Review by C.J. Bunce
So why did the 13th Doctor regenerate back to the face of the 10th Doctor? We don’t know yet, but it sure is nice to have a new episode of the Christmas Day variety of Doctor Who’s past. In fact “The Star Beast” rates as one of the best of the Christmas episodes (only it isn’t). In fact if you haven’t seen the new Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special episode (only the first that’s arrived so far), save it for Christmas Day if you miss the fun of having a fun holiday episode. It will be worth the wait. The only thing missing from the typical Christmas episode is the actual Christmas theme. Or just snow. The first of the new hour-long anniversary celebration episodes is streaming now on Disney+.
If you’ve seen the trailers you already know Catherine Tate’s Donna Noble is back. When we last saw her the Doctor wiped her memory because she had become Doctor Donna–a Timelord in her own right. We were left with an inexplicable rule: If she remembers the Doctor, then she dies. Along with Donna look forward to a brilliant new TARDIS interior and the best credits introduction yet.
The last time Doctor Who had an episode this fun was in the days of Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, so it’s been a while. Writer Russell T. Davies adapts characters from a 1980s comic strip, and the story is supported by great direction and production values, which surpass past regular seasons. A great new alien emerges–one of the series’ best, which is saying a lot because Doctor Who historically produces the most imaginative alien makeups and designs of any science fiction franchise, on TV or film. 82-year-old veteran of stage and screen Miriam Margolyes (Harry Potter franchise, The Man Who Invented Christmas, Dead Again) provides the voice of the alien–called Beep the Meep. Other special effects reflect a new age of Who production quality, with elements like floating barriers and floating computer screens like you’d find in a big-budget movie. On the other hand, the quaint eras of low-budget Who shine through in the buggy Sleestak-inspired aliens called the “Wrarth”.
Along with Donna, in the first episode of Season 14 we meet a savvy new UNIT leader named Shirley Ann Bingham, played by Ruth Madeley. Madeley has spina bifida, which requires her to use a wheelchair, and in the show her character makes the chair work for her–and all of England. She’s got the charisma of your favorite UNIT or Torchwood head honcho, and seems to come from the same bolt of cloth as Gwen Cooper. It’d be great if she’s a new regular when Ncuti Gatwa takes over as the 15th Doctor next year.
Back is Jacqueline King as Sylvia, who will do anything to make sure Donna’s recollections of the Doctor stay forgotten. Karl Collins stars as Donna’s husband and Yasmin Finney as their daughter. Composer Murray Gold is scoring all three anniversary episodes. Credit Chicago-native director Rachel Talalay for a great episode. Talalay has done it all as genre TV goes, directing now eight Doctor Who episodes, plus episodes of Sherlock, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Quantum Leap, The Flash, Riverdale, Continuum, Haven, The Dead Zone, Supernatural, and much more.
Of course Tennant is the same as always–15 years later his character has not changed.
Last but not least, keep your eyes out for what may be TV’s best villain of 2023.
The Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials will air two more episodes, “Wild Blue Yonder” directed by Tom Kingsley next Saturday and “The Giggle” directed by Chanya Button the following Saturday.
