Doctor Who SE04 EP03: Planet of the Ood (spoilers)

[horacethegrey]

The TARDIS arrives upon an icy world, which the Doctor finds out is the home of the telepathic Ood. Soon he and Donna are investigating the shady dealings of Ood Operations and it's CEO Klineman Halpen (Tim McInnerny), in order to learn the secret of the Ood's willing subservience to humanity.

Though not matching the quality of last week's brilliant Fire's of Pompeii, this was still a fine episode with some genuinely bleak and creepy moments keeping in line w/ the series darker direction. Tennant was fine as always, while Catherine Tate continues to impress. And let give a hand to a fine guest performance from Tim McInnerny. Never thought Captain Darling could make such a smarmy bad guy (oh, and the scene where his character gets his just deserts is one of the more disgusting scenes in Doctor Who. BRILLIANT ). The Ood though, are the real stars of this episode. One of the more well realized creatures of the new series, it's nice to get a story in which they are the focus. Though the red eye look they sported here and in The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit still creeps me out.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

Yay! In the 42nd century, mankind finally gets its revenge on Illithid-kind and enslave Maanzecorian!

Then they realize it is wrong to do unto the mind flayers as they have done unto man, and freedom rings across the galaxy!

Nice episode. I like how it tied up some loose ends regarding the Doctor's attitude towards the Ood two seasons ago. Plus, was that a bit of foreshadowing there at the end in regards to the Doctor's song?

Sontarans next week. Looks like real Sontarans, and not a revamp like the Cybermen. Which is good.

 

[horacethegrey]

Yay! In the 42nd century, mankind finally gets its revenge on Illithid-kind and enslave Maanzecorian!

Ah. Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is Maanzecorian?

Also, forgot to add, I really liked the reference the Doctor gave regarding the Sense Sphere being close to the Ood sphere. The Sense Sphere of course, was the home of the Sensorites, whom the Doctor encountered in his First Incarnation (William Hartnell) in the same titled serial.

Sontarans next week. Looks like real Sontarans, and not a revamp like the Cybermen. Which is good.

The Sontarans I think were a pretty well realized alien race from the get-go, so I don't think there was any need to revamp them like the Mondas Cybermen. I've always liked the Sontarans, despite only watching just one story (the Third Doctor serial The Time Warrior). I look forward to see how the new series handles them, and I also look forward to Martha's return.

 

[Mark Hope]

Very creepy episode with some genuinely horrifying moments. My daughter ran from the room in terror again (when Donna got locked in the container with the Ood) which is always a good gauge of scariness

Good to see the nod to the Sense Sphere as well as the foreshadowing of the Doctor's fate (whatever that will be... but I think that with the series going off the air in 2009 - barring holiday specials - that we should be in for something climactic at the end of this season.)

Clearly someone has been lifting inspiration from the illithids as well. I thought so last time we saw the Ood, but the appearance of the Elder Brain this episode clinched it for me. Very cool.

Looking forward to next week with the squishy-headed Sontarans and the return of Martha to the series. Good stuff all round!

 

[Plane Sailing]

Generally good, but two things irk me.

1) Why, in the 42nd century, are people using 20th century slug throwers? This seems so wrong, and previous editions of Dr Who haven' never shirked from giving people appropriate varieties of ray guy. C'mon prop people/script writers, lets have some imagination here!

2) For the second week in a row they've been hitting us over the head with "Donna is a conscience for the doctor". Hasn't the doctor (even as Tennant) not been pretty notable for being compassionate towards people (from his first 'real' outing onwards). I'm still seeing too much 'Catherine Tate' and not enough 'Donna' in her characterisation too.

Cheers

 

[Morrus]

!

2) For the second week in a row they've been hitting us over the head with "Donna is a conscience for the doctor". Hasn't the doctor (even as Tennant) not been pretty notable for being compassionate towards people (from his first 'real' outing onwards). I'm still seeing too much 'Catherine Tate' and not enough 'Donna' in her characterisation too.

Yeah, I find that weird, too. One of the Dcotor's primary characteristics is extreme compassion and empathy.

 

[horacethegrey]

Yeah, I find that weird, too. One of the Dcotor's primary characteristics is extreme compassion and empathy.

But at times he can be a thoughtless prat and make snide comments on the humanity's less desirable qualities. Donna's reaction to his slavery comment is perfectly understandable. I wouldn't like it if some high and mighty alien was talking down to me.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

Ah. Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is Maanzecorian?

He/It is the illithid god. Takes the form of a giant brain.

 

[evildmguy]

Hmm.

I don't know if we really have seen an overall compassionate Doctor. I think that's why he realizes he needs a "mate" traveling with him.

What I mean is, all incarnations of the Doctor, IIRC, have not necessarily cared about individuals and have let them die. It's only when confronted by that fact, usually by a companion, that they have changed their mind. They have cared about their companions and those they call friends. However, outside of that sphere, the Doctor hasn't cared. Further, I think it could even be said that the Doctor let's others do his dirty work for him, rather than him being willing to do it himself.

But I am probably reading too much into it!



edg

 

[Morrus]

What I mean is, all incarnations of the Doctor, IIRC, have not necessarily cared about individuals and have let them die. It's only when confronted by that fact, usually by a companion, that they have changed their mind. They have cared about their companions and those they call friends. However, outside of that sphere, the Doctor hasn't cared. Further, I think it could even be said that the Doctor let's others do his dirty work for him, rather than him being willing to do it himself.

I don't think that's true at all; quite the opposite, in fact.