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Doctor Who : Series 4 Special 2 : Planet of The Dead
From now on as everyone reviews New Who we’re going to do it differently.
We’re going to take different aspects of the episode and each comment on them, no bothering with a synopsis because there are plenty of those about (we’ll give you links at the end!)
So here we go the 3 person analysis of Planet of The Dead
The Story
Blackett
A little bland. I was worried that by the trailer that this was going to be another Midnight but both thankfully and sadly it wasn’t. Its all well and good showing humans in a dire situation coming together to save the day but it lacked the writing skill that Midnight had and the passion. We knew that Earth was never in any danger instantly wipping out any suspense in that front and we barely met a character on the bus so I didn’t really care which is a shame for a Rusell episode as one of the reasons I love the guy is that he can instantly create three dimensional people you care about.
I also didn’t understand why UNIT didnt just send a tank or something else metal through the worm hole to fetch the bus and bring them back.
Morgan
I felt it a little too lack-lusture, slow paced and unconnected. I wanted it to be bigger and bolder, we’ve waited so long that if was a little too small. And I missed the TARDIS! A romp, but not as good as The Next Doctor
Blakeborough
Hmmm. I thought the story was pretty flimsy for Doctor Who. Although they’d gone to another planet it felt to me as if they were just hiding behind a wibbly worm hole curtain and hadn’t really gone anywhere at all.
The Companion (Christina)
Blackett
A jewl thief seemed a little fantastical for a companion to the Doctor, he travels through time and space but when it comes to earth everything is very much grounded Martha was a student, Rose a shop assistant, Donna Noble the temp.
As for Michelle Ryan I dont think she understood that she was actually in a British drama and didn’t have to toff up the accent so much.
Morgan
After Donna Noble it is hard for any female companion to compete, but, she was at least interesting enough to warrant being stood next to the doctor, although she was too similar to The Doctor’s Daughter Jenny.
Blakeborough
Disappointed. I love Michelle Ryan usually and quite enjoyed her posh sexiness during the first ten minutes but then she just sounded bored and a bit shocked to be being spoken to a lot of the time. And she had some truly awful lines. I can’t remember any as I cringed them all from memory.
The Aliens (Metal Stingray Termites & Tritovores)
Blackett
Tritovores = Fly like Ood, uninspired and I didnt care, although they did have a beautiful ship.
I liked the termites, its nice to have a bad guy that was only bad because that its nature and not because of greed or lack of caring for others. I would like to see them again.
Morgan
The Stingrays looked lovely very creepy and angry, loved the swarm, but again Who’s done fantastic swarms before and it was creepier with Toclafane. The Tritovores we’re mask and boilersuits again, however the masks were fantastic!
Blakeborough
Tritovores: cheap and nasty. Having them be clicky mutes a la the Hath from ‘The Doctors Daughter’ was a cop out. I didn’t care about them at all which is a bit of a mistake as I’m sure the masks cost a few pennies even if the rest of the outfit did seem to be stolen off the Hath. The Alien Stingray things were quite cool though, and I did enjoy that they were based on Triops (I used to keep a tank of them in student halls once upon a time until they all died of heat stroke)
The Extra Characters (Malcom, Magambo and the Bus Folk)
Blackett
Hoorah for Lee Evans in a role where I didn’t want to slap him. I loved Magambo in Turn Left and who would have thought she would turn into such a bitch in this episode, i’m glad that UNIT aren’t all lovely and will sacrifice the Doctor to save the earth. The Bus Folk meant nothing to me.
Morgan
I really enjoed Lee Evans, didn’t think I would, even though he was using the voice of the cleaner from the Brittas Empire. Magambo I secretly love, but the stand-off over the wormhole seemed false and wasn’t really needed. The Bus Folk weren’t used enough and I didn’t like them, it’s a shame it could have been as awesome as Midnight in the bus.
oh and the policeman - blah.
Blakeborough
Ugh. Could have done without slapstick Malcolm (not personally keen on Lee Evans) and gun-toting-with-no-consequ
The Action
Blackett
Was there any?
Morgan
How they got away from the stingray in the FlyShip is beyond me but what action there was was done as perfectly as Who always does it, nothing as spectacular as the Lazerus monster chase, everything felt a little contained.
Blakeborough
I don’t really remember there being any. There was some shooting at the end and the Doctor drove the flying bus about for a bit but nothing thrilled me like a good Doctor/companion legging it scene would have done.
The Comedy
Blackett
A few moments but nothing I would think about and want to watch again.
Morgan
Less comedy than normal this time I laughed out loud a few times, nothing outstanding again!
Blakeborough
Would you like some mustard for that ham?
The Tension
Blackett
An empty threat to earth and a boring cast of survivors meant a big lack of the old tension for me.
Morgan
I didn’t feel it at all in this episode.
Blakeborough
None really. Was a bit tense when Carmen gave the Doctor her psychic prediction “He will knock four times…” The ‘big reveal’ of the Tritovores didn’t really work as I think most people had guessed from the various buzzing clicking and slurping that it was going to be an extra wearing a fly head.
The End Forboding!
Blackett
I suppose this was what we were all waiting for really, this is the beginning of the end and the fanboy inside of me was waiting for the moments that would tell us a little of what is to come. He we knock four times! The Master are we thinking? and it comes from across the dark, Rose said something pretty similair in relation to the Daleks. But having a psychic on board did feel a little shoe horned.
Morgan
Tap Tap Tap Tap - you could feel RTD’s had on that one, he does like a prophet! It made me excited, well done!
Blakeborough
Enjoyed it. In fact, I think it was my favourite part. We all know who the Big Bad will be, but I like the little tease.
Overall Thoughts
Blackett
Not as bad as Fear Her but not great, I don’ think I will want to watch this episode again after the repeats.
Morgan
The idea of an entire planet dying should ring a little bigger than it did. It should have an impact similar to Serenity when they realise what has happened, they moved on too quickly. The whole episode seemed to be in a holding pattern and it felt unspectacular, enjoyable, but unspectacular.
Blakeborough
Meh. Its Doctor Who so its head and shoulders above most other things on television of a Saturday night, but I wasn’t stunned by it. I thought there were missed opportunities for better characterisation as I didn’t really care about any of the Bus Folk or army sundries.
And The Next Time Trailer
Blackett
Oooo it looks interesting and I cant wait to see an older lady being the companion. But (oh god im complaining alot, please blame my cold) did any one else think 42? I love Mr. Davies but hes starting to repeat his own ideas
Morgan
Wowsers! I am excited about this one! Looks like Satan Pit and 42, some of my favorite settings!
Blakeborough
Looked wonderful. Much darker. Inventive use of gushing water everywhere and what looks like potentially a really claustrophobic setting. Huzzah.
Out of 10
Blackett
6ish
Morgan
Eight, because we’re still watching Who and I’m grading it against other televsion not just Who, so Eight!
What did you think of the episode and what do you think of this method of reveiw?
Blakeborough
5 out of 10. Distinctly average. Made me a bit sad but I know the Who team can do far better so a small blip is forgiveable!
