DVD Review - Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two

Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two
Starring: Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman
Studio: BBC Home Entertainment
Release Date: May 28, 2013
ASIN: B00BXTH49M
Retail: $24.98
Running Time: 360 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon.com

Review:

The legendary Doctor Who turns fifty-years-old this November and it is the time to catch up with the second half of series seven with the two-disc DVD of Doctor Who: Series Seven - Part Two out in stores today.

Picking up where the 2012 Christmas special, The Snowmen, ended, The Doctor tracks down the modern day version of Clara Oswin Oswald, aka The Impossible Girl, who just happens to need his help to stop the Great Intelligence. The Doctor is intrigue with Clara as she doesn't remember ever meeting him before. He takes her on a several adventures across the universe and across time in the TARDIS, but waiting in the shadows is the Doctor's darkest secret.

Doctor Who, Season 7, Episode 10, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) and the Doctor (Matt Smith)

Photo Credit: 

Ray Burmiston/Adrian Rogers, ©BBC WORLDWIDE

The episodes on the two-disc set are:

Disc One:

• The Bells of Saint John
• The Rings of Akhaten
• Cold War
• Hide

Disc Two:

• Journey to the Center of the TARDIS
• The Crimson Horror
• Nightmare in Silver
• The Name of the Doctor

Bonus Features are:

• The Bells of Saint John - A Prequel (2 minutes)
• Clarence and the Whisper men (2 minute prequel to Name of the Doctor)

I've heard many things about second half of series seven, especially about the cliffhanger finale that will lead into the 50th Anniversary Special set to air this November, so I was more than eager to watch Doctor Who: Series Seven - Part Two, which I received a complimentary copy from BBC Home Entertainment in exchange for my honest thoughts. I thought Part One was slightly disappointing as a swan song for the former companions Amy and Rory, but I was impressed with the cinematic feel of "The Snowmen" Christmas special.

Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two; Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) and the Doctor (Matt Smith)

 Photo Credit: 

RAY BURMISTON, ©BBC/BBC WORLDWIDE

The main plot for the Part Two's eight episodes is about the Doctor trying to figure out who Clara, whom he has seen die twice, really is. Of course everything leads to a show down with the Great Intelligence and the unveiling of the Doctor's secret, which is all over the internet, but I decided not to reveal it to others who haven't seen the episode yet. There are many well-written stand-alone episodes. I especially enjoyed the episode "Hide" guest-starring Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife) and Dougray Scott as the plot involves some paranormal activity. "Cold War" brings back an almost forgotten enemy, an Ice Warrior, but with updated special effects. And of course the Cybermen return in "Nightmare in Silver" written by Neil Gaiman and guest-starring Warwick Davis. 

Overall, I think the Doctor Who: Series Seven - Part Two has some of the best written episodes from the new incarnation. Jenna-Louise Coleman as Clara is a perfect fit for 11th Doctor's Matt Smith. I even liked the finale's cliffhanger twist. I recommend the DVD or Blu-ray to old or new Doctor Who fans.