Doctor Who: Series 2 - Volume 2

David Tennant
Billie Piper
Pauline Collins
Elisabeth Sladen
Anthony Head

Director

Colin Teague; Euros Lyn; James Hawes

This second batch of episodes from David Tennant's maiden run as the title character finds Doctor Who building up an impressive head of steam. There's a trip back in time to see Queen Victoria, a reunion with an old friend and some deadly clockwork nemeses to contend with as the series really bursts into life.

Tooth & Claw is first up, set back in 1897 Scotland, as the Doctor and Rose must contend with a deadly werewolf, mysterious monks and the suspicions of Queen Victoria. It's not the strongest of the series, but even so, this is Doctor Who on fine form and very sure footing.

School Reunion is superb, though. It brings back two of the Doctor's previous companions, Sarah-Jane and K-9, and asks some intriguing questions of what happens to his assistants once he leaves them behind. That it also ties in an intriguing story of sinister goings on at an innocent looking school only adds to the achievement. The final episode, The Girl In The Fireplace, is also excellent. This is a staggeringly successful mixture of love story, unnerving baddies and quality science fiction. It's the episode to date where Tennant has looked surest with the role, and it's a highlight of an already highly impressive series.

So, to summarise, a DVD featuring one good and two superb episodes, with the promise of plenty more tasty episodes later in the series. Can't be bad.--Simon Brew