39 reviews
Well the build up episode was certainly one of the show's high points, it ended on an excellent cliffhanger, the pace and energy that had built up, continues and we delve straight in to the action.
The Human Doctor has a dilemma, to save friend or lover, but fortunately a brave Martha saves them, for the time being. Defences are held at the school, whilst young Latimer holds the key.
The family are all brilliantly portrayed, they all look the part, especially Baines, but then what else would you expect from Harry Lloyd? The stairs and the voice are insanely creepy, the others are good, but he's on another level.
Jessica Hynes is truly wonderful, her struggles to understand the concepts of who and what the Doctor actually is, are gloriously done with an innocence and truth, it's very sincere.
The scene of young sister running to infiltrate is very reminiscent of one from Remembrance of the Daleks. The skipping, music used... and the use of her raised interesting ethical questions.
The high point is the dilemma they face whether to open the watch or not, the discussions to and fro are so good, I can see why it's often considered as Tennant's finest moment. The emotional hit is a big one.
It must be said that both Freema and her character Martha have developed fantastically well. I wonder if she would be seen today in higher regard had she been better written for in the earlier episodes, too many Rose references.
I commend the story, the production, the effects, the acting, the casting, the conclusion, all in all it's a fabulous episode, a perfect fit for Tennant. 10/10
They don't make 'um like this anymore.....
The Human Doctor has a dilemma, to save friend or lover, but fortunately a brave Martha saves them, for the time being. Defences are held at the school, whilst young Latimer holds the key.
The family are all brilliantly portrayed, they all look the part, especially Baines, but then what else would you expect from Harry Lloyd? The stairs and the voice are insanely creepy, the others are good, but he's on another level.
Jessica Hynes is truly wonderful, her struggles to understand the concepts of who and what the Doctor actually is, are gloriously done with an innocence and truth, it's very sincere.
The scene of young sister running to infiltrate is very reminiscent of one from Remembrance of the Daleks. The skipping, music used... and the use of her raised interesting ethical questions.
The high point is the dilemma they face whether to open the watch or not, the discussions to and fro are so good, I can see why it's often considered as Tennant's finest moment. The emotional hit is a big one.
It must be said that both Freema and her character Martha have developed fantastically well. I wonder if she would be seen today in higher regard had she been better written for in the earlier episodes, too many Rose references.
I commend the story, the production, the effects, the acting, the casting, the conclusion, all in all it's a fabulous episode, a perfect fit for Tennant. 10/10
They don't make 'um like this anymore.....
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Aug 18, 2015
- Permalink
Thank you, Russell T. Davies! The idea of taking Paul Cornell's successful and acclaimed "New Adventure" and allowing him to write a screenplay based on this tale has resulted in one of the best "Doctor Who" stories ever.
"The Family of Blood" is strong on so many levels it's difficult to know where to begin. This two-part adventure ensures that Freema Agyeman's Martha Jones will be remembered as one of The Doctor's greatest companions. Agyeman is absolutely delightful here...I can't praise her acting enough. The Doctor depends 100% on Jones in this story and it's excellent to see how she meets the challenge.
This is a truly emotional episode - I don't mind admitting I cried buckets in the last 10 minutes of the show. I've not been moved by a drama like this for quite some time. The script, direction and acting are all top notch.
We also see a truly dark Doctor for an instant but I'm not going to spoil any surprises.
Magnificent. The perfect 10. This is the stuff of legend!
"The Family of Blood" is strong on so many levels it's difficult to know where to begin. This two-part adventure ensures that Freema Agyeman's Martha Jones will be remembered as one of The Doctor's greatest companions. Agyeman is absolutely delightful here...I can't praise her acting enough. The Doctor depends 100% on Jones in this story and it's excellent to see how she meets the challenge.
This is a truly emotional episode - I don't mind admitting I cried buckets in the last 10 minutes of the show. I've not been moved by a drama like this for quite some time. The script, direction and acting are all top notch.
We also see a truly dark Doctor for an instant but I'm not going to spoil any surprises.
Magnificent. The perfect 10. This is the stuff of legend!
- DVD_Connoisseur
- Jun 1, 2007
- Permalink
Well well, Paul Cornell has cooked up another stonker here. This two-parter, and this episode in particular, is probably one of the best yet, second only, in my opinion, to the previous two season finales, and on a par with The Impossible Planet/Satan Pit. Of this series, only 42 has engrossed me more.
The main point of this episode is, of course, the Doctor becoming a slightly idiotic human to avoid the eponymous Family of Blood, Martha's struggle to make him realise who he really is again, and the importance of the watch that the Doctor stored himself inside. I won't say any more than that for the sake of spoiling what is truly a fantastic story. Every part of it is brilliantly executed - the script, the direction, the effects, and the aftermath.
Special mentions in this episode though, go to two people. Firstly, David Tennant, whose portrayal of the ordinary man struggling to come to terms with who he might be and what he has to do with everything is fantastic. Secondly, to Harry Lloyd, who plays Jeremy Baines, the ringleader of the Family. While he is relatively unknown as an actor - his only major role to date has been as Will Scarlet in the BBC's retake of Robin Hood - I can't think of any world-famous actor who would've fitted the part better than him. His performance is absolutely astonishing, he plays the mad eyes, frightening smile, and all round scariness of his character to utter perfection. He's probably been the scariest and most believable human-looking villain since the show was resurrected, with the possible exception of Roger Lloyd-Pack's John Lumic from last year. Maybe it's in the surname.
This is, without doubt, one of the best story lines seen in Doctor Who so far. And next week's 'Blink' looks like a cracker as well. Series 3 is storming towards being the best series yet, if it isn't already.
The main point of this episode is, of course, the Doctor becoming a slightly idiotic human to avoid the eponymous Family of Blood, Martha's struggle to make him realise who he really is again, and the importance of the watch that the Doctor stored himself inside. I won't say any more than that for the sake of spoiling what is truly a fantastic story. Every part of it is brilliantly executed - the script, the direction, the effects, and the aftermath.
Special mentions in this episode though, go to two people. Firstly, David Tennant, whose portrayal of the ordinary man struggling to come to terms with who he might be and what he has to do with everything is fantastic. Secondly, to Harry Lloyd, who plays Jeremy Baines, the ringleader of the Family. While he is relatively unknown as an actor - his only major role to date has been as Will Scarlet in the BBC's retake of Robin Hood - I can't think of any world-famous actor who would've fitted the part better than him. His performance is absolutely astonishing, he plays the mad eyes, frightening smile, and all round scariness of his character to utter perfection. He's probably been the scariest and most believable human-looking villain since the show was resurrected, with the possible exception of Roger Lloyd-Pack's John Lumic from last year. Maybe it's in the surname.
This is, without doubt, one of the best story lines seen in Doctor Who so far. And next week's 'Blink' looks like a cracker as well. Series 3 is storming towards being the best series yet, if it isn't already.
- lemmingology
- Jun 1, 2007
- Permalink
- *Phantom Chick*
- Aug 2, 2008
- Permalink
- rainbow_letloose
- Jul 1, 2007
- Permalink
I don't comment often - check :-) This second part of the story really said it all in the last ten minutes. I've either got a really dusty house or tears came up due to the end. What started out as simple Sci-Fi fare ended as a real pause for thought. 'Light' drama can sometime be the most powerful medium and this does it all without being heavy handed or moralistic.
This should be compulsory viewing in schools.
Quite apart from which it's one of the more enjoyable episodes of Doctor Who.
We've had Tim and Daisy from "Spaced" in Doctor Who now so roll on Mike, Marsha, Brian and Tyres!
This should be compulsory viewing in schools.
Quite apart from which it's one of the more enjoyable episodes of Doctor Who.
We've had Tim and Daisy from "Spaced" in Doctor Who now so roll on Mike, Marsha, Brian and Tyres!
- HairyHacker
- Jun 3, 2007
- Permalink
This episode's plot starts out with some of the usual sci-fi "fluff" but ends in some of the most powerful writing I believe I've ever seen.
Do yourself a favor and watch this episode. Excellent doesn't begin to describe it. It is remarkable in the same vein as "The Lion King"'s final moments. Marvelous.
DVD_Connoisseur writes that this is the stuff of legends and he/she is absolutely right.
The episode cuts to the heart of exactly how lonely, and thoroughly *dangerous* the Doctor can be. The kind of danger that presents itself to a human being swimming next to a whale. If the whale turns, the human being can be destroyed without having been noticed.
Very dark, extremely serious, but thoroughly entertaining, and thought-provoking. What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be a Time Lord?
Do yourself a favor and watch this episode. Excellent doesn't begin to describe it. It is remarkable in the same vein as "The Lion King"'s final moments. Marvelous.
DVD_Connoisseur writes that this is the stuff of legends and he/she is absolutely right.
The episode cuts to the heart of exactly how lonely, and thoroughly *dangerous* the Doctor can be. The kind of danger that presents itself to a human being swimming next to a whale. If the whale turns, the human being can be destroyed without having been noticed.
Very dark, extremely serious, but thoroughly entertaining, and thought-provoking. What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be a Time Lord?
This is the second part of the 'Human Nature' storyline, and it's perhaps one of the best modern 'Doctor Who' episodes I've seen.
Wonderfully written and performed, this is an episode of lots of great moments.
David Tennant again reminding us (if a reminder was ever needed) why for some he is THE Doctor.
This is how good the show can be. What a shame that the people making it in 2021 can't seem to hit such standards anymore.
Wonderfully written and performed, this is an episode of lots of great moments.
David Tennant again reminding us (if a reminder was ever needed) why for some he is THE Doctor.
This is how good the show can be. What a shame that the people making it in 2021 can't seem to hit such standards anymore.
The two-part episode "Human Nature/The Family of Blood" is, without a doubt, the best one created for the new Doctor Who series. This episode takes Who somewhere new, offering a fresh look at the Doctor. The cast and crew do a terrific job with this, creating an exciting and emotionally-powerful episode. Kudos should especially go to David Tennant, who gives his best performance to date not only as the Doctor, but as his human counterpart, John Smith. His performance in this piece is very powerful, and will bring almost everyone who sees it to tears. A terrific two-parter that stands not only as the best of the new series, but also among the greatest "Doctor Who" adventures ever! Grade: A+
- 1stbrigade
- Jan 5, 2008
- Permalink
Others have said wonderful things about this so I don't want to repeat. One very effective thing was having actual children shown (actors playing their real age), thus having the impact of them as soldiers in The Great War in all its historically correct horror, although it was a fairly small part of the story.
That last 10 minutes packed a lot of emotional wallop, without being manipulative or treacly.
Those very dark punishments by The Doctor showed the high stakes. Downright creepy actually.
As great as this pair of episodes was, better stuff was yet to come the very next week.....
That last 10 minutes packed a lot of emotional wallop, without being manipulative or treacly.
Those very dark punishments by The Doctor showed the high stakes. Downright creepy actually.
As great as this pair of episodes was, better stuff was yet to come the very next week.....
This episode is unfair. the doctor can never realize how unfair is asking Joan to come with him, to live all her life waiting to see glimpses of the man she loves will be torture. Joan lashing out, asking if he didn't choose this place at random then people wouldn't have died, trying to remind herself that he wasn't human and he wasn't the man she loved? it hurt.
all in all thanks David Tennant and Russell Davis for breaking our hearts. once again
- Shymaa0000
- Jul 3, 2019
- Permalink
I might as well watch a documentary about soap operas and chuck some images from horror movies in every now and then. The only point of this story is to set-up the season finale, and that is all I will ever see this as
- warlordartos
- Mar 10, 2021
- Permalink
The Bloods (now in stolen human form) have found what they came for and are in hot pursuit with their army of scarecrow soldiers. Cornered at the school, John Smith and his band of budding boy foot soldiers face the alien relations in a standoff where...
The sheaves of wheat start an attack, they are bound by rope and cloth and sack, but their endeavours are repelled, and the line of boys has firmly held, then sister of mine starts to fire back, and the staunch defence begins to crack
All the time an increasingly frantic Martha is desperately searching for the missing timepiece, but will she find it in time to save our paradoxical pacifist, and what will become of his pursuers if she does?
The sheaves of wheat start an attack, they are bound by rope and cloth and sack, but their endeavours are repelled, and the line of boys has firmly held, then sister of mine starts to fire back, and the staunch defence begins to crack
All the time an increasingly frantic Martha is desperately searching for the missing timepiece, but will she find it in time to save our paradoxical pacifist, and what will become of his pursuers if she does?
- jrarichards
- Apr 8, 2016
- Permalink
- nikky_pickles
- Mar 27, 2010
- Permalink
- katissokool
- Aug 11, 2007
- Permalink
- movieman_kev
- May 8, 2008
- Permalink
- mistressmunin
- Oct 19, 2015
- Permalink
Human Nature and The Family of Blood are among the finest episodes in all of Doctor Who. The acting in both episodes is flawless, Charles Palmer's directing is phenomenal, and the script is equally as impressive. I'm going to try and keep this as detail-free as possible, but all I'm going to say is that this is one of the deepest, most emotional, and most perfect stories that this show has put out. From beginning to end there are no flaws, no nitpicks, and no complaints. The first half of the episode is emotionally stunning, while the second is dark and offers a beautiful resolution to a beautiful story and another side of the Doctor that we rarely see. Murray Gold's music fits every scene seamlessly and really adds to the emotion of the story too.
10 out of 10.
10 out of 10.
This is the second part of a two part story following Human Nature. Together they form one of the greatest stories in Doctor Who history. I rate this as my equal favourite alongside classic 4th Doctor stories Pyramids of Mars and Talons of Weng Chiang and later Tennant/RTD masterpiece Midnight.
It has the highest possible standards in all areas. Based on the story by writer Paul Cornell the material is as good as it gets and Russell T. Davies and director Charles Palmer bring this to the screen with flawless skill.
Following on from the brilliant first part and the great cliffhanger we get an exciting and very moving finale. There are scary villains, thrilling scenes of action and deep, touching drama regarding the Doctor's human version, John Smith, having to choose between his human life and changing back to his life of lonely responsibility as the Doctor to battle the threat of evil. The depth of the character study and emotional dilemma for the Doctor is totally fresh, extremely absorbing and enormously moving.
David Tennant's acting is perfection. Anyone who ever says to me they are not keen on Tennant leaves me bemused as to what it is they want, they are entitled to different tastes but surely nobody can question his acting. This gives him an opportunity to show his full range and it is glorious. Freema Agyeman does her usual excellent job as Martha and the guest cast (especially Jessica Hynes, Harry Lloyd and Thomas Brodie-Sangster) continue their fabulous performances from the first part.
At the end there are lovely added scenes regarding the first world war. There is also a dark side shown as the Doctor metes out justice on the Family of Blood. Overall the story and script are just awesome with great period setting, effects, production values and direction all at top standard. 10/10 classic.
It has the highest possible standards in all areas. Based on the story by writer Paul Cornell the material is as good as it gets and Russell T. Davies and director Charles Palmer bring this to the screen with flawless skill.
Following on from the brilliant first part and the great cliffhanger we get an exciting and very moving finale. There are scary villains, thrilling scenes of action and deep, touching drama regarding the Doctor's human version, John Smith, having to choose between his human life and changing back to his life of lonely responsibility as the Doctor to battle the threat of evil. The depth of the character study and emotional dilemma for the Doctor is totally fresh, extremely absorbing and enormously moving.
David Tennant's acting is perfection. Anyone who ever says to me they are not keen on Tennant leaves me bemused as to what it is they want, they are entitled to different tastes but surely nobody can question his acting. This gives him an opportunity to show his full range and it is glorious. Freema Agyeman does her usual excellent job as Martha and the guest cast (especially Jessica Hynes, Harry Lloyd and Thomas Brodie-Sangster) continue their fabulous performances from the first part.
At the end there are lovely added scenes regarding the first world war. There is also a dark side shown as the Doctor metes out justice on the Family of Blood. Overall the story and script are just awesome with great period setting, effects, production values and direction all at top standard. 10/10 classic.
- A_Kind_Of_CineMagic
- Jan 30, 2019
- Permalink
- Theo Robertson
- Aug 2, 2008
- Permalink
Paul Cornell's "Human Nature" & "The Family of Blood" in Season 3 is a lot like Series 2's "The Impossible Planet" / "Satan Pit" - in the way that it's hard to review as there's not much to say about it which hasn't already been said.
They're both extraordinary two-parters & Doctor Who at its best & most purest; contemplative, philosophical, introspective analyses of the Doctor's character & beliefs whilst also being dark, observational explorations of humanity.
Other than that brief summary, there's not much else of value for me to add because the stories speak for themselves. They don't require reviews because they're brilliant, regardless of the words I type to praise them.
Furthermore, they're rarities because of their sheer faultlessness - in need of no defense - & thus, I can easily & rather satisfyingly conclude "they're phenomenal" & end it at that... Because they are.
They're both extraordinary two-parters & Doctor Who at its best & most purest; contemplative, philosophical, introspective analyses of the Doctor's character & beliefs whilst also being dark, observational explorations of humanity.
Other than that brief summary, there's not much else of value for me to add because the stories speak for themselves. They don't require reviews because they're brilliant, regardless of the words I type to praise them.
Furthermore, they're rarities because of their sheer faultlessness - in need of no defense - & thus, I can easily & rather satisfyingly conclude "they're phenomenal" & end it at that... Because they are.