St David at the Pearly Gatiss

The Lazarus Experiment

More throwaway fare, The Lazarus Experiment is a comic-book tale, with a comic-book deluded scientist who turns into a comic-book monster-villain. Needless to say, it is fairly inconsequential. Needless to also say, it is enjoyable nonetheless.

The premise of the story couldn't be simpler: the misguided Professor Lazarus has found a way to reverse the aging process...with predictably devestating results. Familiar RTD themes – science perverted by vanity (New Earth), and the messing with biology to find and distill some true essence of what it is to be human (ie Human Nature, Rise of the Cybermen, Dalek, Daleks in Manhattan etc etc) get another run here. Sadly nothing really new is brought to the table in these regards.

This is a visual story and on this count it fairs well. The FX are reasonably good (I dare say impressive...if you like that kind of thing). The remains of the victim's bodies are suitably grisly, and the monster itself is quite well realised, as far as CGI goes. Lazarus's machine and in fact his whole institute are well realised.

Martha has some good stuff to do in this - she seems to be growing into the role after a few early flat spots. The delicious moment where the Doctor produces the sonic screwdriver in the confined space and pops down out of screen, much to Martha's surprise (and our delight), is fabulously playful and a touch risque.

On the other hand, just what exactly is going on with the Jones Family? It seems as if the writing team is unsure of quite how to handle them. Not as annoyingly prominent as the Tylers, but neither are they as interesting...why include them at all if they are not going to be given the chance to develop as characters or provide us with much substance by way of Martha's backstory. Perhaps these developments will emerge, but so far The Jones' are stuck in cliche-ville.

Also on the down side, Mark Gatiss as Lazarus gives a performance that is self aware and over the top. Perhaps the script and style of production demands of him the one-dimensiaonal characterisation he produces...or perhaps he just overplays it. Either way, his discomfort in the role is evident on the screen. Following his showing here and the forgetable Idiot's Lantern, Gatiss's Who stocks seem to have fallen somewhat, after the truly marvellous Unquiet Dead.

One thing this story really has going for it, is its golden, cheesey finale. How we cherish the sights and sounds of the Doctor (with flailing quaff) pumping the pedals with his sneakers and smashing the keys with his fingers...saving the day by playing the church organ at 11! The whole thing builds up to a Tennant-era defining crescendo of kitch! Needless to say, many peaks of hillarity were reached at the Lucozer Lounge!

Lazarus is OK...entertaining but lightweight...though certainly a few notchs higher up the ladder than the lamentable Ablution of the Daleks. A final thought - The Claws of Saxos are coming!