Utopia

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

UTOPIA is the first in the SEASON 3 finale trilogy. Jack Barrowman returns as CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS after being resurrected from death and settling in with his revamped version of TORCHWOOD. Freema Agyman is marvelous as Martha Jones, which in this episode proves she is a definite companion-in-time-traveling with the Doctor.

The story is very intriguing which involves the Doctor, Martha, and Captain Jack strolling along at the End of the Universe (in the year 100 TRILLION AD). They encounter many goings-on with a local cannibalistic horde known as THE FUTURE-KIND and stumbling into an underground refugee base where the residents of humans are awaiting to be transported to the fantastical-mythological place known as UTOPIA. Although, the local scientist, THE PROFESSOR, has some trouble with the rocket and its engines. But the light of hope shines with the arrival of the Doctor and his friends. Though, by the end of this episode, things get from hopeful...to apocalyptic as this episode marks the return of an 'old enemy' from the Doctor's past. And this sets the stage for the next two episodes.

GRAEME HARPER is definitely becoming a grand master of delivering excellent DOCTOR WHO episodes. He has so much energy put into this episode along with RUSSELL T. DAVIES' script that makes me jump for joy for more. The sets, the effects, and the revelation at the end as definitely marked UTOPIA as an instant classic. David TENNANT as the TENTH DOCTOR truly shines here. But the real star of this episode goes to SIR DEREK JACOBI, best known in GLADIATOR and UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION, as he plays "THE PROFESSOR" in top-form, charismatic, and class. His scenes are the best directed stuff I've ever watched. His chemistry with Tennant is absolutely amazing. Especially near the end.

As for the next episodes...keep'em coming.

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

At the known end of the universe, far FAR in the future where no Time Lord has traveled before, Martha and the Doctor meet up with Captain Jack Harkness whom hitched a ride on the outside of the TARDIS. It's not long before they're on the run from cannibalistic, Futurer-kind, and trying to help an enigmatic professor shuttle the last vestige of the Human race off to Utopia.

What a great opener to the three-part 29th series finale, it has long-running simmering plot-lines coming to a head in the most delightful of ways. The cliff-hanger which, sadly, in the internet age, one had to have his head firmly in the ground to not have been spoiled to, was great none the less and had me breathlessly awaiting the next two installments.

My Grade: A+

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.