The Film
The Doctor will die. That much we know in the first five minutes or so of Doctor Who Series Six: Part I on Blu-ray. But the death of the main Time Lord character in Doctor Who is typically no big deal. Scratch that, it is always a big deal because it means a new actor, new personality and new adventures. But this time it was different, the Doctor appears "dead" dead. But then he's back, for it seems his companions, along with the audience got a peak into the future - a possible future, an alternative future. Who knows?
All this sets up for an interesting season that is off to a roaring start with Matt Smith in the quasi-title role, along with newlywed Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), her husband Rory (Arthur Darvill) and occasional companion River Song (Alex Kingston). The gang is there for the original Apollo mission to the moon, on deck for a little pirate action and then off to the unknown with "The Doctor's Wife," and finally in the three-part episode that sets up the biggest twist in the relaunched series' history. But just as things get interesting it ends with a mid-season cliff-hanger, and instead of waiting until next week we'll have to wait until the series returns to BBC America, and a bit longer for the Blu-ray. Who would do such a thing!?
The Picture
Once again it is evident that this is not the old Doctor Who, with cardboard spaceships and papier-mâché monsters. The production values are good and it shows in the 1080i (yet again) transfer, which is presented in 1.77:1. For those viewers who don't have BBC America in HD this is a noticeable improvement in picture, but for those who do, this set is more or less on par with the broadcast episodes.
The Sound
The BBC continues its tradition of DTS-HD High-Resolution audio: it's not fully lossless, but it serves the stories well enough. As with the visual production values, the sound in the new series is excellent, with a bit of creepy ambient sounds in the "Day of the Moon," and plenty of bombastic effects in the "A Good Man Goes to War."
The Extras
The only thing worse than a mid-season cliffhanger is the fact that this package provides no bonus materials, no extras and not even the 2010 Christmas Special.
Final Thoughts
When the new series first came out in the U.K. it was released on multiple DVDs that were barebones, and thus inspired you to buy the entire season box set. No doubt that is what BBC Video is doing this time around. It is a shame, and for most viewers it is probably worth the wait for the series box set, but if you need your fix of the Doctor, this will hold you over.
Product Details
Where to Buy:
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