Review #35

Welcome to the Tardis Martha Jones

This episode was fun. I enjoyed the setting of this episode. The Moon was a great location not yet explored in new who. Some parts of this episode were gorgeous. The Judoon were a funny Race and I'm glad they returned in series 12. Martha is a companion I've never really clicked with but Freema Agyeman really plays her well. Mrs Finnegan was a shock villain and the way she drains people's blood was dark. Overall this episode gets a 8/10

This episode introduces Martha Jones, who right out of the gate seems a lot more competent than Rose did. Her hospital gets teleported to the moon and she and The Doctor have to escape essentially a police search by the Judoon

This episode does a really good job setting up Martha as someone who does well in chaotic situations. She tries to keep the peace between the different sides of her family and she does a lot to help the situation in the hospital

The Doctor is clearly not over what happened to Rose, but he seems to be trying to have fun and move on

The Plasmavore was a decent villain, even if the straw was a bit goofy. The more interesting aliens were the Judoon though. They seem to have a very strange limit on what they will do or interfere with, like they can teleport the hospital to the moon and back to capture their target, but when that target tries to fry half the earth (somehow), that’s outside their jurisdiction?

I've always had a lot of love for Smith and Jones, even if it isn't everyone's favourite episode. I think it is such a wonderful and clean entry point for the series.

It feels like an episode full of joy. Our characters might be in danger but the Judoon represent a fun threat more than a spooky one. The old lady is pretty brutal with her special straw but it all is played largely for laughs. David Tennant gets a lot of great comedy bits, and though one's mileage may vary in that regard, it's still just a solid introduction to Martha and a pretty important episode as an introduction for the Judoon (who I've always had a special place in my heart for).

All told it is pretty solid. Great set-up and pay-off with the tie to frame and subtly introduce a bit of time travel in a story otherwise focused on some fun with the Judoon on the moon. It's silly but the hospital setting and scenario gave the episode a lot of structure. On the whole, I think it all worked out quite well.

A second underrated story in a row, and proof that even the era of the show I am most familiar with still holds surprises. Rhino headed aliens are a stroke of genius, you can see how deft RTD is at creating immediately accessible and relatable enemies for the general public. But crucially they are not the ultimate bad guys - they are heavy handed bureaucrats subjecting a hospital to mistreatment in the name of hunting down a lady who sucks blood through a straw. It’s light and frivolous, as we’ve come to expect with these opening stories - but it’s very much got a solid plot. It holds up significantly better than the series 2 opener.

Martha Jones is the real stars of this show though. Freema Agyemen is a gentle delight. Not going to thwack you round the face with her performance like Tate or even Piper, but plays a more introverted, quiet confidence. An open eyed and excited new look on the universe. I like that she has a serious profession and that she is intelligent and highly qualified. Her chemistry with The Doctor, especially when he takes his tie off at the beginning and end of the show is wonderful.

Shout out to the family arguments as well - why is Russell so good at writing those? The pathetic dad with his ridiculous girlfriend “this is me, putting my foot down!” It gives Martha a sense of reality around her.

Quintessentially everything I love about Doctor Who! Love Martha & The Doctor's relationship, love the monsters, and the unique setting. It's a comfort episode of mine.