Category: Reviews

Doctor Who The Complete History was a series of hardback volumes which came out every two weeks and covered 3-4 stories each. These were in-depth volumes covering the production of each episode from the first in 1963 to the end of the Peter Capaldi era of the show. In addition to the extensive production notes there were also merchandise and publicity updates and actor profiles. The quality of each volume was exceptional overseen by several different editors. The volumes were only available in the UK and Ireland so were difficult to obtain in other locations. I am more of a Watsonian fan but if you are a Doyalist you will greatly appreciate these books. Even so I give the entire series a solid 8 out of 10. I will rate each episode covered below.

• 

• 

The Eleventh Hour is a fantastic start to Steven Moffat‘s and Matt Smith‘s tenure on the show. This is one of the best introduction stories for a new Doctor. Amy is a charming and beautiful companion who has immediate chemistry with the Eleventh Doctor both as a child and adult. The story proceeds as a rollicking romp ending in one of the best I am the Doctor moments. 10 out of 10.

The Beast Below is a routine story that does have a nice emotional and thought provoking throughline and moral quandary The Eleventh Doctor channels the Sixth Doctor with his moral outrage in the best scene of the episode. 7 out of 10.

Victory of the Daleks is not a well received story but it is not as bad as generally believed. One of the things almost universally disliked is the New Paradigm Daleks but I do not have a problem with them. It could be that my like of the extended media makes me more used to the color palette seen with them. 7 out of 10.

Doctor Who The Complete History was a series of hardback volumes which came out every two weeks and covered 3-4 stories each. These were in-depth volumes covering the production of each episode from the first in 1963 to the end of the Peter Capaldi era of the show. In addition to the extensive production notes there were also merchandise and publicity updates and actor profiles. The quality of each volume was exceptional overseen by several different editors. The volumes were only available in the UK and Ireland so were difficult to obtain in other locations. I am more of a Watsonian fan but if you are a Doyalist you will greatly appreciate these books. Even so I give the entire series a solid 8 out of 10. I will rate each episode covered below.

• 

• 

The Pandorica Opens / The Big Bang brings to a rousing conclusion Matt Smith‘s first season as the Eleventh Doctor. The memorable scenes are stacked one on top of another. River as Cleopatra and the return of Rory as a Roman soldier are only just the beginning. The scene with The Doctor and Rory is both humorous and touching. This is followed by one of the Doctor’s best speeches amidst Stonehenge warning the amassed aliens away. The death of Amy and her resurrection is heartbreaking. The second half of the story, as long as you hand wave away the dodgy science, continues strong. The final conversation between The Doctor and River sets up the second season beautifully. 10 out of 10.

A Christmas Carol is the best of all the Doctor Who Christmas Specials. Our family has a tradition where we sit and watch this episode every year around the holidays. Michael Gambon and the beautiful Katherine Jenkins are great in their roles and the story we are all so familiar with is ably re-visioned within the Doctor Who universe. 10 out of 10.

The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon kicks off the Sixth Series with a bang. The death of the Doctor, the introduction of the Silents, Canton Delaware, a sympathetic President Nixon, River and the Doctor flirting and the best comeuppance for an alien adversary ever make this the third great story in a row. The scene where Rory and the Doctor discuss the Fall of the Roman Empire is one of my favorites in the entire series. 10 out of 10.

The Companions of Doctor Who is a 2024 collection of essays edited by David Bushman and Ken Deep. The essays are a combination of personal reminiscences and critical evaluations of 16 companions from the classic and new series.

• 

• 

The essays as is typical for this type of book has only TV companions covered with no one from the extended media. Fortunately there are a quite a few classic era companions with Ace, Sarah Jane, Harry and Jo. Pretty much all of the main NuWho companions get an individual essay. An interesting mix of essays with some personal recollections mixed in with some thoughtful analysis. 8 out of 10.

Doctor Who The Complete History was a series of hardback volumes which came out every two weeks and covered 3-4 stories each. These were in-depth volumes covering the production of each episode from the first in 1963 to the end of the Peter Capaldi era of the show. In addition to the extensive production notes there were also merchandise and publicity updates and actor profiles. The quality of each volume was exceptional overseen by several different editors. The volumes were only available in the UK and Ireland so were difficult to obtain in other locations. I am more of a Watsonian fan but if you are a Doyalist you will greatly appreciate these books. Even so I give the entire series a solid 8 out of 10. I will rate each episode covered below.

• 

• 

The Time of Angels / Flesh and Stone sees the reappearance of River Song and the continuation of her arc that will be a focal point of The Eleventh Doctor‘s first two seasons. The scenes with the soldier Bob are truly chilling when the Angels use his dead body to speak. Iain Glen has a memorable performance as Father Octavian. The scene with The Doctor and Amy that turns out to be the Doctor from his future is well played and the realization many episodes later is Steven Moffat at his best. 9.5 out of 10.

The Vampires of Venice sees the addition of Rory to the Tardis Team. Rory has one of the best character arcs in the entire series. He starts off as a milk toast type of hanger on only to become a strong-willed and loyal husband and associate. His reaction to the size of the interior of the Tardis is unique and an indication of his character growth. The story itself without the scenes with The Doctor and Rory were somewhat pedestrian. 7.5 out of 10.

Amy’s Choice sees the beginning of the Doctor-Amy-Rory triangle that is evident in several future stories as well. The episode sees the first of Rory’s “deaths” and there are some authentic emotional scenes with Gillan and Darvill. Toby Jones as The Dream Lord calls back to The Valeyard as a culmination of the Doctor’s dark nature. 8.5 out of 10.