TV
'The Waters Of Mars' - The Verdict
Published Sunday, Nov 15 2009, 22:17 GMT | By Ben Rawson-Jones | 134 comments
For something so hugely anticipated, given the Doctor Who drought this year, 'The Waters Of Mars' was pant-wettingly brilliant. A well-measured script and genial performances wrung every drop of tension and emotion from the dire predicament of the Bowie Base One crew and a certain beleaguered knock-fearing Time Lord.
Cranking up the terror with some chillingly-directed sequences courtesy of Graeme Harper, particularly Maggie's initial transformation, 'The Waters Of Mars' functioned as a clever riff on the tried-and-tested 'base under siege' plot. The relentless and unstoppable advance of the squishy enemy undoubtedly sent plenty of adults taking up residence behind the sofa with the kids, as a refreshingly bleak tone established events for the forthcoming regeneration and 'The End Of Time'. The Doctor was very much a broken man by the time The Ood arrived, with the process of his psychological dismantling throughout the hour both compelling and horrifying to watch unfold.
As Adelaide, the excellent Lindsay Duncan took a no-frills approach and built on the superb writing to create an abrasive character driven by ambition and a rather touching Dalek-based encounter from her childhood. So thick was her skin that she failed to even swoon in the Time Lord's presence, threatening to kill him unless he revealed the grim truth about her apparent fate. This led to the memorable "you die today" exchange between the pair, whose mutual respect failed to develop into the usual mateyness that happens between The Doctor and his leading female.
The shocking demise of Adelaide left not just a lump in the audience's collective throat, but the poor Doctor with an overriding sense of blood on his hands - despite saving her from her supposed death. Arguably the scariest aspect of 'The Waters Of Mars' was the development of The Doctor himself. "The laws of time are mine!" he boomed maniacally, not unlike his soon-to-return nemesis The Master.
To paraphrase the great man Russell T Davies, good drama is good drama whether it's set in 1759 or 2059. 'The Waters Of Mars' aptly demonstrated this, shocking us into submission with the no-win dilemma that The Doctor had to deal with and plunging us into a claustrophobic and imaginatively visualised Martian environment. Forget going out to buy Christmas presents, start stocking up on the tissues instead. It looks like an emotional time lies ahead for Number Ten...
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Suzanne, London, on November 20th, 2009
I too am getting a little fed up with the typical RTD script. Maybe things will improve when Steven Moffat (who wrote Blink, my favourite Dr Who episode) takes over as lead writer in 2010?
I too am getting a little fed up with the typical RTD script. Maybe things will improve when Steven Moffat (who wrote Blink, my favourite Dr Who episode) takes over as lead writer in 2010?
Donnaj St Louis, MO, on November 19th, 2009
Waters of Mars deserves a Hugo and an Emmy and a BFI for all involved especially David Tennant, Grahaem Harper and Russell T. Davies. And yes, I know its not eligible for an Emmy but its that riveting.
Waters of Mars deserves a Hugo and an Emmy and a BFI for all involved especially David Tennant, Grahaem Harper and Russell T. Davies. And yes, I know its not eligible for an Emmy but its that riveting.
cos, london, on November 19th, 2009
loved it, dt brill as usual, russell t davies is fantastic
loved it, dt brill as usual, russell t davies is fantastic
Mark Renshaw - St Helens, on November 19th, 2009
A fantastic episode which takes us into unknown territory; for the first time we see how menacing the Doctor potentially could be, how little different there is between the Doctor and the Master. I had a theory years ago that the Master was a future regeneration of the Doctor but for some reason neither realise this. It was totally unfounded of course but the ending to Waters of Mars gave me goosebumps! So yeah the concept wasn’t 100% original. We had aspects of John Carpenter’s The Thing, 28 Days Later and even a little Wall-E thrown in to please the kids. However after around 30 seasons and several movies (love the Peter Cushing ones) running over nearly 60 years of television are people going to get so bogged down about originality? I mean really if you’re going to be so picky then avoid watching most TV shows and movies as there’s very little material which doesn’t borrow heavily from other sources. Overall this re-launch of Who has been, as Christopher Eccleston would say, fantastic! The show has grown from strength to strength. Tennant is amazing. As good as Tom Baker at least! Waters of Mars was incredible. Incredible acting, incredible production values (well done BBC Wales. You’ve managed to make a BBC programme look as good as much bigger budgeted US shows) incredible score by Mr Murray yet again and a script which was both classic Who while at the same time showing us a side of the Doctor we’ve never seen before. I thoroughly enjoyed it! The trailer for The End of Time fills me with dread as well as anticipation. I really don’t want to see Tennant go and part of me hopes this is all part of some trick to try and fool us all lol. For those who continue to slam RTD’s Who and say it’s complete rubbish I have to say, why everyone’s entitled to their opinion, why do you watch something you are obviously not enjoying at all? I may be quite mad in my own habits but if I dislike a show so much I usually don’t tune in to the next episode. Bonkers I know!!
A fantastic episode which takes us into unknown territory; for the first time we see how menacing the Doctor potentially could be, how little different there is between the Doctor and the Master. I had a theory years ago that the Master was a future regeneration of the Doctor but for some reason neither realise this. It was totally unfounded of course but the ending to Waters of Mars gave me goosebumps! So yeah the concept wasn’t 100% original. We had aspects of John Carpenter’s The Thing, 28 Days Later and even a little Wall-E thrown in to please the kids. However after around 30 seasons and several movies (love the Peter Cushing ones) running over nearly 60 years of television are people going to get so bogged down about originality? I mean really if you’re going to be so picky then avoid watching most TV shows and movies as there’s very little material which doesn’t borrow heavily from other sources. Overall this re-launch of Who has been, as Christopher Eccleston would say, fantastic! The show has grown from strength to strength. Tennant is amazing. As good as Tom Baker at least! Waters of Mars was incredible. Incredible acting, incredible production values (well done BBC Wales. You’ve managed to make a BBC programme look as good as much bigger budgeted US shows) incredible score by Mr Murray yet again and a script which was both classic Who while at the same time showing us a side of the Doctor we’ve never seen before. I thoroughly enjoyed it! The trailer for The End of Time fills me with dread as well as anticipation. I really don’t want to see Tennant go and part of me hopes this is all part of some trick to try and fool us all lol. For those who continue to slam RTD’s Who and say it’s complete rubbish I have to say, why everyone’s entitled to their opinion, why do you watch something you are obviously not enjoying at all? I may be quite mad in my own habits but if I dislike a show so much I usually don’t tune in to the next episode. Bonkers I know!!
Philip - Fareham, on November 19th, 2009
I don't understand why he didn't just drop them off in the future where it wouldn't cause a temporal conflict. Also, what happened to the Reapers (from Father's Day) ? They turned up when Pete Tyler was 'saved' - why not now..!
I don't understand why he didn't just drop them off in the future where it wouldn't cause a temporal conflict. Also, what happened to the Reapers (from Father's Day) ? They turned up when Pete Tyler was 'saved' - why not now..!
pops in south wales, on November 19th, 2009
"The Waters of Mars" what is there to say,watched it recoded it watched it again, watched it on BBC 3 last night. Enough said
"The Waters of Mars" what is there to say,watched it recoded it watched it again, watched it on BBC 3 last night. Enough said
Jon West, Halifax., on November 19th, 2009
I was very dissapointed. The episode was nothing more than a mish mash of recycled sci-fi ideas, and I think the zombie theme has been flogged to death in recent years (28 days later, etc.). Also the acting was abysmal and the overall pace and timing was inconsistent. To summarise it was a very amateurish and childish plot supposedly targeted at an adult audience.
I was very dissapointed. The episode was nothing more than a mish mash of recycled sci-fi ideas, and I think the zombie theme has been flogged to death in recent years (28 days later, etc.). Also the acting was abysmal and the overall pace and timing was inconsistent. To summarise it was a very amateurish and childish plot supposedly targeted at an adult audience.
dennis norfolk, on November 19th, 2009
How were there external flames when there is no oxegen on mars
How were there external flames when there is no oxegen on mars
Claire, London, on November 19th, 2009
The newspaper flashback is a device which saves time dramatically and Adelaide did not kill herself because of "sheer pique" - watch the episode again if you really think that. She acted bravely and selflessly to protect the future because she realised the potential consequences of The Doctor's actions and it shocked The Doctor out of his meglomania. The shocking change in the behaviour of The Doctor was not such a surprise if you have been watching his development since 2005 and made for great television. It was definitely unsettling for me. And the person who seems to think that Russell T Davies was writing for Doctor Who over a decade ago and was somehow responsible for its demise - well I had to laugh at that! No writer is going to please everyone all of the time. Criticism of RTD is fine and healthy but we shouldn’t forget that without his skill at making Doctor Who contemporary and more appealing to female fans it might not have lasted beyond one new series! DT was awesome as usual. We have been lucky to have such a charismatic and skillful actor playing the role and I will miss him terribly. I thought the tension in the episode built up well to the final exhilirating 10 minutes and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The newspaper flashback is a device which saves time dramatically and Adelaide did not kill herself because of "sheer pique" - watch the episode again if you really think that. She acted bravely and selflessly to protect the future because she realised the potential consequences of The Doctor's actions and it shocked The Doctor out of his meglomania. The shocking change in the behaviour of The Doctor was not such a surprise if you have been watching his development since 2005 and made for great television. It was definitely unsettling for me. And the person who seems to think that Russell T Davies was writing for Doctor Who over a decade ago and was somehow responsible for its demise - well I had to laugh at that! No writer is going to please everyone all of the time. Criticism of RTD is fine and healthy but we shouldn’t forget that without his skill at making Doctor Who contemporary and more appealing to female fans it might not have lasted beyond one new series! DT was awesome as usual. We have been lucky to have such a charismatic and skillful actor playing the role and I will miss him terribly. I thought the tension in the episode built up well to the final exhilirating 10 minutes and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Lou Rowles Surrey, on November 19th, 2009
C'mon guys, it's light entertainment transmitted at 7 pm. I watched it and it entertained me lightly like it's supposed too. Very happy to sit still for a whole hour which is more than can be said for some very, very popular shows. Enjoyed it and no doubt will enjoy the next.
C'mon guys, it's light entertainment transmitted at 7 pm. I watched it and it entertained me lightly like it's supposed too. Very happy to sit still for a whole hour which is more than can be said for some very, very popular shows. Enjoyed it and no doubt will enjoy the next.
steve in leicester, on November 19th, 2009
Am I the only person who thought it didn't really live up to the preview hype? It got off to a great start but then ultimately wasn't nearly as scary as I'd expected. Too much time in the 2nd half taken up with the usual running around, closing the airlocks, with the monsters in pursuit. A bit of a let down. 7/10
Am I the only person who thought it didn't really live up to the preview hype? It got off to a great start but then ultimately wasn't nearly as scary as I'd expected. Too much time in the 2nd half taken up with the usual running around, closing the airlocks, with the monsters in pursuit. A bit of a let down. 7/10
Richard Purves, on November 18th, 2009
Are you out of your minds? This episode just doesn't work! It doesn't work so badly, they had to telegraph the whole point that they're all supposed to die with that damn newspaper flashback. If you have to blatantly spell it out like that, surely you should have written it better in the first place? The already built up characterisation of the Doctor thrown completely aside for a five minute megalomanic moment? This is then followed by a completely unrealistic suicide ... sorry but people just don't kill themselves out of sheer pique. Speaking of characters, i'm getting a little sick of Russell T. Davies almost trademark completely unsympathetic lead characters. Time and time again I see actors and actresses portraying characters so obnoxious that within 30 seconds i'm praying for the damn monsters to get them and save me from any more drivel! The hackneyed and overused "base in peril" plot line? I've lost count how many times that one's been recycled now in Dr. Who. That and the stupid robot with voice. (Note to any scriptwriters out there: repeating an unfunny joke doesn't make it any funnier). Just get out Russell. Seriously. Let Steven Moffat, a man who's proved time and time again he can write and write WELL take over. We might once again have to save this show before it's too late. Dare I say it, we're rapidly heading for Sylvester McCoy territory so no wonder David Tennant is jumping ship while he can.
Are you out of your minds? This episode just doesn't work! It doesn't work so badly, they had to telegraph the whole point that they're all supposed to die with that damn newspaper flashback. If you have to blatantly spell it out like that, surely you should have written it better in the first place? The already built up characterisation of the Doctor thrown completely aside for a five minute megalomanic moment? This is then followed by a completely unrealistic suicide ... sorry but people just don't kill themselves out of sheer pique. Speaking of characters, i'm getting a little sick of Russell T. Davies almost trademark completely unsympathetic lead characters. Time and time again I see actors and actresses portraying characters so obnoxious that within 30 seconds i'm praying for the damn monsters to get them and save me from any more drivel! The hackneyed and overused "base in peril" plot line? I've lost count how many times that one's been recycled now in Dr. Who. That and the stupid robot with voice. (Note to any scriptwriters out there: repeating an unfunny joke doesn't make it any funnier). Just get out Russell. Seriously. Let Steven Moffat, a man who's proved time and time again he can write and write WELL take over. We might once again have to save this show before it's too late. Dare I say it, we're rapidly heading for Sylvester McCoy territory so no wonder David Tennant is jumping ship while he can.
Mark, Hartlepool, on November 18th, 2009
Weak and below par. Without a shred of proof about his time travelling abilities or knowledge the Doctor was believed and someone took their life over that belief. I find that story to lack a large amount of credibility. Effectively we waited an hour for the Doctor to convince himself that he could rescue people from a doomed expedition. There was no tension, no drama, nothing except waiting for the Doctor to drive the TARDIS into the base and get people out. Boring and lacking a lot of story.
Weak and below par. Without a shred of proof about his time travelling abilities or knowledge the Doctor was believed and someone took their life over that belief. I find that story to lack a large amount of credibility. Effectively we waited an hour for the Doctor to convince himself that he could rescue people from a doomed expedition. There was no tension, no drama, nothing except waiting for the Doctor to drive the TARDIS into the base and get people out. Boring and lacking a lot of story.
Marisa from the United States, on November 18th, 2009
I was shocked when I watched the ending, that wasn't my Doctor it was like watching someone you love fall into madness. I think this was the best Doctorwho episode so far and I can't wait for the final. I will miss David terribly he is the reason I watch the show and is it too much to ask for you to broadcast it on your website for us here in America I know your upset about us dumping your tea but get over it!
I was shocked when I watched the ending, that wasn't my Doctor it was like watching someone you love fall into madness. I think this was the best Doctorwho episode so far and I can't wait for the final. I will miss David terribly he is the reason I watch the show and is it too much to ask for you to broadcast it on your website for us here in America I know your upset about us dumping your tea but get over it!
Damian Stuart Hertz, on November 18th, 2009
Boring and unimaginative with about as much suspense as Songs of Praise! The end - up until the idiotic idea that a suposedly intelligent/ heroic figure would be dumb enough to chose suicide over every other available option, was reasonable but in no way made up for 45 mins of 'filler' to 10 mins of story. Awful and deeply dissapointing. Russel T Davies is back to his tricks of "Write something so bad people will be glad to see the end of it" tricks he used to kill off Doctor Who a decade ago. Still vastly better than X factor at least.
Boring and unimaginative with about as much suspense as Songs of Praise! The end - up until the idiotic idea that a suposedly intelligent/ heroic figure would be dumb enough to chose suicide over every other available option, was reasonable but in no way made up for 45 mins of 'filler' to 10 mins of story. Awful and deeply dissapointing. Russel T Davies is back to his tricks of "Write something so bad people will be glad to see the end of it" tricks he used to kill off Doctor Who a decade ago. Still vastly better than X factor at least.
Yvonne, Doncaster, on November 18th, 2009
I thought this was one of the best Dr Who episodes ever, dark, unyielding, with the ever-present sense of impending doom. Yet not without the occasional, characteristic humour we're used to seeing on the 'Doctor', such as, the wondrous robot. I wish DT were staying a while longer, he has shown himself to be a worthy Doctor, almost as great as Tom Baker IMHO.
I thought this was one of the best Dr Who episodes ever, dark, unyielding, with the ever-present sense of impending doom. Yet not without the occasional, characteristic humour we're used to seeing on the 'Doctor', such as, the wondrous robot. I wish DT were staying a while longer, he has shown himself to be a worthy Doctor, almost as great as Tom Baker IMHO.
Sid, Out there somewhere, on November 18th, 2009
For those wishing Doctor Who was more dark and gritty than this, (I can't remember who said it) I think you need to find something that's actually written solely for adults. A woman shot herself in the head at the end of the episode because of something the Doctor did. If you want darker than that, stop watching family programming.
For those wishing Doctor Who was more dark and gritty than this, (I can't remember who said it) I think you need to find something that's actually written solely for adults. A woman shot herself in the head at the end of the episode because of something the Doctor did. If you want darker than that, stop watching family programming.
robinupps, uk, on November 17th, 2009
much better without the kids.
much better without the kids.
Daniella, Bury, on November 17th, 2009
It's interesting how if you don't like the episode, you get told to 'grow up' because of discussing plot holes or lack of originality, and that somehow, because you think about it a little bit more than most, this makes you less intelligent. No, rather it makes us rather less willing to ass kiss - simply because Tennant graces our TV screens once again is no substitute for a good plot and a good script. Unfortunately this episode presented neither. Not scary, not thought-provoking, just... another episode. It's as if they chucked the entire episode together just so that they could set up the Christmas special. And I really hope they have a good Christmas episode - there's so much potential with the Master but it didn't quite deliver last time. Don't get me wrong, John Simm definitely delivered, but the story just wasn't complex enough. Just because it's called a 'children's show' doesn't mean you should compromise the integrity of programme. It's almost insulting.
It's interesting how if you don't like the episode, you get told to 'grow up' because of discussing plot holes or lack of originality, and that somehow, because you think about it a little bit more than most, this makes you less intelligent. No, rather it makes us rather less willing to ass kiss - simply because Tennant graces our TV screens once again is no substitute for a good plot and a good script. Unfortunately this episode presented neither. Not scary, not thought-provoking, just... another episode. It's as if they chucked the entire episode together just so that they could set up the Christmas special. And I really hope they have a good Christmas episode - there's so much potential with the Master but it didn't quite deliver last time. Don't get me wrong, John Simm definitely delivered, but the story just wasn't complex enough. Just because it's called a 'children's show' doesn't mean you should compromise the integrity of programme. It's almost insulting.
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I have watched this twice and in general love it, but both times I am very disturbed by seeing the little robot Gadget driving through infected water to get to the TARDIS, and then a few minutes later rolling out of the TARDIS back on earth when just one drop is supposed to be so dangerous and the whole point of the exercise was not to bring any of the infected water back to earth. Did nobody else notice this??