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The Doctor: David Tennant
Rose Tyler: Billie Piper
Mickey Smith: Noel Clarke
Sarah Jane Smith: Elisabeth Sladen
Mr Finch: Anthony Stewart Head
K-9's Voice: John Leeson
Synopsis:
Shape-shifting aliens called Krillitanes have infiltrated a High School, and
it's up to The Doctor and Rose to save the day, with the help of two
familiar friends...
The third episode of the new season begins in a strange fashion, with
Anthony Stewart Head (stuffy Giles from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, right) stalking
the corridors of a school before apparently devouring a child. This scene
immediately sets the tone for School Reunion – it's Goosebumps does The
Faculty, everyone!
The Doctor and Rose are undercover at an inner-city High School, where a
group of replacement teachers under the leadership of Head's Mr Finch, are
actually bat-like shape-shifters called Krillitanes. Writer Toby Whitmore's
debut on the series is very uninspiring, with a frivolous plot that was
probably developed with an eye on the show's young demographic. While I'm
sure the episode provoked plenty of Monday morning chatter for school
children everywhere, it was a missed opportunity to not have the kids take
center stage in the episode itself.
This is very much another adventure for The Doctor and Rose, with Mickey
making another unwanted return -- although this is by far his most palatable
appearance. So, while Whitmore's alien teachers plot is very derivative, the
real emphasis in for the episode is the titular reunion of The Doctor and
his ex-companion Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen). One of the joys of
Doctor Who's return has been its ability to answer some of the questions
that have plagued the series, or tap into ideas that the show has bizarrely
never touched. Here, we finally discover what happens to The Doctors'
companions once they part company with the Time Lord, and why The Doctor
chooses to circulate his fellow travelers anyway.
Elisabeth Sladen (right, with Billie Piper) reprises her role as if she's never been away. She may be
30 years older, but she's lost none of the spark and vitality her character
had with Jon Pertwee or Tom Baker in the TARDIS. Her character's initially
frosty relationship with Rose is also very well played by both actresses.
Also returning to the series is K-9, the robot dog created by Tom Baker's
Doctor in the 70's, who gets a few enjoyable scenes and is instrumental in
the climactic sequence with rampaging Krillitanes and Anthony Stewart Head
gurning maniacally.
School Reunion is undoubtedly a mediocre episode elevated by some great
character moments (Mickey's realization he's the current "tin dog" is
excellent), but this has very little meat to its bones. Anthony Stewart Head
actually disappoints as Mr Finch, for while he's perfected villainous
elocution and body language, he can't improve on what is basically a
terribly clichéd role that eventually spirals into grimaces to camera.
David Tennant has yet to prove his worth as the new Doctor, still stuck in a
rut since New Earth and unable to move beyond genial and overly excitable
geek. There are moments here that again scratch at a darker surface, but
Tennant too often deflates the drama with misplaced cockney glee. But, it
took Christopher Eccleston awhile to settle into the role, so Tennant has
time yet to strike the right balance.
The Krillitane CGI effects throughout the episode veer wildly in quality.
Shots with a Krillitane perched on the school roof with Anthony Stewart Head
are laughably bad and a real low-point for the new series. The Krillitane
creatures themselves tend to look fake close-up, but are quite effectively
rendered and animated during the climactic school chase sequence.
Overall, School Reunion is undemanding fun for pre-teens, but holds special
significance to those who remember the days of Sarah Jane Smith and K-9. But
the premise is clichéd tosh and ultimately offers nothing particularly
memorable outside of its special guest stars. The fact an episode featuring
children (the target audience for the show) forgets to include kids in the
adventure is also a travesty. There is a final throwaway moment when a boy
is exalted for "blowing up the school" by his friends, but why wasn't his
character more integral to the plot?
Thankfully, the episode's saving grace is the excellent character
interaction and intriguing old-meets-new conceit between Rose and Sarah
Jane. Whether this is enough to rescue a generally weak episode is up to
you.
NEW WEEK: The Doctor and Rose investigate spooky masked aliens in Georgian
England.
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Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Series 1 Boxset:
Synopsis:
Shape-shifting aliens called Krillitanes have infiltrated a High School, and
it's up to The Doctor and Rose to save the day, with the help of two
familiar friends...
This is very much another adventure for The Doctor and Rose, with Mickey
making another unwanted return -- although this is by far his most palatable
appearance. So, while Whitmore's alien teachers plot is very derivative, the
real emphasis in for the episode is the titular reunion of The Doctor and
his ex-companion Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen). One of the joys of
Doctor Who's return has been its ability to answer some of the questions
that have plagued the series, or tap into ideas that the show has bizarrely
never touched. Here, we finally discover what happens to The Doctors'
companions once they part company with the Time Lord, and why The Doctor
chooses to circulate his fellow travelers anyway.
