[Chris Britton]

I give this a 5. It was an improvement over last weeks tripe but there were still some parts which really broke the suspension of disbelief and did ruin the episode. How a couple of small bits of water managed to kill such a huge creature was simply stupid. I know it was rock and fire and they are both weak, but surely more water was required. Plus the Doctor Wielding a Water Pistol?! A very poor gag, effective at escaping but really could have been done so much better, and the idea of the Doctor and Donna being worshipped as Gods just sounds utterly stupid and could at least have been set up beforehand. The plot was poorly written out, just too clunky and was really not smooth. PLus it is me or does the CGI appear to be of a lower quality this series? It really just does not fit into the general scenes as well as it can. Plus the whole idea of the Doctor actually being the cause of the eruption was just out of character for him i feel. it worked much better if it maintained that he was simply powerless to do anything except flee, which is what he did, but the idea of him being a catalyst was the straw which broke the camels back. The fact Romans had idea of Volcanos was also historically inaccurate. The priestesses were just too shallow and over the top, no substance to them at all.

That said it was more more darker and grittier and once again Tate and Tennant do well with what they had, it did give a good view into how The Doctor is forced to live his life and also shows off his kinder side, as well as showing how noble Donna is. The monsters were much more of what should be expected and it was kind creeping seeing those people being turned to stone, very medusa-esque. Yet it still does nto feel like what Doctor Who should be.

But still, given how good the Ood were back in series 2. I am sure next weeks episode will be quite good. the Ood were always creepy and there was never a need to explain why. It should be good, plus it;s on another planet for once.