Doctor Who (BBC1 – Christmas Day)
For once I’m not going to use this section to have a rant or praise Ed.
(Knew I could get it in again.)
No, instead I shall praise something entirely different. Doctor Who – The Christmas Invasion gave us probably the best hour of programming over the festive period. And I watch a hell of a lot of TV, so I don’t say things like that lightly.
Russell T Davies did a fantastic job of reviving the good doctor in 2005. Who knew that something so cult-y and famed for its cheap special effects could produce such quality. And who knew Billie Piper could act!
It was always going to be difficult to replace the excellent Christopher Eccleston in the lead role, but anyone who’d seen Casanova knew David Tennant was something special. He brings enormous energy to the roles he plays, which is perfect for a character like Doctor Who.
Having said that, there were a couple of flaws with the revived series that crept into the Christmas special too.
Every episode in the series was either set on Earth or that space station just above it. The TARDIS can go anywhere in time or space, so why weren’t we taken to other planets? It was the same in this episode; it was again set on Earth. The only reason I can think of is budget. That and the next flaw.
Rose’s Mum and ‘boyfriend’.
OK, put them in a couple of episodes to show the family connections, but not nearly every single one! I don’t particularly like the characters (Mickey is whiney and the Mum is just annoying), so to have them in so many episodes got very tiresome. I want to see Darleks and Cybermen, not normal people! And yes, they were in the Christmas special.
But, I promised this wasn’t going to be a rant. It was a brilliant episode, even factoring in the Earth setting and the annoying family members. Perfect family viewing, it was filled with laughs and suspense.
If I gave out ratings for the TV shows I review, I’d give it 5/5.
But I don’t. So just trust me when I say this probably won’t be bettered until the next series comes along.
This week is a bit of a half-assed effort I’m afraid, as shopping has taken priority in my life. From what I can remember the following things may or may not have happened: Carmella pissed off Serena and got herself bitch slapped (by Serena’s Mum), Karl Kennedy had to hide Alex’s secret from Susan, Izzy was framed by Elle so Paul thinks she still on drugs and Janelle is a hit stand up comic (Max not so much).
Legend of the week
Dr Karl Kennedy:
Seriously, what hasn’t this man done this week? He rumbled that phoney healer Alex has been seeing, he delivered the ultimatum: “tell Susan or I will”, he told Paul where to go when he asked for help with Izzy, he reassured Steph that her baby is alright and he made time for a soulful chat with Harold! I love this man I really do; his band Waiting Room are awesome as well!
Tosser of the week
Lilyana Bishop:
I know she feels she has to protect her moomin faced daughter Serena, but slapping Carmella because she called her baby…well a baby?! Come on now Lil, show a bit of class.
Dishonourable mention
Paul Robinson has gone soft! He not only gets upset about Izzy the tramp’s self inflicted pain, but he also acted like ‘the bigger man’ in asking Karl for help! Come on now Paul, you’re only sexy when you’re bad! (Come on ladies, don’t tell me you don’t secretly want a bit of Mr Robinson!)