Boom town (2005)

Review
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Review

This episode was first broadcast on June 4, 2005. A brief and somewhat spoiler-ish summary of the plot: the Doctor visits Cardiff and meets an old enemy.

This unexpected sequel to 'Aliens of London / World War III' has a surprising number of things going for it:

• the story, though a bit daft, is an ideal mix of comedy and more serious story elements. It may not be the season's most ambitious story, but it succeeds admirably at what it tries to do
• performances are great all around. They're helped by the fact that the episode is low on action and high on dialogue, and that the dialogue is very well written

The episode also lays some groundwork for the rest of the series and for the spinoff series Torchwood by:

• showing us the regulars coming together as a team
• setting up Cardiff as a kind of cosmic epicentre, which would be expanded upon in Torchwood
• elaborating on the 'bad wolf' theme that had been re-occurring throughout the season

My verdict:

Excellent fun.

More about Doctor Who

An introduction:
Doctor Who reviews: introduction

More "nice!" Doctor Who:
Doctor Who reviews: nice!

More new Doctor Who with Christopher Eccleston:
Doctor Who reviews: 2005

Similar stories:
Doctor Who reviews: alien invasion

Original version of this review:
08/02/16

More about this episode

Episode guides:
BBC Episode guide

Episode reviews:
Behind the sofa
Outpost Gallifrey

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