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Doctor Who: The Star Beast Review – David Tennant and Catherine Tate Revive the Show with Fun and Fast-Paced Adventure

Review of Doctor Who episode "The Star Beast" – David Tennant and Catherine Tate bring new life to the show. This festive special by Russell T Davies is fun, light, and quick-paced, getting the series back on a thrilling path. The comedic chemistry between the two leads is flawless.

Doctor Who has a lot to celebrate, being 60 years old this month. It now has a new partnership with Disney+ and has moved on from the previous era with Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall. Russell T Davies, a beloved showrunner, is back and has chosen Ncuti Gatwa as the new Doctor, bringing hope and a fresh start to the show.

Leading up to Gatwa's arrival on December 25th, there are additional gifts to enjoy, such as a luxurious Advent calendar that is just as exciting as your main Christmas present. Three special episodes feature David Tennant as the Doctor and Catherine Tate as his companion Donna Noble, a duo that hasn't been seen together in the "Whoniverse" since 2010. Their return is a delightful surprise, and the first new story, The Star Beast, is full of lively and playful energy.

After returning to Earth, the Doctor is surprised to see his friend Donna again. Before the story begins, Tennant and Tate take turns speaking directly to the camera to remind viewers that Donna once saved the world by absorbing the Doctor's knowledge, but he had to erase her memory to save her. Since then, Donna has been living a normal life, feeling like something is missing. If she remembers the Doctor, it could be dangerous for her.

The story is based on a 1980 comic book called Doctor Who and the Star Beast, where a spaceship crashes in London, leading to a small furry creature named Beep the Meep seeking refuge in Donna's shed to escape assassins known as the Wrarth Warriors. The battles and chases in the story show evidence of a higher budget, with the Doctor's sonic screwdriver now able to create cosmic maps and floating bulletproof glass. Despite the upgrades, Doctor Who maintains its quirky, slightly comedic, and British charm. Beep the Meep is portrayed with the voice of an elderly woman by Miriam Margolyes, and the Wrarth Warriors are tall men with green heads that appear to be made from papier mache. The Doctor, Donna's family, and Beep manage to escape thanks to a flaw in the party walls of a suburban Victorian terrace.

Davies is a writer who isn't afraid to speak up when he feels something important needs to be addressed, especially when given a platform. In his latest work, he reaches out to a specific group of Who fans. The character Donna has a transgender daughter named Rose, portrayed by Yasmin Finney in Heartstopper. Through early scenes, Donna is shown as a strong protector of her daughter, who has grown and thrived unexpectedly. On the other hand, Rose's grandmother Sylvia, played by Jacqueline King, worries about accidentally saying something insensitive or using the wrong pronouns.

The way Rose is portrayed in the episode is sensitive, well-informed, and ultimately empowering – she gains strength from the experience. Additionally, Davies includes comedic moments, such as when the Doctor and the Noble family ask the Meep about its gender identity, leading to a humorous exchange about pronouns.

The Doctor responds with a simple "Oh, I do that." Reflecting on the Doctor's pronouns and coming to the conclusion that they are simply "the" is a signature characteristic of Davies' writing style.

Regarding the ending of the episode, it sticks to a common structure seen in Doctor Who episodes where the focus is not on telling a traditional story but on introducing a new cast of characters. About halfway through, there is a surprising twist that changes the direction of the plot, and ultimately a convenient solution is found just in time to save the day. However, it may not hold up under close scrutiny if viewers were to analyze it too closely.

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Following that, there is a brief moment to unveil a stunning and luxurious new Tardis interior, before Tennant and Tate, with their impeccable comedic rapport, depart for episode two. Doctor Who is back in full swing.

An episode of Doctor Who called The Star Beast was shown on BBC One and is available to watch on iPlayer

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