Doctor Who Project - The Lazarus Experiment

Ok, I'll admit I'm slacking. I haven't watched any New Who (apart from The Bells of Saint John the other night) for ages and it's been even longer since I wrote a review. I actually watched this episode and "42" weeks ago and have been wanting to watch the next DVD (mostly because they are probably the 3 finest episodes produced the RTD era if not since the 2005 comeback) but have had to restrain myself otherwise I'd end up having to review way too many episodes at once! Doesn't help that I have never really liked this episode.

The idea is interesting enough ie old guy tries to reverse the effects of time and in turn becomes a monster (quite literally) however the monster he becomes looks crap. Not a fan of Mark Gattis either, whether it's as an appearance as an actor or as writer. Hopefully he'll be a better showrunner (as well as deliver the goods with the early days drama he's producing for the 50th in November). This episode features Martha's family more than previous and there's a few mentions of Saxon. It almost feels like a filler episode, dropping in hints for future stories as well as taking up space in the series. Honestly I'm starting to warm to the split series format seen over the last 2 series (6 and 7) as we seem to be getting all killer and no filler therefore there's no need for episodes like this one, 42, Love and Monsters or Fear Her.

The ending to the episode is crap ie Lazarus is defeated by falling from the top of the bell tower as The Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver to amplify the bell rings. I get the impression that a fall like this wouldn't kill off a monster like the one Lazarus has become, although it did the trick for the 4th Doctor!

The best part of the story though is when Tennant's Doctor stops being a dick and finally accepts Martha. He finally tells her she was never really just a passenger along for one ride.

FINALLY!

Doctor Who Project - "The Idiot's Lantern" (After)

"Are you sitting comfortably? Good then we'll begin". Loved how they worked that in.

If low expectations are anything to go by I can't wait til 'Love and Monsters' and 'Fear Her', easily two of the worst Doctor Who stories ever (and I'm including the 40+ years before them too!). As it turns out 'The Idiot's Lantern' wasn't as bad this time round. The TV as a villain is still crap and it still reeks of style foremost but I quite enjoyed the story of the Father (Derek Branning from Eastenders, yes I did have to look up his character's name) and Son. A misogynistic Father and is son's coming of age and taking over his Father's mantle is well played out and definitely the highlight of the story.

The resolution was a bit pants, climbing a TV aerial mast and reversing the signal, yawn. What puzzled me about this though was what happened to the Gran? Everyone's faces returned yet the Gran was nowhere to be seen by the end of the episode. Also in Magpie's shop The Wire knocks out The Doctor, Tommy and the Policeman but only the Policeman has been turned into one of the faceless creatures. WTF? Ok I can understand The Doctor not changing, higher intelligence and all that too great for The Wire's control, but Tommy?! Confused.

Like I said this was better on re-watch (though still a little bit crap) and had a few nice little sub-plots most notably the Father and Son struggle for dominance and the speech about how Mr Connelly (The Father) fought in the war against narrow minded facists yet he's becoming one himself.

Another highlight was the coming up next trailer! Lol it wasn't that bad of an episode really. Next time round we're getting Oods! I quite like the upcoming 2 parter but can't understand why it's so revered. Maybe the lesson I took from this story (ie go into it with expectations lowered) may help me to fall in love with it.

Until next time, "Alons-y!"

Doctor Who Project "The Idiot's Lantern" (Before)

Ok for this review I'm thinking of a before and after review.

From memory this episode is set in the 50s with The Doctor and Rose investigating a mysterious electrics company and a clipped English accent TV presenter literally stealing the faces of her viewers. I'm sure there's supposed to be a comment on how people waste their lives in front of the TV, hammered home of course with the episode's title (strange point to make when Doctor Who is predominately a TV show).

From the few times I've seen this episode I can't remember being blown away. The story is very meh, the point being made is redundant and the overall feel of the story is (retro chic) style over substance, The 10th Doctor on a scooter anyone?! It's like a half arsed version of 'The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances' from the year before. I hope that there's no truth in the rumours that writer Mark Gatiss is going to take over from Steven Moffat as show runner. Based on this story and his other efforts (Victory of the Daleks, Night Terrors, The Unquiet Dead) it doesn't look too promising for the future of Who post Moffat. To be fair though 'The Unquiet Dead' wasn't too bad and he has co-produced Sherlock with Moffat so I guess you never know what he'd really be like as a producer. As far as this story goes I'm going into the re-watch with low expectations, I'll prob think it's amazing now!

Oh well I guess I'll see you on the otherside.