Doctor Who - Series 4 Vol.2 [DVD] [2008]

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2009-03-27 rating:
Daring Doctor Wins Again
This D.V.D contains four different episoids: br / br /The Sontaran Stratagen, br /Matha Jones summons the doctor back to modern-day earth, but an old enemy lies in wait... br / br /The Poison Sky, br /As the Sontarans choke the Earth, the Doctor battles to keep both Martha and Donna alive... br / br /The Doctor's Daughter, br /On the planet Messaline, in the middle of an endless war, the Doctor meets the most important woman of his life... br / br /The Unicorn And The Wasp br /In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared for 10 days. Was it amnesia? A nervous breakdown? Or a giant Alien wasp?... br / br /This D.V.D is a must buy, watch it to find out if the doctor conquer all the monsters and aliens that come in his way or will he finally be defeated? br /

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review by: mattieboyz date: 2009-02-13 rating:
The Butler Didn't Do It!
Series Four's first two-hander resurrects those potato-headed martial clones, The Sontarans, for `The Sontaran Stratagem' and `The Poison Sky'. The Sontaran Statagem also features the return of erstwhile companion Martha Jones and The Doctor's old muckers UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce - now Unified Intelligence Taskforce). The plot concerns a plan by the alien invaders to convert the Earth's atmosphere to make it suitable as a breeding-ground for future Sontaran soldiers; the Sontarans are eternally locked in war against their mortal enemies The Rutan (seen in classic Fourth Doctor story `The Horror of Fang Rock' from 1977). The first episode is slow to start but serves as an introduction proper to Donna's family and to establish Martha's change since she left The Doctor - she is now a qualified doctor and is working for UNIT. The second part ups the ante, with pitched battles between Sontaran warriors and UNIT soldiers; as well as the sudden siege of Earth as the Sontaran gas starts to cloak the planet. Christopher Ryan returns as Sontaran commander, General Staal whilst Rupert Halliday-Evans plays Colonel Mace, deputising for Sir Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart who is, according to Mace, `stranded in Peru'. This is the first time The Brigadier has been explicitly referred to in the new series; he has apparently been knighted since the he was last seen in 1989's Battlefield serial. Freema Agyeman takes centre stage here as Martha is cloned and Agyeman gets her teeth into being villainous for a change. The themes of pollution and ecological disaster befalling the Earth are topical and surprisingly underused in contemporary TV drama, and writer Helen Raynor has produced a lively and entertaining story. The SFX and make-up are also particularly impressive; The Sontaran ship in orbit around Earth is superbly realised, whilst the costumes, and the design of the titular monsters, are both recognisable and effectively updated. br / br /The Doctor's Daughter had the fanboys up in arms before it was even broadcast; the provocative title resulting in a frenzy of internet speculations. Suffice to say, things aren't as they first appear; The episode is an action-packed nod to sci-fi classics of the past as the TARDIS crew (now three, as Martha was inadvertently pulled along for the ride) is dragged to the planet Messaline, where the fish-headed Hath and the human colonists are engaged in a seemingly endless war. Peter Davison's real-life daughter Georgina Moffett takes the titular role, whilst grizzled veteran Nigel Terry plays the overtly martial Cobb. For once The Doctor finds things out of his control, and this story is really about his companions, and how despite their best efforts, they are helpless to change events that are already predestined. The episode is glossy, fun and energetic; Moffett's character must surely return, and the story's ending leaves this possibility tantalisingly open. br / br /The fourth and final story on this disc is period drama `The Unicorn and the Wasp'. The Doctor meets one of the few historical figures he has yet to encounter, and Agatha Christie doesn't disappoint. Played with controlled relish by Fenella Woolgar the author of enduring classics such as `Murder on the Orient Express' finds herself at the heart of a murder mystery with seemingly her biggest fan on hand to help her solve it. Reminiscent of that other Edwardian Doctor Who-dunnit - Black Orchid - this episode is chock-full of period mannerisms and whimsical charm which makes it a real visual treat. Featuring David Tennant's Dad in a cameo, the story incorporates an alien aspect that was missing from Black Orchid and is also pleasingly irreverent towards its depiction of society in the 1920s and 30s. One of the best things about this story is The Doctor's increasing rapport with Donna as they begin to forge a real bond. I also liked the way The Doctor keeps dropping the names of Christie's novels into the conversation; a trait of the Tenth Doctor that proves to be both witty and sufficiently subtle to avoid grating. br /Personally I would have liked to see this story developed in terms of characterisation and plot, and it is one of those modern Doctor Who stories that seems to have been compressed to fit the new format. This minor quibble aside, the story sees Series 4 hit its stride, as well as showing a production team at the very top of its game. br /

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review by: ryecroftwood2 date: 2008-08-17 rating:
Three words: EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT!
Series 4 of the new Doctor Who has been in my opinion, one of the finest series ever. David Tennant remains as brilliant as ever, and if anything changes, it's that he can only get better as time goes on. Catherine Tate, has surprised and amazed me, with her portrayal of Donna Noble in this series, making the character such a credible, efficient and lovable assistant to the Doctor. br / br /All this excellence continues in this fine volume of the fourth series, as Russell T Davies revives another old villainous race from the Doctor's past, introduces more allies and facts from the Time Lord's past (the older series to be exact) and includes some more good old interaction with one of history's greatest figures. br / br /To start of, we have (essentially) a three-part mini-arc that features the welcome (first) return of Martha Jones (the excellent Freema Agyeman) to the series. The two-part episode "The Sontaran Stratagem"/"The Poison Sky" shows Martha as now being a fully-qualified doctor and member of modern-day U.N.I.T. (old allies of the Doctor). This features the return of the dreaded Sontarans after a twenty-year absence from our screens, who've arrived with an insidious scheme to dominate the Earth and empower their own empire. br / br /Having never heard of the Sontarans before, I found them to be unique and interesting villains. As with Daleks and Cybermen, Davies works his reinvention magic again, portraying the Sontarans as a notorious threat and enjoyable adversaries. Their leader General Staal is fantastically acted by Christopher Ryan (Mike of Young Ones fame) and the Sontarans' background and purpose are greatly intriguing, thus making for another high-quality episode. br / br /But there are many other things that make this two-parter so outstanding. Such as the somewhat reluctant alliance between the Doctor and U.N.I.T. over ideals and methods, and the superb interaction between Martha and Donna. Those expecting a childish-fight between the two assistants need not worry. I was pleasantly surprised to see Donna and Martha form a fast-friendship and good-heartedly gang up on the Doctor at one point, it makes for fun viewing. Catherine and Freema have such good chemistry with one another, and both their characters develop excellently as a result. Each are given a fair share of the spotlight, with Martha having made quite the life for herself and being subjected to the Sontarans' manipulation, and Donna's torment over whether to tell her family what's she doing, and her courage and companion's role being truly tested for the first time. br / br /After all that, we have what is personally one of my all time favourite episodes, "The Doctor's Daughter", which closes this mini-arc featuring Martha. I really can't understand why there were people who didn't like this episode, as it puts the Doctor in a situation I've never seen him in before and is thus brilliantly presented. Those who've watched the older series will already know that fatherhood is nothing new to the Time Lord, but that doesn't alter anything here, in terms of excellence, character-depth and development. br / br /The character of Jenny (wonderfully portrayed by Georgia Moffett) starts out as being a new soldier that's not likeable, with the Doctor refusing to accept her as his child, and Donna playing the part of peacemaker and helping them both. Jenny's origin is plausibly executed and ties-in nicely with the episode's plot, featuring a war between humans and a new species known as the Hath. As the Doctor tries to stop the fighting, the interaction with Jenny helps him to relate to her in a creative way. The nature of the human/Hath conflict is fascinating, Jenny's development makes her an outstanding character (which I hope we'll see again), Martha's interaction with the Hath is cracking and Donna once again proves how brilliant she is solving things that not even the Doctor can see. All of this coupled with the emotional and surprising ending, makes "The Doctor's Daughter" a true classic. br / br /This volume's final episode on the other hand, "The Unicorn and the Wasp", is without doubt, one of the daftest episodes I've ever seen. In 1926, the Doctor and Donna meet the great Agatha Christie (portrayed by Fenella Woolgar) at a private party, before the night of Christie's real-life disappearance. The premise for this episode, is basically a murder-mystery featuring an infamous jewellery thief known only as "The Unicorn" and yes...a giant wasp. br / br /It is truly one of the daftest episodes ever and just so silly. However, if you can accept that this episode isn't meant to be taken THAT seriously, then there is fun and humour to be found watching this. Fenella Woolgar as Agatha Christie is the highlight here. She portrays the legendary writer so credibly and tying her role here to the real-life disappearance and amnesia is clever. I enjoyed seeing Felicity Kendall appear as well, but all in all, "The Unicorn and the Wasp" is an episode that's perhaps too barmy and sci-fi for its own good. br / br /Overall, the second volume of Doctor Who Series 4 is fantastic. David Tennant remains the man, and Catherine Tate (and the Donna Noble character itself) really starts to emerge as one of the greatest companions ever to the Doctor. There're so many great moments here, excellent guest-appearances and it's essential because of what it means. Given the VERY heavy, psychological nature of the remaining six episodes (which are all major), this volume kind of ends the Series 4 status quo, as it's all horrors, pains and nightmares from here on out. br / br /A truly excellent DVD that reminds us of the brilliance of Russell T Davies' Doctor Who. I'd totally recommend it and have only one thing else to say. br / br /Keep `em comin'!

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review by: tigerthedog2005 date: 2008-07-27 rating:
Sontarans, The Doctor's Daughter and Agatha Christie!
This is the second instalment of the fourth season of Doctor Who, featuring 4 episodes starring David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as his companion Donna Noble. br / br /The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky is an excellent, action-packed 2-parter, which sees the return of the Sontarans to the show after a 20 year absence, as they were last seen in `The Two Doctors' in 1985. It also sees the return of Martha Jones, who has now joined UNIT. There is plenty to enjoy here - loads of good set-pieces, some lovely moments featuring Grandad Wilf, played by Berbard Cribbins, and I really like the new re-design of the Sontarans. Admittedly, they're not the most menacing aliens to date, but they're funny and obsessed with war. Christopher Ryan is awesome as General Staal. 9/10 br / br /The Doctor's Daughter comes next, and well, I'll be honest, this episode really wasn't my cup of tea, despite some really good performances from David and Catherine. But, sadly, the story feels underdeveloped and rushed and feels some downright awful/cheesey moments. Georgia Moffet, real-life daughter of Fifth Doctor Peter Davison is decent as Jenny, but ultimately the character and premise do not manage to live up to the premise, because with a better script the idea could have worked brilliantly. Ah well, at least we get some lovely descriptions of Time Lords and Gallifrey. 5/10 br / br /The Unicorn and the Wasp is also concluded, and is probably a bit of a love/hate episode. Personally, I absolutely loved it. It has a wonderful ensemble cast who all play to their roles brilliantly, and a brilliant, witty script from Gareth Roberts that delivers probably some of the funniest scenes in Doctor Who's 45-year history. Fenella Woolgar is the perfect Agatha Christie, and the whole 1920's murder-mystery setting is a real treat and suits the feel of Doctor Who superbly. One of my very favourites. 10/10. br / br /So an enjoyable romp of a two-parter, a bit of a clunker and a bonafide classic. A worthwhile purchase, especially if you're not holding out for the boxset in November.


review by: date: 2008-07-08 rating:
Should have been a 3 story disc.
I think they've made a mistake here, tacking on the wonderful Agatha Christie related story, almost as an afterthought on the end of the three Martha episodes. br /The Unicorn and the Wasp is far superior (in my view) to the preceding stories, and would have fitted in much better with the two stories following it, about the library. br /The actress playing Agatha Christie here, certainly was a masterpiece of casting as she really does look like her, but the Sontaran episodes do not go with this at all, and I feel they were the worst episodes of the whole series, (every time I see a Sontaran, I think of Phil Mitchell from Eastenders!) though the Doctor's Daughter story was a little better, only for the inclusion of the fish people though, not for the 'daughter' who I found really annoying, though not as annoying as I usually find Martha, though if anything she was at her best in the Doctor's Daughter story, certainly not as intolerable as I found her in the last series with all that silly mooning around drooling over the Doctor who was obviously not interested in her, and who could blame him?! She was so drippy. This whole series should really have been all about Donna and keep bringing Martha back was taking the spotlight off her, I hope they find a way to return Donna to her rightful place as best companion the Doctor has ever had!

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