Doctor Who 5/9/2008 "Planet Of The Ood"

[cheesesteak]

Not a bad episode but definitely not the best of the year so far. I wouldn't mind not seeing the Ood again for a while.

[SoldOnTivoToo]

I like how Donna is developping into her own kind of character. Not the "cute, but too young" Rose or the "madly in love" Martha. She really thinks about the situations she gets into and is becoming the Doctor's conscience. She REALLY feels about other beings and it is not limited to humans.

I especially like how she pushed the Doctor to really looked into the Ood's slavery and see the ugly side of exploiting another race. I loved when she said "Are you keeping companions so you can rub our noses in humanity's mistakes?"

I'm glad the writers are pushing the character this way. Her Christmas special was my least favorite Doctor Who episode.

[tivolovr]

Gotta defend the Ood here. First off, best alien name -- instant giggle. Second, their passiveness adds a creepy layer that feels Whovian. Third, a giant brain! -- 'nuf said.

In terms of story it was a bit heavy handed with the cattle cars of Oods but the heart of the story was clearly in the right place. Good continuity with the use of the Ood as soothsayers. Allowed a subtle way to move the Series theme along without excessive exposition.

I agree with the poster re Donna growing as a character. By keeping the emotional connection between her and the Doctor strong yet very different from what he had with Rose it allows for fresh storytelling and will let whatever the emotional ramifications of Rose's return are to stand alone.

[betts4]

I am liking Donna but hoping she doesn't become too much of a 'conscience' and has some fun just hanging out with the Doctor.

I will say I laughed when the Doctor was being chased by the giant claw/hand. I was reminded of the games in the arcades where there is a box full of toys and you use the claw to grab one of them.

[Fleegle]

I was afraid I wasn't going to like Donna, because I really hated her in the Christmas Special, but she's a much better character than I expected. Bravo!

[nirisahn]

Donna is starting to grow on me, too. It's nice to see someone interact differently with the Doctor and not just be infatuated with him. So far this season is shaping up very nicely.

[danterner]

I've liked Donna from the beginning. I wouldn't want her as MY companion, but she's entertaining to watch on the show and I like her as a foil for The Doctor. I enjoyed her in the Christmas special, and this season has been great.

[spikedavis]

Agreed here too. Rose will always hold a place in my heart-but Donna is really great. They really created a different dynamic with her.

[Church AV Guy]

I liked Martha much better than Rose, so that comparison with Donna isn't really too important to me. But Donna talked the Doctor into saving one family last week, and a whole race this week, so the Doctor's comment to her about how sometimes he needs another point of view speaks very clearly as to why he always travels with a companion or two. She is not the intellectual, but the emotional, though not wildly so. I really disliked the Christmas episode with her, and I am happy that they have made her a much more likeable character. Her line about how she wanted to experience the wonder of otherworldly travel, and how disgusted she was by the reality, and how she just wanted to go home, was a good summary of what the show is all about. In the end she did not want to go home again, because there were more "wrongs to right" in the universe (she didn't say that, but that was how I took it when she said "no" to going back home).

[Magister]

I ended up enjoying this episode a lot. Donna is growing on me as well. I noticed in this episode that she had gained a lot of weight from her Xmas episode. But, she looks like a real woman, hell she is upper 30's I guess and not a hot little 20 something like the prior two.

[Mars Rocket]

Catherine Tate (Donna) turned 40 this year.

[busyba]

Catherine Tate (Donna) turned 40 this year.

Really? :eek: I would have pegged her at a bit older than that.

Must be that British weather. :)

[Anubys]

the Doctor never lacked a conscience before...so I fail to see why he needed to lose some of it so Donna can supply it...

I don't see the use for her character...I liked the contrast between Rose/Martha and the Doctor...there's no contrast here and so the relationship doesn't work for me...

[trainman]

I'm still a little unclear on how the Ood managed to survive as a species having to carry their brains in their hands. Seems like it would cause all sorts of problems.

[spikedavis]

Really? :eek: I would have pegged her at a bit older than that.

Must be that British weather. :)

"ello guvnur!

[5thcrewman]

I'm still a little unclear on how the Ood managed to survive as a species having to carry their brains in their hands. Seems like it would cause all sorts of problems.

Especially at Ood concerts!

[dianebrat]

I'm still a little unclear on how the Ood managed to survive as a species having to carry their brains in their hands. Seems like it would cause all sorts of problems.

It was only one of their three brains, I'm pretty sure they referred to a mid-brain, and hind-brain, and then the mega-brain, (ok, sue me.. I don't remember the big brain's name)

It was very sweet the way the Doctor pointed out that since the Ood travel with an exposed brain, that they have to have trust in those whom they meet.

Diane

[busyba]

I'm still a little unclear on how the Ood managed to survive as a species having to carry their brains in their hands. Seems like it would cause all sorts of problems.

No kidding... talk about unintelligent design. :)

[busyba]

It was very sweet the way the Doctor pointed out that since the Ood travel with an exposed brain, that they have to have trust in those whom they meet.

it was Donna

[dianebrat]

it was Donna
tyvm!
(old brain syndrome.. I'm always happy I get the show correct!)

[ADent]

So what did the Doctor do in this episode? Delay the deployment of the gas? Seems like the Technician lowered the circle and the Ood were on their way to revolt anyways.

Also can the planet support an additional 200 million (1/3) brain dead residents?

[NJChris]

So what did the Doctor do in this episode? Delay the deployment of the gas? Seems like the Technician lowered the circle and the Ood were on their way to revolt anyways.

Since nobody responded - The Ood got out and locked the guard in to get gassed. The doctor might not have done much but I look at him as along for the ride many times.

And I don't know why everyone has to constantly say how they didn't like her in the Christmas special. I thought she was great and loved her comic timing. I don't get the hate.

[TheSlyBear]

And I don't know why everyone has to constantly say how they didn't like her in the Christmas special. I thought she was great and loved her comic timing. I don't get the hate.
Ditto. I liked her then, and I like her even more now.

[Rob Helmerichs]

And I don't know why everyone has to constantly say how they didn't like her in the Christmas special. I thought she was great and loved her comic timing. I don't get the hate.
I liked her in the special but thought she was definitely not companion material as written there. The changes they've made in toning down the character have made her great companion material.