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Doctor Who: Series 2 - Volume 1 [2005]


RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £4.46 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

David Tennant ably steps into the shoes of the famous Timelord, as the first couple of episodes of the ‘second’ series of the reborn Doctor Who make it to DVD.

In fact, that’s not quite true. The first of the two is actually the excellent 2005 Christmas special, The Christmas Invasion, which not only marked Tennant’s first full story in the role, but also proved to be an excellent way to spend an hour. Taking place during the festive season, the story finds Earth under imminent threat of invasion, at a time when the Doctor is still getting over his regeneration. That means extra pressure for Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler, but also offers a welcome return to the series for the terrific Penelope Wilton as Harriet Jones. Yet it’s the witty script and Tennant’s confident performance that define the episode.

The ‘proper’ start of the ‘second’ series was the slightly uneven New Earth, which scores well again in the humour stakes, but struggles a little more with the story itself. The Doctor and Rose find themselves billions of years in the future, called to a hospital where the feline nursing staff have a cure for every disease. Naturally, there’s something more sinister going on, and there’s the returning, unscrupulous last surviving human Cassandra (played again by Zoe Wanamaker) to deal with. But while it amounts to a fun episode, it’s slightly below the standard the show has set itself of late.

All considered though, as a kick off to the second series DVD collection, there’s plenty in the pair of episodes on offer here to enjoy, and plenty of potential in David Tennant as the Doctor. Now bring on the rest…!--Simon Brew


What Went Wrong?
Review date: 2008-07-29 Rating: 4 out of 10

It's probably unfair to expect quality drama from a Christmas special, but The Christmas Invasion doesn't even compare with subsequent Christmas episodes. Admittedly it has to deal with the introduction of a new Doctor, always a knotty problem. In the 60s and 70s we'd simply have a regeneration and a couple of scenes with the new Doctor being a bit unpredictable before getting on with the story. In the 80s, and here, we have the new Doctor sit out most of the story because his regeneration has gone wrong/he's unstable/he can't be bothered (delete as applicable). The story itself, such as it is, is a very light runaround for the younger members of the family with a scary monster being bad and the Doctor talking in funny voices, quoting The Lion King and doing something with fruit. Big question: the button that he throws the satsuma at - what is it actually for? Rose gets to be quite embarrassing throughout the episode and the new Doctor is quite rude and cocky.

New Earth is another disappointment with little of any consequence happening and the Doctor and Rose getting a bit annoying. It is shiny, though.

The shininess carries through to the DVD boxcover: Series One DVDs looked mysterious and exciting, this one is gaudy and embarrassing.

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Reviews


Volume 1
Review date: 2007-08-07 Rating: 8 out of 10

On this disc we have "The Christmas Invasion" the Christmas special from 2005, a good and exciting episode once it gets going. In "New Earth" the special effects are some of the best on TV, shame it takes so long to get going, but still a very good episode. Bit disappointed at the lack of episodes on this disc-Two!The cheek of it! I woudn't spend any more than five pounds on this, it's best to get the boxset!

Enjoyable episodes
Review date: 2007-08-03 Rating: 8 out of 10

This dvd contains the first two episodes in Doctor Who series 2, they are very enjoyble and great to watch. These episodes are not the best in the series but they are still very good.

The Christmas Invasion= This episode is about an alien invasion at Christmas. The episode introduces David Tennant as the new Doctor and he is brilliant and funny. It is a good episode but it isn't one of the best (7/10)

New Earth= This episode is about Cassandra hiding in a hospital and there are people with a plague disease and they have escaped all over the hospital.This is a good episode with a good plot (7/10 ).

I reccomend this dvd.

Good start for the Tenth Doctor.
Review date: 2006-09-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

David Tennant gets off to a good start as the Doctor in these two episodes. In the Christmas Invasion he has to deal with the threat of the alien Sycorax and their attempts to invade earth. However, he must first recover from his recent regeneration.
Although Tennant only really comes to the fore during the last half of this adventure, he still manages to make a formidable impression. A superb debut story, with a nice twist at the end.
The second adventure, 'New Earth' acts as a sequel to previous season's 'The End of the World.' In it, the Doctor and Rose travel millions of years into the future and discover a hospital, which is run by a group of cat-like creatures. Behind the scenes there lies a dark and shocking secret, and to make matters worse, the Doctor is confronted with his old enemy Cassandra. This episode has received mixed reviews, but I found it a real creepy thriller, with good performances. The highlight has to be Billie Piper's wonderful turn as the 'possessed' Rose.
A very good start for the Tenth Doctor. Two very entertaining adventures, which are worth watching.

thedoctorwhoru
Review date: 2006-07-10 Rating: 10 out of 10

this dvd contains:
1.)the christmas invasion
2.)new earth
i bought this dvd having seen the whole series except these 2 episodes and it was well worth buying it.in the christmas invasion the evil alien race the sycorax have an alien spaceship hanging over london and threaten the earth with either a third die or a half are sold into slavery. the doctor must recover from regeniration in time to save mankind. in the 2nd episode they travel to the year 5 billion on new earth were the doctor and rose go to a hospital.the hospital is run by cat nuns (the sisters of plenitude) who seem to have a cure for everything but he is suspicious of there methods. whilst finding out how they do it he must save rose from the clutches of an old enemy lady cassandra. this episode is one of the funniest episodes of the series. the only downside is it only contains 2 episodes but still worth buying

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Noel Clarke
Camille Coduri
David Tennant
Billie Piper
Penelope Wilton

Creators:
David Tennant (Primary Contributor)
Billie Piper (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503196028
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2006-05-01
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2005-11-05
Language: English (Original Language)

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