Many were convinced that no one could follow David Tennant as The Doctor, and there were even more murmurings when the virtually unknown Matt Smith the youngest Doctor ever was announced as Tennants replacement. However, despite facing one hell of an intimidating job convincing people he was a worthy successor, Smith jumps into the role with absolutely relish in these first three episodes of his Who tenure.
Although the makers have talked about how different this Doctor is to Tennants and how hes mad, the truth is they are pretty similar. Smith is perhaps being a bit more manic, which is actually quite impressive considering how energetic Tennant often was. I suppose the main difference is that with Smith his highs are a bit higher and his lows a bit lower, as well as having a tendency to snap at people but it works and hes great fun in the role.
Smith kicks things off with The Eleventh Hour, which sees him run into young Amelia Pond, and discovering a crack in time and space in her bedroom. Promising hell be back five minutes later, the reconfigured TARDIS actually delays his return for 10 years, by which time Amelia has grown and started to go by the name Amy. However despite the time delay, the Doctor is still getting used to his body, but doesnt have much time to do so, as Prisoner Zero has escaped, and the Atraxi are so desperate to get him back theyre prepared to incinerate the entire planet rather than allow him to escape.
After that, the Doctor, who for the end of Tennants run was feeling reticent about having companions, decides to allow Amy to go with him, and first off is a trip to the future and Starship UK, where the British people live after evacuating Earth. However it seems to be a police state living in fear, and on investigation Amy and the Doctor discover that the ship runs a system where every five years people get to learn the truth about the lengths their ancestors went to allow them to survive, and then they must either decide to forget or remember, and if 1% choose the latter, the journey and starship will come to an end. However while the truth may be terrible, will the Doctor be able to set things right?
Then its back to the Second World War, where Churchill introduces the Doctor to his new secret weapon the Ironsides. However, while the Prime Minister is certain these machines were invented by humans and will destroy Hitler, the Doctor immediately recognises them as Daleks. However they seem utterly subservient, so whats going on and will they eventually reveal their true colours?
Its a wonderful beginning to a bit of a redesigned show, which feels familiar and yet new at the same time, with a wonderful fresh talent in the lead role.
While volume by volume releases of earlier Doctor Who series were completely extra free with all features held back for the eventual complete series box set with this one you do get a Monster Files featurette, which takes a close look at the new Daleks. Its probably a good job they did include it, as there was some criticism that the new multi-coloured alien machines seemed to be more designed to sell merchandise than because there was any good reason for a completely new look, but the makers of the show certainly do a good job of saying why they went for something new (or rather old, as the inspiration was the Daleks from the 1960s Doctor Who films, starring Peter Cushing).
Although itd be nice if there were a few more extras, if you cant wait for the inevitable full season box set, this is certainly a great into to a new doctor, with three very entertaining episodes.
Overall Verdict: Proving himself a worthy successor to David Tennant, Matt Smith scores a home run with his first three Whovian adventures.
Special Features:
Monster Files Featurette
Reviewer: Tim Isaac