A review by Nalini Haynes
- Director: Graeme Harper
- Writers: Russell T. Davies, Terry Nation (characters: “Daleks”); Kit Pedler & Gerry Davis (characters: “Cybermen”)
- Stars: David Tennant, Billie Piper, Camille Coduri
‘Army of Ghosts‘ began a 2-part story that concludes in ‘Doomsday’. This review has spoilers for ‘Army of Ghosts’.
At the close of ‘Army of Ghosts’ the ghosts were exposed as cybermen. Cybermen also lurked in substantial form within the plastic-sheeted area inside Torchwood, trapping not-yet-Martha and her boyfriend, turning them into Cyber-agents when they went for a snog during work hours. As you do.
Daleks emerged from the Void Ship in Torchwood’s basement, right in front of Rose, Mickey – who just popped over from the other universe – and a scientist. Threatening to exterminate them, the daleks herded the humans back, back, back – until Rose pushes forward, telling them she has information about the Dalek Emperor.
If I’d been that dalek I think I would have shot Rose on the spot when she declared she’d disintegrated the Dalek Emperor.
Risk pieces on the board, the stage is set for a confrontation between the cybermen and the daleks while the Doctor lurks in the absence of shadows, preparing to foil their dastardly plans.
Rose’s dad and a few of his mates pop over from the other universe for a chat.
The Doctor gets a little pissy that all this popping backwards and forwards is cracking the glass pane that separates the worlds. Inter-universe travel is blamed for global warming.
The cyber/dalek war begins.
Although this was an idea of epic proportions, the execution was a bit of a fizzer, the wrap-up almost an anti-climax. When I googled ‘Doomsday’ for a pic, all the images were of Rose sobbing while leaning on a wall or the Doctor looking wistful; that pretty much establishes the real focus of this story. I had to add keywords like ‘cybermen’ and ‘dalek’ to get the above pic.
Having said that, the cyber/dalek war was a great idea. The verbal and violent pissing contest between mechanical species was fun while it lasted. The wrap-up for the season was a bit melodramatic but it was in character for the season.
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4 out of 5 stars
My review copy is part of the Doctor Who series 1 – 4 box set on bluray; thanks to Roadshow.