Doctor Who - The Complete Series 6 [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

I don't usually write product reviews but despite Amazon taking this item off sale for some time due to faulty discs, they have put it back on sale and continue to sell a set plagued with picture faults.

On several episodes approx 40% of the screen has increased grain which the BBC is aware of, offering replacement discs in the post. Should it really fall to the consumer to have to replace these discs?

Bad form, 2|Entertain, BBC and Amazon for continuing to stock discs which are KNOWN to have problems. Recall them all and start afresh because the quality control on these discs is sadly lacking.

I grew up loving Doctor who (Sylvester McCoy being the doctor i grew up with) and when it returned in 2005, I liked it but never really took any interest. then David Tennant took over. started watching them. Then stopped watched David Tennants last spin (end of time) which I thought was brilliant. watched the first few episodes of the new incantation that was Matt Smith again stopped watching. But for some reason something keeps pulling me back. so Got Doctor Who series 6 on blu ray. And I loved it. Part of me thought I shouldn't be liking this i'm 32 years old and into dark stuff. (dark as in being adult series like walking dead, hell on wheels, the wire, supernatural, house) but it appears Doctor Who has won me back. I don't know if I should be embaressed or not. But I don't care. This series wasn't too CBBC for me. It wasn't too childish. It had its moments of course (well it is Doctor who) But I liked the underlining story arc to this series. Stephen Moffat has done a good job. I think Russel Davies run was good. But it appears This Doctor who does have a kind of darker edge to it. Now I'm not going into this whole who was better Tennant or SMith. As you can't. As you know Doctor Who when he re-generates his personality changes too. so SO Smith's Doctor is much different to the doctor that David Tennant played. So what's the point in comparing them really. granted you can prefer one over the other. Just started watching series 7 well the first 5 episodes anyway. The theme music as always brings a smile on my face reminds me of sitting in my room when i was a lil boy. watching the Doctor and his companion Ace run around on their adventures and me sitting mesmerized. Though of course Doctor who doesnt have the same effect on me now that it did. But it's a great British Science fiction show. Same with Torchwood i keep going back and forth with that. buying it selling it and buying it back. crazy.
The problem with torchwood is that it claims to be an adult version of Doctor who but it really isnt apart from the sexual element of it. anyways this is doctor who not torchwood. I found this series to be quite delightful. make sure you watch it while enjoying some jammy dodgers or maybe fish fingers and custard :)
Episodes
(havent watched the christmas special yet)
Episode 1+ 2 (two parter) 10/10
The Impossible Astronaut/day of the moon
This has got to be one of the best season openers of Doctor who, great story and the introduction to the overall story arc of the series, nice imagery, some loose ends but most get cleared up at the end. and we get to see Pond in an emotional scene. Liking the new companions Rory and Amelia not the average go screaming or corny lines.
The Curse of Black Spot 8/10
Pirates and the sirens, a pretty typical Doctor who outing, a nice idea well made, enjoyed it but nothing special probably would have been better if it was placed few episodes after the first two. As you would think a much stronger story should have taken place right after the series opener. But saying that this isnt a bad episode.
The Doctors wife 10/10
This is probably one of my faveourite episodes, its quite sad (not bring a tear to your eye or having to take four days off work to get over the pain and sorrow of it all) its a good Doctor and the tardis story, which explains to a point the doctor and the tardis relationship. As always the imagery was great and the acting.
it has the right horror/humor balance a very enjoable episode which should please any doctor who fan (especially the older ones)
The rebel flesh/the almost people 8/10
A good two parter, may not be the strongest stories, but a good cliffhanger, the charactors don't really become enough for you to root for them. But well written.
A good man goes to war 10/10
A powerful story in this continuous series arc as the doctor assembles an army, with plenty of monsters/aliens another strong episode in this series.
Let's Kill Hitler 6/10
starts off as a run of the mill episode, but a bit of a let down. probably the weakest story in the series, not to say it isn't enjoyable. as you get to see rory and Amelia through their younger days. but the ending felt like a cop out really.
Night terrors 6.5/10
i pretty much liked this episode, but not one of the strong points of the series, seeing the doctor help a little boy who is scared of everything, but this is actually a more back to basics Doctor, so though not a strong episode is a nice change.
The girl who waited 5/10
a play with time, liked it but you knew what was going to happen really, an emotional episode in regards to rory and Amelia. But I wasnt too convinced. but a likeably episode.
The God Complex 9/10
Liked this episode based in a creepy motel full of rooms full of your own fear. David Williams plays a funny alien. good story, good comedic timing. and also with some sad undertones to it as well.
Closing Time 6/10
A nice episode but cybermen story wasnt a strong one and not a huge fan of James Cordon, but one of the funnier episodes of the series.
The Wedding of river song 7/10
the series finale was both enjoyable and a bit of a let down really. Matt Smith though was great in it. was kind of hoping they would be a bit more imaginative with the story. But saying that was a good ending. just could made it more stronger. But paves way for the new series.
the extra's well if you buy a lot of Doctor who you will know their are a few prequels, the 14 doctor who confidential cut downs.
an enjoyable feast of doctor who.
Not sure if this series will reignite any interest to fading doctor who fans. but do think its a strong series.
hope this review was good.... and i did doctor who some justice.... If not please dont try and find me and kill me. as i cannot re-generate (that actually sounded more funny when i thought it) :)

If your kids/ friends/ Jim The Fish are going to want Series 6 for Christmas, order this great 'Silent variant' with exclusive postcards now: mean spirited stockpilers have form in buying up these lovely limited editions, then charging three times the price only months later (eg Series 3's 'Master variant'). The 3D Silent head itself isn't just holographic; it's sculpted card, and leans out menacingly.

Moffat planned a "fairytale": after the "rollercoaster" of Series 5, Series 6 is the "ghost train". We're fully immersed in the lives of the travellers, each with their own compelling battles ahead. While I don't agree with those who've labelled this series "overcomplicated", in its ambition it has sometimes lost coherency (ie I understand what the characters have done and when, but I've not always been convinced by their supposed motives). However, the verdict is overwhelmingly positive. You will have your own reactions to the episodes; these are merely mine.

The Special
A Christmas Carol: 8 -thin stuff but fun. Yet more Dickens/Victoriana and sometimes sickly sweet, but clever and with some lovely touches.

The Episodes
The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon: 9 -irresistable imagery (space race, Oval Office, Mad Men, haunted house), truly scary aliens & two of the greatest openings in the show's history. Few too many loose ends but a great cliffhanger.

The Curse of the Black Spot: 7 -fun & feisty romp marred only by Hollywood pirates & a soppy father/son subplot (the first of many this year!). Cole is great & the Moffat-inspired sci-fi twist is neat.

The Doctor's Wife: 10 -a note perfect fan pleaser resembling a graphic novel by Samuel Beckett. The continuity feels just right, Jones is sublime & the humour/horror balance is perfect.

The Rebel Flesh/The Almost People: 7 -a horror movie inspired base under siege that flags when it gets talky. A lack of clarity & likeable characters make it hard to invest in, but there are very powerful scenes: especially the cliffhanger!

A Good Man Goes To War: 9 -this great 'finale' with Star Wars designs feels truly epic. The 'repertory of monsters' vignettes really feed the story and Moffat's placing of the Doctor in the universe.

Let's Kill Hitler: 7 -at its finest at its funniest, with a great new companion introduction. Rory & Amy's early days are both touching & clever; but there's a lot of padding, an assassin's conversion is deeply unconvincing & the end's a cop-out.

Night Terrors: 6 -well regarded but downbeat. Almost a remake of Fear Her except we know from the start that the fears are imagined. Great visuals & terrifying monsters though.

The Girl Who Waited: 8 -affecting 'what if' story with a retro sci-fi look. Gillan & Darvill are superb. The time-bending pushes it at times, but the ending's fully committed.

The God Complex: 9 -nice use of CCTV in a creepy hotel full of monsters. Often very tense. Smith's brilliantly vulnerable. Walliams perhaps steals the show too much.

Closing Time: 8 -very funny sequel to The Lodger. There's something childishly exciting about a big, shiny shop at night. The Cybermen do what they do best: lurk!

The Wedding of River Song: 6 -Smith's brilliant performance carries this (maybe inevitable) let down. The fun BBC Breakfast cameo & Live Chess aside, the 'time gone wrong stuff' (also done last year) goes on & on without adding to the plot. Though the end was never in doubt, the universe is very easily fooled it would seem! However, there's a lovely tribute to the past and overall it's an excellent set up for next year.

The great value extras raise 4 stars for the stories to 5 stars for the box set. There are the 5 online prequels (for Episodes 1, 3, 7, 8 & 13), the 2 Comic Relief scenes, 14 cut-down Confidentials and the 4 Monster Files (Silents, Gangers, Anti-bodies, Cybermats) released earlier this year. Only 4 Commentaries (for Episodes 1, 4, 7 & 13) but there are 5 exclusive to DVD 'Night & the Doctor' scenes with their own Confidential episode: the somewhat disposable 'Good/Bad Night' are Tardis based comical/ sentimental vignettes with Amy and the Doctor, while 'First/Last Night' do the same for River and the Doctor but add more to River's story; 'Up All Night' is simply an amusing Doctor-less prequel to episode 12. Don't miss out!