The long running British import, the science fiction television program Doctor Who, premiered its latest season on Saturday, April 23rd with an episode entitled The Impossible Astronaut. The new season begins with an episode designed for a fan of the show and not a newcomer, diving deep into the story of the time travelling Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey, with his companions and his TARDIS, with little explanation for the person unfamiliar with the program. If you are new to Doctor Who, do not begin your romance with the program with Series 6, as I believe they are calling it, or Series 2 (being the second season for still "new" show runner Steven Moffat), or Season 32 (numbering from the beginning of the show in 1963). If you are new, begin with Series 1 from 2005, or Series 5 from 2010, but Series 6, the latest series, is for the established fan, but don't be afraid, the great thing with the Doctor from Gallifrey and his wonderful machine that can travel in time and space, the TARDIS, you can jump on any time, just enjoy the ride.
In this review, I will attempt to stay away from spoilers. In the past I have often given full details of Doctor Who episodes, but this time I will not be doing that. Instead, I want to give you broader strokes, to preserve the watching to the true fan. Steven Moffat and crew return for the latest season of the popular British science fiction program with promises of revelations and hints of mystery. The press has been filled with tidbits about Doctor Who, handed out meticulously the past few weeks. Doctor Who message boards have been running behind the scenes factoids, pictures from filming of Doctor Who, and rumors and speculation about Doctor Who since last season ended, but as the new season of Doctor Who grew closer and closer, more and more facts had leaked. I will be honest in saying I knew pretty much everything that was going to happen in the episode before I ever saw it, but it did not diminish the experience, much. I did not, however, see the ending coming, which I will not spoil if you have not seen it yet, but it was a great cliff hanger to leave the audience with in anticipation of the next episode of Doctor Who, Day of the Moon, which is set to be aired on Saturday, April 30th, 2011.
The cast of Doctor Who was marvelous, with the actors now firmly entrenched in their characters. For those people nervous about young Matt Smith as the 900-year old Time Lord, they need not have. The BBC, and head writer Steve Moffat made a great selection with their Doctor. Smith owns the role almost in a way that predecessor David Tennant did not. Do not get me wrong, don't even send the angry e-mails or post the angry comments, I loved David Tennant in the role of the Doctor. Doctor Who was David Tennant. But that's the thing with the Doctor; each actor brings something new, something old, and something unique to their portrayal. Matt Smith delivers all that and much more. His Doctor is ancient and wise but also youthful and carefree, almost careless, but make no mistake about it, he is also not to be trifled with. The writing in The Impossible Astronaut gives Smith several great lines including his discussion with his trio of companions on the TARDIS and his discussion with security forces in the episode. Also returning this season is Karen Gillian as his companion Amy Pond, who carries a few secrets with her, and her husband, Rory Williams, played by Arthur Darvill. The married couple is back with The Doctor, after marrying in the finale of last season and honeymooning during the Christmas special, A Christmas Carol, and they are joined by Alex Kingston, reprising her recurring role as Doctor River Song.
The episode also featured a few new faces to the Doctor Who gallery of stars including Mark Sheppard, the versatile British actor who has had role on everything from Star Trek: Voyager and Monk to Supernatural and Burn Notice, as Canton Everett Delaware III, an ex-FBI agent who finds himself along for the ride with the Doctor and his companions. Sheppard's real life father, William Morgan Sheppard, plays an older version of his Canton Everett Delaware III character in the episode. Another highlight of the episode, and I will have to admit a small spoiler here, but nothing more than those handed out by the BBC before broadcast, is Stuart Milligan's portrayal of President Richard Nixon in the episode, which is primarily set in 1969 in America.
The Impossible Astronaut, the latest episode of the almost 50 year old science fiction program Doctor Who, aired on April 23, 2011 on both BBC1 in the UK and BBCA (BBC America) in the United States, a first for the franchise.
