This Christmas Special is very good. It has a very effective premise as it begins with a suggestion that the Doctor has possibly met a future incarnation of himself. SPOILER ALERT: This character, played brilliantly by David Morrissey, turns out to not be the Doctor and I think some viewers felt disappointed or tricked by this but I think that it is the essence of good storytelling, present an exciting, intriguing situation and then bring the story round to a logical conclusion. Davies could hardly impose the next Doctor on forthcoming Showrunner Steven Moffatt so there had to be an explanation. I felt the interest and anticipation provided by suggesting it WAS the next Doctor was really good and feel that viewers always wanting pay offs for their expectations are rather shallow. I enjoy having my expectations turned upside down if it is done well which this is. The storyline about Jackson Lake and his family is touching and interesting.

What I like slightly less here is the Cybermen aspect. i was not a big fan of the Cyberking and one or two other bits. The less satisfying aspects detract a little but it is overall a fun, entertaining adventure with David tennant on usual great form. There is great humour, strong dialogue and fine acting from Dervla Kirwan as Miss Hartigan.

8/10

This electrifying finale is the 6th episode in a row to get 10/10 from me and the 4th in a row of those written by Russell T. Davies. He brings his final full series as Showrunner to a wonderful conclusion. The superb Graeme Harper directs as expertly as always and the effects and make up are top notch.

The Daleks are properly menacing and exciting in this story which is great and Davros is magnificently brought back to life by the flawless acting of Julian Bleach who matches original Davros Michael Wisher for creepy, intelligent face offs with the Doctor. The moment he remembers Sarah Jane is magic and overall he manages to return Davros to greatest villain status.

The storyline is epic which is quite challenging at times as so much is jammed in and so many big ideas are thrown at us but it is all internally logical as well as entertaining. The heartbreaking conclusion with Donna was hard to accept but although it is gutting I see it as a huge credit to Davies and the story he has given us because unlike Steven Moffatt who always reversed and cheated his way out of sad events, Davies hammers us with a fate for Donna which is almost more hurtful than if she had died. It is hugely emotional and the acting of Catherine Tate, Bernard Cribbins and David Tennant is phenomenal throughout the story as well as in the tear jerking ending.

Elisabeth Sladen brings joy as sarah Jane gets a lst proper adventure with the Doctor and other great characters Martha, Captain Jack and Rose also get in on the action.

The action, drama and every aspect of this is just great entertainment. 10/10.

This is the 5th episode in a row that gets the full 10/10 from me as the brilliant series 4 continued at top standard. This is a thrilling episode as the Earth is plunged into peril with the Doctor's friends banding together to help try to help. The Daleks are revealed as being behind the terrible events and their creator Davros is back leading them.

The exciting tension, menace and action in this episode is terrific and the arrival of the daleks and reveal of Davros returning really were heart thumpingly good. The friends of the doctor teaming up was also exciting and joyous. The storyline manages to really make the events really feel threatening and scary and the cliffhanger was incredibly surprising and suspenseful.

Getting the Doctor's greatest ever companion Sarah Jane Smith back was wonderful and we also get Donna and Wilf who had been shown in this series to first ones to challenge Sarah Jane for greatest companion status. Truly wonderful characters. Of course Rose, Captain Jack and martha are also fantastic and the fabulous Penelope Wilton as Harriet Jones redeems her great character which is very pleasing.

This is filled with danger and big epic entertainment but it also has some dark, thoughtful and interesting themes threaded through it and excellent dialogue bringing emotional drama.

The story also is technically exceptional with great effects and superb make up for Davros. Julian Bleach is mesmerisingly good as Davros emulating the tremendous original Michael Wisher.

10/10

A feeble wisp of a tale, Stain of Red tries to milk an idea of animating clay into a something more but lacks the dramatic punch to make much of the concept. There's no real attachment to the characters or sense of danger from the setting to make the listener care much about the events. Instead there's a central idea and a bit of waiting around to see what comes of it, then the story ends. Probably the least memorable short trip I've heard to date and one I don't plan to revisit.