Human Nature

In the early 1990s Virgin books started to publish a range called The New Adventures Of Doctor Who . These so called New Adventures were supposed to continue the saga of DOCTOR WHO the television series but I never ever bought a copy because I didn't consider the range to be canonical and just seemed to be a way of parting fans of their money . They were just glorified fan fiction something I had zero interest . When the BBC confirmed one of the stories of series three was to b an adaptation of Paul Cornell's NA book Human Nature I rolled my eyes : " Couldn't they employ people to write original scripts ? " I asked myself . " Dear oh dear the show won't have long to survive if they've got to do this "

It seems after watching this episode that apologies of some sort are in order to the production team . Far from being a debacle of any sort Cornell and co have crafted a very sophisticated and intelligent piece of fantasy television . Not only that they succeeded in showing why DOCTOR WHO is the most remarkable show in the history of television . unlike the preceding episode 42 Human Nature is entirely original , it doesn't remind you of any story you have ever seen before . It's also an episode full of character development for the Doctor . Nostalgia plays a part too with a quick flashback sequence and a picture book reference to previous Doctors and adventures , along with an in joke to Sydney Newman and Verity Lambert . But perhaps the show's greatest strength is one of imagery and millions of children will never EVER look upon scarecrows in the same way again

There are one or two flaws to the story . One involves internal logic in that if the Doctor trusts Martha so much then why doesn't he let her keep the watch ? Talking of Martha it becomes clear that despite her best efforts Freema Agyeman seems to be spouting dialogue that was originally written for Rose Tyler and just to point out that she's not a lame reference to Martha being black is added . But these are minor flaws in an episode that rightly deserves to be called a classic

In order to give the slip to some enemies that have him cornered, the Doctor chooses to erase his own memory. Using the old alias of John Smith, he winds up as a teacher in a finishing school in 1913. Now completely human, he must deal with human feelings such as true love. Martha is tasked with keeping an eye on him while the crises passes, but as always with the Doctor's adventures, it's not quite that easy.

Now THIS is what I'm talking about! This is everything a good Doctor Who tale should be, an extremely well-acted, captivating, marvelous story with memorable, suitably threatening villains and no over-reliance on CGI. If the second half holds up as well, it'll be ranked amongst the best episodes of Who in decades.

My Grade: A+

"Human Nature", based on Paul Cornell's original "New Adventure" paperback, is a very different tale to what we're used to seeing on the small screen. When The Doctor becomes a human in 1913 England to avoid the clutches of the evil alien Family of Blood, a frustrated Martha watches events unfold as the cover of his servant.

This period story is gripping and unusual. David Tennant is superb as the headmaster John Smith who occasionally has dreams of another life and alien creatures. His book of "imagined" memories is a joy to behold.

The atmosphere in this episode is very authentic and there's a real sense of dramatic suspense. The scarecrows are a genius touch and are particularly creepy.

Jessica ("Spaced) Hynes is thoroughly delightful as Smith's love-interest Joan Redfern.

9 out of 10. Depending on the quality of the next episode, this could be a story that's discussed for a very long time.

Again, what a series this has been so far! This is setting a new bar of quality for the future.

This episode tells the first half of a story from a book written about the Doctor back in the '90s that was rated by readers as the best DW story ever.

To me, it was very unsettling, less because of the villains than because of what occurs with the Doctor himself.

The acting is excellent as always, the story is well paced, and a real sense of danger is established.

The second half hasn't aired yet, but I'll be excited to see exactly how the Doctor pulls out of this one.

Overall, this episode is brilliant in two ways: it has very brave character development along with chilling villains in true Who style. Nothing to complain about; I just can't wait for the ending.

The bundle of energy that occurred in 42, and to some extent towards the end of the Lazarus Experiment is carried forward into Human Nature, but to much better effect.

This is a total game changer of an episode, Paul Cornell's script is outstanding, having read and loved his original novel it was so good to see it adapted.

In brief the Doctor is humanised and has becomes a Teacher at a Public School in 1913. Elements of the Doctor's true life seep through and he remembers his Timelord existence. His Timelord existence is hidden from pursuers the Family of Blood. Whilst there his human persona falls for Nurse Joan Redfern, whilst a lovesick Martha looks on.

This is without doubt one of the richest scripts/episodes to this day, so many wonderful elements, his book 'Journal of impossible things' is stunningly put together. The concept of the Chamaeleon arch is such a hugely imaginative one. The scarecrows are visually wonderful, and so terrifying as they are a real creation.

The School is fantastically realised, and Pip Torrens make a great headmaster.

Jessica Hynes is an absolute revelation, she can't be faulted one bit, and each member of the family is fantastically well realised.

Annoyingly the usual harping on about Rose is still with us, this should have been knocked on the head a while back.

Everything about this feels like a golden jigsaw, it all fits together sublimely. It really is so good. A perfect 10/10