Context
“Planet of the Dead,” the 2009 Easter Special of Doctor Who, sits in a special place in the show’s production history. It was the first episode filmed and broadcast in full HD, which immediately made it look different from anything that came before. The move to high-definition was not just a technical step forward. It pushed the visual ambition of the series to a higher level and encouraged the team to try something more cinematic.
A major behind the scenes choice was filming on location in the Abu Dhabi desert, one of the rare times the show put the Doctor on an alien world that actually looked alien. Instead of using Welsh quarries with colour filters, the team suddenly had endless dunes, real sunlight, and a huge natural landscape.
Ironically, the production faced trouble with the double-decker bus, which was damaged while being shipped from London to the UAE. Davies and Roberts rewrote the script to include the smashed bus. Strangely, this accident helped the episode by adding a sense of realism to the story.
Synopsis
A London double-decker bus passes through a wormhole and crash-lands on a distant desert planet. The Doctor teams up with Lady Christina de Souza, an elegant jewel thief with a love of adventure. Together with a group of stranded passengers, they must survive “sandstorms”, strange stingray creatures, and a collapsing wormhole before danger reaches Earth.
Review
“Planet of the Dead” is sometimes described as lightweight, but when judged as its own type of story, it becomes a refreshing and enjoyable adventure. It is visually bold, character driven, and much more charming than some people give it credit for.
The episode looks amazing. Being the first Doctor Who made in HD is obvious from the start. The desert light, the bright colours, and the great sense of open space give it a feeling the show had rarely reached before. Filming in the Abu Dhabi desert was a smart choice. It makes the alien planet feel believable and natural, not artificial. The realism helps the viewer feel more involved in the adventure.
The story also benefits from the production difficulties. The damaged bus, originally a problem, ended up helping the tone of the episode. Its broken appearance makes the idea of being stranded more convincing. It shows how Doctor Who often succeeds by turning problems into creative solutions.
At the heart of the episode is Lady Christina de Souza, played with style by Michelle Ryan. She is a jewel thief, but also a thrill seeker. She views the universe as a place full of opportunities. In many ways she mirrors the Doctor. Both are clever, impulsive, morally flexible, and hungry for excitement. The Doctor once stole a TARDIS, and Christina steals treasures. Their dynamic feels like two similar spirits testing and tempting each other. Psychologically, Christina represents the type of companion who could challenge the Doctor, not just follow him. She might have pushed him further, similar to how Clara later pushed the Twelfth Doctor in series 9. This idea gives their short partnership a slightly bittersweet feeling.
Some viewers complain about the slow second act, but I think this misses the value of the quieter scenes. Yes, the middle part takes its time. However, it allows for more emotional moments between the passengers, more tension as the creature swarm approaches, and more contrast between Christina’s upbeat personality and the quieter sadness inside the Doctor. These slower moments fit the general mood of the Tenth Doctor’s final stories. Even in a cheerful adventure, the show hints at the Doctor’s growing loneliness.
Another highlight is UNIT scientist Malcolm, who brings joyful and funny energy to the Earth scenes. His excitement about the Doctor and his awkward relationship with Captain Magambo add humour and warmth to the story. It is a shame Malcolm appears only in this episode. His presence makes the special feel more unique and memorable.
The episode’s creatures, including the Tritovores and the metal-eating stingrays, may not be the most complex monsters in the series, but they serve the plot well. The Tritovores introduce cooperation between species, while the stingrays show how natural alien creatures can become dangerous simply by following their instincts. The threat is not evil. It is unstoppable nature. This matches the episode’s tone, which focuses on adventure shaped by accidents and chance.
Overall, “Planet of the Dead” is a bright and enjoyable special that stands out thanks to its visual style, its creative use of unexpected problems, and its strong character interactions. It does not try to be tragic or heavy like the other Tennant specials. This is exactly why it works. It gives the Tenth Doctor one last simple adventure filled with sunlight, optimism, and a companion who could have matched him step for step.