The Long Game

Cameos a plenty in the seventh episode of the Doctor Who reboot, which I felt was the most enjoyable episode of the run so far.

Arriving in the year 200,000 with Adam (Bruno Langley) still on board, The Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and Rose (Billie Piper) are on a news broadcasting space station at the heart of the fourth great Human Empire. But things are wrong. The Empire is not progressing as The Doctor knows it should have, it has been stunted. Two workers on the platform, ambitious Cathica (Christine Adams) and her friend Suki (Anna Maxwell Martin) explain how the station works, and Rose and The Doctor investigate just what is happening on the 500th floor. But Adam has a plan of his own.

So, yes. Plot wise I think this was the best episode I've seen so far. I only have the one question, in that I didn't really understand what the endgame was for the Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe. But beyond that, everything else rang true. I like that rather than fixing the problem himself, the Doctor inspired Cathica to investigate properly and save the day. I also liked that we got rid of Adam as there wasn't much in Bruno Langley's performance to get attached to. I actually thought he died, but actually being dumped home and needing to keep quiet was much more fitting. One funny aspect is that the theme of the show, bias within news media, is probably is more relevant now that it was in 2005

What's most striking about this episode is the number of recognisable actors in it. Simon Pegg and Tamsin Grieg would have been notable cameos at the time, with "Spaced", "Black Books" and "Shaun Of The Dead" all having been made by this point. Christine Adams has worked consistently on both sides of the Atlantic for years now most recently (at time of review) in "Black Lightning". Anna Maxwell Martin is probably the biggest star though, looking particularly young here, she's gone on to star in virtually every Dickins adaptation made since.

I enjoyed this one, it's was an amusing knockabout adventure elevated by its guest stars.

On Satellite 5 you can mind-read all about it: but In the Earth year of 200,000 the truth and the news is not what it seems, and a 90-year old regression is quite normal and the means. Searching for the answers, the Doctor and Rose (eventually) make their way to floor 500 where others have previously blundered (albeit out of ignorance) and are imaginatively confronted by a slimy mucous media mogul and his pundit - but that doesn't peg them back. When the temperature starts to rise, there is not a great deal of surprise, and the baddies are quite justly chastised, and some. Meanwhile Adam, who we met in the previous instalment consumes viewing minutes to ensure this episode fits the delegated TV time slot.

Two very good episodes in a row. A difficult one to follow after last episodes performance but they managed to do so with flying colours. An unexpected villain and also the darkness of human nature. The plot in this one will keep you on the edge of your seat, very good use of suspense.

I loved it _ 8-8.5

This is by far my favourite episode of Season 1 of Dr Who for several reasons.

First of all, it steers clear of clichés, something that the creative teams behind "World War Three" and similar atrocities could learn from. Rose Tyler isn't her usual helpless self either and, sparingly, she isn't a big part of this episode.

I also loved the casting in this one too, Simon Pegg does a great job as the villain "The Editor", and the rest of the cast are impressive too.

With a few quips and a fast-paced and entertaining story, for me this is the stand-out episode of Season 1

Exploration of the manipulation of media in the modern world through 'fake news' controlled by Aliens on a gigantic space station in the year 200,000? Brilliant. Execution is filled with pointless characters. Was Adam wrote for the sake of having his life ruined? Bright moments steady the episode into a decent outing at the mid-point of the season.