Doctor Who Club of Australia

[dave]

This seemed like fairly standard RTD fare to me. The Juddoon looked pretty cool and, seeing as they were a type of intergalactic police force, they played a role unsuitable for Sontarans, which is what I thought they were modeled on from early descriptions (ie that of intergalactic stormtroopers).

I was happy to see the Sonic Screwdriver destroyed, and most displeased to see how quickly the Doctor got a new one. It'd become too much of a magic wand in Series 2 and I was hoping they'd move away from that in Series 3...maybe they will, but I doubt it.

Nice homage to the author of Dracula there with the consultant's name being 'Mr Stoker'. Not sure about the use of the straw though...was that supposed to be funny?

I've never been impressed with RTD's ability to think up good names for things, and plasmavores is just too similar to haemovores for me. What's the next lot of bloodesucking aliens going to be called? Leucovores? Immunoglobulinvores? And later in the series we're etting carrionites as well, apparently. I'd like them to be a little more creative with names for things than this.

The kiss didn't worry me much, although, as a fan of the classic series, I still think that sorta thing really has no place in DW. I'm glad Martha was decidedly not interested in the end, due to her only being interested in humans. I just hope it stays that way.

And if I never see Martha's family again I'll be happy. Of course, that's simply not going to happen.

[Greg]

Well, I quite enjoyed Doctor Who and the Bondage Rhinos from Outer Space (as I'm sure the Target novelisation would have been called...). Especially give what a complete waste of time The Runaway Bride was...

Stories that introduce new companions are a bit of a boon for an ongoing series - they give the audience and the creative team an opportunity to step back and have a bit of a look at the format of the series afresh. Not to necessarily change anything, but to re-emphasise what is unusual.

My favourite line was, 'Look, I've even brought a straw.' The funny thing about most alien races seen in TV shows is that they are well-adapted so that they don't need tools. If human ere like that, there's be no need for knives and forks, let alone whopping great cleavers and combine harvesters. We'd have every conceivable tool required to eat built in, but we don't. And neither, really, should the alien creatures depicted on TV shows. Trying to blen in with the human race, a simple and common-palce tool was a perfect idea.

My second favourite line was, 'No, not anymore.' My idle speculation relates to a vague planned Pertwee story and plans for later this season, that I shan't discuss now.

Like Dave, I couldn't help but notice Mr Stoker's name. It's an obvious mention, but was it actually intentional? I hope so.

[arturo]

Given that last year's series started with a really awful episode set in a hospital I'm glad they returned to one to set things right.

The thing I enjoyed most about this episode was watching it with my girlfriend, sister and 6yo niece and watching their reactions as the program progressed.

Personally I loved Martha's family. They made me laugh and her Dad's girlfriend is a great replacement for Jackie Tyler IMHO. It will be interesting to see how they are developed as the series continues, especially in reference to a certain interaction with Martha's Mum on a set of steps in part 6 or 7 that is strangely reminiscent of series 1.

Martha herself seems awesome. A little more intelligent and capable than Rose (although Im sure that will be forgotten as soon as is necessary to propell a script... Im reminded of a Janet Fielding comment where she was at a convention and ready to describe herself as more confident, intelligent and empowered than all the other companions only to hear every single guest describe themself in those terms). Looking forward to seeing more and hope she continues to resist the Doctors charms.

The Judoon had my niece squealing in a combination of glee and terror, while the Plasmavore was one of the sweetest, OTT and just plain funny villains Ive seen in a while. Glad to see finally an evil plot was foiled by turning off the machine instead of using the Sonic screwdriver.

My girlfriend commented favourable on the special effects and my sister was rapt by the whole thing. A very promising start to the series.

And in case I didnt mention.......... Phwoar!

[Tegan]

A reasonably good start to the series. They got all the introductions of the Jones family out of the way quickly and humourously. I think the family will grow on people. But the Dad! How sad was he?

Martha obviously gets a lot of screen time. It seems that she's going to be an excellent companion for the Doctor.

They quickly got away from Earth. OK so it's only the moon, and they're in a London hospital, but it's at least off Earth and away from London.

I liked the Judoon. Typical officious plods.

I got all excited when the Doctor broke his sonic screwdriver. I hate that thing, it makes it too easy to get out of scrapes. Then they brought it back, or another one, at the end of the episode. Oh, well.

Overall a reasonable episode considering the new character exposition, some good one liners.

Looking forward to Bill next week. If they can't get off the planet, then going back or forward in time is just as good.

Ohm and I must be a bit thick. I missed the Stoker reference.

[Greg]

I've added a poll. Please vote!

[Tom N.]

[Greg]

Just realised that there is another reference in the show - the Slabs. They are made entirely of leather - which reminds me of the classic of the soft-core porn sci-fi oeuvre, Barbarella. In it there are some creatures called leather men, who are 'without fleshy substance'. Sounds like they're leather all the way through as well.

[meglos]

I thought it was a good solid start to the season. 3.5/5

[FredDag]

A much better start to the season then last year. I know there were a couple of holes in the plot (that I could see) but who cares. The sticking of the straw into people for blood creeped me out, so it worked. I loved the evil lady, she seemed to enjoy what she did, I thought she was fun. The story was entertaining and had a decent ending. The story didn't seem rushed like New Earth. Martha is good but I still miss Rose, hopefully now the 10th Doctor has his "own" companion and he will shine through.

I'm looking forward to this season, by the previews I've seen it looks Darker then the last two.

Hugs

[Todd]

A much better start to the season than last year. Better paced, better plotted.

David seemed much more confident, even in doing the silly things. His hair was out of control but!!

Martha's family were okay. I think they will grow on us. Father seems like a sad loser.

But I think the standout was Freema as Martha. She just seemed so natural, so there. Her presence was immediate and I hope it will build from there.

And I liked the fact that the Jardoon (or however you spell it) weren't the bad guys per se.

[losthopes]

I thought this was a good start to the new series of doctor who they could of done a bit more with it but it was still great

[montypython]

I thought the story was a bit too fast-paced. The Doctor spoke too quickly (what did he say to Martha at the beginning?) and I didn't really like Martha. I felt her whole reaction to the Doctor wasn't as big as it should have been.

I don't like the way the writers are just throwing in kisses. They managed fine without them for 26 years! (excluding POTW, of course. Come on, it was to save Rose's life!)

What's with the suit? How come he was wearing blue one minute and pinstripes the next? Was the other one in the wash or something?

Liked the shop in the hospital reference.

Overall, a good episode, but not great. I understand why the TV guide only gave it a sideways thumb. Hopefully it will get better.

[charlie]

I'm still loving the music.

Great to see a companion with some brains.

Seemed like the people screamed a bit too much on the moon. oh well
lol in space noone can hear you scream

I too wanted to see some sontarens. I always disliked that there were only two or three in previous stories and I wanted to see a whole army. I also dislike how the Doctor knows everything about everyone and everything in the universe. O for the days when scifi was about discovery.

I was overjoyed to see the screwdriver exploded and much disappointed that he had a spare.

I didnt understand how they moved the hospital or how the ships could ever work in that shape. And how in the world could a rhino species become a logical one, unless they put chips and things in their brains. cough mondas cough

The straw was v. lame untill she sucked the doctor, then it was gross and disturbing.

Better than runaway bride easily.

[Ickabod]

I just liked it....good adventure....good fun....very cute Doctor

[Commander]

Very impressed with this, episode and, by far, my favourite RTD single-parter.

A good balance of sensible humour, character development and believable villains.

I'm already far more keen to approve of Tennant now than at the end of Series Two. Perhaps its because there's no soap...hmmm. Now that he seems more settled, DT will make on of the best Doctor's and the blue suit is schmick.

Unfortunately it was a case of "Bye bye Sonic Screwdriver, oh wait, now we cant stop bad guys getting through doors, here's a packet of instant SS - just add water and stir."

Marthas family seems...interesting...enough said.

I've got nothing but praise for Martha Jones, thank goodness Rose is all locked away in that parallel universe until we get a special episode with the tenth and twelfth doctors . Hopefully Martha will turn out to be a 'Nyssa-with-attitude' and therefore a top companion for the Doc. I have high hopes for Series Three, a platonic TARDIS and hopefully a Bad Wolf series arc, rather than a tedious Torchwood.

The Judoon were good as a basically neutral force, and Florence Finnigan was a refreshing angle on the nasty villain.

3.5/5 for me...

P.S. Not sure if it was me, but Tennant's hair reminded me of Andrew Hansen..........Andrew Hansen for D11

[montypython]

[Ickabod]

I liked Billie Piper/Rose but Martha is in a totally different class....nightmares of little old ladies with straws will keep me awake

[Dougy]

Love, love, loved it! SO much better than S2's opening, this was so very cool. I loved the dialogue, the aliens, the humour, the FX, the opening montage of Martha’s family, Martha (oooh, what a spunk!) and I just adore David as the Doc.

Brilliant! Saturday can't come fast enough!

[Ickabod]

[Odnet]

I just loved this. Not perfect, but the chemistry between The Doctor and Martha made up for any issues. She is just fantastic (although a little too calm considering what had happened) and The Doctor seems very happy to have her around. It's great to see David Tennant really at home with the role now. He is now my all time favourite Doctor. He just seems more comfortable now that Billie is gone and the show is really his.
Did anyone else notice the "RUN" scene? Where The Doctor grabbed Martha's hand and said "Run" just like in "Rose".
I thought it was a clever way for RTD to have a space episode and an on Earth (cheaper sets) episode all in one. "Lets put a Earth hospital on the Moon". I'm starting to think that all the alien activity around London is getting a bit much by now though. They must all be going mad.
All in all a great first episode. Lets hope that the chemistry continues without going too far and PLEASE not too many "family" stories for Martha.