The Undefinable Magic of Dr Who

The Undefinable Magic of Dr Who

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Series 3 Preview! - The Lazarus Experiment

Preview 1 - Written by Bazza

Episode 6 means we're almost 1/2 way through season 3 and for me it's been a corker of a season with David nailing his portrayal of the Doctor and Freema's winning portrayal of Martha.
So where does this leave The Lazarus Experiment? Well, it's a comfortable mid-season episode with a simple story which managed with some cracking dialogue and some real shocks for the youngsters (and even this oldster!) to keep me thoroughly entertained. Just don't expect too much of it - as said it's not the most complex of storylines...
Without giving too much away, we're back home with the Jones, who, as RTD promised, are developing quite nicely in a different direction from the Tylers and quickly onto a demonstration by a Professor Lazarus, as played by Mark Gatiss. It isn't too long before we're in 'monster of the week' territory meets the Fly meets Quatermass!! The simplicity and predictability of the plot might disappoint some, but the script, direction and performances are top notch New Who. It really is a thrilling chase which really had me on the edge of my seat.
So what to enjoy and what not?
The positives:
The Doctor and Martha: if they aren't the New Avengers, then I'm John Steed.
Thrills: I jumped!
The Jones: They ain't the Tylers - I'm not so sure it's going to end happily, you know!
The Dialogue: just one line in this script was enough to keep an old fan happy. You'll know which one.
The negatives:
The Mill; well don't get me wrong here, the monster leaps into view and scared me silly at points, but there's an element in its design which says the Mill stretched themselves just a little far.
The Plot:it's not rocket science!
Guest stars: other than Gastiss and the Jones', there's not much for any old former Coronation Street actress to do but enjoy the nibbles.
And in the end: relax, enjoy the scary ride and the hint of troubled times ahead. Troubled? Well, that's what Mr Saxon told me....
Preview 2 - Written by Captain Jack's Defabricator
Nearly half way through series three, what should we expect from episode six?

Well, what we get this coming Saturday in 'The Lazarus Experiment' is a fast-moving 45 minutes - you may find it will fly by! - with some entertaining performances. It also moves the Jones family story forward, and opens a whole new can of worms with its references to Saxon.
In this episode the show continues to explore issues around humanity and mortality, and there are some very poignant examples of this; I imagine that future stories will cover this again, especially as we move towards the Cornell two-parter.

The premise of the episode is simple, but it's well-plotted and well-paced, good on characterisation with a tight script that has some very good dialogue. This is especially true for Mark Gatiss and the under-used Thelma Barlow on the one hand, and David with both Freema and Adjoa (Francine) on the other. If you thought the 'Doctor/mother of companion' relationship was turbulent or complicated in previous Who, wait to see the sparks fly in this. I see trouble ahead.

Martha gets quite a bit to do in this one, and Freema's very good, ably supported by the actors who play her family. The characters of Francine and Tish are drawn out particularly well, and there's an interesting plot development that should lead to some serious fireworks later in the series involving at least one of Martha's relatives, perhaps more...... Will Martha rue that fateful day when the Doctor took off his tie for her?

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