Planet of the Dead Review…
Well through a series of misadventure and miscommunication I was able to view the Planet of the Dead this morning instead of much later tonight. Sweet. On the downside, I lost a gig. Bummer. But enough of that, there’s a cat thief in a London museum! In what looks like a scene out of the first Mission Impossible film, our cunning vixen of a thief steals a golden chalice and escapes just as the alarms go off. She manages to bribe a bus driver with her diamond earrings to try and escape the police. As the bus drives off a tall, thin man in a brown suit sits down next to her, offers her some chocolate and says, “Hello. I’m the Doctor. Happy Easter.” OPENING CREDITS.
I thought that was a pretty fun and cool way to start the show. That and the fact we find out that psychic paper can be used to pay for things. The Doctor is scanning for some sort of radiation all the while the bus is being chased by police. Why the driver does not pull over is never explained. They enter a tunnel and BAM! Transported by wormhole to another planet. The planet is nothing but a vast desert. Tatooine with an extra sun. The bus was severely damaged by a crane operator (oops, I mean the wormhole) and stuck in the sand. If they can get the buss moving again they can get back. However, they are not alone and danger is coming.
There were quite a bit of elements I liked. I tried to stay spoiler-free so as to enjoy the episode outright. I was disappointed it had nothing to do with zombies. Zombies on Doctor Who would have been totally sweet and don’t deny it wouldn’t. I liked the alien flies. It was kind of a nice change of pace to see a horrific looking alien actually be benign and friendly. Though why they have bluetooth earpieces to communicate on their ship is another little oversight. Most of the action takes place in the desert (filmed in Dubai), the alien ship (BBC’s favorite disused factory) and just outside of a tunnel. I bring this up because not a lot of money seems to be spent on sets. So why is it the CGI in this episode looks no better than the CGI from the Mortal Kombat films? Seriously, remember when everyone was jumping on the CGI bandwagon in the mid-nineties and everything looked smooth and shiny? That’s how the alien stingrays looked in this. The flying bus was cool, but the stingrays… just lame. C’mon guys, we know you can do better. We’ve seen you do better. If it can’t be done right, don’t do it at all, know what I mean? Now, what can I say about Michelle Ryan as Christina? I used to DVR Bionic Woman, but never watched it so this is the first time I’ve ever seen her in anything. I liked how her character kind of took charge and it was an interesting dynamic with the Doctor. However even though she can hold her own with the Doctor it does become apparent he wont let her go with him. Oh, he tells her some BS about “always losing people” and stuff like that. Truth be told, she’s like Adam, in that she wants to see the universe for her own purposes. In Christina’s case, she craves action and adventure. She steals more for the pleasure of it and the Doctor sees right through her. Still in the end he can’t resist helping her get a head start from the police, so who knows we might see her again. Though the show ends kind of ominously when Carmen tells the Doctor his song is ending and he will knock four times…
Next up Water of Mars…
So, what did you guys think?
19 responses so far ↓
1 Peekaboo // Apr 12, 2009 at 11:21 am
I think the Master is coming… That’s what I think… And who knows, maybe Gallifrey with him…
2 Dracos // Apr 12, 2009 at 11:30 am
I am hoping for the ice warriors
3 Paul // Apr 12, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Michelle Ryan made the show for me. She would be a great companion to the Doctor.
4 Richard Kirsch // Apr 12, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I could (and would like to) see her in a one series arc. You know, she sneaks aboard the TARDIS looking for action and adventure. And along the way learns to become a more selfless person and totally changes her ways.
5 Mark // Apr 13, 2009 at 6:35 am
Warched it a couple of timess and still the same opinion - one of the poorest episodes yet. Russell T is a great writer but without 13 episodes to build a story arc everything seemed a bit rushed here. The fly creatures looked as if they were from Sylvester McCoy’s Doctor era and were totally unconvincing as were the flying creatures who looked as if they were from a computer game. Michelle Ryan’s character was too rude and obnoxious to evoke any sympathy and she was given the ‘lead’ too many times during this episode. Only at the end with the Doctor refusing to take her aboard the Tardis did we get any real juicy stuff. But again Davies reverts to the ’something bad is coming your way ploy’ that he has used in every series. The trouble is as this is only the first of four specials it seems a bit ‘by the numbers’. Worryingly the trailer for ‘The Waters of Mars’ doesn’t look much better. Sorry wish I could say it was fantastic but it just wasn’t. Am looking forward to series 5 with Moffat at the helm as he’s written the best episodes for the Doc.
6 Chimina // Apr 13, 2009 at 10:10 am
I really liked it
Always like Doctor Who is my motto ^_^
And here come the drums…
7 Ben Parkin // Apr 14, 2009 at 12:06 am
Mark makes a valid point about Davies: the ominous “something’s coming” bit is over-used. There should be some more tempered use of ominous foreshadowing in the series, though not necessarily abandoned completely (Moffat, hope you’re listening). And there isn’t anything wrong with Ryan’s character taking the lead, often as she did; every once in a while, The Doctor has to come across someone as — shall we say — charismatic as himself, even is she is a crazy adrenaline junkie/selfish/thief.
I must agree about the Wormhole-Rays though; lame lame lame.
As to the fly-creatures, I agree that it was nice that the ugly aliens being the good guys was a nice change, but I don’t think it was used to good effect.
Over all though, I thought the episode was well done, and entertaining, which is what we want, right?
Finally, let’s not let any of the faults we may find with this special ruin our hopes for the future. Mars, here we come!
8 Jorn // Apr 14, 2009 at 1:52 am
I am both satisfied and disappointed; I felt this was a decent episode, but the problem is that it wasn’t an episode. If this had been part of a regular season, I’d be completely fine with it (I honestly don’t think the ‘rays looked that bad, and the special effects have never been what made the show for me). My disappointment stems from the fact that this is the only Who I’ve gotten in four months, and I don’t know when my next fix is coming, so I was hoping for something more. . . . grand.
I agree with the “something’s coming” being a bit overdone; I think it works much better when it starts out much more subtlely, like Bad Wolf in season 1, but with only four episodes this year, I imagine it’s rather difficult to be that subtle….
My favorite moment came right towards the end- “I’ll just step inside this police box and arrest myself.” I also rather enjoyed all of his interaction with Malcom. That was fun. And I am looking forward to Waters of Mars- any idea when that’ll be airing yet?
Is it all over now
Only these years
I’ll leave but I’m singing
Time what is time
He saw it clearly; it’s too late
It does not heal, but lets us forget
Time what is time
We’ll never know
So don’t take care
Then time is time again
9 Mark // Apr 14, 2009 at 2:24 am
Fair points made. I’m glad others liked the episode but I agree that I too was looking for something ’special’ from the special! I know Doctor Who is not about effects (I grew up with Pertwee so I’m used to it) but some are really good, I thought the flying bus was done very well (if a bit Back to the Future). I’ve always liked it when the Doctor is mysterious and dark (like McCoys secod season as the Doc which was fab). To me everything seemed forced and rushed as if Davies was trying to tick all the boxes. I hope ‘Mars’ episode is much better and that Tennant’s send off is fitting for his exceptional turn as the Doctor.
Do we know who is in it? I know Wilfred is but Donna? Rose? Sarah-Jane? Captain Jack? Gallifrey? (I’m getting carried away now)
10 daniel // Apr 14, 2009 at 9:35 am
I’m actually having to wait until they are broadcast here in the U.S. before I can watch them. My wife won’t watch downloaded programs, so I have to wait until they are shown “legitimately” here.
11 dkrouskop // Apr 14, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Honestly, I thought it was a great special, with a plot and structure very reminiscent of the late 70s and early 80s WHO. A fews Davies-isms did creep in, but in general I could have easily seen a smaller scale version of this same story being done in during Pertwee’s run or in the latter years of the Tom Baker era. Of course, I tend to forget that there are many WHO “fans” who don’t care for those periods, since I personally enjoy every era in the series’ history. Really, though - a solid sci-fi plot with two visually compelling new monsters, a capable and very attractive female companion, great use of a real location as an alien world, a minor comic relief character who turns out to be a valuable and resourceful ally, UNIT, plenty of wonky pseudo-science that sounds just plausible enough when the Doctor espouses it, and a whole lot of fast-paced fun. On top of this, no forced and improbable romance, very little heavy-handed brooding, some nice references to past stories without the unecessary self-awareness and obsession with continuity that mars much modern sci-fi (including, on occasion, Davies’ WHO), and none of that fanboy-appeasing steampunk drivel that tainted the otherwise excellent THE NEXT DOCTOR. I suppose those of you who live, eat, and breathe the current incarnation won’t see it this way, but to this old-timer, PLANET OF THE DEAD felt very much like DOCTOR WHO indeed.
My only real complaint is that Murray Gold’s scores are often overly cinematic and bombastic - especially for the specials. This story could have benefitted greatly from toning the music down a bit at times.
Otherwise, a nice break from the somber, brooding WHOs of recent months.
12 Richard Kirsch // Apr 14, 2009 at 9:06 pm
You know, I’d recant what I said about the special effects. Were they as good as they could have been? No. However, given that they didn’t even start filming this episode until Janurary, they got a lot done. From what I’ve read they finished it like five days before it aired.
Jorn I’m guessing that the next special will aire near the end of summer to coincide with the next big British holiday.
dkrouskop “steampunk drivel…” Okay, them’s fightin words :op Sorry, I love steampunk. If anyone gets the chance, check out my new favorite band, Abney Park.
13 dkrouskop // Apr 15, 2009 at 9:37 am
Sorry. Steampunk just doesn’t do it for me, and the Cyber King (though admittedly neat) was the one part of THE NEXT DOCTOR that just didn’t feel very WHOish.
14 Mark // Apr 15, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Different people like different things…actually been a Who fan since early seventies and loved them all, so not just got on board since the revival. Everyone has an opinion - mine? it just wasn’t a great episode…
15 Richard Kirsch // Apr 15, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Mark, I have to agree with you on this episode. I wrote my review right after I had watched it, didn’t really think about it. Now its been a few days and you know what? I have not watched the episode since. Most of the time I’ll watch the newest episode a few times until the next one. Heck I’ve watched the new “Red Dwarf” twice (btw, if you have not seen it yet, it really needs to be seen all at once…).
16 dkrouskop // Apr 15, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I may have stepped on a toe or two by using those little quotation marks around the word fan in my comments. I’ve always found it interesting that it’s perfectly alright for folks to have their own, entirely subjective (and sometimes seemingly arbitrary) opinions of what makes a good DOCTOR WHO episode and what doesn’t, but if you express an opinion about what it means to be a fan, you’re breaking some unwritten rule of online etiquette.
I have a simple philosophy - do what you love, and love what you do. That’s why I watch DOCTOR WHO; because I love it, period. I love my wife, and she isn’t perfect. I love my dogs, and they aren’t perfect. They love me, and I’m sure as hell not perfect. In my very subjective opinion, being a fan means loving something with the same sort of acceptance and tolerance that you reserve for close friends and family. Doesn’t mean you can’t be critical at times, but it does mean you don’t focus on the negatives, or generally allow them to spoil your enjoyment of those things you love. Life’s too short to spend time finding fault with things you love. For me, this sentiment applies doubly to DOCTOR WHO, since I remember all too well what it was like having no new WHO for years on end. Again, just my own, very subjective opinion.
I don’t say any of this to further exacerbate the situation if I have offended anyone with my prior comments. Just wanted to give some insight into why I tend to enjoy most WHO episodes, warts and all. But to each their own, and I apologize if those little quotes rubbed anyone the wrong way. I sincerely hope WATERS OF MARS satisfies those fans who weren’t enamored with THE NEXT DOCTOR and/or PLANET OF THE DEAD.
17 Phillip Edward Johnson // Apr 16, 2009 at 7:05 am
Okay, I agree, its better to have Who than no Who, but an Englishman at the very least should be allowed his right to rant about the entirely unnecessary. The serious point to be made is that its a shame that sometimes a programme like Who doesn’t seem to be treated seriously at all, and an episode like this one proves it. There were essentially no ideas in it, other than old ones, and the watchword (from having foolhardily watched the epic behind-the-scenes) is ‘glossy’ - or ’sexy’ or something that presumably people want television to be like.
I think what really makes people angry is when their criticism is rejected because they are taking it ‘too seriously’. I sincerely think you can take television, even if you think its kids TV, very seriously without being a killjoy or betraying its intended populism. Look at The Singing Detective, or Twin Peaks. Look At Doctor Who for heaven’s sake, 0ver the years, at its best has been taken very seriously and the result was something unique, fascinating AND popular, without reverting to cliche, which is what really kills good storytellng, especially in the case of T Davies.
Usually, the frustration in his stories comes from the fact that he does seem to begin with at least 1 good idea, but then surrounds it with really awful ones. In this case, I couldn’t spot a single one, other than: Bus in desert. The rest of it was a litany of missed opportunities, particularly the opportunity to have Lee Evans shot in the head.
18 Mark // Apr 16, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Guys, love all your comments and respect all opinions even if I don’t agree. I don’t love the Doc blindly and I think we all have high expectations because at its’ best it has been some of the best TV regardless of genre. What does annoy me is lazy writing and taking fans for granted, and to me Planet of the Dead was exactly that ; lazy and uninspired. Reading the ‘rumours’ about the last three specials makes me worried a bit - Rose coming back again? haven’t we done that already? I love the Doc and can’t wait for anything new to be here as quick as possible. Am I watching the Waters of Mars yet????
19 Kyron Mallett // May 31, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Like all of the new series this was highly derivative and ultimately pointless.
One of the ideas for a new companion in the unmade season 27 of the real series was to introduce a ‘cat burgler’.
Space travel in a bus… that’s been done before and in Doctor Who audios and novels.
You can’t build a satisfying story around a couple of visual images in a dot to dot fashion.
RTD I think partciularly fancies himself as an originator but anything on this upstart pretentious clever dick version of the mythos that actually works owes everything to the original series. It offers nothing new of any value.
Hmmmm, who will the Doctor meets next… could it be a sexy little Generation Y minx? That is until he turns into one himself (Generation Xers are just getting too old aren’t we!) and then perhaps he can run off with himself.
CRUD.
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