Doctor Who – 4x12 – The Stolen Earth (Grade/Discuss)

[Samson88B]

Another reason why you really want to move to Britain: not only do you se the episodes earlier, but the BBC had the sense to simply not have a next episode trailer on The Stolen Earth. Just a big portentious To Be Continued (which appeared in three stages).
Followed by a week of incredible suspense.

Yet another reason I'm so grateful I don't have to rely in Sci-Fi for my fix. And feel kinda sorry for those who do.

The BBC was bad about this the first season though (World War Three and Bad Wolf come to mind. Fortunately RTD proably complained so they switched to having the cliffhanger trailers after the credits.

I'm glad sci-fi airs doctor who becuase there are no other channels in the US that air the show so close to the original British air dates. There are other unconventional ways to see the episodes but I would rather watch it on TV.

I've watched the episode three times now and I have to say that it seems to get better on every viewing. I'm not trying to knock the Five Doctors special. I've only seen it once - about 15 years ago - but from what I remember it could not touch what Stolen Earth has done. Its one thing to bring back previous companions for a fanwank episode, but to bring them back in such a way that the episode still makes sense and does not seem crowded is fantastic.

Here's what I think of some of the charactors:

Sarah-What can I say...She still got it. The expression on her face when she first heard the Daleks voice - very convincing and priceless.

Capt. Jack- Always ready to screw anything that moves. I thought his role in the episode was very well played out.

Martha-Good to see her again, but I can't say I've every liked her charactor. Her charactor was the only one that seemed to have nothing to do. I guess whatever that thing was that she was given may reveal itself in the next episode ?

Donna-excellent acting in all of her parts. Like others in this forum, I think she is in the top 5 of all time favorite companions. I also have to mention her grandfather. I love his charactor and the actor that plays him is IMO one of the best actors in Who history.

Rose-Her reveal to the Doctor at the end was excellent - but I just had the feeling that something was going to happen to stop her from running into the Doctors arm's.

There is much more to this episode that I could discuss but thats already been done in this thread. RTD can be proud of what he has accomplished in this episode. Can't wait to see next weeks - even though Sci-fi spoiled alot of it.

 

[HappyDayRiot]

Donna-excellent acting in all of her parts. Like others in this forum, I think she is in the top 5 of all time favorite companions. I also have to mention her grandfather. I love his charactor and the actor that plays him is IMO one of the best actors in Who history.

Believe me, you ain't seen nothing yet

I agree about The Five Doctors/companions returning as well. Some people have their quibbles with The Stolen Earth's use (and Journey's End) but I think overall it was more effective than in TTD. I only watched it last week and Susan, Tegan, Sarah Jane and especially Turlough did... well, nothing!

 

[Hyperspace05]

Below Average = Bleh...

Almost completely incomprehensible, it felt like episode compressed 4hrs worth of story into 45 minutes. It almost seemed that I had missed an episode in between - but I checked the schedule/episode list.

And yet they still go for this side trip to the "Shadow Proclamation" place, which did little to forward the plot. (Unless there is some setup for next part)

I have also not watched "Sara Jane Chronicles" or "Torchwood", which added to my confusion. But should that really be required viewing to setup this episode? Still extremely clunky.

On the plus side Rose's dialogue was actually understandable this time.

 

[HappyDayRiot]

To be fair, if there's one thing I think TSE could have done with, it was a sentence or two saying who Luke/Mr Smith are, where K9 is and how the hell SJS has come to have all of these things since School Reunion. Torchwood isn't so bad because it's common knowledge Jack works there and has a team, but SJS is far less well-known.

 

[Nedersong]

Well Mr Smith was explained in the Sarah Jane Adventures. K9 is monitoring some sort of black hole for some unknown reason. Mr Smith is actually based on crystalline aliens who are trapped in the center of the earth.

And her son is actually some sort of android that was created to help an alien race take over the earth.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Yes, but HappyDayRiot's point is that "The Stolen Earth" should have had a couple of lines about who they are for those who don't watch Sarah Jane Adventures.

 

[sidious618]

Yes, but HappyDayRiot's point is that "The Stolen Earth" should have had a couple of lines about who they are for those who don't watch Sarah Jane Adventures.

I don't watch the show and wasn't too confused. I just figured that Sarah Jane has her own thing going on. Plus, in the UK most people are at least aware of her show so they'd probably assume the same thing.

 

[CommodoreKong]

I'm actually kind of surprised that the Doctor didn't ask Sarah Jane how K9 was doing.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Yes, but HappyDayRiot's point is that "The Stolen Earth" should have had a couple of lines about who they are for those who don't watch Sarah Jane Adventures.

I don't watch the show and wasn't too confused. I just figured that Sarah Jane has her own thing going on. Plus, in the UK most people are at least aware of her show so they'd probably assume the same thing.

That's good. I think that's basically what Davies was banking for and I think he did well, but then I've seen both Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood so I obviously wasn't confused.

I'm actually kind of surprised that the Doctor didn't ask Sarah Jane how K9 was doing.

Well, he was kind of busy.

But of course, that didn't stop him from...

Spoiler: Journey's End

...pointing out Gwen's heritage.

 

[DWF]

^^^That happens next week.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Oh, crap!

Spoiler coding...NOW!

Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[jbny67]

And her son is actually some sort of android that was created to help an alien race take over the earth.

Not an android. More like an advanced test tube baby. Without the test tube.

 

[Guy Gardener]

And her son is actually some sort of android that was created to help an alien race take over the earth.

Not an android. More like an advanced test tube baby. Without the test tube.

It's EXACTLY like Kyle XY if you swap out the evil aliens for mad scientists.

I went berserk every time I watched this episode.

HE'S not 14! (13?)

He's Two years old if that!

And especially if Sarah Jane had used Luke's REAL age it would have given an excellent point of reference for all those people suibbling over continuity of how far into the future the SJA pilot was set.

 

[HappyDayRiot]

Oh no - not new Who dating again...

 

[Cutter John]

Sounds like we're replaying the 'If only they had done ______." game from The Five Doctors. So many scenes we wish we'd seen. But which would've added about 15 minutes to the episode.

Not that that would've been a bad thing mind you...

 

[Vic Sixx]

I missed this episode, so a few days ago, TV Guide had a recap of Dr. Who last week it said, I hit it, and read it, and guess what, it's of this Friday's episode not Stolen Earth. I was spoiled by TV Guide without wanting to be.

 

[Garth Rockett]

Bummer, Vic Sixx. I've managed to stay spoiler-free (other than maybe a mild reference here or there). I can't wait for tomorrow night!

 

[denmaroca]

[Luke]'s not 14! (13?)

He's Two years old if that!

And especially if Sarah Jane had used Luke's REAL age it would have given an excellent point of reference for all those people suibbling over continuity of how far into the future the SJA pilot was set.

Presumably Sarah Jane is giving Luke's age based on the fake adoption papers that Mr Smith made up for him.

The Headmaster in Revenge of the Slitheen said he was 14 as well.

 

[HappyDayRiot]

Well it really wouldn't make a shred of sense for Sarah Jane to enrol him in a secondary school and tell the headmaster he was two years old would it now?

 

[Worf2DS9]

Wow, this episode was awesome! The 3-way crossover with SJA & TW joining the fray was cool, and I gotta say Gwen was lookin' hot! The Daleks were back to their menacing selves again, and everything about this new Davros performance was amazing! And the cliffhanger was a humdinger, even though I'd spoiled myself some time before. Looking forward to the season finale! times two!