I don’t think about this one all that often, but it’s pretty good.
It’s mostly just a romp, as the Christmas specials tend to be. The plot with the Huon particles is incredibly inconsequential, and I’m already beginning to forget it, two minutes after finishing the episode. And that’s fine, it’s not really important.
The big, “important” development is the introduction of Donna Noble, of course. I know there are people who aren’t big fans of Donna 1.0, but I like her, for all her abrasiveness. Catherine Tate has instant chemistry with David Tennant, and she deftly switches between Donna’s more…bellow-y tendencies and the moments of everyday sadness that she’s allowed to have. It’s easy to see why they decided to bring her back in the future.
Sylvia Noble is surprisingly abrasive herself in this one. It does make it easy to see where Donna gets it from, but in retrospect I find it a little jarring.
The Doctor’s eventual confrontation with the Racnoss Empress (played in a rather Klingon-like fashion, if I do say so myself) features him at his most wrathful, which I always enjoy. For some reason, though, I don’t think it quite makes the “the Doctor shouldn’t be alone” case in the way that it’s trying to.
There are two things about this episode that stick in my mind, for whatever reason. The first is the TARDIS chasing the cab down the motorway - lots of fun, especially with the two kids watching from the other car, cheering them on. Give me a follow-up on them, they should be adults now.
The second is, “with this ring, I thee bio-damp.” I’ve always found that very amusing, and will be taking no questions at this time.
I know there are people who aren’t big fans of Donna 1.0
And they are wrong. I’m not saying everyone doesn’t have a right to their own opinion but Donna is objectively The Best companion since Sara Jane and I’ll duel anyone who says otherwise. Slapping gloves at dawn!
I don’t think about this one all that often, but it’s pretty good.
It’s mostly just a romp, as the Christmas specials tend to be. The plot with the Huon particles is incredibly inconsequential, and I’m already beginning to forget it, two minutes after finishing the episode. And that’s fine, it’s not really important.
The big, “important” development is the introduction of Donna Noble, of course. I know there are people who aren’t big fans of Donna 1.0, but I like her, for all her abrasiveness. Catherine Tate has instant chemistry with David Tennant, and she deftly switches between Donna’s more…bellow-y tendencies and the moments of everyday sadness that she’s allowed to have. It’s easy to see why they decided to bring her back in the future.
Sylvia Noble is surprisingly abrasive herself in this one. It does make it easy to see where Donna gets it from, but in retrospect I find it a little jarring.
The Doctor’s eventual confrontation with the Racnoss Empress (played in a rather Klingon-like fashion, if I do say so myself) features him at his most wrathful, which I always enjoy. For some reason, though, I don’t think it quite makes the “the Doctor shouldn’t be alone” case in the way that it’s trying to.
There are two things about this episode that stick in my mind, for whatever reason. The first is the TARDIS chasing the cab down the motorway - lots of fun, especially with the two kids watching from the other car, cheering them on. Give me a follow-up on them, they should be adults now.
The second is, “with this ring, I thee bio-damp.” I’ve always found that very amusing, and will be taking no questions at this time.
And they are wrong. I’m not saying everyone doesn’t have a right to their own opinion but Donna is objectively The Best companion since Sara Jane and I’ll duel anyone who says otherwise. Slapping gloves at dawn!
Oh yeah, I don’t think Donna’s greatness is seriously up for much debate.
By “Donna 1.0” I mean specifically the version of her that we meet in this episode. She’s definitely…louder…but still pretty great.
Oh yeah but yelling Donna is my favourite Donna. I always love it when a companion doesn’t brook any of the Doctor’s shenanigans.
With all the hissing, I was thinking more along the lines of a feral cat.