Doctor Who - Series 1 Vol. 1 (DVD)

The return of Doctor Who to our TV screens was marked with high anticipation. People were saying all sorts, that it wouldn't be as good as the old one, that Billie Piper (Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, The Ruby In The Smoke) wouldn't be able to act...and you know what? They were all wrong. The first episode of the "new series" re-instated everything from the old series that made it such a classic, time-travelling story lines, excellent acting, ...
...and yet clever and witty Doctor with the best smile going. As for Piper, the pop star has-been had doubts surrounding her acting ability, but there needn't have been, her performance is seamless, convincing, and thoroughly real new "companion" for the Doctor.

Altogether, this is a great episode to re-introduce the series, and to introduce the then mainly unknown lead characters. It's not the most heartbreaking of stories, ... more

The return of Doctor Who to our TV screens was marked with high anticipation. People were saying all sorts, that it wouldn't be as good as the old one, that Billie Piper (Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, The Ruby In The Smoke) wouldn't be able to act...and you know what? They were all wrong. The first episode of the "new series" re-instated everything from the old series that made it such a classic, time-travelling story lines, excellent acting, cleverly written, and the incredible incarnation of the Doctor, now played by Christopher Eccleston (The Second Coming, Casualty, Heroes). I'm going to review this disc episode by episode, starting with the "pilot" episode.

1. Rose

We're here introduced to a very ordinary shop assistant called Rose Tyler. We're introduced to her very ordinary mum, and her ordinary boyfriend. We're introduced to her very ordinary life. And then, with lift doors opening, and the lack of music, it all changes. Chased by mannequins-brought-to-life she's near her end, when a stranger grabs her hand, smiles at her, and says quite clearly: "Run!".

It's just such a seamless transition, and the fact that it's all taking place in an all too believable world just completely immerses you in the storyline. Eccleston completely convinces as an alien out of touch with humanity, playing a hopeless and yet clever and witty Doctor with the best smile going. As for Piper, the pop star has-been had doubts surrounding her acting ability, but there needn't have been, her performance is seamless, convincing, and thoroughly real new "companion" for the Doctor.

Altogether, this is a great episode to re-introduce the series, and to introduce the then mainly unknown lead characters. It's not the most heartbreaking of stories, it's not the most edge-of-your-seat, but what it does have is tons of charisma, and you can't help but feel compelled to watch the next episode. I would give Rose an 8/10.

2. The End Of The World

And for her first trip into the future in the Doctor's mysterious Police Box, he takes her to..."the End Of The World". And from the moment that he says those words, and Rose looks on in horror at her planet about to die, you can tell this will be a far more personal, far more close-to-home episode (if that's even possible with it being set five-billion years in the future).

And, true, most for the episode, Rose is sitting around the Observation Deck, pondering her feelings about running off with a complete stranger, and an alien to boot. Until about half-way through the episode, she's completely oblivious to the threat we've seen several times, the mysterious Spiders that scuttle round the space-station and kidnap crew members, disarming sun filters, and generally causing havoc.

Although of course, none of this really matters. Because this is the first episode of the new series where we get to see real, non-CGI enemies, and get to see how much they've improved since the tacky (and slightly entertaining) monsters of the "Old Series". And I can only say they've done a really incredible job. From a squat little blue creature that spits at people, to bird people, to a talking trampoline (okay, it is part CGI), but you can tell there has definitely been a budget increase since the old series.

Overall, this stories quite a slow one, focused more on dialog than running round after monsters, but that doesn't mean it can't pack an emotional sucker punch in the series's first death of a supporting character that the audience care about. The story zips up and down, and all the while the earth is waiting to be consumed by the sun, leaving Rose with a moral dilemma of her own. Even though many wouldn't call this a "soapy" episode, it still has it's inventive baddie, and still has great acting from both Eccleston and Piper. I'd give another 8/10

3. The Unquiet Dead

You can almost tell by the title that this will be the zombie episode, and by golly is it a creepy zombie/ghost episode. Right from the off, you're show a screaming dead woman, up and walking the streets. It sends chills down my spine every time.

With the being Rose's first trip into the past, the costume and set departments have done an monumental job recreating Cardiff in 1869. It's believable, which is key to any Doctor Who story. Then there's the story itself. Without giving anything away, because I think it will spoil your enjoyment of this one, the story builds up and up until the causes of trouble is found, then right at the end delivers such an emotional blow that a tear did come to my eye. I would give you a plot synopsis but I just can't, as I think this one is best watched without a clue, in the dark, with the curtains closed.

Although I will give away one thing, Charles Dickens features heavily in the episode, and is played rather brilliantly by Simon Callow. I love this story, it's worth buying the DVD on it's own, let alone with the other two brilliant episodes with it. Definitely a 10/10!

So basically, adding everything up, you've got a 26/30 DVD here, which is pretty good in my opinion. Although some of you may think that it doesn't warrant a 5 star rating, just watching the episodes ca prove you wrong. It's completely unmissable viewing, and makes sense to watch as a series. Although there are no extras on the DVD what-so-ever, it's a complete steal: 2h15 minutes of television gold for only around £8, less if you're a bargain hunter. This DVD is a must have in any Sci-Fi fan's collection, and if you're not a Sci-Fi fan it deserves a place on you shelf anyway. Because once you've watched it, there is no going back. 

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