Why You Forgot It:It's in a series of classics, and was a third go-round for New Earth. Why You Should See It (Again):It's a solid story, and Tennant at his best. I've sung praises of Series 3 before. And really, it boasts some strong stories that most recognize as classics or at least high points of the New Series: "Blink", "Human Nature/The Family of the Blood", "Utopia/The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords", "The Shakespeare Code" - The Dalek two-parter is a weak link and it's STILL better than most of Series 1 or 2. There are a couple of stories that are just "good" or "average" ("42", "The Lazarus Experiment") - But even those are enjoyable or only slightly flawed. And then, there's "Gridlock". It succeeds in ways that Series 6 and 7 should envy: It tells a well-paced story AND develops Martha AND the Doctor's characters in a way that doesn't hinder the plot. Other articles (including my own) have taken recent episodes like "The Power of 3" to task because they try to have a development storyline and an alien threat going on - And one of them gets the short straw. This also tends to involve a really rushed conclusion (check) and ultimately leaves the character developing storyline with a bit of a sour taste - What really got solved? "Gridlock" dragged us to New Earth for the third time. This could've been a tiresome runaround, but even the recurring setting was cleverly used - Martha pretty much calls out the Doctor on going everywhere with her that he did with Rose - She's getting the rebound treatment with NONE of the benefits she wants. And anyone who thought we were just going to putter around the Millenium Center again was rewarded - the future underground motorway was brilliantly rendered, and made a great setpiece. See for yourself below: There is a classic monster in this story. It is introduced in a way that actually, successfully has it both ways - For knowing fans it is a touching inclusion, for viewers who aren't "in the know" they're just a brilliant new creature adding to the visual feast on display. And what a feast! Steven Moffat may be bragging about how each recent episode is a mini-movie - "Gridlock" didn't even need to brag, and wasn't making any such pretensions. And unlike some recent Moffat-journeys - and this is the crucial part - "Gridlock" doesn't shortchange the story or the development. The Doctor begins the story by avoiding Martha's question about his homeworld - he plays it off like he doesn't want to bore himself on Gallifrey, avoiding the truth of its destruction. Over the course of the story the Doctor and Martha are separated, and both characters realize how little they actually know each other, despite what they obviously mean to each other. At stories' end we're back to the same discussion about the Doctor's homeworld, and it plays out VERY differently..... But this is on top of Martha being carjacked! The passenger count for the (very clogged) underground motorway fastlane is 3 passengers, and a desperate couple nab Martha to get there. The Doctor's pursuit and solution don't disappoint. It must also be said that there's development for the season arc (well-hidden, in some cases) that isn't intrusive or uncomfortably shoved in (AHEM Torchwood). Lastly, there is Tennant himself. The man has been so revered in the role that it almost seems silly to praise his performance. Of COURSE he's good. But here's the thing - This episode had a spectacle and setpiece, and really could've just had him on autopilot (And when he's threatening to shut down a drug-vending alley, it's worryingly close to exactly that....). He's just as good in this as he is in any other episode of Series 3. There's a moment where he realizes Martha has won an argument - His face, body language, and delivery of the lines to come show more emotion than he did facing an army of Cybermen and a werewolf one year earlier. Tennant made every show count that year - even ones he didn't have to. This one's worth a look again, and unlike "Blink" you haven't heard about how great it is 5000 times more than you wanted to....
In a parallel universe where game shows' final jackpots and consequent fortunes depend on knowledge of obscure music trivia and Jon Pertwee/Tom Baker Doctor Who episodes, I've probably gone rich, insane, and am now a powermad despot. But happily we're not there, so I'm actually rather pleasant. Really.
