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Name: Abbie Taylor | Age: 13
In this episode, Dr lazaus preformed the impossible,
to turn back the time of ageing. Martha also has a bigger part in this episode as all this happens where she returns
back to her family to complete her studies, she finds that har sister, Tish, had been selected to organise it all. All
being unaware, this is just the begining of a deadly trap.
Martha was disapointed to find herself back home, loosingh the
Doctor that she had grown attached to. All to find that he couldnt let her go,
or the problem! The Doctors facination with nibbles was absolutly
hilarous! Marthas reunion was touching, and her mother thinking the worst about Martha and the doctors relationship. The first
step into the age-defying device was a bated-breathe moment, the machine malfunctioning and out stepping a newly born 76 year
old man. The professer leaving the old woman, he used her. The pofesswer suddenly turned into a monster, and devoured
the poor woman and then turning on Tish. Meanwhile the Doctor and Martha were snooping in the Professer's office
to find the womans fraily shell of a body . The Doctor and Martha running to find tish and save her life, and then not
listening to her, thinking she was jealous and then witnessing for herself that her was truly a monster. All of the
guests finally seeing the monster for themselfs terrified them witless, these people too did'nt believe the Doctor. "RUN,
DOCTOR RUN!!!", is what I was shouting at the screen as lazarus was chasing him, whispering threats that truly terrified me,
although not the Doctor! Martha bravely running back to the Doctor, not wanting to leave him, while he was hiding from Lazarus.
Although not showing any fear he came out with a quirky quote " have you looked in the mirror recenty? Why would I want to
face that?!" Hilarious! Heroicly he managed yet again to save the life of Martha and reversing the power of the age-defying
machine to reflect energy . Martha's mother hearing things about the doctor causing Martha to turn her back on her family.
When we all thought that it was all over Lazarus was alive again. Arriving at the chapel the Doctor confronted him about what
he was doing, trying to talk sense into him, but failing miserably. All this happening while Lazarys was slowly transforming
into the monster. When this eventually happened, he was chasing Martha, this all being part of he rplan to get him up to the
bell tower to buy the Doctor time. The Doctor downstairs began playing the organ which somehow distroyed the monster once
and for all. Martha meanwhile was hanging on for her life and her sister pulled her up. Again Martha and the Doctor were reunited
yet again and the Doctor invited her to carry on traveing with hi, for a treat. Martha refused and managed to pursuade him
to let her travel permenetly.
My ratingout
of 10 : 7.5
There have been many an
episode that have been so much better than this. I feel that this episode has been a real let down. I look forward to the
next episode in two weeks time. Judging by the preview clip, its going to be the best one yet!
Name: Emma
Jane Shepherd | Age: 34
The gist of this week's
story is that Professor Richard Lazarus has developed a Genetic Manipulation Device which literally turns back the effects
of time. Professor Lazarus is 76 but he goes into the capsule and he comes out aged in his 20s! He has successfully
turned back the years of time but, of course, all does not go well and he has actually mutated his genes and he turns into
a Monster which feasts on humans. Better off with High Street anti ageing creams I would suggest!
The Doctor, of
course, defeats him in the end and he and Martha save the day. Although this is the basic story there are, as usual,
other sub plots and storylines running alongside.
The Doctor and Martha's relationship has a strong storyline this week.
The episode actually opens with the Doctor taking Martha back to her flat and saying goodbye. He tells her that was
her 'one trip' in the Tardis and this is goodbye. He says she has only been gone for 12 hours so there are no questions
to be answered like there were with Rose. This was a good way of not having to repeat this aspect of a storyline.
Martha's mum rings and you hear a message on the phone that Martha's Sister, Letitia is on television. Martha switches
on the news and it transpires that Letitia is working for Prof. Lazarus. There is going to be a great demonstration
of the Prof. Lazarus' work that night at a black tie party. Prof. Lazarus tells the news he is going to 'change what
it means to be Human.' Our Doctor then leaves in the Tardis but comes back stating 'what does he mean what it means
to be Human.'
Dr and Marty go the party and there is a little family reunion with Martha, Letitia, Mum and Leo.
Prof.
Lazarus then conducts his experiment which very nearly ends in disaster but the Doctor saves the day with his trusty Sonic
Screwdriver.
Prof. Lazarus then emerges younger therefore the experiment has been a success. However it has gone
wrong because he is already starting to mutate. The Doctor and Martha question Lazarus, Lazarus kisses Martha on the
hand and leaves. This means he has passed some DNA on to her hand. The Doctor and Martha conclude they should
run tests and Martha points out she has DNA on her hand. They run tests which confirm Prof. Lazarus is mutating.
We
then cut to Prof. Lazarus office where he is talking to his Partner (the wonderful Thelma Barlow.) Thelma Barlow played
her character really well but unfortunately Prof. Lazarus is hungry and she is all too soon dispatched!
The Doctor and
Martha go to find Lazarus and find the gruesome remains of Thelma Barlow instead. The Doctor and Martha conclude
Lazarus will need to eat again and it transpires that he has now gone for a walk with Leititia, Martha's Sister.
They
rescue Letitia just in time as Lazarus turns into a monster right in front of them.
In the meantime a man has recognised
the Doctor and warned Martha's Mum about him. Who is this man?
Lazarus then goes on the rampage and everyone runs.
The emergency system is then switched on and the lab and building go into lockdown. The Doctor gives Martha his Sonic
Screwdriver and tells her to get everyone out. Martha then does indeed get everyone out of the building
but she then goes back in after the Doctor.
The Doctor has gone down to the buildings boiler room and Lazarus now mutated
into some kind of arachnid like creature is scuttling along the room. I must admit with all the vent pipes etc., in
the boiler room I thought, along with the arachnid type creature, it was very reminiscent of 'Alien.'
We then see the Doctor
chased into a laboratory where he turns the gas taps on and as Lazarus enters the room the Doctor runs, Lazarus starts to
give chase but the Doctor flicks and light switch and BANG! goes the lab. The Doctor then bumps into Martha. Martha
asks if Lazarus is killed but then Lazarus comes out of the lab and gives chase to them both.
The Doctor and Martha seek
shelter in the capsule that started it all. The Doctor appears to have no plan of escape and there are some very
funny lines at this moment. The Doctor messes with the electrics and a blast from the machine blows Lazarus across the
lab and the Doctor and Martha are unscathed. My favourite line of tonight then follows in which the Doctor tells
Martha he 'reversed the polarity' of the capsule. This is a line of old from the days when Jon Pertwee was the Doctor
and his line of reversing the polarity was said to be his favourite line and he used time and time again. It was good
to have a reference to and also to have the joked that followed when the Doctor said he was out of practice on reversing polarity
because he had not done it for a while! It was pure gold.
Martha and the Doctor leave the building and Lazarus' body
is removed by Ambulance crews. There is, however, one more shock in store. There is a noise from the Ambulance
and the Doctor and Martha find the crew dead in the same way as the other victims. Lazarus is still alive! Letitia
tells them he is in the Cathedral next door. They all find Lazarus as a Human but he is mutating as the Doctor speaks
to him.
They discuss the possibly of eternal youth and the Doctor tells him that living forever is not so good.
All those you love die and you are lonely and you get tired of the struggle.
The Doctor tells Martha, quietly, that he
wants to get Lazarus into the bell tower of the Cathedral so he can finish Lazarus.
Martha then gets Lazarus to chase
her Letitia in the bell tower. The Doctor screams at her 'no' but then he tells her to run to the very top. The
Doctor then proceed to play the Cathedral's organ and using sound waves dispatches of Lazarus but not before a very tense
moment when Lazarus has grabbed Martha and looks to push her over the edge of the bell tower onto the Cathedral floor below.
However it is Lazarus that plunges to his demise instead. He then turns back to his 76 years.
Martha yells to the
Doctor that she and Letitia are fine. Doctor and Martha then hug. Martha says she did not know that the Doctor could
play the organ and he says he learnt from hanging round Beethoven! There are then some good quips about Beethoven
which brought a smile to my face.
The scene then changes to Martha's flat where the Doctor and she argue as she does not
want to go home. The Doctor says 'ok' and she is back in the Tardis and he tells her that she was never just a passenger.
The
phone rings and Martha's Mum leaves a message saying she has been told by 'Harold Saxon' that the Doctor is a dangerous man,who
is Harold Saxon? sounds ominous!
This was a really good episode tonight I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had the right
balance of action and jokes and excitement and a horrible monster just what you need from a Doctor Who episode. I especially
loved, though, the line referring to the reverse polarity it made this Who fan very happy!
The only slight problem for
me is that in this series the point seems to be being made every week that the Timelord's life is one of loss and loneliness.
It is apparent to all that he is grieving and I should imagine obvious to everyone it must be a lonely life so I am just thinking
this aspect may not have to feature so heavily in the scripts any more.
A good strong story though “ just great
fun“ 8 out of 10.
Name: Brendan Kennedy | Age: 21
"My name is Professor Richard Lazarus, and tonight, I'm going
to perform a miracle..."
Stephen Greenhorn's first script for Doctor Who is a little
unusual. It's reminiscent of the classic series in a lot of ways, aside from the neutron flow polarity reversal bits.
If Gareth Robert's "The Shakespeare Code," is an homage to the Graham Williams era of Doctor Who, then "The Lazarus Experiment"
is one to the Phillip Hinchcliffe period of production. The Hinchcliffe years are well-regarded for their moody atmosphere,
scientific plots gone awry and references to classic horror films.
The horror film that "The Lazarus
Experiment," models itself on, is blatantly "The Fly." An experiment goes wrong. A man is caught up in the experiment and
becomes something simulaneously less than and more than human. This melds beautifully with the dominant theme of the season-
human nature. The script explores the limitations of the human life-span and how this limitation grants meaning to every life,
even the most normal. It's also an exploration of age and ageism. Old age is treated with revulsion by a lot of the characters.
Tish recoils from the touch of Lazarus, but is only too eager to caress his face once he has become young. Francine, hypocritically
criticises her husbands "male menopause," and young girlfriend. She puts his misdemeanours down to his increasing age.
Even Lazarus himself rejects his lover, Lady Thaw when he regains his youth.
The direction is fantastic,
and hugs the theme of Greenhorn's script wonderfully. There are several shots of people's reflections in the episode. Thaw
is reflected in the window of Lazarus' office and other characters are seen reflecting on shiny surfaces or mirrors. Almost
everything in the episode is reflective. The Doctor sees a flicker of a reflection in Lazarus, but is grateful that his own
old age didn't turn him as bitter or misguided as the eponymous professor. We're even treated to the classic monster-cam this
week, which after a noticeable absence for a lot of the season, is quite welcome.
Murray Gold's music
feels a little lacklustre in "The Lazarus Experiment." His new compositions are uncharacteristically forgettable, however
his variations on Martha's Theme are wonderful, tantalising pieces. I could listen to new imaginings of Martha's theme all
day and I sincerely hope that a decidedly long suite makes its way onto the inevitable volume 2 of his soundtrack.
Martha's permanent addition to the TARDIS feels right, and Agyeman dispels the niggling fears that I've been feeling
about her character lately. She proves herself a talented actress when presented with a great script like Greenhorn's and
really makes the role her own this week. I didn't like her performance in the Dalek two-parter, but I think that can be attributed
to her role being underwritten for its duration.
David Tennant gives the shouting a rest for a week
and returns to the menacing, lower tones that I feel are more suited to Doctor Ten. The Doctor's confrontation with Mark Gatiss'
wonderfully sinister Professor Lazarus in beautiful Southwick Cathedral has echoes of his intense exchange with Anthony Head's
Headmaster from last year's "School Reunion." This is a very good thing indeed.
I note that a lot of
the Who-crew are quick to award an episode full marks. I've been somewhat slow in awarding episodes anything about 7, because
obviously, there's nearly always room for improvement in an episode. Looking back on tonight's episode, I find it very difficult
to fault that majority of the episode. The CG was a bit rickety in places, the music a bit dull-but there was something just
undeniably special about this episode, something that only Doctor Who can do.
9/10
I eagerly await another
Stephen Greenhorn script. Now begins the interminable wait for Chris Chibnall's "42" Here's hoping that it isn't as juvenile
as his Torchwood efforts.
Name: Annette
Bean | Age: 37
Another action packed episode starts with the Doctor, true to his usual insensitive self, taking Martha home
by expertly landing the Tardis in her living room. Whilst they are saying their goodbyes a telephone message from her Mum
alerts them that Martha’s sister, Tish, is on the news as PR to a Professor Lazarus who announces he is about to change
what it means to be human with an experiment that evening. The Doctor is unable to resist finding out what he means and accompanies
Martha to the event at Lazarus Industries where he meets the rest of her family. Martha’s mother is very suspicious
and takes an instant dislike to him but they are soon distracted by the elderly Professor climbing into a futuristic capsule
which has an impressive array of button and switches and bright lights. However the machine becomes unstable and when Lazarus
emerges through a cloud of smoke he now appears to be only 40 years old. ( All done with hypersonic sound waves apparently).
Whilst the crowd is amazed the Doctor is incredulous and he and Martha set off to one of the labs to test the theory. However,
Lazarus is obviously is some discomfort with an alarming neck twitch and cracking jaw – the Doctor and Martha realise
his DNA is still changing, but into what? It soon becomes clear when he morphs into a huge bony scorpion shaped monster with
Lazarus’ face but with a terrifying pincer jaw and devours his associate leaving just a dry husk. Now he is energised
he appears 40 again and charms Tish up to the roof with him to admire the view.
Meanwhile back at the function, a mysterious man seems intent on confirming Mrs Jones’ fears about the
Doctor by telling her Martha will be in danger if she stays with him.
Back on the roof the Doctor and Martha arrive just in time to save Tish from being Lazarus’ next snack,
and the Doctor instructs Martha on how to use to sonic screwdriver to help everyone get out whilst he lures the monster down
into the labs, where they embark on a classic game of hide and seek amongst the pipes, trading insults as they go. He tries
to destroy it with an impressive gas explosion but to no avail and when Martha returns to help him they hide in the original
machine guessing that Lazarus will not want to destroy it. The Doctor destroys it however by reversing the polarity and thinks
he has killed Lazarus.
On joining the crowd outside Mrs Jones slaps the Doctor (just as Rose’s mum did) and warns Martha to keep
away from him. A scream soon alerts them to the fact that Lazarus lives and has taken sanctuary in nearby Southwark Cathedral
as he did as a child during the blitz. The Doctor, Martha and Tish pursue him and within this superb setting a moving exchange
follows about what it is to be human. With Lazarus mutating again Martha and Tish lead him up to the bell tower whilst the
Doctor uses the magnificent organ to produce more hypersonic sound waves and finally destroy him. Phew!
Back at Martha’s flat she makes it clear she wants to be a more permanent companion and after some initial
confusion the Doctor agrees, and they head off for more adventures.
Yet another excellent episode, action packed with wonderful locations, superb acting from all especially Mark
Gatiss as Lazarus and stirring music from Murray Gold. Another recurrent thread seems to be Martha warning the Doctor to be
more careful and judging by the tantalising trailer of future episodes this seems to be an accurate premonition.
Marks out of 10
Only because the trailer looks sooooo good
9.5/10.
Name: Natalie
Peaston | Age: 13
This episode was like
when Rose first came back from her first adventures and then she takes them to meet the family.
It is like déjà
vu because The Doctor gets slapped in the face again!
I thought the episode was great it showed the links between the
Doctor and Martha and that they are becoming stronger friendship wise. It also shows that Martha‘s sister has faith
in the Doctor and believes in him whereas Martha’s mum and brother don’t trust him. To make things worse some
random guy comes up to Martha’s mum and starts telling her stuff about the Doctor but we have never seen him before
and the Doctor hasn’t seen him before at least we don’t think he has. But I think he has something to do with
the next few episodes because in the anagram of Doctor who, Torchwood in the episode called Captain Jack Harkness they have
posters on the dance hall saying vote Saxon.
So I think he has something to do with the Doctor and he is very dangerous.
I give this episode a respectful 7 out of 10 because this wasn’t as Doctor Who as the last ones. Looking forward
to the next two episodes I think it’s a two parter. It looks really good and Captain Jacks Back!
Name: Emily Cook | Age: 13
Last weeks episode ended with the Doctor thinking about Rose. This week’s episode began with him taking Martha
home. She still thought that she was going to continue travelling then was surprised when the Doctor took her home. I think
that Martha does love the Doctor because she was so sad when he left but the Doctor doesn’t love her because he was
quite happy to leave and only come back because of what he’d heard on the TV. Professor Richard Lazarus was going to
change what it meant to be human with just one push of a button.
Lady Thaw talks to the old Lazarus and there is a mention of Mr Saxon. He wants money. It’s the third mention of
him so far and it all seems to be on present day earth not something that has been spread through time and space.
We see Martha’s family and learn more about them. I think that it’s quite late on in the series to be introducing
the family. They were introduced a bit, as was Jackie in Rose, but we learnt more about Rose and her family by episode 4.
I love the Doctor in his pinstripe suites. He looks so sexy, but he still looks just as good with a bow tie (I think
it’s the same one he wore in Rise of the Cybermen and Age of Steel) – it is very James Bond and Martha points
out.
Tish points out that the Doctor was not on the guest list, and just as the Doctor said in series 1 episode 2 for Rose,
he was a plus one. I loved it when the Doctor saw the nibbles and when he was introduced to the family, told Francine that
he’d hear lots about her…that she was Martha’s mum…and that was about it. I felt really sorry for
the Doctor and how uncomfortable he must have felt when he said that him and Martha had been busy and they got completely
the wrong idea.
Any way it’s not too long before trouble arises. Lazarus steps into his masterpiece. The Doctor is the first to
notice that something has gone wrong with the Hyper Sonic Soundwaves. What would we do with out him? It’s just so great
to watch when he fiddles about with the controls and jumps around frantically trying to fix it. It does all work for Lazarus.
Everyone is so shocked at what he has done. And amazed. The Doctor just has to go over and talk to him about what he has just
done, that it isn’t right. Lazarus is really hungry and the Doctor explains it and how he’s had experience, which
refers to regeneration. Lazarus doesn’t want to listen he has big commercial plans so he shakes Martha’s hand
then kisses it and walks off. The Doctor tells her she is a star for getting a DNA sample, but noting else.
They go to a laboratory and look at the fluctuating DNA. One thing that annoys me about Martha’s character is that
she just states the obvious. The DNA has changed… but that’s impossible she says. The Doctor likes impossible
as he keeps reminding us, which is a good thing because I like impossible too. Then they go to his office and see the dead
Lady Thaw. Life drained out of her.
Meanwhile the Jones' are getting the completely wrong idea about the Doctor and Martha. That they love each other and
stuff. The Doctor is good friend with Martha but it seems that she has more on her mind. Tish goes off with Lazarus just as
the Doctor and Martha are coming down.
The Doctor runs past Francine and know he knock her drink all over her. That was great. I love the Doctor’s energy.
Her mum holds her back but Martha pulls away.
A mysterious man comes up to Francine and gives her another drink. This kept me hooked. He knows about the Doctor.
The Doctor and Martha rush up to the roof just as Lazarus points out Sothwark cathedral to her. Martha and Tish arguing
about Martha ruining things for Tish is so typical of sisters. But the Doctor is more interested in learning more about Lazarus.
There are still references to Rose throughout the episode, but they are not obvious. For example at the roof to Lazarus
says he needs several lifetimes to live and the Doctor quite rightly points out "Some people live more in 20 years than others
do in 80. Rose was 19, going on 20 and she did more in a lifetime than other people would n 80 years.
But Lazarus turns into the monster, and Martha won her argument with Tish, who turns round to see a monster. " I was
just about to snog him" she said, that was a good line. They all run in doors, security 1 hits in.
I also like the when the Doctor yells at everyone to get out and it is dangerous, and the reply is the only danger is
choking on an olive, but he’s always right and the big monster comes. All the doors lock and Martha has to open them
on setting 54. The next victims were Leo and Francine. You know they will be safe but you can’t help thinking of the
worst. I’m glad that we could see some more of what Martha is really good at – her medical skills.
I also notice that when the Doctor talks to the monster Lazarus, Lazarus says what he has done was necessary sacrifice,
and the Doctor says "you don’t have a choice about sacrifices" meaning, if it weren’t for the compulsory sacrifice,
the ultimate sacrifice, then he’d still be with Rose. I still think she was so much better that Martha.
The monster chases the Doctor, who runs off without Martha. It’s good that we see part of the story from Francine’s
point of view and what she thinks of the Doctor. Martha firmly says no and runs off after the Doctor. Francine is upset, but
the mysterious man is back and tells her something about the Doctor and I don’t think that it’s good news. I really
wish I knew what he said to her. I tried to lip read but it didn’t work. What did he say????!!!!It’s really been
bugging me! I want to know! Hopefully it’ll be revealed later on in the series.
David Tennant gets better each week. I say this every week, not thinking he can get better and top his last performance,
but he does. He is so amazing, the best actor going. He has all the qualities as well as being the sexiest Doctor ever. He
really does deserve all the awards he has won and more. I love him so much!!!
The Doctor thinks so quickly by turning on all the gas taps, but blowing up the lab still doesn’t stop Lazarus.
David Tennant was brilliant in doing his own stunt, diving forwards and being chased by a ball of flame. See what I mean my
amazing!
The Doctor seems surprised to see Martha when they bump in to each other then leg it to hid in Lazarus’masterpiece,
the thing he won’t destroy. I got a bit annoyed when Martha was going on about how he didn’t have a plan. The
Doctor is amazing; Martha didn’t even have a plan. Luckily the Doctor reverses the polarity, and he says "it really
shouldn’t take that long just to reverse the polarity, I must be a bit out of practice". When he said that I was thinking
don’t worry that it took him longer than expected. At least he did it, plus he can do so much other stuff so well.
I was shocked to see Lazarus naked.
I felt so sorry for the Doctor when Francine slapped him. Poor Doctor. But it’s the same old story with all the
mothers and the Doctor says "All the mothers"(and Donna) what has he done wrong? Once again the Doctor runs off when he hears
noises just after Lazarus has been taken away in an ambulance. Francine pleads with Martha to stay, but she goes and…Tish
too. I was surprised Leo didn’t run off too. The Doctor soon detects with his sonic screwdriver that he has gone for
sanctuary at the Southwark cathedral. They find him and he talks about the Blitz and the Doctor says he was there. A lot of
this episode is about age, what the Doctor has been through and Lazarus and how he is going to live another lifetime. "Facing
death is part of being human," the Doctor says, and being a time lord, the Doctor doesn’t have to face death, but sometimes
that’s harder. He says that living on is struggle, loose people that are close to you and who you love (Rose in Doomsday)
and turning to dust (Rose in Bad Wolf when the Annedroid disintegrates her) he remembers. It’s a price worth paying
that’s what Lazarus says. But the Doctor says, "Is it?" and disagrees.
The Doctor quickly makes another plan to get him up to the bell tower and Martha catches on. It chases Martha and Tish.
It was very stupid of them when they stopped and Martha worked out that they needed to keep going up. Then she stops again
to ask the Doctor what to do. I wouldn’t do that. The Doctor goes to the organ. The sound rings through the bell tower,
Tish saves Martha, not the Doctor. The Doctor asks if they are ok, no big reaction when they don’t reply, no big reaction
when they do. He goes straight to Lazarus who was lying naked again. Once was bad enough.
Back at Martha’s flat the Doctor offers her another trip, but she doesn’t want to be a passenger. The Doctor
say okay 3 time before she realises what he means. But the Doctor never actually asked her to travel, he just agreed. Just
as I though the episode was ending you he a message from Francine, with a tone of desperation, that the Doctor isn’t
safe, she’d heard from Harold Saxon himself. So that’s the man was who was talking to her. What does he know about
the Doctor? How does he know about the Doctor? Who is Mr Saxon? I’m sure all these question will be answered by the
end of the series or at least I hope they are.
The Doctor and Martha I think are now good friends. I don’t think it will get to be anymore. Not for the Doctor
anyway, Martha may fall in love with the Doctor but it will be unrequited love. That’s what I think.
I had a massive strop when I heard that Doctor Who wasn’t going to be on next week. Waiting one week for Doctor
Who is bad enough, now 2! How will I survive?
Well the trailer looks good anyway. Captain Jack comes back to a new Doctor and no Rose! There are so many mysteries
about the Doctor and Time Lords that we don’t know and I think we will find out. We still don’t’ know what
the Face of Boe meant by saying you are not alone! But we have now seen Mr Saxon. It ended with the Doctor in the TARDIS…….alone!
The episode was brilliant–David Tennant was….there’s not a great enough word to describe him!
I rate the episode - 9/10
Name: Frankie Eden-Smith | Age: 15
I love how Doctor Who is so down to earth but yet so out of this
world. The Doctor has so much admiration for the human race; is their saviour; and yet he gets slapped or nagged at by middle
aged mothers. It’s so stereotypical; the mother who doesn’t like the mysterious man in her daughter’s life,
but it gives Doctor Who comedy and a sense of reality. One minute you’re fighting the Daleks next you’re being
slapped by your companion’s mother.
Being with the Doctor is dangerous, there’s no doubt about it, but being
without him in an alien attack isn’t any good either. I guess the mothers will just have to put up with him for now!!!
I’d long awaited a role for Mark Gatiss in Doctor Who; after all he’s a huge fan and a marvellous actor. Both
his older, younger and monstrous roles were inspiring. Martha’s definitely settled in, she knows what she wants and
she’s not afraid to say it. She is far feistier than Rose and dare I say it, far more helpful. Rose stood in awe of
everything where as Martha is right in there: Technical jargon doesn’t faze her!!! Poor girl though, I can’t stand
her mother!!! Even her siblings are telling her Mum to give her break!!! What is it with Mothers- eh? I doubt the Doctor will
be invited to their Christmas dinner!!!
The Lazarus Experiment was a fantastic episode with a super supporting cast and
once again phenomenal music. CGI and production is the best of the BBC. Just a note to all those inspired by the experiment-
being young isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!!!
9/10
Name: Fiona
Taylor | Age: 12
The Lazarus Experiment
is a daunting and meaningful episode about what it means to be human, grow old and die. After her extended one trip in the
TARDIS the Doctor takes Martha back to present-day Earth. Martha had been gone for about 12 hours (the Doctor got it right
this time, as he failed to with Rose!) and her mother had left a message on her answer phone telling her that Tish was on
the news. Martha turned on the television and saw Richard Lazarus giving a speech about “changing what it means to be
human”. Obviously not too interested, Martha turns it off and says goodbye and thanks to the Doctor as he goes back
inside the TARDIS and disappears. However, 1 minute later, the Doctor returns and (unable to resist), double checks that he
heard Lazarus correctly and obviously wants to find out what’s going on. They go to Lazarus Laboratories, where a black
tie party is taking place. While the Doctor is stuffing his face with party nibbles (not carrying them this time) in the background,
Tish and Martha bump into each other and soon her mum and brother are there too. Martha’s mother is clearly not impressed
with the Doctor and wants to know exactly where Martha has been. They are interrupted by Lazarus who goes into a pod in a
massive machine and presses a button. The pod begins to spin, but something goes wrong and the Doctor has to jump in (the
hero!) with his sonic screwdriver and sort the problem out. The door to the pod is opened and out staggers a young man that
appears to be Lazarus. He was a young man again and had just broken all the laws of nature. The experiment was not all perfect,
as Lazarus seems to experiencing cramps in his neck and is tremendously hungry. The Doctor confronts Lazarus and demands to
know exactly what’s going on and for him to stop it right now. Naturally, Lazarus refuses and goes upstairs. The Doctor
and Martha go and find the laboratories as the Doctor will probably die if he doesn’t find out what’s going on.
He can see from a DNA sample that the cells are still mutating in Lazarus’ body and will probably have drastic
consequences. Is Lazarus going to remain human; or is something terrible going to happen to the people at the party?
I really
enjoyed this episode as it was action-packed, interesting and moving all the time. The Lazarus-monster was utterly terrifying
and was absolutely brilliant. I think that the way in which it killed people was really disconcerting and the shots of the
skeletons were rather gruesome! The Doctor’s many attempts to kill the Lazarus-monster were annoying but in a good way,
as it made even it more terrifying and exciting to watch. The moving speeches from Lazarus during the episode were fantastically
written (especially the one about Lazarus being afraid of the bombs when he was a child) and added a lot to the episode. Mr.
Saxon was mentioned a lot and I really liked the way he told Martha’s mother about the Doctor. The acting was even better
than the usual standard from every single person on screen.
I really
can’t find any fault with this episode as I loved it!
My favourite
quote is from the Doctor, when he said, “There is no such thing as an ordinary human”. This was a very powerful
and true quote, as even though not everyone becomes a superstar or a celebrity, there is something extraordinary, however
small inside them and everyone has different talents.
This
was an absolutely brilliant episode and I cannot praise it enough. My rating for this episode is 10/10.
Name: Zoe Brown | Age: 27
The Doctor
takes Martha home, and it looks like her time-travelling days have come to an end. However, a TV news report piques
the Doctor’s curiosity, and they decide to attend the launch of Professor Richard Lazarus’s new scientific breakthrough.
He claims that he can “change what it means to be human”, but the Doctor clearly thinks that this is very bad
news indeed.
Not for
the first time this series, the plot centres around an individual who is trying to change the laws of nature for either material
or personal gain. Professor Lazarus is obviously keen to exploit his new discovery commercially, starting with a glamorous
launch party at his laboratory to impress the potential investors. For the first time since the first episode, the mysterious
Mr Saxon is mentioned again, and it appears that he is also keen to invest in the new project.
There is
a strong ‘James Bond’ feel to the party scenes – starting with Martha’s comment that the tuxedo-clad
Doctor looks like him, right down to the party itself, with its hi-tech, glitzy location and guests wearing black tie.
It is also the first time since the first episode that Martha’s family – sister Tish, brother Leo and mother Francine
– have made an appearance. Although the Doctor has returned Martha the day after the events of ‘Smith And
Jones’ took place, her family are keen to know where she’s been, as it’s apparently out of character for
her to leave without saying a word, or stay out all night. Naturally, they are all curious about (and somewhat suspicious
of) the Doctor, but in a great nod to ‘The End Of The World’, Martha just tells them that he’s her “plus
one”.
As with
the previous two episodes, the themes explored in ‘Frankenstein’ are addressed, namely the idea of interfering
with nature, either in terms of creating new life outside of the natural order, or as in this case, reversing the ageing process.
The Doctor ascertains that Lazarus is using a “sonic micro-field manipulator”, and using “hyper-sonic sound
waves to create a state of resonance”. Lazarus claims that his discovery is “a chance for humanity to evolve
and improve”, but it is clear that both he and Lady Thaw are primarily thinking about the money they’ll make.
However,
as the Doctor correctly observes, “nature got her own back” – because Lazarus has interfered with his genetic
code, it has now become unstable and has awakened some throwback genes that had remained dormant until now, causing his transformation
into the hideous, unnamed ‘creature’. To survive, the creature has to drain the life out of other people,
leaving behind only an empty shell, like some sort of energy vampire (and the second time this series that the Doctor has
come up against a creature that drains its victims).
Science
dominates this episode, or more importantly, the conflict between science and nature. Although the creature Lazarus
turns into is a ‘natural’ evolution of his DNA, it was brought about by scientific means. Each time, science
wins the battle – when the Doctor and Martha are trapped inside Lazarus’s machine, the Doctor adjusts it so it
reflects energy instead of attracting it (“reversing the polarity” – sadly not “of the neutron flow”,
as the Third Doctor would have said, but it was a nice reference for the old-school Whovians).
However,
just as his biblical namesake did, Lazarus comes back to life in the ambulance, and after draining the paramedics, looks for
sanctuary in Southwark Cathedral. This is a direct reference to ‘The Quatermass Experiment’ – in the
original 1950s TV broadcast; the final showdown took place in Westminster Abbey, although this was changed for the 2005 remake
(which David and Mark Gatiss both appeared in) to the Tate Modern. The confrontation between Lazarus and the Doctor
is very intense – Lazarus tries to justify his actions, while the Doctor, circling, reiterates why it is wrong to disturb
the natural order. The script in this scene particularly is very profound, with the Doctor warning of the dangers of
outliving everyone. “I’m old enough to know that a longer life isn’t necessarily a better one…..
the only certainty is that you end up alone.” As in ‘The Runaway Bride’, he also again sings the praises
of humans and their achievements: “There is no such thing as an ordinary human”, and “It’s not the
time that matters, it’s the person”.
Like Mr
Diagoras in the previous two episodes, Lazarus is very caught up in the idea of progress – he tells the Doctor that
“you can’t stand in the way of progress”, and Mr Diagoras believed that “you have to move with the
times, or get left behind”. From what we’ve seen so far, it looks like Mr Saxon is also very interested
in progress, so we will have to wait and see whether this will also eventually become his undoing as well.
Once Martha
and Tish have lured the creature to the top of the bell tower, the Doctor comes up with one of his most unconventional solutions
yet – using the church organ (and the sonic screwdriver) to create hyper-sonic sound waves to destabilise it.
This time, there is no chance of resurrection.
The main
plot is almost overshadowed by two small exchanges between Francine and another party guest, who warns her that the Doctor
is dangerous and that Martha should stay away from him. It looks likely that this man works for Mr Saxon – although
we don’t know exactly what he said, it was obviously enough to worry Francine, judging by the panicked answer-phone
message she left at the end of the episode. This development only raises more questions than it answers, but coupled
with the preview trailer, we can only wonder what Mr Saxon’s agenda is.
Although
sometimes the scientific dialogue was a little overwhelming, I really enjoyed this episode – it was fast-paced, and
the main plotline was straightforward. The script was very well-written, with the scenes between the Doctor and Lazarus
being especially good. Whereas Lazarus is obsessed with survival at all costs, wanting to live longer and reverse the
ageing process, the Doctor is almost cursed to live on forever, outliving all those around him, never ageing at all, so he
understands Lazarus a lot more than he realises. Having already written two episodes, Mark Gatiss must have relished
the chance to finally appear in one, and he is clearly having a great time, particularly since he and David are old friends.
Following the intensity of last week’s episode, David’s performance was slightly more muted this week, but he
was excellent during the scenes at Southwark Cathedral, showing that high emotions aren’t always needed to convey a
powerful message.
However,
in my opinion, this was Martha’s episode – right from the first scene, she really came into her own, and it was
one of Freema’s best performances yet. The sadness on her face when the TARDIS slowly vanished in the opening
scene, and the look of delight when it gradually returned, were brilliant, and when Martha swung into action to get the other
party guests to safety and tend to Leo’s head injury, she really took control. She was also able to understand
the changes to Lazarus’s DNA, and impressed the Doctor by supplying the DNA sample and luring the creature to the top
of the cathedral bell tower. She and Rose are alike in that they both stubbornly refuse to abandon the Doctor, but other
than that, Martha has now definitely stepped out of her shadow, which was illustrated perfectly when she put her foot down
with the Doctor and refused to continue travelling with him if he carried on treating her as a guest – I can’t
recall Rose ever standing up to the (Tenth) Doctor like that.
We now
have an enforced (and unwanted) two-week break until the next episode, but this may actually have come at an opportune time
– the preview trailer suggests much darker things to come, and we will at last find out about Mr Saxon, who may turn
out to be the Doctor’s most dangerous enemy yet.
Zoë’s Rating: 8/10
Name: Alex Werra | Age: 14
How quick has six weeks gone by! I can't believe we are near enough half
way through the series. It's actually quite exciting really, because the episodes just keep getting better! If the trend carries
on then I may not be able to contain my excitement for the finale. It was bad enough when I saw Captain Jack at the end of
the trailer, I was practically hyperventilating :)
After a fantastic two weeks of the Daleks, I was expecting "The Lazarus Experiment"
to be somewhat of an average episode. But, although I am sure that many will disagree, I actually thought that it was better.
For me, the best thing about Doctor Who, is the stories, and I just thought that the script and ideas for the episode were
exceptional. I like an episode that makes me feel sorry for the "monster", that to me shows the skill of a writer.
Mark Gatiss was perfectly cast for the role of Lazarus. A character that
was quite interesting, in the fact that he was human, and even when transformed, still human. I think this is why the episode
worked well. Because when it comes down to it, he's just a man that didn't want to die. He's not an alien that wants to rule
Earth; or a mass murdering psycopath. When he died, I wasn't glad, I felt sorry for him, it was a nice touch that he had been
stripped back to his human form, declothed and old. Thought the CGI was rather snazzy in this episode. I've got a thing about
insects so really did not like the scuttling motion.
I loved the relationship between Martha and The D octor in this episode.
I think he has finally realised how intelligent and generally cool she is, it was about time! I thought the scenes where the
Tardis was in her house were very sweet. I was getting a bit involved at the beginning, when the Doctor left, but regained
composure after realising there are still seven more episodes in the series with Martha in. I'm still undecided on how I want
their relationship to progress though. It's been obvious that Martha really likes the Doctor since the end of the first episode,
she even compared him to James Bond, which lets face it .. is one of the best compliments a man can get. I think for the moment,
the writers are getting it spot on with the unrequited love.
The Doctor really knew what he was doing this week. Showcasing his talents
in : Using the sonic screwdriver with extreme skill, running, jumping over lab benches, playing the organ, looking v. suave
in a suit. Oh, and getting slapped by mums. Thought the fact that this weeks episode was basically about regeneration was
nice. The Doctor was truly speaking from experience, when saying " The only certainty is that you will end up alone". The
poor Doctor.
I suppose what annoyed me about this episode was the fact that the guy who
is working for, or is Mr Saxon, has turned Martha's mum against the Doctor. I don't like anyone not liking the Doctor. I also
thought that Tish was a bit too accepting of the Doctor, too quickly.
Favourite Line : "I was gonna snog him!"
I give this episode 9 1/4 out of 10.
Name: Paisley
Boyd | Age: 15
I was really disapointed
by this episode, I thought it would be good
but it was quite a bore. It was funny though, the doctor just made me
and my brother laugh through it all, which was good. The story was weird, but very well done.
I would give this episode
6/10, not the best episode. Can't wait till
Captain Jacks back though when I saw that trailer after the episode.
I can't wait.
Name: Julie Bayman | Age: 52
Hurrah! A glimpse of the old Doctor
at last! He takes Martha back home,and lands the TARDIS literally right inside her flat. Twelve hours in time
have passed and Martha looks very disappointed when she opens the door to the TARDIS and finds herself back home. She
thanks the Doctor for everything and he replies “Its my pleasure” with a big smile and then the phone rings. Its
Martha's mother telling her that her sister is on TV. Martha's sister is seen with an elderly man who says that tonight he
is going to 'Change what it means to be human.” Martha switches the TV off and the Doctor dithers a bit before
saying goodbye; he then enters the TARDIS and disappears. Now, Martha looks really sad; she hoped he would stay.But
of course he returns: we knew he would. He wasn't going to miss out on watching a man change what it means to be human.
The
Doctor and Martha are then seen arriving at Lazarus Laboratories for the event. Martha looks lovely and the Doctor is
wearing his dinner jacket. He seems uncomfortable in it. (I'm not surprised. I think last time he wore it he met the Cybermen.)
“Every time I wear this something bad happens” he tells Martha. 'It suits you, you look like James Bond,”
she replies. He seems pleased. He meets Martha's sister who calls him a science geek.“Science geek, what does
that mean?” he asks Martha. “Someone who is obsessively enthusiastic,” Martha replies. He seems
pleased again. He then meets Martha’s mother and it doesn’t go well; Martha introduces him as the Doctor.
“Doctor what?” she asks. He then tells her that he has heard a lot about her. 'What have you heard?” she
retorts, and he explains, not a lot really, we have been busy. “Doing what?” she asks and the Doctor is almost
lost for words and mumbles something about this and that. Later on Martha's mother slaps his face, (Rose's mother slapped
his face too!). There is also a strange man wandering about and he tells Martha's mother to beware of the Doctor and
he whispers something in her ear. This man is called Mr. Saxon and I think we are going to see more of him later. (I
think it might be something to do with the face of Boe’s dying words, but we will see).
The Experiment begins:
A 76 year old man - unfortunately, I thought he looked more like a 96 year old, sorry - called Professor Lazarus is going
to perform an experiment or, in his own words, a miracle and then he says that the is going to change what it means to be
human. He steps inside a strange machine which is a genetic manipulation device and it starts to whirl roundand then goes
wrong. The Doctor steps in and stops the machine before it explode and he opens the door and a young man walks out:
it is Professor Lazarus. Martha asks the Doctor what has happened and the Doctor replies,“He has just changed
what it means to be human”. Unfortunately it has all gone horribly wrong; the young Professor Lazarus keeps moving
his neck and it makes a horrible creaking sound and before long he has turned into a huge monster, which looks like a giant
lobster with a human head and a large swishing tail. The head has a strange opening mouth. It feeds on people, leaving
their skeletons behind. The monster needs to feed on the humans to retain its human form. The Doctor and Martha
do some research and they discover what has actually happened.
Martha gets everyone out of the building, whilst
the Doctor lures the monster into the laboratory and then creates a gas explosion. The monster, who appeared to have been
killed in the explosion, recovers and escapes and the Doctor, along with Martha and her sister, track it to nearby Southwark
Cathedral. They find it back in human form (still making that horrible creaking noise) but it needs to feed. Martha
and her sister lure it up to the bell tower and we see the Doctor playing the church organ very loudly. This causes
the monster to fall and kills it. The Doctor stoops down beside it and closes its eyes but he doesn't apologise.
He runs to find Martha and they hug, they look quite happy.
I love the Beethoven joke;“I didn't know you could
play” Martha says. “Well, you know, if you hang around with Beethoven long enough” he replies. 'Well, at
least you would learn to play loudly” Martha quips. “Sorry?” says the Doctor. At the end the Doctor and
Martha are back in Martha's flat. The Doctor invites her along on one more trip but she declines. She tells him
that she doesn't want to be just a passenger any more, and she tells him why. There is some confusion, but then he invites
her to go with him as a proper companion, quickly adding 'You never were just a passenger.” It is a lovely scene.
I enjoyed this episode very much and as I excitedly said at the beginning of this review some of the old Doctor is back.
He told Martha that her travelling with him had helped and I loved the way he sometimes looked a little puzzled and lost for
words and when he didn't understand what a science geek was.
As usual
DT’s acting is excellent and he has done a good job of reminding us that the Doctor isn't human; I still miss him maniacally
running round the TARDIS flicking switches and talking at ninety miles per hour though. Martha held her own and has been very
brave, I think that sheand the Doctor will make a great team. I thought the CGI monster with the swishing tail was very
good and quite scary and the scene inside the Cathedral with the Doctor playing the loud organ music, whilst Martha was hanging
from the balcony with her sister hanging on to her for dear life and the monster lashing out at them with its tail was excellent.
Marks: I am going to give it 8/10.
Name: Libby Aldrich | Age: 45
“…I like nibbles…”
said the Doctor, and I liked this episode of Doctor Who. For me this was a great return to form after the
somewhat disappointing Dalek two-parter. The Lazarus Experiment was a fun and exciting adventure
with more than a passing nod to James Bond, The Fly and Quatermass, but hey if you are going to do a homage it’s a good
idea to choose from the best.
This tightly plotted if simple
story followed along the fairly traditional lines of the ‘mad scientist and experiment that goes
wrong’ scenario. However, despite this slight predictability it was performed with such pace,
zest, wit and aplomb that I was totally carried along. It was nice for a change that the threat didn’t
involve the destruction of all mankind and I really liked the tone of the episode, which continued the series theme of exploring
what it means to be human with a lightness of touch and intelligence that was welcome after the descent into crass OTT preaching
in Evolution of the Daleks. The scenes between DT and Mark Gatiss were electric and completely riveting,
particularly their showdown in the Cathedral. There was a real sense of menace and tension.
DT’s effortlessly brilliant portrayal of the Doctor grounds the story in reality, despite the outlandish plot.
I am really enjoying the slow
reveal of the series story arc, with the hints of the mysterious Mr Saxon and his antipathy to the Doctor. I
had been worried after Smith and Jones that I wouldn’t like Martha’s family, but my fears seem to be unfounded.
Here they were well integrated into the story and became flesh and blood characters. I particularly
enjoyed the hilarious conversation between the Doctor and Martha’s formidable mum and I sympathised with her worries.
I am sure her suspicions regarding the Doctor will have ramifications in later episodes.
It was good to see the development
of Martha and the Doctor’s relationship and his acceptance of her place in the tardis. The Doctor
trusted Martha to use the sonic screwdriver and help the party goers escape, while she acted as bait and trusted him to destroy
the monster. The spiky dialogue during their interlude trapped inside Lazarus’ machine, with Martha’s
comment, “in your own time then” to the Doctor’s lack of a plan, was a pleasure and an aspect of their relationship
that I hope continues to be explored. Indeed humour, largely absent in the last two weeks, made a welcome
return. The Doctor’s pleased reactions to the comparison with James Bond and being called a science
geek; the ‘reversing the polarity’ in-joke and the laugh out loud Spinal Tap reference in turning the amp up to
11, were all brilliant.
There were a few problems of
course. I felt that there was a little too much running down corridors to little effect and the denouement
seemed a bit flat. Sound waves and the sonic screwdriver as a method of destroying monsters has been used
once too often. However, the second half season trailer looked magnificent and I can’t
wait - curses Eurovision!
8/10
Name: Louise Green | Age: 15
A fabulous series nearly came to an end tonight as the Doctor dropped Martha back at home. Martha has
been awesome so far and the Doctor would be foolish to leave her behind. That’s why, when he asks her to help him to
get rid of Lazarus, and she succeeds, he realises that he really does want her on board the Tardis.
The Doctor drops her off back home to the morning after they left. She wonders how that is possible
because they have done so much. Martha gets a call from her mother before the Doctor leaves saying that Tish is on the news
on TV. Martha, wondering what it is all about turns on the TV and explains that it is part of her new job. On the TV with
her is Mr Richard Lazarus, a 76 year old man who states that he is going to change what it means to be human. Only interested
in Tish, they turn the TV off and the Doctor leaves Martha, back on planet Earth with no more adventures to come. Ha! Yeah
right…After the Doctor leaves, he comes back saying: ‘Hang on, did he just say that he’s going to change
what it means to be human?’ Guess they’ve got to go and investigate.
After the introductory theme we see Lazarus with his wife talking about whether what he is going to
do is safe or not. They are both only doing it for the money and to get it, they want to give the transformation to everyone
that wants it. This will only happen though, if they like what they see.
Next, we see the Doctor and Martha going into Lazarus’s office. There are hundreds of people standing
around a great big machine that will perform the experiment. Some are taking pictures and some, like the Doctor, are ignoring
the machine and eating the nibbles. Tish comes over to say hi to Martha and sees the Doctor just stood there. After Martha
tells her that he is with her, she is shocked because he is not on the guest list. Hmm, wonder how he got in.
After Tish leaves, Martha runs over and hugs her mum who is on her way in. she has no idea why Martha
is hugging her so much and asks what the occasion is. She says that she saw her only last night and it made no sense to her
at all. Martha introduces the Doctor to her mum and he makes a bit of a fool of himself. He tells her that he has heard a
lot about her and when she asks him what, he replies that he knows that she is Martha’s mother…Nothing else.
The Doctor, being an alien, doesn’t realise that what he says to her next sounds awful. He says
that they have not had time to chat because they have been busy, doing stuff. Martha is really embarrassed by this time. Luckily
for her, Professor Lazarus calls for attention and starts to talk about his famous experiment. He says that is the biggest
leap for a long time and it will continue into the future. Just to fill you in, changing the course of human to him is by
retuning to being younger again. Instead of growing old and dying, he wants to go back to when he was younger and live again.
This is what he wants for everyone else, just so he can make money out of the though.
Lazarus steps into the big machine, flicks down some buttons and the machine starts up. After a few
seconds, the Doctor realises that there is something wrong and intervenes. He jumps across the control panel, flicks some
more buttons, pulls a plug out and the machine comes to a halt. Martha pulls open the door and we see a new Lazarus. Younger
and better looking. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Richard Lazarus, I am 76 years old and I am reborn!!’
A
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