Doctor Who: The Complete Fourth Series

Genre : DVD ( DVD )
Release : 2008/11/18
Price : $41.99

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Kicking off with a jam-packed Christmas special and ending with a blockbuster extended closing installment, Doctor Who's fourth season since it was revived is a breathless, exciting one that also boasts some exceptional episodes. The ones in particular to watch out for are the outstanding "Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead" doubleheader, the almost-single-location creepfest that is "Midnight," and the trio of "Turn Left," "The Stolen Earth," and "Journey's End" that round off the season. In the midst of those is also one of the very best cliffhangers in Doctor Who's long and glorious history.

This is also the season that introduces Catherine Tate as full-time companion Donna Noble, working alongside David Tennant's Doctor across time and space. And it's--against initial expectations--arguably the best combination since the show returned. There's no hint of romance between the pair, as they instead knuckle down to business, occasionally helped by the likes of Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen), and Jack Harkness (John Barrowman). And let's not forget the collection of monsters we meet this time around. The Daleks and Davros are the main attractions, while the return of the Sontarans proves to be a bit of a disappointment. But after viewing the series, chances are you'll be counting shadows around you, and wary of getting on the wrong side of the Ood.

As with most series of Doctor Who, there are one or two uneven episodes and some missteps, but the show is still unmatched at what it does, and even more confident than last time round. That, along with the immense rewatch value, is what makes this a terrific piece of family entertainment.

Well maybe my favorite after Captain Jack. I love humor and energy her character brings to the series, and the absence of all that romatic mooning of Sarah. There's also an air of sadness throughout the series as the doctor becomes increasingly aware of his coming demise in the specials.

I was introduced to Doctor Who in the 80's and have been a fan ever since. This is an excellent series and I am happy I added it to my growing collection. The stories in this collection cover several themes and will hopefully give the viewer hours of enjoyment.

I was surprised and delighted by that throwaway snark delivered by David Tennant. Donna Noble is my favorite but I watched the season on tenterhooks not quite believing that she was going to be staying for the duration of the season (I had no idea who Catherine Tate is nor that she earned the affection and interest of television viewers from her work on The Catherine Tate Show such that Doctor Who was lucky that she deigned to do the show!)

It's too bad we couldn't be gifted with Catherine Tate's first appearance in the Runaway Bride episode that kicked off Season 3 because without it, I can believe that they're just mates but with it, I think it was love at first sight for The Doctor.

Let me say right off that Rose Tyler is my favorite of all the Doctor Who companions. However, there's something almost indescribably unique about Donna Noble: she's like the synthesis of all Doctor Who companions. She's more mature than anyone since Barbara, the first Doctor Who companion. Yet she's also seductive, but not in a sensual Rose Tyler or Martha Jones kind of way; more like Tegan or Nyessa - or, once again, like Barbara from the William Hartnell years. And the stories themselves have a more mature quality, in that Donna and the Doctor seem as much like tourists on an extended vacation as time-travelers moving from one adventure to another. Donna never loses her cool or wanders off the way Rose often did; and she never doubts that she's made the right decision to accompany the Doctor. Though the Second Season is my favorite Doctor Who season and Christopher Eccleston my favorite of the new Doctors (William Hartnell remains my all time favorite Doctor), this one - the Fourth Season - stands as much the quintessential Doctor Who Season as Donna Noble does the quintessential Doctor Who companion.

I have enjoyed the new Doctor Who series! I can remember the old series and sets would fall down. Tom Baker was my favorite at that time, but David Tennant was the best, while Chrisopher Eccleston was wonderfully as the 9th Doctor.

Billie Piper was always be my favorite companion because both the 9th and 10th Doctors were very, very fond of Rose.

Mr. Russell T. Davis, thank you for bring back Doctor Who!