Tooth and Claw

Phew! Well thank Gallifrey for that ...

Firstly, some irony. Russell T Davies mentioned in an interview that he wasn't supposed to write this episode - the writer who was commissioned ended up leaving out the werewolf and monk aspects and so the original script was passed upon.

I'm glad, since it's proven that he IS a Who-writer.

This was the best Davies-penned episode (with the possible exception of The Parting of the Ways) so far. Indeed, it was one of the finest episodes of new Doctor Who overall. Maybe Russell should write historicals more often.

The story was the tightest piece the much-maligned writer has produced for the show - very traditional Doctor Who in many ways, from the 'Doctor ingratiates himself right into the situation' opening, through the 'hiding from the monster' moments to the Doctor's final realisation of how to save everyone. And it didn't feel even slightly compressed into the 45 minute timeslot. In essence, it was the anti-New Earth. And it was all pulled off with aplomb - no unnecessary pop culture references (the royal family gag was actually funny), no random running around to fill time (a werewolf in a claustrophbic house is far easier to buy into than dull zombie patients in a future hospital which looks uncannily like a modern exhibition centre) and a real sense of danger throughout.

Kudos also to the production team on this one - the entire episode was beautiful, full of rich, dark colours and moody lighting. The direction, too, was excellent - from the cinema-style acrobatics of the monks (entirely pointless, but great fun) to the tight shots of the characters in danger and the chaotic fleeing from the werewolf.

And effects? My, oh my ... The werewolf is by far the finest special effect Doctor Who has EVER had. Clearly CGI but intricately detailed and possessing of a terrifying realism.

Both David Tennant and Billie Piper (in a much more traditional companion role) acquit themselves well, and Tennant's manic incarnation (great jerky cuts when he starts to work everything out) is becoming more Tom Baker and less Peter Davison every week. His very-human wit and chemistry with Rose is tempering this nicely, though.

An all-round success, then. Where I winced a little and peered at my watch once during New Earth, Tooth and Claw held me riveted, a smile spread across my face throughout.

And a few more clues about the arc, to boot. Rose's aspect of the wolf might not be finished with, and it looks like Torchwood is a lot more sinister than just a new stomping ground for Captain Jack ...

THIS is where season 2 begins.