Friday 14 July, 2006

Dr Who? Dr Mike

My friend Mike is an economist. He may, one day, be treasurer of this country (one very unlike our current one, I hasten to add). But of more interest to me at this point in time, is that he is an expert on many (pop) cultural events. He has, for example, seen the entire series of the new season of Dr Who. These episodes are now being shown on the ABC on Saturday nights. Mike has provided me with my ratings out of 10 for every episode and I think such knowledge should be shared. (By the way, not included is Mike's analysis of the first episode, which is showing this week. His verbal summation, one with which I hearterly concur, is that it's totally shithouse. Don't watch for fear of losing interest in the entire season.)

Episode 3 - School Reunion - 7/10 - Some funny bits, Giles, and unconvincing bad dudes. First (but not the last time) this season that you hear the Doctor waffle on about how much he loves humans.

Episode 4 - The Girl in the Fireplace - 8/10 - Some scary bits, some of the funniest bits of the season, some sad bits.

Episode 5 - Rise of the Cybermen - 3/10 - I didn't like this very much. Spent ages building up and going nowhere. Undersold one of my favorite villains.

Episode 6 - The Age of Steel - 4/10 - Continuation of the last episode,a bit better as things actually start happening, but still not convinced. This episode might also mark the first (and again not last) time the Doctor says, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," when something nasty happens to someone else. Along with the waffling about love of humans, this strikes me as the most cut & pasted line in the season.

Episode 7 - The Idiot's Lantern - 4/10 - Interesting setting and idea, bad execution.

Episode 8 - The Impossible Planet - 9/10 - Possibly my favorite episode of both seasons, primarily because it's not on Earth and it feels like what Who should be about. Who should be about the what now? Never mind.

Episode 9 - The Satan Pit - 7/10 - Continuation of Episode 8, similarly good, but less tense. Plot peaked in the previous episode.

Episode 10 - Love and Monsters - 2/10 - Worst. Episode. Ever.

Episode 11 - Fear Her - 5/10 - Passable, interesting idea.

Episode 12 - Army of Ghosts - 6/10 - Way better than Eps 5 or 6, but still not good enough for me. Leaves me a bit concerned about how it's going to end.

Stay tuned for his recap of the final episode.

Permanent Link for this Article