On Satellite 5 you can mind-read all about it: but In the Earth year of 200,000 the truth and the news is not what it seems, and a 90-year old regression is quite normal and the means. Searching for the answers, the Doctor and Rose (eventually) make their way to floor 500 where others have previously blundered (albeit out of ignorance) and are imaginatively confronted by a slimy mucous media mogul and his pundit - but that doesn't peg them back. When the temperature starts to rise, there is not a great deal of surprise, and the baddies are quite justly chastised, and some. Meanwhile Adam, who we met in the previous instalment consumes viewing minutes to ensure this episode fits the delegated TV time slot.
25 Reviews
Controlled by the news
Tweekums25 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
After the events of the previous episode The Doctor decides to show potential companion Adam the distant future where humanity is meant to be at its peak; an era of high culture, perfect manners and fine cuisine in an empire that includes millions of planets and myriad species. There is something wrong though; they turn up on a space station orbiting the earth but there are no signs of the things The Doctor promised; there aren't even any aliens. Rose and Adam may be impressed by the technology but The Doctor thinks it is at least ninety years out of date. The space station is responsible for broadcasting the news and those working there dream of promotion to the 500th floor. We soon see that what happens there is rather sinister; The Editor works for an alien overlord who has effectively enslaved humanity without their knowledge. While The Doctor and Rose try to get to the bottom of what is going Adam says he finds things a bit too much for him... he has his own motives though; he has Rose's phone and intends to learn about computer development so he can profit when he gets home.
This was a pretty solid episode; there were plenty of good moments and a nice degree of threat. The story was well told although I doubt many people will be surprised with it emerges that the 500th floor isn't as great as promised. The idea of people's opinions being controlled by carefully selected news seems prescient in this era of 'fake news'. Simon Pegg and Tamsin Gregg do solid jobs as The Editor and the nurse wore treats Adam although less well known guest stars Christine Adams and Bruno Langley stand out more as Cathica Santini Khadeni, the woman our time travellers deal with, and Adam. Adam was an interesting potential companion; it was fun how The Doctor gentle teased Rose by referring to him as her boyfriend. His behaviour is such that it is soon obvious that he won't be a permanent addition to the show but this leads to him getting an amusing send off. The episode features some impressive effects even if the monster-of-the-week is a bit rubbery. Overall a solid episode with some good ideas.
This was a pretty solid episode; there were plenty of good moments and a nice degree of threat. The story was well told although I doubt many people will be surprised with it emerges that the 500th floor isn't as great as promised. The idea of people's opinions being controlled by carefully selected news seems prescient in this era of 'fake news'. Simon Pegg and Tamsin Gregg do solid jobs as The Editor and the nurse wore treats Adam although less well known guest stars Christine Adams and Bruno Langley stand out more as Cathica Santini Khadeni, the woman our time travellers deal with, and Adam. Adam was an interesting potential companion; it was fun how The Doctor gentle teased Rose by referring to him as her boyfriend. His behaviour is such that it is soon obvious that he won't be a permanent addition to the show but this leads to him getting an amusing send off. The episode features some impressive effects even if the monster-of-the-week is a bit rubbery. Overall a solid episode with some good ideas.
Satellite Of Love
southdavid1 April 2020
Cameos a plenty in the seventh episode of the Doctor Who reboot, which I felt was the most enjoyable episode of the run so far.
Arriving in the year 200,000 with Adam (Bruno Langley) still on board, The Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and Rose (Billie Piper) are on a news broadcasting space station at the heart of the fourth great Human Empire. But things are wrong. The Empire is not progressing as The Doctor knows it should have, it has been stunted. Two workers on the platform, ambitious Cathica (Christine Adams) and her friend Suki (Anna Maxwell Martin) explain how the station works, and Rose and The Doctor investigate just what is happening on the 500th floor. But Adam has a plan of his own.
So, yes. Plot wise I think this was the best episode I've seen so far. I only have the one question, in that I didn't really understand what the endgame was for the Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe. But beyond that, everything else rang true. I like that rather than fixing the problem himself, the Doctor inspired Cathica to investigate properly and save the day. I also liked that we got rid of Adam as there wasn't much in Bruno Langley's performance to get attached to. I actually thought he died, but actually being dumped home and needing to keep quiet was much more fitting. One funny aspect is that the theme of the show, bias within news media, is probably is more relevant now that it was in 2005
What's most striking about this episode is the number of recognisable actors in it. Simon Pegg and Tamsin Grieg would have been notable cameos at the time, with "Spaced", "Black Books" and "Shaun Of The Dead" all having been made by this point. Christine Adams has worked consistently on both sides of the Atlantic for years now most recently (at time of review) in "Black Lightning". Anna Maxwell Martin is probably the biggest star though, looking particularly young here, she's gone on to star in virtually every Dickins adaptation made since.
I enjoyed this one, it's was an amusing knockabout adventure elevated by its guest stars.
Arriving in the year 200,000 with Adam (Bruno Langley) still on board, The Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and Rose (Billie Piper) are on a news broadcasting space station at the heart of the fourth great Human Empire. But things are wrong. The Empire is not progressing as The Doctor knows it should have, it has been stunted. Two workers on the platform, ambitious Cathica (Christine Adams) and her friend Suki (Anna Maxwell Martin) explain how the station works, and Rose and The Doctor investigate just what is happening on the 500th floor. But Adam has a plan of his own.
So, yes. Plot wise I think this was the best episode I've seen so far. I only have the one question, in that I didn't really understand what the endgame was for the Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe. But beyond that, everything else rang true. I like that rather than fixing the problem himself, the Doctor inspired Cathica to investigate properly and save the day. I also liked that we got rid of Adam as there wasn't much in Bruno Langley's performance to get attached to. I actually thought he died, but actually being dumped home and needing to keep quiet was much more fitting. One funny aspect is that the theme of the show, bias within news media, is probably is more relevant now that it was in 2005
What's most striking about this episode is the number of recognisable actors in it. Simon Pegg and Tamsin Grieg would have been notable cameos at the time, with "Spaced", "Black Books" and "Shaun Of The Dead" all having been made by this point. Christine Adams has worked consistently on both sides of the Atlantic for years now most recently (at time of review) in "Black Lightning". Anna Maxwell Martin is probably the biggest star though, looking particularly young here, she's gone on to star in virtually every Dickins adaptation made since.
I enjoyed this one, it's was an amusing knockabout adventure elevated by its guest stars.
The weak link in Season One's chain
MaxBorg8914 February 2009
In an ironic twist of fate, the best episode of Doctor Who's first season, Dalek, is followed by the weakest, The Long Game. Adding to the crushing sense of disappointment is the fact that the incriminated 45 minutes are written by none other than Russell T. Davies, the man responsible for bringing back the Doctor in the first place.
This time, it all takes place in the year 200,000. The specific location is Satellite Five, the heart of the Fourth and Bountiful Human Empire, an ideal place for Rose's first "date" with new companion Adam (Bruno Langley), who joined our time travelers in the TARDIS after the Van Statten incident. It all looks perfect, which means it obviously isn't: something or someone is blocking every kind of human evolution, effectively enslaving and entire race. The prime suspect is the malevolent Editor (Simon Pegg), but the increasingly deteriorating situation indicates something more serious than one man's machinations have to be behind this. And it's up to the Doctor to save the day. Again.
Normally, Davies' stories are among the best of each season because they're (usually) part of a more complex mythology arc, similar to what Chris Carter conjured on The X-Files. But whereas Carter never wrote an X-Files episode that couldn't be enjoyed without considering the bigger picture, Davies has managed to come up with a story that makes little sense on its own and seems to exist solely to set up a more important story later on in the season. The consequence is that most of The Long Game passes by without leaving anything memorable behind. Only Eccleston, always a gas no matter how silly things get, and Pegg (a huge fan of the show), reversing his slacker image with an OTT but utterly enjoyable villainous turn, save the episode from being a throwaway experience.
6,5/10
This time, it all takes place in the year 200,000. The specific location is Satellite Five, the heart of the Fourth and Bountiful Human Empire, an ideal place for Rose's first "date" with new companion Adam (Bruno Langley), who joined our time travelers in the TARDIS after the Van Statten incident. It all looks perfect, which means it obviously isn't: something or someone is blocking every kind of human evolution, effectively enslaving and entire race. The prime suspect is the malevolent Editor (Simon Pegg), but the increasingly deteriorating situation indicates something more serious than one man's machinations have to be behind this. And it's up to the Doctor to save the day. Again.
Normally, Davies' stories are among the best of each season because they're (usually) part of a more complex mythology arc, similar to what Chris Carter conjured on The X-Files. But whereas Carter never wrote an X-Files episode that couldn't be enjoyed without considering the bigger picture, Davies has managed to come up with a story that makes little sense on its own and seems to exist solely to set up a more important story later on in the season. The consequence is that most of The Long Game passes by without leaving anything memorable behind. Only Eccleston, always a gas no matter how silly things get, and Pegg (a huge fan of the show), reversing his slacker image with an OTT but utterly enjoyable villainous turn, save the episode from being a throwaway experience.
6,5/10
S1, E7 - The Long Game: 'Die All You Like, I've Got the Key!'
liamdonovan20104 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
After the excellent Dalek the Doctor, Rose and newbie to the Tardis Adam travel to 200,000 landing on a space station called Satellite Five. The group soon learn it is a news centre and that everyone wants to be promoted to the mysterious Floor 500. The also discover a human computer system where chips in the heads of workers allow them to become the internet. The Doctor soon gains access after seeing one girl get promoted only to die at the hands of the Jagrafess (a.k.a Ceiling Monster). The Doctor and Rose finally make it too Floor 500 meting the editor (portrayed superbly by Simon Pegg) and when they are trapped the Editor reveals that the naive Adam has become part of the system and that he can be used to obtain the Tardis. However, the companion for the day, Kathica overrides it and turns up the temperature killing the Jagrafess. With this the Doctor hopes the world can now accelerate. How wrong he was.....
This was a good episode. It wasn't nothing spectacular but its value to the story arc can't be understated. In fact it is the only episode in the series at all linked to the finale. The storyline is interesting and the human representation called the Editor was brilliant. Simon Pegg pegs in with a brilliant performance: if you'll pardon the pun. He really hit the mark throughout the episode resulting in a largely interesting and mysterious character. I also thought the Jagrafess looked brilliant although I can compare it to the Nestene in that it looks cool but has now way of putting across its intentions. Unlike the Nestene though the Jagrafess has its spokesman which was good.
Kathica wasn't the best companion for a day and was often quite irritating. To be honest Suki who was promoted and killed was definitely more interesting and charismatic and had a back story. Adam has to be one of the worst companions to last over one episode ever. He is just so spineless and boring. The scene at the end where he is abandoned is amusing if only for the humiliation of Adam. This was a good episode and followed a simple but effective structure. The ending sequence is great and some good antagonists made this a good little episode.
OVERALL - 7.0: A nice episode which featured interesting antagonists but it suffers from some very boring characters like Kathica and Adam being featured heavily. However it was entertaining and it has serious implications on the finale of the series.
This was a good episode. It wasn't nothing spectacular but its value to the story arc can't be understated. In fact it is the only episode in the series at all linked to the finale. The storyline is interesting and the human representation called the Editor was brilliant. Simon Pegg pegs in with a brilliant performance: if you'll pardon the pun. He really hit the mark throughout the episode resulting in a largely interesting and mysterious character. I also thought the Jagrafess looked brilliant although I can compare it to the Nestene in that it looks cool but has now way of putting across its intentions. Unlike the Nestene though the Jagrafess has its spokesman which was good.
Kathica wasn't the best companion for a day and was often quite irritating. To be honest Suki who was promoted and killed was definitely more interesting and charismatic and had a back story. Adam has to be one of the worst companions to last over one episode ever. He is just so spineless and boring. The scene at the end where he is abandoned is amusing if only for the humiliation of Adam. This was a good episode and followed a simple but effective structure. The ending sequence is great and some good antagonists made this a good little episode.
OVERALL - 7.0: A nice episode which featured interesting antagonists but it suffers from some very boring characters like Kathica and Adam being featured heavily. However it was entertaining and it has serious implications on the finale of the series.
A long, BORING game
dkiliane15 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The problem with this episode isn't so much that there's anything bad (except a few minor annoyances) but that there's just nothing interesting in the episode, or at least not enough to make it enjoyable. Other than Simon Pegg as the editor and a few snappy lines from the Doctor, it's just..uninteresting.
The premise is interesting, on paper, but just isn't executed well at all. I understand the episode is about the influence of the media on the populace, which is a real thing, but so much of the episode is just talking about the news. Yes, there is danger from the Jagrafess creature but it never really seems real. It's stuck to the ceiling for crying out loud and is easily avoidable.
Suki's character could have been interesting but was killed off too fast (always happens with the characters I like) and we were stuck with the othe journalist for the rest of the episode. Adam was just kinda annoying. Not that he did anything particularly annoying but he was just kinda dumb for a genius and I was glad he was ousted from being a TARDIS companion at the end of the episode. The stupid forehead jacks or whatever, were, well, stupid, and feels like they were there simply for the gag at the end, which was not worthwhile.
For classic Who fans I can see the appeal cause it felt very classic, and by that I mean the sets, the script and everything felt outdated, except the bad cgi of the alien, which was bad. All these complaints may seem rather small but add up to a very tepid episode. Almost wanted to give it a five but decided it wasn't quite that bad as a whole. 6/10
The premise is interesting, on paper, but just isn't executed well at all. I understand the episode is about the influence of the media on the populace, which is a real thing, but so much of the episode is just talking about the news. Yes, there is danger from the Jagrafess creature but it never really seems real. It's stuck to the ceiling for crying out loud and is easily avoidable.
Suki's character could have been interesting but was killed off too fast (always happens with the characters I like) and we were stuck with the othe journalist for the rest of the episode. Adam was just kinda annoying. Not that he did anything particularly annoying but he was just kinda dumb for a genius and I was glad he was ousted from being a TARDIS companion at the end of the episode. The stupid forehead jacks or whatever, were, well, stupid, and feels like they were there simply for the gag at the end, which was not worthwhile.
For classic Who fans I can see the appeal cause it felt very classic, and by that I mean the sets, the script and everything felt outdated, except the bad cgi of the alien, which was bad. All these complaints may seem rather small but add up to a very tepid episode. Almost wanted to give it a five but decided it wasn't quite that bad as a whole. 6/10
The Long Game is an entertaining episode that's one of series one's weakest entries.
pjgs20010 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The Long Game was bound to be a let down after last week's "Dalek." It wasn't a bad episode, but it wasn't as good as the other episodes this series. I liked how Adam was an extra companion, but his character was un-developed and didn't play a very big role in the episode; I really don't know why they brought him along for two episodes in a series of only 13, when other characters like Mickey and Charles Dickens from past stories would make for excellent companions. On the other hand, both the Doctor and Rose do a great job in the episode and are fun to watch. Some of the directing in this episode was really good and emphasized the horror well, and the image of Satellite 5 orbiting the Earth near the end of the episode looked really impressive, especially for series 1. The Jagrafess was cool in that we never saw what it was until the end of the episode, but it wasn't a great villain. I noticed that the music was good in this episode- It complemented the funny moments and the adventure very well.
While not a bad episode, the Long Game is probably series one's weakest episode yet. It does help build for the finale, but the forgettable and undeveloped characters, weak monster, and an okay plot don't exactly make this episode great. The Long Game is entertaining, but not on the same level as the rest of the episodes so far.
While not a bad episode, the Long Game is probably series one's weakest episode yet. It does help build for the finale, but the forgettable and undeveloped characters, weak monster, and an okay plot don't exactly make this episode great. The Long Game is entertaining, but not on the same level as the rest of the episodes so far.
One of my favourite ever Doctor Who episodes.
Otter_13 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I love this episode. I loved it when it first aired, and I love it now still. Simon Pegg is as amazing as always - it's a bit of a shame he was wasted on The Editor in a sense. I could really see him as The Master or even The Doctor himself.
Those who slate the episode because of Adam miss his point. He was created to be a "bad companion", he wasn't supposed to be likeable. Saying this, I feel his treatment was too harsh for what he actually did. The Doctor leaves him behind for trying to change history. Yet in the very next episode Rose tries and practically succeeds in changing history. The difference was Adam was left to his own devices, plopped in the future without a word of warning. Rose had the Doctor with her, had been time travelling before, and just blatantly ignored his advice. Not to mention the fact... yes, Adam could have changed history with his knowledge of the future... but what of the fact his head opens with a click? It was played for laughs but surely that has much more of a chance of changing history? So that's the only reason it doesn't get full marks from me.
9/10, creepy, fantastic, compelling.
Those who slate the episode because of Adam miss his point. He was created to be a "bad companion", he wasn't supposed to be likeable. Saying this, I feel his treatment was too harsh for what he actually did. The Doctor leaves him behind for trying to change history. Yet in the very next episode Rose tries and practically succeeds in changing history. The difference was Adam was left to his own devices, plopped in the future without a word of warning. Rose had the Doctor with her, had been time travelling before, and just blatantly ignored his advice. Not to mention the fact... yes, Adam could have changed history with his knowledge of the future... but what of the fact his head opens with a click? It was played for laughs but surely that has much more of a chance of changing history? So that's the only reason it doesn't get full marks from me.
9/10, creepy, fantastic, compelling.
High-quality concepts, let down by execution.
bendtnerfc4 December 2021
Exploration of the manipulation of media in the modern world through 'fake news' controlled by Aliens on a gigantic space station in the year 200,000? Brilliant. Execution is filled with pointless characters. Was Adam wrote for the sake of having his life ruined? Bright moments steady the episode into a decent outing at the mid-point of the season.
I'm impressed
warlordartos5 April 2020
Two very good episodes in a row. A difficult one to follow after last episodes performance but they managed to do so with flying colours. An unexpected villain and also the darkness of human nature. The plot in this one will keep you on the edge of your seat, very good use of suspense.
I loved it _ 8-8.5
I loved it _ 8-8.5
The Long Filler
A_Kind_Of_CineMagic6 December 2018
A pretty unexciting filler episode which mainly serves as a set up for the story arc which culminates in the final two episodes of series 1.
The plot is that The Doctor, Rose and new companion Adam arrive on Satellite 5 in the year 200,000 where there turns out to be a sinister alien influencing the brainwashed masses. It has similar themes to The Macra Terror and its descendant Gridlock as well as other Doctor Who stories. So there is nothing feeling very original or clever about it and while nothing about it is really bad, it is not brilliantly done either.
The main interesting element is the idea of new companion Adam failing to follow the instructions The Doctor gave him and causing problems which result in him being thrown out and losing his chance to travel with The Doctor any further. I find that idea great and fresh but the rest of the episode is a little bit cheesy in design, not quite convincing enough in plot or dialogue and lacks enough fun or entertainment to lift it above an unremarkable filler.
Simon Pegg who is now a big Hollywood star and who is a fan of the show is good as you might expect but is not used to his full potential in his role as the Editor, I hope he returns to the show in a better role in the future.
This is not awful in any way but it looks rather dull and feels rather dull. It actually feels a little bit too cold like the top floor of the satellite!
An acceptable filler but nothing more than that in my opinion. My least favourite of Series 1.
6.5/10.
The plot is that The Doctor, Rose and new companion Adam arrive on Satellite 5 in the year 200,000 where there turns out to be a sinister alien influencing the brainwashed masses. It has similar themes to The Macra Terror and its descendant Gridlock as well as other Doctor Who stories. So there is nothing feeling very original or clever about it and while nothing about it is really bad, it is not brilliantly done either.
The main interesting element is the idea of new companion Adam failing to follow the instructions The Doctor gave him and causing problems which result in him being thrown out and losing his chance to travel with The Doctor any further. I find that idea great and fresh but the rest of the episode is a little bit cheesy in design, not quite convincing enough in plot or dialogue and lacks enough fun or entertainment to lift it above an unremarkable filler.
Simon Pegg who is now a big Hollywood star and who is a fan of the show is good as you might expect but is not used to his full potential in his role as the Editor, I hope he returns to the show in a better role in the future.
This is not awful in any way but it looks rather dull and feels rather dull. It actually feels a little bit too cold like the top floor of the satellite!
An acceptable filler but nothing more than that in my opinion. My least favourite of Series 1.
6.5/10.
God damn Adam Mitchell
robertmooring-139025 April 2018
Although this episode has an interesting premise and Simon Pegg steals the show, it is ruined for me by the sheer stupidity and annoying nature of Adam Mitchell. I'm glad they got rid of him. It's a good episode that's could have been better.
Could have been a lot better...
deziiqn24 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This, along with The End of the World, is my least favourite episode of Series 1. Adam, from the previous story Dalek, joins the Doctor and Rose as they travel to the year 200,000, to the space station known as Satellite 5. While Adam is off getting brain surgery (for selfish reasons), the Doctor and Rose find out that the human race is being controlled by the Mighty Jagrafess. One problem with the episode is the characters. Two of the workers on Satellite 5 are Cathica and Sukie. Cathica is a hard worker who aims (as does everyone else) to be promoted and go to Floor 500, 'where the walls are made of gold'. But honestly, at no point do we feel any emotions from the character. Throughout most of the episode she just whines about not getting promoted or else just tells the Doctor and Rose that they're not allowed to wander, which left me thinking, what are we supposed to think of her? One minute she's an honest worker who just wants to be promoted, but then she's following the doctor who is investigating the place, and then she still tells the Doctor and Rose they shouldn't be doing it! As for Sukie, the twist in her character just doesn't work. We have barely been introduced to her and now she has been revealed as someone else. The fact that we already know that the place is being run by evil people (we see the editor BEFORE she comes up in the lift for her promotion) just means that it is ineffective and I just didn't care really. And then there's Adam. He is annoying, stupid (genius, really?) and downright selfish. He was just there to screw up and, again, what we are meant to think of him is unclear. He doesn't help the plot in any way, apart from creating a problem that was easily resolved anyway. Another problem is the story. The real function of Satellite 5 isn't very interesting ( , and it just doesn't matter that there is a creature controlling it because we don't care or know much about it in the first place. I can't see a lot of people caring about a world of people being manipulated nearly 198,000 years in the future. In Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways it was the not long after this and it was an end of world situation in which the Doctor, Rose and Jack were certainly in danger. But in The Long Game, there was nothing that HAD to be done by the Doctor. The human race wasn't threatened by total extinction and there wasn't a good villain. Overall this episode just leaves you feeling a bit unsatisfied. The original idea just wasn't good enough for a whole story and the characters don't help it either.
Interesting concept but left me wanting...
stevenjlowe822 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is by no means a bad episode of New Who era but is definitely up there with the more underwhelming episodes of the series thus far for me.
I did enjoy as always the ever evolving relationship between the Doctor and Rose. Rose herself seems very comfortable in her role as the sidekick and is showing more understanding of the things going on around her as shown by newbie Adams reactions. Speaking of Adam I'm really confused as to the point of his character as he only stuck around for 2 episodes. He never at any point seemed like a potential love interest for Rose and I always found their interactions a bit odd and flat. His parting speech with Rose was particularly awkward in my opinion. It's interesting that this character has never been brought back into the Who-verse considering how it was left with his character.
Simon Pegg was an utter delight but poorly used, he should have been the big villain instead of playing second fiddle to a bad CGI blob monster. The concept of the episode is good but it just wasn't very well executed in my humble opinion. Nonetheless it was still a very entertaining episode in my book.
I did enjoy as always the ever evolving relationship between the Doctor and Rose. Rose herself seems very comfortable in her role as the sidekick and is showing more understanding of the things going on around her as shown by newbie Adams reactions. Speaking of Adam I'm really confused as to the point of his character as he only stuck around for 2 episodes. He never at any point seemed like a potential love interest for Rose and I always found their interactions a bit odd and flat. His parting speech with Rose was particularly awkward in my opinion. It's interesting that this character has never been brought back into the Who-verse considering how it was left with his character.
Simon Pegg was an utter delight but poorly used, he should have been the big villain instead of playing second fiddle to a bad CGI blob monster. The concept of the episode is good but it just wasn't very well executed in my humble opinion. Nonetheless it was still a very entertaining episode in my book.
Ambitious Ideas, Clumsy Execution
hwiltshire-068893 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The Long Game is where Russell T. Davies' revival of Doctor Who starts to truly flex its creative muscles. It's a futuristic setting, a critique of media manipulation, and the introduction episode of a new (short lived) companion - a lot to pack into one episode. Sadly, the ambition outstrips the final product.
The core concept is fantastic. Satellite Five in the year 200,000 is a marvel of imagination, showcasing a humanity trapped in stagnation. The commentary on news as a commodity is potent, even if it's a bit heavy-handed. Plus, Simon Pegg is delightfully slimy as the villainous Editor.
However, the execution falters. Adam, the new companion, feels like a shallow plot device rather than a fully-realized character. The pacing is uneven, bogged down in exposition. The big reveal, while interesting, doesn't have the emotional impact it perhaps should.
Yet, The Long Game has its merits. It's visually engaging, with fun costumes and set designs. The Doctor and Rose together are always a treat, and this episode highlights their playful dynamic. The underlying ideas about information control and stagnant societies are genuinely thought-provoking.
Ultimately, The Long Game is a mixed bag. It aims high, and it's admirable to see Doctor Who tackle big concepts, even if the episode doesn't entirely land its ambitious ideas with finesse.
The core concept is fantastic. Satellite Five in the year 200,000 is a marvel of imagination, showcasing a humanity trapped in stagnation. The commentary on news as a commodity is potent, even if it's a bit heavy-handed. Plus, Simon Pegg is delightfully slimy as the villainous Editor.
However, the execution falters. Adam, the new companion, feels like a shallow plot device rather than a fully-realized character. The pacing is uneven, bogged down in exposition. The big reveal, while interesting, doesn't have the emotional impact it perhaps should.
Yet, The Long Game has its merits. It's visually engaging, with fun costumes and set designs. The Doctor and Rose together are always a treat, and this episode highlights their playful dynamic. The underlying ideas about information control and stagnant societies are genuinely thought-provoking.
Ultimately, The Long Game is a mixed bag. It aims high, and it's admirable to see Doctor Who tackle big concepts, even if the episode doesn't entirely land its ambitious ideas with finesse.
Even If I Could, I Wouldn't Edit This One
jordan-allan8420 November 2013
This is by far my favourite episode of Season 1 of Dr Who for several reasons.
First of all, it steers clear of clichés, something that the creative teams behind "World War Three" and similar atrocities could learn from. Rose Tyler isn't her usual helpless self either and, sparingly, she isn't a big part of this episode.
I also loved the casting in this one too, Simon Pegg does a great job as the villain "The Editor", and the rest of the cast are impressive too.
With a few quips and a fast-paced and entertaining story, for me this is the stand-out episode of Season 1
First of all, it steers clear of clichés, something that the creative teams behind "World War Three" and similar atrocities could learn from. Rose Tyler isn't her usual helpless self either and, sparingly, she isn't a big part of this episode.
I also loved the casting in this one too, Simon Pegg does a great job as the villain "The Editor", and the rest of the cast are impressive too.
With a few quips and a fast-paced and entertaining story, for me this is the stand-out episode of Season 1
Episode has aged very well
MadokaTomoyo18 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Excellent commentary on modern news corporations in 2021, the distrust thereof, and the dangers of echo-chambers and group think.
Best summed up in the following dialog between The Doctor and The Editor (Simon Pegg):
The Editor: "Today, we are the headlines. We can rewrite history. We can prevent mankind from ever developing."
Doctor: "And no one's gonna stop you, because you bred a human race which doesn't bother to ask questions; Stupid little slaves believing every lie. They'll just trot right into the slaughter house if they're told it's made of gold."
IMDB would not allow me to add a new quote for this episode, so I couldn't put this where it belonged, but hopefully, someday, one person will see it here and will think for themselves and overcome the controlling system that feels inevitable.
Best summed up in the following dialog between The Doctor and The Editor (Simon Pegg):
The Editor: "Today, we are the headlines. We can rewrite history. We can prevent mankind from ever developing."
Doctor: "And no one's gonna stop you, because you bred a human race which doesn't bother to ask questions; Stupid little slaves believing every lie. They'll just trot right into the slaughter house if they're told it's made of gold."
IMDB would not allow me to add a new quote for this episode, so I couldn't put this where it belonged, but hopefully, someday, one person will see it here and will think for themselves and overcome the controlling system that feels inevitable.
The Long Shame
Sleepin_Dragon11 August 2015
We had the wonderful 'Dalek' previously, so expectations were very high.
The Doctor and Rose have picked up pretty boy Adam, after saving him from Van Statten's museum, and landed on Satellite 5 Space Station in the year 200,000. Something is wrong and halting human progression, the technology the Doctor witnesses is somehow wrong, but what's at the heart of it? Seemingly a frost bitten Simon Pegg is the Spider at the heart of a web causing the problems. He and his also icy crew view everything that goes on at Satellite 5. Suki is quickly unveiled by Pegg as a traitor, and gets promotion to floor 500, we learn that only the chosen few get there, but never return. Not all is golden on floor 500 as it's littered with corpses and snow. Not the dream promotion Suki was hoping for. We learn Satellite 5 is lying to the people with its transmissions, and the real boss is the Mighty Jagrafess.
I mentioned expectations were high, but this is sadly a pretty below average episode, it just doesn't really work, it feels so disjointed and it's actually quite boring. Simon Pegg is totally wasted, he does his best with a really weak script, but somehow manages to bring the character to life. Poor Bruno Langley didn't gel at all well, he did have one good scene with the delightful Tamsin Greig. Bruno could have improved with a bit more time possibly and Greig could have had a much bigger role. Christine Adams puts in a good day's work as Cathica, and is one of the highlights of the episode. Not a fan.... 4.5/10
The Doctor and Rose have picked up pretty boy Adam, after saving him from Van Statten's museum, and landed on Satellite 5 Space Station in the year 200,000. Something is wrong and halting human progression, the technology the Doctor witnesses is somehow wrong, but what's at the heart of it? Seemingly a frost bitten Simon Pegg is the Spider at the heart of a web causing the problems. He and his also icy crew view everything that goes on at Satellite 5. Suki is quickly unveiled by Pegg as a traitor, and gets promotion to floor 500, we learn that only the chosen few get there, but never return. Not all is golden on floor 500 as it's littered with corpses and snow. Not the dream promotion Suki was hoping for. We learn Satellite 5 is lying to the people with its transmissions, and the real boss is the Mighty Jagrafess.
I mentioned expectations were high, but this is sadly a pretty below average episode, it just doesn't really work, it feels so disjointed and it's actually quite boring. Simon Pegg is totally wasted, he does his best with a really weak script, but somehow manages to bring the character to life. Poor Bruno Langley didn't gel at all well, he did have one good scene with the delightful Tamsin Greig. Bruno could have improved with a bit more time possibly and Greig could have had a much bigger role. Christine Adams puts in a good day's work as Cathica, and is one of the highlights of the episode. Not a fan.... 4.5/10
The Long Yawn
Theo Robertson9 May 2007
Without doubt this is the weakest story of the first season of the DOCTOR WHO relaunch and it's all down to writer/executive producer . Like most episodes written by RTD it has a very good opening hook and a very good closing sequence but in between we have a fairly bad structured and paced story where nothing much happens
The opening revolves around new companion Adam experiencing his first trip into space with humorous results and it's at this point the audience are left rubbing their chins thinking hey this guy might be a really good addition to the Tardis crew but unfortunately as the story progresses it becomes obvious that he's only included to take up some running time and to set up a joke at the end . Likewise the inclusion of both Simon Pegg and Tamsin Grieg seems more like gimmick casting in order to make the episode more memorable than it really is and there's no way you'll believe this story was part of the Bad Wolf running theme . As always Ecclestone's performance as possibly the most callous incarnation of The Doctor is fantastic
The opening revolves around new companion Adam experiencing his first trip into space with humorous results and it's at this point the audience are left rubbing their chins thinking hey this guy might be a really good addition to the Tardis crew but unfortunately as the story progresses it becomes obvious that he's only included to take up some running time and to set up a joke at the end . Likewise the inclusion of both Simon Pegg and Tamsin Grieg seems more like gimmick casting in order to make the episode more memorable than it really is and there's no way you'll believe this story was part of the Bad Wolf running theme . As always Ecclestone's performance as possibly the most callous incarnation of The Doctor is fantastic
Poor.
zacpetch10 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This is it folks, the obligatory filler episode! Sadly not a good one though.
Personally I dislike this episode because of Adam Mitchell. Or more precisely, because of how the Doctor and Rose treat him. They show him all the advancements of humanity and technology that are prevalent on Satellite 5 and then leave him to himself -- What do they expect him to do? They even give him unlimited cash! Then they get all high and mighty about how they're so much better than him because of it, even though he's completely relatable in that he did what any normal person would do in those circumstances. It's also an episode that acts as a sign of things to come as Rose displays the first traits of the obnoxious and selfish person she will become in series two onwards. And then there's the poorly realised villain in the Mighty Jagrafess.
It's not without it's good points though. Eccleston and Piper do not have the best material to work with but they do well with it. Simon Pegg is superb (When isn't he?) as the Editor. There's a real feeling of creepiness as Suki arrives on Floor 500. The whole thing has the air of George Orwell's classic novel 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' about it (Incredible book, if there's anyone reading this who hasn't read it yet I recommend it) with the Jagrafess and Editor watching and controlling, bumping off their enemies with Floor 500 acting as Room 101. Overall though it doesn't really have enough to it and is, in my opinion, one of the blandest stories the show has ever had to tell: Not bad but definitely not good. I mean seriously, did you ever wonder what vomit looks like when frozen?!!!?
Personally I dislike this episode because of Adam Mitchell. Or more precisely, because of how the Doctor and Rose treat him. They show him all the advancements of humanity and technology that are prevalent on Satellite 5 and then leave him to himself -- What do they expect him to do? They even give him unlimited cash! Then they get all high and mighty about how they're so much better than him because of it, even though he's completely relatable in that he did what any normal person would do in those circumstances. It's also an episode that acts as a sign of things to come as Rose displays the first traits of the obnoxious and selfish person she will become in series two onwards. And then there's the poorly realised villain in the Mighty Jagrafess.
It's not without it's good points though. Eccleston and Piper do not have the best material to work with but they do well with it. Simon Pegg is superb (When isn't he?) as the Editor. There's a real feeling of creepiness as Suki arrives on Floor 500. The whole thing has the air of George Orwell's classic novel 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' about it (Incredible book, if there's anyone reading this who hasn't read it yet I recommend it) with the Jagrafess and Editor watching and controlling, bumping off their enemies with Floor 500 acting as Room 101. Overall though it doesn't really have enough to it and is, in my opinion, one of the blandest stories the show has ever had to tell: Not bad but definitely not good. I mean seriously, did you ever wonder what vomit looks like when frozen?!!!?
Was it good?, Or Bland
rohanumpleby-3405726 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is a little silly, and not a great episode either. The Jagrafess gets no development, therefor he's a weak and bland villain. It gets hardly any screen time either, if it had more it wouldn't be as weak. The thing looks rediculous as well, the effects for it is absolutely awful and doesn't hold up as well as most of the episodes in A strong debut season , Season 1 is great but this episode is definitely the weakest. The next problem that I have about this episode is Adam, yep you guessed it. He's so annoying, now I know that's the point as he's not meant to fit in with the doctors and Rose's life but for me it doesn't really work and slows the episode down completely. However there's equally good stuff as there is bad stuff. Simon Pegg shines in his performance, and delivers funny and fresh lines. Has brilliant back and forth chemistry with the doctor, and elevates this episode with his great performance. Keeping his master, The Jagrafess cool as it can't get warm or over heat other wise it'll die. I think the mystery element is really good to. The fact people go up to the top floor and never go back down, is quite good yeah it's been done to death, but been done worse. The pacing of the episode is also not bad either, there's a lot going on, so it does feel a bit filler, but it's fine. And ofcourse Murray Gold's iconic music Is always amazing and elevates the episode whilst making it more dramatic. Another floor of this episode is that the Jagrafess dies to easily, like wtf are you doing. Feels like a Chris Chibnall episode, as the villain is weak. And no that's not a good thing.
So,
Was it good?, Or bland
5.5/10 It was a typical middle of the road episode, it's fine.
So,
Was it good?, Or bland
5.5/10 It was a typical middle of the road episode, it's fine.
Not as good as what has come before
studioAT29 April 2020
With a couple of good guests (Simon Pegg, Tamsin Grieg) this should have been better, but sadly I have to concur with fellow reviewers that this isn't the best episode, despite another great performance from Christopher Eccleston.
It's a good lesson in how to NOT be a companion, with Adam going against the Doctor's orders, while Rose again shows why she is a perfect one.
Bruno Langley is wooden from start to finish, and Pegg sadly underused, playing second fiddle to a not very scary villain.
Not the best episode overall.
It's a good lesson in how to NOT be a companion, with Adam going against the Doctor's orders, while Rose again shows why she is a perfect one.
Bruno Langley is wooden from start to finish, and Pegg sadly underused, playing second fiddle to a not very scary villain.
Not the best episode overall.
Series 1 Episode 7
kevinwilliam-0804425 June 2021
Barely passes, barley
jackparrishjp21 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
What is there to say about this episode? Barely anything, it's just average. Simon pegg was funny with the stuff he's given. I thought the end moment was humourous. The flesh monster was just weird. The episode was really low budget and it just feels like either a filler or a set up. You may as well skip this one.
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