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DOCTOR WHO: THE PLANET OF THE DEAD
Starring: David Tennant, Michelle Ryan, Nome Dumezweni, Lee Evans
Written By: Russell T. Davies and Gareth Roberts
Directed By: James Strong
The Doctor returns after a several month hiatus! “Doctor Who” took a break this year, and instead we’re being treated to four specials throughout the course of 2009. The first of which, “Planet of the Dead”, aired last night. This time, The Doctor finds himself imprisoned on a (seemingly) desert planet with several civilians, including the thief Lady Christina de Souza (Michelle Ryan, The Bionic Woman). Seperated from his TARDIS, The Doctor’s only assistance is in the form of UNIT agents Capt. Erisa Magambo (Nome Dumezwani, Doctor Who 4×11: Turn Left) and resident scientific genius Prof. Malcom Taylor (Lee Evans, The Fifth Element).
This is going to be one of the briefer reviews to date on this site, simply because there isn’t a lot to say. Michelle Ryan does shine, and its a shame she’s not around as a companion (though who knows what the future will hold), but all in all this is a rather typical episode. That’s not to say it isn’t a good episode, there’s just nothing much about this episode that stands out. If anything, it seems this episode serves to set up a foreshadowing moment at the end where The Doctor is advised of his impending death; not really much of a surprise for fans considering the publicity surrounding the slated casting changes in the near-to-immediate future. Regardless, this is a good episode, and more than enough to tide over the Who-philes until the next special, “The Waters of Mars”, which is slated to air sometime during the upcoming holiday season.
Final Grade: C. Not a great episode, but not a bad episode either. I think we’re all just glad to see The Doctor back on TV again!
