DOCTOR WHO REVIEW: THE WATERS OF MARS
Written By: Russell T Davies and Phil Ford
Directed By: Graeme Harper
The Waters of Mars was the third episode of the 2008-10 specials of Doctor Who, and David Tennants penultimate story as the tenth doctor. Set on Mars in 2059, The Doctor encounters the first human colony, Bowie Base One. Commanded by Captain Adelaide Brooke who turns out to be a pivotal character in the history of humanity. The Doctor must decide whether to use his knowledge of her fate to change history, or say nothing and let history run its course.
These reviews are of me talking about my favourite episodes from each of the Twelve Doctors that have been. The Waters of Mars being my favourite tenth doctor story, best stories are supposedly meant to show me the actors strengths in their character of the doctor. There are only two stories that I can think of where David Tennant shows true emotion and gives 'a performance' one is "The Human Nature / The Family of Blood" and the other is this story. What made me want to review this story is the fact that in "Human Nature / The Family of Blood" two part story, for a lot of that story David Tennant is not the doctor. He is John Smith, and I wanted to talk about his doctors strengths and this story pretty much ticks all the boxes for me, considering I'm not a huge fan of Tennant's doctor.
In this story we see a different side to him, one which tries so hard to keep the course of history from staying as it is, because he knows that the events that happen on Mars in 2059 are what is known as fixed points in time, they were meant to happen. This was brought up in "The Fires of Pompeii" where the doctor couldn't save the people of Pompeii when vesuvius erupted, because he knew that was something which was supposed to happen and he can't interfere. Most of time, in our lifetime, moments which happen are in flux when anything could happen, where as a fixed point in time means that that moment is meant to happen, we can't change it. Or so we are supposed to think. In the case of this story the concentration is on Captain Adelaide Brooke. And at the start of the story, the doctor knows that the events that happen on Mars in 2059 are meant to happen and so he's like, I know what's going to happen but I can't save you, or I can't stop that from happening. And he goes on about how important fixed moments in time are and that what happens of Mars, must always happen. And then there is a turning point in the story where something inside the doctor just snaps and he goes back and saves them, and changes history. Because he's a timelord. The last surviving timelord, and the laws of time belong to him. That is expressed in the brilliant line where the doctor says "It's taken me this long to realise, the laws of time are mine, and they will obey me!". It took you a while, but better late than never, eh? Anyway, in that moment, that what I liked about David Tennant's doctor the most, the serious sides to his character and there is so much forcefulness in that moment where he decides "We're fighting against time itself, and I'm going to win". The determination for wanting to succeed, that for me is what makes his doctor really good. I hate it when he's all silly and arrogant. I prefer his more serious / compassionate, gentle side. Those are the moments where he shows some real acting. Because when watch the Tenth Doctor being silly and comedic, anyone could do that.
As for the rest of the story, the main threat as it where comes from an infection that comes from the water on mars. People on the base begin to get infected and turn into creepy water blasting zombies, if anyone touches this water they too become a zombie, even one drop. That's the another thing that they keeps coming up in this story. one drop. That is something that the audience constantly need to be reminded of that, one drop could destroy mankind. Its a bit like "The Seeds of Doom" where The Doctor realises the true danger to the human race in this story, and must prevent that from happening. I like the look of the zombies, I think they look very creepy and scary. I like the cracks around the mouth and dead shot eyes. The movement is very good, in the way the move, they way that they snarl at you, for a child, that could be very scary and there are plenty of dark and atmospheric backgrounds to set the mood of the scene perfectly.
Apart from that there's not really much to go on for. So this review will have to be cut short, as there is not really an awful lot to say. The story as a story is much better than a lot of other stories during the run of David Tennant's tenure, and Tennant gives ultimately for me the best performance he's ever given, because of his attitudes to things and the way those attitudes change. I like all the sets, and everything was very atmospheric and scenes were played out as they were supposed to. I love the soundtrack for this episode and all in all very good.
NEXT WEEK: The Time of Angels/ Flesh and Stone.
