Review
More about Doctor Who
More about this episode
Review
More about Doctor Who
More about this episode
This episode was first broadcast on 27 May 2006. A brief and somewhat spoiler-ish summary of the plot: 1950s television sucks.
The best thing about this episode is the plot. Having a monster living in the television set is an excellent idea, as is using the Queen's coronation as a major plot point. Another good thing is the 1950s period detail, which includes footage from actual television programmes of the era.
In a way, the worst thing about this episode is also the plot, since it leaves us with so many unanswered questions. Why were the monster's faceless victims locked up, and why didn't anyone try to help them? How did they breathe? Wouldn't they need some kind of intravenous nourishment, since they were unable to eat or drink? How were they able to remain standing and to move about, if all their brain activity had ceased? Also, the plot resolution at the end doesn't make much sense, which means that all the nice, creepy build-up earlier in the episode doesn't quite pay off.
Once again, this isn't a great episode for the tenth Doctor. With the exception of 'The girl in the fireplace' and 'School reunion' the second season's writers don't quite seem to know what to do with him, which leaves us with little else than manic mannerisms interspersed with angry shouting. Rose fares a little better, though she's incapacitated for much of the episode. The smugness in their relationship still grates.
My verdict:
Not flawless, but it's nice to see new Doctor Who do something as unusual as this.
An introduction:
Doctor Who reviews: introduction
More "nice!" Doctor Who:
Doctor Who reviews: nice!
More Doctor Who with David Tennant:
Doctor Who reviews: 2005 - now
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BBC Episode guide
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