Nothing makes recovery from major surgery go faster than watching some Doctor Who episodes. I found this set at my local public library and enjoyed it immensely. David Tennett, the 10th Doctor, is rapidly becoming one of my favorite actors. His blend of comedy and drama is impressive. These specials display some of the best of the Doctor Who series. The first, The Next Doctor, features the always treacherous Cybermen. The Waters of Mars serves up several surprises: the Doctor claiming inflated powers and a shocking ending. The End of Time (a 2-parter) gives David Tennett plenty to work with as the Time Lords are restored. Yes, you can make the case that these low-budge SF episodes are silly, but I’m captivated by the quality of the acting and the above average plotting. GRADE: A-
Can you just jump in anywhere? I eye this at my library too.
Sure, Patti, you can jump in anywhere. The plots aren’t that complicated. You can figure out what’s going on.
I enjoyed these when they were intially on BBC America. Dr. Who is definitely on my DVR list. Check out the Christmas Carol special which features Katherine
Jenkins in her first major acting role.
Thanks for the heads up on Katherine Jenkins, Scott. I have that Christmas Carol DVD on my Watch Real Soon stack. And I’m interested in that third Martha Wells book.
I like Tennant too.
Tennant is the best Doctor since Tom Baker, Jeff.
I like Tennant better than the new guy! But I love the new guy’s female companion!
Yes, lovely Amy Pond has her charms, Stan.
There IS NO Dr. Who beside Tom Baker. Sorry, the rest are all pretenders.
I was a Tom Baker fan for decades, Rick, but this new generation of Doctor Whos–David Tennett and Matt Smith–are more than watchable.
Oddly enough, though I enjoyed much of the 1970s WHO (Tom Baker, of course, being the Doctor when most of the US first saw the series…the Eastern Educational Network in Massachusetts and environs was importing it pre-Baker, in the early ’70s), and liking Steven Moffatt’s other script work (even if COUPLING could be a bit adolescent too many times, it was usually by me very funny), I’ve yet to watch more than a few minutes of any of the current revival. Perhaps, subconsciously, I’m saving them up for the kind of rainy month you’ve been treating with, George. I’ve seen enough TORCHWOOD to be only mildly entertained, but game.
I’m a Steven Moffatt fan, too, Todd. The current Doctor Who series entertains me and holds my interest. I loved the Tom Baker episodes when I first watched them decades ago, but I’m ready to move on.
I, too, began with tom Baker, but grew to love them all, Pertwee especially. And Tennent of course.
I remember reading somewhere when Tom Baker left the show and someone started screaming about the impostor taking over, another fan pointed out that Pertwee was her first Doctor and she felt the same way about Tom Baker.
The key here is “your first Doctor.”
I’ve been loyal to Tom Baker for decades, Randy. But in the past year I’ve been won over by David Tennant and Matt Smith as the new Doctors.
Oh, and on the episode, THE NEXT DOCTOR, I though Morrissey would have nade a better Doctor than Matt Smith. He’s okay, just to young.
I loved THE NEXT DOCTOR episode, Randy. But I found Morrissey a little too serious. Whoever plays the Doctor needs to be a bit wacky.