WRITER: Chris Chibnall DIRECTOR: Graeme Harper
CAST: David Tennant (The Doctor), Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones), Adjoa Andoh (Francine Jones), Michelle Collins (Kath McDonnell), William Ash (Riley Vashtee), Anthony Flanagan (Orin Scanell), Matthew Chambers (Hal Korwin), Vinette Robinson (Abi Lerner), Gary Powell (Dev Ashton), Rebecca Oldfield (Erina Lessak) & Elize du Toit (Sinister Woman)
In a distant galaxy, in the 42nd-Century, a spaceship hurtles out of control towards the sun and The Doctor has 42-minutes to save the day...After the rude interruption of the Eurovision Song Contest last week, the third season of Doctor Who continues with 42, from writer Chris Chibnall. Essentially, 42 combines the aesthetic of last year's The Impossible Planet/Satan Pit with the storyline of Danny Boyle's Sunshine, using the format of 24.
After arriving aboard another spaceship, this one spiralling out of control towards a sun, The Doctor and Martha fight to prevent certain doom alongside the crew, led by Kath McDonnell (Michelle Collins). Matters are complicated when two of the crew become possessed by a malevolent force, intent on burning each of them to death.
42 is a nice enough episode, enlivened by some great visuals and the occasional moment of tension, but it's also pure formula. It doesn't help that there are strong parallels to last year's The Impossible Planet, in both production design and general story, with both episode's concerning ragtag crews fighting an alien entity that possesses people. Impossible Planet's villain was an enormous demon held captive underground, whereas 42's is more ethereal in nature -- but the similarities are there.
While 42 is definitely a pale shadow of The Impossible Planet, that's not to say it's a terrible episode. The sense of pace and drama is well-balanced, although things begin to get a little strained and repetitive in the final ten minutes.
Chris Chibnall's script is most memorable for a perfect moment of tragedy when Martha finds herself jettisoned in an escape pod, inching towards oblivion, shock etched on The Doctor's face as he screams (silently) at a porthole to her. Kudos to director Graeme Harper for realizing this moment on-screen so beautifully, as it has more punch than the rest of the episode's histrionics put together.
It's getting boring to keep mentioning how perfect David Tennant is in the role these days, but it's true that his commitment and passion elevates dodgy writing and lazy plots. I'll never underestimate him, or take him for granted, as he'll be a tough act to follow when he eventually leaves the series.
Freema Agyeman seems to have settled into her role well, although it's disappointing the scripts since her introduction haven't fleshed out her character that much. She hasn't been able to play anything other than awestruck companion and model daughter so far, which has been a shame.
That said, the decision to have her mother (the excellent Adjoa Andoh) be surreptitiously poisoned against The Doctor is a great idea. Even if, in reality, three goons in your house, making you put your phone in an evidence bag, would make you more suspicious of them... not the handsome chap who saved you from a scorpion-crab creature last week. But hey.
The supporting cast are fine, although Michelle Collins (EastEnders) doesn't convince as a ballsy captain. She sweats and huffs around, but fails to make you believe she's actually the leader of these grease-monkeys. Everyone else has characters so one-note it actually comes as a shock when Martha kisses one at the end, as their romantic sub-plot was so emotionally cold you missed it.
Being picky, the science here is totally implausible, but bad science was necessary for the plot to work. Kids, don't ask me how a magnetic field from a ship can pull in an escape pod against the gravitational force of a giant sun... go ask your teachers. While you're there, ask how The Doctor can be covered in ice one second and have it melt without leaving any water or steam...
Overall, 42 was entertaining but wholly forgettable, mired by familiarity with the story-type Chibnall wrote and cardboard characters. I also find it strange why the two men possessed by the alien entity had to wear space-helmets, beyond the fact said helmets looked creepy. Even for aliens, it's all about "the look"; fiery eyes and baritone voices just aren't enough these days...
