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The Lodger

Writer: Gareth Roberts | Director: Catherine Morshead

UK Broadcast Date: 12th June 2010

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Synopsis

The TARDIS mistakenly lands in Colchester in Essex. When the Doctor leans out of the door an explosion within the TARDIS pushes him out. The TARDIS then takes off leaving the Doctor stranded and Amy Pond alone in a TARDIS unwilling to land.

The stranded Doctor appears on the doorstep of a call centre employee named Craig announcing himself as Craig's new lodger. The strange man hands over three thousand pounds in rent and shows his credentials – including a reference from the Archbishop of Canterbury – and warns Craig not to touch the rot on his lounge ceiling.

What is preventing the TARDIS from landing, what is causing the dry rot and who is the man upstairs? It's up to the Doctor to find out.

Memorable Quotes

Craig: I love you.
Doctor: Well that's good 'cause I'm your new lodger.

Doctor: I'm good at fixing rot. Call me the Rotmeister. No, I'm the Doctor – don't call me the Rotmeister.

Craig: Well if I ever am [in trouble] you can come and save me with my toothbrush.

Review

The Lodger was very much the calm before the storm if the teaser for The Pandorica Opens is anything to go by. I also felt that it was aimed more at those disinterested in the World Cup (its main ratings competition), which may have been a good move by the show's producers. As a result, Gareth Robert’s mostly light and fluffy pseudo romantic comedy was well placed.

I'm not a fan of romantic comedies, so I winced at the middle part of the episode when the Doctor played football as a way of fitting in. That said it was reasonably well written and the characters – including James Corden's character Craig – were amiable.

Matt Smith was on top form during the episode and helped to provide much of the episode's light-hearted tone. Amy Pond was relegated to the background this week, but her brief contributions were still tiresome and annoying. There was little reason to include Amy in the episode because she didn't – as usual – have any useful information for the Doctor. River Song is making an appearance next week, which will take the edge of Amy Pond.

It was a reasonably good episode overall. Nothing spectacular, but that's what the finale is for.

Reviewer: Dan Ludlow