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 Runaway Bride was the 2006 Christmas Special and featured Catherine Tate in her first appearance as Donna Noble. The episode was light-hearted and enjoyable as befitting a Christmas special and the introduction of Donna set the dynamic for her future characterization. Tate is a consummate actress as we see throughout her run in the series, despite this I never warmed to Donna as a character. I found the Doctor whining and lamenting the departure of Rose as I found her cloying and annoying in the extreme. 7 out of 10.
You do not usually get the introduction of two companions in back to back episodes but we find the introduction of Martha Jones in the episode Smith and Jones. Martha is the best of the NuWho companions and one of the very best in the history of the program. Looking past her obvious physical attributes her character as a strong, intelligent woman is a pleasant change from the selfish, self-absorbed Rose and the airhead Donna. The story is fast paced and rushes to a satisfactory ending. The Judoon make for an interesting adversary. 8 out of 10.
The Shakespeare Code sees the Doctor and Martha visiting Elizabethan England for a visit with William Shakespeare. I am always disappointed in these pseudo-historical stories, it would be so easy to eliminate the science fiction elements to make a true historical which would be such a pleasant change of pace. The characterization of Shakespeare did not ring true for the well known historical figure and did not mention any of the Doctor’s previous meetings with the bard. Another point of contention was the Doctor’s flippant remark to Martha about just ignoring her apprehension about being a person of color during a less enlightened age. 7 out of 10.
