Christopher Eccleston revived the character of the Doctor brilliantly but it was probably David Tennant who became most well known and beloved for his portrayal of the Time Lord and so it's a bit weird watching his very first story again whilst trying to recapture that anxious feeling of wondering if the new Doctor was going to be any good. We are certainly made to wait a pretty long time as the Doctor spends a good portion of the story unconscious in bed!
I think I'm right in thinking that this was Doctor Who's first Christmas special since episode 7 of The Daleks' Master Plan way back in 1965 (so actually 40 years to the day that this special was broadcast). The changing perception of people's television viewing is certainly evident. Episode 7 of The Daleks' Master Plan was written so that it didn't contain anything vital to the plot of that serial and was therefore a bit of fluffy nonsense really. This was done as it was believed that no one would be watching television on Christmas day and therefore they didn't want the viewers to miss vital information which would prevent them from understanding the later episodes. Fast forward 40 years and the Christmas specials are some of the most watched things on television all year!
While the Doctor lies unconscious in bed, the Prime Minister is facing the imminent threat of a huge spaceship approaching the Earth. In a stroke of brilliance the Prime Minister is none other than Harriet Jones from the last series who has clearly moved up in the world of politics, although she still insists on flashing her ID badge and identifying herself, "Harriet Jones - Prime Minister" to which everyone responds "yes....we know who you are". When the Sycorax (the aliens of the story) respond with the same phrase, it's pretty funny.
Meanwhile poor Rose is really shaken up by what has happened to the Doctor and even seems angry with him, claiming that the old Doctor would have been there to save them whilst this impostor is just lying asleep in bed!
When the Doctor finally does come round (stirred to wakefulness by a cup of tea no less!) he springs straight into action with wise retorts to the Sycorax and challenging the leader to a sword fight. The amazing thing about David Tennant is that he was already a big Doctor Who fan in real life and therefore his enthusiasm comes across ten fold on screen. It's also nice that he seems to have softened a bit to Rose's family and even gives Jackie a hug at the end of the episode. I don't think they could have kept up the slightly moody Doctor for much longer so this was a bit of a relief.
Another key part of this story are the references to a mysterious institute known as Torchwood. Harriet Jones eventually uses Torchwood to blow up the Sycorax ship despite the fact that they were retreating much to the Doctor's horror.
The Doctor's new outfit is very nice. When the series was first brought back they were frightened of going too eccentric and as such Eccleston wore a pretty bland (but still cool) costume. Now the series has some confidence some of the Doctor's more outlandish taste in clothing is rearing it's head again. Luckily he has slightly more taste that his sixth incarnation! No clown costumes in sight!
A new Doctor and yet more adventures to come!
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