Series 4

 

The revival of BBC's Doctor Who has now been ongoing for over 13 years, making it one of the biggest shows on TV all over again and taking it global too. I've been rewatching from series 1 again (god knows how many times I've done this now) alongside our very own HausofTove, who is watching all of these episodes for the very first time. So I thought, what better to do than a new series of threads in the run-up to Jodie Whittaker's debut as the Thirteenth Doctor?

 

Please post your opinions on series 4, and vote for your favourite episode in the poll above!

 

The Details

 

Travelling on his own, the Doctor is gobsmacked to bump into old friend Donna Noble, who was tracking him down. They meet at Adipose Industries, and when they stop Miss Foster's horrific plan to convert human fat into tiny Adipose babies, the Doctor invites Donna on board (strictly NOT to mate x). Together, they face heartbreaking dilemmas about the Pompeii volcano and Ood slavery, before a visit home thanks to a phone call from Martha Jones. They face off against the Sontarans, who attempt to turn Earth into a planet to breed their own clones. Although she refuses to rejoin the TARDIS, Martha is taken alongside the Doctor and Donna to Messaline against their own choice, where the Doctor's DNA is used to create Jenny - his own biological daughter, who unfortunately dies ending a "generations long war" (actually just 7 days...!). Taking Martha home, the Doctor is unaware that Jenny rocketed off, living after all. The Doctor and Donna meet Agatha Christie and solve a real life murder mystery involving a Vespiform, before visiting the suspiciously quiet Library, a planet dedicated to books. Killer shadows attempt to kill them, while the Doctor is confused by River Song, who he has never met yet knows a lot about him. River dies while saving everyone else who was trapped inside the Library's computer banks. Taking a holiday to the planet called Midnight, the Doctor finds himself trapped in a tram car on a day out with strangers, as an unknown creature infects Sky Silvestry. Later, Donna meets a soothsayer and with the help of one of the Trickster's Bridgade, she manages to reverse Donna's decision to turn left (to HC Clements, eventually meeting the Doctor) into turning right (to another job, changing the world and causing the Doctor's death). The return of Rose Tyler helps Donna to change history once again, but the Doctor is alarmed to hear about Rose's return and returns to Earth knowing something is up. When the Earth is stolen however, it's up to Martha, Jack, Sarah Jane and Rose to contact him, especially when the Daleks invade. The Doctor is horrified to find Davros at the centre of it, and learns that they plan to detonate a reality bomb to kill every non-Dalek lifeform in existence. With the help of a botched regeneration and the Doctor's spare hand, a Time Lord/human metacrisis occurs between Donna and a part human duplicate of the Doctor. With new knowledge, Donna saves the universe in the nick of time, but with too much information in her mind, the Doctor has to wipe her memories and take her home. Alone again, the Doctor continues his travels.

 

 

Starring

 

David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor

Catherine Tate as Donna Noble

Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones [episodes 4-6, 12-13]

John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness [episodes 12-13]

with Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith [episodes 12-13]

and Billie Piper as Rose Tyler [guest episodes 1, 5, 10, starring episodes 11-13]

 

Guest Starring

 

Jacqueline King as Sylvia Noble [episodes 1, 4-5, 11-13]

Bernard Cribbins as Wilfred Mott [episodes 1, 4-5, 11-13]

Alex Kingston as River Song [episodes 8-9]

Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper [episodes 12-13]

Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto Jones [episodes 12-13]

Tommy Knight as Luke Smith [episodes 12-13]

Alexander Armstrong as the voice of Mr. Smith [episodes 12-13]

Penelope Wilton as Harriet Jones [episode 12]

Adjoa Andoh as Francine Jones [episodes 12-13]

Noel Clarke as Mickey Smith [episode 13]

Camille Coduri as Jackie Tyler [episode 13]

John Leeson as the voice of K-9 [episode 13]

 

 

Episodes

 

01: Partners In Crime | Written by Russell T. Davies

02: The Fires of Pompeii | Written by James Moran

03: Planet of the Ood | Written by Keith Temple

04: The Sontaran Stratagem | Written by Helen Raynor

05: The Poison Sky | Written by Helen Raynor

06: The Doctor's Daughter | Written by Stephen Greenhorn

07: The Unicorn and the Wasp | Written by Gareth Roberts

08: Silence in the Library | Written by Steven Moffat

09: Forest of the Dead | Written by Steven Moffat

10: Midnight | Written by Russell T. Davies

11: Turn Left | Written by Russell T. Davies

12: The Stolen Earth | Written by Russell T. Davies

13: Journey's End | Written by Russell T. Davies

 

 

Aliens & Villains

 

Adipose [Partners In Crime]

Miss Foster [Partners In Crime]

 

Pyrovile [The Fires of Pompeii]

Lucius Petrus Dextrus [The Fires of Pompeii]

 

Ood [Planet of the Ood]

Mr. Halpen [Planet of the Ood]

 

Sontarans [The Sontaran Stratagem / The Poison Sky]

 

Hath [The Doctor's Daughter]

General Cobb [The Doctor's Daughter]

 

Vespiform / Rev. Golightly [The Unicorn and the Wasp]

 

Vashta Nerada [silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead]

 

Midnight Creature [Midnight]

 

Time Beetle / Trickster's Brigade [Turn Left]

Fortune Teller [Turn Left]

 

Daleks [The Stolen Earth / Journey's End]

Davros [The Stolen Earth / Journey's End]

Judoon [The Stolen Earth]

The Shadow Proclamation [The Stolen Earth]

 

See Also

 

Feel free to contribute to past topics still! Click the links below.

 

Past and Present

 

 

 

Future

 

 

 

 

This is my absolute favourite series, for soooo many reasons. It came at the peak of my Who loving, much like the general public seemingly. EVERYONE watched Who in 2008 and it was one of the most popular discussion topics at school too, I absolutely loved it. Every single episode is high up in my affections and I've rewatched the entire thing so many times over.

 

Although Martha is my favourite companion, I cannot resist the incredible TARDIS team of 10 and Donna. They have so much chemistry from the word go, with both hilarious moments (Partners In Crime) and serious, thought-provoking, emotional moments (Pompeii and Ood). As far as character progression goes, I'm not sure anyone can top Donna. Instantly you can tell she's moved on from The Runaway Bride. She has a sense of adventure, she's realised life isn't all it's cracked up to be and although her home life hasn't changed, her outlook has. She mellows as the series goes on too, obviously affected by the events she experiences throughout. This is how you write a story arc, and it only makes her heartbreaking exit even more upsetting when she reverts to the Donna we saw at the start of The Runaway Bride.

 

My favourite episodes are undoubtedly the two-part finale. They're actually my favourite eps of Who full stop, too. The entire set-up of The Stolen Earth and Journey's End felt like a huge celebration of the RTD era and it was must-see event television from the very start. All of the guest appearances serve a purpose and I think it's brilliant to see the companions banding together to contact the Doctor. The crossovers with Torchwood and SJA are superb too, tying three hugely successful shows together for the first time. The Doctor's regeneration at the end of The Stolen Earth was incredibly done too, a huge surprise that nobody saw coming. It feels rare that TV will shock you these days, and I'm hoping Chibnall will succeed in bringing back the element of surprise for series 11. Julian Bleach is excellent as Davros and the Daleks feel threatening too. Incredible episodes and I can still watch and get the same thrills over and over again now.

 

Turn Left and Midnight are both astonishingly great episodes as well. The "Doctor-lite" episodes are split into two - one where the Doctor is mostly absent, and one where Donna is mostly absent - leaving room for both characters to experience their own adventures. We see the Doctor in one of the most claustrophobic settings ever in Who, as we spent 45 minutes inside a broken down cable car with no escape thanks to the X-tonic radiation on the surface of Midnight. Lesley Sharp is incredible as the possessed Sky, and the rest of the cast make for a brilliantly unlikeable set of people in desperate times as they almost kill the Doctor, with the Midnight creature tricking them into believing it had passed into him from Sky. The atmosphere is so tense and it's an episode I appreciate more and more every single time I watch. Turn Left is similarly great - there are bleak themes throughout, not only do we hear of the Doctor's companions dying one by one as they save a planet that can no longer rely on him, but we see the devastating impacts of England after London is lost. The hints towards concentration camps making a return are incredibly acted by Bernard Cribbins and Catherine Tate, making for one of the most horrific realisations in Who history.

 

I love how episodes like The Unicorn and the Wasp play on the show's format - a really fun concept for 45 minutes and I loved how the show delved into one of the mysteries around Agatha Christie and her life. Steven Moffat pens another incredible script with the Library two-parter, introducing River Song in fine fashion and creating another terrifying creature in the Vashta Nerada. The concept is unique and unpredictable, and Catherine Tate excels once again with her virtual family, and losing the apparent love of her life.

 

Helen Raynor delivers much better scripts in her Sontaran two-parter (compared to the Dalek two-parter in series 3), although it's a shame that Martha's missing for much of it in favour of her clone. I love Donna's returning home scene, as she meets eyes with Wilf :heart: Partners In Crime is heaps of fun too, and very rewatchable. Both Pompeii and Ood offer some depressingly dark themes - Donna's desire to save everybody in Pompeii is heartbreaking as she realises it's in vain, especially as she ultimately has to cause the volcano eruption to save the planet. Peter Capaldi is excellent as Caecilius and his family are superb supporting characters. Planet of the Ood touches on themes of slavery, and I adore Donna's tears as she sees the natural Ood locked up, singing their song innocently. All reasons why Catherine Tate is one of the most versatile actresses the show has had. And finally, The Doctor's Daughter is a great little story, and although I'd put it last out of every episode here, it's thoroughly enjoyable and Jenny is extremely likeable.

 

1. The Stolen Earth / Journey's End

2. Turn Left

3. Midnight

4. Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead

5. The Unicorn and the Wasp

6. Partners In Crime

7. The Fires of Pompeii

8. The Sontaran Stratagem / The Poison Sky

9. Planet of the Ood

10. The Doctor's Daughter

 

Honestly that order would probably be different if I compiled it tomorrow. Every episode there is superb :wub:

I've just recently gone back and rewatched series 4 for the first time in a while and I'm now making my way through the show in the lead up to series 11 airing. It amazed me how much I'd actually forgotten about this series too - some of the smaller (but wonderful) character moments. I did hold it in such high regard beforehand, however. My love for Doctor Who was growing and growing throughout this series, and it's the one that I firmly remember where I was when I watched each episode, and of course my reaction to THAT cliffhanger at the end of The Stolen Earth.

 

With it all still fresh in my memory, it's not difficult to see why this is probably the most loved series of NuWho. Every episode delivers where some other series fail to with filler. There's so much variety in terms of both story and characters. They pretty much nailed it. Tennant was on top form throughout the whole series and the chemistry between him and Catherine is undeniably fantastic. Having Donna by his side as a voice of reason at most times where he needed one throughout the series was great to see. Her character development is probably the strongest in any companion we've seen - her whole perspective on the world changes, she's matured so much yet retains the comedic and loveable nature from The Runaway Bride.

Catherine really was one of (if not the) shining stars of this series. The emotions she felt made me feel those emotions for/with her too. When she begs the Doctor to go back and save just somebody in Pompeii, I felt it. When she was crying listening to the Ood, it almost brings me to tears. Her reaction when she sees Wilf again in The Sontaran Stratagem gives me goosebumps.

 

The whole concept of The Stolen Earth/Journey's End is fantastic from start to end. It was incredible to watch a massive celebration of the RTD era packed into two episodes. It all worked perfectly and everybody served a purpose to the plot. None of the guest characters (as many as there were) felt redundant at all (even Jackie, iconic queen x). The one scene that still gives me shivers to this day though is after all is said and done and it's only the Doctor and Donna left onboard the TARDIS and he has to let her go. It's one of the most heartbreaking moments for me of the whole show. Having Donna see the stars like she'd always dreamed since she last met the Doctor, stand by his side and save the world, only for it all to be taken from her... I've never been more devastated for a character than I have in that moment. I don't think I'll ever watch that scene and not shed a tear.

 

Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead is probably one of Moffat's finest scripts also. It's a perfect introduction for River (even if things start to get a bit shaky after that), and the twist at the end with the Doctor being able to save her via the sonic screwdriver is fantastic. The scene between the two of them where River sacrifices herself is so emotional. The Vashta Nerada were actually genuinely creepy too, what they could do, how they operated, etc. It's probably the last time a monster's actually had that effect on me - even if not quite on the same level as the Empty Child. Donna, once again, shines in these episodes though with her supposed relationship/family life. It's heartbreaking when she realises that none of it's real and she's torn apart from it all, but rather that than being a Node in a library for an ending :')

 

Turn Left is a true revelation. It's one of the best episodes of the series, but also probably one of the most thought-provoking episodes of Who. Looking back on it now, it's surprising how deep an episode it actually is, and the themes it explores and alludes to. Jacqueline King is superb in this episode, and although for most of the series I didn't like Sylvia, by this point you're really feeling sorry for her and all that she's gone through, and by the end of the series absolutely loving her!

The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky is a brilliant two-parter too. Although probably not absolutely necessary to the episode, it was good to have Martha back for a quick hello. The Sontarans were such a good choice of villain to return. I feel like the idea of taking an everyday thing and turning it sinister (the ATMOS devices) was so cleverly executed, as opposed to the more psychological means that Moffat tried to make scary in his era. The scene with the device leading the journalist into the water was so harrowing. This two-parter is probably the best appearance we've had from UNIT to date too. Although focusing more on the military side of things as opposed to scientific, it was good to have them completely in on the action.

 

I honestly don't think there's an episode I dislike in this series. There are some that aren't quite up there with the others (namely The Doctor's Daughter and Midnight), but still so much fun for what they are, and I'll probably find myself rewatching this series again in the not-too-distant future if I have nothing else to watch. :lol:

 

1. The Stolen Earth / Journey's End

2. Turn Left

3. Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead

4. The Unicorn and the Wasp

5. The Sontaran Stratagem / The Poison Sky

6. Planet of the Ood

7. Partners in Crime

8. The Fires of Pompeii

9. Midnight

10. The Doctor's Daughter

 

(I feel criminal for having the likes of Planet of the Ood and Partners in Crime so low, but this series is so good!)

For Me...

 

01. Midnight (10/10)

02. Silence in the Library/ Forest of the Dead (10/10)

03. Turn Left (10/10)

04. The Unicorn and the Wasp (8/10)

05. The Fires of Pompeii (8/10)

06. The Stolen Earth / Journey's End (7/10) [i’d rate it higher but things get messy in Episode 2)

07. Partners in Crime (7/10)

08. Planet of the Ood (7/10)

09. The Sontaran Stratagem / The Poison Sky (06/10)

10. The Doctor's Daughter (5/10)

Edited September 14, 20186 yr by ElectroBoy

That plastic bug in Turn Left and the 21st century bus on Midnight though with Sonia's mum lol

 

I dunno. Maybe the episode where they talk through the glass. Was a pretty bad season.

 

Ooh it had the library episodes. Those and the Adipose and the last episode are the only good ones in a bad season.

That plastic bug in Turn Left and the 21st century bus on Midnight though with Sonia's mum lol

 

I dunno. Maybe the episode where they talk through the glass. Was a pretty bad season.

 

Ooh it had the library episodes. Those and the Adipose and the last episode are the only good ones in a bad season.

 

You thinking of Planet of the Dead with Zoe Slater?

 

As Midnight doesn't have a 21st Century Bus... does have Sonia's mum though... and Merlin

 

This is my favourite series of Doctor Who. I love Donna, the introduction of River Song and the epic gathering of all of the Doctor's companions for the finale. 'Midnight', 'Silence In The Library' and 'Turn Left' are especially strong episodes with unique concepts. A very strong, consistent series.

The Unicorn and the Wasp is right up there for me - plus Donna is my favourite companion by far.

 

Plus Silence in the Library and Turn Left are superb.

My ranking:

 

[ [GOLD] ]

1. Turn Left

2. The Stolen Earth/Journey's End

3. Voyage Of The Damned

4. The Fires Of Pompeii

5. Planet Of The Ood

6. Silence In The Library/Forest Of The Dead

 

OUTSTANDING

7. The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky

8. The Unicorn And The Wasp

9. The Doctor's Daughter

 

BRILLIANT

10. Partners In Crime

 

ALRIGHT

11. Midnight

 

 

 

Magnificent series. Probably my fave series of Nu Who, along with Series 2.

Midnight just ‘alright’... no baby no

 

 

looks like i missed this thread, will add my thoughts another day!

Such an incredible series, definitely the strongest on a whole. The main reason why is Donna for me, the pairing with Ten is the ultimate pairing that the show has seen for me. Donna really does bring something different and she has the best development for a companion. I think what's most remarkable is how much she shines despite Martha returning for three episodes, the focus on Jenny, being separated from the Doctor for three episodes in Forest of the Dead - Turn Left and then having everyone and their mum (literally!) return for the finale. Anyone else would just be completely overshadowed which is a real testament to the character and, particularly Catherine Tate. I, like many others, was very disappointed when Donna was announced as the companion for Series 4 just because it would have been horrendous to have the Donna in The Runaway Bride for a full series and Catherine was mostly known for the hilarious sketch show of course. However, I'm so happy to be proven wrong and her character development throughout really makes those final scenes the most devastating the show has seen (even moreso than Bad Wolf Bay). Having Donna turn back into that person she was at The Runaway Bride and the emotion that Catherine gives it, is so heartbreaking. And Wilf's line 'but she was better with you' </3 The whole thing gets me everytime.

 

The series starts with the strongest series opener for me, even if the Adipose are daft little monsters. I think, again, that's down to the partnership as it's those first 20 minutes as we see the parallels with The Doctor/Donna and how they keep missing each other is just brilliant, leading to the ultimate payoff of that window scene! The Fires of Pompeii is enjoyable enough, really boosted by Donna (again!!) trying to save everyone. I still don't really get the Pyrovilles even though they looked good but I do like the Soothsayers. I think partially there's too much going on but nothing actually sticks (aside from the actual Pompeii bit).

 

Planet of the Ood is a good take on capitalism/business etc but mostly I enjoy that it gave us more background to a really great looking monster, and one from my ultimate Doctor Who story. It's a very solid traditional Who episode. The Sontaran two parter is memorable for me mostly for the reintroduction of UNIT (as actual UNIT rather than the two (wo)man organisation it feels in Series 8-9) and Martha. It is a shame that Martha comes back only to be turned into a clone and then split from the Doctor in the following episode. It's nice that she returns but it ends up feeling a bit unnecessary. Poor Martha always sidelined :lol: The Doctor's Daughter does underwhelm you on first watch, because of the clickbait title, but also because the event episode turns into a non-event episode. You're not really interested in the war with the Hath and the Hath are just rubbish aliens tbh and I do cringe at Martha communicating with them and actually just burst out laughing when one of them sinks. The seven day war thing is quite good and Jenny turns into a really strong and memorable character.

 

The Unicorn and the Wasp is just a whole load of FUN, and the right sort of fun. Such a perfect take on Agatha Christie and I love the whole summing up/reveal scene. I do love the whole concept of Silence in the Library, it just misses it's mark somewhat for me and I've never pinned it down as to why. The Vashta Nerada are a good idea but I think it could have been more effective if focused more on them, rather than the CAL/Dr Moon/computer world/River Song elements. The Miss Evangelista death scene is quite chilling though. Of course, for better or worse for Doctor Who fans, it also introduced us to River Song and I think that is such a brilliant idea that the Doctor's first introduction is her last.

 

Midnight is such a brilliant concept/idea that really could have completely missed the mark but it ends up being SO SO chilling. Every single performance is brilliant, particularly Lesley Sharp and I just think the whole thing works perfectly. The Lord of the Flies moment of turning on the Doctor is one of my absolute favourite scenes. One of the best 45 minutes of TV ever. Again, Turn Left is a fantastic concept and it's the start of the sort of greatest hits of the RTD era. It's brilliant to have all those callbacks but also to see the devastation that the Earth could fall into. The deportation scene is actually one of the most chilling and real that the show has seen. The episode helps to make Donna's final fate even more sad.

 

The Stolen Earth/Journey's End becomes the ultimate epic finale and it manages it somehow pay it off even with all those characters. I LOVE the TARDIS flying scene, it makes any fan so happy. It's the perfect celebration.

 

01. Midnight

02. The Stolen Earth / Journey's End

03. Turn Left

04. Partners In Crime

05. The Unicorn and the Wasp

06. Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead

07. The Sontaran Stratagem / The Poison Sky

08. Planet of the Ood

09. The Fires of Pompeii

10. The Doctor's Daughter

 

 

Literally agree with everything you said above (and I'm not just saying that so I don't have to type out an essay of my own x) *.* By FAR my favourite season in every possible way, Catherine Tate was such a refreshing change for companion after Rose/Martha and remains my favourite to date.

 

I would ever-so-slightly change the order of episode though, swapping Midnight & Turn Left, then Midnight & The Library episodes. Turn Left is such an iconic episode that worked tremendously to set up the finale and really bring the whole series together before everything went to s***. Seeing what the world would have been like without The Doctor is one thing, but seeing how Donna is literally the most important person in the universe was brilliant. It makes her finale that much more heartbreaking. Having Planet of the Ood and The Fires of Pompeii this low really goes to show how outstanding this series was as a whole too, both of those would be in the top 5 at least if they were in any other DW series.

 

The only thing I didn't like about this series was Martha tbh, I didn't mind her with the Sontaran's as that did fit really well and offered a bit of closure to her story too (joining UNIT) but she really shouldn't have joined them for The Doctor's Daughter. It was a decent episode and the 7 day war thing was a great plot twist but I really couldn't get into her side story at all and all it did was remind me how irritating she could be :P

 

01. Turn Left

02. The Stolen Earth / Journey's End

03. Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead

04. Partners In Crime

05. The Unicorn and the Wasp

06. Midnight

07. The Sontaran Stratagem / The Poison Sky

08. Planet of the Ood

09. The Fires of Pompeii

10. The Doctor's Daughter