S04E06: 'The Doctor's Daughter'

Published Sunday, May 11 2008, 12:12 BST | By Ben Rawson-Jones | 51 comments

The concept was decent in theory. The Doctor has a hand in a machine instead of a bun in the oven and - voila - a Time Lady is born. Sadly, not even impressive performances from fictional father and daughter can save this dud.

'The Doctor's Daughter' throws up the usual issues about warfare and identity, but there is one main question that pervades the lumbersome 45 minutes: Martha Jones - what is the point?

Freema Agyeman is bubbly and conveys a wide-eyed sense of fun in the role, yet that doesn't excuse the dismal treatment given to her character in this story. Her subplot with the pitiful-looking Hath is very poorly developed and pointless, although the bizarre bog death scene is strangely moving because of Martha's emotional reaction. But were Martha's subsequent tears for the perished Hath or her own 'excess baggage' existence in the story?

The central human versus Hath plot is lacklustre and so 'by numbers' that presumably an abacus was used as much as a keyboard during the development of the script. In particular, General Cobb is pure cardboard cut-out villain. Bring back Soldeed from 'The Horns of Nimon' or Tekker from 'Timelash' over this contrived goon any day. Furthermore, the numerical sequences that Donna keeps pondering lead to a terribly underwhelming revelation about the duration of the war.

Georgia Moffett is sturdy enough as Jenny, giving her the right spirit, arrogance and compassion that befits a sprog of the Time Lord. She certainly deserved a stronger narrative context for her debut. Similarly deserving of a better surrounding story is David Tennant, who marvellously conveys the conflicting joy and gloom of his sudden return to fatherhood. Such moral dilemmas allow him to scrape back the layers of his persona and expose the raw, emotional soul of the lonely time traveller.

The Doctor and Jenny also trade some fascinating dialogue on whether the former is a fighting soldier or not, despite his refusal to use weapons. Does a clockwork mouse differ from a gun when the strategy behind its use may be militarial? Irrespective, the mouse deserves its own spin off show. It certainly has better characterisation and appeal than the Hath.

Underdeveloped and disappointing, 'The Doctor's Daughter' is not without the occasional flourish from Tennant and Moffett. Let's just hope that this story is a blip and the impending visit to Agatha Christie is a corker (which it definitely is!).

> What do you think of the episode? Share your views

More: David Tennant, Georgia Moffett, Freema Agyeman, TV, Doctor Who

Your Views

51 Comments

Your Responses

Rick, on January 4th, 2011
When are we going to see more of The Doctor's Daughter? Would love to see more!

Liam, Cambridgeshire, UK , on August 9th, 2008
Digital Spy - what a load of old tosh. I'm sorry but I have to disagree with everything negative, this episode was one of the finest I've seen. Martha, in my opinion, was given a brilliant subplot - perfectly exploring her capability to work independently, and without the need to scream for the Doctor (something she was partial to in the third series). The scene in which she is saved from death by quick sand by a Hath just shows how vulnerable she is to attack after adapting to normal cotemporary life on Earth. The fact that the inhabitants of Messaline had been fighting for a mere seven days was fascinating, and cleverly shows how the character of Donna is moving into shape. Personally, I had fears that this episode would greatly disappoint - but the potrayal of each and every character, the genius of the script, the beautiful music and the idea that the Doctor is constantly losing a loved one (which echoes through the show's history) kept me engaged til the end. Giving the mouse a spn-off? Surely Jenny deserves a show of her own instead... All in all: Brilliant :)

James Mooring York, on June 9th, 2008
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Oh i do apologize i must have dozed of after thinking of this Great(cough,cough) episode. Whats the point ov Martha bieng in it. And 'Brilliant' plot. The only thing that kept me awake was jenny.

Dan York, on June 9th, 2008
Alright Plot. Brill acting jenny is quite fit then again most blondes are.

Tom Chicago, on June 1st, 2008
I loved the concept loved Georgia Moffett and was disappointed by the story. The Doctor had so much to be conflicted about and did but was not given enough time or space to really get into it. Many of the same issues could have been explored that were dealt with in the episodes with the Master, last of his kind, the military element vs the doctor's ways. I hear that Moffatt might be the next companion for the Doctor, I think that would be wonderful on so many levels.

Clive, Bath, on May 27th, 2008
Completely agree with your review. Why does Martha Jones, Freedom Fighter and Saviour of the planet earth blubb when the Dolphin with a bottle of Mountain Dew in his head (Sorry, "Hath") dies, when her would-be boyfriend (now fiance) in last year's "Last of the Timelords" doesn't even warrant a single tear. Also, did anyone else think that the end of the episode, while I would have felt cheated if there wasn't SOME sort of a regeneration, smacked of "Here comes another spin-off series"? Ah, it could have been done a lot better, I was all hyped up for lots of nods to Susan not Send in the Clones!, and Freeman was badly under-used. 2/5 please try harder!

Jon, London, on May 20th, 2008
Really enjoyed it, loved The Hath and the twist was great: couldn't disagree more with your review.

Laurent, Switzerland, on May 19th, 2008
Loved it, especially the daughter- she reminds me of a younger Tamzin Outhwaite, especially the smile. I hope we see her back in some more episodes. Yes it was a bit cheesy, but so what, the characters made up for that and it was a great story on another planet for a change. I do think we are having too many earth based plots so its great to explore the universe a bit.

Laura, Dundee, on May 18th, 2008
One of the worst episodes ever of Dr Who second only to Love and Monsters.

Sara, Teesside, on May 17th, 2008
I'm guessing I wasn't alone in wishing the writer hadn't copped out with bringing Jenny back from the dead. I was really frustrated at the direction of the whole episode.

Ana, London, on May 16th, 2008
Well, my thought was that the whole Jenny thing is to spin off another series - this time aimed at teenagers, if Russell T can get the funding from the BBC to go alongside the Sarah Jane Adventures for younger children......

Kimberly Krauch, USA, on May 16th, 2008
I loved this episode. It made me cry for the doctor when she died. David was wonderful showing emotions. He is the best....

Beccy, Paignton, on May 15th, 2008
I completely disagree with most of this review. I thought that the character of Jenny was superb and gave many young girls who watched it a character to ‘play’ with their friends. The Doctor is the only main character who is special because of his deduction skills and time travelling. But now Jenny is also special and gives girls a character. The Hath were lovely, slightly random, but lovely. I do, however, agree with the Martha Jones comment. It was her fault that that Hath died and it was her fault that they left Jenny behind because the Doctor wanted to wait to see if she regenerated! She has always been an annoying character and Donna was a very good replacement even though many people doubted her ability to play a serious role instead of her comedy. She is an excellent contrast to the other assistants and I hope that she does travel with him ‘forever’.

Erin, Canada, on May 15th, 2008
I don't disagree with anything in this review, except that I wasn't disappointed despite the unrealized potential of the episode. Yes, it should have either been a two parter, or the focus more narrowed - but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

Vic, Newcastle, on May 14th, 2008
What can I say - Martha?? Grrr, waste of space from last series gets dragged into Torchwood then after a potentially decent airing in her role with UNIT gets dragged into this story with about as much welcome as Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars. Story itself - nice idea, since the TimeLord back in the fargone years vs The Darleks had not only a daughter, but grand daughter with him in his travels. Trouble is we are running 45 minute episodes NOT 4 25 minute episodes which, actually, would have allowed this story to work better. Overall cliched, and whilst it held my attention, I found my meatballs and pasta had more substance. Roll on Felicity Kendall and Agatha Christie :D

Steve, Wolverhampton, on May 14th, 2008
Bloody brilliant again... When will the BBC learn that what we want is 18/7 Dr Who? (Well, you need 6 hours sleep a day)

Simon, Bradford, on May 14th, 2008
Angela, London - This is my take on Jenny's 'regeneration' : She was created purely from the Doctor's biological makeup mixed with whatever gloopy chemicals were in suspension to create a humanoid body (DT talked through this pseudo-science so quickly I didn't catch it all! Something about extrapolating, I think...). Perhaps having only one Timelord parent has negated her ability to completely alter her physical self in the same way the Doctor (and other Timelords/ladies) does. Or, as in The Christmas Invasion, perhaps she was within so many hours of her first incarnation that she could repair the damage to her body. Something I vaguely recall from the classic series is that a Timelord would be able to survive with one heart beating whilst the other repairs itself (if Jenny was shot in the chest - shootings in Doctor Who are always vague so as to remain 'family friendly' !). So perhaps there was no need for her to fully regenerate on this occasion.

Paul, Doncaster, England, on May 13th, 2008
One thing I've noticed in the reviews and comments is that almost everybody seems to think that Martha's role in this ep was pointless, even though most admit that Freema was very good in it. I don't think her scenes were pointless at all. Her establishing an actual relationship with the Hath is important to show the viewer that they're not monsters and humans can relate to them. Surely I can't be the only one who sees that. Does everybody else think it's simply sufficient that the Doc has decided the war is wrong and we can take that on trust despite the numerous times he's been mistaken? Gelth, anybody? Without Martha's scenes, how could we know that the Hath were NOT the villains and they wouldn't just slaughter the humans if they disarmed? Paul

Steve, on May 13th, 2008
All will be reviewed as to why she was placed in the Tardis. It was not under developed, as Donna Noble is an excellent side kick and full of humour and the voice piece for the viewers. Freema was used to show that the other side were at war and were as peaceful and thoughtful if not better than the human kind. It was also showing the viewer how she has developed into a full fledged Doctor, if you were listened to the plots. For those who have been with the programme since watching as many episodes designed from 1963 onwards, having a large Tardis crew can be misleading and or a great combination, this had the correct combination. With the Doctors daughter being left behind, I only hope that the BBC production crew return her to to fathers side as a brilliant side kick. For Georgia Moffett, was witty, sexy, and thats whats needed as an assistant.

Angela, London, on May 13th, 2008
What I didn't understand about this episode is was Jenny supposed to have "regenerated" why she didn't turn into someone else - like the doctor always does. Seems to deny the series own logic...

Next 20 Responses

Tube Talk