2.2 - Tooth and Claw

This episode reminds me in a very good way of the greatest era of the show in the early seasons of Tom Baker's era as the 4th Doctor in that it has gothic horror themes and is properly creepy, atmospheric, exciting and scary as well as having some great witty humour.

The story has the TARDIS taking the 10th Doctor and Rose to Victorian era Scotland where they actually meet Queen Victoria. Meanwhile a werewolf type creature appears and the Doctor has to try to save the day whilst dealing with the Queen and her entourage at the same time.

The humour is great, the scares are great and Tennant well and truly shines in the role of the Doctor . Pauline Collins (who appeared in a 2nd Doctor story in the 1960s called The Faceless Ones) is marvelous as Queen Victoria and the acting and production all round are impressive.

It is not, for me, among the absolute all time greatest episodes but is very close so I rate it 9.5/10 at least.

This is for me where I was convinced by the tenth doctor. When he sees what he is facing and is only thrilled and excited to see such a spectacle. Tennant is on point for the first time for me in the first “good one” of his era.
It’s by no means perfect but I’ve always been fond of adventures facing the near mythological!

And the wolf is a great force. Especially when your locked in with it!

8/10

The Doctor and Rose encounter Queen Victoria and stumble onto a plot involving a Werewolves and a plot at world domination. This is actually a very cleverly written story with great atmosphere and some solid moments. There are so great twists in this story., it really is a delight to watch.

Pauline Collins has a superb turn as Queen Victoria, making the long-serving Monarch a real person with complex motivations and a mix of toughness, intelligence, and humanity. This would have been a nearly perfect episode if not for Davies having Rose determined to get Qieen Victoria to say she's not amused. She even carries on the gag in the midst of life threatening peril. However, Rose does also show some great courage and cleverness when trapped in the basement with the other prisoners.

Still, despite a few overly smug moments, the great atmosphere and solid guest performance makes this a very enjoyable episode.