It is rare that you get an episode of a television show that achieves complete perfection. Doctor Who, which has been on the air since 1963, is no exception. The question of what the best episodes are from the first season onward often creates intense debate amongst fans. It's hard for me to have a favorite show, movie, or anything else as time changes my mood and my tastes.
If I was a younger man and watched the 2009 Easter special, "Planet Of The Dead," I would have found it a rousing adventure. As an older man, the Russell T. Davies/Gareth Roberts-scripted story is more of an irritating mess. First, however, a small summary of the "plot." At least, I think there was a plot.
We open the story with Lady Christina (Michelle Ryan), a thief who steals a golden chalice from a museum. No sooner does she obtain the object of the plunder does she grab the attention of the police. Luckily a bus happens to come by that allows her to escape.
Somewhere in the midst of what could be an episode of a cop show is The Doctor (David Tennant) who happens to get on the very bus Lady Christina is on. The cops get wind of the fact she's on the bus and began a "high pursuit" chase across London to catch her. Then, the bus is sucked through a wormhole and onto a planet filled with sand.
With the bus damaged in the trip through the wormhole, The Doctor, Lady Christina, and the passengers put their heads together to figure out how to get back to London. Time unfortunately isn't on their side as there are a few thousand flying manta ray creatures ready to feast on them. Being that this is an Easter special and Tennant survives for the next special (named "The Waters Of Mars") it is safe to say all turns out alright.
Article comments
1 - Nancy
I liked Michelle Ryan, she was one of the few saving graces of this episode. She should be the next companion.
2 - Phillip Winn
I don't know, it didn't seem that bad. Then again, I generally think the show has only 2-3 good episodes a year, with the rest uneventful fluff, so I suppose my expectations weren't all that high.
Of course, with only four episodes this "series," one of them needs to be amazing! This definitely wasn't amazing.