We Were Amused. Quite A Bit.

If New Earth suffered from a few bumps (the editing, an overlong chase scene), then Tooth and Claw makes up for it. As in, tons.

Producer and writer Russell T. Davies said he wanted this episode to have 'kung fu ninjas, werewolves, and Queen Victoria'--and that's what we get. As my friend David so succintly put it, this episode shouldn't have worked--but, man, did it ever. This was thrilling, exciting stuff--from the soundtrack to the monster battles themselves, this was among the best new Doctor Who we've seen...well, since last season.

The story is simple: The Doctor and Rose intend to go and see Ian Drury and the Blockheads in 1979 (Rose calls the Doctor an 'old punk, with a bit of rockabilly thrown in')but they're off by a 100 years. They run into Queen Victoria's entourage, taking a path to Aberdeen since the railroad is mysteriously incapacitated. The Doctor and Rose of course join up with them (Rose and The Doctor quickly make a bet regarding the Queen that is representative of the fun magic of this show), and then..things go bad.

There are old mansions. There are prisoners. And most wonderfully of all, there are werewolves.

Tennant is once again superb here. This is a Doctor for all the fans who grew up in the Eighties, loving new wave and British humour. Y'know, like this poor old blogger.

It's great stuff. Enjoy.