After the grounded, Earth-based events of The Lazarus Experiment, Doctor Who plunges back into full-throttle science fiction with 42, first broadcast on May 19, 2007. Written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Graeme Harper, this episode delivers a real-time, high-stakes thriller that sees the Doctor and Martha battling against an unseen force aboard a doomed spaceship. With its intense pacing, claustrophobic atmosphere, and an intriguing but simple premise, 42 plays like a Doctor Who take on 24—but does it still hold up in 2025?
From the outset, 42 makes its intentions clear. The Doctor and Martha arrive aboard the SS Pentallian, only to find themselves immediately caught up in a desperate race against time. The ship is hurtling toward a star, its engines disabled, and the crew has just 42 minutes before impact. The use of a real-time format heightens the tension, making the episode feel relentless as the clock ticks down. The decision to place Martha in mortal danger early on, trapped in an escape pod drifting towards the sun, raises the stakes in a way that few episodes manage so effectively.
Martha’s character development continues to be a highlight of Series 3. In 42, she is given some of her most harrowing moments yet, forced to navigate the crisis with minimal input from the Doctor. Her growing confidence and ability to think on her feet reinforce why she is such a strong companion. Her conversations with her mother, Francine, over the phone add an extra layer of emotional depth, particularly as we see more of Harold Saxon’s influence beginning to take hold. These brief but ominous moments lay crucial groundwork for the season’s climax, furthering the mystery of Saxon’s growing presence in Martha’s life.
Jack Bauer... sorry, the Doctor, meanwhile, is at his most frantic, desperately trying to solve the crisis while simultaneously facing a new and terrifying challenge—possession. The moment he becomes infected by the sentient energy of the star is one of the most unnerving sequences of the Tennant era. David Tennant delivers a particularly intense performance, conveying both the physical pain of possession and the psychological horror of losing control. His repeated cries of "Burn with me" are haunting, making this one of the more viscerally unsettling experiences for the Doctor.
The episode’s antagonist—the sentient star—is a fascinating concept, though not fully explored. The revelation that the star is a living organism, and that the ship’s crew unknowingly harmed it by mining its resources, adds an ethical dilemma to the story. While the idea of a celestial body seeking retribution is intriguing, the execution feels somewhat rushed, leaving little room for deeper philosophical exploration. Had there been more time, the moral complexity of the situation could have been further unpacked.
Visually, 42 is one of the more effective bottle episodes of the Tennant era. The confined spaces of the ship, the dim lighting, and the flickering emergency systems create a tangible sense of dread. Graeme Harper’s direction ensures that the action remains kinetic, using tight close-ups and rapid editing to emphasize the urgency of the situation. The heat, the claustrophobia, and the rising panic all contribute to an episode that thrives on atmosphere.
However, 42 is not without its flaws. While the real-time format adds tension, it also limits character development for the supporting cast. The crew of the Pentallian, though serviceable, never quite leave a lasting impression, making their eventual fates feel somewhat underwhelming. The "security questions" subplot—where the crew must answer random trivia about themselves to unlock the ship’s systems—feels like an unnecessary gimmick that slows the momentum rather than enhancing it.
Rewatching 42 in 2025, it remains a solid, if not groundbreaking, entry in Doctor Who’s modern era. The intense pacing, strong performances, and eerie horror elements make it an enjoyable thriller, even if some of its ideas are underdeveloped. It serves as another key step in Martha’s journey, reinforcing her independence while continuing to build the tension surrounding Harold Saxon. While not a standout episode, 42 delivers a gripping, fast-paced adventure that proves Doctor Who can handle sci-fi suspense just as effectively as it does historical drama or character-driven narratives.
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