“The Doctor’s Daughter” episode presents a fascinating concept right in its title, immediately grabbing attention with the idea of the Doctor having a daughter. The episode sees the Doctor, Donna, and Martha arriving on Messaline, a planet embroiled in a seemingly endless war between humans and the Hath. Almost instantly upon arrival, a bizarre event occurs: the Doctor’s hand is thrust into a machine, resulting in the rapid creation of Jenny, his daughter. This unusual origin is just the first of many strange turns in an episode that ultimately feels like a collection of underdeveloped ideas.
The casting of Georgia Moffett, Peter Davison’s daughter, as Jenny is undeniably a clever and intriguing piece of casting, adding a layer of meta-commentary for long-time Doctor Who fans. This real-world connection enhances the initial interest in the character of the Daughter Of The Doctor. Moffett delivers a commendable performance, injecting energy and intrigue into Jenny. However, despite her efforts, the episode struggles to fully realize the potential of her character and the narrative as a whole.
Unfortunately, “The Doctor’s Daughter” feels narratively disjointed and rushed. The script jumps from plot point to plot point without allowing sufficient time for exploration or emotional resonance. The motivation behind the guard’s action of sticking the Doctor’s hand into the device remains baffling and serves as a prime example of the episode’s lack of coherence. While the concept of a cloned daughter of the doctor born into a war zone holds promise, the execution feels haphazard.
Despite its flaws, the episode manages to maintain a strange level of engagement, primarily on an emotional level. David Tennant’s portrayal of the Doctor is noticeably more irritable and on edge in this episode, adding an interesting dimension to his character. Donna Noble, as often is the case, emerges as the driving force, her intelligence and observant nature pushing the story forward. She is consistently the proactive and insightful companion, highlighting the episode’s strengths in character dynamics even when the plot falters.
In contrast, Martha Jones is unfortunately relegated to the sidelines. Her presence feels almost superfluous, with limited interaction with the Doctor and a storyline that doesn’t utilize her capabilities. For a companion who has endured so much, including walking across a ravaged Earth, Martha’s portrayal in “The Doctor’s Daughter” feels clumsy and diminishes her established strength. Even her interaction with a Hath, which could have been a meaningful connection, comes across as somewhat trivialized.
The resolution of the episode also falls short. The attempt at an emotional climax lacks impact, failing to forge a deep connection with Jenny in the limited time provided. Perhaps if Martha, a character with whom the audience already has a strong emotional bond, had been at the center of the emotional arc, the ending might have resonated more powerfully.
Ultimately, “The Doctor’s Daughter” evokes a sense of unrealized potential. The setting of Messaline and the war between humans and Hath, combined with the introduction of the daughter of the doctor, could have been a compelling narrative. Instead, the episode feels reminiscent of a poorly developed 90s video game, full of interesting elements that don’t quite come together in a satisfying way. While Georgia Moffett shines as Jenny, the episode as a whole fails to fully explore the implications of the Doctor suddenly having a daughter and the emotional and narrative possibilities that this concept offered.
