It's been a rough few years for Whovians, but all is well again. The incomparable R. T. Davies is back in the showrunner's seat. I never imagined it possible, but he is even better than he was when he brought the TARDIS out of moth balls. This episode has all of the cheeky humor I loved in his prior run. The writing is as sharp as ever, intricately woven for hardcore Whovians and new viewers in equal measure. He brought Tennant and Tate burst back into our lives with all of the quirky, delicious repartee I loved in series 4. Seeing Jacqueline King again is like meeting an old friend, and I couldn't get enough of her dogged determination to protect Donna from her memories. The newcomer, Yasmin Finney, has the quick wit and authenticity of her TV mom. I couldn't get enough of her! And we finally get some time with Karl Collins's Shaun Temple, and he's a perfect fit for the joyously unconventional Nobles.
I'm personally thrilled beyond measure for the return of the phenomenal Murray Gold. Even without the gorgeous sets and special effects, Gold's soundtrack is the embodiment of the excitement and frivolity of this episode. I don't know that I've ever felt such overwhelming joy from one episode of TV. If you've never watched Doctor Who, or if you stopped watching in recent years, give it 57 minutes. You will be a Whovian forever.
I'm personally thrilled beyond measure for the return of the phenomenal Murray Gold. Even without the gorgeous sets and special effects, Gold's soundtrack is the embodiment of the excitement and frivolity of this episode. I don't know that I've ever felt such overwhelming joy from one episode of TV. If you've never watched Doctor Who, or if you stopped watching in recent years, give it 57 minutes. You will be a Whovian forever.