Poll: Rate & Review Love & Monsters

[The Doc]

An ordinary man becomes obsessed with the Doctor and Rose, and uncovers a world of living nightmares.

Love & Monsters was the tenth episode of Series 2 of the BBC Wales version of Doctor Who. It was the first episode since Mission to the Unknown whose focus was entirely on a character other than the Doctor. It was also the only episode to be told in the first person. It included important development of the character of Jackie Tyler, the first mention of Harold Saxon, and an explanation for why Torchwood could not use Rose Tyler as a way to track the Doctor.

From a production standpoint, it was notable for including a monster created by a child for a Blue Peter competition. It was further important for being the first story in the programme's history written specifically so that it could be recorded at the same time as another story — a process called "double banking". By minimising the appearances of the Doctor and his companion, the production team were able to record 14 episodes in the same time that it took to make 13. Russell T Davies was sufficiently pleased with the results that the concept — dubbed a "Doctor-lite episode" — would become a regular feature of each subsequent season.

The next story will be posted on Sunday April 8th

[hannahcole93]

I generally get the impression that lots of people don't like Love and Monsters (seems a bit of a Marmite episode! ). Personally on rewatch I really really enjoyed it, more so than I remember before (maybe that's cause I was writing some chemistry notes at the same time?!). But I really love this episode, and I love how Jackie has a major part in it as Rose's mum, and not from the parallel universe. I love the extent Jackie would seem to go to to protect Rose and the Doctor.

Peter Kay in this, I really don't like. No offence to him, but I'm pretty sure they could have picked a better person to play the Abzorbaloff! I like the Abzorbaloff, it seems a good character (and considering it was designed by a Blue Peter viewer).

I'm giving this a 4 though! It's an alright storyline, and although it's very Doctor/Companion lite, it really is brilliant!

[Peri-Peri]

This is one of those stories where I think it's very easy to hate it but actually has a lot going for it. Don't get me wrong, it's not one of my favourites and there is a lot in there to complain about but there is enough good in it for me to give it a three.

[Saber]

I think PP hit the nail on the head. I've gone for a three as well.

[Exterminate]

Had to be a one. I get what they were going for but it just didn't work for me.

[Aneurin]

2 from me. I liked the stuff between Jackie and Elton and some of the characters were ok, but the overall plot was ridiculous.

[Vampyros Adric]

Its not that bad. It was alright. I mean yes there was that little bit of stunt casting. But JNT wrote the book on that with his time in Classic Who so thats nothing new. And Marc Warren brightens up anything really (he would have been rather an interesting choice as the Doctor - not good, not great but interesting). And I quite liked Moaning Myrtle in it. So yes, it was alright.

And it was a Doctor-lite episode wasn't it? So, actually for the first "Doctor-Lite" episode of Nu-Who...it was alright.

I gave it a 3. Not the best, but at least it was having a go at something different.

[Scott]

Just a two from me. They tried something new and it didn't work, but kudos for trying.

[Nyki]

Two from me.  I liked Elton and Ursula well enough, and the early stuff about LINDA was enjoyable, but I didn't like Peter Kay in it, I wasn't keen on the Absorbaloff (fine for something designed by a kid for a BP contest, but not great) and I didn't really like the whole video diary format.

[Twisted-Sister]

Just 1 from me. I appreciate they were trying something new but there is no reason that something of so little quality should have made it passed planning stages, let alone on to the screen. I think the overall plot was ok, but it wasn't written well and it definately wasn't made well.