“The Death of the Doctor” Review

This two part episode is one the most eagerly awaited by fans since the series began. This episode was penned by ex Doctor Who Head Writer and executive producer, Russell T Davies. The episode sees the return of an old companion of the Doctor's from the 70's, Jo Grant last seen in the Third Doctor story, Green Death. This episode starts with UNIT informing Sarah Jane and the gang that the Doctor has been found dead. Sarah Jane refuses to believe the Doctor is dead but decides to go to a UNIT base, where the Doctor's funeral is to take place, taking Rani and Clyde with her. A race of “universal undertakers” called the Shansheeth conduct the ceremony. Clyde and the gang are suspicious of the Shansheeth and decide to investigate, climbing into an air vent and then listening to the conversations. They overhear that the whole thing was designed as a trap for Sarah Jane and Jo and go off to find them both. Clyde notices blue energy emitting from the palm of his hand and soon the Doctor has managed to switch places with Clyde, from over a ten thousand light years, sending him to an alien planet, and bringing the Doctor back to Earth. The episode ends with a Shansheeth firing a laser at the Doctor, from his claw.

Now, for my opinion on part one. I was pleased to hear, some weeks ago that Jo Grant would be making a return but I was extremely disappointed to hear RTD would be writing it. Jo is her feisty self, but maybe too feisty. The Shansheeth made very bad villains, they were badly realised and sounded very fake. The SJA gang just didn't sound their usual selves entirely and Sarah Jane was badly written. The whole plot has yet to be fully revealed but what was revealed came as no surprise. Very predictable. I don't feel it's entirely fair to judge a two parter on the first part, but I wouldn't be surprised if part two is actually worse. The Doctor was his usual self. I congratulate Russell T Davies for bringing the Doctor's latest incarnation to life. It must have been hard for him to write for a Doctor that he had no part in inventing. So, overall the episode was ambitious but never pulled quite managed to pull it off.

Review of Part Two coming soon!