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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Doctor Who: Series 1 Episode 13 "The Parting Of Ways" [Emz]

So I've reached the end of the series! Blimey!

Here we are with The Parting Of Ways. This is the last episode of the Series and Christopher Eccleston's final ever episode as The Doctor.

This episode aired originally on the 18th June 2005 on BBC One.

Here is the synopsis:

Rose and the Doctor's friendship is put to the test, as Earth plunges into an epic war with the human race being slaughtered.

Review:

The episode picks up where the last episode ended. The Doctor and Jack rescue Rose by materialising the TARDIS around her. Which is very clever if you ask me, I wouldn't have thought of it.

The Doctor learns that the Daleks survived the Time War (barely) and have been driven mad by the human values they have absorbed.

After arriving back on Floor 500, Jack and The Doctor set about building a Delta Wave to fry the Daleks brains, unfortunately they don't have as much time as needed.

They get the extrapolater covering the top 6 levels and Jack leaves to help get  volunteers ready to battle the Daleks.  

The Doctor checks on the Delta Wave and realises that its not ready. He tricks Rose into the TARDIS on the pretence he can cross his own timeline. The TARDIS de-materialises with only Rose on board. 

A hologram of thee doctor Appears and tells Rose that he has activated Emergency Program One and the TARDIS is taking Rose home. 

Rose lands back home and is crushed. Her mum is just happy to have her home. 

The Daleks force their way in on floor 494 and begin their ascent upwards.

Rose back home in the 21st Century, still upset is being told my her mum and Mickey to just get on with her life. Rose on the other hand is having none of it and tells them that The Doctor showed her a better way of living your life.

She runs into the paved area of the Estate and notices Bad Wolf scrawled all over the floor and walls, she realises there is a link between The doctor and her even though they are in different places and times.

With Mickey's help with the towtruck, Rose opens the heart of the TARDIS and they look into each other. She transports back to the Gamestation just before the Daleks shoot The Doctor. 

She becomes Bad Wolf and destroys the Daleks to ashes and resurrects Jack. The Doctor realises that the power on th time vertex running though her head will kill her and kisses her to take it away. Rose passes out.

When Rose wakes up The Doctor is talking about all the things they would have done together. rose asks why they can't do those things. 

The Doctor explains that the Time Lords have a way of cheating  death and he wont be the same if he gets to do them. He tells her she was fantastic and so was he and then light explodes from his hands and face. When it is all over he looks completely different.

David Tennant takes over as The Doctor.

This episode ending shocked me. i didn't read any newspapers or seen it on the TV that Christopher Eccleston was leaving so it was a huge surprise. But I looked forward to the Christmas Special.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 1 Episode 12 "Bad Wolf" [Emz]

We've almost reached the end of Series 1! Can you Believe it?!

So here we are with episode 12 'Bad Wolf.' We return to a familiar place from earlier in the series, but it has changed quite a bit and we have gone further forward in time. 

This episode originally aired on the 11th June 2005 on BBC One. This is the first part of the last two-part episodes of this series.

Here is the synopsis:

The Doctor, Rose and Capt. Jack have to fight for their lives, but the Doctor soon realizes that Armageddon is fast approaching.

Review:

So the story opens with The Doctor, Jack and Rose part of Game shows. The Doctor is part of Big Brother, Jack is on What Not To Wear (an extreme edition) and Rose is on the Weakest Link.

Once the Amnesia clears, The Doctor remembers being of the TARDIS heading back from Kyoto, Japan 1336 when there was suddenly a bright light.

They begin to realize the games are not as they seem as if voted off you are incinerated.

Rose and The doctor begin to realize that they have been planted in the game. The Doctor is booted off Big Brother but isn't disintegrated which means that someone wants The Doctor there for a reason.

The Doctor escapes the games with Lynda, who he befriended in there. Jack catches up with him and they go in search of Rose.

Rose is from a different Century to the questions she is being asked in The Weakest Link and is kept on until the end so that guy can win. The doctor and Jack think They have made it on time just for her to be disintegrated before their eyes.

Whilst this is going on The Doctor realizes they are on Satellite 5 years later than last time.

The Doctor questions The Controller on who killed Rose. At first she is is unable to answer until the Solar flare gives her a few minutes to speak.

Before The Controller is killed by her Masters, She is unable to to tell The Doctor who she is working for as she cannot say their name. Jack works out during this time that Rose is still alive and the beam is a trans-mat beam and Rose was transported elsewhere. He also discovers where the TARDIS is.

The Trans-mat beam is traced and eventually shows thousands of Dalek ships and then the Doctor gets and incoming feed from the lead Dalek ship and The doctor informs Rose he's coming to get her.

This episode was really good. there were funny bit's, where the Robots of Tinny and Susanna from What not To Wear wanted to change Jack's appearance and give him a dogs head.

But the way we finally see the reveal of Bad Wolf and coming back to somewhere they had been before was really interesting and keeps you in suspense.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 1 Episode 11 "Boom Town" [Emz]

So we are nearing the end of Series 1! If you could see me writing this you would know that i'm making a sad face right now, haha. anyway on with the review.

This episode brings back an old face that we would have remembered from earlier in the series.

This episode aired on the BBC on the 4th June 2005.

Here is the Synopsis:

The Doctor encounters an enemy from his past when the crew decides to take a holiday; an alien plot is behind the construction of a nuclear power plant in Cardiff.

Review:

So in this episode we see the return of Margaret the Slitheen from the first of the double episodes Aliens of London/ World War Three. It seems that she has somehow survived the explosion that destroyed Downing Street and is now the Mayor in Cardiff.

Of course as we always know the Doctor is never looking for trouble and only stopped off in Cardiff to refuel and so rose could collect her passport from Mickey.

Obviously the Doctor comes to see what has happened to Margaret once they stop for Lunch.

They go to meet her and she tries to escape, with no success due to the Doctor being "good at teleports."

Margaret clearly has an ulterior motive for being in Cardiff and is trying to destroy the earth once again. This appears to be a running theme for her. 

Mickey tells Rose he is seeing someone else, but ask her to come back to him evetually which she is unable to answer as the Rift has been ruptured.

After rupturing the rift with the extrapolater attached the the TARDIS, Margaret takes Rose hostage and the rest of the team are unable to do anything to stop it, until Margaret in bathed in white light from the Heart of the TARDIS and is turned into an egg so she can restart her life again.

The episode ends with The Doctor, Rose and Jack taking Margaret as an egg back to Raxacorofallapatorius.

io enjoyed the gags in this episode, from Jack's jokes to the teleport scene and also the way the Doctor is prepared for anything Margaret throws his way when they are out having food. 

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from this episode:

Secretary: The Lord Mayor says, Thank you for popping by. She’d love to have a chat but she’s up to her eyes in paperwork. Perhaps if you could make an appointment for next week.

The Doctor: She’s climbing out the window, isn’t she?

Secretary: Yes she is.

Jack about Rose and Mickey: Aw, sweet. Look at these two. How come I never get any of that?

The Doctor: Buy me a drink first.

Captain Jack: Such hard work.

The Doctor: But worth it.

Thats all for this review

till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 1 Episode 10 "The Doctor Dances" [Emz]

So... sorry for a slight absence. but here we are with Part 2 of  The Empty Child. 

This episode is called The Doctor Dances. It first aired on the 28th May 2005 on BBC One.

Here is the synopsis:

The Child's plague is spreading throughout wartime London, and its zombie army is on the march. The Ninth Doctor and Rose form an alliance with intergalactic con man Captain Jack, but find themselves trapped in the abandoned hospital. They head to the crash site of Jack's supposed space junk and discover the ground zero for the mysterious plague.

Review:

So last time we saw the Doctor, Rose and Jack they were stuck in the Hospital surrounded by the people who had become Gas mask zombies... for the lack of a better word.

So as this episode begins, the Doctor shouts for them to go to their rooms. Of course not thinking they get trapped in the the the little boy with the Gas Mask's 'Room.' 

The Doctor and Rose work out that Jack is the reason that that people are turning into Gas Mask Zombies as the empty 'ambulance' was what The Doctor and Rose followed into the Blitz and Jack released it.

The nano-genes which healed rose in the last episode are what was in the Ambulance and it didn't know what the difference was between the mask and his skin.

The Doctor Realises that Nancy is the boys mother and not his sister and the Nano genes fix the problems that couldn't be fixed before. 

The doctor sends the Nano genes to heal all the other people affected, with some interesting side effects (a woman's leg grows back)

A the episode ends, The Doctor and Rose save Jack from sacrificing himself to save everyone from the bomb and they head off on adventures unknown.

This epiosde was the second half of the creepy episode and this one creeped me out just as much but I was glad there was a happy ending.

I loved the quote about a woman's leg growing back and Richard Wilson's character says "There is a war on, is it possible you miscounted?"

I love Doctor Who and would watch many episodes in a heart beat but this episode and The Empty Child are ones I wouldn't watch in a hurry, but never say never.

Thats all for now

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 1 Episode 9 "The Empty Child" [Emz]

So this is the 1st half of the second of the two-part episodes (there are three two-part episodes in this series)

This episode and the next one... When I first watched them... boy did they creep me out, I don't think I slept well that night. They are still not my favourite episodes and if I keep watching them too much they would still give me the creeps. But  anyway on with the review.

There are a couple of guest stars to mention in this episode: John Barrowman - this was the first episode of Doctor Who he appeared in. Florence Hoath (Fairytale: A True Story), Cheryl Fergison (Eastenders) and Richard Wilson (One Foot In The Grave).

This Episode aired originally on the 21st May 2015 on BBC One.

Here is the Synopsis:

Chasing a metallic object through the Time Vortex, the Ninth Doctor and his companion, Rose Tyler, arrive in London during the Blitz. While Rose meets "Captain Jack Harkness", the dashing Time Agent responsible for bringing the object, the Doctor finds a group of homeless children terrorised by Jamie, an "empty" child wearing a gas mask.

Review:

What an episode this was. I was always used to the weird and the downright bonkers but this episode creeped me out.

So We learn that most of the universe use Code Mauve for Emergencies. The Doctor and Rose follow a Cylinder heading for the centre of London.

They materialise in London 1941, right in the middle of The Blitz. The doctor goes to find out where they are and what year they are in. In the meantime Rose follows a Boy who she thinks is lost. She ends up floating in the air attached to a Barrage balloon and is saved by Captain Jack Harkness.

The Doctor in the mean time is searching for Rose and heads back to the TARDIS and the outside phone rings despite someone telling him not to answer it he does so anyway. This is where the main part of the story begins, He hears are you my mummy? down the telephone. 

So we have a child with a Gas Mask on his face and he constantly chants are you my mummy? The Doctors been warned not to touch the boy else he will turn into a Gas Mask Zombie also.

The doctor finds hospital ward full of people in seemingly Catatonic states with Gas Masks on their faces. There is one doctor looking after them (Richard Wilson) before he too turns into one of them.

To finish off the episode, Rose and Jack catch up with The Doctor (Who Jack thinks is called Doctor Spock) and he thinks he can buy the TARDIS from him as he is a Conman. They are then trapped as the Gas Mask people wake up and corner them chanting are you my mummy?

This episode was extremely creepy and it was emphasised by the location of London in the middle of the Blitz and its at night with bombs dropping and light flashing.

I will review the Second half "The Doctor Dances" next time.

Till then

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 1 Episode 7 " The Long Game" [Emz]

So here is "The Long Game" We are getting close to another double episode and I know full well the first time I watched those episodes it creeped me out.

But anyway back to this episode. This is the first appearance of Satellite 5. The next appearance is also this series but not quite yet. We also have a brief  'Cameo' by the Face Of Boe, who we first met in episode 2.

This episode originally aired on the 7th May 2005 on BBC One.

Here is the synopsis:

New companion of the Ninth Doctor, Adam Mitchell, takes his first trip in the TARDIS. The ship materialises in Satellite 5, a space station that broadcasts across the entire Fourth Great and Bountiful Human Empire. However, something is amiss: the Empire's attidude and technology is backwards, those who are promoted to Floor 500 simply disappear, humanity is possibly being manipulated by the news, and who exactly is the sinister Editor's employer?

Review:

This episode was very odd but I liked it. So this is Adam's first trip into space, let alone the future. After being shown a section of the space station, Adam proceeds to faint at which the Doctor says to Rose, "That's your Boyfriend" and she says, "Not anymore." 

They find that Satellite 5 projects to New around the world.  They gather all the news through the chip in their heads. They soon learn that something is not right. The Doctor realizes that the way things are being run and the technology are 90 years too old. 

We later learn that The Editor (Simon Pegg) is actually a Puppet for someone else, this turns out to be the Jagrafess. The Editor holds The Doctor and Rose hostage and wants to know who they are as they are not known at all.

In this time Adam has gone wandering and ended up with a chip implanted in his head and it can open up at the front of his head. He goes to try and gather lots of information but ends up giving The editor exactly what he wanted, Knowledge on The Doctor and Rose. It takes Cathica who they met previously to stop it.

Of course after The Jagrafess is destroyed by overheating it, The Doctor sends Adam back home as he will not allow him to travel with him again.

The funniest bit is the fact that the chip in his head opens at the front with the click of a finger. When Adams mum comes home and is really happy to see him she express that time flies and then clicks her fingers and Adam's forehead opens up.

Recurring Theme: The Recurring theme throughout this series is Bad Wolf. It is first mentioned in Episode 2 The end of The world Were 'The Bad Wolf Scenario' is Mentioned. Again in episode 3 The Unquiet Dead when Gwenyth mentions The Big Bad Wolf when she can see where Rose is actually from. The words Bad Wolf are seen in Aliens or London/ World War Three, spray painted onto the TARDIS. In this episode there is TV channel called Bad Wolf TV.

Next time I will be reviewing is the emotional Father's Day.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Timeless Season 1 Episode 5 "The Alamo" [Emz]

So here we are with episode 5 "The Alamo." This episode originally aired on the 31st October 2016.

Here is the synopsis for this episode:

Flynn returns to the pivotal event in the war over Texas, and the team finds itself stranded inside the Alamo, with no hope of being rescued.

Review:

So this was an interesting one. Being British I know next to nothing about The Alamo but I have heard the name before. So this episode is set 1836 and It is supposed to be Wyatt's last mission due to the fact that he hasn't been able to kill Flynn. 

Heading into The Alamo was easy enough, but getting out is the hard part. Flynn's plan was to get the Mexican army to attack the Alamo three days earlier than originally planned. William B. Travis is killed by Flynn before he can write his Victory or Death letter, so Lucy has to create one. 

They meet James Bowie and Davy Crockett in the process of saving history. 

At the end of the episode, Lucy and Rufus prevent Wyatt from being fired and Lucy makes peace with her mother, who gives her the name of her father.

I really enjoyed this episode. Irt was a little amusing when Wyatt broke character and wouldn't play along with Lucy's story. But being in a war zone clearly affected Wyatt and he ended up spilling his backstory of his time in the army and how he survived in a brief way to James Bowie.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 1 Episode 5 "World War Three" [Emz]

Here is part 2! This is episode 5 "World War Three."

So yeah World War Three, fighting of Aliens trying to destroy the Earth.

this episode originally aired on BBC One on 23rd April 2005.

Here is the premise:

The world edges toward mankind's first interplanetary war, as the Doctor and Rose try to escape from Downing Street.

Review: 

I enjoyed both parts if this 2 part episode, obviously the Doctor survives the electrocution else it would be a short series, now along with Harriet Jones' help they have to work out how to stop these Aliens and work out what they are after on earth. 

I laughed alot at the dialogue between the characters and they way they include the press to show who each MP etc. (members of the Slitheen family) that show up at Downing Street and randomness of some of them.

The ending is brilliant, first with the way Mickey and Jackie destroy one of the Slitheen family and then with Mickey's help the way they get rid of the rest of the family.

It was a brilliant episode.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 1 Episode 4 "Aliens Of London" [Emz]

So here we go first episode back in the present after the first episode 'Rose.'

This episode is called Aliens Of London. I mean just because they are back in the present day and on earth doesn't mean that there won't be aliens!

This episode first aired on BBC One on the 16th April 2005.

Here is the premise:

The Doctor takes Rose home, but the world goes on alert when an alien spacecraft crashes in the Thames.

Review:

This episode was a second glimpse of The Doctor Getting time wrong.. except this time he got it majorly wrong. He was a whole year late bringing Rose home. He got slapped for that by Rose's mum which was quite funny. 

It was interesting to see an Alien crash landing in the Thames and it turning out to be a cover up for the real aliens already being on earth. This is where we meet Toshiko Sato for the first time, she will later be part of the cast of Torchwood.

We also first meet Harriet Jones (MP for Flydale North) she will appear again in episode 5, the Christmas Special and Series 4.

The funniest part of this episode is the farting aliens, we find out in episode 5 what it's all about. Of course with this being a 2-part story it ends on a cliffhanger wit the Aliens revealing themselves in Downing Street calling themselves the Slitheen and all the guests including the Doctor getting electrocuted.

The next Doctor Who episode Ii will review is World War Three.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: 12 Monkeys Season 1 Episode 3 "Cassandra Complex" [Emz]

So here we are with episode 3, The Cassandra Complex. This episode takes Cole to Haiti in the search for the night room.

Here is the plot:

Cole is led to Haiti in 2014, where a dangerous outbreak proved to be a devastating moment in Dr. Railly's life.

Review:

It's interesting to see how this story is developing. Cole is travelling into the past and is changing the way things are happening in the future. He's also meeting people when he knows who the are but they don't know who he is. 

In this episode he has to go one year into the past before he re-meets Cassandra. He is there to see someone else and he has to avoid Cassandra. When he shows up again in 2015 he has more secrets than when he went into 2014.

We also get a little insight into Cole's past in the future and t's quite clear it's not exactly a good one.

I am intrigued with the pace of the story and am looking forward to watching more.

Next up is Episode 4 "Atari."

Till then

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 1 Episode 3 "The Unquiet Dead"

So this is the third episode of Christopher Eccleston's only series as the Doctor. The episode aired on 9th April 2005. It was written by Mark Gatiss.

Here is the plot:

The Doctor takes Rose back through time to 1869. In Victorian Cardiff the dead are walking and creatures made of gas are on the loose.

Review:

This was an interesting episode. It's also quite funny as it reminds me of a quote from series 4, but that something for another day.

So in this episode we have 'The Gelth' a ghost like being, that seems to want help going back to it's homeworld. Of course there is always a catch. 

It must have been a weird one to film... a parent dead bodies suddenly up and walking. We also first meet Eve Myles as Gwenyth (she later goes on to play Gwen in Torchwood) 

It was also great as we meet famous faces in the past. In this case we meet Charles Dickens, who ends up helping out in this episode.

I really liked this episode.. with it being set in the past , plus we witness firsthand for the first time this series, the Doctor landing the TARDIS in the wrong place and wrong time. instead of Naples 1860 it's Cardiff 1869. 

So next up for me to review is the 2-part story (episodes 4 & 5) Aliens of London/ World War 3.

Till then

Emz x

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TV Review: Timeless Season 1 Episode 4 "Party at Castle Varlar" [Emz]

So here we are episode 4, Party at Castle Varlar. This one is a little further forward in time, I belive it's set in the 1940's

Here is the plot:

Lucy, Wyatt and Rufus find themselves in Germany in the midst of World War II, where they must race to stop Flynn and end his psychotic crusade; the team meets one of literature's most popular figures.

Review:

So the whole plot at the beginning of this episode is to stop Flynn using the atom bomb. So Lucy, Wyatt and Rufus follow Flynn to Nazi Germany in 1944. We even have Ian Fleming (not the real one) helping them out on this mission, even though he really doesn't know why they are really there. 

I really enjoyed this episode, from the jokes from Ian Fleming saying how much they stood out. I enjoyed that fat that they always seem to head back in time thinking Flynn has one thing in mind and then ends up realising that actually, that's not quite what he has in mind.

I enjoyed all the undercover parts including Ian portraying a Nazi General/ Captain (I forgot...oops!)  and found it funny how their adventures create a brand new James Bond story (Ian Fleming created James Bond.... if you didn't already know that)

So next up in my Timeless reviews is episode 5 "The Alamo."

Till the next post

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 1 Episode 1 "Rose" [Emz]

Being a big Doctor Who fan i'm surprised it's taken me this long to review anything Doctor who related.

This is the episode that started it all for me, prior to this I was either too young (1998 movie) or wasn't born (classic series.)

The episode first premiered on BBC One on the 26th March 2005.

Here is the Premise to the episode: 

When Rose Tyler meets a mysterious stranger called the Doctor, her life will never be the same again. Soon she realises that the whole of planet Earth is in danger.

Review:

As I stated above this is the episode that got me hooked on Doctor Who. I was 14 years old when it was first released... 

The way we meet Rose before the Doctor feels like we are seeing things from her point of view, also as a new viewer you are going through the motions with her, like who is this man and what is he doing.

The whole living plastic/ nestine consciousness thing was quite cool. Special effects were still developing in 2004/ 2005 but it was still effective. 

Anyway thats all for now.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: 12 Monkeys Season 1 Episode 2: "Mentally Divergent" [Emz]

So this is the second episode of the first season of 12 Monkeys. I may only be 2 episodes in but i'm enjoying taking my time with this show. 

Here is the Premise:

A patient in a mental institution may hold the key to the plague that destroys the world; Dr. Railly risks her life to help Cole, despite the risk to history.

Review:

This episode introduces more characters and how they play a part in the Virus being released/ being created. I liked the way that Cole is meant to be transported back to 2015 again but they get the coordinates wrong and he ends up in North Korea in 2006 (reminds me a little of Doctor Who.) Also the way all the new characters are introduced is brilliant as some of them pop up with no name or background story and yoou are left wondering who the person is.

I really look forward to continuing with this show.

I will review Episode 3 "Cassandra Complex" soon.

Till next time 

Emz x

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TV Review: Timeless Season 1 Episode 3 "Atomic City" [Emz]

So I have finally seen episode 3! This episode is called Atomic City and is based a year before JFK's assassination, 1962.

Here is the Premise for this episode:

Flynn and the team are on the run with the era's most infamous mistress in 1962 Las Vegas; Rufus meets an old mentor who may have dark motives; Lucy's personal life starts to crumble; Wyatt tries to change history.

Review:

I enjoyed the twists in this episode. They travel back in time after Flynn expecting to be trying to stop JFK's assassination a year early. But the story of course takes a twist. I really enjoy the way the story keeps going through different years in the past and each time at least keep coming up against different issues or perhaps its a good thing. With Lucy wearing a very skimpy waitress outfit and getting leered at by other men and Rufus being invisible due to the colour of his skin.

I will hopefully review episode 4 "Party at Castle Varlar" soon.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: 12 Monkeys Series Premiere: "Splinter" [Emz]

So I just watched the very first episode on Netflix. I'm not sure what I expected but it was certainly different to what I had in mind.

For those of you who haven't seen is here is the series premise:

 A man from the post-apocalyptic future, Cole uses a dangerous, untested method of time travel to get from 2043 to the present day. He is on a mission to locate and rid the world of the source of the plague that will eventually annihilate the human race. Assisting him is Dr. Cassandra Railly, a virologist who must decide whether to do harm in order to save the world -- regardless of the fact that she has taken the Hippocratic oath. The sci-fi series is based on Terry Gilliam's 1995 film, which starred Bruce Willis as Cole.

Review:

So, I haven't seen the original movie that this series is based on, but this episode was completely Sci-fi all the way through. I loved the way the characters connected with past, present and future, from comments thrown out there to thing we and the characters are yet to explore to the way time travel affects them.

The title of the episode refers to the type of time travel depicted in this series.

Amanda Schull who plays Dr. Cassandra Railly, is not stranger to playing complicated characters as she played Sara Evans / Katie Ryan in One Tree Hill and for those of you who have watched the series well she is definitely not a wallflower of a character.

There are currently 2 seasons on Netflix, with the third season hopefully coming soon after ending in the US in May.

I will review episode 2 soon.

Till Then

Emz x

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TV Reviews: Timeless Season 1 Episode 2 "The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln" [Emz]

So I have just watched the second episode of Season 1. The title is "The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln." So this mean they have travelled back in time to the end of the Civil War.

The bad guy of this series is called Garcia Flynn and is intent on changing American History. So that is why they have to follow him back in time to stop that from happening.

Here is the premise: 

Lucy, Wyatt and Rufus track Garcia Flynn to the night of Lincoln's assassination, where he has joined up with John Wilkes Booth; the team debates whether they should alter history.

Review:

So, this episode was really good. Both episodes sof ar have dealt with the theme of slavery, this time it is the men free from slavery that have been fighting in the Civil War. the idea that Flynn wants to get Boothe to kill more people than just Abraham Lincoln means that the impact on history will be significantly different. with the character of Lucy still dealing with the aftermath of her sister being erased from time as well.

I will review the next episode: Atomic City soon.

Till then

Emz x

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TV Review: Timeless Season 1 Premiere "Pilot" [Emz]

So I finally started watching this tonight on Netflix. I have to admit it's not bad. I'll happily watch anything that features time travel (*cough* nothing beats Doctor Who *Cough*) haha!! Anyway, I'm only one episode in and there were alot of faces I recognised but I did have google them to make sure I was correct.

The actors that portray two of the main characters, Abigail Spencer (Cowboys & Aliens, This Mean War) and Matt Lanter (90210, Star-crossed, Vampires Suck) I recognised them but its the actors portraying the recurring and guest characters that  took me by surprise.

So the first is the actress who played the guest character Kate Drummond for this episode, Shantel VanSanten, she has starred in One Tree Hill and The Flash, she is currently starring in Shooter. Also in a recurring are Matt Frewer who I am currently watching in The Librarians (season 1) and Susanna Thompson who for me is best known for playing Moira Queen in Arrow.

Here is the premise from IMDB for this episode:;

An unlikely team must travel through time and stop a criminal mastermind from destroying the past.

Review:

So I've only watched the first episode but, so fat so good. The twists in the story and how they struggle to keep everything as it was in the past, not always with success is very interesting. I am looking forward to seeing how the season progresses. 

That's it for now. I will hopefully review another episode of this in the future,

Till then

Emz x

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