Apologies for my delay with this one - I've been 'distracted' this week.
As someone who was disappointed by Mark Gatiss' effort last year (more for the Doctor's involvement, or rather lack of it) I was ready to give a second chance. This was more like it!
Although the main plot was fairly run-of-the-mill it was all done splendidly - Euros Lyn has well deserved the prize of directing this year's Christmas special. The guest cast, notably Maureen Lipman's literally contained cameo as 'The Wire', Ron Cook as the tortured Mr Magpie and Rory Jennings as 'stand-in companion' (for an indisposed Rose) Tommy Connolly completely delivered.
Perhaps surprisingly the gratuitous inferences about Tommy's inclinations did annoy me a bit but he looked sweet enough to eat (don't worry he's actually 23). Jamie Foreman as bullying dad Mr Connolly was a bit one-note for me though.The 50s designs were excellent, especially Mr Magpie's TV shop and the street party recreation, even if it looked just a mite too multiracial for Muswell Hill 1953. The fate of those who'd been fed on by 'The Wire', which included Rose, was a simple but creepy blank face.
Before her zapping, Rose is in fine form.
Her relish of duping Mr Connolly as she and the Doctor masquerade as Her Majesty's Inspectors was refreshing, reminiscent of Doctor 4 and Romana 2. I also liked her part in getting a reluctant Tommy to chase after his departing Dad - a sentiment which has personal parallels for Rose. The Doctor is again required to quickfire gags about Kylie one minute and seethe with rage the next. Unlike many, I like this volatile aspect of this Doctor and Tennant's competence at performing it.
Not scripted, but I also liked the irony of Maureen Lipman's part actually being filmed at Ally Pally while the Ally Pally-set finale on the transmitter aerial was done somewhere in Wales. Both these elements were hugely convincing.
So it's a 9 from me again.
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