42 (19 May 2007)

On a spaceship headed straight for the center of the sun, The Doctor only has 42 minutes to save Martha and the rest of the ship's crew from an inevitable doom...

Director:

Graeme Harper

Writer:

Chris Chibnall

Stars:

David Tennant, Freema Agyeman, Michelle Collins

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
David Tennant	...	The Doctor
Freema Agyeman	...	Martha Jones
Michelle Collins	...	Kath McDonnell
Adjoa Andoh	...	Francine Jones
William Ash	...	Riley Vashtee
Anthony Flanagan	...	Orin Scannell
Matthew Chambers	...	Hal Korwin
Gary Powell	...	Dev Ashton
Vinette Robinson	...	Abi Lerner
Rebecca Oldfield	...	Erina Lessak
Elize du Toit	...	Sinister Woman

Storyline

The Doctor and Martha answer a distress call, and find themselves on a cargo ship hurtling towards the sun. They have only 42 minutes until they're destroyed, and the key lies behind the universes deadliest "pub quiz" - but the situation is a lot hotter than it first seems...

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Plot Keywords:

time for title | real time | number in title

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 2007 (UK)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min 45 min (50 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

"42" may also be seen as reference to the Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe and Everything, as written by Douglas Adams in the radio series "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". Adams also wrote scripts for several Doctor Who episodes during the late seventies. Interestingly, in one of the "Hitchhiker's Guide" books there is also a chapter where the protagonists are caught in a stolen spaceship headed for the sun.

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Quotes

[first lines]
The Doctor: Well, there we go, universal roaming.
[tosses Martha her newly altered cell phone]
The Doctor: Never have to worry about a signal again.
Martha Jones: No way. This is too mad. You're telling me I can phone anyone anywhere in space and time on my mobile?
The Doctor: As long as you know the area code.

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Connections

Featured in Doctor Who Confidential: Sontar-Ha! (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Doctor Who Theme"
(uncredited)
Written by Ron Grainer
Arranged by Murray Gold
Performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales

User Reviews

A genuinely dark and entertaining story from director Graeme Harper

As soon as Graeme Harper's name came up on the opening titles, I knew this episode was going to be a treat. I wasn't wrong - "42" is a return to classic "Doctor Who". Harper's always had the magic touch - previous stories have included "The Caves of Androzani" and "Revelation of the Daleks" and he's known as the longest-serving crew member on Doctor Who! His tales are normally deadly serious affairs with only elements of macabre humour thrown in to lighten the mood.

"42" is set on a dark and dismal spaceship, not far from a burning sun. There are just 42 minutes before the ship is burned to ashes in the sun's surface. A simple premise? To spice things up in this real-time adventure, there's strange activity involving "possessed" crew members. Cue lots of scary scenes - this is a return to the delights of "The Impossible Planet" and an "Event Horizon" for all the family to enjoy.

Harper creates genuine suspense in this episode. There are moments when there's real danger for The Doctor and Martha, particularly when Martha decides to use an escape pod for temporary safety.

Excellent entertainment with a few genuine surprises. This series has been consistently well-written and delivered so far. The last stories have been less silly than we've come to expect in the past and I've really enjoyed the darker vibe. As the new audience matures, so does this show.

9 out of 10. Definitely one that will be remembered as a future classic.