Paul Cornell’s “Human Nature” is regarded in “Doctor Who” fan circles as one of, if not the, best New Adventure novel published. I read it back in the day and I have to admit–I really liked it. But then again, I’m biased as I loved all of Cornell’s seventh Doctor stories published under the New Adventures banner.
The novel of “Human Nature” followed the mission statement for the NA’s–stories that pushed the format of “Doctor Who” beyond what would be achieved on the small-screen.
Because of that, I was a bit wary when I heard Cornell was adapting the novel for the current series of “Doctor Who.”
On the other hand, as a huge fan of the original, I couldn’t wait to see how it would come to life on the small-screen.
So, heading into this week’s installment of “Doctor Who” I was both wary and excited. I desparately wanted this episode to live up to my memories of the novel and wary that no matter how good it was, the book would be better.
Thankfully, the story not only lived up to my memories of the novel, the first episode of this two-part story was compelling, entertaining, interesting and a complete delight.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this episode is the best thing the new series has done since “Dalek” (which given that “Dalek is my favorite episode of the new series is high praise). But let me add this–a lot of that hinges on how part two comes out.
The highest praise I can give this episode is that despite my foreknowledge of how the story unfolds, it was still edge of your seat riveting.
In order to hide from a group of aliens called the Family, the Doctor gives up all of his Time Lord aspects, becoming fully human. His Time Lord essence is stored in a pocket-watch that can be re-opened when the time is right and restore him. The Doctor becomes Dr. John Smith, a professor at a boy’s school in 1913 England. Martha is a servant who retains her memories of what has happened and knows where the TARDIS is hidden so she can keep her eye on the Doctor. When the time is right, Martha will open the watch and bring the Doctor back.
Smith has memories of his days as the Doctor, most of which come to him in dreams. He has a journal detailing his previous adventures but he dismisses them as flights of imagination and nothing more. He’s also met and beginnng to fall in love with the school’s matron, a set of events that upsets Martha.
The Family arrives on Earth and begins hunting the Doctor. But since they’ve never seen his face, they have to track him down based on his Time Lord signature. Since he’s no longer a Time Lord, they can’t find him. They know he’s there because a student has stolen the Doctor’s watch and opened it a few times, alerting the Family he’s in the area. The Family wants to collect him for some nefarious purpose.
Based on the first installment of this two-part story, “Human Nature” has the chance to be a defining story for the tenth Doctor’s era and the series as a whole. One of the things that impresses me most about this story is how Cornell has been able to adapt a story originally written for the seventh Doctor and the NA companion Benny to the tenth Doctor and Martha. While Benny was never “in love” with the Doctor as Martha is (despite snogging the 8th Doctor in “The Dying Days”), the sub-text of Martha’s feelings for the Doctor and her jealousy is well used here. As is Martha’s frustration at the Doctor’s instructions he left her –none of which cover him falling in love with a human and when she should return him to his Time Lord self. Also of interest is how the script addresses Martha’s racial background in the context of the story. This creates a new set of obstacles for Martha to overcome as she tries to stay close to the Doctor.
Once again, the performances of David Tennant and Freema Angyeman are superb. Tennant’s is especially great since he creating a whole new character in John Smith. He puts just enough of the Doctor into his new character to remind the audience of who the character really is.
The script is filled with small, delightful references for fans to catch–from Smith’s saying his parents are named “Syndey” and “Verity” to the drawings in Smith’s notebook that feature all nine previous Doctors.
And the series finally delivers a new cliffhanger for the show. Forget “Heroes” and saying “dammit” at the end of each episode there. I was rivetted as the cliffhanger built up and cursed a bit when the familiar stinger began to end part one. This is one “Doctor Who” fan who is counting down the hours until part two hours…and, in case you forgot, I’ve read the novel and know how it all ends.
Yes, it was that good.
I’m hesitant to use the words “instant classic” on this one–if only becuase part two has yet to air. But even it’s only half as good, it will be a real treat.
Is it Saturday night yet?
PaulJ says
Without the benefit of having read the novel, I must say I’m highly intrigued by the snippets of the second half we saw at the end of this one…
Michael says
The good thing is the preview intrigued me but really didn’t give much clue on how things would be resolved…
Bronzethumb says
I haven’t read the novel, but I totally agree. This episode was easily the best of S3, and once concluded could quite easily be the best of the entire new series.
One of the things I noted, and was reinforced by hearing Cornell talk about it in the Confidential episode, was how this particular story is one of the classic superhero tales: the hero who gives up their abilities to be a normal human, only to realise that he is needed and restore himself. You’ve seen it before (Superman II, Spidey 2,) and this one pulls the story off brilliantly, combining it with several elements of the origin story too as parts of the Doctor shine through the Smith exterior, like Peter Parker realising he can climb walls and kick the bully’s arse. The trailer forshadowed a scene that I’m looking forward to more than anything else in the ep: Smith stepping up the the plate, suiting up, and becoming the Doctor once more.
Part 2 is gonna be awesome.
Michael says
I’ve read the novel and while it’s been ten plus years, let me warn all of you–be ready for an emotional ending that will have you reaching for the Kleen-ex.
Oh I hope I am not getting my hopes up too high for this one…I haven’t been this eager for a new Who episode since Army of Ghosts last year….
Bill says
The episode felt very rushed to me compared with my fond memories of the book. Subplots and themes were crammed into one small scene each and a lot of the fanwank fun of the original (where John Smith’s history was pieced together out of his companions’ memories) had to be excised entirely. It also bothered me that Tennant’s Doctor has already been humanized a great deal so there was a lot less contrast between him and his John Smith than between the very alien 7th Doctor and the novel’s John Smith. And the lack of history, both in the shallowness of the Doctor’s memories referenced and in the relationship between the Doctor and Martha, hurt the adaptation. With Benny, I really felt that she was concerned about the Doctor being lost in John Smith. With Martha, it felt more like she was worried about losing her ride home.
The result felt, to me, like a much more generic version of the template story: The Last Temptation of the Doctor. I’d like to hear the thoughts of more people who haven’t read the book. How does the story stand on its own?
PaulJ says
Watched Part 2 this evening.
WOW!
Jo says
Does anyone know where to find screenshots of “The Journal of Impossible Things” – Human Nature???
I’ve looked practically everywhere, and the only thing I’ve come across is a page of past Doctors.
Can anyone help me???
Thanks :p
God, I’m actually addicted to Doctor Who – I swear Im getting withdrawal symptoms!