A surfeit of H20
Friday, October 30, 2009 by Graham Kibble-White
River carnage forever!
Something new. That’s what you can expect from ‘The Waters of Mars’, which was screened to journalists this morning at London’s Soho Hotel.
To describe it as “dark” isn’t terribly helpful, but this is probably as hopeless (in the sense of lack of optimism) Doctor Who has ever been. Screening over, and in the Q&A with Russell T Davies and David Tennant, one person was moved to ask if they still considered the show suitable for children.
Make no mistake, this is excellent, excellent Doctor Who, even if at times it just doesn’t feel like – well – Doctor Who. In the final sequences, our hero has never seemed more alien, or out of control. A mad dog Time Lord, fast going insane with the knowledge of his own imminent death.
Like I said, this is something new.
Obviously, I’m being slight with the details, because I don’t want to ruin the fun. So let’s give you something specific: the Ice Warriors are namechecked.
Oh, and an old foe makes a cameo.
And now that I’ve bounced back fom the screening (it’s quite a tumultous thing), I feel safe to say: One of the best Doctor Who stories yet. Easily the most challenging.
It airs on BBC1, Sunday November 15.
an old foe? thatd be the ood, right? and yes. yes im from Digitalspy :D
oh, and its great to know that the ice warriors are mentioned!
I think I know who the old foe might be…
Looking forward to this immensely!
No, MJ. I don’t mean the Ood. Besides, they’re not a foe.
Incidentially, WOM is being transmitted on the 40th anniversary of colour being introduced to BBC1…
Ice Warriors had to be namechecked, since it’s set on their planet.
So, a televised Jim Mortimore novel?
I’d pay good money to see a televised Jim Mortimore novel. Or Kate Orman. Or Russel T…hang on.
And it’s the first new ‘Doctor Who’ episode transmitted in the Autumn/Winter season for twenty years (if it were transmitted three Sundays later and it would’ve been twenty years to the hour!).