Boom Town was a pretty mixed episode. Thematically this episode was solid. We circle back to themes that have been echoing throughout the series. Nine has fantastic exchange with Blon/Margaret that gets to the heart of the Doctor's capacity for cruelty and his nascent vengeful bloodlust. While this isn't the most impactful or novel version of this theme in this series it was well executed and Blon/Margaret was particularly well performed by Annette Badland.
The overarching plot of this episode was practically non-existent. The Doctor and the gang figure out what going on pretty much immediately and the conflict is resolved in a particularly underwhelming deux ex machina. So the classic running around and rapid fire problem solving was absent leaving the thrills and adventure lacking.
The major pain point in this episode for me was Rose and Mickey. That conflict relied on you in some way being invested in their relationship but the show has never given us a good reason for Rose to want to be with Mickey so this back and forth where she calls him up but he has a girlfriend and she feels betrayed just didn't carry any emotional weight. The series has done practically nothing to endear the audience to Mickey, especially in regards to his place as Rose's boyfriend so you don't really feel much but pity when Rose once again doesn't chose him. Which doesn't make for much in terms of compelling emotional stakes. And given that this is a signficant plot thread for the story it leads Boom Town to being one of the weaker episodes of the series.
The farting ugly piece of crap is back, and I hated that portion of the episode. However, the interaction between Rose and her boyfriend was beautifully realistic, and I enjoyed it.
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParentSpoilers2020-07-19T14:19:45Z
Boom Town is a little filler episode before the final two-parter of the season, bringing back the Slitheen (or rather Margaret) and further exploring the time rift in Cardiff. The story puts focus on Margaret, who worked well in Aliens of London / World War Three but is a bit too much here. The high point in this story is the team play between the TARDIS team members, particularity the banter between the Doctor and Jack. It's a comedic little script, but it has little relevance to the character or season arcs withing the season. It's trying to depict the consequences of the Doctor's actions, but that part doesn't seem particularly deep.
Annette Badland was perfectly creepy and villainous in her previous appearance, but here's she just played for fools. She has fine moments though, such as during the restaurant scenes with the Doctor. This is also a great episode for Noel Clarke, who finally gets to act out his boyfriend part.
This feels like a lighter and more comedic story for the Doctor. He is also so warm and fuzzy and his chemistry with Rose and Jack is admirable.
This TARDIS team is the best one of the Eccleston era. Nine, Rose and Jack work very well together and Mickey tries to keep up best he can. Sweet Mickey tries to make pf or being a disappointing boyfriend by actually taking Rose out for a date. And then we realize that it might be Rose who is a bad girlfriend.
Margaret is pretty boring and very predictable here. Most of the fascination surrounding the Slitheen from their first appearance is gone by now, so the only remaining member of the family feels somewhat bland.
As a bit of a bottle episode, this one isn't particularly breathtaking in terms of production values. It's solidly directed and the sets and location footage works.
This is the slowest episode of the season, which is mostly because there is no real tension or excitement embedded into the plot.
The atmosphere if light, both in terms of the comedic touch and the dramatic tension. It's slightly funny, but not sad, touching or exciting.
This episode was designed to allow some breathing room and tie up some loose ends before the finale, so it doesn't feel like a particularly memorable or important episode, even if it established the Slitheen as a recurring monster on Nu Who. They've shown up in the extended universe as well.
This is one of the weaker episodes of the series and not one I would watch again unless I did a full marathon.
RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:
Margaret: "Dinner and bondage. Works for me!" Now that is the kinkiest line I've ever heard on this show.
Score: 57/120