Doctor Who Club of Australia

[theninetravellers]

John Smith reminded me of fourth doctor companion Harry Sullivan. Especially while out walking with the nurse and they come across that 'askew' scarecrow in the field. He just seems to have simular mannerisms to Harry with his ' roll up his sleeves and get stuck into it' actions.

[Theta Sigma]

Unless it was referring to the Next Time trailer, the promo incorrectly stated that Joan was "The Loving Wife". I emailed the ABC pointing out this error. This is probably why we didn't see the promo before ABC News not necessarily because of my email but because it was a factual mistake.
Casting info about Harry Lloyd and Jessica. Jessica was in another work by Russell T. Davies - Bob and Rose and Harry Lloyd plays Will Scarlet in the recent TV version of Robin Hood. Human Nature is not the first time that Lloyd has appeared in a work written by Paul Cornell as Cornell has written a couple of episodes of Robin Hood.
The picture of the Eighth Doctor in the journal seems to settle the question of this Doctor's canoncity in fandom. Personally I have always accepted him as canon which is why I incorporated the four seasons that McGann did for Big Finish before the 2005 season, when he was still the current Doctor, into the season count. This is why from my reckoning I think of the 2007 season as season 33.
The Doctor's flashes of memory include the Ood from The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit and coincidentally I have just finished watching that story from the season 32 DVD release.
The scarecrows sure look scary and was taken aback when one appear at the window in front of Tim.
Disturbing seeing Smith (aka the Doctor) teaching the boys artillery since the Doctor has always taught us to avoid violence.
Finally noticed the in-joke of Smith's parents are called Sydney and Verity. Cute.
David Tennant is credited as both the Doctor and Smith. This is not the first time that a Doctor actor has been credited as another character in addition to the Doctor. It happened before in the classic series when Bill Hartnell in The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve and Pat Troughton in The Enemy of the World had played lookalike characters in their respective stories.

[kangamac]

I voted good.

I generally enjoyed this episode - with a few disappointing exceptions. However, there are quite a few aspects present to recommend it.

To begin with, certain elements of the story were quite different and original – for Doctor Who at least. We were given a brief glimpse of an alternative life for the Doctor – had his life turned out differently. This has been done before in other TV shows, such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, but it was nice to see Doctor Who finally give it a try as well. Mind you, of late, it does seem to me that many of the stories centre upon the Doctor's personal danger - as opposed to a general threats.

Naming John Smith's parents after Sydney Newman and Verity Lambert was a nice little nod to the past that was not intrusive to those who are not interested or simply unaware. However, I always felt that Donald Wilson was involved with the TV show's inception as well - but then I am sure there are other unsung heroes as well. I'm just glad that his parents' names were not Russell and Julie...

The journal with the images of Doctors that precede number nine. It's good to see a reference to life in Doctor Who before the coming of RTD. Especially the somewhat unappreciated eighth Doctor. I just hope there are not too many confused newcomers out there. Hopefully they will feel the need to explore a little more into the history of the TV series and discover just what they have been missing out on so far.

I am also immensely amused - and pleased - that the Doctor has finally been transformed into a complete Human - albeit for one story only. I never had a problem with the Doctor being a Gallifreyan/Human hybrid and I can just imagine the discomfiture that this latest development has had for some who have attempted to discount the eighth Doctor's legacy. He's in there now - for better or worse...

The Doctor's general behaviour and demeanour. I liked the awkwardness with which he interacted with the other characters, particularly the matron. I found this preferable to his normal personality. I am tired of him alternating between delivering ineffectual and unconvincing threats, apologizing to everyone for everything and acting as if he is on speed. He seriously needs to take a valium...

The scarecrow "monsters" used in this episode were also suitably effective - certainly more effective than the main protagonists were. They appeared quite functional and disturbing in their everyday appearance. However, I did suffer from frequent flashbacks to the movie "Batman Begins" whenever they were on screen. However, Doctor Who has always been highly derivative, but at least they chose some effective insiration.

Martha did quite well – in general terms. She certainly endured difficult circumstances for the Doctor. However, I also am tired of the whole romantic aspect in the new TV series. It has already been done to death and I could do without yet more sexual tension or unrequited love been forced upon me. Is there any chance - now and then - of simply getting on with telling a good story - like they used to do in the od days?

As for the wisdom of keeping the fob watch on a shelf, where anyone could see it, open it or take it – under the circumstances, I must say that the Doctor displayed slightly less intelligence than Kal or Za. What a bloody moron! Why did he not keep it on him? Or entrust it to Martha to keep? Or hide it more effectively in a desk drawer or a cupboard? Or leave it in the TARDIS where it was safe?

I found the Doctor’s decision of allowing the young boy to be beaten by the older boys to be highly disturbing. He might be a Human, but there were Humans with imagination, intelligence and vision – even in 1913. If not, then times would not have changed and the same behaviour would still be acceptable today. I found that to be very disappointing. And what the hell was he doing just standing there - without seeming to express any opinion - while those children were learning to use a machine gun?!

There were other aspects of this episode that caught my attention for there positive or negative points, but overall, those I have mentioned were most prevalent to me. This is by no means the best Doctor Who story I have ever seen, but at least it was a brave attempt to expand and extend the format of the TV series in a slightly new direction.