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 From: doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca 
  
 **"Doctor Who: Voyage of the Damned" - Episode Review** 
  
 "Voyage of the Damned" is the 2007 *Doctor Who* Christmas 
 special, starring David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor. Written 
 by Russell T Davies, the episode is a thrilling, disaster-film-style 
 adventure set aboard the interstellar cruise liner *Titanic*, 
 where the Doctor must save the day as catastrophe looms. 
  
 **Plot Summary:** 
  
 The episode begins directly following the events 
 of "Last of the Time Lords." The TARDIS collides with a spaceship 
 version of the *Titanic*, and the Doctor quickly finds himself 
 investigating this luxury cruise ship, filled with alien passengers. 
 The *Titanic* is orbiting Earth on Christmas Eve, offering passengers 
 a glimpse of human holiday traditions. However, things take a deadly 
 turn when the ship's owner, Max Capricorn, orchestrates a plan 
 to crash the *Titanic* into Earth for financial revenge, hoping 
 to claim the insurance. 
  
 The Doctor teams up with several key characters, including Astrid Peth 
 (Kylie Minogue), a waitress with dreams of exploring the universe. 
 As they fight for survival against the ship's robotic angels 
 (the Hosts) and navigate perilous obstacles, the Doctor uncovers 
 Capricorn€€€s villainous plot. In a dramatic climax, the Doctor 
 averts disaster, preventing the ship from crashing into Earth. 
 However, the victory is bittersweet, as many of the companions 
 he meets along the way do not survive the ordeal. 
  
 **Themes and Character Development:** 
  
 1. **The Doctor as the Hero in a Disaster:** The episode's 
 structure is a classic disaster movie in space, with the Doctor 
 playing the archetypal hero who steps up to lead a group 
 of survivors through chaos. This scenario allows the Doctor 
 to demonstrate his ingenuity, leadership, and unwavering compassion, 
 as he strives to save everyone-even when the odds are against him. 
  
 2. **Astrid's Tragic Heroism:** One of the central emotional arcs 
 is that of Astrid Peth. She€€€s a kind-hearted, adventurous soul who, 
 much like many of the Doctor's companions, yearns for something 
 beyond her ordinary life. Her self-sacrifice to save the Doctor 
 and stop Capricorn's deadly plan is a poignant moment that highlights 
 the theme of selflessness. The Doctor's attempt to bring her back 
 using the ship's teleport technology is heartbreaking, further 
 emphasising his inability to save everyone, despite his best efforts. 
  
 3. **Class Divide and Corporate Greed:** The character of Max Capricorn 
 serves as a commentary on corporate greed. His scheme to crash the ship 
 for profit, killing everyone on board, is a clear critique 
 of the lengths some are willing to go for personal gain. There's also 
 a subtle examination of class divides on the ship, with the working-class 
 characters (like Astrid and the van Hoffs) being among the most sympathetic 
 and courageous, while the wealthy characters are often selfish 
 or dismissive of others. 
  
 **Strengths:** 
  
 - **Kylie Minogue as Astrid Peth:** Kylie Minogue's performance 
  as Astrid is one of the episode's standout features. She brings 
  warmth, optimism, and a quiet strength to the role, making her 
  sacrifice all the more impactful. Her chemistry with David Tennant's 
  Doctor is charming, and her role as a tragic companion figure 
  resonates with the audience. 
  
 - **High-Stakes Adventure:** The episode excels in tension and pacing. 
  From the moment the disaster strikes, the action is relentless, 
  with the Doctor and his companions facing increasingly dangerous 
  challenges as they try to prevent catastrophe. The sense of urgency 
  keeps the audience engaged throughout. 
  
 - **Production Values:** The scale of the episode is impressive, 
 with strong special effects and well-designed sets that convey 
 the grandeur of the *Titanic* in space. The visual spectacle, 
 including the exterior shots of the ship and its impending 
 collision with Earth, adds to the drama. 
  
 **Weaknesses:** 
  
 - **Familiar Plot Structure:** While the episode is entertaining, 
 it borrows heavily from familiar disaster movie tropes, which may 
 feel predictable to some viewers. The large ensemble cast 
 of characters follows recognizable archetypes, and many 
 of them don't receive much development before being killed off. 
  
 - **Underwhelming Villain:** Max Capricorn, the mastermind 
 behind the crash, feels somewhat underdeveloped as a villain. 
 His motives are clear, but he lacks the complexity or charisma 
 of other *Doctor Who* antagonists. His role is primarily plot- 
 driven rather than emotionally compelling, and his demise 
 lacks the gravitas seen in other episodes. 
  
 - **Limited Depth in Supporting Characters:** While some supporting 
 characters, like Astrid and Mr. Copper, are memorable, 
 others feel underutilized. Characters like Bannakaffalatta, 
 a small red-skinned cyborg, are interesting in concept but 
 don't receive enough screen time to fully explore their potential. 
  
 **Conclusion:** 
  
 "Voyage of the Damned" is a fun and engaging Christmas special 
 that captures the spirit of high-stakes adventure and heart-wrenching 
 sacrifice. The Doctor's heroism is on full display, and Kylie Minogue's 
 performance as Astrid adds an emotional depth to the episode. 
 While the plot may follow a predictable disaster movie formula, 
 it delivers enough excitement and emotional moments to keep viewers 
 invested. 
  
 The episode is not without its flaws€€€particularly in the portrayal 
 of its villain and some of the supporting cast€€€but overall, it remains 
 a memorable and entertaining entry in *Doctor Who's* long line 
 of Christmas specials. The combination of spectacle, sentimentality, 
 and holiday spirit makes it a fitting seasonal offering for fans 
 of the series. 
 -- 
 Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca 
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