I know this episode polarises a lot of people, and I can absolutely see why - the male-presenting line is goofy as anything. But that's the extent of my complaints for this episode. I adored it! And all of the 60th, too. 10 and Donna were my introduction to the show and always connected with me really deeply, so seeing them both back together on screen is just. Argh!!

14 is such a cool concept - an old doctor's face coming back and immediately running into someone they travel with is such a great idea that I can't believe it took 60 years to be put into practice (ik it was considered during the end of 5's era with Troughton coming back at least). I've seen people saying that he's basically 10 personality wise, but I definitely disagree. He's obviously a lot more world-weary. There's less of a bravado to him, replaced with a much more emotional openness that 10 never had. Tennant slips back into the role just like a pair of old shoes and I loved every second - the scene in the factory where he's talking to Shirley is a highlight.

Donna!!!! I can't exaggerate how much it means to me, a trans person, seeing her A. have a trans kid and B. be ready to throw hands for said trans kid, it feeds my inner child so much. I would have liked to see a bit more of Rose herself, but the episode is packed enough as is I suppose. Also, I know the line where she's deadnamed isn't... great, and that Russell really didn't need to add time lord-y metacrisis meaning behind it, but I like that its there. Trans people do get discriminated against irl and I think it's important that media uncritically condemns it, which the scene does by making the kids the obvious bad guys.

The Meep is brilliant, both visually and as a character. I vividly remember getting so hyped about how well done it was when they posted the clip of it and Rose in the shed. Absolutely brilliant villain that's a joy to watch cackle away like a cartoon villain.

I don't dislike the Binary, Binary, Non-Binary thing. It's phrased weirdly but it's not the uber-cringe awful teeth gritter I've seen some people say it is.

Overall I loved this episode. Yes there are flaws, but for me personally the positives outshine the negatives, which is the case for me with all the 60th Specials.

I can see that this episode has some flaws but it is fun in a way that I don't think the show has been for a couple of years. I did not realize how much I missed that. Gave it a 4.5 the first time I watched it but later changed that to a 3.5 but I still like this episode 😍

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

"THE STAR BEAST: A THRILLING, IF SLIGHTLY FORMULAIC, RETURN"

The new era of Doctor Who kicks off with a clear visual upgrade, boasting bigger, bolder, and more cinematic visuals. The increased budget is evident, and returning director Rachel Talalay helms this ambitious opener with flair. However, the new title sequence is a mixed bag. While the 3D effect is impressive, the title animation looks cheap, the sequence itself feels too short, and the new version of the theme tune comes across as somewhat messy.

The new TARDIS interior is vast and striking, taking inspiration from classic-era designs. Though it currently feels a little empty, it has potential to feel more lived-in over time. The redesigned sonic screwdriver also gets a moment to shine, with new visual effects and added features that make it feel like a proper tool rather than just a magic wand.

A FAMILIAR YET FRESH DYNAMIC

Despite the 15-year gap since Journey’s End, The Star Beast seamlessly picks up as if no time has passed. David Tennant slips effortlessly back into the Doctor’s coat, bringing infectious, childlike energy. This version of the Doctor feels more like a comic book hero than ever before. Meanwhile, Catherine Tate delivers all the sass, heart, and comedic timing that made Donna such a fan favourite. Their chemistry is just as strong as it was in 2008, making this special feel like a true continuation of Series 4.

Jacqueline King returns as Donna’s overprotective mother, Sylvia, and shines in the role, while Karl Collins brings some welcome comic relief as Shaun. Yasmin Finney’s Rose Noble is already a well-defined character in that classic RTD way, though her performance can sometimes feel a little one-note.

A FAITHFUL ADAPTATION WITH A WEAK CELEBRATORY FEEL

As an adaptation of the 1980 Doctor Who Magazine comic, The Star Beast remains fairly faithful to its source material, albeit modernised for a contemporary audience. However, for a 60th-anniversary special, the episode lacks a true celebratory feel. Aside from a fairly formulaic approach to the story and the inclusion of UNIT, there isn’t much that makes this feel like a major milestone for the show.

The Wrath Warriors play a role in the first act but never become integral to the plot. Meanwhile, Fudge, a character from the original comic, is included here, but he serves no real purpose and is more annoying than anything else. Ruth Madeley makes her live-action debut as UNIT’s new scientific advisor, Shirley Anne Bingham. While she shows promise, she isn’t given much to do in this episode.

A STRONG BUT PREDICTABLE STORY

The major plot twist surrounding the Meep is no surprise to those familiar with the original comic, but even for newcomers, it feels predictable. The reveal comes a little too early in the episode, leaving little time to fully explore the Meep as a seemingly innocent creature before turning it into a villain. That being said, Miriam Margolyes delivers an outstanding voice performance, bringing both charm and menace to the role. The Meep itself is a visual triumph, blending practical effects with seamless CGI.

The episode’s climax is a standout moment, with the Doctor and Donna working together to save the day while cleverly resolving the long-standing Metacrisis plotline. The binary/non-binary twist is a very RTD-style solution—modern and relevant, though slightly on the nose. While the resolution is clever, the sudden disappearance of the cracks caused by the Meep’s spaceship feels a little too convenient.

A HIGH-PACED, ACTION-PACKED RETURN

Murray Gold’s score reuses familiar cues from the RTD era while delivering moments of emotional and cinematic grandeur. The action sequences are more dynamic than ever, helped by the show’s improved budget. The pacing is breakneck, making for a thrilling ride, though it might feel overwhelming for newcomers to Doctor Who.

📝VERDICT: 8/10

The Star Beast is a confident, action-packed return for Tennant and Tate, delivering humour, heart, and spectacle. While the plot is predictable and the supporting cast is hit-or-miss, the upgraded visuals and strong performances make it an entertaining, if slightly formulaic, anniversary special.

60th Anniversary Specials #1:
--- "The Star Beast" by Russell T. Davies

I can no longer take Doctor Who seriously.

Now, that may sound harsh, I still like the show, this episode was good fun but as an actual, mature and interesting TV show that I can get invested in, Doctor Who is no longer what it was. I think Doctor Who is now primarily for a much younger demographic as it feels like more adult themes have disappeared. No longer will we get the fascinating and deep emotional beats of stories like Father's Day, Parting of the Ways and Vincent and the Doctor, we'll just get episodes like the Star Beast, where anything but a happy ending is heresy.

With his old face back, the Doctor finds himself reunited with one Donna Noble and her family as an alien crash landing draws him into the pursuit of the Meep by the villainous Wrarth Warriors. But is everything how it seems?

(CONTAINS SPOILERS)

First, the positives: it is abundantly clear just how much fun Tennant and Tate were having on set and their energy is infectious. In fact, I think the entire cast and crew seemed to enjoy this admittedly very fast and fun story, so even as their characters fumble through messy dialogue and direction, I still enjoy watching them. I think Beep the Meep, though given cringe-worthy dialogue at points, is such a fun pantomime villain that clearly isn't trying to take itself seriously, it knows its a weird, obscure comic villain and it rolls with it. Also, I do really like Rose even post the brain dead ending, but we'll get to that. Finally, the new TARDIS is great, I think that it has so much potential for fun and interesting visuals, they just need to add a bit of furniture.

Onto the bad, which there is a lot of. First off, this plot is no better than a Chibnall script. A novelty run around with absolutely no urgency, constant dumb and contrived solutions to problems, convenient strokes of luck everywhere and a distinct flatness in the characters and situations they find themselves in. The ending to this episode is perhaps one of the worst I've ever seen: an insulting Deus ex Machina that not only makes absolutely no sense and is pulled from thin air but also undermines the incredibly well written and emotional ending to Journey's End. Could've just taken Donna to any crowd Doctor and she would've been fine, I guess, because you can just offload timelord consciousness at will now. Also, as a cis person, I don't want to speak for a group I am not a part of but why couldn't the trans character just be trans and not have a contrived, space babble reason for their gender identity, I feel it takes away from a great character.

Putting all that aside, a sugar coated happy ending and unrealistic, annoying dialogue make this episode objectively bad in my opinion, if a lot of fun. It's just so sad to me that I can no longer look at my favourite show of all time and truly call it the tour de force of writing it once was.

5/10

Pros:
+ Actors are clearly having a lot of fun
+ Really like the character of Rose, despite the questionable decisions they made with her
+ Fun villain that didn't take itself seriously at all
+ Great new look for the TARDIS
+ Fantastic score from Murray Gold
+ It's the beginning of a new era, I have no idea where it could go and I'm going to stay optimistic despite the leaks, which sound god awful

Cons:
- Chibnallesque dialogue that makes me cringe
- Embarrassing ending that felt like it was catering to five year olds
- A constant stream of Deus ex Machinas that removed all tension
- A plot filled with holes and lacking in any real substance to put it past being a simple novelty
- Inconsistent and rushed pacing
- A baffling exposition heavy opening
- New title sequence that just feels off, I can't really put it into words, it feels too short and like its moving both too fast and too slow at the same time
- Lack any really interesting or deep themes, literally everything could be understood by somebody under ten and that really puts a damper on the show
- No Wilf

There's a few weird problems with this story that leave you scratching your head, but the Tennant/Donna reunion is just a ton of fun. The Meep's switch to villainy is excellent too, I enjoyed watching the swerve. The scene of Sylvia asking Donna if she's doing okay talking to Rose is excellent. A bit uneven, but it got RTD2 off in the right direction.