The Doctor is baffled when a young woman is transported to the TARDIS on her wedding day, and attempts to find out how she is connected to an alien plot to destroy Earth.The Doctor is baffled when a young woman is transported to the TARDIS on her wedding day, and attempts to find out how she is connected to an alien plot to destroy Earth.The Doctor is baffled when a young woman is transported to the TARDIS on her wedding day, and attempts to find out how she is connected to an alien plot to destroy Earth.
- Vicar
- (as Trevor Georges)
- Rose Tyler
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Wedding Guest
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Russell T. Davies(showrunner)
- Sydney Newman(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the first time in New Who that The Doctor's home planet, Gallifrey, is identified by name.
- GoofsWhen Donna and The Doctor are first running down the tunnel away from the TARDIS, the door is open but in the next scene it is closed.
- Quotes
The Doctor: Haven't you got a mobile?
Donna: I'm in my wedding dress; it doesn't have pockets. Who has pockets? Have you ever seen a bride with pockets? When I went to my fitting at Chez Alison, the one thing I forgot to say was "Give me pockets"!
- Crazy creditsCatherine Tate receives co-star credit on the episode "The Runaway Bride" - the only time in the show's history (to date) that a guest star has been so credited.
- Alternate versionsThe version airing on BBC America omitted an entire scene toward the end, when the Doctor drops off Donna at her home. In the American version, they simply smile at each other and say their goodbyes, before the Doctor goes back into the TARDIS and flies away. The British version made this scene less abrupt, as the Doctor invites her along, and she declines; then she invites him to dinner with her parents, and he declines. She pleads with him, and he begrudgingly accepts, and says he just needs to park the TARDIS properly, since it's in the street. He goes back inside and it begins to disappear... Donna shouts at him and he re-emerges, and this time they say their goodbyes for real, before the TARDIS then flies up and away into the sky.
- ConnectionsEdited from Doctor Who: Rose (2005)
The usually horrendously annoying Catherine Tate appears as The Doctor's temporary companion following the loss of Rose Tyler at the end of the last season. I've never understood the appeal of Ms. Tate and this production has done little to shed any light on this mystery. Her early scenes are ham-fisted and poorly executed. However, by the end of this story, Tate has partially redeemed herself as she does bring moments of comedy to the proceedings.
There are some saving graces for this production. Firstly, David Tennant is as entertaining as always. Long may his travels in the TARDIS continue - he's going to be a very tough act to follow. Tennant reveals a little more of what makes his Doctor tick in "The Runaway Bride". I have no doubts that the best is yet to come.
Secondly, there is the excellent and genuinely exciting TARDIS chase scene. I won't say anymore but this was a spectacular set-piece and it showed just how far the production values have improved.
Although my initial reaction to this special is one of disappointment, it's far from being a total disaster. For a Christmas episode, though, this lacked festive sparkle and left me feeling more than a tad disappointed. However, this is a Doctor caught in the midst of change and the tone reflects this. Even Russell T. Davies' script seemed without its usual magic and zest, although there are a few sizzling one-liners. Previous (brief) Xmas enemies were shoe-horned into the production without really adding anything to plot-development. The script seemed a little dull and director Euros Lyn fails to set proceedings truly alight although there are some memorable scenes.
The usually easy-on-the-eye Sarah Parish is practically unrecognisable as the evil Empress Of Rachnos. 10 out of 10 for the effects guys, they've done a sterling job in creating this new spider-monster. Parish herself is a lot of fun and fills her screen time with an over-the-top but successful and likable performance. It's a shame her appearance is limited - she's a very watchable villain with a wicked sense of humour.
The delightfully pretty Krystal Archer appears briefly as Tate's nemesis, Nerys and makes the most of her small role. Don Gilet is also amusing as "The Runaway Bride"'s fiancée, Lance.
As a stop-gap between series, "The Runaway Bride" serves its purpose. I imagine, though, that Tennant's Doctor will weep with relief that his next long-term companion isn't Catherine Tate.
As a teaser, the episode finishes with a tantalising glimpse of the next series. Although a fleeting compilation of scenes can be deceptive, the next series looks simply amazing and promises the return of some familiar characters.
- DVD_Connoisseur
- Dec 27, 2006
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Filming locations
- Millennium Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff, Wales, UK(Torchwood base corridors)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour
- Color