Following the intense real-time thriller of 42, Doctor Who shifts gears dramatically with Human Nature, first broadcast on May 26, 2007. Adapted by Paul Cornell from his own Doctor Who novel of the same name, this episode marks the beginning of one of the most emotionally complex and thought-provoking two-parters in the modern era. Taking the Doctor out of his usual role and placing him in an unfamiliar, deeply human situation, Human Nature is an episode that asks profound questions about identity, sacrifice, and the price of heroism. Rewatching in 2025, does it still stand as one of the series' most powerful narratives?
The episode opens with a drastic departure from the usual formula—John Smith, a mild-mannered schoolteacher in 1913 England, dreams of another life where he is a time-traveling hero. This is no simple disguise; the Doctor has fully transformed into a human to escape a deadly threat, his Time Lord essence hidden away in a fob watch. The concept alone is striking, taking the godlike, untouchable figure of the Doctor and stripping away his identity, leaving only an ordinary man who has no idea of his true nature.
David Tennant delivers one of his most nuanced performances to date. As John Smith, he is entirely different from the Doctor—reserved, cautious, and deeply invested in the mundane joys of his quiet life. There is something heartbreaking in watching him embrace this existence, falling in love with Joan Redfern (Jessica Hynes) and allowing himself to imagine a future that the Doctor would never permit himself. Tennant’s ability to subtly convey the conflict beneath Smith’s surface—tiny flickers of something forgotten, an instinct he cannot place—adds layers to an already emotionally charged script.
Martha, meanwhile, is placed in an entirely different position than any companion before her. She alone knows the truth, watching from the sidelines as the man she has traveled with forgets everything about her. Freema Agyeman is outstanding in this episode, carrying the weight of unspoken grief and frustration. Not only must she ensure the Doctor remains hidden, but she also has to endure the racism and classism of 1913 England, a reality that Doctor Who rarely explores with such blunt honesty. Her strength and resilience in the face of it make her one of the most quietly heroic figures in the episode.
The antagonists, the Family of Blood, are introduced gradually, but their presence is chilling from the start. Possessing human bodies and moving with an eerie, puppet-like quality, they are among the most unsettling villains of the Tennant era. Harry Lloyd’s performance as Baines, the schoolboy overtaken by the Family, is especially memorable—his wide-eyed stare and unnatural movements make him a truly unnerving presence. The idea that they are hunting the Doctor for his Time Lord essence, desperate for immortality, adds a sense of inevitability to the story. No matter how deeply John Smith buries the truth, it will find him.
The setting of an English boarding school on the brink of World War I adds another layer of poignancy to the episode. The emphasis on militaristic discipline, the indoctrination of young boys into a future of war, and the casual acceptance of violence foreshadow the tragedy that awaits so many of these characters. The Doctor, a man who abhors war, has inadvertently placed himself in a world where it is seen as noble and necessary. The way this theme is woven throughout the episode, particularly in the contrast between the young students and the terror that soon arrives, is masterful.
The final moments, as John Smith begins to suspect the truth about himself, are heart-wrenching. His quiet life, the love he has found, the sense of belonging he has never known—all of it is fragile, waiting to be shattered. The weight of what is to come hangs over every scene, making Human Nature one of the most powerful setups for a two-parter in modern Doctor Who history.
Rewatching Human Nature in 2025, it remains a masterful example of how Doctor Who can tell deeply human stories within its sci-fi framework. The themes of identity, sacrifice, and the cost of being the Doctor are explored with nuance and emotional depth. With pitch-perfect performances, an unsettling villain, and one of the most unique premises of the modern era, Human Nature stands as one of the show’s finest episodes, leading into what promises to be an equally devastating conclusion.
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