Overdue Doctor Who Review (Mini) - Born Again

[@Ben-vf5gk]

If you're doing Mini-episodes you know what that means... Night of the Doctor Review!

[@robo3007]

Oh, and don't forget The Last Day too!

[@WackyAnteater]

And Time Crash!

[@marionbaggins]

Yes, Yes and Yes!!! The Return of Paul Mcgann!!!

[@cScottD]

Yes, please!

[@tylerowens]

Rose is way more than just an audience surrogate, but I think that "Can you change back?" moment is a good audience surrogate moment. "You signed up for Eccleston. He's gone, and he's not coming back. Do you want out?"

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Interesting take.

[@CapriUni]

As a physically disabled woman, who's been active in the Disability community for most of my adult life (going on 27 years, now -- yikes), I couldn't help but see Rose's reaction to the Doctor's regeneration -- whether R.T.D meant it this way or not -- a metaphor for how people who become disabled in adulthood are often rejected by their friends and partners, because they're perceived to be "different people" who can't change back... or, even worse, are accused of not trying hard enough to change back, even when "changing back" is impossible. Spoilers? for "The Christmas Invasion" and "Deep Breath" below? So even while I recognize that Rose's reaction to the Doctor's regeneration to be "realistic," the amount of time in "The Christmas Invasion" devoted to Rose's feelings of abandonment and betrayal makes the episode very hard to watch without clenching my jaw. And this is why I cheered when Lady Vastra gave Clara that dressing down in "Deep Breath," and cried tears of joy and relief when the Doctor gave her his "Just see me" speech at the end.

[@nightowl8477]

That's a very interesting interpretation, and yeah I thought Deep Breath was a lot better than The Christmas Invasion. Definitely.

[@MasterFiggy]

I too am physically disabled (since birth) but I never really thought about those regenerations in that way before. That's a really interesting thought. I always just saw it as the companions taking the role of the audience and reacting like "oh here's someone new as the Doctor, but they aren't my Doctor", that kind of thing really. But I think what you've said has really made me think about that.

[@CapriUni]

@@MasterFiggy Well, it's that, too, of course. But the Eccleston -> Tennant regeneration was explicitly disabling: it knocked him out and quite literally made him unable to fight the monster of the week until the very end of the episode, so, from my perspective, the disability metaphor was more blatant than it has been for other regenerations (although the regeneration from Tom Baker -> Davison comes closest; for about a minute, there, Five even becomes a wheelchair user). And, like I said (or as I implied?), I would not have minded Rose having a negative reaction quite as much if that reaction weren't explicitly: "He has betrayed and abandoned us," over something he couldn't help (and something he went through in order to *save her life* -- lest we forget). Granted, Rose is young, and it's well within her characterization to react that way. But I do wish that there had been at least one line of pushback, about her attitude, instead of everyone *agreeing* with Rose that "Yes, isn't it a terrible tragedy,? You poor dear."

[@SamyulDavis]

what a unique, cool take. Thanks for sharing :)

[@Lil-Dragon]

As a physically disabled person I never realised it but looking back totally see the metaphor and how well integrated it has been over the years.

[@Venemofthe888]

I do like how they mention jack in the episode not forgetting about him till torchwood

[@greasyhair5754]

CAN YOU BLAME THE TARDIS! She's an old ship that keeps being blow full of regeneration energy, the only time that doesn't happen is when she kicks him out. The Tardis does have emotions in her own weird way, so I always interpreted the Tardis blowing up when the Doctor regenerates, as her having a temper tantrum, or her getting upset at the Doctor dying again because with how she sees time she's only known the Doctors for a small amount of time. Oh and the Doctor always leaves the breaks on and the shields down she bound to be vulnerable to regeneration energy, especially mid flight! Also she's an old ship, she was an old ship when the Doctor found her I think she can be forgiven for blowing up from time to time haha

[@samuelbarber4154]

Greasy hair I like to look at it as: "Huh? You've regenerated? You know the drill, time to redecorate, get out."

[@juliahegemann7165]

I like the "eccleston smile" from him because Rose is a companion who questions things and it reminded her he is still the same person.

[@JohnAShort]

I think a lot of people have missed seeing this bit of Doctor Who cannon (especially those who weren't DW viewers back in 2005 when this originally aired.) I think it's an incredibly important piece of New Who. Not only is this the first mention of 'regeneration' in the modern programme (the word isn't used in Parting of the Ways) but it also explains why they have left Jack behind and why they end up on earth at xmas instead of the planet with the dogs that have no noses. Amazing that it was written as an afterthought and not simply a cut scene from the Christmas Invasion.

[@joelakat]

Don't know if you've figured out your Tennant era outfit yet, but I HIGHLY suggest "bathrobe" for The Christmas Invasion... very Arthur Dent... and it gives you another week to figure it out if you need it! :)

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Did you read my notebook????

[@joelakat]

@@CouncilofGeeks Spoilers...

[@elliottwatt5297]

I hope you’re doing Time Crash. No pressure though, I just love that.

[@martynstembridge7714]

This was a fantastic little episode ... and gave a PERFECT tiny insight into what we could expect from Tennant moving forward. Calm, caring and pleasant one minute ... to terrifying and maniacal in the blink of an eye ... DAMN, he was SO good. I think David will always be my favourite Doctor ... He was there when the show REALLY exploded in popularity for a few years, and I was always SO happy to see people around me who wouldn't normally even consider watching Doctor Who, excitedly talking about things like the Master returning, or the latest exploits of Donna. Tennant loved playing the part, understood what was needed to deliver this character successfully, and most importantly didn't copy any previous actors. He did his own thing and it was spectacular.

[@Fejrus887]

Awesome you actually did it ! ^^ I personally think it should have been part of the Christmas Invasion and replaced some of the more lack luster parts (tightening it up a little). So it could have been a better Post-Regeneration Episode :D

[@greasyhair5754]

This mini episode was kinda sad but also happy in a weird way. It was hard to see Rose like that towards the Doctor, she was convinced he isn't the Doctor. It really is hard to see how the Doctor knowing that they were friends but Rose being just so scared and concerned!

[@FortoFight]

I was 8 when this was televised so for years I remembered it as being part of either Parting of the Ways or Christmas Invasion. So when I started rewatching DW on Netflix it blew my mind that I couldn't find this anywhere, I thought I must've imagined it or something.

[@M-E_123]

I don't have anything to say about this minisode but just wanted to say I appreciate you still wearing the 9 style jacket to match what 10 wore in this scene. It's a nice touch. Well played.

[@atrixa1991]

I had completely forgotten that this existed until you posted this review. I liked that Rose was skeptical, as Nine had never told her that much about himself. If she had blindly accepted it I wouldn't have been pleased with her.

[@15schaa]

This review is longer than the episode itself.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Judging by the evidence I've certainly got a gob.

[@DalekBricks]

I don't believe I ever saw this short. Huh. Well, I have something to do tonight!

[@amandaparler2080]

Thank you for this, because I did not know that that this mini episode existed!

[@MissSerenity98]

I love your nails

[@criticalfayle7509]

Yes they’re gorgeous!

[@CapriUni]

Gotta love that TARDIS blue!

[@Alex-ux8cl]

They're great

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Thank you kindly.

[@maurinet2291]

Please do Time Crash. I actually consider that Doctor Who's most comedic episode. The performances and timing are just spot on.

[@terristevens5563]

Isn't it funny that in Family of Blood it is opposite? Here it is..... "ROSE: Can you change back? DOCTOR: Do you want me to? ROSE: Yeah. DOCTOR: Oh. ROSE: Can you? DOCTOR: No." While in FOB (Oh wow, FOB...Family Of Blood and FOB watch! I just had a YANA moment!) it is... JOAN: Could you change back? DOCTOR: Yes. JOAN: Will you? DOCTOR: No. Cool huh?

[@thatbowiefan6276]

I didn't even know this special existed until this review popped up in my recommended.

[@Prowl1701]

I always enjoy the brief time we get to see a new doctor running around in The previous doctors outfit, so I always enjoy this mini episode.

[@Supersonic_Supernova]

Thanks for reviewing this episode.

[@corbinvickers9993]

For years I never knew this existed and I watched straight to the Christmas invasion. Only recently I discovered it and it made more sense of the first scene from the Christmas invasion.

[@avidkeo]

lol yeah I used my common sense and watched it before watching your take on it, so wouldnt stress over that. I also loved that moment as well. Good example of her feelings about the change. PS I love how your take is longer than the video bahaha

[@Lahey3]

To be honest Tardis crashing after regeneration is a tradition for me :) I like that and I always wait for it buuut I perfectly understand why you dont like it

[@TheCrippledEgg]

No wonder the Tardis chucked Thirteen out.

[@peterkorman77]

While I don't think it makes sense, I like the way that it allows the Doctor to immediately be engaged in some action.

[@qwispery]

It makes sense sometimes, but we never got an explanation of why it chucked 13 out, (I know they wanted to replace the set) in the context of the show an explanation would have been nice.

[@elliottwatt5297]

I like the way that it happened with 11-12 because the Doctor had forgotten due to the trauma of the regeneration and I dislike the way they did it for 12-13 because there’s no way to justify it, except maybe that 12 had been holding in all the regeneration energy so it was more powerful maybe? But without confirmation I’m just being an apologist.

[@daveh6125]

Didnt even know about this mini episode watched it on youtube before the review

[@Lovemypirates11211]

I didn't even know this existed until one day fairly recently I was looking for Eccleston's regeneration on youtube and discovered that there was an extended scene. I didn't know that it was a Children in Need bit, I thought maybe it was a deleted scene because it worked really well as a bit of filler between Parting of the Ways and the Christmas Invasion. I love it, I like Rose's reaction and Tennant's response, especially that moment of her trying to figure it out, not really trusting him which is totally understandable. I love that moment too of him going "Well do you want to leave?" and offering to go back. I also like how he was disappointed that she wouldn't admit that she had laughed at his joke about Jackie. Great little bit!

[@katrinacampbell5989]

Looking forward to seeing your Tennant cosplay 😁

[@Ryanthedoctor11]

11-12 had an excuse for the TARDIS crashing, it was one of the things he forgot immediately post regeneration like how he's forgotten his name before

[@thedoctorwhoexpert7]

Yeah, this is an awesome Mini-Episode

[@LorathZ]

Huh. In my multiple watches of the Doctor Who franchise (once all the way through from Hartnell, and multiple times since then with just the modern), I missed this minisode every time. Glad you pointed me to it. Thanks!

[@mythme01]

I made my own little video edit connecting Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways/Born Again/Xmas Invasion into one big episode. Watching it has become a bit of a holiday tradition for me.

[@tylerhouston69]

When youtube doesn't give you the official link just channels that re-posted it. DAMN YOU SEARCH RESULTS

[@westlifejjfan]

Wait where can I watch the minis? I legit never knew these existed. Admittedly I caught up on Doctor Who on Netflix so it probably just isn’t on there, just thought I’d seen everything in new who

[@rememo6294]

Probably dailymotion

[@Venemofthe888]

They are on the dvds in special features I think. Time crash I'm sure is on the series 3 or 4 box set

[@thenintenbro7154]

I mean some are on youtube

[@Fejrus887]

@@thenintenbro7154 Born Again is on KZbin

[@scaper8]

I know some are on the DVDs, but I don't think that all of them are. I don't think any of the prologue from six or seven or whatever it was nor this for example were. Certainly, I never saw them; and I did make a point of going through most DVD's special features.

[@chelseafrank5941]

Does this mean you will do Pond Life? (Doing a review of all the episodes in one review)

[@necrosdragosani2782]

Did anyone notice DT putting his arms into his armpits as CE used to do? Nice touch.

[@jeremysealing4796]

I totally watched it again when I saw what you were reviewing. I can only imagine how many have not seen it and how much those numbers will go up because of your review. Hmmm....

[@danielsleeper2307]

I've seen this, but it was a while ago. How you described it was perfect. A taste of Tennant

[@roguebritgravy1]

At least this episode had more Tennant in Eccleston clothing. Rather than two seconds of Tennant out of the TARDIS and collapsing.

[@TexasTimeLord]

The newest Doctor hasn't had a single moment of dialogue like that in 2 entire seasons.

[@MrRjhyt]

I wonder if he was still adjusting to the fact he can't go back. If Rose's question/request made him realise he's now a different man, and there is no going back, for himself, or to please her.

[@allyowl]

I've just started watching Doctor Who for the first time, and Born Again isn't listed on IMDB so I didn't even know it exsisted until I saw this video. Is there somewhere I can find a more comprehensive list? I don't want to miss things because I simply didn't know about them. Maybe I'm being dumb but they don't even seem to be listed on the Doctor Who wiki :/ I'm just starting Tennants era and am really struggling to move on from Eccleston, I think if I had known about this mini episode it might have helped mend my broken heart

[@rememo6294]

Just wanted to point out with the whole rose looks into the TARDIS energy under the controls and it is kinda alive and what not... that was actually first brought about in the First doctors 3rd serial 'The Edge of Destruction.' I think that is where RTD got the idea from

[@Jedi_Spartan]

I know you're nowhere near the Matt Smith era but which of the series 5 and 6 mini episodes will you be doing?

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Time & Space as one thing. And the whole "Last Night in the Tardis" series thingy as one thing. That'll probably be it.

[@barney9456]

I prefer the televised children in need version to the DVD version, music wise and it included sound effects as well

[@iamokayiswear]

Would you consider doing a rereview of Day of the Doctor, or do full reviews for series 8? (addressing the spoilers)

[@captaincrumpet5558]

Tennant's acting was atrocious when he was coughing up the time energy, but he's brilliant in the other parts

[@mystic_mimi21]

Could you review torchwood or the Sarah Jane adventures xx

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Not as part of this. I can’t promise I ever will as an episode by episode thing... I just didn’t like either of them enough to want to rewatch them.

[@louella72]

I'm so excited for The Idiot's Lantern. Completely agree with you on that one.

[@HereComesPopoBawa]

But are you HUUUNGREEE for it?

[@LukeDunn6667]

Lol, cards against humanity in the background.

[@MrRjhyt]

I imagine this was tricky balancing act to write. Explaining it for new viewers, but not having the Doctor appear surprised by regeneration. It's a nice mini-sode, I'm also fond of the one that came before 'The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe'. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5etnHmqpr6EabM Only a minute and a half long, but still better than certain episodes.

[@roxxychik06]

This is one of the few mini episodes I never wached

[@francisbarraclough959]

I love the nails

[@lyricbot8513]

WHat? I NEVER SAW THIS EPISODE OMG (edit: never mind, I just never realised the 2006 Children In Need ep had a name)

[@marklittle5131]

Was there an episode where they were hopping for their lives???

[@thatbowiefan6276]

No.We don't see everything they do together.

[@vincinel114]

It was a 'meh' for me, largely because The Doctor gets a little...uh...curse-like, if you know what I'm talking about. Even more ironic about that, this was made as a _Children_ In Need episode. Tiny bit ironic, bouncing off the fact that it was made for children, and the Doctor is kinda semi-clearly cursing.

[@TheGreekGeekMovieReviews]

Dude...... Nice nails!!

[@SuperOdod]

wait what this is a thing lol