A Doctor Who a Day - Day 4 - Review: Aliens of London & World War Three

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Doctor Who Series 1, Episodes 4 & 5, Aliens of London & World War Three

Original Air Date: 16th & 23rd April 2005

"Good. Put her on a slow heat and let her simmer."

Another day and another Doctor Who review, this time it is Aliens of London and World War Three.

When I watched these the first time around, I wasn't that fussed by them, but I have decided that Aliens of London and World War Three are growers, so let's get into the review of the first two parter of modern Doctor Who (2005 is so unmodern these days isn't it?).

Christopher Eccleston is a mighty fine Doctor, and he is great in these two episodes, fantastic actually. Although that really is a given, so there isn’t much point in saying it.

Unfortunately for me, I got a few glimpses into Rose starting to be a trifle annoying, there were a lot of times she really grated on me after this, not down to Billie I might add, just the way she was written I guess. Suddenly she was all cocky. She treated Mickey like a piece of shit as well. This didn't fully come into play until the second series, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

Anyway, if you ignore the farting and booty shaking, these are two pretty solid episodes. As I have mentioned previously, I don't take much notice of politics in Doctor Who, I just want a good story, however it is hard not to notice what this one is all about. Tony Blair, the evil fucker, and his Weapons of Mass Destruction. Fuck! That seems like a lifetime ago! In context, we have had eight Prime Ministers since this aired, and not a single one has brought much good, if any!

I did think this was very cleverly written though. The Slitheen use the fear of the peoples of the World to get access to weapons they really have no right in having. It is almost like stealing oil tankers and blowing up fishing boats to get your hands on someones oil (or maybe to distract from certain files).

"Nine hundred years of time and space, and I've never been slapped by someone's mother."

I enjoyed the beginning a lot. The Doctor makes a big old cock up, and Rose has been gone for a year. I love how he smiles as he reveals his mistake to Jackie. Whoops! I bloody love Eccleston, I wish we had more of him.

Mickey is still being treated as a dick at the start of this, I never know why he stuck around for Rose really. However, he gets to help save the day by the end of the episode, so he has the last laugh. However improbable it was that he could access everything with so much ease. Also, he found firing a missile incredibly easy. So is Mickey really an idiot? Or perhaps he is a warmonger in his spare time? 

The Slitheen were alright monsters, but they looked pretty cumbersome, except the CGI shots when they suddenly turned into Usain Bolt.

I realise I am waffling here and jumping all over the place. So in summary it was a very strong start to this two parter, Rose was being a bit of a dick, the Slitheen were alright monsters with a very interesting plan, and Mickey is being treated like dirt.

Okay, I am back on track now!

We get our first Doctor Who cliffhanger at the end of the first part. There was a very OTT laugh, but I loved it. It feels so simple compared to some of the cliffhangers we get these days.

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I think I have been fairly safe with my reviews so far (apart from my annoying Rose thoughts), however, I am going to rock the boat a little here - I am not a fan of Harriet Jones. There, I've said it! She just isn’t for me I'm afraid. I wouldn't be voting for her, even if it did bring a golden age (was this actually the case in the end? She got disposed of pretty quick by my reckoning, although no more than what we are used to these days I guess).

After all of this, the Doctor, a missile and Mickey save the day. Go Mickey!

Then we get some great moments between the Doctor and Jackie, and this is what I have loved about the show since it was revived. It grounds things. Now I know this is a show that involves a time travelling alien, who has a blue box that is bigger on the inside, but I do like the show when it is kind of based in reality. When humans react how I think I would react. 

When characters don’t react how I think I would react, it sometimes leads me to not like them as much as maybe I should. Belinda just taking the robots in her stride, Ruby just shrugging about goblins, etc.

“This is my life, Jackie. It’s not fun, it’s not smart, it’s just standing up and making a decision because nobody else will.”

The end of the episode was brilliant. Doctor Who being simple and grounded. You see, I have a point. The shot of Jackie counting down ten seconds and Mickey sitting on the bin waiting for Rose to come back were kind of moving. I love it.

Other than Rose, none of the episodes so far seem to get the credit they deserve. They all do the perfect job of their assignments. This one develops the characters whilst also proving Tony Blair is a complete cunt. Perfect!

What did you think of this episode? Too much farting? Not enough farting? Let me know in the comments below.

A Doctor Who a Day - Day 5

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