Doctor Who's Tragical History TourDoctor Who's Tragical History Tour
  • Nu-Who
    • Ncuti Gatwa
    • Jodie Whittaker
    • Peter Capaldi
    • Matt Smith
    • David Tennant
    • Christopher Eccleston
  • Tweeners
    • John Hurt
    • Paul McGann
    • The Master List
    • Regeneration X
    • The Mystery Guest
    • The Hand of Fear
  • Colo(u)r
    • Sylvester McCoy
    • Colin Baker
    • Peter Davison
    • Tom Baker
    • Jon Pertwee
  • Monochrome
    • Patrick Troughton
    • William Hartnell
  • Tour du Jour
    • On This Day
    • The House of Holmes
    • 50 for 50
    • The Randomizer
    • THT Rand-o-pix of the Day
    • The Feast of Steven
    • Tour Notz
    • The Watcher
    • Contact the Tour
X (Twitter) Instagram Tumblr RSS
Doctor Who's Tragical History Tour
X (Twitter) Instagram Tumblr RSS
  • Nu-Who
    1. Ncuti Gatwa
    2. Jodie Whittaker
    3. Peter Capaldi
    4. Matt Smith
    5. David Tennant
    6. Christopher Eccleston
    7. View All

    Who Told You There Wouldn’t Be Any Math?

    December 5, 2022

    The Next-iest of Doctors

    May 29, 2022

    Svelte 16

    May 8, 2022

    Who Told You There Wouldn’t Be Any Math?

    December 5, 2022

    B-Bye Bradley

    October 6, 2022

    Svelte 16

    May 8, 2022

    Now You Sea Devil, No You Don’t

    April 24, 2022

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    E-Spaced

    August 4, 2023

    Svelte 16

    May 8, 2022

    The Dark Jacket Dimension

    November 13, 2021

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (54→49)

    September 20, 2023

    E-Spaced

    August 4, 2023

    Who Told You There Wouldn’t Be Any Math?

    December 5, 2022

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (54→49)

    September 20, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (60→55)

    September 15, 2023

    Who Told You There Wouldn’t Be Any Math?

    December 5, 2022

    The Next-iest of Doctors

    May 29, 2022

    The Dark Jacket Dimension

    November 13, 2021

    The (W)hole Ruth

    January 31, 2020

    Ten Days Till the Tenthiversary of the Tenting of the Tenth

    December 22, 2019

    The Last ‘Last Christmas’ Specials Rankings #3

    December 24, 2018

    Stotz v. Stotz: A Love Story

    October 1, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    Toyz in the Good

    September 24, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (54→49)

    September 20, 2023
  • Tweeners
    1. John Hurt
    2. Paul McGann
    3. The Master List
    4. Regeneration X
    5. The Mystery Guest
    6. The Hand of Fear
    7. View All

    Hurt So Good: A Doctor and His Umbrella

    April 27, 2023

    Who Told You There Wouldn’t Be Any Math?

    December 5, 2022

    Svelte 16

    May 8, 2022

    Ten’ll Get You Five

    September 4, 2020

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (60→55)

    September 15, 2023

    McGann Before McGann

    May 26, 2023

    … And All That Yaz

    November 16, 2022

    Fivey at Forty: The First Companion Death of 1982

    March 16, 2022

    Stotz v. Stotz: A Love Story

    October 1, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    Toyz in the Good

    September 24, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (54→49)

    September 20, 2023

    Ghost Re-Write

    November 16, 2021

    The (W)hole Ruth

    January 31, 2020

    Dup-topia

    January 29, 2020

    The Glue Guy

    June 24, 2018

    Doctor on Doctor ACTION!

    November 19, 2017

    The Wheel in Cheese

    August 10, 2014

    The Hurt Locker

    May 25, 2013

    Stotz v. Stotz: A Love Story

    October 1, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    Toyz in the Good

    September 24, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (54→49)

    September 20, 2023

    Stotz v. Stotz: A Love Story

    October 1, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    Toyz in the Good

    September 24, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (54→49)

    September 20, 2023
  • Colo(u)r
    1. Sylvester McCoy
    2. Colin Baker
    3. Peter Davison
    4. Tom Baker
    5. Jon Pertwee
    6. View All

    A Studio Film (or rather a film in the studio)

    June 9, 2023

    … And All That Yaz

    November 16, 2022

    Fivey at Forty: The First Companion Death of 1982

    March 16, 2022

    Roomba With a Prenumbra

    March 1, 2022

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (60→55)

    September 15, 2023

    Hurt So Good: A Doctor and His Umbrella

    April 27, 2023

    … And All That Yaz

    November 16, 2022

    Stotz v. Stotz: A Love Story

    October 1, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (54→49)

    September 20, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (60→55)

    September 15, 2023

    The Inevitable Adric

    July 14, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (54→49)

    September 20, 2023

    Destiny of the Costume Closet

    September 1, 2023

    The Inevitable Adric

    July 14, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    McGann Before McGann

    May 26, 2023

    The Warrior Before Time

    May 19, 2023

    Purple Shag Carpet

    May 11, 2023

    Stotz v. Stotz: A Love Story

    October 1, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    Toyz in the Good

    September 24, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (54→49)

    September 20, 2023
  • Monochrome
    1. Patrick Troughton
    2. William Hartnell
    3. View All

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (60→55)

    September 15, 2023

    When Patrick (almost) Met Ian

    August 25, 2023

    When Patrick Met Verity

    August 11, 2023

    More For Letts

    July 25, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (54→49)

    September 20, 2023

    When Patrick Met Verity

    August 11, 2023

    The TARDIS whirled on it’s way again…

    December 23, 2022

    Stotz v. Stotz: A Love Story

    October 1, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    Toyz in the Good

    September 24, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (54→49)

    September 20, 2023
  • Tour du Jour
    • On This Day
    • The House of Holmes
    • 50 for 50
    • The Randomizer
    • THT Rand-o-pix of the Day
    • The Feast of Steven
    • Tour Notz
    • The Watcher
    • Contact the Tour
Doctor Who's Tragical History TourDoctor Who's Tragical History Tour
50 for 50 Matt Smith Peter Davison

50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #31

By -- DSWApril 24, 201303 Mins Read
Share
Twitter Tumblr

Surprisingly so far in this countdown, the two latest incumbents of the TARDIS have yet had a review written for one of their stories. I have been fairly vocal at times regarding my feelings on the direction the series has gone in the last couple of years, producing less ‘classic’ stories since 2010, than the previous four series had racked up in each run (ooh, controversial, but hey….only in my opinion), but jumping back to near the start of Moffat’s time, one of my faves is the return of the Weeping Angels en masse, in The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone, and Mr. Smith’s first run in with the already iconic monsters.

When you consider this was Matt Smith’s first recorded story, he shows from the off the reasoning behind his casting, and it feels more reined in here, although the zaniness is there, it’s bubbling under the surface. Like Davison before him (and one of the reasons I liked the Fifth Doctor), Matt seems able to convey the hundreds of years old Time Lord, despite their age. Karen Gillan likewise, both are new to the show, but the scenes with her trapped with the emerging video taped Angel, and in the latter part, her fighting her fears with having to keep her eyes closed, going against everything she’s been previously told, she comes across very competently.

Of course River Song makes a welcome return also, the first of too many, but here it’s welcome. Before overkill with her story, and becoming bludgeoned to death by it quite frankly, Alex Kingston sparks off of Smith, making it seem completely plausible that these two could be more than just friends….? Her teasing of the new Doctor, with her claiming he has always left the brakes on, hence the vworp vworp noise, is a classic moment….The Doctor’s frustration that she knows him better than he knows himself, is very well written.

Designed as an action sequel to Blink (hey, how did I get to leave that out of my countdown…oh dear, too late now), Moffat clearly bases this two-parter on Aliens, the settings and designs echo this. The Vale of Glamorgan filming is some of the most realistic seen in show, the same with the caves scenes. Claustrophobia plays a large part in this, and helps the tension, making this story truly chilling, with an excellent cliffhanger in between. Rarely has the show been as good since….  — Andy

Alan’s #31 — Resurrection of the Daleks
David’s #31 — Remembrance of the Daleks
Steve’s #31 — The Talons of Weng-Chiang

Holy buckets this countdown is going quickly, we’re already 40% done (do the math kids) with #30 coming next week.

Short Hops:
  • A River Runs Through It
    A River Runs Through It
  • The Sixth Pretense
    The Sixth Pretense
  • Christmas Comes But Twice a Year
    Christmas Comes But Twice a Year
50 for 50 Karen Gillan Peter Davison Matt Smith Alex Kingston Blink Remembrance of the Daleks The Time of Angels Flesh and Stone The Talons of Weng-Chiang Resurrection of the Daleks Series 5
Share. Twitter Tumblr
Previous Article50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #32
Next Article You Can Run But …
Countdown to the 60th
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
Gallery Gateway

The Christopher Eccleston Galleries

The Patrick Troughton Galleries

The Jodie Whittaker Galleries

The Peter Davison Galleries

The Matt Smith Galleries

John Hurt -- Who Not Who!

The William Hartnell Galleries

The Jon Pertwee Galleries

The Tom Baker Galleries

Ncuti Gatwa -- Who Not Who!

The Peter Capaldi Galleries

The Colin Baker Galleries

The Sylvester McCoy Galleries

Who is The Mystery Guest?

The Paul McGann Galleries

The David Tennant Galleries

Last Ten Updated Galleries
  1. → The Return of Doctor Mysterio
  2. → Flux - Chapter 5: Survivors of the Flux
  3. → An Adventure in Space and Time
  4. → Smith and Jones
  5. → The Long Game
  6. → Genesis of the Daleks
  7. → Time-Flight
  8. → The Time Warrior
  9. → The Greatest Show in the Galaxy
  10. → Anthony Ainley -- Who Not Who!
THT on Instagram
Tour Categories
  • Tour Updates (442)
  • New Who for You (167)
  • Roundel Roundabouts (225)
  • Tangential Tardis (43)
  • HD Re-classic-ation (31)
  • Modern Recap-itulation (42)
  • Classic Capitology (101)
  • Who Not Who! (31)
  • Xmas Marks the Spot (83)
  • 60 for 60 (4)
  • 50 for 50 (58)
  • Off the Reservation (16)
  • Ncuti Gatwa (3)
  • Jodie Whittaker (45)
  • Peter Capaldi (87)
  • Matt Smith (118)
  • David Tennant (112)
  • Christopher Eccleston (36)
  • John Hurt (14)
  • Paul McGann (27)
  • Sylvester McCoy (39)
  • Colin Baker (38)
  • Peter Davison (63)
  • Tom Baker (97)
  • Jon Pertwee (64)
  • Patrick Troughton (64)
  • William Hartnell (77)
  • Richard E Grant (7)
  • Jo Martin (3)
  • Series 14 (1)
  • Series 13 (16)
  • Series 12 (13)
  • Series 11 (9)
  • Series 10 (21)
  • Series 9 (17)
  • Series 8 (25)
  • Series 7 (17)
  • Series 6 (20)
  • Series 5 (14)
  • Series 4 (25)
  • Series 3 (9)
  • Series 2 (15)
  • Series 1 (19)
On This Day in Doctor Who History
  • October 2
    • 1976: The Hand of Fear [1]
    • 1965: Galaxy 4 [4--The Exploding Planet]
  • October 3
    • 2015: Under the Lake
  • October 4
    • 2014: Kill the Moon
    • 1975: Planet of Evil [2]
    • 1980: Meglos [2]
    • 1986: Mindwarp [1]
    • 1989: Ghost Light [1]
  • October 5
    • 1987: Paradise Towers [1]
    • 1968: The Mind Robber [4]
    • 1988: Remembrance of the Daleks [1]
  • October 6
    • 1979: City of Death [2]
  • October 7
    • 2018: The Woman Who Fell to Earth
    • 1978: The Pirate Planet [2]
    • 1967: The Abominable Snowmen [2]
  • October 8
    • 1977: The Invisible Enemy [2]

Random Thoughts
50 for 50 — Missing … Presumed Dread
By -- DSWNovember 16, 2013 50 for 50 3 Mins Read
The Snark … in Spades
By -- DSWJune 23, 2013 Tour Updates 2 Mins Read
Headwaters of the River
By -- DSWJuly 26, 2017 Tour Updates 1 Min Read

  • x
  • instagram
  • tumblr
  • rss

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.