What happened?
The Doctor is on the verge of finally dropping Martha off back home when they both see on the television that her family are to attend an event being run by an elderly man named Lazarus who claims to be all set on unveiling something that will change mankind forever. Unable to resist seeing, The Doctor accompanies Martha to the ceremony.
In front of his assembled audience Lazarus gets into a machine that fundamentally changes his DNA and makes him step out of it again much younger. Such tinkering, however, comes with side-effects; an abrupt metamorphosis into a giant, bug-like creature with an appetite for human flesh.
As the beast within Lazarus begins to take over it’s up to The Doctor, Martha and her sister to face him and stop him, culminating in a showdown at a church where a sonic effect in a belltower sends the monster plunging to its death. Another adventure over, Martha demands that if she’s to come along with The Doctor in the future she doesn’t want to be hanging on the promise of “one more trip” and instead wants to be his full-time companion. He agrees, and off they go.
Thoughts
Another solid ‘monster of the week’ episode of Doctor Who, although events were bolstered by the sense of progression in Martha being returned home and confronting the crushing sense of disappointment that her adventures were over, only to have herself eventually established as the ‘new Rose’. Indeed, the suggestion was that Martha wasn’t so much saddened to be left out of the travelling through space and time as she was to be apart from The Doctor. This series has been pushing her attraction towards him and, whilst at times it’s seemed a little forced, the point has carried over.
If anything it’s her open affection being rebutted by The Doctor that has painted him in a less than flattering light. He appears rather callous and I’m not sure it’s really being portrayed as entirely his absent-mindedness simply not noticing. Had Lazarus not appeared on the television would he really have not returned for Martha? The scene was played for a lighthearted joke, with The Doctor compelled to return because he just couldn’t resist seeing what Lazarus was up to, but there was the very real matter of Martha being pretty much dumped with little regard – albeit briefly.
And, again, at the end his casual disregard for her feelings when he asked her if she wanted to come along for another trip further displayed a rather arrogant and frankly boastful aspect to his character. It’s odd, because on the flipside – usually in moments of peril – he displays genuine concern for her safety and rousing admiration for how reliable and resourceful she can be in thwarting danger and surviving.
No wonder she’s confused with those kinds of mixed messages he’s sending out!
I enjoyed seeing Mark Gatiss take up the role of Lazarus; I’ve been a fan since his League Of Gentlemen days and I know he’s been a part of the writing ensemble for Doctor Who (having been a massive fan of the older shows). The only disappointment, I suppose, is that this would appear to be the one and only time he’ll ever be in it. It’s a shame – I would have hoped that an actor of his talent and standing on the programme might have seen him bag a more substantial, recurring role. Oh well.
I thought his performance as the old Lazarus was especially good; talking with his wife and really selling the age (all too often young people in old make-up look pretty much as they are: young people in old make-up!). Then, again, when talking with his wife as young Lazarus and coldly dispensing of her both emotionally and then physically was terrifically nasty.
Martha’s mother featured here and I thought her character wasn’t particularly well-handled. When she first met The Doctor she was immediately distrustful and pretty much outright hostile towards him. Fair enough, but in light of the fact that she would eventually be told in secret stuff about The Doctor that would cause her alarm for her daughter’s safety I thought it might have been more effective to have her be charmed by The Doctor first to make her panicked conversion more dramatic.
It is mentioned that a “Mr. Saxon” had informed Martha’s mother about The Doctor, though we don’t know who he is or what he said. It was only here, with his name given greater significance, do I recall that there have been previous brief references to Saxon. There was a poster in one episode stating ‘Vote Saxon’ and I am fairly sure he got a mention in The Runaway Bride Christmas episode. Maybe there have been other references to, and this Saxon is the equivalent motif of the “Bad Wolf” refrain that populated earlier Doctor Who series.
What was the best part?
Easily the scene between Lazarus and his wife when he was young. His coldness towards this woman we have to figure has been by his side for many years and who clearly doted on him was quite shocking. Whilst the scenes of the Lazarus monster weren’t actually bad, and above standard in both special effect and dramatic effect, chasing and eating people is run-of-the-mill compared to the evil cruelty Lazarus delivered upon his wife before he then killed her.
What do I think will happen next?
Well, Martha has been officially elevated to companion status which might settle some of those insecurities but, again, can only allow those affections she has for The Doctor to grow stronger. Also now ticking along is this “Saxon” element – probably a person and probably some kind of formidable foe that will present himself (I’d guess for the series finale). I’ll be looking out for any other references to him that might crop up.
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