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Reviews
Doctor Who: Fear Her (2006)
Not THAT bad
This episode has a really bad reputation, which isn't completely unwarranted, but it's really not that bad. The concept is creative and almost well executed. The only thing that really brings it down is the acting. Both Chloe and her mom's performances are questionable at best. And I understand, she's a child and child actors often aren't very good, but it really just drags it down. It's unfortunate, too. It has a lot of potential, but it's just not quite there. The reason I like it is because of nostalgia. When I was younger, I obviously didn't care at all about how good the acting was, so it was one of my favorite episodes. It's just a bit unfortunate that it's so poorly percepted. Therefore, a 6.
Doctor Who: Love & Monsters (2006)
Honestly... not that bad
For the longest time, I've been Love and Monsters' number one hater, but it's sort of growing on me this last rewatch. Don't get me wrong, it's not a masterpiece or anything! But it does have a lot of charm and quirk to it. It's a lovely filler episode that explores some of the many people who have had their lives changed by the Doctor. I do think the villain, Victor Kennedy, is a pretty mediocre villain. His motives aren't very clear and he doesn't seem very threatening overall. But then again, he isn't really the focal point of the episode. It's about exploring the characters! Due to the weak plot and villain, it's definitely one of the worst in series 2, but it looking back at it, it's not as bad as I once thought it was.
Doctor Who: The Age of Steel (2006)
Brilliant
Age of Steel is the second half of season 2's cyberman two-parter. It follows the Preachers, the Doctor and Rose, and Pete Tyler as they fight against the cybermen, led by Cybus Industries and John Lumic. It's full of intense and emotional moments that increase the suspense by the minute.
This episode's best feature is the characters in the alternate world. The Preachers, consisting of Ricky, Jake, and Mrs. Moore are very likeable characters, with Ricky being Mickey's parallel counterpart. I think Ricky and Mickey's dynamic is brilliant, with Ricky serving as a mirror for Mickey, showing him what he could do if he wasn't being held back. After Ricky dies during a mission to defeat Lumic, Mickey is left with Jake, who resents him because he believes him to be a weak replacement for his best friend. Their dynamic is also amazing, as they learn to work together. Mrs. Moore has a tragic ending, just as we learn her story, and I only wish there was more time to explore her character.
Overall, this episode is a brilliant sequel to Rise of the Cybermen, and I don't think it could be any better. Of course, it does end with Mickey leaving the TARDIS to fight cybermen across the world, but I think it's the perfect ending to his character arc. He's finally able to have a purpose and is surrounded by people to appreciate him and care about him, including his grandma. Every aspect of this episode is very well done and it really stands the test of time: 9.3/10.
Doctor Who: Rise of the Cybermen (2006)
A classic
My love for parallel worlds in sci-fi may make me biased, but I love this episode. I'm glad we get another look at Rose and her dad, but this time it's not really her dad. I love that we get a look at how both Rose and Mickey react to seeing something they aren't able to have. For Mickey, it's his grandma, and for Rose, of course, it's her dad. I'm glad this episode expands even more on Mickey's feelings on being in the TARDIS. His character arc has been slowly coming since season 1, but it was really kickstarted in School Reunion. This transformation comes to a peak in Rise of the Cybermen and Age of Steel. There isn't much to say about this episode, it's a regular plot of the cybermen taking over the world, only this time in a parallel world. It's so simple, but it's done so well that makes it, in my opinion, a classic: 9.0/10.
Doctor Who: The Girl in the Fireplace (2006)
Stunning
The Girl in the Fireplace takes place in the 51st century, where the Doctor, Mickey, and Rose find themselves on a spaceship filled with time windows into 18th century Versailles.
I adore this episode. I think it's strongest point is its visuals. In my opinion, this is one of the most gorgeous episodes in the whole show. I love the aesthetic of the time windows. In addition to that, I think the concept is brilliant. A crew of robots, lacking parts, looking anywhere to find them, going so far as to hunt down a woman for 37 years.
We first meet Reinette in her childhood, through the first time window, in a fireplace in her bedroom. She's afraid of the clockwork monster under her bed and the Doctor destroys it and calms her down. The next time we see her she's all grown up and she notices how he never ages. We meet the monster again and it says she "isn't complete". The Doctor and Reinette (aka Madame de Pompadour) form a close relationship and she is able to see into his life, his childhood. She doesn't want him to go, but he has to help Rose and Mickey back on the ship. The episode reaches its climax when Reinette is "complete" and the clockwork droids return. The Doctor is able to destroy them with the help of Reinette's ability to control them. After all the drama, she wants to come with the Doctor and see the stars. Unfortunately, by the time he returns, he finds she's passed away from an illness.
This episode, in my opinion, is one of the strongest of series 2. On top of its stunning visuals, it has a strong, emotional plot that really sucks you in. Not only is it technically strong and beautiful, but it has quite a few comedic moments that make you love the Doctor even more. Overall, a very well rounded episode: 9.4/10.
Doctor Who: The Idiot's Lantern (2006)
Lacking substance
Idiots lantern is one episode of Doctor Who that tends to be forgotten when it comes to series 2. I think that mostly stems from the lack of detail, explanation, and general purpose for existing. The plot is just so lackluster and it doesn't make much sense. It's just a filler episode with huge stakes and no explanation. The Wire is a bad villain. We get no real reason for why she is doing what she's doing, which results in no one really caring about what happens, or at least I don't. The only area where I believe this episode really shines is in the character deparment, specifically the family in the episode. I think there's lovely development and it gives the viewer a good look into the average suburban family in post-war London. I quite like that Rita and Tommy are able to get rid of their abusive husband/father, as well as being able to get their grandma back. The ending is sweet and fulfilling, but it can't make up for the disappointment that was the rest of the episode. Could be better, could be worse: 6.4/10.
Doctor Who: School Reunion (2006)
Character development
School reunion serves as a catalyst to both show and develop insecurities within the main cast ad well as Sarah Jane. To preface this review, I will say that I have not seen any of Classic Who, so I don't know anything about Sarah Jane or her relationship with the Doctor prior to this episode.
For the Doctor, the Headmaster's offer to allow him to bring his people, his family, back to life represents the guilt he still feels for what he had to do, although this isn't the primary focus of the episode.
For Rose, Sarah Jane's return represents her feeligns about the Doctor's previous companions and how she feels almost obsolete. Throughout the episode, she is seemingly pushed to the side by the Doctor, who is overjoyed to be reunited with his old companion. All she wants is to have the Doctor to herself, which is further interrupted when Mickey asks to join them in the TARDIS.
For Sarah Jane, she speaks with the Doctor about her feelings about being left behind, as well as her insecurity of being replaced by a younger girl. She has multiple spats with Rose, believing her to be just a little kid who doesn't understand how important the Doctor is to her, but this is resolved by the two companions laughing about his quirks and realizing that they are equals in the Doctor's eyes.
And for Mickey, this episode kickstarts his character arc of striving to be seen as an equal with Rose, not just wanting to be the "tin dog". Throughout this episode this is shown by his knowing that he is being pushed to the side by both the Doctor and Rose. This arc continues during the rest of the season, but especially in the cyberman two-parter. His future importance to the story is forshadowed by K-9's arc throughout the episode of being useless at first but later saving the day.
In my opinion, Mickey is the star of this episode character wise. All of his feelings about Rose and the Doctor start to bubble up and he feels insecure about how they both ignore him and treat him as lesser. Overall, a 9/10 for it's stellar character development as well as a unique villain and plot.
Doctor Who: Tooth and Claw (2006)
Solid but rushed
Tooth and Claw begins lighthearted and comedic with a few running jokes. As the episode progressed, it took a very horror-esque turn. I think a werewolf is a nice change for the usual sci fi monsters the show usually displays. The main issue I have with the episode is I think it's a bit rushed. I believe it could've been much improved by being made into a two parter. It just tries to shove too many things into too short an episode.
Overall a well above average episode, helped by its moody atmosphere and comedic timing, but hurt by its issues with timing and being too jam packed. I would give it an 8.7/10, rounding to a 9.