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The Long Game Format Reviewed: TV/DVD Review Another stand alone adventure follows Dalek with the now expanded Tardis crew venturing to Satellite Five, which provides the backdrop to the season finale. It's this kind of continuity that makes the series really believeable within the context of television in 2005. Russel T Davies pens this episode, and again reverts to 'Douglas Adams esque' names, i.e. the mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe. I will forgive this one as the CG for 'Max' is particularly well realised. The guest cast is once again strong here, with the bleached blonde locks of Simon Pegg leading the way with his portrayal of the Editor. Peggs comedy background serves him well in an environment where he would have little real human contact, and his eccentric nature goes well in the story. Christine Adams and Anna Maxwell-Martin also put in good performances as Cathica and Suki respectively. The interesting aspect of this story for me is the 'betrayal' of the Doctor by Adam. He gets a forehead computer access terminal fitted, and accesses the computers to learn the secrets that the human race have uncovered between his time and the story's timeframe. This he 'dictates' to his answerphone with the help of Roses specially modified mobile phone. What is also pleasing is that when the Doctor leans of this, he promptly takes Adam back to his parents house and leaves him there in an angry mood. Previous incarnations of the Doctor would have been less inclined to inflict this punishment on a travelling companion, but in todays context this is more realistic, especially given the Doctors recent past history with the time war. In my opinion, this is the best story so far penned by Russel T Davies. It is a relatively standard Doctor Who romp in time and space, and ties in continuity from other episodes in the series nicely. Rose is really just to establish the characters and story and what to expect of Doctor Who in the 21st century, The End of the World again is a bit more establishment and provides more context for the modern Doctor and the two parter of Aliens of London and World War Three is a bit twee for my liking, so this is a good solid effort for Davies and it sets up the context of the season finale nicely. Rating:  |