Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Keith Boak
“I don’t DO domestic.”
Six reasons why you should absolutely love Aliens of London:
1—For the first time ever, we see the personal consequences of the Doctor screwing up a companion’s return to Earth. Rose’s mother is full of all the reactions any mother would have: slapping the Doctor, demanding to know where Rose went, and then tattling on the Doctor to the alien phone hotline! On top of it all, we understand why the Doctor doesn’t do domestic — aliens have landed, and people are having a party and watching TV! Even Rose looks distinctly uncomfortable, as she realizes what her life has become. But the best bit? The Doctor and the little kid fighting for the remote control!
2—The sheer scale and ambition of the episode. Gridlock in London…the great CGI of the spaceship crashing into Big Ben, then into the Thames…the panoramic shots…the locations — including 10 Downing St…this is big time film work, all handled deftly by Keith Boak.
3—The Slitheen are outrageously large, terrifying and hilarious…all at the same time! I love their eyes! I love their voices! I love the way they reveal themselves, and the reasons for their farting in human bodies!
4—The sheer outrageousness of the story is staggering…but it gets away with it! The pig in the spacesuit symbolizes everything that Doctor Who stands for: insane, funny, inventive creepiness, with a huge dollop of pathos. The Doctor’s anger and remorse at the pig’s death pretty much sums up his character.
5—The Doctor and Rose together are simply magic, with many moments to cherish. He giving her a TARDIS key…their excitement and laughter about being dragged to 10 Downing St. by heavily armed soliders, in the midst of an emergency…their conversation on the roof of the apartment block…in four weeks, we’ve seen the development of such an amazing, deep friendship — it’s easily one of the best Doctor/companion relationships in the history of the series…if not THE best one.
6—And the first cliffhanger of the new series…multiple dangers, great effects, hoary old camera angles…in the words of the Doctor, “Fantastic!”
My only niggle is that Aliens of London seems to groan under the weight of so much plot, so much emotion, and so much action…but it manages to keep itself together for one hell of an enjoyable hour. This one caused quite a split reaction after its first British viewing, and I can understand why…
But…in the end…I can’t wait to see how it’s all resolved next week, and that’s the best compliment I can give this outrageous slice of Doctor Who. In fact, I feel like I’m back in the 3rd Doctor days of the early 1970s…when the combination of the Jon Pertwee’s Doctor and UNIT fought alien invasions on a regular basis, with nothing more than their wits, the Doctor’s latest lash-up, and a great deal of luck and resourcefulness.
OK…we ARE in the good-old-days again! :)
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