Doctor Who (TV Series) Turn Left (2008) User Reviews

Fan-tas-tic!

[firstclasstrash · 10/10 · 10 August 2014]

I just saw this episode for the first time -- forgive me, I started Doctor Who three months ago, so everything is a new, wild ride for me -- and I was blown away by its sheer genius.

The episode is a classic what if, but it isn't cheesy at all. It's dark and moody and that feel of despair came across so well that I felt empty while watching it. Catherine Tate delivers a flawless performance that had me laughing and crying. But her performance wouldn't have been as good if the story wasn't so excellent.

I am hooked to Doctor Who and I already was even before I started the second season, and throughout season 3 and 4 there were some episodes that had me reveling in the awesomeness and greatness of this show. But Turn Left did it for me. It proved to me not only how timeless Doctor Who is and will forever be, but it also proved to me how important every single person in the Universe is and God, did it make me love Donna even more.

I guess, one of the biggest compliments I can give for this episode is this: if you are doubting if this show is for you, if you want to get anyone in on this show, if you ever need a reminder of what Doctor Who can do; watch Turn Left. It will leave you empty and desperate, yes, but it is so, so, so fantastic! It's brilliant.

Turn left is a masterpiece

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 26 August 2015]

I'd go so far as to say Turn Left is possibly my all time favourite Nu Who episode, bold statement, I'll try to explain why.

In brief, The Doctor and Donna land in china town, Donna goes for a psychic reading, with dark consequences. Donna explains how she met the Doctor, it all hinged on a single decision where she turned left, The Psychic pinpoints this and asks what would happen had she turned right. Something lands up on Donna's back, we see what would have happened had Donna not met the Doctor......

Back in Pompeii Lucius mentioned Donna had something on her back (he didn't say it would be the most rubbish prop of the 21st century did he!!)

This is the best episode penned by Davies, very closely followed by Midnight. To make not just a credible, but a fabulous 'what if' story is immense, to link in the recent history was amazingly done, nothing felt forced, the Hospital, the Titanic, the Adipose, very clever. (Even the awful Atmos devices have a place!!)

The episode is so bleak, it literally has me on pins from start to finish, it's definitely THE episode you cannot have on in the background. It leaves me exhausted and genuinely with a sunken feeling. When they hear the stars are going out, and see the Bad Wolf I literally nearly dropped. The trailer was almost too much to cope with, but wohhhhh.

The single best companion episode of all time, Tate is unbelievably good from start to finish, I just love Donna. She blew Martha out of the water in the trio of earlier episodes, and she does the same to Rose.

Piper is a little on the wooden side, but as a massive Rose fan I was so glad to see her back.

Sylvia was actually a very good character, she is rather grim, naturally, still suffering the death of her husband. She mentions him, a nice heads up to Howard Attfield, who had played Donna's dad Geoff in the Runaway Bride, but sadly died not long after it was made.

Fans of the Sarah Jane adventures will have seen the Trickster in Whatever happened to Sarah Jane.

It gets us all thinking and wondering what would be had we done things a little different. Turn Left, unique, thought provoking, outstanding. It had me in tears i'm not afraid to say 10/10

Mindblowingly innovative ... and profoundly moving

[jrarichards · 10/10 · 14 May 2016]

The alternative history episode (also featuring the welcome return of Billie Piper as Rose) that shows the descent into misery and chaos and destruction that a world without the Doctor would have faced. It's brilliant beyond all brilliance, gargantuan in scale yet mostly achieved through little vignettes, single lines uttered, by or around Donna, her mother and granddad. And nuanced genius that, while Britain took the hardest knock at first, with the Doctor gone, we were actually spared some of the later disasters that hit harder in Europe and America, because of our new-found poverty. For once words really fail me in trying to sum up this masterpiece of television and of inspired, meaningful story-telling. I shed tears more than once. Given that this episode draws on previous events but also feeds into upcoming ones, and given that chunks at the beginning and end had to be set aside to address these longer-term and more far-reaching aspects of the story, it's simply breathtaking how much content is squeezed into the central 30 minutes. An object lesson in HOW TO DO IT!

Companions take center stage ***** contains spoilers *********

[niggle-lives · 10/10 · 3 January 2011]

Despite being largely Doctor-less, "Turn Left" is one of my all-time favourite episodes. This comes down, for one, to the excellent script, the "what-if" scenario combined with an emotional build-up to the season's finale.

The other greatest factor(as is is indeed in most of the "New Doctor" episodes) is the quality of the acting. Now, David Tennant acting has been easily one of the greatest things about season 2-4, but it is nice, for a change, to see his two companions take center stage in this episode, and they both do an excellent job acting off each other.

Catherine Tate hardly needs further praise, but I wonder how come so few people seem to have spotted the brilliant acting choices Billie Piper makes. She does, in fact, do a perfect impersonation of David Tennant being the Doctor - copying his delivery, and some of his mannerisms. Some of this is built into the script - like when she asks the UNIT Major not to salute her, or when she goes off into scientific babble, then mentions that "This is something the Doctor would say". She even winds up stroking the TARDIS!

This is perfectly appropriate to the plot. Rose is the one who steps up to being the Doctor, when there is no Doctor around. She obviously has some experience doing this from her parallel universe, where she clearly is someone who's in charge. Indeed, a far more grown up Rose than we have seen previously - and a far sadder one. In fact we have seen her take this journey all through season 2 - by the end of which (In "The Satan Pit") the Doctor completely trusts her to take care of herself, and whatever situation might arise.

I tend to think of both Rose's and Martha's journeys with the Doctor as something of an apprenticeship in saving worlds, and Rose truly has graduated with honours. Personally, I find the idea that Rose expresses her continuing love for the Doctor by emulating him and, in a way, becoming him, emotionally far more satisfying than the eventual denouement in "Journey's End", which left me with a stale taste in the mouth - sending her off like that somehow cheapens her character, which up to then, has been shown time and again, as a true equal to the Doctor, in a way that none of the other companions quite achieve.

It's a shame Billie Piper does not seem get the same recognition as Tennant and Tate for being the talented and smart actress she is - I suppose too many people are being blinded by certain misogynic preconceptions they have about young blonde women with talent.

Like many episodes in the new Doctor Who, this episode derives much of its impact from things that have been going on in other parts of the series, so someone watching it as a stand-alone, would probably miss a lot of the logic, and the underlying emotions.

Dark, brilliant and unmissable

[those_who_dig · 10/10 · 3 March 2017]

When I first saw Catherine Tate playing the loud-mouthed bride in one of the Christmas specials, I have to say my expectations were low. I thought an actress known primarily for comedy would negatively affect the mood of 'Doctor Who', and not allow it to reach the intensity of earlier seasons I'm glad to say that I was proved wrong. Tate's Donna Noble has become arguably the most brilliant companion of the Doctor, and whilst this is largely due to great writing, the acting never disappoints. Catherine Tate's dramatic abilities are released on an unprecedented scale in 'Turn Left', as she is the focus of almost every scene in the episode. Beginning with a light-hearted encounter with a fortune teller, Donna Noble is taken on a terrifying journey which is developed around the question, 'What would have happened if the Doctor never met Donna?'. This may sound like a 'filler' episode, but I'd argue that it is one of the greatest episodes to date. A considerable number of familiar faces return in this episode; I won't say which as I'd be ruining the surprise. What I *can* say, though, is that the performances are all highly praiseworthy, including the one given by the hitherto underused Bernard Cribbins. Overall, I rank this episode very highly. It provides the context for the incredibly decisive final few episodes in this season, but satisfies wonderfully in its own right.

Wrong Turn

[hellraiser7 · 10/10 · 1 March 2016]

Warning do not read unless seen episode.

What if is something we all think about in the back of our minds everyday, what would of happened if we made this or that decision, how different would things be. Would things be worse or better? This is one of my favorite episodes of the series but also it's one of the darkest ones as we see what happens when Donna takes a wrong turn. This premise has been done before but he execution here is just fantastic and feels frighteningly plausible.

It is really disheartening and disturbing as we see just as Donna's life is getting worse by the minute so is all life on Earth as it is just getting fraked up bad. One of the saddest things about the episode was hearing about all of the protagonists we know and love all dying one by one, the one that really choked me up was hearing about Sarah Jane, I thought OMG! It was just so surreal but also presented the mortality of protagonists showing that they can die too.

What makes it even more disturbing is how much things have fallen apart. From seeing the government literally flush all morality down the toilet. However the one that really disturbed me was when there is a moment with Donna and her mom, and as Donna announces the usual bad news we just see this look on the mom's face which was just utter hopelessness.

You really feel pathos for Donna throughout the episode as she is just constantly struggling but left and right doors are closing all around her. I kinda like how Rose Tyler in a way is sort of the Guardian Angel figure as she is telling Donna everything and guiding her on the right path.

Donna at first has trouble swallowing this which is understandable, but then there comes one moment with her grandfather whom is doing is usual star gazing. We then see something disturbing as the stars in the sky are going out, the universe is dying. This was the final straw for Donna as we see one of the very things her grandfather loves is being taken away from him; but most importantly she just doesn't want to feel or take crap anymore.

It reminds me of what Elias from the film "Unbreakable" once said, "You know that sad feeling you have, it's because your not doing what your suppose to be doing." And I honestly believe that true, when people aren't doing what their meant to do or are where there suppose to be, they become lost, displaced, unhappy. Donna we see steps up and do what she has to do, what she was meant to be in her life, a hero.

This episode in a way is about heroism, but also makes you grateful that heroes and superheroes still exist and really shows the importance of having them.

It's always the smallest thing that can define the rest of your life and everything around it.

Rating: 4 stars

What If?

[timdalton007 · 9/10 · 19 July 2008]

This (finally) aired on Sci-Fi last night and having just finished watching it, I was mighty impressed. I expected the Doctor Who equivalent to a "clip show" but what I got instead was a wonderful sort of "what if?" story.

Russell T. Davies has managed to take elements from Series 3 & 4 and weave them into an alternate story that doesn't feel pushed or forced. From the events of the Runaway Bride onwards we get a glimpse into a world without our favorite Time Lord. It's a world where everything goes downhill to say the least.

This episode also gives Catherine Tate her best chance yet to show off her acting chops and she does beautifully in this episode. This Donna makes a journey from unassuming and unbelieving temp to a person willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the world. In a single episode, Tate and Russell T. Davies show the journey that Donna Noble has taken over the last series. Together with Billie Piper's Rose Tyler who also seems to be changed and to see these two characters in a scene together adds a lot more depth to it all.

Then there's the twist at the end. The moment Rose reappears one knows that something is up but it isn't until the last dew minutes that what it is becomes obvious. When it comes, be prepared. What might have seemed at first to have been a fascinating little one off has bigger implications to come.

To sum up: Turn Left is one of this series better episodes. While it might be Doctor-lite that's no reason to hate it. In fact by being Doctor-lite we get a chance to see two things we don't normally see: a chance to see a world without the Doctor and a companion's making an amazing emotional journey. Bravo Catherine Tate and Russell T. Davies...Well Done.

Excellent What If?

[abs_is_back · 9/10 · 27 June 2008]

Yes, sometimes episodes that get suddenly "undone" at the end are annoying. But this wasn't one of them. The only thing that annoyed me was the people who kept staring at Donna's back and that hiss/click sound - but I was just as annoyed as Donna was, so that just means the episode held me like it was supposed to.

We all think at times that our lives and our actions are unimportant in the scope of the big wide universe, and sometimes in Dr Who (old and new) the companion can seem just to be an accessory to give us a viewpoint. But when Donna's one small change of mind builds and builds and affects the whole world, when she feels more and more helpless in this new strange life she finds herself in, when Earth really needs the Doctor and he's not there.... you find out just how important one small change of mind becomes.

This one moved at such a quick pace I had to watch it twice to catch everything. Huge applause to Bernard Cribbins - Wilf knew all along things were just not right. Brava to Jacqueline King for being able to handle it when they gave Sylvia more to do than just whine and b***. Catherine Tate, take a bow, I had never seen you do such wonderful work, didn't think you could, and I happily eat crow after this performance.

By the time the Cloister Bell bonged, I was worn out from this episode! And the preview - can't wait, just can't wait. Heck, I can't wait for this series to hit DVD and we haven't even seen the finale yet!

Donna's Mom

[joanplesa · 9/10 · 10 November 2020]

Many of the review with and without spoilers talk in great detail about this episode and I'd recommend reading them. I just wanted to write about the brilliant acting job of Jacqueline King as Donna's mother. Throughout the series she's been a sarcastic biting presence. With this episode we see that her personality was a brittle shell protecting a scared vulnerable person and her breakdown is subtlety and beautifully portrayed by Jacqueline King. Kudos to this fine actor.

RTD proves his genius

[Skint111 · 9/10 · 21 June 2008]

I have to calm myself down to write this because that was such a brilliant ending to a fantastic episode.

I feel like when you've been supporting a fair-to-middling football team for years and then they go and win the cup - and you feel marvellous, and you say to everybody 'See! I told you we were great!' Because Doctor Who is now terrific, spine-tingling television, with ace acting, ace writing and ace technical values. It is galaxies ahead of the old series, and series four may even be better than the first three seasons of the new one.

For this ep RTD took the Sliding Doors/Run Lola Run template and entwined it with the show's mythology and history (and what mythology!). Tying in everything from the Racnoss to the Adipose to the Sontarans was sensational; to link it forward with what looks to be a classic finale is beyond sensational.

There were so many good things about Turn Left: the unsettling feeling of doom that was conveyed thanks to world order collapsing (and it also made us feel extra adoration for the Doctor); Catherine Tate's strong, versatile performance - she carried the episode and not once were we wishing the Doctor would show up (quite an achievement, which Love And Monsters didn't quite do); the ingenuity of the plot structure; the 'something on your back' terror; and of course THAT next episode preview. Boy oh boy.

I'm not ashamed to say I shed a few tears during these 50 minutes.

Stunning and heartbreaking every time

[souninventive · 10/10 · 15 June 2019]

I watched this episode again today. I can't recall how many times I've rewatched it but it gets the tears going every time.

I love a good alternate universe or what if story and this tops them all. It draws on major moments in the Who universe directly affected by Donna Noble's seemingly simple (but heavily influenced) decision to turn right. As a result a number of show leaders in Who shows give their all because Donna wasn't where she was needed.

Now I must confess I initially thought Catherine Tate was not a great choice as companion as were a lot of people. She, and the writers, proved us wrong throughout the season but never more so than here. She is outstanding, still the same old gobby Donna but her fragility under her hardened exterior on show. And yet, it is her strength in the most important of decisions that shows she is, probably, the most rounded of all companions. The most human.

It is not just Catherine Tate that shines; Jacqueline Kkng as Sylvia gets to show not only the harpy that browbeat Donna but then the woman at a loss after so much is taken from her. That said the heartbreaker for me is the looks between Rocco (the incredibly upbeat Alfred Long putting a positive spin and face on everything for everyone) and Wilf (Bernard Cribbins). Two men knowing exactly what is going on. Wilf cannot hold back the tears. "It's happening again."

This is not a positive or upbeat episode. It is dark. Probably the darkest Who ever. Still it has a message for today. A nation that looks inwards "England for the English" is a grim place.

Good episode with a stunning ending

[ametaphysicalshark · 21 June 2008]

Russell T. Davies continues to provide more quality than I expected after last week's excellent episode in "Turn Left", a story that occasionally shocked me with its brutality and darkness (when Wilf says: "labor camps. That's what they called them last time", I literally shivered). The script starts out kind of iffy but improves drastically, packing quite a punch by the end of the 49 (!) minutes.

Graeme Harper did a nice job directing this one, good work all around keeping the episode moving at a swift pace. The ending is certainly quite powerful with Donna's sacrifice and all, but the cliffhanger sort of steals its thunder, packing a punch not dissimilar to "Utopia" last year.

While this week had the decency only to destroy cities in an alternate universe, it appears the final two-parter will feature plenty of good old-fashioned NewWho city-destroying. What's wrong with a smaller scale, really?

Billie Piper was a bit off, I trust she'll be back in good form for the finale. I do hope it's good.

7/10 for this one.

It's a Not So Wonderful Life...

[Xstal · 6/10 · 9 December 2021]

Toss a coin, pick a straw ,red or black; high or low, left or right, jibe or tack; life's highlights and hostilities, it's loves and liabilities, one-way traffic with an infinite backtrack.

Chan - The most important question to answer is: What did the beetle do to Chanto of Utopia fame to bring her back to life and allow her to find her way here as the Misfortune Teller? - tho.

Turn Left

[matt_dt_jones · 5/10 · 15 August 2009]

A story doing nothing but treading water. A loop in which nothing has happened by the end. As with all such stories (alternative universe stories being the worst offenders) it is the equivalent of 'I woke up and it was all a dream'! There can be no tension, no drama, because the viewer knows it did not really happen and putting things back on track will solve every single dilemma that is set up. People can die, come back to life, never have been born but none of it matters because it is all rubbed out at the end with the return to real time or the real universe. So who can care about the story when watching it? Not me. You might argue that Donna sacrificing herself is where the drama lies, but she is alive again in the proper time-line so it is only a manufactured "big deal". But it was produced nicely and could have been worth making if the writer had been forced to live with the consequences of what he did and been able (big 'if' perhaps) to come up with real solutions rather than the get-out 'it didn't happen'.

(SPOILERS ....) Up there with the best of the best WHo episodes of all

[neilstorton · 10/10 · 29 July 2008]

firstly, i loved the Donna-less episode MIDNIGHT. Yes i missed DOnna but it was more effective for this. Now we come to turn left. An episode that for me was Catherine's Tourdeforce. The whole cause and effect, what if scenario worked beautifully for me. I really felt for DOnna and i feel cemented her as one of the great assistants of the Doctor. It was great to see Rose and yes her performance seemed a little off but when carried to the finale its a coherent character change so I feel she was acting it spot on (its just it seems a little off at the time) A doctor less world was moving - it really linked the themes of the various series in a neat way and perfectly set the wheels in motion for the finale. For all this time i had longed for ROse to come back and i have loved the way they have done it. BUt at the same time, I was more interested in Donna. A brilliant episode, Really

Turn Left gets it right

[dkiliane · 9/10 · 10 March 2019]

This episode is an intriguing look into Donna's life if she never met the Doctor, which, of course, turns out to have a monumental effect on the universe.

While I don't know if I completely buy the Doctor's early demise, the rest is done quite well. Going back and seeing events sans the Doctor through Donna's eyes gives us an alternate perspective into how things could have unfolded and really puts us there in a more realistic fashion, which is quite refreshing. With the absence of the Doctor, Catherine Tate really gets a chance to shine and her range as an actress is impressive and moving. Also, we get Rose again, and she is pretty cool this time around, not the kid she was in season 2.

Time travel, alternate timelines, a mystery with universal implications; this episode manages to go big without neglecting the family drama and tiny moments while examining such themes as how individuals lost in the crowd are affected by atrocity. Superb :) 9/10

"What's that on your back?"

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 13 June 2010]

For me, the single most impressive dramatic programme of 2008 was this episode of the fourth season of 'Doctor Who', written by Russell T.Davies. It showed if nothing else he had not lost his touch despite appearances to the contrary the week before with the appalling 'Midnight'. As was the case with Season 2's 'Love & Monsters' and Season 3's 'Blink', the Doctor himself is barely on screen. A fortune teller ( Chipo Chung ) reminds Donna about the day she made the most important decision in her life - by turning left in her car, she was able to take on a new job, meet and fall in love, and was set to marry when she was unexpectedly snatched from the altar and wound up on the Tardis. But what if she had turned right? What if she had never met the Doctor and was not able to save him from the Empress of the Racnoss? Donna is shown an alternative time-line. Witnessing an ambulance taking away the Doctor's corpse, she meets a mysterious young woman - whom we know to be Rose Tyler ( Billie Piper ) - and who seems to know an awful lot about the future. Everyone Donna meets asks: "What's that on your back?".

This must have been hellishly difficult to write ( even if Davies did pen the originals! ) because of all the continuity references involved. Because the Doctor is dead, for instance, he is not able to stop the 'Titanic' spaceship from crashing into Buckingham Palace, and flooding the south-east of England with radiation. A World War Two parallel crops up as Donna and her family ( including the magnificent Bernard Cribbins as 'Wilf' ) are evacuated to Leeds, and move in with Rocco Colasanto ( Joseph Long ) who makes them live in his kitchen. No help comes from America as its citizens have been killed by the Adipose ( of all things ), and Rocco is eventually sent to a special work camp. Rose tells her that 'The Darkness' is coming, and that every universe is threatened. Donna has it within her to change history. U.N.I.T. have managed to harness some of the Tardis' power, so back goes Donna to force her past self to change direction...

Though hyped at the time as the long awaited return of Billie Piper's 'Rose', this is Catherine Tate's finest hour as 'Donna'. She is simply brilliant. By contrast, Piper seemed strangely wooden ( she did not even look fazed when told the man she loved was dead ), as though playing a hooker on Channel 4 had ( forgive the cheap sexual metaphor ) drained her of energy. Cribbins and Jacqueline King both profited from their extended screen time. Like the previous season's 'Utopia', the main purpose of 'Turn Left' was to set up the series' finale. It did that alright ( the Doctor seeing 'Bad Wolf' written everywhere - including the Tardis - was a stunner ), but worked very well as a stand-alone piece of drama. Shame about the plastic, time-eating beetle though!

The return of Rose?

[DVD_Connoisseur · 8/10 · 21 June 2008]

In this "Doctor-lite" episode, Donna experiences life as if she'd never met our intrepid Time Lord. Instead, her path crosses with that of one Rose Tyler, ex-companion and resident of an alternative universe.

Billie Piper's performance in this episode is somewhat distracting. I'm not sure if it's down to too much time on the alternative Earth but her lines are delivered in a less than Rose-like manner. This is definitely a more serious Rose than we've seen in the past but I question Piper's delivery in this tale.

Russell T. Davies' script is as clever as always and displays his usual imaginative touches, tying in episodes from the previous years and this season. This is a dark tale and the final reference to the past accompanied by the sound of the cloister bell may well have viewers' hairs standing on the back of their collective necks...

While Russell can't help give away elements of the season's finale wherever possible, the next tale is guaranteed to be full of elements that will echo through future episodes. It's going to be the biggest, busiest end to a season that we've seen so far and the return of some very familiar faces should make it unmissable.

8 out of 10 for this one. The best is yet to come....

Fantastic

[captainz-13482 · 10/10 · 2 February 2020]

Brilliant episode, very bleak, and at times chilling... but with great hope!

A superb "what if" episode

[rstenstrom · 9/10 · 23 June 2020]

I'm so glad this episode was written. If this episode was done in another season with another companion it just wouldnt work, The performance from Catherine Tate in this episode is fantastic and with the return of Rose makes it a quite rememberable episode.

Well used premise - brilliantly executed

[Cryptic_constable · 10/10 · 24 April 2021]

The changing a point in history plot has been used ad infinitum in all forms of sci-fi shows but I think that Russell T Davies' interpretation is one of the very best. Piper's character is a bit flat but I wonder if this is deliberate as it allows Catherine Tate's Donna to shine in all the peril the episode contains. Hard to believe that there was doubt about her character seeing as Tate was more famous for comedy back in 2006! This, "Planet of the Ood" and "Fires of Pompeii" stand out to me as some of Tate's best performances as Donna.

Of course the writing is tight and well-done and Cribbin's Wilf is always excellent too.

Donna Go Changing

[A_Kind_Of_CineMagic · 10/10 · 25 March 2019]

This is the 4th amazing 10/10 episode in a row in the superb series 4 (and the superb run would continue with the great 2-part finale). Like the previous fabulous episode Midnight this is written by showrunner Russell T. Davies and is another of his best.

The premise is that a parasitic creature causes Donna to change the course of her past by a different choice over which way to turn at a junction. As a result she never meets the Doctor and does not cause him to survive the battle with the Racnoss. This means the Doctor dies without regenerating and is not around to rescue the Earth from all the threats which it faced after that. Rose travels from her alternative universe to urge a disbelieving Donna that she can save the world by travelling back in time and changing her decision back.

The premise is clever, dark and exciting and is carried out with style. It is also a reminder that no matter how many regenerations the Doctor has available they can still be killed if the way they die prevents regeneration somehow. The Doctor isn't immortal.

Catherine Tate puts in another terrific performance as Donna who really takes centre stage. The whole cast, including of course David tennant are excellent and the chance to see the world without the Doctor is an awesome demonstration of the essence of what the Doctor stands for.

This is wonderfully written and every aspect of it is put together with top class standards.

My Rating: 10/10.

Good Enough Character Driven Story But With Several Serious Flaws

[Theo Robertson · 6/10 · 22 April 2009]

It's painfully obvious that Russell T Davies produced Who doesn't start reaching its stride until late in the season and he continues the trend here . It's also obvious that he's more than capable of writing a good opening hook and a good ending but what comes inbetween is extremely variable . Turn Left continues the trend also

Perhaps the biggest difference between old style Who and its successor is how the classic series was driven by plot while NuWho is character driven . Both styles have their fans and detractors but unfortunately RTD often exploits character while diminishing plotting . The premise of Turn Left revolves around the Doctor never having met Donna Noble in The Runaway Bride and of him dying during that story ad the fall-out that goes with it both literally and metaphorically .It's a very good idea and RTD is great at ideas but unfortunately his plotting is flawed

Think about itfor a minute . If the Doctor had died in The Runaway Bride then we'd have seen the witches succeed in The Shakespeare Code and the Daleks complete their plans in the season three Dalek story not to mention the Master taking over planet Earth . In other words Donna's world if not universe would be entirely different from the scenario seen here . RTD is using selective continuity to suit himself . This borders on cheating

Talking of continuity leads to other irritants . I don't like obsessive continuity because it's what led to the show being postponed in the mid 1980s when we'd see old foes returning , anorakish references being made left right and centre which panders to the lowest common denominator of the fanbase whilst alienating more mainstream viewers . I do rate Billie Piper as being a talented actress but doubt if she's doing herself any favours by returning to the show . Can anyone seriously think of her as not being Rose Tyler any longer ?

On the subject of continuity what is the point of bringing back UNIT if it's nothing like the organisation introduced in the 1968 story The Invasion ? UNIT doesn't even stand for United Nations Intelligence Taskforce - it's now become Unified Intelligence Taskforce and is composed of fat blokes and other minority groups . I bet Douglas Camfield is turning in his grave

In short Turn Left is a fair enough story that shows the flexibility of DOCTOR WHO but after seeing it you are left with the impression that the show is running dangerously low on empty from RTD and that the season finale had better be something special

Dire, truly dire

[fortean2 · 1/10 · 24 June 2008]

This easily goes down as one of the very worst episodes of 'New' Doctor Who - never before have so many been bored by such unmitigated dross. After his successful episode 'Midnight', Russell T. Davies proves that he simply cannot write 'complex' science fiction - he's great on the smaller, self-contained episodes but with anything 'large scale' he fails dismally. His 'larger' ideas are fine, but he lacks the skill to put them across successfully. A terrible shame as he's otherwise a great writer and ideas man.

Graeme Harper's awful direction didn't help either - this guy should stick to directing episodes of Casualty where his 'style' (such as it is) seems best suited (ie shallow, no substance, just a bit of thin surface gloss).

Overall: terrible.

Wow, what a tie-in

[schuchert · 9/10 · 7 July 2008]

There are only weak spoilers here because I make a few vague references to the 4 new seasons as well as other tie ins and a few rumors and such.

This episode brings back material from all 4 of the new seasons. This is another episode from a different character's perspective...and it works. As the name implies, we see what would happen if one event changed just a little bit. Seems simple enough, but as with many seemingly innocuous events...little did s/he (want to keep the sex of the character out so I'm making it ambiguous) that that upon that one decision would hang the fate of the universe...

You'll get more out of this episode if you've watched all 4 seasons. You'll also get more if you have followed Torchwood as there is another tie in. Something from the first season that I felt was left hanging is brought back to finally bear fruit.

If you go searching on the net for rumors and summaries and such, and you listen to interviews with D.T., it really leads to a possible multi-year cliffhanger - that's a guess, I really don't know as of this writing.

I don't want to write any more because I would hate to give it away anything that would ruin your experience, but bravo.

I have the next two episodes to watch and I really need to go to bed, and I'm only just going to manage.