TV Review: Doctor Who - Cold War [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 9: 'Cold War' (UK Airdate: 13 April '13) // Words: Saam Das

I didn't much like the previous episode of 'Doctor Who', 'The Rings Of Akhaten', even going as far as to call it "quite possibly the worst 'Doctor Who' episode that I've ever seen". Unsurprisingly, the only way was up and the more intimate submarine-based drama of 'Cold War' made for a better ride. Spoilers and more thoughts below.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Rings Of Akhaten [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 8: 'The Rings Of Akhaten' (UK Airdate: 6 April '13) // Words: Saam Das

'Doctor Who' returned with the relatively strong 'The Bells Of Saint John' last time out but my faith in the current series has reached its lowest point with the immensely disappointing latest episode, 'The Rings Of Akhaten'. Although it actually started off quite promisingly. Spoilers for 'The Rings Of Akhaten' below.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Bells Of Saint John [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 7: 'The Bells Of Saint John' (UK Airdate: 30 March '13) // Words: Saam Das

Normally after a break, I'd be inclined to say that 'Doctor Who' has made a "welcome return". Not this time. The first half of series 7 (or series 33, depending on your chosen classification) was largely mediocre, although last year's Christmas special hinted at improvement. Indeed, it transpires that 'The Bells Of Saint John is a welcome return. Spoilers below.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Snowmen [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Christmas Special: 'The Snowmen' (UK Airdate: 25 Dec '12) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Sci-fi drama. It is Christmas Eve, 1892, and the falling snow is the stuff of fairytales. But the fairytale becomes a nightmare, and a chilling menace threatens Earth." (bbc.co.uk)

The Doctor ventures to Victorian England in 'The Snowmen', this year's Christmas special featuring Richard E Grant, Ian McKellen (alas, in voice alone) and best of all, Strax the Sontaran. Oh and new companion, Jenna Louise Coleman, in a curious role that suggests she will play a pivotal role in forthcoming episodes. Spoilers (marked) below.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Angels Take Manhattan [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 5: 'The Angels Take Manhattan' (2012) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "The Doctor's heart-breaking farewell to Amy and Rory - a race against time through the streets of Manhattan, as New York's statues come to life around them..." (bbc.co.uk)

We bid farewell to Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill). The writing's been on the wall for some time. Or in this case, on the page. Sadly, it was something of a tepid exit for the couple, who have been very much the driving force of this series - which itself has been lukewarm at best.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Power Of Three [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 4: 'The Power Of Three' (2012) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "The Doctor and the Ponds puzzle over an unlikely invasion of Earth, as millions of sinister black cubes arrive overnight..." (bbc.co.uk)

I'm not entirely sure what showrunner Steven Moffat or returning episode writer Chris Chibnall were thinking when using the "power of three" in 'Doctor Who' - a phrase etched in recent TV history as the foundation of US supernatural drama 'Charmed'. But much like that show, this episode was very much about family - as the Doctor and the Ponds time winds down together.

TV Review: Doctor Who - Dinosaurs On A Spaceship [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 2: 'Dinosaurs On A Spaceship' (2012) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Sci-fi drama. An unmanned spaceship hurtles towards certain destruction. Only the Doctor can save it, along with its impossible cargo... of dinosaurs!" (bbc.co.uk)

Dinosaurs. On. A. Spaceship. For some, a proposal that might induce glee. I come from a more cynical viewpoint. Remember the 'Snakes On A Plane' film? For your sake, I hope not. Nonetheless, 'Dinosaurs On A Spaceship' carried on the solid opening episode, 'The Asylum Of The Daleks' - without ever threatening greatness.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Asylum Of The Daleks [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 1: 'The Asylum Of The Daleks' (2012) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Kidnapped by his oldest foe, the Doctor is forced on an impossible mission - to a place even the Daleks are too terrified to enter..." (bbc.co.uk)

The Doctor (Matt Smith) returns as series seven of the new incarnation of 'Doctor Who' kicks off, following a good 9 or so months away from our screens. The Doctor, Rory (Arthur Darvill) and Amy (Karen Gillan) once again team up - taking on a group of particularly unhinged Daleks.

TV Review: The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe [Doctor Who Christmas Special 2011]

'Doctor Who' Christmas Special 2011: 'The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Festive edition of the sci-fi drama. A madcap caretaker greets evacuee Madge Arwell and her two children and leads them into a magical world." (bbc.co.uk)

It's Christmas with the Doctor (Matt Smith) again, following last year's 'A Christmas Carol'. This time around, we're transported to WWII-era Britain, as the Doctor looks after a family who have moved to safer surroundings - i.e their Uncle Digby's mansion. Lucky them.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Wedding Of River Song [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series Six: 'The Wedding Of River Song' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Sci-fi drama. By the shores of Lake Silencio in Utah, all of time and space hang in the balance - for this is the day the Doctor dies." (bbc.co.uk)

5.02pm. 22 April 2011. The Doctor's death. Or was it? Time and space find themselves as muddled as the viewer in the opening sequence of 'The Wedding Of River Song'. While the situation is clarified as the episode continues, the quality doesn't particularly improve. But there's plenty to discuss as I reflect on the rest of the series as well as this disappointing series finale.

TV Review: Doctor Who - Closing Time [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Twelve: 'Closing Time' (SPOILER-FREE) // Words: Lauren Johnson-Ginn

SYNOPSIS: “Sci-fi drama. The Doctor's final days are upon him - but when he drops in on an old friend, the Cybermen are waiting.” (bbc.co.uk)

The amount of enjoyment you’ll get from this episode is probably directly proportional to how insufferable you do or do not find James Corden, who returns (quite triumphantly) as Craig Owens, last seen in episode eleven of the previous series, 'The Lodger'.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The God Complex [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Eleven: 'The God Complex' (SPOILER-FREE) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Sci-fi drama. The TARDIS lands in a hotel where every visitor's room contains their deepest, darkest fears. What lies in wait in the Doctor's room?" (bbc.co.uk)

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Girl Who Waited [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Nine: 'The Girl Who Waited' (2011) //
Words: Lauren Johnson-Ginn

SYNOPSIS: “Amy is trapped in a quarantine facility for victims of an alien plague. Can Rory save her before she is killed by kindness?” (bbc.co.uk)

I advise anyone of a sensitive disposition who has yet to watch 'The Girl Who Waited' to do so with a box of tissues within arm’s reach – this episode is a tear-jerker. More interestingly, it also presents some difficult moral questions.

TV Review: Doctor Who - Night Terrors [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Nine: 'Night Terrors' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Classic sci-fi drama series. The Doctor (Matt Smith) and his companions come to the aid of a terrified child, whose monsters appear to be real." (bbc.co.uk)

Last week's shenanigans with River Song (Alex Kingston) and her murdering ways have all but been forgotten, as the Doctor returns to full health in 'Night Terrors'. Mark Gatiss also returns to writing duties, bringing a suitably creepy tale, reminding us of his time with 'The League Of Gentlemen' before his splendid turn as writer/"on-air talent" in 'Sherlock'.

BBC iPlayer: Doctor Who - Let's Kill Hitler [TV Review]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Eight: 'Let's Kill Hitler' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "The search for Melody Pond sees the TARDIS crash-landing in 1930s Berlin, where the Doctor (Matt Smith) comes face-to-face with Hitler, as the time-travelling drama returns." (bbc.co.uk)

We're back again for the second half of this series of 'Doctor Who', picking up proceedings a little while down the line from the events of 'A Good Man Goes To War', much to my relief. Oddly though, 'Let's Kill Hitler' eventually proved to be more 'Let's Leave Hitler In A Cupboard'.

TV Review: Doctor Who (2011) A Good Man Goes To War [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Six: 'A Good Man Goes To War' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Science fiction drama. The Doctor assembles an army to face the Battle of Demons Run - and River Song has something to tell him." (bbc.co.uk)

TV Review: Doctor Who (2011) The Almost People [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Six: 'The Almost People' //
Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Science fiction drama. The Doctor (Matt Smith) must convince terrified factory workers to work with their doppelgangers to overcome a monster of their own making." (bbc.co.uk)

In spite of its suspect title, 'The Almost People' proved a successful follow up to last week's offering, 'The Rebel Flesh'. The episode heightened the action of the last episode while further examining the questions of humanity and identity. More importantly, the episode finally delivered a tangible development in terms of one of the series-wide arcs. FINALLY!

BBC iPlayer: Doctor Who - The Rebel Flesh [TV Review]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Five: 'The Rebel Flesh' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Science fiction drama. A solar tsunami liberates doppelgangers from their human 'originals' in a futuristic factory. Can the Doctor prevent all-out civil war?" (bbc.co.uk)

One of the more popular sci-fi tropes of late has been the examination of humanity and identity, perhaps most notably in Duncan Jones' debut feature, 'Moon'. Indeed, last year's 'Doctor Who' episodes, 'The Victory Of The Daleks' and 'The Pandorica Opens', also explored such themes. 'The Rebel Flesh' continues along such lines before abruptly ending - with the conclusion to follow next week.

BBC iPlayer: Doctor Who (2011) 'The Doctor's Wife' [Review]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Three - 'The Doctor's Wife' // 
Words: Paul Dean

SYNOPSIS: "Science fiction drama. When he follows a Time Lord distress signal, the Doctor (Matt Smith) puts Amy (Karen Gillan), Rory (Arthur Darvill) and his beloved TARDIS in grave danger." (bbc.co.uk)

BBC iPlayer: Doctor Who - 'The Curse Of The Black Spot' [Review]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Three 'The Curse Of Black Spot' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "The Doctor must solve the mystery of the disappearance of a pirate crew at the hands of a beautiful Siren." (bbc.co.uk)

Following the deep, dark two part opening episode (reviews here and here) to this series of 'Doctor Who', 'The Curse Of The Black Spot' feels like it's treading water. Almost literally, as the Doctor (Matt Smith), Amy (Karen Gillan), and Rory (Arthur Darvill) find themselves on a becalmed pirate ship being attacked by a Siren (Lily Cole).