After all the hoo-ha of sorting out the happy-clappy baked-potato headed Sontarans, the Doctor (David Tennant, pictured) is back in peace-making mode this week as the TARDIS unexpectedly lands on the distant planet of Messaline. The Time Lord, Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) fetch up in the middle of an endless war between a bunch of aggressive humans and some rather cute half-fish, half-human creatures with green goldfish bowls on their heads called the Hath.
On top of that there's an extraordinary discovery. After the Doctor is processed by the humans, a young blonde - who's rather handy with a machine gun, has a nice line in militaristic diatribe and is an incredibly fit gymnast to boot - emerges, calmly announcing that she's the Doctor's daughter. Incredibly - after he's thought about it for a mo - the Time Lord has to agree. Jenny (Georgia Moffett, pictured) is indeed his daughter, although how and when all the nooky took place is quite another matter.
The humans, are led by a weary-looking General Cobb (Nigel Terry). "Don't think you can infect us with your peacemaking," he warns as the Doctor and co arrive in the middle of his HQ. "We are committed to the fight, to the very end." This, of course, is hardly likely to stop the Doctor, who firmly believes that the humans and the Hath can work together in the future.
Donna goes along with his peacemaking plan. "I spent six months working as a temp in Hounslow library and I mastered the duo-decimal system in two days' flat," she proudly announces at a critical stage during the proceedings. "I'm good with numbers." That's rather handy, because maths is one of the keys to this mystery of endless war.
A strong episode all round, it's a jolly romp, with the introduction of a novel new character. Fine stuff. Paul Strange
Did you know? Georgia Moffett - who plays the Doctor's daughter Jenny in tonight's episode - is actually a daughter of Doctor Who. Her father is actor Peter Davison (born Peter Moffett), who played the Time Lord in the early 1980s. As well as Doctor Who, Georgia has appeared in episodes of The Bill, Peak Practice and My Family.
(3 Star)
Add a comment