Written by Chris Chibnall
Directed by Graeme Harper
“Humans! You grab whatever’s nearest and BLEED IT DRY!”
Random thoughts on 42…
(1) Feel the adrenaline pumping? Whether consciously or not, this near-real-time escapade is certainly reminiscent of Jack Bauer’s skittles-fueled days on 24 – complete with exciting & gruesome deaths, thumping soundtrack, and lots of sweaty people. For the most part, it certainly works…but I’m not sure that’s because of the script. Chris Chibnall, the head writer of Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood, has had highs (End of Days) and lows (Cyberwoman)…and I believe this falls somewhere in the middle.
(2) The real champion here is Graeme Harper, who delivers some unparalleled, movie-blockbuster intensity. Yes, I know…you can see each and every one of the movies he cribs for style (Alien, Aliens, Blade Runner, Terminator 2…to say nothing of the Doctor Who back catalogue, including Planet of Evil & The Satan Pit)…but when you shamelessly crib with such amazing style, it’s hard to complain. Especially when you mix in glorious touches of artistry, such as the silent escape pod scenes, and the Doctor’s desperate attempt to return it to the ship.
(3) Most of the characters are completely two-dimensional, archetypal red-shirts. The entire crew might as well not have had any names whatsoever (you could SMELL the cardboard), and the attempts to make Captain MacDonnell a Ripley-esque ball of piss & vinegar fall completely flat. It certainly doesn’t help that I believe Michelle Collins’ performance was the worst of the lot.
(4) Luckily, David Tennant and Freema Agyeman are on hand to save the day. Such amazing intensity from David Tennant – have we ever seen the Doctor this afraid? In this much pain? So humbled at the end? And Freema is taking Martha’s character to entirely new levels of resourcefulness and courage. They really are breathtaking to watch on screen.
(5) We still hate Martha’s mum (though not fabulous actress Adjoa Andoh)…she is obviously misguided and evil, and we’re not just talking about her eyebrows. At least we have the interesting Saxon back story continuing in an unexpected way, and her conversations with Martha on the universal-roaming mobile phone are hilarious, exasperating and touching.
(6) Actually, we must also offer an honourable mention to a single member of S.S. Pentallian’s crew: Ryan Vashtee (a totally out-of-the-blue performance from William Ash), who takes the same cardboard, fait accompli character notes presented to his fellow guest stars…and turns it into something sweet and emotional. Of course he was going to get Martha’s kiss at the end…he deserved it!
(7) “Burn with me!” – a good catchphrase, almost sabotaged by the ridiculously geeky Star Wars-inspired helmets.
So…that was superficial beyond reason…until about halfway through the episode…when it becomes something fascinating. Pity about the guest cast, but the regulars and the director shine. This is Doctor Who offering it’s finest comfort food, and in the words of the Doctor himself (courtesy of The Pirate Planet): “It’s a bit crude, but immensely satisfying.”
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