Series 1 (Season 27), Episode 11: Boom Town

For the latest and best Doctor Who blog (this one), see page three!

Paul Abbot was originally commissioned to write Series 1's eleventh episode. It would feature the Doctor, Rose and Jack travelling back to just before the eruption of Vesuvius. Jack would find that Rose has actually been grown through science by the Doctor in an attempt to find 'the perfect companion'. The story was dropped however due to its writer being too busy to complete it and instead was replaced by Boom Town. The episode was written because Russell T Davies wanted to explore consequences of the Doctors actions and whether the death penalty is fair punishment. Davies also enjoyed Annette Badland as Margaret Slitheen from episodes four and five and so she was invited back to take part. This episode is considered among critics to be the worst of the series, because of its rushed creation, however the true verdict is at the bottom of this post...

Synopsis: Mickey arrives in Cardiff to bring Rose her passport as the TARDIS fills up with fuel from the rift in time and space which is situated there. However it is soon discovered that Margaret Slitheen has escaped her presumed death and is now mayor of Cardiff! With Cardiff set for destruction and a Slitheen on the loose the Doctor decides it's time to intervene. However despite thwarting Margaret's first plan she still attempts to escape and when her last resort works, the planet is at stake.

Featuring: The Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston), Rose (Billie Piper), Captain Jack (John Barrowman) and Mickey (Noel Clarke)

Enemies: Slitheen

Afterthought: I admire the quick thinking of Davies for this script, it does not however, stack up to its full potential. There are some genuine moments of concern for characters but the episode loses out by trying to make serious topics lighthearted.

Verdict:

Story: 2/5, Virtually plotless!

Effects: 0.5/5, As dismal as the other Slitheen episodes.

Humor: 4.5/5, Hilarious!

Mark Campbell: 0.5/5, I'm telling you Mark, it was HILARIOUS!

TOTAL SCORE: 7.5/20

Elsewhere:

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom_Town_(Doctor_Who)

Official Site - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074dt5

Acting royalty, scripting flop. Next Time: Bad Wolf & The Parting of the Ways

Margaret's back!