I can’t see how anyone could say Christopher Eccleston wasn’t trying by this point. He’s way too professional and he really believed in his Doctor and the responsibility of the role. He loved the role just not the behind the scenes stuff
Because of something that happened behind the screen, he left the role but so many people think that it's because Chris didn't want to play the Doctor anymore. He's the only actor who's played the Doctor and instead of having a career boost, he's got to settle for second rate roles(no hate but his character in Thor2 wasn't fantastic). He's such a great actor! People are horrid to him
@@Eden._.garden His original statement for leaving was that he'd done everything he'd wanted to do with the character, later on it was because of creative differences with RTD. Chris has stated numerous times about how dedicated he was to playing the part, and how he knew the pressure/responsibility he had to bring the series back. He really is a great guy, I love it when I see him in something!
Eccleston wanted to push Dr Who into something better but couldn't do it so he left. That's why we got the cheese fest and shitty soapy Tennant Dr Who. Dr Who was rebooted and the fans ruined it, Speilberg wanted to make a movie ffs!! i'm almost glad he didn't.
"You've been in that skin suit too long. *You're begging for mercy through a dead woman's lips."* One of my favourite lines in the show. Shame Chris skips through it to get to the next line - it could have been iconic! But he was thinking more about fluid acting than iconography, I suppose. Makes more sense.
He has a very satisfying character arc, although mine differs a bit from the video. Starting off as a bit of a wimp, then being a wimp and a door mat, then becoming more aware and finding his feet in girl in the fire place/age of steel, then becoming a bit too feisty and aggressive in ‘army of ghosts’/‘dooms day’, to finally becoming a courageous but level headed character in ‘journeys end’ and settling with martha Jones in the ‘the end of time’. Noel Clarke is a great actor as well
He gets Martha in the end. Martha was hands down the best companion of 10 because she was fucking woke and even challenged him on his behaviour. The arguments for Martha being the best are all perfect. She's a badass.
Sean Albro yea RTD wrote it as a “monsters convention” in which every alien from the show was to be present. margaret would thank the doctor after learning from her foster family what he did. check out the stolen earth wiki page for more :)
@@TheAlps36 Stenza Remnants Krasko (Not a species but he was evil) Spiders Jack Robertson Morax Daleks Kasaavin Dregs Skithra Judoon Praxeus Virus Zellin & Rakaya Ashaad Cybermen
I definitely agree with your statement about the Rose and Mickey scene. I think Davies really pushed to present reality and humanity in his shows despite the conflict of fantasy and sci fi - as a way of making it more relatable to the viewer. It brings the viewer back to how human the characters are, specifically Mickey who at the time hadn’t experienced much of the doctors world.
Thats exactly what I think too! For me, it is a very relaxed character heavy episode with the tardis team of 9, rose, Jack and micky having such a brilliant dynamic that I often find myself revisiting this story just to see this tardis team again😂 And it's also one of the funniest episodes in the entiritie of doctor who 😂
Boom Town is a really good episode, but sufferers from association. If it had been about anything else but Slitheen, it would have been considered an early classic. Even if you LIKE the Slitheen storyline, the tongue-in-cheek feeling of the first story clashed with the more sincere ambience of Boom Town.
I have no qualms about calling Boom Town severely underrated. I think every series should have an episode where The Doctor and his companions just kind of have a breather from serious terrifying threats and face one that has a bit of comedic value but also drives the characters forward by its end. Speaking of the end of Boom Town, I feel like that's supposed to show that The Doctor would never really have executed Margaret, and that it's possible that the TARDIS, the only thing capable of resolving that situation given that Margaret had The Doctor at ransom, sensed that and took the responsibility out of The Doctor's hands. It may still be a cheap ending but it continues to speak volumes about the 9th Doctor
Here's another good one, Clever Dick Films. He has a series of Doctor Who documentaries on his channel, beginning with the Hartnell era, to Troughton, to Pertwee, and every subsequent era up to Eccelston.
@@samuelbarber4154 his companion documentaries are dull though. Mainly because he chooses the well known companion and skips the rest. *Just gimme my Dodo documentary.*
ngl i only remembered this episode from the "into time and SPACE!" and the part when they're eating together and jacks telling a story. I kinda wished we had more time with those four.
I don’t understand how anyone can say that Eccleston phoned it in. That's just people looking for a pattern based on knowledge that he had fallen out with the producers. Performing with a straight face (especially on serious scenes) doesn’t mean you aren’t trying.
I think there are definitely some points where Ecclestons frustrations and issues shone through a little and where he did seem distant to some degree, but for the most part he was absolutely brilliant! Far far better than Smith imo.
This is an awesome episode and the scene in the restaurant is transcendent. I love that Margaret calls The Doctor a killer and notes how he is so quick to move on as he dare not look back. It's such a great and powerful scene, with The Doctor's morality coming into debate. Mickey gets some great moments too, I am excited to see his continued growth throughout the series! :D
RTD didn't write Boomtown for Margaret because he was impressed with Annette Badlands' performance in Aliens in London. He had worked with her before, lately in Casanova, which is also where he worked with David Tennant.
I think Christopher said that the restraunt scene was in his top 5 scenes from his run as The Doctor. I don't remember where he said it but it was probably at one of the recent conventions
@@chrisderrick7133 so do you guys just want to eliminate all white people/cis males, install soviet style communism, live in communal pods, and be polyamorous with sex bots?
I do like this episode and I agree; we rarely ever see companions have downtime in recent series. Power of 3 was decent enough. Donna, 10th and Wilfred were great, Martha had some issues with her family but the family of blood story showed her having to acclimate herself in such a rocky time period and Bill's banter with the doctor and her dating fails were hilarious. The last time was probably in Arachnids in the UK where Graham is left on his own. That's probably the big issue. The characters have to be put aside and/or on their own to have something. There's much less of the witty banter that the season 1 team had. Might also be why I like Rose because, during this season, she experiences all the realism. Other companions either become Kenny from South Park or get away with a lot without being called out on it. Rose has every part of her life affected. Amy did lose her parents but, because she forgot about them and they weren't involved in future stories, it didn't seem to matter. She lost Melody but the twist of Melody being River dampened it a little. She and Rory did get zapped away by the Weeping Angels but, honestly, that had so many holes in getting them back and they'd died so many times that it felt hollow. Clara did go through losing Danny which was good. Shame Hell Bent and her lack of interaction with the Doctor in Season 9 dampened the impact of her death... Heaven Sent is still great. What I'm trying to get at is that Rose, Martha, Clara and Donna lost a lot without dying (although Clara became the Supreme Kenny). We need to give the companions downtime in order to make losing what they have mean something.
Christopher Bennett this sums up everything wrong with Moffat's run. At first it was refreshing that Amy and Rory didn’t seem to worry about how it affected their home life but when the alternative turned out to be "oh my god they killed Amy/rory" it got old very very quickly. And don’t get me started on Clara's non-death.
Favourite moment is when the Doc and Margaret are in the restaurant where Magaret says she spared someone's life, only for the Doctor says that doesn't matter and for Magaret to go 180 and say how "Only a killer would know that." What I love is it subverts expectations in a good way, saying that despite sparing one person's life it doesn't mean she is automatically redeemed or a good guy now. Also, it is similar but not as good of course, as the line from "Dalek" ("You would make a good Dalek"), bringing up the Doctor's dark nature. Really good stuff
I love Boom Town! *Allegedly Russell's favourite episode, too!* Great theming, dialogue, and characterisation. Plus more Aherne direction, can't complain about that!
Your points are really well put together, but I wholeheartedly disagree. Boom Town is one of my favorite episodes of the entire show, and I enjoy it way more than the Empty Child or Bad Wolf stories (although I do really like them all). Firstly, this story did not need a bigger budget whatsoever. The lack of flashy effects or fancy sets plays to the story's strengths, bringing it down to earth completely. Second, I don't think Jack got left out at all. The episode did a near-perfect job of transitioning his character from the smooth-talking con man of the Empty Child to an enjoyable and interesting companion. He demonstrates a unique dynamic with every other member of the team: he often matches the Doctor in knowledge and experience but understands the Doctor's in charge, he and Mickey both refuse to take each other's BS, and his relationship with Rose changes from a foil for the Doctor into a friend who can help her in both the otherworldly and the human parts of their adventures. Beyond that, the short montage showing Jack working on his own in the TARDIS touches on an aspect of his character we rarely see: his "good old American hardiness" that one would expect to be long forgotten in the future he comes from. Finally, I think the question of whether the Doctor would take Margaret to her death is explored fully. The Doctor giving second chances in previous episodes doesn't just repair his moral compass--in fact, he did already give Margaret a second chance in the Aliens of London story. More importantly, though, while using the 9th Doctor's apathy towards death is an excellent way to do so, this episode is more focused on the god complex the Doctor always has, and it does an amazing job doing so. As for the conclusion (turning Margaret into an egg), I think it's brilliant. What would be gained from showing the Doctor actually taking her to Raxacoricofallapotorius? That would just make an episode full of him saying he'll do something ending with him, well, doing that thing--whoop-de-do. If he chose not to take her, it would just confuse the audience and turn the season finale into a repeat. Instead, the episode cleverly goes back to the subplot between Rose and Mickey and completes Margaret's journey from an evil monster to someone who truly wants to change. I've watched this episode many times, and I enjoy every minute of it every time. It goes from relaxing to exciting to comedic to uncomfortable (in a good way) to romantically conflicted to dark to suspenseful to bittersweet, and I think it nails every one of those parts.
Genuinely one of my favourite episodes in the show. The plot leaves a lot to be desired, but the dynamic between The Doctor, Rose, Jack, and Mickey just isn't something we really get to see enough of. It gets slept on a lot, but I'm really pleased this episode exists.
One of my favourites. The scene between Blon and the Doctor in the restaurant is so chillingly effective, and the line “only a killer would know that” is brilliant. It even makes the Doctor stop and his whole expression changes. LOVE this TARDIS team. I highly recommend people to read the awesome Doctor Who Story, Only Human. If you love Nine, Rose and Jack together as much as I do xx
I didn’t even seem to recall this episode ever happened. I’ve watched the show since revival so will have seen it when it showed first, but I always thought there were only 2 Slitheen episodes until I saw a clip and wondered were it was from. Then fell in love with the episode a couple years ago.
The part of this episode I always think of when I remember Boom Town is when the Doctor is watching Mickey and Rose walk away on TARDIS monitors and Captain Jack catches Doctor looking jealous. I love that moment.
9, Rose, and Captain Jack (and to a lesser extent Mickey) are my favorite TARDIS Crew. They seem to genuinely care for and love each other. They actually enjoy each other's company and seem to be pretty close. They have such an incredibly fun, but also passionate relationship, as is further developed in the next two episodes. They actually feel like a proper crew, even more than seen in any other New Who crew imo. I only wished we'd seen more of them. Or even a run with 10, Rose, and Jack. Very interested in seeing what that dynamic would have looked like. Probably even more improved from what we've seen from 9's crew.
I LOVE the fact that the Ninth Doctor got to have a fun chill out (half) episode with Rose, Mickey and Captain Jack. Bloody brilliant. And the character-driven stuff is so fuckin good
"Boom Town" has that moment where fart lady tries to claim a kernel of decency, and the Doctor shuts her down. I've always loved that speech. It still holds up as why it doesn't matter that terrible people are occasionally kind.
I always liked this episode and whenever I revisit season 1 this episode is the reason I think 9 and Jack got it on AND that Jack was at one point written to be a time lord but changed during development
I like the theory that Jack is The Face of Boe though. Kinda makes it less cheesy, two timelords is good enough for me and then Jack doesnt have to regenerate
Hunter Kennedy In Utopia, Jack was there when Martha mentioned the Face of Boe to the 10th Doctor, he could’ve heard it there in that conversation and claimed to be the Face of Boe later on. We all know he that he is a conman, he isn’t even called Captain Jack Harkness he stole that name from another WW2 captain
I honestly think this is my favourite Eccleston episode. By the way, that cafe that the Doctor, Rose, Mickey and Captain Jack go to is right next to "The Ianto Jones Memorial Wall" a wall PLASTERED with memorials to Ianto Jones (As you could guess die to it's name) that has become a bit of a shrine for the nerdier citizens of Cardiff. It's also been a weird sticking point to Cyngor Dinas Caerdydd, who have wanted it taken down. It's still there, as far as I know.
I haven't forgotten it. It's some of Russell T Davies' best work. Yes, I do think it's better than you give it credit for - with a lot more happening than appears on the surface. SPOILER ALERT! I am not a big fan of the season finale - though it does still have some of my favorite moments. Looking forward to your video!
Another fantastic video! I think this episode is largely underrated and forgotten for how solid it is. It's by no means perfect, and I totally agree that's down to the rushed ending, and how Jack ends up sidelined in this story. But for what it does character and plot wise, I think it's pretty fab. I think ultimately the compromise of using the heart of the tardis in this episode as a quick resolution pays off in setting up the finale. Having some more time to explore the moral dilemma would've been great, but I'm not sure what they could trim down from the rest of the episode to tackle that. Still a shame we didn't see it answered properly. About the Doctor though, I don't think his character growth is as simple as it seems, as his moral outlook kind of fluctuates from episode to episode. He gave the Nestine a second chance in episode 1, but quite happily let Cassandra die (to his knowledge) in episode 2. Episode 3 has him attempting to help the Gelth, but in episode 5 he doesn't spend long trying to reason with the Slitheen before deciding to blow them up (though this was motivated partially by the scenario he was trapped in). Episode 6 is obviously a big turning point for him becoming more compassionate and forgiving, but with episode 7 we see him condoning a destructive solution again. I agree that it's not dramatic of him, or surprising, but it's consistent that he would give second thoughts to sparing Margaret.
There's also some interesting developments in how trusting the Doctor is too, which might play into his actions in Boom Town. Episode 1 is obviously the initial building of the trust he has for Rose as a companion, but with episode 2 we see Rose's realisation about her spontaneous decision to travel with him as she considers if she can really trust him - and he has to fulfil that trust by saving the space station (and her). Episode 3 sees his trust broken by the Gelth but not too much here. Episode 4 and 5 the Doctor has to start being more responsible and accountable now that Rose's family is involved. He also has to learn to respect and trust Mickey too, whereas Rose displays her trust in the Doctor by not even questioning his missile plan. Episode 6 doesn't do much aside from the end confrontation with the Doctor having to trust Rose and her compassion for the Dalek in order to learn it himself. Episode 7 he gets annoyed by what Adam does and takes him home because he can't trust him. He also has to win over Cathica's trust so that she ultimately resolves the episode. Episode 8 has the Doctor feeling used and betrayed by Rose, which he ultimately reconciles. In episode 9 and 10 the Doctor doesn't trust Jack to begin with but is able to make him a better person by the end of it. At the same time you could say he regains some trust in the universe because of everything just being a mistake, and the idea that sometimes he truly can win and live to see days where everybody lives. So reaching boom town the doctor has reason to question Margaret and really pursue whether she's trustworthy.
The lost "Doctor grooming Rose" episode lives on in this line from The Doctor Dances: Rose: Look at you, beaming away like you're Father Christmas. Doctor: Who says I'm not, red-bicycle-when-you-were-twelve? Clear this was meant to be foreshadowing of an episode that never made it to air.
I can't believe anyone comes down on Christopher Eccleston. He's so Brilliant. I've never seen him be anything other than fantastic, and he's my favourite doctor.
Me and my partner swear by this episode and we love it. And the team up of the doctor, rose, Jack and Mickey were perfect and it is still one if my favourites from season 1 and one of my most rewatched episodes ever
this is one of my favourite episode to go back and rewatch, the dynamic between them is so fun here, when I want to remember how much I love Jack and Rose and Mickey and 9, this is where I always go
To be fair to the writing in this episode, the Doctor has already tried to give the Slitheen a chance in the first episode they were featured in and they refused. He gives them a chance to leave and he will leave them alone but they refuse and try to destroy Earth which leaves him no choice but to blow up Downing Street. So, when he almost gives Margaret a chance, it’s really a third chance. Also, I feel like the ending was put in to be a setup for the resolution of The Parting of the Ways because it is when Rose remembers what happened to Margaret that she gets the idea to look into the TARDIS and save the Doctor.
I have to say.... When I watched the first two seasons of the new Who I have always thought Mickey and Rose's relationship was far more interesting from an emotional standpoint than Rose and the Doctor, who are fun together, but not as complex as Mickey and Rose. So, I really liked them in this episode.
I love this episode. The rumination on the death penalty and whether they're responsible, the mayoral conspiracy, the baby twist, the possible redemption arc, the foreshadowing for Torchwood, the subversion of her thwarted escape, and the way the Doctor freaks out about 'blaidd drwg'. But I also love Love and Monsters as well.
I remember an interview with Eccleston at the time - maybe even before the first episode had aired - in which he stated that Annette Badland gave what he felt was the best performance of the series. I'm a big fan of Boomtown and those last five episodes of series 1 make up my favourite time as a doctor who fan.
I'm so glad this episode is getting the love it deserves. It is heavily underrated. I disliked it as a child for its lack of action sequences, but love it as an adult for its character development, morally complex issues, and focus on relationships.
Always found it a good breather episode. Never sleep on Boom Town. Also the cop-out ending allows for the Bad Wolf twist in TPOTW to NOT be a cop-out by setting up the heart of the TARDIS :P
Hello! I have been hooked by this channel lately and I’m really enjoying it. Gotta say I love series 1 a lot, but I actually have a connection to this particular episode like some others in the series because I traveled to the U.K. and visited several DW filming locations. One of my favourite places was Cardiff for sure. I was stayed in a hotel called Altolusso which was 21 minutes walk away from Cardiff Bay and it was incredible having the chance of being there. I would love to go there again one day, good videos and keep up the good work! 🙂
this really makes me wanna go and rewatch it. I always kind of liked it! I also loved "....let's see who can look me in the eye..." also, congrats on 10k!
The apparent cop-out ending is actually quite important for two reasons: it establishes the TARDIS as being alive and it foreshadows Rose opening the heart of the TARDIS and becoming the Bad Wolf.
I am definitely part of the cult that loves this episode. It's so fun and balances the serious moments and comedy really well. It's always been up there as a favorite episode of mine. I think it showcased Eccelston so well bc I believe in his cruelty and his silliness Jack is definitely under utilized but the few scenes he's in make his death more impactful bc it shows how integrated he's become. If you just had the parting of ways immediately after the empty child then we'd never see Jack as a companion. Also this episode also sets up so much going forward. The heart of the TARDIS having power, lots of Torchwood set up (albeit unknowingly but still) and calling attention to Bad Wolf for those that missed it Plus it's extremely self aware the ending is silly
Now that you say it, I can see how people might interpret the bit with the heart of the TARDIS as a cop-out. But I've always loved it, and viewed it the opposite way. The Doctor could have taken advantage of the opening of the TARDIS and freed Rose in the confusion. He could have closed it before Margaret transforms, and simply overpowered her and brought her to her death penalty. But he doesn't. He lets the transformation happen. There's a moment where you can see that he understands, and she understands, exactly what's happening. And they both decide to let it, and are relieved. I think Nine realizes he's been presented with the perfect solution here. He chooses to believe in redemption, and to give that second chance. And the subtext of the episode makes it clear why he does this, and why it's the best choice. Family is everything to Margaret. It brings out the best and worst in her. She isn't the ringleader of the Downing Street plot, but she gleefully goes along with it because it's what her family does. They may have been banished from their home world, but family sticks together, no matter what. In Boom Town we see the effects of the loss of that family on her. She sets the pregnant journalist free purely because she is about to have a child. She plots to destroy Cardiff, not for material gain this time, but as a side effect of her own escape from Earth. She's cruel in the quest for survival, not cruel in the pursuit of profit. I don't think anyone would claim these are huge strides forward, morally speaking, but they're an improvement and they show her to be capable of change. She even seems tempted by the idea of herself as a better person.All of which indicates to the Doctor that she's not a lost cause. Margaret's evil may have been the result of nurture, not nature. In better circumstances, she might have *been* better. This doesn't excuse her actions, but it makes her second chance more palatable. The Doctor allowing her to be changed by the TARDIS, and then going out of his way to find a good family to raise the egg, is one of his most radical acts of mercy. I do interpret it as mercy, and as a choice, which changes my interpretation of Boom Town and sets the whole episode much higher in my estimation. A B+ for me, at least. Oh and I'm baffled as to how anyone could watch that restaurant scene and accuse Ecclestone of phoning it in.
I've always maintained that Boom Town would be a great place for somebody new to Doctor Who to start. It's a great showcase for the Doctor as a character, and his relationship with his companions.
One of my personal favorite moments in this episode is when Jack notices the Doctor watching Micky and Rose walk away together. He seems to be wondering if that is a look of concern or jealousy. I know there is a portion of the fanbase who dislike Rose and the Doctor being romantically inclined towards each other but I've always been for it. It bothered me greatly when River Song was introduced bc it seemed to be replacing Rose in that sense. It took me a very long time to love River but by the end of her story I did.
I felt the opposite way, I loved the idea of River Song when it was introduced, but then they instantly took all the mystery out of who she was. It just felt like they really rushed it, when a slow reveal would have been more interesting.
I genuinely adore this episode, it's great and it's cool with them being above the Torchwood Hub. Also its funny that Cardiff's mayor has been an alien more than once with Margaret in Boom Town and Ro-Jedda in Torchwood: Aliens Among Us
I don't know about grooming Rose to be the "perfect Companion," but there were definitely several episodes and definitely several scenes where it's clear that they're rather perfect for each other. Not biologically - as in sexually or chemically or whatever and also not perfect because of their life spans and because Time Lords Regenerate. But for all her extreme youth at the opposite end of the spectrum, somewhere around 900 years, give or take a decade - or century - or two. But for all of the disparity between their ages, The Doctor hesitates on some of the very hard choices when protecting the Earth or the Universe could cost him HER, and Rose has firmly stood to protect"Time and Space." With the Gelth, she stood next to him in a room filling with natural gas, knowing that that room bursting in a flaming explosion was necessary to protect the world and the timelines of the future, which is her past. Certain death closing in on them in those moments, when she would die more than a century before she was born, and she held his hand in hers, resolute in doing the right thing. More. At this point in the episode, when they are seemingly past the point of no return, The Doctor says to this 19 year-old relative "child" compared to his centuries of life, and The Doctor says "I'm so glad I met you." Minutes from death when Rose Tyler will just disappear from her mother's life, and from her ex's life, she smiled back at him and despite "death"closing in on them and she said "Me too." No whining or crying or demanding that The Doctor somehow save them. She squeezed his hand in hers and smiled at this brilliant man, this alien and she made a judgement about all that had happened and "could have beens"and she said "Me too." I think this was the moment when the broken war veteran of the "Time War" and Rose Tyler, rather impoverished Twenty first century human (aka "stupid ape" from the Estates began to fall in love with each other, because they seemed to inspire the best within each other. Just my opinion, and it was exactly that type of scene or situation that left River Song's so-called connection as The Doctor's future spouse. One scene after another in season 1 of the Revival of Doctor Who shows The Doctor making hard choices for the "good of Time" and he never has to be forced by the writer into choices or situations that are a rape of his ability to choose. And as for "Ricky the Idiot," Micky by his very character, with his continued clinging to Rose - don't forget that in the "Father's Day" episode [ sorry, title? ] Jackie makes the observation because of young Micky clinging possessively to infant Rose that Micky looks set to always be clinging to Rose. With viewers kind if looking down on Rose for rather leaving a boyfriend that doesn't match or "equal" her in strength or courage. Maybe it's just me, but the periodic rebukes I hear in reactions to Rose kissing Micky goodbye and telling him "thank you" and then he asks in bewilderment "What for?" And she then responds with "Exactly," before running to join The Doctor in the TARDIS... Maybe it's just me seeing Micky on his knees a and clinging to Rose's waist, as he always has since Jackie first brought infant Rose home, hell whining (whinging ?) for her to go to the pub with him, regardless of her distracted air over whatever had happened at Heinek's before her job had blown up. Micky had been more concerned with clinging to her and getting her to sit with him while he paid more attention to a Game on the Pub's telly. Rose wanting to leave Micky and her Mother behind when she runs to join The Doctor...Some reactions I've come across with their mixed "Hell yeah! Go with The Doctor!" Although they do seem to disapprove of her leaving her boyfriend so abruptly with an offhand insult of "Exactly" when she says goodby and thanks, and Micky wonders what for, which I wonder if Rose has been thinking the same thing for a number of months or maybe even years...This man-boy who despite being a few years older than her is so demonstrably "younger" and weaker. Jackie said that working at Heinrek's department store was giving Rose "Airs and graces," meaning getting above herself. Without actually saying it, isn't any disapproval or Rose leaving Micky, a boy still so obviously a boy and still not yet a man. Isn't the expectation of audiences of her going back to Micky kind of an agreement that her traveling with The Doctor is giving her "airs and graces." Well, just a thought, a babble. Be well in Pandemic-hell. Be safe.
I'm a Ninth fan and this ep still took me two watches to properly enjoy. But now it's in my favourites. ^^ About the Doctor giving second chances - both the Gelth and the Nestene were victims of the Time War. The Gelth didn't even look all that harmful in over the half of the story - they were only begging for a chance of survival, so I don't think they really count here. The Nestene already started with wanting to take over Earth, yes but I think the Doctor offered them a second chance was because of his own guilt for his and his people's actions in the War (which is not really said in either of the stories but can be seen due to Eccleston's brilliant acting). In contrast Margaret was just a petty criminal - and not not to mention she - and her family - was already offered this chance in the Aliens of London stories.
I love this episode, Margaret Slitheen is one of my all time favourite minor characters in DW. I'm okay with the episode not really giving a firm answer regarding the moral issue - it's a really complicated subject, I can't imagine an answer that wouldn't have felt unsatisfying and annoying. Sometimes exploring the subject and raising some thought-provoking questions is enough, imo.
I did read a good Torchwood fanfic where everyone on the team kept telling Jack that the new mayor was dodgy and that they should do something about it and he kept having to invent reasons for them not to
The whole idea of the doctor sending a criminal to their death, and the criminal trying everything from manipulating to attacking was always compelling to me while also humanizing them. I feel like a lot of the work with the stages of accepting death or other angles could be done. I wish that concept would be picked up. I think the doctor taking the master back to the timelords for a trial where he would most likely be executed would be brilliant
The thing that I always remember the most clearly about this episode was how well they were able to establish Margaret as a fairly sympathetic character right at the beginning. And mostly unrelated; in that first season (series if you like; I'm American) it was established that "Slitheen" is a surname,as opposed to the name of their species. But on the rare occasion that they are directly referenced after that first season, it's always used to identify the species on the whole. Just an observation....
I think boom town is pretty good episode and also at the end I've always thought the tardis was showing magerat the alternate life she will have with the new family
Once again, if it wasn't for the stigma around the Slitheen, I too don't think the episode would be so underrated. RTD said in behind the scenes he wanted to delve into the Doctor's moral code and wanted to do so with a villain we had already met. In that regard, I think Margaret (Can't spell her Slitheen name XD) was a good choice, and like stated in this video, she was toned down from the last Slitheen episode, making the stigma around the Slitheen no longer applicable. The whole episode is just really well-written and very character-driven with great humour and interesting questions on morality. Damn, Series 1 perfection! XD
*This* is how you do a cheap episode. Sure, there isn't a proper resolution, but that's intended - the Doctor faces the same predicament next episode, but he can't just run away from the consequences then.
I LOVE Boom Town, it's a great story, even has a Dark twist with all the people being killed off and it reveal that an ALien or ALiens where behind the Deaths. it has great DArk humour.
It's funny, when I hadn't watched S1 for a long time, I wouldn't have said that Captain Jack was only in 5 episodes in total, and I wouldn't really count the Parting of the Ways two parter as an episode with lots of Jack Action. Watching it again, I realise he made such an impression off the back of this episode and the Empty Child two parter, which is no mean feat.
Honestly this episode really hammers home how important one of Tennant's opening scenes is the No Second Chances, Thats the Kind of Man I am, sequence.
Series 1 was the first time they really examined the consequences of travelling with the Doctor, I don't mean death or having your life ruined, I mean your social life. How travelling in time could affect your friends and relatives.
I've always loved the Doctor's teardown of her little "I can change" speech. Doctor: "You let one of them go, but that's nothing new. Every now and then a victim's spared. Because she smiled. Because he's got freckles. Because they begged. And that's how you live with yourself. That's how you slaughter millions. Because once in a while, when the wind's in the right direction.....you happen to be kind" We need more 9th Doctors in modern fiction. Too many shows where the villain gets redeemed because they were nice ONCE.
My favourite thing about this episode is knowing that future Jack is hiding in the Hub during this because he knows he can’t cross his timeline. Tosh: hey Jack, wanna go for a walk? Jack: I can’t today, it will devastate the fabric of time. Maybe tomorrow though. Tosh: 😐. ........Is it safe for me to walk? Jack: yeah, enjoy yourself. Get me a Cornetto if you pass a shop.
Check out my Discord if you want, it's pretty chill:
discord.gg/9VEtaET
Wow, that Discord server looks pretty good!
Told you you'd hit 10K subs!
The opening scene where The Doctor and TARDIS team are enjoying brunch like normal people gotta be one of my favourite Doctor Who scene.
I can’t see how anyone could say Christopher Eccleston wasn’t trying by this point. He’s way too professional and he really believed in his Doctor and the responsibility of the role. He loved the role just not the behind the scenes stuff
Because of something that happened behind the screen, he left the role but so many people think that it's because Chris didn't want to play the Doctor anymore. He's the only actor who's played the Doctor and instead of having a career boost, he's got to settle for second rate roles(no hate but his character in Thor2 wasn't fantastic). He's such a great actor! People are horrid to him
@@Eden._.garden His original statement for leaving was that he'd done everything he'd wanted to do with the character, later on it was because of creative differences with RTD. Chris has stated numerous times about how dedicated he was to playing the part, and how he knew the pressure/responsibility he had to bring the series back. He really is a great guy, I love it when I see him in something!
He brings his A game, in episodes about farting aliens and plastics raging against humans.
_OneManArmy_ he also admitted that he was also, sadly, suffering from mental difficulties at the time, not the least of which was anorexia.
Eccleston wanted to push Dr Who into something better but couldn't do it so he left. That's why we got the cheese fest and shitty soapy Tennant Dr Who. Dr Who was rebooted and the fans ruined it, Speilberg wanted to make a movie ffs!! i'm almost glad he didn't.
"You've been in that skin suit too long. *You're begging for mercy through a dead woman's lips."*
One of my favourite lines in the show. Shame Chris skips through it to get to the next line - it could have been iconic! But he was thinking more about fluid acting than iconography, I suppose. Makes more sense.
Mickey is actually a great character. I love him, even if Rose never did.
Yeah, people sleep on mickey
He has a very satisfying character arc, although mine differs a bit from the video. Starting off as a bit of a wimp, then being a wimp and a door mat, then becoming more aware and finding his feet in girl in the fire place/age of steel, then becoming a bit too feisty and aggressive in ‘army of ghosts’/‘dooms day’, to finally becoming a courageous but level headed character in ‘journeys end’ and settling with martha Jones in the ‘the end of time’. Noel Clarke is a great actor as well
I think Rise loved him, she just wasn't *in love* with him.
He gets Martha in the end. Martha was hands down the best companion of 10 because she was fucking woke and even challenged him on his behaviour. The arguments for Martha being the best are all perfect. She's a badass.
Elliott Blakemore all of the companions have challenged the doctor on his behaviour. Define woke?
I opened this saying please be Boom Town. The first 5-10 minutes are hysterical. That Tardis team was bomb.
... She's climbing out the window, isn't she?
- Best comedic dialogue of the whole first series.
_“Yes… yes, she is…”_
i love this for margaret’s character development in the bathroom scene
it’s weird to think that Baby Margaret was meant to appear in The Stolen Earth at the shadow proclamation
Wait, really?
Sean Albro yea RTD wrote it as a “monsters convention” in which every alien from the show was to be present. margaret would thank the doctor after learning from her foster family what he did. check out the stolen earth wiki page for more :)
@@william...1 whoa, that's so cool
You’ve got to admit, we’d all kill for a Boom Town in the current series
Thing is, I can't remember the name of a single evil alien species in it
@@TheAlps36 Most of the names I only remember from watching reviews.
@@TheAlps36 Stenza
Remnants
Krasko (Not a species but he was evil)
Spiders
Jack Robertson
Morax
Daleks
Kasaavin
Dregs
Skithra
Judoon
Praxeus Virus
Zellin & Rakaya
Ashaad
Cybermen
@@patchworkfellow you forgot the Pting, how could you forget the Pting
@@toasterroast7678 very easily
I definitely agree with your statement about the Rose and Mickey scene. I think Davies really pushed to present reality and humanity in his shows despite the conflict of fantasy and sci fi - as a way of making it more relatable to the viewer. It brings the viewer back to how human the characters are, specifically Mickey who at the time hadn’t experienced much of the doctors world.
Yet Chibnall does exactly the same thing and gets criticised for it. That scene between Ryan and his Dad in Resolution was fantastic.
The Yorkshire Time Lord Chibnall doesn’t do “the exact same thing”. He wants to do the exact same thing. Quite different.
@@CineScarborough go troll somewhere else
Boom Town is one of my favorite Series 1 stories and it's a shame that it doesn't get the love it deserves
Thats exactly what I think too! For me, it is a very relaxed character heavy episode with the tardis team of 9, rose, Jack and micky having such a brilliant dynamic that I often find myself revisiting this story just to see this tardis team again😂
And it's also one of the funniest episodes in the entiritie of doctor who 😂
Boom Town is a really good episode, but sufferers from association. If it had been about anything else but Slitheen, it would have been considered an early classic. Even if you LIKE the Slitheen storyline, the tongue-in-cheek feeling of the first story clashed with the more sincere ambience of Boom Town.
Agree
I have no qualms about calling Boom Town severely underrated. I think every series should have an episode where The Doctor and his companions just kind of have a breather from serious terrifying threats and face one that has a bit of comedic value but also drives the characters forward by its end.
Speaking of the end of Boom Town, I feel like that's supposed to show that The Doctor would never really have executed Margaret, and that it's possible that the TARDIS, the only thing capable of resolving that situation given that Margaret had The Doctor at ransom, sensed that and took the responsibility out of The Doctor's hands. It may still be a cheap ending but it continues to speak volumes about the 9th Doctor
This channel is THE BEST mainly doctor who oriented channel out there. Period.
Thank you!
Agreed
Here's another good one, Clever Dick Films. He has a series of Doctor Who documentaries on his channel, beginning with the Hartnell era, to Troughton, to Pertwee, and every subsequent era up to Eccelston.
@@samuelbarber4154 his companion documentaries are dull though. Mainly because he chooses the well known companion and skips the rest. *Just gimme my Dodo documentary.*
ngl i only remembered this episode from the "into time and SPACE!" and the part when they're eating together and jacks telling a story. I kinda wished we had more time with those four.
I don’t understand how anyone can say that Eccleston phoned it in. That's just people looking for a pattern based on knowledge that he had fallen out with the producers. Performing with a straight face (especially on serious scenes) doesn’t mean you aren’t trying.
I think there are definitely some points where Ecclestons frustrations and issues shone through a little and where he did seem distant to some degree, but for the most part he was absolutely brilliant! Far far better than Smith imo.
I really love the flirting between 9 and Jack, the team just felt very close very easily.
I don't know why this story is never talked about. It's always been one of the standouts of Series 1 in my opinion.
This is an awesome episode and the scene in the restaurant is transcendent. I love that Margaret calls The Doctor a killer and notes how he is so quick to move on as he dare not look back. It's such a great and powerful scene, with The Doctor's morality coming into debate.
Mickey gets some great moments too, I am excited to see his continued growth throughout the series! :D
RTD didn't write Boomtown for Margaret because he was impressed with Annette Badlands' performance in Aliens in London. He had worked with her before, lately in Casanova, which is also where he worked with David Tennant.
I think this is one of my guilty pleasure episodes.
Nothing to feel guilty about with this one.
I think Christopher said that the restraunt scene was in his top 5 scenes from his run as The Doctor. I don't remember where he said it but it was probably at one of the recent conventions
As a Welsh Man currently living in Cardiff I love this episode. No prizes for guessing why
Williams... Name sounds familiar...
I didn’t even realise Boom Town existed until about two years ago. No one ever talks about it so it just fades into the background.
J H oh look at that those are some pretty close compass results
@@chrisderrick7133 so do you guys just want to eliminate all white people/cis males, install soviet style communism, live in communal pods, and be polyamorous with sex bots?
I suppose its just one of those episodes that falls very squarely in the "good enough to not be hated but not good enough to be remembered" category.
@@Lyle-xc9pg Is it really polyamory if they're sex robots? Asking for a friend.
@@Lyle-xc9pg Soviet style communism would be auth left you dumbass
I do like this episode and I agree; we rarely ever see companions have downtime in recent series. Power of 3 was decent enough. Donna, 10th and Wilfred were great, Martha had some issues with her family but the family of blood story showed her having to acclimate herself in such a rocky time period and Bill's banter with the doctor and her dating fails were hilarious. The last time was probably in Arachnids in the UK where Graham is left on his own. That's probably the big issue. The characters have to be put aside and/or on their own to have something. There's much less of the witty banter that the season 1 team had.
Might also be why I like Rose because, during this season, she experiences all the realism. Other companions either become Kenny from South Park or get away with a lot without being called out on it. Rose has every part of her life affected. Amy did lose her parents but, because she forgot about them and they weren't involved in future stories, it didn't seem to matter. She lost Melody but the twist of Melody being River dampened it a little. She and Rory did get zapped away by the Weeping Angels but, honestly, that had so many holes in getting them back and they'd died so many times that it felt hollow. Clara did go through losing Danny which was good. Shame Hell Bent and her lack of interaction with the Doctor in Season 9 dampened the impact of her death... Heaven Sent is still great.
What I'm trying to get at is that Rose, Martha, Clara and Donna lost a lot without dying (although Clara became the Supreme Kenny). We need to give the companions downtime in order to make losing what they have mean something.
Christopher Bennett this sums up everything wrong with Moffat's run. At first it was refreshing that Amy and Rory didn’t seem to worry about how it affected their home life but when the alternative turned out to be "oh my god they killed Amy/rory" it got old very very quickly.
And don’t get me started on Clara's non-death.
Favourite moment is when the Doc and Margaret are in the restaurant where Magaret says she spared someone's life, only for the Doctor says that doesn't matter and for Magaret to go 180 and say how "Only a killer would know that." What I love is it subverts expectations in a good way, saying that despite sparing one person's life it doesn't mean she is automatically redeemed or a good guy now. Also, it is similar but not as good of course, as the line from "Dalek" ("You would make a good Dalek"), bringing up the Doctor's dark nature. Really good stuff
I love Boom Town! *Allegedly Russell's favourite episode, too!*
Great theming, dialogue, and characterisation. Plus more Aherne direction, can't complain about that!
Your points are really well put together, but I wholeheartedly disagree. Boom Town is one of my favorite episodes of the entire show, and I enjoy it way more than the Empty Child or Bad Wolf stories (although I do really like them all).
Firstly, this story did not need a bigger budget whatsoever. The lack of flashy effects or fancy sets plays to the story's strengths, bringing it down to earth completely.
Second, I don't think Jack got left out at all. The episode did a near-perfect job of transitioning his character from the smooth-talking con man of the Empty Child to an enjoyable and interesting companion. He demonstrates a unique dynamic with every other member of the team: he often matches the Doctor in knowledge and experience but understands the Doctor's in charge, he and Mickey both refuse to take each other's BS, and his relationship with Rose changes from a foil for the Doctor into a friend who can help her in both the otherworldly and the human parts of their adventures. Beyond that, the short montage showing Jack working on his own in the TARDIS touches on an aspect of his character we rarely see: his "good old American hardiness" that one would expect to be long forgotten in the future he comes from.
Finally, I think the question of whether the Doctor would take Margaret to her death is explored fully. The Doctor giving second chances in previous episodes doesn't just repair his moral compass--in fact, he did already give Margaret a second chance in the Aliens of London story. More importantly, though, while using the 9th Doctor's apathy towards death is an excellent way to do so, this episode is more focused on the god complex the Doctor always has, and it does an amazing job doing so.
As for the conclusion (turning Margaret into an egg), I think it's brilliant. What would be gained from showing the Doctor actually taking her to Raxacoricofallapotorius? That would just make an episode full of him saying he'll do something ending with him, well, doing that thing--whoop-de-do. If he chose not to take her, it would just confuse the audience and turn the season finale into a repeat. Instead, the episode cleverly goes back to the subplot between Rose and Mickey and completes Margaret's journey from an evil monster to someone who truly wants to change.
I've watched this episode many times, and I enjoy every minute of it every time. It goes from relaxing to exciting to comedic to uncomfortable (in a good way) to romantically conflicted to dark to suspenseful to bittersweet, and I think it nails every one of those parts.
Genuinely one of my favourite episodes in the show. The plot leaves a lot to be desired, but the dynamic between The Doctor, Rose, Jack, and Mickey just isn't something we really get to see enough of. It gets slept on a lot, but I'm really pleased this episode exists.
One of my favourites. The scene between Blon and the Doctor in the restaurant is so chillingly effective, and the line “only a killer would know that” is brilliant. It even makes the Doctor stop and his whole expression changes. LOVE this TARDIS team. I highly recommend people to read the awesome Doctor Who Story, Only Human. If you love Nine, Rose and Jack together as much as I do xx
boom town was a *blast* from beginning to end
I didn’t even seem to recall this episode ever happened. I’ve watched the show since revival so will have seen it when it showed first, but I always thought there were only 2 Slitheen episodes until I saw a clip and wondered were it was from. Then fell in love with the episode a couple years ago.
I actually really like Boom Town. It's a good deconstruction of the doctor who villain.
The part of this episode I always think of when I remember Boom Town is when the Doctor is watching Mickey and Rose walk away on TARDIS monitors and Captain Jack catches Doctor looking jealous. I love that moment.
9, Rose, and Captain Jack (and to a lesser extent Mickey) are my favorite TARDIS Crew. They seem to genuinely care for and love each other. They actually enjoy each other's company and seem to be pretty close. They have such an incredibly fun, but also passionate relationship, as is further developed in the next two episodes. They actually feel like a proper crew, even more than seen in any other New Who crew imo.
I only wished we'd seen more of them. Or even a run with 10, Rose, and Jack. Very interested in seeing what that dynamic would have looked like. Probably even more improved from what we've seen from 9's crew.
I LOVE the fact that the Ninth Doctor got to have a fun chill out (half) episode with Rose, Mickey and Captain Jack. Bloody brilliant. And the character-driven stuff is so fuckin good
"Boom Town" has that moment where fart lady tries to claim a kernel of decency, and the Doctor shuts her down. I've always loved that speech. It still holds up as why it doesn't matter that terrible people are occasionally kind.
"She teleported! Thats not fair!"
"Oh, the Doctor's good at teleports"
I always liked this episode and whenever I revisit season 1 this episode is the reason I think 9 and Jack got it on AND that Jack was at one point written to be a time lord but changed during development
I like the theory that Jack is The Face of Boe though. Kinda makes it less cheesy, two timelords is good enough for me and then Jack doesnt have to regenerate
Hunter Kennedy In Utopia, Jack was there when Martha mentioned the Face of Boe to the 10th Doctor, he could’ve heard it there in that conversation and claimed to be the Face of Boe later on. We all know he that he is a conman, he isn’t even called Captain Jack Harkness he stole that name from another WW2 captain
I honestly think this is my favourite Eccleston episode.
By the way, that cafe that the Doctor, Rose, Mickey and Captain Jack go to is right next to "The Ianto Jones Memorial Wall" a wall PLASTERED with memorials to Ianto Jones (As you could guess die to it's name) that has become a bit of a shrine for the nerdier citizens of Cardiff. It's also been a weird sticking point to Cyngor Dinas Caerdydd, who have wanted it taken down. It's still there, as far as I know.
I haven't forgotten it. It's some of Russell T Davies' best work. Yes, I do think it's better than you give it credit for - with a lot more happening than appears on the surface.
SPOILER ALERT! I am not a big fan of the season finale - though it does still have some of my favorite moments. Looking forward to your video!
Could you please make some videos about some DW spinoffs like for example Torchwood or The Sarah Jane advetures?
Margaret after 9th sprays breath freshener--😝
>:p
@@snipers_nightmare yup .agreed lol
Btw..french toast is better than pancakes lmao😆..j/k
🍻🍻🍻🍻
Another fantastic video! I think this episode is largely underrated and forgotten for how solid it is. It's by no means perfect, and I totally agree that's down to the rushed ending, and how Jack ends up sidelined in this story. But for what it does character and plot wise, I think it's pretty fab. I think ultimately the compromise of using the heart of the tardis in this episode as a quick resolution pays off in setting up the finale.
Having some more time to explore the moral dilemma would've been great, but I'm not sure what they could trim down from the rest of the episode to tackle that. Still a shame we didn't see it answered properly.
About the Doctor though, I don't think his character growth is as simple as it seems, as his moral outlook kind of fluctuates from episode to episode.
He gave the Nestine a second chance in episode 1, but quite happily let Cassandra die (to his knowledge) in episode 2. Episode 3 has him attempting to help the Gelth, but in episode 5 he doesn't spend long trying to reason with the Slitheen before deciding to blow them up (though this was motivated partially by the scenario he was trapped in). Episode 6 is obviously a big turning point for him becoming more compassionate and forgiving, but with episode 7 we see him condoning a destructive solution again.
I agree that it's not dramatic of him, or surprising, but it's consistent that he would give second thoughts to sparing Margaret.
There's also some interesting developments in how trusting the Doctor is too, which might play into his actions in Boom Town.
Episode 1 is obviously the initial building of the trust he has for Rose as a companion, but with episode 2 we see Rose's realisation about her spontaneous decision to travel with him as she considers if she can really trust him - and he has to fulfil that trust by saving the space station (and her).
Episode 3 sees his trust broken by the Gelth but not too much here.
Episode 4 and 5 the Doctor has to start being more responsible and accountable now that Rose's family is involved. He also has to learn to respect and trust Mickey too, whereas Rose displays her trust in the Doctor by not even questioning his missile plan.
Episode 6 doesn't do much aside from the end confrontation with the Doctor having to trust Rose and her compassion for the Dalek in order to learn it himself.
Episode 7 he gets annoyed by what Adam does and takes him home because he can't trust him. He also has to win over Cathica's trust so that she ultimately resolves the episode.
Episode 8 has the Doctor feeling used and betrayed by Rose, which he ultimately reconciles.
In episode 9 and 10 the Doctor doesn't trust Jack to begin with but is able to make him a better person by the end of it. At the same time you could say he regains some trust in the universe because of everything just being a mistake, and the idea that sometimes he truly can win and live to see days where everybody lives.
So reaching boom town the doctor has reason to question Margaret and really pursue whether she's trustworthy.
One of my favourite series 1 episodes. Funny, but also thoughtful and entertaining
The lost "Doctor grooming Rose" episode lives on in this line from The Doctor Dances:
Rose: Look at you, beaming away like you're Father Christmas.
Doctor: Who says I'm not, red-bicycle-when-you-were-twelve?
Clear this was meant to be foreshadowing of an episode that never made it to air.
I can't believe anyone comes down on Christopher Eccleston. He's so Brilliant. I've never seen him be anything other than fantastic, and he's my favourite doctor.
Me and my partner swear by this episode and we love it. And the team up of the doctor, rose, Jack and Mickey were perfect and it is still one if my favourites from season 1 and one of my most rewatched episodes ever
this is one of my favourite episode to go back and rewatch, the dynamic between them is so fun here, when I want to remember how much I love Jack and Rose and Mickey and 9, this is where I always go
To be fair to the writing in this episode, the Doctor has already tried to give the Slitheen a chance in the first episode they were featured in and they refused. He gives them a chance to leave and he will leave them alone but they refuse and try to destroy Earth which leaves him no choice but to blow up Downing Street. So, when he almost gives Margaret a chance, it’s really a third chance. Also, I feel like the ending was put in to be a setup for the resolution of The Parting of the Ways because it is when Rose remembers what happened to Margaret that she gets the idea to look into the TARDIS and save the Doctor.
1:57 - yeah, I'm glad as well
It's that kind of episode where all you end up remembering is the whole teleportation scene.
I really do love boom town. The ending is forgettable but the rest is just fantastic
So glad that this lad takes a good, long look at episodes before judging them 💙
I have to say.... When I watched the first two seasons of the new Who I have always thought Mickey and Rose's relationship was far more interesting from an emotional standpoint than Rose and the Doctor, who are fun together, but not as complex as Mickey and Rose. So, I really liked them in this episode.
I love this episode. The rumination on the death penalty and whether they're responsible, the mayoral conspiracy, the baby twist, the possible redemption arc, the foreshadowing for Torchwood, the subversion of her thwarted escape, and the way the Doctor freaks out about 'blaidd drwg'.
But I also love Love and Monsters as well.
One of my absolute campy faves, the best TARDIS team in my eyes
I really enjoy this episode. Not as child silly as the two parter.
I remember an interview with Eccleston at the time - maybe even before the first episode had aired - in which he stated that Annette Badland gave what he felt was the best performance of the series.
I'm a big fan of Boomtown and those last five episodes of series 1 make up my favourite time as a doctor who fan.
I'm so glad this episode is getting the love it deserves. It is heavily underrated. I disliked it as a child for its lack of action sequences, but love it as an adult for its character development, morally complex issues, and focus on relationships.
Always found it a good breather episode. Never sleep on Boom Town. Also the cop-out ending allows for the Bad Wolf twist in TPOTW to NOT be a cop-out by setting up the heart of the TARDIS :P
Hello! I have been hooked by this channel lately and I’m really enjoying it. Gotta say I love series 1 a lot, but I actually have a connection to this particular episode like some others in the series because I traveled to the U.K. and visited several DW filming locations. One of my favourite places was Cardiff for sure. I was stayed in a hotel called Altolusso which was 21 minutes walk away from Cardiff Bay and it was incredible having the chance of being there. I would love to go there again one day, good videos and keep up the good work! 🙂
this really makes me wanna go and rewatch it. I always kind of liked it! I also loved "....let's see who can look me in the eye..."
also, congrats on 10k!
i just found your page and i’m binge watching ur videos as fast as i’ve been rewatching dr who and i love love love!!!
The scene where Micky lays it all bare to Rose is heart wrenching.
The apparent cop-out ending is actually quite important for two reasons: it establishes the TARDIS as being alive and it foreshadows Rose opening the heart of the TARDIS and becoming the Bad Wolf.
YES. I love boom town, it perfectly incapsulates the fun and fanservice that NuWho provided at it's best
I am definitely part of the cult that loves this episode. It's so fun and balances the serious moments and comedy really well. It's always been up there as a favorite episode of mine. I think it showcased Eccelston so well bc I believe in his cruelty and his silliness
Jack is definitely under utilized but the few scenes he's in make his death more impactful bc it shows how integrated he's become. If you just had the parting of ways immediately after the empty child then we'd never see Jack as a companion.
Also this episode also sets up so much going forward. The heart of the TARDIS having power, lots of Torchwood set up (albeit unknowingly but still) and calling attention to Bad Wolf for those that missed it
Plus it's extremely self aware the ending is silly
Now that you say it, I can see how people might interpret the bit with the heart of the TARDIS as a cop-out. But I've always loved it, and viewed it the opposite way. The Doctor could have taken advantage of the opening of the TARDIS and freed Rose in the confusion. He could have closed it before Margaret transforms, and simply overpowered her and brought her to her death penalty. But he doesn't. He lets the transformation happen. There's a moment where you can see that he understands, and she understands, exactly what's happening. And they both decide to let it, and are relieved.
I think Nine realizes he's been presented with the perfect solution here. He chooses to believe in redemption, and to give that second chance. And the subtext of the episode makes it clear why he does this, and why it's the best choice. Family is everything to Margaret. It brings out the best and worst in her. She isn't the ringleader of the Downing Street plot, but she gleefully goes along with it because it's what her family does. They may have been banished from their home world, but family sticks together, no matter what. In Boom Town we see the effects of the loss of that family on her. She sets the pregnant journalist free purely because she is about to have a child. She plots to destroy Cardiff, not for material gain this time, but as a side effect of her own escape from Earth. She's cruel in the quest for survival, not cruel in the pursuit of profit. I don't think anyone would claim these are huge strides forward, morally speaking, but they're an improvement and they show her to be capable of change. She even seems tempted by the idea of herself as a better person.All of which indicates to the Doctor that she's not a lost cause. Margaret's evil may have been the result of nurture, not nature. In better circumstances, she might have *been* better. This doesn't excuse her actions, but it makes her second chance more palatable.
The Doctor allowing her to be changed by the TARDIS, and then going out of his way to find a good family to raise the egg, is one of his most radical acts of mercy. I do interpret it as mercy, and as a choice, which changes my interpretation of Boom Town and sets the whole episode much higher in my estimation. A B+ for me, at least.
Oh and I'm baffled as to how anyone could watch that restaurant scene and accuse Ecclestone of phoning it in.
I've always maintained that Boom Town would be a great place for somebody new to Doctor Who to start. It's a great showcase for the Doctor as a character, and his relationship with his companions.
One of my personal favorite moments in this episode is when Jack notices the Doctor watching Micky and Rose walk away together. He seems to be wondering if that is a look of concern or jealousy.
I know there is a portion of the fanbase who dislike Rose and the Doctor being romantically inclined towards each other but I've always been for it. It bothered me greatly when River Song was introduced bc it seemed to be replacing Rose in that sense.
It took me a very long time to love River but by the end of her story I did.
I felt the opposite way, I loved the idea of River Song when it was introduced, but then they instantly took all the mystery out of who she was. It just felt like they really rushed it, when a slow reveal would have been more interesting.
I genuinely adore this episode, it's great and it's cool with them being above the Torchwood Hub. Also its funny that Cardiff's mayor has been an alien more than once with Margaret in Boom Town and Ro-Jedda in Torchwood: Aliens Among Us
Boomtown is one of my favourite episodes from season 1. You're right it always gets swept under the carpet
I too noticed that no one talked about that one. It's weird because that's one of those that are stuck in my head.
I watched this episode about a month ago. I forgot it.
I don't know about grooming Rose to be the "perfect Companion," but there were definitely several episodes and definitely several scenes where it's clear that they're rather perfect for each other.
Not biologically - as in sexually or chemically or whatever and also not perfect because of their life spans and because Time Lords Regenerate.
But for all her extreme youth at the opposite end of the spectrum, somewhere around 900 years, give or take a decade - or century - or two. But for all of the disparity between their ages, The Doctor hesitates on some of the very hard choices when protecting the Earth or the Universe could cost him HER, and Rose has firmly stood to protect"Time and Space."
With the Gelth, she stood next to him in a room filling with natural gas, knowing that that room bursting in a flaming explosion was necessary to protect the world and the timelines of the future, which is her past.
Certain death closing in on them in those moments, when she would die more than a century before she was born, and she held his hand in hers, resolute in doing the right thing.
More. At this point in the episode, when they are seemingly past the point of no return, The Doctor says to this 19 year-old relative "child" compared to his centuries of life, and The Doctor says "I'm so glad I met you."
Minutes from death when Rose Tyler will just disappear from her mother's life, and from her ex's life, she smiled back at him and despite "death"closing in on them and she said "Me too."
No whining or crying or demanding that The Doctor somehow save them. She squeezed his hand in hers and smiled at this brilliant man, this alien and she made a judgement about all that had happened and "could have beens"and she said "Me too."
I think this was the moment when the broken war veteran of the "Time War" and Rose Tyler, rather impoverished Twenty first century human (aka "stupid ape" from the Estates began to fall in love with each other, because they seemed to inspire the best within each other.
Just my opinion, and it was exactly that type of scene or situation that left River Song's so-called connection as The Doctor's future spouse.
One scene after another in season 1 of the Revival of Doctor Who shows The Doctor making hard choices for the "good of Time" and he never has to be forced by the writer into choices or situations that are a rape of his ability to choose.
And as for "Ricky the Idiot," Micky by his very character, with his continued clinging to Rose - don't forget that in the "Father's Day" episode [ sorry, title? ] Jackie makes the observation because of young Micky clinging possessively to infant Rose that Micky looks set to always be clinging to Rose.
With viewers kind if looking down on Rose for rather leaving a boyfriend that doesn't match or "equal" her in strength or courage.
Maybe it's just me, but the periodic rebukes I hear in reactions to Rose kissing Micky goodbye and telling him "thank you" and then he asks in bewilderment "What for?" And she then responds with "Exactly," before running to join The Doctor in the TARDIS...
Maybe it's just me seeing Micky on his knees a and clinging to Rose's waist, as he always has since Jackie first brought infant Rose home, hell whining (whinging ?) for her to go to the pub with him, regardless of her distracted air over whatever had happened at Heinek's before her job had blown up. Micky had been more concerned with clinging to her and getting her to sit with him while he paid more attention to a Game on the Pub's telly.
Rose wanting to leave Micky and her Mother behind when she runs to join The Doctor...Some reactions I've come across with their mixed "Hell yeah! Go with The Doctor!" Although they do seem to disapprove of her leaving her boyfriend so abruptly with an offhand insult of "Exactly" when she says goodby and thanks, and Micky wonders what for, which I wonder if Rose has been thinking the same thing for a number of months or maybe even years...This man-boy who despite being a few years older than her is so demonstrably "younger" and weaker.
Jackie said that working at Heinrek's department store was giving Rose "Airs and graces," meaning getting above herself.
Without actually saying it, isn't any disapproval or Rose leaving Micky, a boy still so obviously a boy and still not yet a man. Isn't the expectation of audiences of her going back to Micky kind of an agreement that her traveling with The Doctor is giving her "airs and graces."
Well, just a thought, a babble. Be well in Pandemic-hell. Be safe.
Boom town is probably my favourite episode of season 1
I'm a Ninth fan and this ep still took me two watches to properly enjoy. But now it's in my favourites. ^^
About the Doctor giving second chances - both the Gelth and the Nestene were victims of the Time War. The Gelth didn't even look all that harmful in over the half of the story - they were only begging for a chance of survival, so I don't think they really count here.
The Nestene already started with wanting to take over Earth, yes but I think the Doctor offered them a second chance was because of his own guilt for his and his people's actions in the War (which is not really said in either of the stories but can be seen due to Eccleston's brilliant acting).
In contrast Margaret was just a petty criminal - and not not to mention she - and her family - was already offered this chance in the Aliens of London stories.
The one thing I do remember about this episode is the phrase "intergalactic surfboard"
I really loved the four of them together!! They were such a great dynamic
I love this episode, Margaret Slitheen is one of my all time favourite minor characters in DW. I'm okay with the episode not really giving a firm answer regarding the moral issue - it's a really complicated subject, I can't imagine an answer that wouldn't have felt unsatisfying and annoying. Sometimes exploring the subject and raising some thought-provoking questions is enough, imo.
I did read a good Torchwood fanfic where everyone on the team kept telling Jack that the new mayor was dodgy and that they should do something about it and he kept having to invent reasons for them not to
The whole idea of the doctor sending a criminal to their death, and the criminal trying everything from manipulating to attacking was always compelling to me while also humanizing them. I feel like a lot of the work with the stages of accepting death or other angles could be done. I wish that concept would be picked up. I think the doctor taking the master back to the timelords for a trial where he would most likely be executed would be brilliant
Mickey, rose and the doctor is like rory, amy and the doctor's relationship
The thing that I always remember the most clearly about this episode was how well they were able to establish Margaret as a fairly sympathetic character right at the beginning.
And mostly unrelated; in that first season (series if you like; I'm American) it was established that "Slitheen" is a surname,as opposed to the name of their species. But on the rare occasion that they are directly referenced after that first season, it's always used to identify the species on the whole. Just an observation....
I think boom town is pretty good episode and also at the end I've always thought the tardis was showing magerat the alternate life she will have with the new family
Once again, if it wasn't for the stigma around the Slitheen, I too don't think the episode would be so underrated. RTD said in behind the scenes he wanted to delve into the Doctor's moral code and wanted to do so with a villain we had already met. In that regard, I think Margaret (Can't spell her Slitheen name XD) was a good choice, and like stated in this video, she was toned down from the last Slitheen episode, making the stigma around the Slitheen no longer applicable. The whole episode is just really well-written and very character-driven with great humour and interesting questions on morality. Damn, Series 1 perfection! XD
I love Eccleston, he was my 1st doctor 😷
*This* is how you do a cheap episode. Sure, there isn't a proper resolution, but that's intended - the Doctor faces the same predicament next episode, but he can't just run away from the consequences then.
It's kind of creepy that the Doctor used to call him Ricky because the parallel universe version of him was called Ricky.
I LOVE Boom Town, it's a great story, even has a Dark twist with all the people being killed off and it reveal that an ALien or ALiens where behind the Deaths. it has great DArk humour.
It's funny, when I hadn't watched S1 for a long time, I wouldn't have said that Captain Jack was only in 5 episodes in total, and I wouldn't really count the Parting of the Ways two parter as an episode with lots of Jack Action. Watching it again, I realise he made such an impression off the back of this episode and the Empty Child two parter, which is no mean feat.
Honestly this episode really hammers home how important one of Tennant's opening scenes is the No Second Chances, Thats the Kind of Man I am, sequence.
And later he give another chances to Davros, Sontarans, even the Master.
Series 1 was the first time they really examined the consequences of travelling with the Doctor, I don't mean death or having your life ruined, I mean your social life. How travelling in time could affect your friends and relatives.
I missed this episode when it aired. Watched every other one but somehow missed it. Was amazed when I found it was on Netflix.
I've always loved the Doctor's teardown of her little "I can change" speech.
Doctor: "You let one of them go, but that's nothing new. Every now and then a victim's spared. Because she smiled. Because he's got freckles. Because they begged. And that's how you live with yourself. That's how you slaughter millions. Because once in a while, when the wind's in the right direction.....you happen to be kind"
We need more 9th Doctors in modern fiction. Too many shows where the villain gets redeemed because they were nice ONCE.
I had never heard of boom town until I rewatched Series 1 in January, I was very confused that I, a HUGE DW fan had never seen it
How did you manage that?
@@stevenhale2935 I have no idea
i LOVE this one, shame we dont have more time with jack and mickey working with doctor and rose, its pure gold
man i forgot how much i loved this episode
My favourite thing about this episode is knowing that future Jack is hiding in the Hub during this because he knows he can’t cross his timeline.
Tosh: hey Jack, wanna go for a walk?
Jack: I can’t today, it will devastate the fabric of time.
Maybe tomorrow though.
Tosh: 😐. ........Is it safe for me to walk?
Jack: yeah, enjoy yourself. Get me a Cornetto if you pass a shop.