Doctor Who - Series 2 Vol.1 (DVD)

...gap of 9 years the Doctor returned to British TV screens, the response was a resounding success. Millions of viewers watched the show as it was screened with a further 5 million watching at a later date (having recorded it). By episode three it was obvious that UK audiences had not yet tired of the Doctor and the announcement was made that not only would there be a second and third series but two Christmas specials too. In this first volume of Series ...
...before Rose's very eyes the Doctor becomes suddenly quite sick; the force of taking in the power of the TARDIS has caused his regeneration to have difficulties. The pair returns to Rose's home where Rose's mother prepares the Doctor for bed. But while out of consciousness something rather unpleasant is going on in space above them.

Leaving the Doctor in Jackie's care Rose and Mickey head off into town to do a bit of last minute Christmas ... more

In 2005 after a gap of 9 years the Doctor returned to British TV screens, the response was a resounding success. Millions of viewers watched the show as it was screened with a further 5 million watching at a later date (having recorded it). By episode three it was obvious that UK audiences had not yet tired of the Doctor and the announcement was made that not only would there be a second and third series but two Christmas specials too. In this first volume of Series two the episodes featured are the 2005 Christmas Special - The Christmas Invasion, and Episode 1 from series 2 - New Earth.

The Christmas Invasion

Having regenerated before Rose's very eyes the Doctor becomes suddenly quite sick; the force of taking in the power of the TARDIS has caused his regeneration to have difficulties. The pair returns to Rose's home where Rose's mother prepares the Doctor for bed. But while out of consciousness something rather unpleasant is going on in space above them.

Leaving the Doctor in Jackie's care Rose and Mickey head off into town to do a bit of last minute Christmas shopping. No sooner have they arrived than a group of rather unpleasant Santa Claus'es are attacking them with guns disguised as musical instruments. Having escaped they return home to find that a new Christmas tree has arrived and its needles have been replaced by razors.

Meanwhile newly appointed Prime Minister Harriet Jones comes in the firing line after a Sychronax space ship arrives demanding that the Earth surrenders or dies.

New Earth

Now fully recovered from his regeneration the Doctor decides to take Rose somewhere very special. Having seen the Earth destroyed in the previous series the Doctor wants to show Rose an element of hope. The pair arrives on New Earth a planet colonised after it became inevitable that the Earth was to be destroyed.

The Doctor immediately has his suspicions about the place; these are raised when they arrive at a hospital where Katakians (Cats who are nursing nuns) cure sick patients with terminal illness's. However they have much more sinister plans in place for the cured patients. A meeting with the Face of Boe and a strange looking monk strengthen this fear.

Things turn from bad to worse when it's discovered Cassandra the last human (previously seen in The End Of The World) has a hand in the action and steals Rose's identity. Can the Doctor save Rose? And release the curse placed on New Earth?

Cast

The Christmas Invasion

David Tennant (The Doctor),
Billie Piper (Rose Tyler),
Camille Coduri (Jackie Tyler),
Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith),
Penelope Wilton (Harriet Jones),
Daniel Evans (Danny Llewellyn),
Adam Garcia (Alex),
Sean Gilder (Sycorax Leader),

New Earth

David Tennant (Doctor Who),
Billie Piper (Rose Tyler),
Noel Clarke (Mickey),
Zoe Wanamaker (Cassandra),
Michael Fitzgerald (Duke),
Lucy Robinson (Clovis),
Dona Croll (The Matron),
Adjoa Andoh (The Sister),
Anna Hope (The Novice),
Sean Gallagher (Chip)

Overview

When the 2005 series began the story started primarily aimed at children and almost forgetting the fans of the old series; this made the very first episode of series 1 seem very childish. The amazing thing to watch was the progression though the series as they bought all age groups together; by the end of the first series it had found its ground. Series 2 starts at that middle ground; and it certainly hits the ground running the first story of series 2 New Earth is a phenomenal action packed budget breaking episode. David Tennant makes a far more watchable Doctor than Christopher Ecclestone, he plays the role less quirky and with more structured boundaries. Ecclestone in my view used the series as a springboard to try and prove he is more than just a straight actor. But David Tennant seems to be saying I don't care what you think of me in previous roles; I am the Doctor and you'll either love me or you'll hate me. But whatever the case I'm the Doctor and I'm here to stay.

Rose seems to have grown up too; she held most of the Christmas Invasion on her own; now in New Earth she too has more controlled parameters. She has ceased questioning and now acting on instinct. It's as if the first series was just there to make the way for series 2. Another alarming contrast is Mickey he goes from being a wimp to a formidable companion for the Doctor. As the series will progress Mickey goes from being just Rose's boyfriend to a fully paid up companion. And his strength is reflected in the two stories on this DVD.

Despite the fact that for series 2 the BBC had to cut the budget it does not show, the special effects in both stories is easily as good as any Hollywood offering; especially when you see the lavish lands of New Earth. This is a far more polished and glossy look for the series which I'm sure the fans and casual viewers will love.

The incidental music used within New Earth is a fantastic piece it has a real blockbuster feel to it from quite soft shades of piano music to loud banging orchestral pieces. Better still it really fits the story well; a couple of stories in the first series the music often was ill conceived or failed to match the tone of the story. If the soundtrack stays as good as New Earth for the rest of the series I'm sure musical awards will be given as well as all the other awards piling up on the cast and crews mantelpieces. The music for Christmas Invasion too had a very big feel about it; I am reminded almost of Lord Of The Rings in the way the scores played out.

I think the key for series 2 is going to be the comparison between different genres as well as the good Doctor Who tradition elements they have incorporated elements of popular movies such as Harry Potter, Lord Of The Rings and The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe.

I should not forget to mention the link for the entire series; last year a subtle use of the term Bad Wolf was etched through each episode. This years link is a lot less subtle, however it begins in The Christmas Invasion and carries through; the outcome of this remains to be seen but from what I have read we are in for a true dynamic year in respect of Doctor Who.

There are no special features on this first volume of Series 2, however there is a subtitle option available. You can pre-order Series 2 volume 1 from Amazon for £11.99 and Play.com for the same price. The DVD is available to purchase from 1st of May.

For those of you wanting to know what future episodes will bring the good Doctor below is a line up and transmission date schedule for the second series.

Doctor Who Night - BBC3 9th April
Totally Doctor Who - BBC1 13th April and every Thursday there on.
Doctor Who Confidential - BBC3 15th April and every Saturday there on.

New Earth - April 15th (Episodes then screened every Saturday there after)

Tooth & Claw - The Doctor and Rose must save Queen Victoria from a vicious onslaught of Werewolves.

School Reunion - While posing undercover in a school slowly become over-run by Krilltanes the Doctor gives an old companion in the form of Sarah Jane Smith (a companion from 1973-1976) a nice surprise followed by the realisation that his arrival means something is very wrong. Also features the return of the Doctors loved robot dog K9.

The Girl In The Fireplace - Nasty robots with powerful arms invade the court of Louis XIV

The Rise Of The Cybermen & The Age Of Steel - The Doctor and Rose slip off track and end up in an alternate time on our Earth; in this time the Cybermen have total control lead by John Lumic (Roger Lloyd Pack).

Idiots Lantern - Aliens control the airwaves of our television signals and plan to invade during the 1950's.

The Impossible Planet & The Satan Pit - The Doctor and Rose arrive on a nightmarish world which could well be Hell.

Love & Monsters - The Doctor must battle comedian Peter Kay who plays Victor Kennedy a man who can freeze people to death just by touching them.

Fear Her - The Doctor and Rose battle an Alien force who are trying to cause a disaster during the 2012 Olympics.

Army Of Ghosts & Doomsday - A star studded cast including Derek Acorah, Barbara Windsor, and Trisha Goddard join up for the series finale. Two enemies return to round the series of nicely The Cybermen controlled by Yvonne Hartman (Tracy Anne Oberman - Chrissy from Eastenders) have woken up and find themselves in allegiance with the Gelth an alien force from the first series.

On top of this Doctor Who spin off Torchwood starring John Barrowman and Eve Miles begins the first week of October and carries on until the start of series 3. Torchwood will only be shown on BBC3 and is made for Adults Only.
 

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