This story in a nutshell: Bring forth the Doctor!
Mockney Dude: 'This new hand...is a fightin' hand!' Russell
T. Davies was addicted to breaking new ground in the first series. He
introduced a massive shift in emphasis in the series off screen (the
Time War), he gave the companion unusual dominance, he played about with the
idea of the Doctor kidnapping a companion, allowed their family to play a vital
role in the series and for the first time ever made the regeneration a
radiantly positive event (Logopolis doesn't quite count for all it's wistful
optimism since half the universe has just been destroyed and the Doctor has had
every bone in his body shattered). Topping off a fresh and original revival for
the series we have an opening gambit for the new kid on the block and he barely
features in the story whatsoever. You might think that Davies has gone insane
but by removing the Doctor from the main action he goes to prove just how badly
we need him and when he steps forth at the climax to save the day he ensures a
rapturous reception given the world has gone to shit. It's a genius approach,
the sort thing that might have done Colin Baker the world of good (if anything
he was over exposed in his debut story). Whilst regeneration is something that
we take for granted, we have to remember Davies was introducing the idea to a
whole new generation of kids who have already fallen in love with Christopher
Eccleston. In many ways this is just as important as the Hartnell/Troughton
crossover because had the audience not taken to David Tennant it could have
spelt the end for the show. Just like an entire generation fell head over heels
for Troughton, Tennant is now revered by a huge section the general public as
the ultimate Doctor. And The Christmas Invasion is responsible for that
transition being as seamless as possible. Is he a different person or is it
just another face? My husband thinks tea is the cure for everything so he was
applauding at the notion of a cuppa pushing the regenerative process along. So
what can we take away from this new Doctor? He's strong, snatching a cracked
whip and breaking a staff in half. He can talk ten to the dozen, he even admits
as much himself. He's funny, quoting the Lion King at a hugely inappropriate
moment. He's not ginger, much to his disappointment. Sexy, looking hot even in
a middle aged mans dressing gown. Intelligent, figuring out the plot in about
two minutes thanks to keen observational skills. He's a hero, grabbing a
broadsword and standing as the worlds champion. When Rose tosses him a new
sword she is perfectly convinced that he is the Doctor...and so are we. Shiny
and new and delightful. A man who kills with a Satsuma to save the world. Not
perfect mind, there might be some who think he is a little too harsh in his
indictment of Harriet Jones (who was, after all, just trying to protect the
planet) but the shocking final sequence between them shows that this Doctor has
teeth. Cuddly he might be but piss him off and he'll have you. I was chomping
at the bit to see more.
Chavvy Chick: You could make an argument that some of the
damage was done in The Christmas Invasion with Rose's character. Gone is the
sexy, savvy, adventurous teen of series one and in steps a teary eyed emotional
wreck who falls to pieces without the Doctor. Halfway through the story when
the world has gone mad you want Rose to step up to the plate and do something
spectacular but instead she blubs and whimpers. It might be a realistic
reaction to the circumstances but it is hardly a heroic one. For once some of
that Clara Oswald determination is needed. Rose's hugely embarrassing,
continuity laden speech to the Sycorax to leave the Earth in peace shows her at
least trying to do something. Isn't it wonderful how the Sycorax Leader laughs
at her pathetic attempts to intimidate him and then orders her execution.
Jackie & Mickey: Thank goodness that Rose has the
support of her family and friends, that's all I can say. At this point Mickey
and Jackie are at the core of what the series is about. They bring humanity and
humour to the programme in the way that shows off Davies' dialogue at its best.
I love how excited they both get at the sound of the TARDIS - just as you
should. Mickey has grown to the point where he can subtly take the mickey
(hoho) out of Rose and her hero worship of the Doctor. You can already see the
seeds sown of his ultimate decision to leave her and make a life of his own.
Jackie babbling in panic trying to help out the Doctor is very funny, Coduri
sharing instant chemistry with Tennant. Rose has come to see Mickey as a brave
man, fighting against his natural instinct to run when the shit hits the fan.
The Christmas dinner shared by all is about as joyful as the new series comes,
like it has wrapped its arms around you and given you a big hug. The future
seems very bright indeed.
Sparkling Dialogue: 'Anything else he's got two of?'
'I'm going to get killed by a Christmas tree!'
'We're having a picnic while the world comes to an end. Very
British.'
'You're getting noticed...'
'Run and hide because the monsters are coming. The human
race.'
'Don't you think she looks tired.'
The Good:
* They would go on to better the TARDIS being used as an
actual spaceship, bouncing off cars and hovering along a motorway in The
Runaway Bride but we had never seen quite a landing as the one in The Christmas
Invasion before. Crashing into walls and sending a post office van flying, the
out of control Ship is a good metaphor for the wild, unpredictable Doctor. He
won't softly materialise in your neighbourhood, he'll crash land and turn it
into something of a wreck.
* You can't really go wrong with a good, old fashioned alien
invasion story and this time Davies has neglected to include the farting aliens
that seemed to drive the fans nuts. The central plot to The Christmas Invasion
is extremely robust and full of exciting incident. In tone and content it
reminds a little of the Virgin novel The Dying Days (except it is
better) and the movie Independence Day (except it is better than that
too). I like how the events of this story marry with those of Aliens of
London/World War Three and kick start a new thread in the series - a world that
is aware of alien life because the spectacle of invasion has been so public. I
like the idea of the pilot fish as a portent of the imminent disaster (there's
a blink and you'll miss it explanation as to why they are trying to kidnap the
Doctor...but it is there). More firsts; an alien race seen by the masses, UNIT
taking up residence in the Tower of London, Harriet Jones as a kick ass Prime
Minister ('there's an act of Parliament banning my autobiography').
Somehow Davies had a away of presenting an alien invasion as a worldwide event
in a way that Moffat has failed to do (even in The Power of Three and Death in
Heaven). Perhaps it is his ability to so perfectly capture the media reaction
or because we can see the impact on the public as people are dragged from their
homes or maybe it is just because the scale of the show is so impressive. The
sight of the enormous spaceship sliding into orbit above London accompanied by
an awesome soundtrack truly sells the idea that the is the end of the world is
nigh (the windows erupting as a portent of its arrival is phenomenal too).
Sometimes spectacle is needed and The Christmas Invasion has it in spades but
it also has a great deal of intimacy too (the reaction of the mother who is
trying to convince her child to resist Sycorax control is genuinely upsetting).
* When Doctor Who Christmas specials were first mooted the
internet went into meltdown thinking that we were due a pantomime of Nimon
proportions every year. Were all the sets going to be made of tinsel? Would Santa
make an appearance? Instead of falling into the trap of providing all style and
no substance (that would come later in The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe)
Davies instead provides one of the most thrilling storylines yet and laces it
with Christmas elements that remind you of the time of year without getting in
the way. The yuletide touches are handled particularly well; the destructive
Christmas band that open fire on an unsuspecting market (I love Rose's silently
observing them before the chaos ensues and the mask that falls dramatically to
the floor), the glorious, glorious scene featuring the Christmas tree
coming to life and attacking Rose, Mickey and Jackie (not only is the Christmas
tree shaped hole it saws in the wall a visual gag of epic proportions but this
scenes is responsible for one my favourite ever lines in any TV programme - see
above) and the Christmas dinner at the climax that reveals just how different
from his predecessor this new Doctor is. Closing on festive cheer might not be
everybody's idea of how a Doctor Who story should but I think it has been more
than earned after the defeatist tone of the majority of this story.
* New alien races are tenapenny in Doctor Who and few of
them make the impact that the Sycorax did, which is why I am glad they have
only made one appearance in Doctor Who. They are the Zygons on the New
Series...at least until Day of the Doctor. Lawrence Miles might feel a little
hard done by (he created a race that used blood to control and had a real
hardon for bone masks) there is no denying that both conceptually and visually
the Sycorax make quite an impact. Not being able to contact verbally with an
alien race (proving the existence of the TARDIS translator) is another
intriguing idea, mis-communication at the negotiation stage could lead to the
death of everybody on the planet. How twisted to take something as optimistic
as the probe with all the feats of human endeavour and turn it into a weapon to
bring the human race to its knees, taking a slice of the population and
bringing them to a (literal) precipice. The Sycorax are a warrior race,
negotiation through intimidation is their method of choice. Murdering two
representatives (characters we are well acquainted with at this point) upon
arrival in their ship shows that they mean business (and those whips are just cool). Sean Gilder deserves a lot of credit for
imbuing the Sycorax Leader with an identity of his own and stressing the
hostile, unfamiliar qualities of the character. It always helps when an alien race
has a mouthpiece and like Davros and Broton and the Gravis before him, the
Sycorax Leader allows for an intimate dynamic between the monsters and the
Doctor.
* I'd forgotten what an impact Torchwood made on this story
without ever appearing. At this point the organisation is an ominous threat to
alien life, equipped with some serious technology. No wonder I was desperate to
find out more. It could have been so easy to have had the Doctor triumph and
leave that as the climax but Davies pulls one of his best surprises out of the
bag when the Sycorax spaceship is destroyed under Harriet Jones' instruction.
What has she become since gaining power? Was she right to do so? The Doctor's
condemnation of her character and that of the human race is a startlingly dark
moment in what should be a triumphant culmination of the story. Her downfall is
essential in order for he series three story arc to play out (was Davies
thinking that far ahead?) and her decision would be re-visited (and vindicated)
in The Stolen Earth. For now, bask in the drama and the surprise of the new
Doctor mercilessly dragging his old friend from power. It's a powerfully acted
scene.
The Bad: Harriet Jones giving a public announcement to
request help from the Doctor is a bit much (although I love her guilty
admission that the Royal Family are on the roof).
The Shallow Bit: Adam Garcia could be my right hand man any
day of the week.
3 comments:
Good review. One thing I've thought about this episode is really is whether 10 set the stage for Harold Saxson. The 9th Doctor had seen that Harriet Jones would be a great leader of Britain. The 10th shortcircuited that and changed the future because he was miffed at her.
What I think the Christmas Invasion did so well in just a few minutes was to previous nearly every aspect of the Doctor's character we'd see over the next three series. The "you get one chance" idea became one of 10's defining rules. The only thing we didn't get fully is just how severe could be if you blew your one chance.
Poor Harriet Jones. Imagine what Tennant's Doctor would have done to the Brigadier if he'd been around at the end of the first silurian story.
I think we did get to see that, as he kills the Sycorax leader by making him fall to his death
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