Fear Forecast: Boom Town

Factor 2: Mildly Scary, say our children's panel.

bbc.co.uk's Fear Forecasters tally the terror in episode eleven - Boom Town.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTE: "Nobody got killed. But I suppose some people could have been injured."

(1) Samuel is delighted immediately: "Ooh! Slitheen!". He's impressed by Margaret Blaine: "She's endangered and she's female - the only one left." His father comments on how this sounds. "I don't know who David Attenborough is, dad," says Samuel witheringly.

Amy and Harry make themselves comfortable. Amy has a sleeping bag, Harry sits on the sofa.

(2) "If it's too scary, I'll hide under the covers, OK?" says Amy, as Margaret claims another victim. Mum reassures her.

(3) "Mickey!" observes a delighted Harry as another of Samuel's favourite characters arrives: "Mi-ckey! Mi-ckey!" he chants.

(6) "It's a baddie, it's a baddie!" warns Harry. Amy clutches the corner of her bag in anticipation.

(7) Amy is preoccupied with making sure that her covers are neatly arranged. She risks an occasional glance at the TV.

(8) "A toast to the future!" declares Margaret Blaine on-screen. Samuel and Adam laugh when mum and dad raise their martini glasses in response. But Samuel gets a little bored, and starts to do a "yak yak" conversation impression.

Adam snorts with laughter at Margaret's "accidents".

(9) "Who's been doing her homework?" Margaret asks the journalist. "It's my job," replies the journalist. Year 3 suddenly makes sense to Samuel: "Her job's to do homework?" And then, somewhat outside his experience, and much more exciting: "Hey! We get a trip to the ladies toilet!"

"Pongy!" Harry holds his nose theatrically as the gas exchange fails. He grins as the Slitheen starts to emerge. Amy sits up warily and pays attention.

(11) Adam and Samuel look forlorn when the Slitheen talks about her missing family. "She's too sad to kill that other woman," notes Samuel.

(13) Captain Jack and the team await the Doctor's orders. "This'll be an exciting bit" Harry tells his sister.

(14) "Doctor who?" asks the Mayor's secretary. Amy decides that this would be a good time to tell her "Dr Who, knock knock" joke to a patient Daddy.

(16) The Doctor retrieves Margaret with his sonic screwdriver. "Oooh, I really want one of those" sighs a wistful Harry.

(17) "Is this a funny bit?" asks Amy hopefully. It doesn't seem to be, so she sticks her legs in the air and makes a "tower" with the sleeping bag.

(18) Samuel and Adam nod knowingly when "Blaidd Drwg" is translated. "Bad Wolf is following the Doctor," observes Adam, "even in other languages." "Bad Wolf! Bad Wolf!" shouts an overexcited Harry

19) "Raxacoricofallapatorius" Harry mouths the word, but makes no attempt to say it. Amy is bolder. She bounces up and down in her bag singing "TimmyTiger-TimmyTiger-TimmyTiger!" very fast indeed. She looks round for approval, but is greeted with a frown by Harry. "No, that wasn't it.''

(20) Harry is outraged by Margaret's presence in the TARDIS.

(21) Margaret asks whether any of them can look her in the eye. Adam laughs: "None of them can!"

(22) Rose and Mickey discuss getting a pizza. "Mickey loves Rose a lot," declares Adam. Almost as much as Samuel loves pizza, it seems, as he starts to sing the "Fast Food Song". His mum rolls her eyes. Amy climbs onto Mum. Harry sneaks into the sleeping bag.

(23) "The Doctor didn't kill the Slitheen, Ricky did," corrects Harry

(24) Samuel and Adam agree that is is quite funny that Margaret teleported accidentally to the Isle of Dogs.

As Jack tinkers with the console, a fight ensues over the sleeping bag. Eventually, an uneasy truce is reached as they decide to share.

(27) "I knew that was going to happen," says Samuel when the poison dart leaps from Margaret's finger. This is because he's read his new "Doctor Who: Monsters and Villains" book from cover to cover. So the poison gas isn't a shock either, apparently.

(28) Adam's fascinated by Rose's conversation with Mickey. "It seems that some adventures have been missed," he observes wistfully.

(29) Margaret explains about Death by Soup. "Urgh!" says mum, but Samuel and Adam love it.

(32) As the Doctor and Margaret continue to chat in the restaurant, Harry realises why he isn't as comfy as he should be. He pulls out Amy's Timmy Tiger from under the covers, to his sister's delight.

(33) Big explosions! All eyes are back on the TV. This is most exciting bit! "The rift's opening!" declares Samuel. "This is scary," agrees Adam. They both remember the rift from earlier in the series, and comfort each other by chanting "Pity the Gelth! Pity the Gelth"!" in ethereal voices.

(35) Margaret's Slitheen arm seizes Rose. Adam's mouth opens in surprise. Samuel's mouth opens in a big yawn.

(38) "The TARDIS has a soul," notes Adam. Margaret is fascinated by the powerful light emanating from the TARDIS." This is like that bit in Bug's Life," declares Samuel. "You know, with the insect and the outside light: it's sooooo beautifuuuuul... I caaaan't heeeellp iiit! Aaaaghh!"

"What's she looking at? Why can't we see it?" asks a frustrated Amy, as Margaret gazes into the light.

(39) Adam and Samuel are fascinated as the Slitheen skin suit tumbles empty to the floor.

(40) Margaret's an egg. "I can't see the rest of her body." complains Amy. "That's because she's become a neck." explains Harry. Daddy corrects him. Harry nods sagely and revises his opinion. "Oh yeah, she's become an egg! Why is she an egg, Daddy?" Daddy says he'll explain later.

"Nicely done" says the Doctor. "Yaaayyyy!" yells Samuel. Adam's intrigued by what Margaret has reverted to, Samuel less so: "Will you stop saying "she's an egg'?" he demands of the on-screen characters.

But it looks like a happy ending for everyone, as Adam notes: "Nobody died." He ponders this for a moment, remembering the Cardiff pavements cracking open: "But I suppose some people could have been injured."

41 The boys seem surprised that Rose seems so sad. Then, unlike previous weeks, there are no end credits on the preview tape. "Whaa-aat?" shouts Samuel. "Boooo!" shouts Adam, "where's the trailer?" While dad rewinds the tape, Adam and Samuel are still pondering the end of this week's episode.

"I thought the Gelth might come out when the rift opened," says Adam. Samuel smiles supportively: "Pity the Gelth," he whispers.

---

The Fear Factors

1: Mildly Scary
2: Quite Scary
3: Very Scary
4: Chilling
5: Terrifying

Doc. Who Biggest Fan
This episode was the worst one in the WHOLE series. They could have missed it out and the whole episode and it would all still make sence. I really don't see the point!

Gavin (26)
I've always been a big fan of British Sci-Fi, especially Doctor Who and was very sceptical regarding the celebrity line up of the new series. However, this new series of Doctor Who has remained true to the spirit of the old William Hartnell series and all I can hope for is that after this series, the BBC decide to keep the stories coming for many years to come. Big thumbs up.

trevor
this episode is not scary, i mean i have had scaryer dreams about rabbits

kieran
the bad wolf episode looks great. i bet the bad wolf will be adam because the doctor and rose left him with a motive to get revenge and with all the knowledge from the tardis and the spike in his head. i hope it is because he was a really ennoying character and deserves to get killed off.

Peter Thomas
Who is Doctor Who meant to be for. Children or both adults and children? and to make Doctor Who better they should dispense with the trailer for next week. Doctor Who survived for 26 years without it. So why have it now. Regarding Boom Town. i thought it was classic Doctor Who. It's nice every now and then for an Alien to turn the tables on our hero and make him think that his actions have consequences for others. I'd be surprise if you print this because you normally don't print anything critical about RTD

Kayleigh Cupit (age 12)
Not one of my favourites but PLEASE no more "previews" Coming next week", it sort of ruins the surprise, if there was NO preview after "the Doctor dances" then the return of the Slitheen would have been a surprise, the same for the return of the Daleks. If your reading this Mr Davies, for the next series, even with Bad Wolf (???) NO MORE PREVIEWS/TRAILERS...... PLEASE

james H
I agree with Lucien Barnes. The trailer at the end of this particular show never needed to feature the Daleks, now we know too much. I liked this episode however, especially Margaret the Slitheen. Not the scariest of monsters in my opinion but nice to see them again all the same. Well...one of them. Omlette anyone?

charis
I loved this episode because I fancie The doctor and Captain Jack. Itwas so funny.when he saw the trailer my friend Aaron literally Jumped for joy because the daleks are back .He loves them.

Michael
I can't believe that people have actually left messages saying what a disappointment episode 11 was. I found it an excellent episode, it showed the new Tardis crew bonding so much more than before with their new arrival (Captain Jack), some excellent special effects, we learn some more about the Tardis and hopefully we saw the end of Mickey the Idiot! What more do you want people?! Seriously though for a minute, I think the new series has managed to imprint itself on todays generation of kids like it did to me when I was young. The writers are doing an excellent job, and I was so sad to hear that Christopher Eccleston is leaving as he did such a terrific job playing the doctor, as Billie has done playing Rose. These two have proven to the world what excellent actors they are. Thankyou for the last 13 weeks, Ive loved every minute of it!

Anthony Roberts
The new series of Doctor Who has taken the series to a new level and given it a new lease of life, last weeks episode was good, with Margaret trying to make the Doctor reflect on his way of life and not living with the consequences of seeing people die. I was under the impression that the daleks were all 'exterminated' during the last great time wars, does that mean that gallifrey is still out there? Please stop spoiling next weeks episodes with a sneak peak, I want to be suprised.

Glis
I can't believe the people who didn't like this episode were watching the same Doctor Who I was - Annette Badland's extraordinary performance as Margaret even raised Chris Eccleston's game (if that's possible). Long live Blon Slitheen!

Rachel (in the Colonies)
I loved the whole interaction, from comedy to confrontation, between the Doctor and Margaret/Blon, especially the "dinner in Spandau" scene. The ending felt like a bit of a cheat, though, until I saw Confidential--then I was doubly impressd. Chuffed, even. ;)

Gregs
I thought it was amusing when Margaret was trying to kill 'The Doctor' and he was always one step ahead.

Tony Allen
A enjoyable romp,my wife kept giving me funny looks as I laugh my head of with so many of the gags.Love the chase sequence,this series is what Doctor Who should be fun, thrills and scares.

Kevin
Really enjoyed 'Boom Town' - easily the best of Mr Davies' scripts so far. Slightly less frenetic than others with some interesting things to say about the Doctor's motives. Loved the travellers laughing and joking about their recent adventures over coffee. My daughters loved the bit when Mickey fell over the tea trolley and got his foot stuck in the bucket. This series has far, far exceeded my hopes and dreams. The diversity from week to week is amazing and everyone's talking about it. Well done team, and I can hardly bear to think it ends in ten days time. Oh no! I'm seven again....

David Forbes
An excellent character piece with Russell Davies's usual sparkling dialogue and great performances, marred yet again by Davies inability to plot a decent ending. Another deus ex machina - and this time one nicked from the TV Movie!

shearluck
I'd be great if rather than showing us a trailer for the next episode the BBC showed us a real teaser, something that wouldn't reveal who the enamy's are next episode or too much about what's going on next episode but would whet or appitites. for example a teaser for boom town could have shown the sientist saying his concerns about the project but none of margret. that'd have worked i think. I hope we see more of Magret Slitheen in the future unrepentant and grown up again, just as evil, she'd make a great leader for the rest of the familly slitheen when they turn up in future episodes as she may still have 'issues' with the doctor.

Becca (14)
Are those locations real? Cardiff rocks!!!! but dad says the fountain thing is CGI.

Lee daw.
I think it's brill, doctor who is back, and they have great actors. This episode was quite good but i think it cud have been a bit more scarier

Andy
The scene with the Doctor counteracting Margeret's toxic breath- priceless! However, this ranks as the weakest episode of the series for me. Loving the rest of it though..!!

Jan, London
I keep waiting to find a bad episode in this series but it never happens, and won't now. No doubt this time next year David Tennant will be getting all the praise for his portrayal of another superb Doctor, but right now I'm sure, if it were possible, the Tardis would be packed full of people all wanting to go back in time to persuade Chris Eccleston to stay.

Andy Frankham
Russell's best script so far this season. The Slitheen really got on my nerves in their previous appearance, what with the fart gags, but this story readdresses that balance nicely. Wonderful character moments, and a nice twist at the end. I really believed Maggie Slitheen had reformed, then I didn't and then... oooh, keep the twists coming, Russell!

Bad Wolf
The series is just going from strength to strength, I just cannot wait until the next episode, where i assume we find out who (or what) Bad Wolf is, given that that is title, and the Daleks make an very welcome return.

Derek Pike
Can't agree more. Stop ruining the surprises BBC! I want to see the daleks when I'm good and ready, and not before.

Adric (yes that IS my name) Mayall
It is wonderful to see the Doctor back, having grown up with him, it's like a cherished friend has come back and it's time to play catch up with him.

Vicki
Dr Who really outdid itself this week, as last week's episode was quite chilling I think it needed the sentimental touch to give the series the diversity and cleverness. Plus with the Doctor's reference to Bad Wolf me and Dad thought that all was going to be revealed as we've been keenly guessing at what it was. It was just today I was discussing with my friends about the Bad Wolf and its great to have something sophisticated on telly to talk about. This episode was very sensitive and not scary, a great one to get kids thinking about how people feel.

Andy
Great to see another episode in Cardiff but why keep calling it Cardiff city - thats a football team. We live in the City of Cardiff.

Timothy Smith
The eleventh episode was cool.That slitheen margaret was really cool I wish I was an egg then I'd know everything and become a super baby.Good thing you've bought back sink plungers.

Jason
All I can say about this episode is it was 45 minutes of Nothing. Not good or bad, just nothing happened. Again a poor ending, the heart of the TARDIS changing Margaret to an egg. The writer should have done better, such using the TARDIS channeling the excess Rift energy to roll back time. We are not America please loose 'the on next weeks show' clips they spoil everything. How can you have cliffhangers or suspence it you give away the plot.

Laura(11)
Yeah, its all that get talked about on our playground, we're all fans. We do little impressions, and are all very curious about the 'Bad Wolf' thing. And the next one looks oh so funny. Reality TV is taking over the world!!!! I tried to warn you!!!

Lizzie
This episode was OK, but the empty child was better. This one had too much Soap Opera for my liking. I would say the fear factor was only 0! The trailer spoiled it, definatly.

Kaz (old enough to know better)
I love that this series is managing to be intelligent, wise, and funny, and that the innuendo is mainly going straight over children's heads. The question of how to deal with capital punishment (if someone's going to go out and do it all again, is it justified? Who has the moral authority to make such decisions anyway?) and how the Doctor's experiences in the war have changed him were beautifully dealt with, but the rug was really pulled out from under all that by the deus ex machina ending - no-one had to truly face the consequences, which was rather disappointing. Also disappointing is that there are only 2 episodes to go before we lose Christopher Eccleston. I know he's up to his eyes in other work, but... be still, my beating heart!

guy
i think it was more sad than scary the last one the end its sad how would you feel if you were the last person in the family.if i could rate it be factor 1/5

devon elson
it was really cool except there was'nt enough action!

marie
i though it wasnt that scary, especially compared to the past two episodes!!!

Sharon Stevenson.
Here I am listening to my son and his friends talking about Dr who.Its wonderful to here! The Dr is back and being talked about again in the playground.They are looking forward to seeing the Daleks on Saturday bring it on!!!When is the Master coming back????

Doctor Why (13)
It wasn't as scary as The Empty Child or The Doctor Dances, but it was pretty damn good all the same... That stuff with the TARDIS soul was kinda weird though, gave me something to think about for a while. Can't wait for the next one...Big Brother in space, and Anne Robinson with a funky death ray in her mouth...Oo 'eck its gonna be a good'un!

Brian
Same ending as the Leisure Hive Only it was a baby not a egg

Averk
this is the best episode yet!!!!!!!!!!

Marcus
Loved the teleporting bit. Thought the Doctor/Margaret dinner scene was excellent. Like the developing banter between the Doctor and Jack. Getting very bored with earth though - not one episode so far has left the planet (or its orbit). Where is your extra-planetary imagination, Russel? On the whole though - "Fantastic."

Megan Bowler
I cant wait until the next episode. I love Doctor Who, and I love Big Brother. My two Favourite shows all rolled into one! I am soooooooo excited! Well done Christopher, and Billie too for being great actors and Actresses!!!!

Kevin Cupit
I agree with Lucien Barnes, the preview of next weeks episode will have ruined the surprise for many of the fans, I hope there will be no previews in the next series, thus keeping the surprise element alive, because already according to Doctor Who Magazine there is another old for returning next year. As for the episode, my least favourite so far the "turkey" you could say

Paul Tapner
A surprisingly strong character piece that wasn't spoiled by an awfully deus ex machina ending. I don't suppose the panel are old enough to know terms like that yet! Will margaret reappear next year having merged with the spirit of the master? He must still be in there somewhere...

john peggie
don't kill off off cap jack please he a good companion. Adam to be Bad wolf!

MK (14)
Al-ert! We-are-det-ect-ed! Can't wait for the Daleks- now we get a whole fleet instead of one li'l loner!

Louis
I really liked this episode because it was almost a normal day for the Doctor and he got to do normal stuff but next week i can't wait 'EXTERMINATE'!!!!!!!

Jon S (big fan)
regardless of the fact im a dr who nut and i have worked for the BBC before, i realy liked this episode, and although not as good as previouse episodes, and possibly the least action packed since the few episodes in the originals where they were trapped in the tardis, it was a very deep and well made episode. however i am VERY annoyed that you have shown the daleks at the end. i originaly thought that it was a bad move showing ANY daleks what so ever untill the actual show this series. it would have been alot better to keep it a suprize, and you needent have worried as people would watch it ANYWAY. i realy hope you read this and remember it for future episodes. also, the next week spoiler, in my opinion, should be removed full stop from the cliff hangers! it spoils it! we will watch, just let us enjoy it more by giving us suprises! thankyou - jon

Kraken D'Waggin
it was a good episode, but from the trailer the week before i thought the episode would be much different than it was, overall it was kinda scary when the rift started opening, but it ended all too quickly, the ending was nice, maybe we'll see more of the slitheen in later series

grant olden (16)
i've been a fan of doctor who for some time, and this series just gets better and better. when i saw that slitheen had returned i thought this is going to be good.

Dalekchick
Its crazy that Blon Slitheen thought they were killing her she did try to turn our planet into moltern fuel for spaceships. She deserved to die not to be morbid or anything.

eevee
this episode disappointed me with lack of plausibility (nuclear power in the centre of Crawdiff? yeah, right) and it's lack of action, but i think it was necessary...filled some plot holes with mickey and character holes with everyone else and it was fun trying to say the planet name! next week's looks incredible though...I can't wait!

John Carr-Murrell (12)
Not the best episode so far, but I liked the part were the secretary came out of the room and said "she's up to her eyes in paperwork"(or something like that!)and the doctor says "She's climbing out the window isn't she".Can't wait to see next weeks program!

Philip Brennan
Mildly scary ... but extremely entertaining!

Doug
I've officially given up on DR WHO now - three decent episodes out of eleven so far? Not good odds... Thank goodness the (sadly) last series of ENTERPRISE is so good or I'd give up on sci-fi all together!

beth (10)
it was good, but the doctor didnt do much!

sam.c (11)
funniest episode yet loved the doctor/margret dinner part cant wait till next week."exterminate"

lambie
What have the doctor and his buddies been up too??? Whats bad wolf??? whats Captain jacks real identity??? and why have the daleks returned in their thousands??? Hopefully all these and more will be answered next week!!!!

Thomas
I liked the bit where Margaret tried to climb out the window, and the teleportation part. Next weeks episode looks good- The Weakest Link, Big Brother, some crummy make over program, Doctor Who-and Daleks!

Kitty
I really thought that the Doctor and Rose had killed all the aliens in the episode 'Aliens of London part 2'.The bit that really gets me annoyed is when it shows you a teaser for the next episode.

krfig
bring on the daleks. i thought they were wiped out along with the rest of the time lords?

Immi (13)
Brilliant episode! Boom Town had me laughing in parts especially at the beginning when Mickey first came to the Tardis and clinging to my seat in others, not with fright of course, but with the grippingness of it. Boom Town has overtaken Father's Day and Dalek to become my favourite episode so far.

William
Is it me or can the Sonic Screwdriver do anything. Stop teleporting, Unscrew screws, resenate concrete, open doors, help put cabinets and makes a handy torch.

maddie [7]
i quite liked this one when the glass smashed it made me jump i loved it

Mindez (15)
Agreed - Russell Davies really has a big issue with subtlety. But look on the bright side - remember LAST week's trailer for Boom Town? That threw me, the episode was VERY different from what I imagined. I don't think RTD would give away a big surprise like the 'Bad Wolf' episode away so easily - I still think it'll be a great episode. And very different from what we'll be imagining.

Chris
Lovin' it! Especially the teleporting bit, and nice to see that even the baddies have a soft side. But what's with the Daleks for ep 12? I thought the one in ep 6 was supposed to be the last? (Meh, more cries of 'exterminate!' is cool)

Kevin
Nah, I can look forward to the next one a lot more now, know that they'll be in it. This one was good, I also laughed at the teleportation part.

Arthur Johnson
Just Love the new series, and as a 45 year old man I am not fraid to admit it! after all as a child I too hid behind the sofa, my only complaint/niggle about the new series are the 'Trailers' for next weeks episode, it kind of takes the surprise-intrigue as to who will be the Doctors foe next time!

Ross Wingate (11)
My Dad thought it was very unusual from the middle to the End.I think the next episode is class with "Big Brother

Ross Wingate
My Dad thought it was very unusual from the middle to the End.I think the next episode is class with "Big Brother

Nottelin Yuwe
This epsidoe was amazing. Margaret Slitheen was turned into an egg, the Tardis looks amazing underneat the rift, Margaret Slitheen gets turned into an egg, There's alot of humor in this episode and I nearly forgot to mention, Magaret Slitheen gets turned into an egg. but what really put a smile on my face was the trailer. More Daleks!?

Keith
An excellent episode with plenty of comedy moments: the teleporting, the dart and the 'death-breath'. I couldn't help being fascinated by the TARDIS now having to refuel and the console lifting up to allow Margaret to see the soul of the TARDIS. It was so brilliant, you could say "Raxacoricofallapatorius" eighty-seven times!

Rodger
As BBC Confidential said, this episode examinded the conscience of The Doctor in his meeting with the enemy over dinner & also dealt with the emotions of those left behind; Mickey tells Rose how he feels when she's flying through Space & Time. He's an innocent victim in this, losing his girlfriend to a man who can fulfil the unimaginable dreams of a young girl wanting adventure. Sad that the Critics above missed the preview of EP12.

Eala Dubh
The Daleks aren't the chief surprise (they've been touted everywhere for the end of the series); the Bad Wolf revelation will be. Excellent how the episode laid down the sense of imminent Bad Wolf doom with even the main character realising something is seriously amiss... I have my own theories (as does everyone), but it'll have to wait until next week.

Haaris (10)
I thought it was scary at first when the man got killed (what do you mean "nobody died" the man did).

Kieron
This show wasnt that scary it was very mild. But when the Slitheen returns it sent a shiver down my spine at the thought of what plan of evil they will do next.

Ashley (11)
Really good episode. I laughed at the teleporting part. Can't wait till next weeks when Daleks are back in it, I think

lucien barnes
my kids loved this until they saw the Daleks at the end. "no fair!" they wailed. they think a big surprise has been ruined. i have to agree.