42

I'm going to cut to the chase here - this episode left me absolutely breathless. The action and suspense kicks off right at the start and just does not let up until a couple of minutes before the end.

Where do I start? It has twists and turns all over the place. David Tennant and Freema Agyeman are both particularly magnificent in this episode, both of them instantly fitting in to the surroundings they find themselves in, and once again, I hate to admit it, but Agyeman is already outshining Billie Piper in the assistant's role. Tennant is also especially brilliant in the final 10 minutes or so, as the source of this episodes menacing enemy takes its effect on him. Ex-EastEnder Michelle Collins is an inspired choice to play the ships captain Kath McDonnell, as she plays the role of the strong female leader to perfection. There's also a completely unexpected cameo by delightful former Hollyoaks girl Elize du Toit, and a sinister turn from Martha's mother, played ridiculously well by Adjoa Andoh. Let's just say Jackie never hated the Doctor this much...

The biggest doffing of the cap, however, has to go to Chris Chibnall for a truly brilliant script. The plot line and the twists in it are unbelievable, it keeps you guessing all the way through, and the revelation 10 minutes from the end when the Doctor finally realises what's going on left me gasping. As an episode it's slightly reminiscent of The Impossible Planet from the last series, although this episode is ten times faster while still being nearly as scary and unnerving.

All in all, a must-see. This series is turning out to be the best yet - halfway through and there hasn't been a single poor episode yet.

As soon as Graeme Harper's name came up on the opening titles, I knew this episode was going to be a treat. I wasn't wrong - "42" is a return to classic "Doctor Who". Harper's always had the magic touch - previous stories have included "The Caves of Androzani" and "Revelation of the Daleks" and he's known as the longest-serving crew member on Doctor Who! His tales are normally deadly serious affairs with only elements of macabre humour thrown in to lighten the mood.

"42" is set on a dark and dismal spaceship, not far from a burning sun. There are just 42 minutes before the ship is burned to ashes in the sun's surface. A simple premise? To spice things up in this real-time adventure, there's strange activity involving "possessed" crew members. Cue lots of scary scenes - this is a return to the delights of "The Impossible Planet" and an "Event Horizon" for all the family to enjoy.

Harper creates genuine suspense in this episode. There are moments when there's real danger for The Doctor and Martha, particularly when Martha decides to use an escape pod for temporary safety.

Excellent entertainment with a few genuine surprises. This series has been consistently well-written and delivered so far. The last stories have been less silly than we've come to expect in the past and I've really enjoyed the darker vibe. As the new audience matures, so does this show.

9 out of 10. Definitely one that will be remembered as a future classic.

First of all I'll start by saying I really like this episode, it's pretty much back to basics, it's pacey, it's grim, it has a sense of urgency about it. It feels like a mix of the movie Sunshine, and a toned down version of the Satan Pit.

Claire Rushbrook is switched for Michelle Collins, and there are other similarities between this and The Satan Pit.

No plodding into the story here, no build up, within 2 minutes it's crash bang and we are straight in. A ship is falling into the Sun and has only 42 minutes left, but something is on board taking out members of the crew one by one, but can the Doctor and Martha help?

Tennant's brilliance continues, and Freema continues to impress, but again her family are so irritating, i am definitely missing Jackie!!

I really enjoyed Michelle Collins in this, and her final scene is really well done, she did a great job.

On its own merits it's a cracker of a story, with excellent effects, a rather good cast, and an energy that has been lacking in some of the previous stories, particularly the Dalek car crash story. 'Burn with me' is a pretty good phrase. It just feels a wee bit unoriginal, it seems to have drawn heavily on many different sources, those already mentioned, possibly even Planet of Evil, the fuel theme idea is, shall we say paid 'homage to.' It is a very bleak story.

Who is this chap Saxon???

Overall, 7/10

I don't completely understand the large number of negative reviews for this episode. I actually thought it was really great. I liked the concept of real time. Yes, there were echoes of Impossible Planet, but I didn't mind. Additionally, I really love Martha. Wish the Doctor was better to her. 🙁

Moments after the Doctor gives Martha an intergalactic call anywhere mobile phone (I'd hope with no roaming), the TARDIS ends up on a space shuttle that only has 42 minutes (a slight play on the hit series "24")before it crashes into the sun. Of course they become separated from the TARDIS, to make matters worse a mysterious entity is possessing members of the crew. For a filler episode, this one's fairly good and moves at a good pace. It's thrilling enough and I must admit I had fun with it, but the real meat of this 29th series won't start in earnest until the next episode.

My Grade: B-