Utopia

Absolutely beautiful. Like the best of old Doctor Who and new Doctor Who merged into one and it is incredible to witness. I did find the YANA acronym a bit stupid but it's minor so i can get passed that.

This continues a run of tremendous top quality stories. The majority of the episode is subtle in its qualities but is unquestionably excellent throughout in my opinion before reaching an electrifyingly exciting last 10 minutes as at the end it re-introduces one of the Doctor's greatest enemies in the most thrilling way.

The writing of the whole episode by RTD is brilliant with an engaging script which has humour, intrigue, touching drama and dystopian futuristic ideas.

Derek Jacobi, one of the great actors of our time, puts in one of the best guest starring performances in the show's history. The full range shown by Jacobi as he portrays different sides of the character is sensational. He is beautifully endearing before building towards very moving moments as he struggles with memories hidden deep inside and then a dazzling different side is shown in the heart thumping final scenes.

David Tennant shows yet another awesome display in his top standard performance as the Doctor, Freema Agyeman yet again proves to be a perfect companion, John Barrowman makes a very welcome and impressive return as Captain Jack Harkness and all other acting, direction and production values are great.

Graeme Harper the director also directed 42 earlier in this series as well as the top 10 classic The Caves of Androzani from the 5th Doctor's era. He shows his quality yet again.

There is a nice link in to themes interwoven through the series involving the Doctor's watch in the wonderful Human Nature/The Family of Blood and The Face of Boe from Gridlock as well as leading on with the cliffhanger into the final two episodes that finish Series 3. (Utopia is generally accepted as being the first of a 3 part story with the following 2 episodes so I am going to have to go along with that even though I see this as quite separate).

The whole story, the acting and especially the terrific ending, makes this a top class cracker for my tastes.

My Rating: 10/10.

Utopia is a strange beast . It is in effect the start of of a three parts 45 minute story , equivalent to six episodes of the classic series . However re-watching it again you may become aware of the flaws of RTD vision of DOCTOR WHO . It's set on an alien planet which is only to be welcomed , but unfortunately it's quite literally a stone quarry in England something the classic series suffered from . Surely with so much technology available to the show we should be seeing something more impressive . Similarly why is said quarry full of extras from MAD MAX ? The fact that Neil Marshall's film DOOMSDAY failed says a lot by having every post apocalypse scenario populated by butch psychopaths running around in leather - it shows a complete lack of imagination . It also suffers from a lack of internal logic . We're told hat " There hasn't been an university for a thousand years " but somehow the refugees have trucks and firearm available to them . Surely you'd have university standard engineers etc in order to build and maintain such things ? The return of Capatain Jack may be well received by gay men and heterosexual women in the audience but it's obvious he's being used as a plot device by RTD in order to drive the plot forward , a plot that is very threadbare when you examine it

There is a massive plus though and that is the casting of Sir Derek Jacobi as Professor Yana . Jacobi gives without doubt the most memorable of a guest on Nu-Who . It's poignant , moving and totally touching . The only problem is that when he's on screen you start to notice the lack of presence by the rest of the cast . It's somewhat painful to realise what a great Doctor he would have been if a previous producer had cast him in the 1980s . Jacobi's performance makes up for the episode's numerous flaws and makes me give Utopia seven out of ten

From the exciting beginning on modern-day Earth (Cardiff to be exact) to the exhilaratingly dark scenes at the very end of the universe itself, this is a cracking ride that grips the viewer from the onset and doesn't let go.

Jack's back and it's a genuine pleasure to see John Barrowman's character weave his sexual magnetism on man, woman and bug-person alike. The chemistry between Barrowman and Tennant is marvellous and the conversation between the two men as Jack works in the radiation chamber is one of my favourites of the season.

The legendary Derek Jacobi is perfect as the lovely Professor, striving to save mankind from extinction by launching the rocket to a mysterious far-off Utopia, and Chipo Chung is a delight as his blue-skinned, insectoid companion.

No spoilers here but this episode ties up plot points in a beautiful fashion. While I've been critical of some of Russel T. Davies' scripts in the past, this one is faultless. It's just a shame that the big surprise was leaked / speculated over even before this series began - always the danger thesedays, I guess. Still, "Utopia" remains a very clever piece of television and one that will have the forums buzzing for some time.

As always in recent weeks, as the end credits roll, I'm left genuinely gob-smacked. It's great to know you're watching something that will one day be regarded as a classic. The series has matured over the last three years and it's entered a zone where the team are pushing everything as far as they can and leaving no creative opportunities unexplored. This is thoroughly exciting, innovative television that will be influencing future generations of writers, producers and directors. Television today really doesn't get any better than this.

Full marks, 10 out of 10.

Fans will find this episode very satisfying. This episode begins to wrap-up many loose ends fans will have been waiting see. The return of an old foe is delivered excellently, as is the return of Captain Jack, despite an arguably lame introduction.

Listen out for Matha commenting on how little she feels she stills knows about the Doctor, for newcomers to the series it will apply to you. Davis brings out his cold side, his prejudices and his limitations in new a revealing ways. Best of all, we get to see the , this strong character become submissive and desperate, it is the Doctor like you have never seen him

The silent tragedy to this episode, is (in her eyes) Marthas weak relationship with the Doctor hitting an all time low. Rose is discussed at length, making Martha feel less and less important, and the Doctor even more inconsiderate. The relationship with Jack and the Doctor also raises many concerns for her own well being, them being the fate she has sealed by associating with the Doctor.

This episode sets the series up for its finale in a sensational way, having a fantastic twist which is well concealed and revealed excellently