Wow, wow, wow! This has got to be the best television experience I have ever had in years! As we are nearing the end of Series 4, expect outgoing executive producer and head writer Russell T. Davies to come up with one of the best and one helluva cliffhanger of an episode of Doctor Who since its revival in 2005.
Still recovering from an equally brilliant Turn Left (also by RTD) last week showcasing Tate’s dramatic talent and her eventual meeting with Piper’s Rose, the Doctor’s erstwhile companion, The Stolen Earth which is the penultimate episode of the series is an exciting, exhilirating ride that will make you cheer, cry, yearn and hope. I have never in the first 15 minutes of livestreaming it via the iPlayer have had emotions wash over me and with such intensity. The highlight of this episode of course are the Doctor’s army of friends banding together as they tried to reach the Doctor. It was a delight to see former companions Martha Jones now working for UNIT, Sarah Jane Smith, Rose Tyler, Jack Harkness and even once friend Harriet Jones (former PM) in what Tate’s Donna Noble described as an outer space Facebook.
The performances are top notch from Sarah Jane’s (Elizabeth Sladen) grief stricken face as soon as she heard the Daleks via Mr. Smith’s comm link, to John Barrowman’s Jack Harkness as he accepts defeat realising the same, to Wilf’s (Bernard Cribbins) indignance of wanting to fight with a Dalek with his paint gun and of course Penelope Wilton’s welcome return as Harriet Jones and her offer of sacrifice. (On a side note, I just saw Miss Wilton perform at the Donmar the week before).
I will not spoil the details in case my enthusiasm for this episode rubs off on you and you actually decide to catch it from the BBC’s iPlayer or it will make you want to rent the DW boxsets. What’s certain is this, next weeks much awaited episode, Journey’s End should just be as brilliant and I simply can’t wait!
The Stolen Earth: 5/5
Wow! Yes, this really was a wonderful episode. It had so much going on you hardly had time to breath. It was great to see Davros back again though I hope he doesn’t become overused like he was during the original series. (Where every Dalek story had to have Davros in it!)
Next Saturday cannot quick enough now!
Morbius, did I tell you that Genesis of the Daleks has been bumped on my rental queue? It was after I saw DW Confidential that triggered that decision.
I can’t wait to see who (oopss!) will the Doctor regenerate into. Saturday seems so far away!