"Doctor Who" Army of Ghosts (2006)

Director:

Graeme Harper

Writers:

Russell T. Davies (written by)
Gerry Davis (characters: "Cybermen") ...

TV Series:

"Doctor Who" (2005)

Original Air Date:

1 July 2006 (Season 2, Episode 12)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

As the ghosts of loved ones appear, the whole world celebrates. But as the Doctor investigates he believes...

Plot Keywords:

Tardis | Cyberman | Fantasy Episode | Dalek | Alien

Cast

David Tennant	...	The Doctor
Billie Piper	...	Rose Tyler
Camille Coduri	...	Jackie Tyler
Noel Clarke	...	Mickey Smith
Tracy-Ann Oberman	...	Yvonne Hartman
Raji James	...	Dr. Rajesh Singh
Freema Agyeman	...	Adeola Oshodi
Hadley Fraser	...	Gareth
Oliver Mellor	...	Matt
Barbara Windsor	...	Peggy Mitchell
Hajaz Akram	...	Indian Newsreader
Anthony Debaeck	...	French Newsreader
Takako Akashi	...	Japanese Newsreader
Paul Fields	...	Weatherman
David Warwick	...	Police Commissioner

Runtime:

45 min | 45 min (50 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Tredegar House, Newport, Wales, UK

Trivia:

When Rose emerges from the Tardis after Torchwood moves it, the Egyptian Sarcophagus it's parked next to is from the original series adventure Pyramids of Mars (season 13), used as the Osirian Time-Space Tunnel conduit.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Yvonne is taking the Doctor and Jackie to the Sphere Room, there is a sign opposite the door that has the words "Torchwood Institute". In the next shot where you can see the corridor from inside the Sphere Chamber, the sign has disappeared. It reappears again when Rose is going into the Sphere Chamber, but this time it has directions to the Reception, Canteen and Lever Room as well as "Torchwood Institute". It also disappears again when you see the corridor from inside the Chamber.

Quotes:

Peggy Mitchell: [on TV] Listen to me, Den Watts - I don't care if you HAVE come back from the dead, get out of my pub! The only spirits in here are gin, whisky and vodka, so go on - GET OUT!
[the Doctor switches the TV off and turns to Jackie]
The Doctor: When did this start?
Jackie Tyler: Well, first of all, Peggy heard this noise in the cellar, so she goes downstairs...
The Doctor: No, I mean worldwide.

Movie Connections:

References "Torchwood" (2006)

old allies, older enemies

Starting with Rose's heart-breaking monologue and ending in quite possibly the best cliffhanger for a Doctor Who two-parter in recent memory, this episode is full of surprises, returning characters both good as well as evil, great characterization, and more. It's just brilliant all around. The only drawbacks are that it's steeped in Who mythology and for those who for some reason to choose this as their first episode of the current incarnation of Doctor Who will be lost and the other thing is not a detriment of the show in the least. More a detriment to me, as so much happens that I truly can't talk about the actual plot too much without spoiling it. And trust me, this IS an episode you'd want to go into knowing nothing about.

My grade: A