In 2005, Doctor Who was relaunched by the BBC, with a new logo, a revamped theme tune and computer enhanced aliens and special effects galore, and what's more, the new look show has not only worked, but has become once more one of the BBC's most successful dramas, with the 3rd new series currently being shot.

Doctor Who Series 1 Volume 1 contains episodes 1-3.

What is Doctor Who?

Doctor Who is a Science Fiction series by the BBC, now over 40 years old. The show revolves around a main character known only as "The Doctor", a mysterious human looking alien of a species called the "Time Lords", who can travel through time and space through the use of a spaceship called a TARDIS. The Doctor's TARDIS is "disguised" as the show's infamous blue police public call box.

The show follows the Doctor's haphazard journeys through the past and into the future, on Earth and on other planets, battling foes and gaining "companions", human or alien allies who often travel with him.

One of the show's main devices is the Time Lords' ability to "regenerate". This means that, instead of dying, The Doctor can create a new body, often with a different personality, up to 13 times before dying outright. Christopher Eccleston, the new Doctor, is the 9th incarnation of The Doctor.

Who is Doctor Who?

Since the show's cancellation in the late '80s, we are told that the Doctor has spent his time fighting in the Time War, a war between the Time Lords and the Daleks, which resulted in the two species being wiped from existence, with the Doctor the only survivor.

As a result, the 9th Doctor is sarcastic and anti-social. He is reluctant to explain his role in the Time War (unless the series progresses and the story unfurls, of course) and seems to be suffering from Survivor's Guilt.

His Entourage

The show's other main character is Rose Tyler (Billie Piper). A 21st century shop assistant, 19 year old Rose lives in London on a council estate with her widowed mother, Jackie, and has a boyfriend, Mickey. Rose is curious and bold, plunging head forth into the danger and adventure that the Doctor brings in his wake, and giving as good as she gets from the moody traveller.

Episode 1: Rose

The first episode of the series doesn't waste time in getting back into the swing of things. An average work day for Rose is turned upside when department store mannequins come to life and try to attack her. Saved, reluctantly, by the Doctor, Rose is flung into a strange new world, and works together with the Time Lord to stop Autons, living plastic creatures, from transmitting a signal that will turn every plastic item in the world into a living, murderous creature.

After Rose saves the Doctor from death at the hands of the chief Auton, the Doctor invites her to join him aboard the TARDIS.

The episode sets the feel for the new series well: it's a modern, fast paced show with a good sense of humour, which helps to counteract the questionable storylines. Rose's character is compelling, and her everyday life helps to ground the show in reality.

However, the choice of reusing the bog standard alien the Autons makes for a mediocre storyline with little in the way of twists and turns. On the other hand, it does help to keep the reintroduction of the Doctor as the episode's focus, and Christopher Eccleston's amusing and modern take on the Doctor shines.

Episode 2: The End of the World

The Doctor decides to show off on Rose's first journey through time and space by taking her to the year 5 billion, the year the Earth is destroyed by the Sun.

The duo view the Earth's final hour from Platform 1, a spaceship observation deck, alongside an array of rich socialite aliens. But things don't go quite to plan as someone unleashes a swarm of deadly robot spiders onboard, designed to sabotage the spaceship. The Doctor and Rose race against time to catch the culprit and defeat the spiders.

The End of the World is a step up from the season opener, with a stronger plot, and what becomes standard themes in the later episodes: mystery and suspense. The tension is built nicely and the episode holds your attention, with action packed close calls before the episode draws its somewhat obvious conclusion.

Once again, Eccleston and Piper both show strength in their characters, but the episode still serves as an obligatory follow up from the pilot, focusing on Rose's homesickness and uncertainty about travelling with a cold, nameless man, with reasonable realism.

Episode 3: The Unquiet Dead

Having shown her the future, the Doctor makes Rose's next TARDIS trip a journey to the past, namely to 1860, Naples, or, as it turns out, 1869 Cardiff.

As ever, upon arrival, the Doctor and Rose discover trouble at a local funeral home: the dead are walking, possessed by ghostly creatures made of gas called the Gelth, brought to Cardiff by a rift in time and space. Aided by a psychic maid called Gwenyth and a famous guest to the city, Charles Dickens, the Doctor and Rose try to help these seemingly helpless creatures find hosts to live inside, only to discover the creatures have an evil, hidden agenda.

This is another entertaining episode, but the plot is too transparent which makes it less attention-grabbing than it could be. The aliens, as well, are again rather dull and forgettable, but the Doctor's banter with Charles Dickens does save a few scenes.

The Pros

Not being a fan of Science Fiction, I had to be persuaded to watch Doctor Who by a friend and I'm relatively glad I did. The new series is a strange beast: the plots are sketchy and the alien monsters are amusing, but I still have a hankering to buy myself a Sonic Screwdriver.

What saves the show is the leads' acting and sterling dialogue: Christopher Eccleston puts his own spin on the Doctor, creating a vivid, buzzing character who leaps into the most alien of situations without a thought, yet counters this with a cold and mysterious reluctance to talk of his past, creating a relatable human edge to his quirky character.

Billie Piper also plays her role well, turning Rose from a normal 21st century girl into a convincingly strong heroine who not is capable of saving herself from danger, but the Doctor as well. Rose's character helps to counteract the Doctor; her youth and headstrong attitude help to push the Doctor's buttons and draw him out of his shell, and the two create a duo who compliment each other. The banter between the two is both natural and amusing.

The show's overall quality has to be commended as well. The budget seems to have been quite impressive for a TV show, with good quality computer generated effects used to create explosions and certain aliens. The variety of sets and outdoor locations used, as well as some clever modern camera work (such as letting the camera be "nudged" by alien creatures walking straight at the camera) and set design give the show a great deal of credibility and makes it great eye candy.

In a way, Doctor Who strikes me as a Science Fiction show for people who don't like Science Fiction. The show possesses a tongue in cheek style and focuses on characters, rather than dense science-based plots in a way that a more serious Science Fiction show would not. The return visits to Earth in the TARDIS, and the inclusion of everyday 21st century girl Rose ground the show in reality and gives the Doctor's adventures into the universe even more impact.

Best of all for those new to Doctor Who, there's no need to watch the earlier series to get up to speed with the plot. The Time War is used cleverly as both a vehicle to give the new Doctor an interesting backstory to unfurl over the new series, but it also helps to keep the show accessible to everyone: plot threads from previous series and old characters, such as the Master are almost all annulled. Whilst this may annoy old fans, it certainly helps get everyone on the same page, and allows the show to start quickly and find its flow.

The Cons

The only downside worth mentioning concerning this, and all new Doctor Who DVDs is the lack of rewatch value. Though an entertaining show, most of the enjoyment comes through the fast plots, action and suspenseful mysteries, which, when revealed, lose their power to captivate you a second time. For this reason, I would suggest only renting the show, or buying it only if you're a diehard fan.

Overview

Doctor Who Series 1 Volume 1 is a strong start and creates a powerful launchpad for the rest of the series. A brave reinvention of a cult classic.

DVD Extras

The disc contains no extras.

DVD Packaging and DVD

The DVD case is reasonably eye catching, features a photo of the Doctor, Rose and the Tardis against a red background, along with the new Doctor Who logo. The same picture is printed on the disc itself.

Quotes

The Doctor: They're made of plastic, living plastic creatures. They're being controlled by a relay device on the roof, which would be a great big problem if I didn't have this *holds out a bomb* So, I'm going to go upstairs and blow it up, and I might well die in the process, but, don't worry about me. No, you go home, go on, go and have your lovely beans on toast. Don't tell anyone about this, 'cos if you do, you'll get them killed.
*The Doctor closes the door on Rose, then, after a moment reopens it*
The Doctor: I'm the Doctor by the way, what's your name?
Rose: Rose
The Doctor: Nice to meet you Rose. Run for your life!

Rose: You can't just go swanning off!
The Doctor: Yes I can, here I am, this is me, swanning off! See ya!

Rose: If you're an alien, how come you sound like you're from the North?
The Doctor: Lots of planets have a North!

Where to Buy

Amazon.co.uk - £6.97 + £1.24 P&P or free delivery when placed in an order over £15.

Play.com - £10.99 delivered