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DOCTOR WHO SERIES THREE
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MARCH-JULY 2007
(aka DOCTOR WHO SEASON 29)
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DOCTOR WHO - Episode 1 - SMITH AND JONES - David Tennant and Freema Agyeman
01 - SMITH AND JONES - [Extra information]
 
"...Doctor?
far as I'm concerned
you've got to earn that title..."

PLOTLINE

Another ordinary day at London's St. Thomas' hospital for budding Doctor, Martha Jones. Until she meets the Doctor.

And whilst he seems strange, her days becomes even stranger as she she encounters a warrior-like alien race, the Judoon.

EPISODE ONE REVIEW

And we're straight into the iconic theme music and swirling vortex of time and space (its design tweaked, if you look carefully enough). And we better check; yes, David Tennant remains the drama's lead. You can never be too certain if the tabloid press or DOCTOR WHO fan websites are to be believed.

Oh, yes, it introduces Freema Agyeman into the glare of the flashing lantern light.

SMITH AND JONES launches a crucial third series for DOCTOR WHO. In a fickle television industry where the memory of viewers and critics alike are notoriously Alzeimic, a third series is probably make-or-break.

DOCTOR WHO NEW SERIES has a quality and appreciation that is perhaps only matched by. Now there's a thought; what is it matched by?

However, the expectations increased year-on-year SERIES 3 is one for consolidation, a "deep breath" by BBC WALES in preparation for development in SERIES 4 and 5. (By the way, back in September 2003, DOCTOR WHO was given a "green light" by BBC DRAMA for five years, and not, as others assert, an annual re-commission). Can the series improve on plotline & storytelling (less "soap" and more "fantasy drama", character development (let go of Rose Tyler), concept & design (reduce the number of times the small set of metal steps are used in set decoration), and, more importantly, a resolution to fight "leakage" & "Ruiners"?

It's a "big ask". Does SMITH AND JONES attempt to tackle it?

Firstly, the Agyeman issue. The doom-mongers and critics that commented that the actress was "wooden" and "staid", unsuitable for the series after a stunning performance (that incrementally built over two series) by Billie Piper, are now gorging on plate of 'umble pie. Can you hear that? The sound of indigestion. Agyeman is breath of fresh air and confident in her role and being a part of the successful series. Intelligent, questioning, personable and garrulous young women that is, in a nice twist for the series, seemingly equal to the Doctor.

For CLASSIC SERIES fans, think of Martha Jones as a Nyssa-Tegan hybrid, I think, but with the volume turned down.

Fantastic.

Martha Jones: We could die any minute. But all the same, it's beautiful.

And:

Martha Jones: We're on the bloody moon!

And:

Martha Jones (astonishingly smitten, after "the kiss" from the Doctor): That was nothing.

Unfortunately, yes, unfortunately, the Martha Jones character baggage, at the moment, seems less successful. Personally, I have little interest in the DOCTOR WHO equivalent of FAMILY AFFIARS; depicting Martha's family as strong yet dysfunctional in some hope that fans will become loyal to them as they - supposedly - did en masse with the Tyler clan. Been there, done that, move on. It would have a better experiment to made Martha a single parent struggling with her medical career.

Of course, the next "companion" must be an orphan, like the CLASSIC SERIES' Victoria Waterfield, who is saved by the Doctor from a environmental disaster (coincidentally caused by the Doctor's intervention).

The ever valuable David Tennant continues to impress in the role-he-was-born-to-play (buy a big enough headstone, David) and, and this is so difficult to say, his characterisation of the Doctor eclipses that of Tom Baker in its passion, alien-ness, conviction and quirkiness. Naturally, that is the result of resolute crafting by, primarily, Russell T Davies but Tennant relishes every line of every scene of every script.

Martha Jones: Got a Brother?
The Doctor (resigned to the fate): Not anymore.

The plotline twist (one of two that worked exceptionally well) of the Doctor "dying" to save planet Earth again (I'm fine with that.) only to be saved, with her "final" breath, by the young medical student was rewarding.

The challenge, and from just viewing one episode for this series, for Tennant personally is how can he continue to be as fresh and as charged as he was during the filming of his first episode. Thankfully, he seems to be in this for the long haul (at least for three series?) for which fans and television producers should be grateful for.

SMITH AND JONES has the distinction of being the first SERIES opener that meets the expectations of a premiere episode - new character set-up, Earth setting with a twist, a chase through endless corridors, and a creative array of aliens that have substantive backgrounds (if T. Davies does one thing well is that he established, sometimes in just a few words, a rationale & history that lies in polar opposite to the CLASSIC SERIES of aliens with an "evil" intent).

Having avoided those terrible websites that published 'under-helmet' photographs, the Judoon were replete & effective in their roles of a freelance Police force complete with a squeaky handy 'magic-marker' device. Oh, the squeak. Foley artists genius. Genius.

The sculpted Judoon 'head mask' was, again, genius and harkened back to the quality & humanity that were created by John Friedlander in the 1970s but, this time, enhanced by animatronics. Not a subtle as the animatronics of the Slitheen but nonetheless equally effective. And, yes, another action figure toy opportunity.

The second alien was, sadly, less successful. But it could have been if it had not been for the thorn-in-the-side Ruiners, as T. Davies calls them. Anne Reid's Florence Finnegan/Plasmavore being "flagged-up" as the enemy within the episode by TOTALLY DOCTOR WHO and CBBC NEWSROUND spoilt the plotline, leaving me thinking, "I think I'll cut my toe nails tomorrow."

I am sure that I am not alone (including millions of kids) in thinking that BBC WALES' publicity is becoming an enemy of the Doctor in a fashion that would have the Dalek rubbing their suckers/guns together with glee.

In revealing plotline or character revelation, less is more. We need someone to say, "Enough is enough. Shut your mouth."

I suspect that Finnegan/Plasmavore's take on Thomas Harris' Hannibal Lector was witty enough on the page but was poorly realised. The Plasmavore concept, internal shape-shifting alien that assimilates through biology & DNA) is one that future series could address within a darker and more threatening environment

New to DOCTOR WHO, Richard Clark's direction SMITH AND JONES seems sterile, compared to TOOTH AND CLAW and character-piece BOOM TOWN , and failed to - ironically whilst set within a hospital - feel a pulse let alone a heart beat. Was this continuing-drama (soap for the primetime) HOLBY CITY or DOCTOR WHO? I am still deciding. However, the jewel in Clark's debut was the stunning visual effects, demonstrating that SERIES 3 is far more polished, thoughtful and visionary than many of North American television imports. The impossible bumblebee built Judoon spacecrafts pushed the design envelope even further as did the H20 scoop "storm".

Overall, SMITH AND JONES was as satisfying as the first warm day of spring after months of winter gloom, but then again we'll miss the snow & rain & twinkling lights of Christmas. It was a rattling good yarn (but ditch the "family soap") however the cautious and uninspiring direction failed to alight the screen with anything more than adequacy.

For the viewing kids and adults alike, SERIES 3 has to be more than just adequate - it must be inventive, significant and genuine.

2007 will be make or break for DOCTOR WHO.

 

EXTRA
 

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE The title of this episode - referring to Martha Jones (the Doctor's new companion) and the Doctor 's common alias, "John Smith" - is a reference to the Western television programme ALIAS SMITH AND JONES.

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE The Doctor re-dons the pyjamas and dressing gown he wore in THE CHRISTMAS INVASION.

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE The likeness between Martha and Adeola, a character who appeared and was killed in the Series 2 episode ARMY OF GHOSTS and was also played by Freema Agyeman, is touched on in this episode. Martha mentions that her cousin Adeola worked at Canary Wharf and never returned on the day of the Cybermen attack.

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE For much of the episode the Doctor is seen wearing a blue suit. In the final scenes, however, he is once again seen wearing a brown suit.

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE The Judoon are large humanoid aliens with rhinoceros -like heads and clad in armour. They have scanning and translation devices.

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE The Doctor's sonic screwdriver is destroyed in this episode. Once back to the TARDIS is "grows" another one.

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE The Doctor kisses Martha during this episode, although he claims it was simply a 'genetic transfer'.

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE The Plasmavore was executed by the Judoon Police as she/it had murdered the Child Princess of Padrivole Regency Nine.

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE Martha asks the Doctor if he has a brother and he replies, "Not any more".

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE The Doctor once had a laser spanner that was stolen by Emmeline Pankhurst , reportedly a "cheeky woman". He also mentions that he was part of Benjamin Franklin's "lightening" experiment.

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE Medical Student, Oliver Morgenstern refers to "Mr Saxon" during his radio broadcast, claiming that the events of the episode prove his theories correct.

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE The Doctor says he likes banana milkshakes when talking to Florence Finnigan/Plasmavore.

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE After coming back to live the Doctor, now barefoot, walks through the hospital. This echoes the 1996 TV Movie with Paul McGann.

CONTINUITY ERROR (FX) The curse of the Sontaran and Silurian (1982) happened to the Judoon Leader's mask. Just after the patient is "executed" for the vase-crime, a "flap" of the prosthetic can be clearly seen as the Judoon walks toward the camera (approximately at 21:00 minutes).

CONTINUITY ERROR (Directing) Whilst cataloging the humans in the hospital's reception area, there is a man (wearing a stripy dressing gown, hiding in the little shop) that is seen twice being catalogued. In one shot he is seen standing being "marked, and a few seconds later is seen been dragged to his feet and scanned. Of course, he could have a twin.


ENLARGE IMAGE

ENLARGE IMAGE

ENLARGE IMAGE

ENLARGE IMAGE


Review - Matthew Walter
EOH RATING

EOH - 5/10

CAST
THE DOCTOR
David Tennant
MARTHA JONES
Freema Agyeman
FLORENCE FINNEGAN
Anne Reid
MR B STOKER
Roy Marsden
JULIA SWALES
Vineeta Rishi
CLIVE JONES
Trevor Laird
LEO JONES
  Reggie yates
FRANCINE JONES
  Adjoa Andoh
TISH JONES
  Gugu Mbatha-Raw
OLIVER MORGENSTERN
  Ben Righton
JUDOON LEADER
  Paul Kasey
JUDOON VOICE
  Nicholas Briggs
   
   
MAIN PRODUCTION CREDITS
 
With thanks to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
   
ORIGINAL THEME MUSIC
  Ron Grainer
CASTING DIRECTOR
  Andy Pryor CDG
PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANT
  Endaf Emry Williams
SOUND RECORDIST
  Simon Fraser
COSTUME DESIGNER
  Louise Page
MAKE-UP DESIGNER
  Sheelagh Wells
MUSIC
  Murray Gold
VISUAL EFFECTS
  THE MILL
VISUAL FX PRODUCER
  Will Cohen
VISUAL FX SUPERVISOR
  Dave Houghton
SPECIAL EFFECTS
  ANY EFFECTS
PROSTHETICS
  Neill Gorton and Millennium Effects
EDITOR
  Llana del Giudice
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
  Edward Thomas
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
  Ernie Vincze BSC
PRODUCTION MANAGER
  Tracie Simpson
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
  Helen Vallis
   
PRODUCER
  Phil Collinson
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
  Julie Gardner
Russell T Davies
DIRECTOR
  Charles Palmer
  Produced by
BBC WALES
WRITER
  Russell T Davies
     
INFORMATION
BROADCAST DATE
31 March 2007
 
REPEATED DATE
  1 April 2007
     
FIRST RUN UK RATINGS (millions)
Est. 8.2 (39.5% Share).
Final 8.71
 
DVD RELEASE
May 2007
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