TV Review: Doctor Who Series 2 Episode 4 "The Girl In The Fireplace" [Emz]

So the next episode is The Girl in The Fireplace.

This episode originally aired on BBC One on the 6th May 2006.

This episode also starred Noel Clarke as Mickey Smith and Guest starred Sophia Myles as Reinette/ Madame de Pompadour.

This was the first appearence of the Clockwork Droids. They next appear in Deep Breath (Series 8, Episode 1)

Here is the Synopsis:

Madame de Pompadour finds the court at Versailles under attack by sinister clockwork killers and her only hope of salvation lies with the Doctor.

Review:

I enjoyed this episode. It was written by Steven Moffat who as we know later took over from Russel T Davies as the 'Showrunner.'

So the TARDIS lands on a Space Ship that seems to be empty. After exploring the ship they find a fireplace from the 18th Century. The doctor finds a young girl on the other side called Reinette who lives in Paris in 1727.

The Doctor works out that the Fireplace is a time window.

As the story progresses, it is worked out that the Clockwork droids that are discovered in the Spaceship are after Madame Du Pompadour. They want to use her to fix the ship, but they have to find her at the right age.

The doctor has to trap himself in 18th Century France to stop the droids from killing her. As he breaks the time windows the droids give up and shut down. 

The doctor invites Reinette to travel with him in the TARDIS after he finds the time window in the Fireplace still works. When he goes back to collect her however, he discovers 7 years have passed and she has died. She left him a letter as a final goodbye.

The last part of the story was quite sad, but it was enjoyable not many young people would know who Madame Dy Pompadour is so it was an interesting link to history... with some obvious changes.

I have a few favorite quotes from this episode.

Rose: Oh, here’s trouble. What you been up to?

The Doctor: Oh, this and that. Became the imaginary friend of a future French aristocrat, picked a fight with a clockwork man… [A horse whinnies off screen] Oh, and I met a horse.

Mickey: What’s a horse doing on a spaceship?

The Doctor: Mickey, what’s pre-revolutionary France doing on a spaceship? Get a little perspective!

Rose: Oh, look at what the cat dragged in. The Oncoming Storm.

The Doctor: Mm. You sound just like your mother.

Rose: What have you been doing? Where have you been?

The Doctor: Well… among other things I think I just invented the banana daiquiri a couple of centuries early. Do you know they’d never even seen a banana before. Always take a banana to a party, Rose. Bananas are good.

Rose: You’re NOT keeping the horse!

The Doctor: I let you keep Mickey, now lets go!

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 2 Episode 3 "School Reunion" [Emz]

So finally I am posting again for my Doctor Who reviews!

This episode originally aired on the 26th April 2006, on BBC One.

"School Reunion" is one of my favourite episodes of  Series 2 as we have familiar faces that we know from previous episodes of Series 2 and 1, but also from the some of the past seasons before Doctor Who was cancelled in 1989.

Along side Rose (Billie Piper) and the 10th Doctor (David Tennant) we have Mickey Smith (Noel Clarke) and the return on Sarah-Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) as well as K-9.

Here is the Synopsis:

The Doctor investigates a haunted London school and runs into an old friend.

Review:

I loved this episode as we start with The Doctor and Rose undercover. Mickey had been in touch and informed them of some strange goings on at a school.  The Children are suddenly becoming extremely intelligent and it has attracted Media attention.

So we have The Doctor undercover as a Science Teacher called 'John Smith' and Rose having to pose as a Dinner Lady - much to her annoyance.

Investigative Journalist Sarah-Jane Smith arrives at the school and The Doctor immediately knows who she is but has to act as if she doesn't.

Of course, that night after the school is closed both Sarah-Jane and Rose, The Doctor and Mickey are looking around the building and Sarah-Jane comes across the TARDIS and the Doctor reveals who he is. Of course we all know that Sarah-Jane is no stranger to The Doctor or the TARDIS. 

So she joins up with The Doctor and Rose, who is a little jealous and has no idea who she is as The Doctor has never mentioned her.

They search the school and find 13 bat-like creatures asleep in the Headmaster, Mr Finch's (Anthony Head) Office. The Doctor informs them that they are Krillitanes. They return to Sarah-Janes car to find K-9 Mark III in the boot, unfortunately he isn't working.  After The Doctor fixes him he identifies the oil at Krillitane Oil.  

The next day The doctor confronts Mr Finch who confirms they are Krillitanes. Rose and Sarah-Jane bond over how the The Doctor treats the TARDIS. 

Later it is discovered that the Krillitanes are using the children to solve the "Skasis Paradigm" a theory of everything. Mr Finch tries to persuade The Doctor into joining him in solving it, trying to tempt him to save the Timelords and stop human's dying.

Sarah-Jane manages to set him straight and they rescue the Schoolchildren before K-9 blows up the school with the Krillitanes and K-9 still inside.

The episode ends with Sarah-Jane rejecting the offer to travel in the TARDIS again and Mickey joining Rose and The Doctor. 

After the farewells and TARDIS disappears Sarah-Jane is left with K-9 Mark IV. 

I througherly enjoyed this episode, as I had never really watched anything for the 'Classic' Series I wasn't really that familiar with Sarah-Jane Smith but I had heard of her and seen the advertisements for her Audio Series. 

The most enjoyable thing following this episode is that she gets her own TV Series The Sarah-Jane Adventures, then reappears at the end of Series 4 and again before the end of the 10th Doctor's final episode before 11th Doctor takes over, "The End Of Time". Of course both Doctors (10th and 11th) appear in The Sarah-Jane adventures also.

The saddest thing is that Elisabeth Sladen passed away in 2011.

I will be starting reviews for The Sarah-Jane Adventures soon. 

Till next time

Emz x.

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 2 Episode 2: Tooth and Claw [Emz]

Hey guys! So i'm back reviewing episode 2 of Series 2. This one is called Tooth and Claw. In this episode we meet Queen Victoria.

The recurring Theme from this series begins here. The house that Rose and the Doctor arrive at is "Torchwood House."

This episode first aired on BBC One on the 22nd April 2006.

Here is the synopsis:

The Doctor and Rose travel back to 1879, but an encounter in the Scottish Highlands with Queen Victoria and a band of warrior monks reveals a deadly trap.

Review:

This episode was really enjoyable. We had the continuing theme going of messing up where they are supposed to be going. On this occasion they end up on 1879, Scotland instead of 1979, Sheffield.

After stepping out of the TARDIS it doesn't take long for them to realize that they are not where they are supposed to be. Then of course they bump into Queen Victoria.

The villains in this episode are Monks, which seems very strange to say and a Werewolf. 

David Tennant gets to use his natural Scottish accent a bit in this episode after posing as Dr. James McCrimmon. There are alot of references to the classic series also. 

Of course a big part of this episode has everyone running from the werewolf and a little chunk of the Doctor licking walls.

They finally traps the werewolf in the library after it breaks through the ceiling and they use the telescope and the Koor-I Noor diamond to revert the Werewolf back to human form and destroy the alien life-form.

The Doctor and Rose are then knighted and then banished. 

This episode was really funny, I enjoyed the references to Jamie McCrimmon the Second Doctor's companion. I laughed at Rose's attempt at a Scottish accent and the £10 bet that Rose could get Queen Victoria to say she was not amused. Finally the first sign of the link to Torchwood.

I will be reviewing School Reunion soon.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 2 Episode 1 "New Earth" [Emz]

So I have now reached Series 2. We have a new Doctor (David Tennant) and new adventures.

So we start with the first episode "New Earth."

This episode only has Rose (Billie Piper) and The Doctor (David Tennant) as main cast members. This episode Originally aired on BBC One on the 15th April 2006.

We do have a returning foe though. It isn't a Dalek but it is Cassandra. She was last seen in the Series 1 episode "The End Of The World."

Here is the Synopsis:

In the distant future, an order of cat-nuns cure all illnesses, but the Tenth Doctor is suspicious of their methods. He must uncover the truth and save Rose from the vengeance of his old enemy, the Lady Cassandra.

Review:

So this episode is set after The Christmas Invasion. It was definitely an interesting episode. From Rose being possessed by Lady Cassandra who we previously met in The End Of The World (Series 1 episode 2), The doctor rambling on about the hospital doesn't have a shop. 

We had a Cassandra-Possessed Rose snogging the doctor, I have to admit I found the Doctor's reaction was quite funny - "Still got it."

We find out that the Cat Nuns who run the place are using people as lab rats to test if the cures work before using them on the patients.

The Doctor finds out that Cassandra has possessed Rose and then we have the constant body switch between Rose and The Doctor - "Oh Baby I'm beating out a Samba!" 

The doctor meets and old friend with happens to be The Face Of Boe.

The episode ends with The Doctor curing all the sick people and Cassandra transfers herself into her assistant Chips body, they take her to a time when she was fully human and she dies in front of herself.

I enjoyed this episode and I have watched it many time over. With this being David Tennant's Series debut (1 episode of the series but 2nd episodes overall) i always enjoy it.

It's a full episode debut for his suit though as he spent the majority of The Christmas Special in Pajamas.

Next up is the episode Tooth and Claw. Another favorite of mine.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Christmas Special 2005 "The Christmas Invasion" [Emz]

So this is one of my favourite episodes. I loved David Tennant's proper introduction as the 10th incarnation of The Doctor.

Here we have a few familiar faces popping up in this episodes. We have Rose's mum - Jackie (Camille Coduri) and Rose's Boyfriend/ ex-boyfriend - Mickey Smith (Noel Clarke). We also have a reappearance of Harriet Jones (Penelope Wilton). She was last seen in the double episodes Aliens of London and World War Three.

This episode was 1 hour long instead of 45 minutes like the series.

This episode aired on Chistmas Day 2005 (25th December) on BBC One.

Here is the Synopsis:

It's Christmas Eve and high above London, the alien Sycorax are holding the Earth for ransom. The Tenth Doctor must recover from his regeneration in time to save the human race from slavery.

Review:

I have loved this episode for a long time now. This episode pick up almost straight away from the end of The Parting of Ways.

The Doctor is still going through the regeneration process and instead of going to Barcelona (the planet not the city) he takes Rose home. This just happens to coincide with Christmas Eve.

The Doctor greets Jackie and Mickey on landing wishing them a Merry Christmas and then collapses.

They take the unconscious Doctor back to Jackie's flat and dress in in Pyjamas.

The events that follow obviously leave you thinking whats going on and in my case a bit of laughter for the second of the two events. 

So Mickey and Rose go Christmas shopping. Whilst out Rose notices they are being followed by a Santa brass band, as the Santas get closer, the aim their instruments and shoot fire at Rose and Mickey.

When they get back to Jackie's flat after being unsuccessful getting hold of Jackie on the phone, Rose notices a new Christmas Tree in the Living Room, almost on cue the tree begins spinning forcefully and destroying the living room. The amusing t]thing about this was Jackie exclaiming "I'm going to get killed by a Christmas Tree."

Rose wakes up The Doctor who destroys the Christmas Tree and check outside to see the Santas were controlling the Tree. The Doctor exclaims they are pilot fish and then something is coming. He then collapses again after waking up to soon.

We then learn about a Space probe heading for Mars, losing signal and then regaining in. they get images from a spaceship from The Sycorax exclaiming they were coming to Earth to enslave the human race. We are reintroduced to Harriet Jones, who is now Prime Minister and still introduces herself as she did in Aliens of London but instead on MP for Flydale North, "Harriet Jones, Prime Minister" this is now followed by "Yes, we know who you are."

The Sycorax head to Earth at a rapid rate and hypnotise one third of the Human Race. this turns out to be through the blood sample A+ on the Probe that the Sycorax picked up in Space.

Once the Sycorax hit the Atmosphere Harriet Jones and her fellow co-workers are transported onto the spaceship and try to get the Sycorax to leave, with no success. Two of the people with are are killed.

Whilst this is going on, Rose, Mickey and Jackie carry the Doctor to the TARDIS to hide. Whilst trying to get the monitor working, the TARDIS signal is picked up by the Sycorax and they are transported on board, both completely unaware.

Rose ends up leaving the TARDIS to search for her mum,, just to scream when she sees she on the Sycorax ship. Mickey comes after her and just manages to shut the TARDIS door.

Rose speaks for the Planet whilst The doctor, she uses words from aliens she has met over time to try and get the Sycorax to leave, with no success. 

Whilst speaking the Sycorax suddenly sound like they are speaking English, but confirmed that the Sycorax were not speaking any language but their own. So Rose realises the TARDIS is translating for them and then out steps the Doctor.

The Doctor, seemingly distracted asks Rose about his appearance before address the Sycorax leader. He quotes the Lion King whilst talking about the human race, after pressing a big red button which breaks the control the Sycorax have over One third of the human race.

After not succeeding to get rid of the Sycorax, The doctor challenges the leader to  a sword fight, during this he loses a hand, but luckily for the doctor as he is still within his Regeneration cycle, he grows a new hand.

He wins the fight but the leader comes for him, finding a Satsuma in his dressing gown, that belonged to Rose's mother's 'friend.' he fires in at a button and the leader falls off the ship.

The Doctor orders the Sycorax to leave and then they are all Transported back to earth. Harrier Jones uses Torchwood to destroy he ship as it leaving, making the Doctor very angry. He says he can take her down with just 6 words. Her tells her assistant, "Don't You Think She Looks Tired?"

Ending the episode, The doctor finds a new outfit and spends Christmas dinner with the Tylers and Mickey before Rose and The doctor decide where to go next.

I enjoyed this episode so much, from the aliens to Harriet Jones' return. I also enjoyed some brilliant quotes from Jackie and The Doctor, such s Jackie asking what else The Doctor has two of when Rose tells her he has two Hearts.

Favourite quotes - The Tenth Doctor: Look at these people, these human beings. Consider their potential! From the day they arrive on the planet, blinking, step into the sun, there is more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than - no, hold on. Sorry, that's The Lion King...

The Doctor: My head!

[groans in pain]

The Doctor: I'm having a neuron implosion... I need...

Jackie Tyler: What do you need?

The Doctor: I need...

Jackie Tyler: Just say it!

The Doctor: I need...

Jackie Tyler: Tell me, tell me, tell me!

The Doctor: I need...

Jackie Tyler: Painkillers!

The Doctor: I need...

Jackie Tyler: D'you need aspirin?

The Doctor: I need...

Jackie Tyler: Codeine? Paracetamol? Oh, I dunno, Pepto-Bismol?

The Doctor: I need...

Jackie Tyler: Liquid paraffin? Vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E?

The Doctor: I need...

Jackie Tyler: Is it food? Something simple? Bowl of soup? Nice bowl of soup? Soup and a sandwich? Bowl of soup and a nice ham sandwich?

The Doctor: I *need* you to *shut up*!

Jackie Tyler: Oooh, he hasn't changed that much, has he?

The Doctor: We haven't got much time. If there's pilot fish then... why is there an apple in my dressing gown?

Jackie Tyler: Oh, that's Howard's, sorry.

The Doctor: He keeps apples in his dressing gown?

Jackie Tyler: He gets hungry...

The Doctor: What, he gets hungry in his sleep?

Jackie Tyler: Sometimes.

The Doctor: [still recently regenerated] Am I... Ginger?

Rose: No, you're just sort of... brown.

The Doctor: Aww, I wanted to be ginger. I've never been ginger. And you, Rose Tyler, fat lot of good you were. You gave up on me. Ooh, that was rude. Is that the kind of man I am now? Am I rude? Rude and not ginger?

Thats only a few but i'd be here for ages if I posted all of them.

I will start reviewing Series 2 soon.

Till then

Emz x

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