The first of three Doctor Who specials aired on the BBC on Saturday night with a Merseyside super-fan saying it was an “extremely fun time”.
Star Beast saw the return of fan favourite, David Tennant as the Doctor alongside his equally popular sidekick Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate.
Lachlan McCann, 20, of the LJMU Doctor Who Society, said: “I found the Star Beast to be an imperfect, but extremely fun time.
“It was emotionally charged, brilliantly directed by Richard Talalay, and had some great characters.”
The specials have been made to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Doctor, which first aired in 1963.
Star Beast has had very positive reviews with Internet Movie Database (IMDB) rating the episode as a 7.8/10. Lachlan was already excited for the return of Tennant, with Saturday’s episode exceeding his expectations.
He said: “Doctor Who has never looked so good. The fourteenth Doctor was slightly different to how I expected, but I love how he really feels like he’s progressed as a character since being the tenth.”
One of the main talking points online has been the emotional mention of the late Bernard Cribbins, who played Donna’s grandad, Wilf. The TV icon died last year age 93.
Posting on X, one fan said: “Your last appearance is your best, Bernard thank you for being Wilf, for portraying him as wonderfully as you did, we’ll look up at the stars and think of you now and always.”
Another added: “Hell, that line hits. I knew it was going to be emotional, I didn’t know they’d put us through the wringer first!”
Over five million people watched the first episode on the night, with many fans remaining excited for next week’s episode.
Lachlan expects Wild Blue Yonder – airing this Saturday – to “look and sound amazing” but to vary from the previous episode.
He said: “I expect Wild Blue Yonder to be rather different, much scarier and quite possibly weirder than it’s predecessor.
“I’m very excited for it as the cryptic marketing and mystery surrounding special number two makes me believe a surprise is due.”
The final episode titled The Giggle will air on December 9 and features Neil Patrick Harris, best known for playing Barney in How I Met Your Mother, as the villain.
Christmas Day will see the Doctor Who torch passed over to the 15th Doctor played by Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa.
Don’t worry if you missed Saturday’s episode, you will be able to watch it on BBC iPlayer and soon on Disney+.
Featured image (c) BBC
