There is an aura of homecoming about The Star Beast, the first of three specials honoring the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who. This is partly due to the presence of David Tennant and Catherine Tate, frequent collaborators reunited again. It is also due to the return of showrunner Russell T Davies, who oversaw the 2005 revival of the series. Mostly, however, it is due to a welcome return to form for the classic science fiction series.
While The Star Beast marks Russell T Davies’ return to writing Doctor Who, it should be noted that it is not a wholly original tale. The Star Beast Saga was originally published in Doctor Who Weekly #19-26 in 1980. It was written by Pat Mills and John Wagner, and illustrated by Watchmen co-creator Dave Gibbons. Reprinted several times, it was also adapted by Alan Barnes as an audio play in 2019.
The Star Beast found Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor drawn into an alien conflict on Earth. On one side was the cuddly Beep the Meep. On the other were the insectoid Wrarth Warriors. Davies’ adaptation of the Star Beast Saga retains this story but uses it to set up the introduction of the Fourteenth Doctor.
Who is the Fourteenth Doctor?
The opening scene neatly provides what exposition is needed for newcomers before treating long-time fans with a masterful revamp of the Davies-era opening credits. In short, there is a time-traveling alien, a Time Lord, called The Doctor (David Tennant). He altered the memories of his best friend, an Earthling named Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), to save her life. Since that time, she has gotten married and had a daughter, though Donna still dreams of the impossible worlds she once visited and the monsters she fought.
Random chance brings the newly regenerated Doctor to Donna Noble. This coincides with Donna’s daughter, Rose (Yasmin Finney), stumbling across the Meep as it seeks shelter from the Wrarth Warriors. This leaves the Doctor needing to resolve the conflict, while trying to keep an increasingly aggravated Donna from remembering their shared past. It also leaves them with the mystery of why they once again have the face and voice of the Tenth Doctor.
Familiar Faces and New Beginnings
Unsurprisingly, Tennant and Tate still patter as if it were 2008. Davies’ script gives them ample opportunity to snipe at one another, with a number of callbacks to their earlier adventures. Despite this, and being based on a beloved comic book story, The Star Beast avoids nostalgia and is more focused on the future. This is ironic (but not unwelcome) from an anniversary special.
The Star Beast introduces a number of memorable new characters. Chief among these is Shirley Anne Bingham (Ruth Madeley), the newest scientific advisor of UNIT. Bold and respectful of the Doctor, yet unintimidated, it is to be hoped she will appear in the upcoming new season. Yasmin Finney is also instantly engaging as Rose Noble.
The Doctor Who production team outdid themselves with The Star Beast. It is unclear how much of that might be due to the influx of funding from Disney, but everything looks fantastic. The production is ably directed by Rachel Talalay, who gives the special all the grandeur of a Steven Spielberg movie.
The new TARDIS set looks amazing. The digital effects are well-executed. The costumes for the Wrarth Warriors perfectly mimic Dave Gibbons’ designs. And the Meep is instantly one of the most memorable aliens to appear on the show.
If you’re a fan who misses the good old days, rest assured that the Doctor Who you love is back. If you have yet to ride on the TARDIS, The Star Beast is a fine place to start your adventures in time and space.
Grade: 5/5
Doctor Who: The Star Beast is now streaming on BBC’s iplayer and Disney+.
