I have a friend who actually thought Malcolm would be a better companion than Christina de Souza!! I looked at this episode again and.... he’s kind of right. The way they meet (which isn’t even face to face), he and the Doctor already have a good back and forth. Malcolm is in constant awe of him and the Doctor, while slightly exasperated by his....Malcolmness, immediately recognises a sharp mind. I think what clinches it for me was the fact that Malcolm was willing to DIE to make sure the Doctor and the bus group made it out before closing the portal. The way he says “I will never surrender” with a gun pointed straight at his face with such conviction and belief speaks a lot to his faith in the Doctor. He even has the stones to put the Doctor ON HOLD while he tries to solve the issue of closing the portal. All in all... I’d say Malcolm had all the makings of another great companion. P.S- I was a little miffed that they never touch on the fact that Magumbo was willing to sacrifice the entire bus group when the got back to earth.
Malcolm is known to have carried over to the UNIT ran by Kate Stewart. In Day of the Doctor, Kate mentions that Malcolm is behind the robotic birds outside the tower of London, specifically saying that they "need new batteries". I do feel bad for telling you this because it feels like I'm spoiling a future episode, even though that's not at all what I'm doing considering you've seen what I'm telling you already 😁
Today I watched the rather long edition of Doctor Who Confidential that comes on the "Planet of the Dead" disc, and I discovered that Russell T. Davies used familiar Earth creatures as a basis for aliens, not from lack of imagination, but from personal preference: apparently, he likes his aliens that way. I also gathered from various comments that Michelle Ryan (Christina in the story) might well have become a regular companion if Tennant and Davies hadn't both been about to leave. Davies commented that it would be nice to bring her back later, even if not as a regular character. She did most of her own stunts, which made a favourable impression. But evidently Moffat wasn't interested: she wasn't one of his characters.
I know this isn't a comment about the episode itself but I distinctly remember looking on the DW website looking at the countdown just waiting for the specials to air. It was a very major part of my childhood and I still can't believe this episode is over ten years old now. How time flies :)
I had assumed that it is easier to kill non humanoid characters and still keep a kid friendly rating as it is then sci-fi violence rather than "real" violence.
@@HereComesPopoBawa When "like me" is "human" it is less of a societal problem in real life. If everyone considered all humans as "like me" then society would be much better. PS I understand that sometimes aliens are used as a stand-in for a specific human group and my argument doesn't apply then.
@@HereComesPopoBawa I would think that a kinship bias is inherent in humans and society only influences how it is expressed. Everyone gives preferences to close family. But few think act with overt hostility to non family members. In real life, we need to develop empathy and broaden what we consider insiders to include all people. Society determines what is acceptable- vegans who value all animals are not considered mainstream but a future society may look back a consider us as human biased.
Regarding the fate of the aliens, I think it could have been interesting to have them escape on the bus with The Doctor back to Earth, only to be shot down by UNIT, that way it would explain why The Doctor doesn't really work with UNIT again until The Power of Three.
Daniel Raybould the pushing of Christina in this episode is necessary though, because we need that companion in person bouncing off of him to highlight why he shouldn’t travel alone, so that in the next episode we drove home that when he travel alone shit gets dark, and without anyone to hold him back he is Timelord Victorious
Meh... I never really found this specially to be all that "fillery"", if only because the companion tease we get further ties into the premise that the Doctor shouldn't travel alone, and so helps setup the line he ends up crossing in Watters of Mars.
Gotta give a mention to Daniel Kaluuya being an unknown in this, who then went on to Oscar worthy material. Something RTD seems to have a habit of, as it also happened to Felicity Jones, Andrew Garfield and Carey Mulligan. I'm so happy that Lady Christina didn't go with the Doctor, or indeed appear again. I don't like to use the term but it applies here as it all felt forced, because it was. The actress also played into that and hammed it up a little bit, but that may not have been all her fault. Lee Evans was great fun. Silly, over the top and probably better suited to a Xmas special but very likeable.
well I already knew Daniel Kaluuya from Skins and Andrew Garfield from Sugar Rush, but I suppose if you're not British you wouldn't know about either of those.
@@Faerie_Kim You could still be British and not know about those two. Not everybody watched those shows. I've never heard of Sugar Rush. You may have known them and that's fine but to the wider audience they were all unknowns. :-)
@@lwaves I would argue that that's true of like 90% of English classics being watched in the US, and vice versa. Hot Fuzz, Monty Python, Johnny English, heck even Mr Bean's Holiday are all cult classics here as well. It's just a few movies but I assume the US & America shares * most * of their cult classics.
@@WiloPolis03 To be clear, which of my points are you arguing is true of 90%? I'm not sure which bit you're referring to or why you're mentioning cult classic films. Then again, I'm feeling rough today, so brain no worky. :-) Oh yeah, there's definitely a lot of overlap with classics, it's surely part of what makes them a classic - widespread appeal. I'm trying to decide whether those things you mention would be considered cult classics or just classics in the UK. Python would definitely be a classic over here, not sure on the others, although Mr Bean (the character) is also a classic. Overlap in cult classics is also true. I mean, the one that springs to mind is Blade Runner, which was a cult classic for many years and has since moved to classic status. Just for curiousity, the go to cult classic here might be Withnail & I. Does that apply to you guys too?
It gives us an Easter Egg for the Mona Lisa episode of Sarah Jane Adventures. “First the Cup of Aplestoph is stolen, now this...” (I know I didn’t get this right.)
The thing about the Doctor prioritising humans or humanoid aliens over more alien-aliens bothers me too and always had because I felt like this show was different than many other similar stories. I think the show has [?] been getting better at this - especially since the old era lol, but yeah, it's a problem.
Love your point about how the aliens always die. Have you seen the ‘Horror Noire’ documentary? Please do, it’s excellent, but your point is exactly the same as the one that used to be made about Non-White Characters. Has RTD simply moved racism to aliens instead of Non-Caucasians? 🤨
I'm not really fussed by this if humanity has to have an us vs them mentality might as well be hatred directed vi-curiously towards a fictional people, 'cause i do doubt the utopia of non-hate is really ever going to happen.
nicholas dalli But supporting that “Us vs Them” mentality is a very short trip from Them being fictional to real. Teach your kids that death doesn’t matter when the dead don’t look like you with fictional bug people and it is a bit much of a reach to them applying that to other races or any differences between them and other people. It’s the kind of mentality that lends itself to ignoring persecution.
@@quinnsinclair7028 So the separation between fantasy and fiction doesn't exist anymore i take it. Media, imo, shouldn't have any censorship especially when it isn't real organisms getting the boot. If someone can't separate fantasy from fiction and goes on an actual killing spree off it, there are some more problems there then just being xenophobic.
Those aliens dying has always made me sad, I always love the idea of picking up characters who don't serve a huge function, but get to join in on the ride anyway, Star Wars The Clone Wars did this a few times with Clonetroopers who in most episodes were usually just meat shields. It's always a nice elements for me.
Was watching this episode today. Just noticed, one of the passengers is Dominic Copeland from Holby City. This episode sets up the downfall of Ten arc for these specials with Carmen's warning at the end, but there's also a subtle foreshadow with the posters on the bus. They advertise a mobile phone company that's owned by Naismith. Malcolm was the highlight of the episode. Wish he appeared more. He and Osgood together would be great entertainment!
I thought the plot here was decent but just couldn’t stand Lady Christina, thought she had no chemistry with Tennant. I think Michelle Ryan is a good actress, I just thought they made her character extremely irritating.
Really interesting commentary about aliens dying. Though I will say, in The God Complex, the alien was the last one alive except for our heroes. Planet of the Dead always felt like a bargain basement version of Midnight to me. And Midnight was so much better. I don't know that the Companion fake-out right after the Doctor fake-out was a great idea either. It did advance one thing, it established that not only was the Doctor Companionless, but he intended to stay that way, which was kind of a new thing then.
I like this episode, it's simple, straight forward and has Lee Evans being Lee Evans, and a flying double decker bus! The monster is pretty simplistic too and reminds me of that Vin Diesel film before he was famous, but I thought they were very effective for what they were. 7/10 for me!
I honestly like the casual Easter reference, just knowing the Doctor goes around eating Easter eggs, and celebraging different cultures holodays whenever he pleases
And apropos of nothing, today, August 7th, is the 10th anniversary of the Tenth Doctor regenerating to the 11th, and in theaters across the country they are showing the last two of his episodes on the big screen. I am going with my daughter and I'm really excited! Is anyone else going?
@@maurinet2291 I had a great time with my daughter! I have been avoiding anything that reminded me of that episode, and was disappointed that the interview with David Tenant they showed BEFORE the movie went over all the high points of the episode I was trying to avoid! I still had a great time and didn't cry. Much. I hope you enjoyed it too!
This episode is like the antithesis of midnight- still got the core premise of a bus/public transport with the threat outside, but what makes midnight work isn't present. The passengers in midnight all have fleshed out characters and turn on each other and the doctor. Here, they're just fluff, they're fodder to make sure there's stakes. The threat in midnight is a mystery. Here, it's explained and the doctor goes outside to sort it out. It's just what midnight could've been if it didn't work. Also, the flying bus is well stupid.
For me this episode just lacked any tension. On paper, being stranded on a desert planet about to be eaten by a swarm of flying sting rays sounds pretty terrifying... and yet I was bored for half of the episode 🤔
The Doctor definitely does lament the loss of Ood - certainly he comes to. I was more bothered Rose was offended by slavery (and knew there was a Resistance) and seemed to forget completely and move on.
I actually like this episode a lot, and I think half of it is because of how celebratory the ending feels, helped by the track "Lithuania". It just feels like everyone's so happy that they got out of things.
PWEI sang "In the satisfaction stakes it's like sitting on the number nine bus." I was always unsure if they meant in a bad way - like Planet of the Dead, or in a good way - like my Bad Dragon toys.
I hate Lady Christina performance-wise and simply as a concept. I honestly feel like it's out of character for the Doctor to be such fast friends with her. A wealthy, spoiled woman so bored of her easy privileged life that she decides to commit crimes and is probably never going to have any real consequences because of her blood. Maybe if they'd made her a moden female Robin Hood-type, it could've worked, but as it is, she feels like a character he has had open contempt for in the past for being uncaring aristocracy. The fact that the Doctor helps her escape in the end made me really dislike him this episode too.
Dalam Reviews Who not as good as human nature through stolen earth (in my opinion). Not any of them are below average maybe except the doctors daughter.
@@im903yearsold You're right, but even B-Movies at least try to make the monsters a bit scary. Here, we get the usual Davies Cheese. That's why he isn't my favorite writer. He can write great stories, but doesn't know when to take them seriously, and when not.
I don't know about the "bury your aliens "complaint. In the same episode Bannakaffalatta died, a whole lot of human-looking characters died, as well. I think there is just a high body count in general. Often the guest characters commit suicide, sacrificing themselves for the Doctor and/or the human race ... which became an annoying trend for me, along with "last of their kind."
At the time of production, Lee Evans was the most beloved stand-up comedian in the UK, filling some of the largest venues in Britian on his sell-out tours. He is pretty much doing what he does here & doing it 'brilliant'ly. Interestingly, his invented unit of measurement, the 'Bernard', being a shout-out to Prof. Quatermass, keeps the question open as to whether Quatermass exists in the Who universe as a real or a fictional character... is Malcolm a fan boy, name-checking old UK Sci Fi series, or is this the 'Bernard' refered to in Rememberance of the Daleks? Hmmm...
Strangely I forgot the Unit woman had been in Turn Left. Its mostly filler with major guest stars Comedian Lee Evans and Michelle Ryan (Eastenders, Jekyl, Merlin, the terrible remake of Bionic Woman and various other things) and a holiday for cast and crew to visit the desert. Although some of the interior scenes were done in a studio with pictures of desert stuck to the windows and edited so you don't notice too much. The lazy writing that aliens are less threatening because their translator device is also a lie detector. If she wasn't busy doing other things I'd be surprised the flying bus never seemed to show up anywhere. Although it was nice to have an action packed easter I kinda agree that they should have just had a crazy lady with a prophecy in the previous Christmas Special.
I pretty much agree this is a popcorn flick of an episode. Fun enough, but not a great deal of substance to it. They really did try to sell Christina De Souza as "the Companion that got away", and it seems to have worked, since she got her own Big Finish line. I got a "hey, neat" response when I saw Daniel Kaluuya too. Always worth a smile when I spot someone in a rewatch who blew up after they were on the show. Interesting point regarding the concept of aliens as redshirts - I'm interested in seeing how your observations pan out over the long term. Maybe a video if you find enough substance in the complaint.
Lee Evans who is Malcolm steals this episode. he is hilarious. if you cast a guy like Evans there is no way he is playing a serious character. he has to be comedic cus he does it so so so well and for a Essex lad i must say he does a very good Welsh accent. One moment i do like is when The Doctor is on the bus with Christina and the other passengers and he asks all the people where they were heading when they got on the bus and what they had planned for that evening. i thought it was a nice moment because its the moment that makes you appreciate what you have. When the Doctor says "it doesn't have those thing like home sand food and people" i like that. in society we kind of take for granted the things we have so i like that moment that makes you appreciate it.
I've heard it said the reason for killing off the fly people was that having them come to Earth would have meant having to use time to explain what happens to them next, but why? Could they not find 30 seconds for the Doctor to direct them to the TARDIS and tell UNIT he'd love to stay around and write an official report or something, but he has to drop a couple of friends off first.
Out of the Tennant specials, I personally found this one the most enjoyable. I didn't like "The Next Doctor" as it felt like an excuse to reuse that "the Doctor is in a watch" plot point from "Human Nature" (which I rate as the worst episode of all time, although many disagree). "Waters Of Mars" was okay, but just felt lacking something, felt like it dragged a bit. Tennant's finale was good, but I still think "Planet Of The Dead" was a much stronger episode.
I always felt this episode felt like a foil to Voyage of the Damned more than anything. Like, in that one the Doctor is looking forward to taking Astrid with him and then she dies instead and in this one Lady Christina survives but he just isn't ready to travel with anyone at this point of his life.
My head canon is that the “Knock Four Times” prophecy is something 11 said to 10 as a joke in Day of the Doctor and when the timeline corrected itself/10 wiped his memory it got transplanted onto someone who he’d met shortly before, like an incomplete editing job.
I haven't seen this since it first aired. Must admit I had completely forgotten the fly people. But have been tempted to go back mostly because it is indeed a bit of a lark.
Based on your opinion of the "Myth of The Doctor," you probably don't care for it yourself, but I do love the sheer awe and reverence the UNIT shows for the Doctor as seen in both Magambo and Malcom's interactions with him. Also, just how little the Doctor seems to even realize just how important he is to them. Something about it is just amazingly fun for me.
I always end up forgetting about this episode--you're right, it's such an empty episode with not a lot standing out. The aliens are big flies/stingrays, the bus passengers are extremely underdeveloped (compared to those in Midnight especially, which has a vaguely similar set-up) and it feels like such a shame they didn't do something with more meat on its bones. I don't hate it, not at all, I just wished they had taken this opportunity to make something really memorable. Yeesh, the Tennant specials are very hit and miss on reflection!
I don’t really see a problem with a standalone episode. Some of the best new who episodes are standalone ones. Not that this episode is like top tier doctor who but I still thought it was really fun. And I’m not that picky about cheapo costumes either since doctor who generally has janky looking aliens anyway. Just never been a problem for me.
Despite how on the nose the perfect couple thing was, I think it did its purpose pretty well. It showed us exactly what point the doctor is at with relationships with others. It could've definitely done better though. Maybe if they put just some little things in there. The doctor realizing how great they couldve been as a pair, but stuffing it down because he knows the ultimatum that comes at the end of their little adventure together. If a little more emphasis was put on that, or maybe if the villains or just something else tied into the knocking prophecy, it probably would've improved the importance of this episode. I actually rather liked it, I loved the chemistry between the doctor and her, and it did make me want them to travel together despite how on the nose it was. I also wasn't much a fan of malcom, he seemed like too much. I can only really see him taking attention away from the doctor, or his character being watered down to bring focus back to the doctor. I did think any plot points involving the people he saved weren't good enough. Midnight is the perfect example of how to make us care about the people he saves.
At least the cactus people (vinvochi?) in The End of Time survived. Though mostly by putting their foot down and straight up REFUSING to nobly sacrifice themselves for the humans, putting up with a whole shame speech from the Doctor for their troubles.
I don't get why everyone hates this episode. I get there's not much to love here but there isn't much you can really hate about it other than its just there. I really like Lady Christina, and the location but yeah it's just kind of there.
The stingray creatures and setting gave me a strong Pitch Black vibe. While I like Christina quite a bit, Malcolm is still my favorite part of the episode.
Last time I saw this, I noted it as lightweight but fun. I probably prefer that to heavyweight but no fun at all, which probably describes some other Doctor Who stories. I agree with you about the unimaginative use of existing Earth creatures for aliens, but then I struggle to think of any Doctor Who aliens that I've really liked. As for aliens getting wiped out while humans survive, I agree it's a fault in principle, but it seems to me a rather minor fault compared with all the other faults that can be found in Doctor Who stories. The writers don't care about aliens because the writers are human, and most humans don't care about fictional aliens, unless the writer's gone to a lot of trouble to make them care. "What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba, that he should weep for her?" (Hamlet, y'know)
Lee Evans is hilarious in this, it’s one of this stories where it’s so bad that I just feel a little soft spot for it because although it’s dull, you can have a good laugh. Plus I’m biased as this was the first ever doctor who story I bought on DVD, wasn’t the first story I watched though.
Well....the one thing I will take issue with in your review is your comment on the Satan Pit and the Ood. The Doctor made a comment right at the end saying he couldn't save the Ood because he only had time for one trip. Then the pilot (hey, it's the same guy who played Tennant's Man-Servant in Casanova!) 'name's' each Ood by number listing them with Toby etc. as dying at the end.
I think your description of this episode as "filler" is spot on. In reactions to another show _(Buffy),_ I've heard this referred to as a Creature Feature - a standalone story that could be dropped in pretty much anywhere, no leadup or repercussions, and not referred to afterwards. As such a story, it's fine, it's fun, it's adventurous - but not really high-stakes or deep. It is, in a word, filler.
I don't understand why he couldn't save the aliens in more episodes. I mean, the Doctor has a TARDIS so why couldn't he just drop them off at their home planet or wherever they wanted to go? It didn't even have to take up any screen time. And as for the other characters, if they can comprehend the fact that they're on a different planet, they can probably comprehend the fact that there's aliens there and they need a lift home.
Personally I enjoy this episode. It’s a fun enjoyable episode. Not it’s not a brilliant plot but in a year without a series they actually gave us 4 episodes which we didn’t get in 2016 or 2019
I like this episode overall and think you're being a bit hard on it. That being said you have pointed out the weaker parts and as always made me think about things I had not considered before. Thankyou.
I don’t mind a good filler episode, I’ve always been saying I wish doctor who would have less overarching plot these days, just as a refresh. And it’s got a certain whimsy, the flies don’t feel bad, if anything this entire episode feels kinda classic who and the flies definitely accentuate that, they feel like classic costumes. The whole thing feels very throwback with the cat burglar stereotypes like an old heist movie, the old costume design, the on location filming outdoors in battered sets, just great to me, the lack of connectivity in plot, the special skilled companion that compliments the doctor, haven’t had many of those I mean closest we got in tenants run to something that wasn’t just “a modern chick” was Martha and her doctor knowledge came into play such little it was fucking negligible. Rose, Donna, Martha, all of them were just plain clothes, the fourth doctor was friends with a fucking cavewomen. So basically I really like the episode and I was sad they never reused Malcolm or mugumary, or even Christina for that matter, instead we got osgood cate and all the other companions to come (special note every companion after was just another posh modern chick as well)
I agree with the saving of the humans thing...however, voyage of the damned was all aliens....they looked human, yes, but so does the Doctor. But it was an alien ship and Kylie even talks about how humans are aliens to her. So yes, I agree that he will save humans over aliens...that episode however, is not the best example.
Off the top of my head, the Vashta Nerada, the Judoon, the weeping angels, The little ones in Fear Her, that one Cat nuns and other cats in Gridlock, the Vinvocci characters, Margaret, the Slitheen, lots of Daleks, the Reapers.
I still love malcolm and would have loved to have seen him in another episode. Also love lady christina. I know this isn't a great episode overall but I just love those 2 characters.
Sadly, I think you outlined the argument against your own gripe. The more alien looking a character is, the more time you have to spend to make them human-sympathetic. It threatens to tip the story. The mixing of animals and humans is lazy writing, it's a short-hand we can all understand, i.e. Danny-John Jules. Is it any better or worse than forehead bumps, or pointy ears. Yeah, absolutely, it's lazy, but .... I don't want them going hog-wild on CGI, and then trying to make their motives human and comprehensible... but if there not, then would we understand/believe their motives.
Wasn't this episode the one where the knock 3 times prophecy was given to the doctor by the psychic woman on the bus (it has been a while since I saw the episode), technically making this not filler (if only barely)?
Yes but that literally has nothing to do with the plot and could have been tacked onto literally ANY story, so that doesn’t keep this from being filler.
I remember being very disappointed with this episode. The thing that really made me mad was Christina de Souza being teased as a new companion. Michelle Ryan's performance was the only good thing about it. The rest is terrible. I agree with every one of your criticisms.
I think it's more of a case that they might NOT talk about Arnie. I haven't listened to the Arnie ones but I'm really enjoying the others. The Columbo one was fantastic.
This is a Good Example of the many Issues I have with NuWho. They Break the old Barry Letts Rule. "Take the Show and Story Seriously, Not Your Selves". RTD and Moffat BROKE this Rule! Tennents Episodes Really started to show this. Yes. That bit with the OOD was a Prime Example of this. I recall David Tennent replying He could't save any of the OOD and pretty much doing a "It Sucks To Be Them". I just can't get into NuWho for this. And Really didn't like the Countess Character. Never been a fan of the Trope of "I am rich and Beautiful so its Ok when I commit Crimes" thing. Not a FAN of that At All!
Just something I anticipate you bringing up in the waters or Mars review... you seem to complain about the flood just being zombies, and how that disinterests you cause they’re overdone, but why do you then give the gasmask zombies such high praise (if not them specifically, at least the two parter they’re in) when they are also just zombies?
This was essentially an Easter special, so the Christmas fluff vibe is acceptable. Unfortunately, compared to most Xmas episodes (including the next doctor) this is really boring, forgettable and pointless. Everything felt forced and it just reeks of "we need to squeeze as much out of Tennant as we possibly can before he leaves"
I suspect it was because Steven Moffat didn't want to use any of RTDs stock characters. There was that news anchor woman who RTD used every time, and Moffat didn't once.
Soooo you’re saying the humanoid flys....bugged.... you?
Sungillee33 Thankfully someone beat me to it.
*puts on sunglasses* "YEAHHHH!"
I have a friend who actually thought Malcolm would be a better companion than Christina de Souza!! I looked at this episode again and.... he’s kind of right. The way they meet (which isn’t even face to face), he and the Doctor already have a good back and forth. Malcolm is in constant awe of him and the Doctor, while slightly exasperated by his....Malcolmness, immediately recognises a sharp mind. I think what clinches it for me was the fact that Malcolm was willing to DIE to make sure the Doctor and the bus group made it out before closing the portal. The way he says “I will never surrender” with a gun pointed straight at his face with such conviction and belief speaks a lot to his faith in the Doctor. He even has the stones to put the Doctor ON HOLD while he tries to solve the issue of closing the portal. All in all... I’d say Malcolm had all the makings of another great companion.
P.S- I was a little miffed that they never touch on the fact that Magumbo was willing to sacrifice the entire bus group when the got back to earth.
Malcolm is definitely the proto-Osgood
Lizzie Bananas Couldn’t have said it better myself!!!!
You have given me even more reasons to love Malcolm. I do hope he shows up again.
Malcolm is known to have carried over to the UNIT ran by Kate Stewart. In Day of the Doctor, Kate mentions that Malcolm is behind the robotic birds outside the tower of London, specifically saying that they "need new batteries". I do feel bad for telling you this because it feels like I'm spoiling a future episode, even though that's not at all what I'm doing considering you've seen what I'm telling you already 😁
Already know what you're going to say about the fly aliens haha
"I'll just step inside this police box and arrest myself."
That basically says all about why I like the episode. :D
The self-parody? This DW episode is anything but geeky or nerdy.
Today I watched the rather long edition of Doctor Who Confidential that comes on the "Planet of the Dead" disc, and I discovered that Russell T. Davies used familiar Earth creatures as a basis for aliens, not from lack of imagination, but from personal preference: apparently, he likes his aliens that way. I also gathered from various comments that Michelle Ryan (Christina in the story) might well have become a regular companion if Tennant and Davies hadn't both been about to leave. Davies commented that it would be nice to bring her back later, even if not as a regular character. She did most of her own stunts, which made a favourable impression. But evidently Moffat wasn't interested: she wasn't one of his characters.
I know this isn't a comment about the episode itself but I distinctly remember looking on the DW website looking at the countdown just waiting for the specials to air. It was a very major part of my childhood and I still can't believe this episode is over ten years old now. How time flies :)
I had assumed that it is easier to kill non humanoid characters and still keep a kid friendly rating as it is then sci-fi violence rather than "real" violence.
You might be right. They give aliens blue or green blood for the same reason in some things.
It’s the same way Dangenrompa get away with horrific murder scenes by making the blood pink.
True, but it still deepens the same societal problem, that bias that "legitimate people" == "like me".
@@HereComesPopoBawa When "like me" is "human" it is less of a societal problem in real life.
If everyone considered all humans as "like me" then society would be much better.
PS I understand that sometimes aliens are used as a stand-in for a specific human group and my argument doesn't apply then.
@@HereComesPopoBawa I would think that a kinship bias is inherent in humans and society only influences how it is expressed. Everyone gives preferences to close family. But few think act with overt hostility to non family members.
In real life, we need to develop empathy and broaden what we consider insiders to include all people.
Society determines what is acceptable- vegans who value all animals are not considered mainstream but a future society may look back a consider us as human biased.
3:34 Holy crap it's the rhino guy from Black Panther! The actress for Shuri was also on Doctor Who, she played the two headed person on Face the Raven
are there any british actors left that havent been on doctor who at some point
@@jennym4882 Lol true
Regarding the fate of the aliens, I think it could have been interesting to have them escape on the bus with The Doctor back to Earth, only to be shot down by UNIT, that way it would explain why The Doctor doesn't really work with UNIT again until The Power of Three.
Daniel Raybould the pushing of Christina in this episode is necessary though, because we need that companion in person bouncing off of him to highlight why he shouldn’t travel alone, so that in the next episode we drove home that when he travel alone shit gets dark, and without anyone to hold him back he is Timelord Victorious
Meh... I never really found this specially to be all that "fillery"", if only because the companion tease we get further ties into the premise that the Doctor shouldn't travel alone, and so helps setup the line he ends up crossing in Watters of Mars.
Gotta give a mention to Daniel Kaluuya being an unknown in this, who then went on to Oscar worthy material. Something RTD seems to have a habit of, as it also happened to Felicity Jones, Andrew Garfield and Carey Mulligan.
I'm so happy that Lady Christina didn't go with the Doctor, or indeed appear again. I don't like to use the term but it applies here as it all felt forced, because it was. The actress also played into that and hammed it up a little bit, but that may not have been all her fault. Lee Evans was great fun. Silly, over the top and probably better suited to a Xmas special but very likeable.
well I already knew Daniel Kaluuya from Skins and Andrew Garfield from Sugar Rush, but I suppose if you're not British you wouldn't know about either of those.
@@Faerie_Kim You could still be British and not know about those two. Not everybody watched those shows. I've never heard of Sugar Rush.
You may have known them and that's fine but to the wider audience they were all unknowns. :-)
@@lwaves I would argue that that's true of like 90% of English classics being watched in the US, and vice versa. Hot Fuzz, Monty Python, Johnny English, heck even Mr Bean's Holiday are all cult classics here as well. It's just a few movies but I assume the US & America shares * most * of their cult classics.
I did actually really wish the doctor had taken her on, would have been an interesting dynamic I reckon. I get why they didn't tho.
@@WiloPolis03 To be clear, which of my points are you arguing is true of 90%? I'm not sure which bit you're referring to or why you're mentioning cult classic films. Then again, I'm feeling rough today, so brain no worky. :-)
Oh yeah, there's definitely a lot of overlap with classics, it's surely part of what makes them a classic - widespread appeal. I'm trying to decide whether those things you mention would be considered cult classics or just classics in the UK. Python would definitely be a classic over here, not sure on the others, although Mr Bean (the character) is also a classic.
Overlap in cult classics is also true. I mean, the one that springs to mind is Blade Runner, which was a cult classic for many years and has since moved to classic status. Just for curiousity, the go to cult classic here might be Withnail & I. Does that apply to you guys too?
Hmm interesting point about the aliens dying all the time. Guess you could call it the "Bury your aliens" trope
I think you're thinking of What Measure is a Non-Human?
It gives us an Easter Egg for the Mona Lisa episode of Sarah Jane Adventures. “First the Cup of Aplestoph is stolen, now this...” (I know I didn’t get this right.)
The thing about the Doctor prioritising humans or humanoid aliens over more alien-aliens bothers me too and always had because I felt like this show was different than many other similar stories. I think the show has [?] been getting better at this - especially since the old era lol, but yeah, it's a problem.
Love your point about how the aliens always die. Have you seen the ‘Horror Noire’ documentary? Please do, it’s excellent, but your point is exactly the same as the one that used to be made about Non-White Characters.
Has RTD simply moved racism to aliens instead of Non-Caucasians? 🤨
Well he redeemed himself in The planet of the Ood...
So often aliens are coded for other races that this feels kind of icky.
I'm not really fussed by this if humanity has to have an us vs them mentality might as well be hatred directed vi-curiously towards a fictional people, 'cause i do doubt the utopia of non-hate is really ever going to happen.
nicholas dalli But supporting that “Us vs Them” mentality is a very short trip from Them being fictional to real. Teach your kids that death doesn’t matter when the dead don’t look like you with fictional bug people and it is a bit much of a reach to them applying that to other races or any differences between them and other people. It’s the kind of mentality that lends itself to ignoring persecution.
@@quinnsinclair7028 So the separation between fantasy and fiction doesn't exist anymore i take it. Media, imo, shouldn't have any censorship especially when it isn't real organisms getting the boot. If someone can't separate fantasy from fiction and goes on an actual killing spree off it, there are some more problems there then just being xenophobic.
Those aliens dying has always made me sad, I always love the idea of picking up characters who don't serve a huge function, but get to join in on the ride anyway, Star Wars The Clone Wars did this a few times with Clonetroopers who in most episodes were usually just meat shields. It's always a nice elements for me.
Was watching this episode today. Just noticed, one of the passengers is Dominic Copeland from Holby City. This episode sets up the downfall of Ten arc for these specials with Carmen's warning at the end, but there's also a subtle foreshadow with the posters on the bus. They advertise a mobile phone company that's owned by Naismith. Malcolm was the highlight of the episode. Wish he appeared more. He and Osgood together would be great entertainment!
I thought the plot here was decent but just couldn’t stand Lady Christina, thought she had no chemistry with Tennant. I think Michelle Ryan is a good actress, I just thought they made her character extremely irritating.
Chris Brown I agree. I thought she was irritating. And... should have gone to jail in the end. Lol
Really interesting commentary about aliens dying. Though I will say, in The God Complex, the alien was the last one alive except for our heroes. Planet of the Dead always felt like a bargain basement version of Midnight to me. And Midnight was so much better. I don't know that the Companion fake-out right after the Doctor fake-out was a great idea either. It did advance one thing, it established that not only was the Doctor Companionless, but he intended to stay that way, which was kind of a new thing then.
"I see the script... and dead people."
Still a better bus service than Diamond.
My only memory of this episode is a screenshot of the bus in a Doctor Who dictionary my brother had.
I like this episode, it's simple, straight forward and has Lee Evans being Lee Evans, and a flying double decker bus! The monster is pretty simplistic too and reminds me of that Vin Diesel film before he was famous, but I thought they were very effective for what they were. 7/10 for me!
"very insubstantial"
Yes, about as insubstantial as the Easter reference was. (Which was when this was aired )
"Happy Easter, everybody! BOY, I SURE KNOW how to ruin a holiday ... MEEP!"
I'd prefer that than trying to make it an "Easter Special" about an alien rabbit or something.
I honestly like the casual Easter reference, just knowing the Doctor goes around eating Easter eggs, and celebraging different cultures holodays whenever he pleases
And apropos of nothing, today, August 7th, is the 10th anniversary of the Tenth Doctor regenerating to the 11th, and in theaters across the country they are showing the last two of his episodes on the big screen. I am going with my daughter and I'm really excited! Is anyone else going?
Me! Heading out the door in fifteen minutes :)
@@maurinet2291
I had a great time with my daughter! I have been avoiding anything that reminded me of that episode, and was disappointed that the interview with David Tenant they showed BEFORE the movie went over all the high points of the episode I was trying to avoid! I still had a great time and didn't cry. Much. I hope you enjoyed it too!
This one always rubbed me up the wrong way. Filler in the fourth degree.
This episode is like the antithesis of midnight- still got the core premise of a bus/public transport with the threat outside, but what makes midnight work isn't present. The passengers in midnight all have fleshed out characters and turn on each other and the doctor. Here, they're just fluff, they're fodder to make sure there's stakes. The threat in midnight is a mystery. Here, it's explained and the doctor goes outside to sort it out. It's just what midnight could've been if it didn't work. Also, the flying bus is well stupid.
Flying bus is stupid yet a creature controlling people isn't?
This was an Easter special, which is probably why it was fluffy and fun. I really enjoyed this episode.
And Waters of Mars was the Halloweem-special, right?
@@KJM1984 Waters of Mars aired in November 2009. Guess you could call it a 46th anniversary special?
I don't think I've ever noticed that alien kill-off thingy before
Huh
For those of you playing Council of Geeks bingo, first up is 'lazy writing'. That's 'lazy writing'...
For me this episode just lacked any tension. On paper, being stranded on a desert planet about to be eaten by a swarm of flying sting rays sounds pretty terrifying... and yet I was bored for half of the episode 🤔
The Doctor definitely does lament the loss of Ood - certainly he comes to. I was more bothered Rose was offended by slavery (and knew there was a Resistance) and seemed to forget completely and move on.
I actually like this episode a lot, and I think half of it is because of how celebratory the ending feels, helped by the track "Lithuania". It just feels like everyone's so happy that they got out of things.
PWEI sang "In the satisfaction stakes it's like sitting on the number nine bus." I was always unsure if they meant in a bad way - like Planet of the Dead, or in a good way - like my Bad Dragon toys.
I hate Lady Christina performance-wise and simply as a concept. I honestly feel like it's out of character for the Doctor to be such fast friends with her. A wealthy, spoiled woman so bored of her easy privileged life that she decides to commit crimes and is probably never going to have any real consequences because of her blood. Maybe if they'd made her a moden female Robin Hood-type, it could've worked, but as it is, she feels like a character he has had open contempt for in the past for being uncaring aristocracy. The fact that the Doctor helps her escape in the end made me really dislike him this episode too.
Probably the biggest shrug of an episode in all of Tennant’s run.
Waters of Mars through to The Eleventh Hour is a fantastic streak of episodes.
Dalam Reviews Who not as good as human nature through stolen earth (in my opinion). Not any of them are below average maybe except the doctors daughter.
Another good review, thanks!
Have you ever thought of doing a review of a DW story with Diamanda Hagan?
I would like to point out that if Cate Stewart and Magumbo (sp) were ever on screen together people would have shipped them. 🤔
I’m game.
Be right back. Got a fanfic to write.
i think everyone hates taking the bus, this is one of those filler doctor who episodes but still a fun one to watch
This Episode is far less creepy than the title. I mean: Planet on the dead! It's a title for a horror story. What do we get? Flies in Boiler Suits!!
@@im903yearsold You're right, but even B-Movies at least try to make the monsters a bit scary. Here, we get the usual Davies Cheese.
That's why he isn't my favorite writer. He can write great stories, but doesn't know when to take them seriously, and when not.
Another trope: "Bury your aliens"
Arresting himself was the best part.
I don't know about the "bury your aliens "complaint. In the same episode Bannakaffalatta died, a whole lot of human-looking characters died, as well. I think there is just a high body count in general. Often the guest characters commit suicide, sacrificing themselves for the Doctor and/or the human race ... which became an annoying trend for me, along with "last of their kind."
Only humans matter. Not Zogarians?
I'm surprised you didn't make a Star Wars joke in the opening.
7:03 Also it's a simple explanation to how they got back, the Tardis exists...
At the time of production, Lee Evans was the most beloved stand-up comedian in the UK, filling some of the largest venues in Britian on his sell-out tours. He is pretty much doing what he does here & doing it 'brilliant'ly. Interestingly, his invented unit of measurement, the 'Bernard', being a shout-out to Prof. Quatermass, keeps the question open as to whether Quatermass exists in the Who universe as a real or a fictional character... is Malcolm a fan boy, name-checking old UK Sci Fi series, or is this the 'Bernard' refered to in Rememberance of the Daleks? Hmmm...
Strangely I forgot the Unit woman had been in Turn Left. Its mostly filler with major guest stars Comedian Lee Evans and Michelle Ryan (Eastenders, Jekyl, Merlin, the terrible remake of Bionic Woman and various other things) and a holiday for cast and crew to visit the desert. Although some of the interior scenes were done in a studio with pictures of desert stuck to the windows and edited so you don't notice too much. The lazy writing that aliens are less threatening because their translator device is also a lie detector. If she wasn't busy doing other things I'd be surprised the flying bus never seemed to show up anywhere. Although it was nice to have an action packed easter I kinda agree that they should have just had a crazy lady with a prophecy in the previous Christmas Special.
You're gonna have to get over the whole animal/human aliens gripe 😂
Shan't
@@CouncilofGeeks its so common in the show I just don't care, only time it's been bad is with the thundercats in series 9
I pretty much agree this is a popcorn flick of an episode. Fun enough, but not a great deal of substance to it. They really did try to sell Christina De Souza as "the Companion that got away", and it seems to have worked, since she got her own Big Finish line.
I got a "hey, neat" response when I saw Daniel Kaluuya too. Always worth a smile when I spot someone in a rewatch who blew up after they were on the show.
Interesting point regarding the concept of aliens as redshirts - I'm interested in seeing how your observations pan out over the long term. Maybe a video if you find enough substance in the complaint.
Lee Evans who is Malcolm steals this episode. he is hilarious. if you cast a guy like Evans there is no way he is playing a serious character. he has to be comedic cus he does it so so so well and for a Essex lad i must say he does a very good Welsh accent. One moment i do like is when The Doctor is on the bus with Christina and the other passengers and he asks all the people where they were heading when they got on the bus and what they had planned for that evening. i thought it was a nice moment because its the moment that makes you appreciate what you have. When the Doctor says "it doesn't have those thing like home sand food and people" i like that. in society we kind of take for granted the things we have so i like that moment that makes you appreciate it.
As a Welshman myself, I was just about to say how good Lee Evans' accent is, but you've done it for me. Thanks... and seconded!
I've heard it said the reason for killing off the fly people was that having them come to Earth would have meant having to use time to explain what happens to them next, but why? Could they not find 30 seconds for the Doctor to direct them to the TARDIS and tell UNIT he'd love to stay around and write an official report or something, but he has to drop a couple of friends off first.
Out of the Tennant specials, I personally found this one the most enjoyable. I didn't like "The Next Doctor" as it felt like an excuse to reuse that "the Doctor is in a watch" plot point from "Human Nature" (which I rate as the worst episode of all time, although many disagree). "Waters Of Mars" was okay, but just felt lacking something, felt like it dragged a bit. Tennant's finale was good, but I still think "Planet Of The Dead" was a much stronger episode.
I always felt this episode felt like a foil to Voyage of the Damned more than anything. Like, in that one the Doctor is looking forward to taking Astrid with him and then she dies instead and in this one Lady Christina survives but he just isn't ready to travel with anyone at this point of his life.
My head canon is that the “Knock Four Times” prophecy is something 11 said to 10 as a joke in Day of the Doctor and when the timeline corrected itself/10 wiped his memory it got transplanted onto someone who he’d met shortly before, like an incomplete editing job.
They were originally gonna gave the Tritovores but didn't because they didn't want to leave them on Earth as a dangling plot thread.
Sure it's been said already, but Malcolm is played by a famous British stand-up comedian - Lee Evans. He's fantastic, you should check him out.
If only Lady Christina de Souza was brought back for the Big Finish Tenth Doctor Adventures range. Oh well.
I haven't seen this since it first aired. Must admit I had completely forgotten the fly people. But have been tempted to go back mostly because it is indeed a bit of a lark.
Based on your opinion of the "Myth of The Doctor," you probably don't care for it yourself, but I do love the sheer awe and reverence the UNIT shows for the Doctor as seen in both Magambo and Malcom's interactions with him. Also, just how little the Doctor seems to even realize just how important he is to them. Something about it is just amazingly fun for me.
I don’t mind it coming from UNIT because they’d have tons of files and in office stories about him so that feels fairly logical to me.
I always end up forgetting about this episode--you're right, it's such an empty episode with not a lot standing out. The aliens are big flies/stingrays, the bus passengers are extremely underdeveloped (compared to those in Midnight especially, which has a vaguely similar set-up) and it feels like such a shame they didn't do something with more meat on its bones. I don't hate it, not at all, I just wished they had taken this opportunity to make something really memorable. Yeesh, the Tennant specials are very hit and miss on reflection!
I don’t really see a problem with a standalone episode. Some of the best new who episodes are standalone ones.
Not that this episode is like top tier doctor who but I still thought it was really fun.
And I’m not that picky about cheapo costumes either since doctor who generally has janky looking aliens anyway. Just never been a problem for me.
Despite how on the nose the perfect couple thing was, I think it did its purpose pretty well. It showed us exactly what point the doctor is at with relationships with others. It could've definitely done better though. Maybe if they put just some little things in there. The doctor realizing how great they couldve been as a pair, but stuffing it down because he knows the ultimatum that comes at the end of their little adventure together. If a little more emphasis was put on that, or maybe if the villains or just something else tied into the knocking prophecy, it probably would've improved the importance of this episode. I actually rather liked it, I loved the chemistry between the doctor and her, and it did make me want them to travel together despite how on the nose it was. I also wasn't much a fan of malcom, he seemed like too much. I can only really see him taking attention away from the doctor, or his character being watered down to bring focus back to the doctor. I did think any plot points involving the people he saved weren't good enough. Midnight is the perfect example of how to make us care about the people he saves.
At least the cactus people (vinvochi?) in The End of Time survived. Though mostly by putting their foot down and straight up REFUSING to nobly sacrifice themselves for the humans, putting up with a whole shame speech from the Doctor for their troubles.
Needs more Meglos!
I don't get why everyone hates this episode. I get there's not much to love here but there isn't much you can really hate about it other than its just there. I really like Lady Christina, and the location but yeah it's just kind of there.
The stingray creatures and setting gave me a strong Pitch Black vibe. While I like Christina quite a bit, Malcolm is still my favorite part of the episode.
Last time I saw this, I noted it as lightweight but fun. I probably prefer that to heavyweight but no fun at all, which probably describes some other Doctor Who stories. I agree with you about the unimaginative use of existing Earth creatures for aliens, but then I struggle to think of any Doctor Who aliens that I've really liked. As for aliens getting wiped out while humans survive, I agree it's a fault in principle, but it seems to me a rather minor fault compared with all the other faults that can be found in Doctor Who stories. The writers don't care about aliens because the writers are human, and most humans don't care about fictional aliens, unless the writer's gone to a lot of trouble to make them care. "What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba, that he should weep for her?" (Hamlet, y'know)
Lee Evans is hilarious in this, it’s one of this stories where it’s so bad that I just feel a little soft spot for it because although it’s dull, you can have a good laugh.
Plus I’m biased as this was the first ever doctor who story I bought on DVD, wasn’t the first story I watched though.
Well....the one thing I will take issue with in your review is your comment on the Satan Pit and the Ood. The Doctor made a comment right at the end saying he couldn't save the Ood because he only had time for one trip. Then the pilot (hey, it's the same guy who played Tennant's Man-Servant in Casanova!) 'name's' each Ood by number listing them with Toby etc. as dying at the end.
I did feel like it was an actual plot point with Satan Pit. And the Doctor got to redeem himself for it in Planet of the Ood.
This was actually the first Doctor Who episode I ever saw, and it got me into the show in the first place
Malcolm and that general not returning, a new reason to hate Moffat that I hadn't even considered before. Thanks, I didn't have enough of those.
I think your description of this episode as "filler" is spot on. In reactions to another show _(Buffy),_ I've heard this referred to as a Creature Feature - a standalone story that could be dropped in pretty much anywhere, no leadup or repercussions, and not referred to afterwards.
As such a story, it's fine, it's fun, it's adventurous - but not really high-stakes or deep. It is, in a word, filler.
The thing about a Creature Feature (or monster of the week episode) is you need a decent creature. And... nope.
But can we all agree the flying bus was epic?! 😁
Feel free to validate your own opinion!
Oh Yes!
Nope
I don't understand why he couldn't save the aliens in more episodes. I mean, the Doctor has a TARDIS so why couldn't he just drop them off at their home planet or wherever they wanted to go? It didn't even have to take up any screen time. And as for the other characters, if they can comprehend the fact that they're on a different planet, they can probably comprehend the fact that there's aliens there and they need a lift home.
The ood should of told the doctor he will lock four times at the end of waters of Mars
This easter special is not the greatest, but the acting was spot on.
Personally I enjoy this episode. It’s a fun enjoyable episode. Not it’s not a brilliant plot but in a year without a series they actually gave us 4 episodes which we didn’t get in 2016 or 2019
What about the animated special "Dreamland"? Or was that not broadcasted in America? And no it was real!
I like this episode overall and think you're being a bit hard on it. That being said you have pointed out the weaker parts and as always made me think about things I had not considered before. Thankyou.
I don’t mind a good filler episode, I’ve always been saying I wish doctor who would have less overarching plot these days, just as a refresh. And it’s got a certain whimsy, the flies don’t feel bad, if anything this entire episode feels kinda classic who and the flies definitely accentuate that, they feel like classic costumes. The whole thing feels very throwback with the cat burglar stereotypes like an old heist movie, the old costume design, the on location filming outdoors in battered sets, just great to me, the lack of connectivity in plot, the special skilled companion that compliments the doctor, haven’t had many of those I mean closest we got in tenants run to something that wasn’t just “a modern chick” was Martha and her doctor knowledge came into play such little it was fucking negligible. Rose, Donna, Martha, all of them were just plain clothes, the fourth doctor was friends with a fucking cavewomen. So basically I really like the episode and I was sad they never reused Malcolm or mugumary, or even Christina for that matter, instead we got osgood cate and all the other companions to come (special note every companion after was just another posh modern chick as well)
They probably didn't plan this far. But the crazy dalek prophet would have been a good origin for this prophecy
Not sure if lee evans is known much in america. Think he is retired now but very popular stand up comedian in the UK
Thinking back on it now, I remember the deaths of those aliens to really bother me in this episode too
I agree with the saving of the humans thing...however, voyage of the damned was all aliens....they looked human, yes, but so does the Doctor. But it was an alien ship and Kylie even talks about how humans are aliens to her. So yes, I agree that he will save humans over aliens...that episode however, is not the best example.
The only visually non-human characters I can think of that survive are the Paternoster Gang and David Walliams' character in The God Complex
Off the top of my head, the Vashta Nerada, the Judoon, the weeping angels, The little ones in Fear Her, that one Cat nuns and other cats in Gridlock, the Vinvocci characters, Margaret, the Slitheen, lots of Daleks, the Reapers.
I still love malcolm and would have loved to have seen him in another episode. Also love lady christina. I know this isn't a great episode overall but I just love those 2 characters.
Sadly, I think you outlined the argument against your own gripe. The more alien looking a character is, the more time you have to spend to make them human-sympathetic. It threatens to tip the story. The mixing of animals and humans is lazy writing, it's a short-hand we can all understand, i.e. Danny-John Jules. Is it any better or worse than forehead bumps, or pointy ears. Yeah, absolutely, it's lazy, but .... I don't want them going hog-wild on CGI, and then trying to make their motives human and comprehensible... but if there not, then would we understand/believe their motives.
Wasn't this episode the one where the knock 3 times prophecy was given to the doctor by the psychic woman on the bus (it has been a while since I saw the episode), technically making this not filler (if only barely)?
Yes but that literally has nothing to do with the plot and could have been tacked onto literally ANY story, so that doesn’t keep this from being filler.
I think it is a very pleasant episode, no great shakes, but I do enjoy it more than The End of Time 1 and 2.
Looks like somebody is missing Donna
I remember being very disappointed with this episode. The thing that really made me mad was Christina de Souza being teased as a new companion. Michelle Ryan's performance was the only good thing about it. The rest is terrible. I agree with every one of your criticisms.
Rank all the modern era Dalek episodes
Wish they could've made an Inbetweeners bus wankers reference
Do you think Radio vs the Martians might talk about Arnold Schwarzenegger? ;P
I think it's more of a case that they might NOT talk about Arnie.
I haven't listened to the Arnie ones but I'm really enjoying the others. The Columbo one was fantastic.
This is a Good Example of the many Issues I have with NuWho. They Break the old Barry Letts Rule. "Take the Show and Story Seriously, Not Your Selves". RTD and Moffat BROKE this Rule! Tennents Episodes Really started to show this. Yes. That bit with the OOD was a Prime Example of this. I recall David Tennent replying He could't save any of the OOD and pretty much doing a "It Sucks To Be Them". I just can't get into NuWho for this. And Really didn't like the Countess Character. Never been a fan of the Trope of "I am rich and Beautiful so its Ok when I commit Crimes" thing. Not a FAN of that At All!
Just something I anticipate you bringing up in the waters or Mars review... you seem to complain about the flood just being zombies, and how that disinterests you cause they’re overdone, but why do you then give the gasmask zombies such high praise (if not them specifically, at least the two parter they’re in) when they are also just zombies?
i completely forgot this episode existed, i watched it like twice and was bored and then always skipped it during rewatches i think
It's a fun episode, even if it does rip off the Langoliers (but with better acting)
I liked some of the ideas but it was just wasted in delivery. You are right - it felt like filler.
This was essentially an Easter special, so the Christmas fluff vibe is acceptable. Unfortunately, compared to most Xmas episodes (including the next doctor) this is really boring, forgettable and pointless. Everything felt forced and it just reeks of "we need to squeeze as much out of Tennant as we possibly can before he leaves"
I wish it was Malcolm instead of Osgood, we already had a character who could fit a role perfectly but nope.
Just because the character is available at a given time though, doesn't mean that the actor necessarily is.
I suspect it was because Steven Moffat didn't want to use any of RTDs stock characters. There was that news anchor woman who RTD used every time, and Moffat didn't once.