Stinton whom some viewers might recognise from his appearance in the 1988 “A Very Peculiar Practice” series. In that second run of Andrew Davies University set black comedy Colin played Vice Chancellor Jack Daniel’s loyal financial assistant Charlie Dusenberry. So once again we find the Doctor aged to an old man, something that cropped up back in the classic series story “The Leisure Hive”, personally I felt rather disappointed with this development although it of course links the Master with the events chronicled in “The Lazarus Experiment” earlier in the season. A tick of appreciation towards the explosion in Martha’s flat, her subsequent stunt driving at the wheel of her elderly sliver Vauxhall Corsa and the concept of our heroic trio on the run, hiding in shadows seemingly alone against the whole planet Earth. The situation definitely looks grim especially as the episode reaches its entirely despondent conclusion and yet again we are presented with a companion that has rescue the Doctor, and infact, in this instant, the entire planet. I say ‘history repeating itself’ especially if you look back at the concluding double episodes from Seasons One and Two. I’m sure we will once again applaud the seasons final episode resolution but I for one am beginning to find this way to end a run rather predicable. Same again for Season Four??? We shall see!


Time to take a moment to relax before the final concluding episode of a truely excellent Season Three next Saturday evening at 7.05pm on BBC1!

I am getting bored of these season finalies. They seem to have loads of money thrown at them yet don't deliver on the plot or characterisation.

I think the master character fails miserably.

All the real gems sit in the middle of the season. Why does everything have to be of such massive scale everytime the series ends? Of all the scripts they must have had available I really hated this.

I will hold out and hope the last episode redeems itself!