Things I've Learnt from Watching My Favourite Doctor Who Stories: Part 48 - Utopia

 48: Utopia 

You are not Alone!

Series Three is a hidden gem, nestled between the Ten & Rose love-in of series two and the Doctor/Donna wonderfulness of series four. And Utopia is a hidden gem between the fan favourite Blink and the explosive two part finale. 

Nobody seemed to be expecting much from Utopia, despite the casting of Sir Derek Jacobi and the return of Captain Jack, following the first run of his own show. But it's my favourite of the series, with an amazing twist at the end. I know to some it's the first part of a three part finale but it's as distinct to the Sound of Drums & Last of the Time Lords as the Haunting of Villa Diodati is to Ascension of the Cybermen & The Timeless Children. 

There's something refreshingly old school about Utopia, including the setting of the alien planet that looks like a quarry, as well as a colony of Earth people doing their best to survive. It's a bit like Colony in Space, but not quite so beige! 

And of course, like that story, the Master turns up unexpectedly. Russell T Davies spoke at the start of the first series that he had no intention of bringing the character back, which was of course was a big fat lie. But the twist of him being Derek Jacobi was wonderful. 

Jacobi was the latest in a long line of big names that impressed me. When the series was announced as returning, all sorts of thoughts about whether it would succeed and who'd be in it came to mind. For me, when they announced the likes of Simon Callow, Penelope Wilton and Annette Badland, I was reassured it would be well cast. 

Jacobi's casting was inspired, his performance as Professor Yana is wonderful, a gentle but determined scientist who's secret identity when revealed is a genuine shocker. The subtle change in Jacobi's persona is stunning, such a class act. And his murdering Chantho is also terrifying, as he stares into the camera lens malevolently. Graeme Harper directs the story efficiently as usual and we know from his classic series work he's got an eye for making simple quarries and sandpits look like convincing alien planets. 

Of course, being a series three means we have Martha Jones, played by the wonderful Freema Agyeman. I like Martha a lot, but not so keen on how she's treated by the Doctor. I can't imagine the fourth Doctor pining for Sarah-Jane, especially with Leela on board - she'd fillet him! Poor Martha catches the Doctor on the rebound as it were, and he seems blissfully unaware of the torch his new companion has for him. The whining about Rose (wonderful though she was!) gets a bit wearing after a while and although I was sorry to see Martha go at the end of the series, her departure on her own terms and done as delicately but firmly as possible.

Freema and John Barrowman have great chemistry together, so it's no surprise they're later reunited in both Torchwood and briefly in The Stolen Earth & Journey's End. Barrowman is always good value and the initial tension between Jack and the Doctor is interesting and well-played. The three of them work well together here and also in the Sound of Drums. 

The episode is well cast and while it's predominantly the three regulars with Yana, let's give a shout out to young John Bell as Creet, who has gone onto a successful career, after getting the part in this as winner of a competition on Blue Peter. He's not got much to do but he makes the most of his screen time especially with the line about a sky full of diamonds. (Hmm, that would be a good title for a blog...) 

Utopia confounded the expectations of the audience presenting us with what appeared to be a standalone episode set on an alien planet, whilst it was a well-crafted starter for the main course of the season finale. The Master was back, the Doctor was not alone and here come the drums... 

Next Time : A cup of cocoa works wonders!