Space Corps Directive #723

Part 1 of 2, and will have me on edge for another week!

Silence in the Library, not so much an order but a statement.

The Doctor and Donna arrive on a planet that is the largest library in the universe, only there's no people taking advantage of it's facilities.

Also arriving are an expedition team, one of whom knows The Doctor from his future (that wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey stuff again!). She, Professor River Song, called out to The Doctor on his psychic paper and keeps a book of memories, or "spoilers".

Also spiritually present is a young Earth girl, who sees the library in her dreams and has the task of saving the expedition, and The Doctor & Donna.

Finally, there's the Vashta Nerada. These are particles that live in the air and pounce in the dark. Hence the "count the shadows" warning. (Well, that's putting me off sleep tonight!)

We were left with two of the expedition down (Slightly dopey girl, and the ship's captain), and Donna supposedly safe but her face was appearing in an information point.

Well, that was a slightly terrifying episode, and Donna really needs to understand the bit about changing history. Apart from that, she is smart, quick-thinking, independent and (dare I say it) plucky.

Tonight The Doctor and his plucky assistant, Donna, arrived in 1926 on the day Agatha Christie disappeared. Two mysteries unfold; where did Agatha vanish to, and why is there a giant wasp attacking Lady Eddison's guests?

The plot follows a crime novel storyline, as the Vespiform thinks that human life is lived out in the way Christie describes in her books. At this point, we can be thankful he wasn't watching Midsomer Murders!

Lady Eddison, presumably unwittingly, was assisting the Vespiform - Reverend G in study with the lead piping - by wearing a pendant presented to her forty years ago.

To stop the Vespiform, Donna threw the pendant into the lake and consequently giving Christie amnesia, and thus not messing up established events.

This episode was very intelligently put together, and no sonic screwdrivers brandished. Donna once again showed herself as an able and resourceful assistant - eg, knowing drowning wasps kills them, and the best way to shock The Doctor. Hopefully the next episode isn't a let down by comparison, but we'll have to wait two weeks to see that due to a certain annual European Cheese Fest (with Irish joke act!), next week.

After being pulled involuntarily by the TARDIS at the end of last week's episode (much to Martha's annoyance), The Doctor, Donna and Martha arrive on the planet Messaline. As soon as they set foot in the underground tunnels, The Doctor's hand is plunged into a cloning machine and creates his daughter.

Interesting points to note;
1. The human fighters say the reason for the fighting is over some "source", which as we discover, is to rejuvenate a tired and dying planet.
2. Donna - who's turning out to be quite a sharp assistant - worked out from the numbers above each section, that the war had only been going seven days, and each soldier was a clone.
3. The Doctor's Daughter was named Jenny - anyone remember a character in "The Dalek Invasion of Earth" by that name? She was a rebel too!
4. The landscape on the surface was reminiscent of a Philip K Dick novel.
5. The source was used to create life, although the humans and possibly the Hath, wanted to use it to destroy the "enemy". Funny how us people don't seem to understand what exactly we're supposed to do with creation!
6. Also, Jenny regenerated (not intended, honest!) right at the end. Now we have two Timelords roaming the universe! Watch out for danger, everyone!

Part 2 of 2.

So, last week we left The Doctor and Donna watching as Earth was slowly being gassed by the Sontarans, and Martha had been replaced by a clone.

1. Apparently The Doctor is so busy thinking of saving the world with his sonic screwdriver, that he doesn't think to free Wilfred from the car with a blow to the windscreen. Note that later Doctor keeps a mallet and hammer in the TARDIS.
2. Notice Rose's face appearing on the screen as Doctor established communication with the Sontaran ship (and also with Donna in the TARDIS) - mouthing the word "Doctor".
3. Amazing how Doctor seemed to know that the Martha running around was a clone. Also that Sontarans can't clone rings.
4. Perhaps an argument against nuclear weapons - when humans have their grubby little paws on them, they want to play with these toys!

A fantastic episode, showing The Doctor that sometimes it takes more than a sonic screwdriver to save the world!