Review: Doctor Who, Episode 4.3, "Planet of the Ood"

The Ood, first seen two seasons ago in "The Impossible Planet" and "The Satan Pit", return in a story written by Keith Temple, who previously wrote for such popular non-genre shows as Emmerdale and Casualty. Set aside the great Steven Moffat or Paul Cornell written episodes, and I think this is one of the stronger episodes New Who has produced in awhile. Not as intense as last week's "The Fires of Pompeii", but along with that episode it provides a nice one-two punch early on in the current season. So far, the fourth season is made of win and Donna continues to impress me as a companion.

Warning: spoilers below, please highlight the white space with your mouse to read them.

I love the compassion Donna shows for the wounded Ood after momentarily being shocked by his physical appearance. Rose is still my favorite New Who companion, but Donna is quickly gaining ground.

The Simpsons reference is made of funny.

I also love the reference to the 1964 First Doctor serial, "The Sensorites". Two weeks in a row with a First Doctor reference!

Nice bit of political commentary about slavery.

The Ood's captivity song is so sad. :(

Yay, Ood revolution!

Yay, happy Ood song!

Next week: Martha returns (yay!) and the Sontarans return for the first time since the 1985 Sixth Doctor serial, "The Two Doctors".