Russell T. Davies, you’ve done it again. After a couple of less impactful mini-movies concluding David Tennant’s tenure as the Doctor, “The Waters of Mars” arrived as a substantial narrative feast. This episode masterfully played with the established tropes of the time-traveling adventurer while simultaneously dissecting them, all while introducing terrifying space zombies into the Doctor Who universe. While perhaps not as viscerally frightening as “Blink” or psychologically unsettling as “Midnight,” this episode served as a potent reminder of Davies’ capacity for darkness beneath his often conventional sci-fi storytelling. As I approach “The End of Time,” David Tennant’s final episodes, “Waters of Mars” is a powerful testament to why his Doctor is so beloved and will be deeply missed. This adventure underscores the brilliance we’ve cherished for so long.
doctor who waters of mars episode scene with the doctor and adelaide brooke
The setting is 2059, and humanity has established its first small foothold on Mars. Adelaide Brooke, portrayed with compelling strength by Lindsay Duncan, leads this pioneering colony. Her lifelong ambition to explore the cosmos is rooted in a childhood trauma: surviving a Dalek invasion that tragically coincided with the Doctor’s loss of Rose. The Doctor’s unexpected arrival at the Mars base immediately signals impending danger. He is acutely aware that every colonist within the Martian domes is destined to perish in an unsolved, catastrophic event. In a cruel twist of fate, the Doctor materializes on the very day this tragedy is meant to unfold. A mysterious microbe infiltrates the colony’s water filtration system – water sourced from Martian glaciers – initiating a horrifying transformation. The crew members gradually succumb to an infection that turns them into aggressive, zombie-like beings with the disturbing ability to expel torrents of water from their bodies. This grim event is a fixed point in time, an unchangeable moment in history. The Doctor, bound by the laws of time, knows he cannot prevent the impending disaster. However, as he is forced to witness the brave explorers confront their horrifying destiny, the question arises: will the Doctor, known for defying the odds, dare to challenge fate itself?
As previously noted in my review of “Planet of the Dead,” Doctor Who at its best ventures into unsettling and terrifying territory, prompting viewers to question the suitability of such emotionally intense content for children. “The Waters of Mars,” with its chilling concept of space water zombies and its exploration of agonizing moral dilemmas for the sake of humanity’s greater good, plunges headfirst into the mature and darker aspects of the Doctor Who universe that resonate deeply. Lindsay Duncan’s portrayal of Adelaide Brooke is exceptional; she embodies a fierce and courageous leader, ultimately proving capable of making decisions that even the Doctor finds difficult. The narrative expertly teases the audience, initially toying with the Doctor’s understanding of fixed points in time, before delivering a devastating emotional blow with its heartbreaking conclusion. Russell T. Davies appears determined to push the Doctor to his breaking point before his departure, relentlessly chipping away at his spirit. One can only imagine the trials and tribulations Davies has in store for the Doctor before his regeneration in “The End of Time.”
doctor who waters of mars martian colony infected by water based virus
The conclusion of David Tennant’s era as the Doctor marks a significant turning point. While opinions vary on subsequent Doctors, Tennant’s tenure remains a benchmark for many. As we approach “The End of Time,” the weight of his departure is palpable. “The Waters of Mars” serves as a stark and powerful reminder of the brilliance and emotional depth that defined his time as the Doctor, ensuring he will be profoundly missed.
Final Score: B+
