S03E06: 'The Lazarus Experiment'

When Doctor Who made its triumphant return to the screen in 2005, many were worried about the length of the new 45 minute episodes, fearing that storylines would become too condensed and frenetic. Well, 'The Lazarus Experiment' definitely quashes those notions. For its minimal plot would barely struggle to fill one of the old series' 25 minute episodes…

After a promising beginning, once Lazarus’s DNA starts turning him into an impressively realised monster we’re subjected to stale, repetitive chase sequences that seem devoid of any inspiration and reek of padding.

Director Richard Clark, who helmed the magnificent 'Gridlock', does his best to salvage the lacklustre script with some visual flourishes. The sequence where the Lazarus monster invades the downstairs party is particularly well shot. The quick cuts and splattered food convey danger and death through the power of suggestion and visual metaphor, which is appropriate given that youngsters are watching. In terms of its montage value, this scene is the Doctor Who equivalent of the Odessa Steps sequence from Battleship Potemkin, except with a DNA changing beast and crushed vol-au-vents instead of a pram.

The sermonising about what it means to be human has been mostly absorbing in recent episodes, and the conversation between Lazarus and The Doctor in Southwark cathedral briefly revives interest in the narrative, with both Mark Gatiss and David Tennant displaying their acting prowess. A fascinating and socially relevant debate about whether humanity should strive to avoid death or face up to it is also coaxed out in their conversation.

The ending to the episode feels highly contrived in a bid to appear grandiose and quirky. Suspension of disbelief is a given when watching a series like Doctor Who but we still want to believe in the reality of the situation and fear for the characters when they are in peril. But there's a real feeling of unease that Martha is placed in such a position of jeopardy by the organ-playing Doctor, as she comes ridiculously close to falling to her death.

Her fate, as she clutches onto the edge, lies entirely with Lazarus, but he inexplicably dawdles and plunges to his death whilst sister Tish just manages to save her. This was part of The Doctor’s plan – foe the duo to lead Lazarus to the bell tower - and it goes against the grain and essence of the character that he should allow Martha’s life to fall into the pincers of the malevolent Lazarus. It all feels so woefully misjudged.