Liberty In Chains

When we first see The Doctor he's without a companion, and traveling the universe for pleasure. He lands on Mars, and while taking a walk across the Martian surface (wearing the same spacesuit he wore in The Satan Pit) he stumbles upon a human base. But when he realises he's on Bowie Base One, and the exact date, The Doctor is torn between staying and helping the crew, or leaving.

The events on Bowie Base One are a fixed point in time, directly affecting the future of the human race. The Doctor knows not to get involved, as there are rules governing the actions of Time Lords in such matters.

The Waters of Mars is a good episode. Lindsay Duncan is very believable as Captain Adelaide Brooke, and the ensemble cast works well. We also see a very different side to The Doctor, and we are reminded of Donna's theory that The Doctor sometimes needs a companion to stop him from going too far.

There are a few plot niggles, but that doesn't spoil watching the episode. The Flood are genuinely terrifying, and I can see them inspiring a few nightmares in younger people. The Waters of Mars is kind of like a one hour sci-fi horror movie, as the crew get picked off one by one by The Flood.

The ending sets up the next episode in the specials, The End of Time, and we get a tease of the return of an old friend, and an old enemy.

The next live action episode of Doctor Who is (finally) being screened on BBC1 at 7pm tomorrow.