Watching New Who: Season One Report Card
Originally published at tansyrr.com. You can comment here or there.
Tehani’s S1 Report Card
David’s S1 Report Card
Tansy’s Season One Report Card:
The Doctor: I’m sad he didn’t stay longer. Eccleston brought a brilliant combination of gravitas and girning comedy to the role, and answered the question of what a 21st Century Time Lord would be like. It would have been cool to see how he would have taken the character in a second season, but maybe it’s good that we only had this one to remember him by. He burned fast, and hard, and while my heart now belongs to Matt Smith’s Eleven, I will always love poor, broken, cranky Nine.
The Companions:
Rose Tyler: I liked Rose from the start, and I think she really earns her keep in this season which works so hard to show the contrast between the old, haunted war veteran Doctor and the young, bolshy human. She is still absolutely the template for a good modern companion: up for anything, someone who would run into the TARDIS at full pelt because the universe is an exciting place.
Adam Mitchell: Entertaining while he was there, but really he only served the purpose to prove that not everyone can be a companion. I’m sad they never brought him back as I think he could have proved a solid villain with a motive we can all get behind: sometimes, the Doctor is an arse.
Jack Harkness: Oh, Jack. Mysterious, banterific and happy to flirt with anyone and anything. I do love him. He prevented the Doctor-Rose relationship from getting too earnest and helped them both find the fun. He always got the best lines. And in return, they left him alone on a Dalek-destroyed space station. DID I MENTION THAT SOMETIMES THE DOCTOR IS AN ARSE? There are some things that even a spin off series don’t make up for.
Recurring Characters:
Jackie Tyler: I always remember how funny and adorable she is, and forget that she can actually be a hard-nosed bitch, so those bits always take me by surprise - like in “Rose” where she comments that working in a shop was giving Rose airs and graces, and a butchers shop would be more suitable. She can cut people down with a word or a glance, even her own daughter, but all that of course comes from the sadness in her life. Camille Coduri did a fantastic job to present a character who was cartoon caricature one minute, and heartbreaking the next. I miss her popping up in the show!
Mickey Smith: I don’t love him as much in this season as later, but he has his moments here. My favourite is still when he asks the Doctor not to tell Rose he doesn’t want to come with them, and the Doctor conspires with him to make it look like he’s the one shutting Mickey out. A great, rare moment of understanding between the two men. I also like the banter when he joins the gang in Boom Town, and his yellow truck heroics at the end.
What is your favourite episode of this season?
The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances
Least favourite episode?
The Unquiet Dead
Favourite guest performance?
Florence Hoath (Nancy)
Describe this season in one word!
Frenetic!
Grade: If you’d asked me a few years ago I would have given it an A, no question, but the last few years have upped the game so much, that I have to bring it down in comparison. It’s still a favourite I return to again and again. B+