"The Family Of Blood" is the second part to last weeks episode "Human Nature". Last weeks episode was a good one and the conclusion didn't respond. In this one Dr John Smith is forced to chose between saving the village along with all those young boys being forced to fight for duty and losing who he thought he is to become what he once was. Along the way Smith is catching glimpses of what might happen if he stayed human including marriage and children. Both would probably be the Doctors worst nightmare. For human Dr Smith though he can't imagine anything he wants more having fallen in love with Joan.As I said this episode didn't disappoint. Imagine trying to chose to become someone you don't know, someone so alien to you. You lose everything you really want but if you don't so many people will lose their lives. A great premise and David Tennant played it well. At one point holding on to the watch he briefly becomes the Dr again or at least he speaks through him for a second. You could see that change in him which I thought again Tennant played well. The actor who played Baines also did well. He couldn't have been creepier if he tried. Wouldn't have thought it of him when he was just a school boy at the start of part 1.
Timewarden had mentioned that the book that this episode is based on would soon become available as an ebook. It since has and you can access it here on the BBC website. I have made a start on it, although only a small start I do intend to read it. Funny after my rant on ebooks in my previous post. In this case I have no option unless I want to pay £20 or more for the privilege of owning it on paper (which I don't). In the book written originally the Dr it is based on is the seventh played by Sylvester McCoy. He decides to become human to understand grief. His companion Bernice is suffering from severe grief and the Dr just doesn't understand it (I imagine he actually would understand it just maybe not the human form of grief). He does go to a school and falls in love with Joan. In this case though Joan is a fellow teacher at the school rather than the school matron. For those of you who haven't heard of Bernice she was a companion added by the books that followed the end of the classic series. She was so popular that she was given her own spin off audio series by Big Finish. I haven't heard these so I'm afraid I can't tell you what they are like.
Lili, glad you liked the book reviews. I think you would also like "This Book Saved Your Life" too. It is such a nice story and in a way inspiring. Are you enjoying Gideon Mac? Will you be writing your own review of it on your blog?
2 comments:
Actually, I am thinking of writing a review of the testament of Gideon Mack. Yet, being non native, I feel a little intimidated to do so. I would sure recommend it. I am past two third (of course, when I don't stitch, I read!!!) and this book echoes in myself (is this English? Does it mean anything? I mean, in English, you would say that you relate to the heroe's spiritual path. Well, you see what I mean: I am very afraid I can't find the right words to honour this book as it deserves).
And about "this book can save your life", I have found myself referring to the story line and thinking that I'd love to read it. So you're right.
When my migraine is over, I will have a look at the link to the online Dr Who: sounds interesting. Do you think I can print the book? I have decided to keep the Dr Who audio book for my summer holidays (you know, the treat you keep for the perfect moment when you can really savour it).
Lunch time, I have to go.
Lots of love, Karen.
Lili
The "Doctor Who" novel is also available to download as a PDF file to read offline and/or print out though you'll need a lot of paper! It isn't a very big file, at 1.49MB, so doesn't take very long but you'll need Adobe Reader 7.0 to open the file once you've saved it to your hard drive. Hope that's of some use.
Ironically, considering we've just been discussing this "TNG" episode Karen, it occurs to me that "Human Nature" is "Doctor Who"'s answer to "The Inner Light"! Admittedly, the Doctor sees the whole of his possible-alternative domestic life in a very short space of time, rather than over a whole episode, but the idea is the same. What do you think?
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