Doctor Who: The Star Beast review – David Tennant and Catherine Tate have got this show flying again

The television series Doctor Who has plenty of reasons to celebrate. It's currently 60 years old, recently secured a new financial sponsor through an agreement with Disney+, and has moved on from its previous era led by Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall, in which the show felt less expansive. Fortunately, the well-regarded showrunner Russell T Davies has returned and chosen Ncuti Gatwa for the role of the new Doctor. This selection represents an exciting opportunity for the show to move forward and improve.

Ahead of Gatwa's arrival on December 25th, there are some additional gifts to enjoy. For instance, there's an Advent calendar that's just as luxurious as your primary Christmas gift. Three unique episodes bring back David Tennant as the Doctor and Catherine Tate as his sidekick, Donna Noble - a group that hasn't been seen in the "Whoniverse" since 2010. This is a great surprise, and the initial of these new tales - The Star Beast - is a fun romp that delivers on expectations.

Upon his return to Earth, the Doctor unexpectedly meets his old friend Donna. However, the events don't start immediately. Instead, we have an uncommon scene where Tennant and Tate take turns speaking to the camera in character and providing a refresher on the plot. They explain that Donna once saved the world, but to do so, she absorbed all of the Doctor's knowledge, which would have been too much for her to handle. Therefore, the Doctor had to erase her memory to save her. Since then, Donna has lived a normal life but feels like something is missing. If she remembers the Doctor, it could be fatal. Tennant's serious tone and distinctive way of speaking let us know just how precarious the situation is.

The basis of the story comes from a 1980 comic book called Doctor Who and the Star Beast, which takes place in London after a spaceship crashes. A small, cute creature named Beep the Meep hides in Donna's shed to escape from a group of killers called the Wrarth Warriors. The fanciful story includes battles and chases with nods to Disney's new budget, like seeing the Doctor's sonic screwdriver create cosmic maps and bulletproof glass floating in mid-air for cover. Despite these enhancements, the story maintains its quirkiness, sitcom-like humor, and distinct Britishness. Beep the Meep, or "mad Paddington" as Donna calls it, sounds like an old trembling lady due to Miriam Margolyes' voiceover, while the Wrarth Warriors are simply tall men with green papier mache heads that seem like they were made in the 70s. The Doctor, Donna's family, and Beep ultimately escape, thanks to weak brickwork in the walls that connect neighboring houses.

Davies is a writer who isn't afraid to speak up when he has something to say. He is known for his quick, humorous writing style. Part of the Who fanbase is someone he wants to connect with. Donna, the main character, has a daughter named Rose (played by Yasmin Finney from Heartstopper) who is transgender. In the beginning of the story, Donna is shown as a strong defender of her daughter, who has grown into a confident and unique young woman. However, Rose's grandmother, Sylvia (played by Jacqueline King), is unsure how to address her grandchild and worries about offending her with incorrect pronouns or phrases.

The way Rose is portrayed in the episode is gentle and knowledgeable, and in the end, it's a happy and empowering experience for her. The scene with the Doctor and the Noble family is also humorous, especially when they ask the Meep about its gender identity. The Meep responds in a witty way, saying that it prefers to be referred to as "the" Meep.

The Doctor responds with a simple "Oh, I do that." It's worth noting that the way Davies crafts the Doctor's pronouns is quite interesting. Ultimately, it seems that "the" is all that's needed.

The concluding part of the episode is quite similar to other Who episodes of its kind. The main goal is not to create a timeless classic, but rather to introduce a fresh cast. There's an interesting turn midway that completely changes the direction of the story. And just when things seem dim, a miraculous solution crops up that somewhat holds up, as long as you don't scrutinize it too much upon examination.

Then, there's a short moment left to showcase a remarkably costly-looking fresh Tardis interior. Following that, Tennant and Tate, with their impeccable comedic bond revitalized, launch into episode two. Doctor Who is soaring once more.

The TV show Doctor Who: The Star Beast was broadcasted on BBC One and can currently be watched on iPlayer.