Oh no, the Doctor and Martha is stuck in traffic!
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voters
Has cats. 10 out of 10.
17 Likes
I think that Gridlock is a great episode. It is fun and I love the look of the episode. I know that it did the Macra differently but in a way it explores similar themes about not questioning the state of things.
9 Likes
I rewatched this in June and it’s good. The plot is interesting and the worldbuilding is nice. Don’t know how I feel about the Macra.
8 Likes
Underrated, I think. Not a favourite but I think there’s a lot to love in it. I probably wouldn’t choose to watch it randomly but when I do watch it i always enjoy it more than I think I do
9 Likes
Gorgeous worldbuilding. Feels like a translation of the VNAs’ take on cyberpunk (including RTD’s own Damaged Goods), but making it palatable for the main show; it works remarkably well. It’s also aged amazingly, as the framing of the underground highway and the Old Rugged Cross sequence in particular feel like they’ve only gained thematic power in recent years. That sensation of being stuck in a cramped, confined space, but finding some sense of solace in the fact that you’re not alone in being alone… that hits different post-2020.
Also, I’ve gotten into this in another thread, but I’m all for the Macra’s appearance here. Despots regressed to the point of feeding off of the fumes of those they once tried to enslave; it hits on a similar oddball optimism as the story proper, where humanity is still facing the problems of Old Earth, but also able to adapt to how new technology refracts them because… well, that’s just what we do, innit?
13 Likes
There is no such thing as Macra, Macra do not exist
I have fond memories of this episode and will occasionally rewatch it just to see Ardal O’Hanlon under several layers of makeup
10 Likes
I rewatched it recently and only then did I realise it was O’Hanlon, I suppose now I recognise him from Taskmaster
It’s definitely an underrated episode, it cleverly takes us back to New Earth without making it feel too much like a sequel; it’s its own story but really well developed in terms of world building
11 Likes
My favourite New Earth story!
10 Likes
I remember watching this on broadcast and loving it. The quirkiness is exactly what I like in Doctor Who and the cast of characters is great fun. The reveal of the Macra was inspired because it works for fans and non-fans. Fans get to go ‘WOW! MACRA DO EXIST!’ and non-fans go ‘SCARY CRABS AT THE BOTTOM KILLING PEOPLE!’. I also think Martha is great in this one.
10 Likes
I have to admit I didn’t remember a lot—Brannigan, the kittens, the Face of Boe, and the giant crabs that definitely don’t exist at the bottom of the fast lane. So I did enjoy this rewatch immensely.
Seeing a kitten that looked exactly like my beloved Leia made my day. I wish she was as little as the one seen in the episode.
Here’s a TL;DR of my review:
Gridlock is a murky, moving, and memorable jaunt to New Earth that uses traffic as a metaphor for societal stagnation. It’s packed with clever social commentary, excellent creature design, and a strong performance from David Tennant. Martha and the Doctor spend too much time apart, but it’s an inventive and emotionally satisfying ride. Bonus points for kittens, Macra, and a Face of Boe bombshell.
And here’s my spoilery review for those who fancy a read. Thanks!
11 Likes
A rare 10/10. It’s in my top three Tennants (and probably my top five post-2005 episodes).
8 Likes
The kittens are cute and I like the political themes.
I like that The Face of Boe gets a definitive ending too. Even for a minor character, the attention to detail was nice. And I’ve mentioned before in a different thread the thematic parallels to COE in this episode. Even if I do think Gridlock does them better, in a more subtle way. The fact The Face of Boe waited to die like this as opposed to dying naturally in a hospital is a nice bit of dignity/choice.
Also did I mention cats. I wish my children could be catkind. Human babies are kinda gross and ugly (imo). But I don’t want to think about the logistics of well, the whole thing between the kitten’s parents. Cuz that’s a bit strange. But bold! And experimental. Which is a good thing.
I do like the implication too that by abolishing the Lab Rats from that last episode, the drugs couldn’t be trialed or tested on anyone to see the side-effects. It was just mass produced and, yk. Maintains the Doctor’s problematic interference throughout the early NuWho seasons.
The only critique I have is probably the beginning with the Forget girl, and the market stalls. If the motorway was closed off, I guess this would’ve been in some sort of service tunnel? Or maintenance bay or something? Maybe it mentioned it, but if everyone in the world did die from an airborne disease, it’d be weird if they could go outside, or have seen the outside world at some point. Cuz then they’d know and be able to spread the word before the Doctor even appeared. So I hc that small communities just settled in the motorway vent-ducts, and parallel tunnels. Or they’re the descendants of highway workers who didn’t have a vehicle on the motorway itself and therefore had to just live alongside it with no way out, and limited ways of getting a car. Because Forget girl does say that no one returns from the motorway, but if she was from the outside world, she’d have been able to forewarn people, or have stopped her parents, etc. so they must’ve lived in those maintenance tunnels and found a car to leave??? Maybe??
Plus, the length of this motorway must’ve been massive to the point drivers wouldn’t notice it’s a circle, and wouldn’t the signs need to keep on changing to delude everyone into thinking it wasn’t completely closed off? Otherwise you’d have some cars just bumping into a wall at the safety cutoff. Which would then just feed the Macra, and would be another reason to explain why they’re dumbed down evolution-wise, as there’s no need to hunt with a surplus of food. (Or maybe this got explained and I just missed it).
The Tunnel shortfilm on YouTube also gives off similar vibes, but I prefer Gridlock tbh.
12 Likes
I think this is a great one. While I don’t think every Choice made here works, I do think overall it’s a fun episode with a lot to chew. The Main Point would probably be the World Building, which is just excellent here. I feel like you could tell a lot of Thought was put into that and that translates greatly to screen. I also would say this is my favorite of the New Earth Stories that we have gotten over the last three Seasons.
And while the Macra aren’t at their best, I still like this reveal a lot, even knowing the background behind them. Sure, I prefer Macra Terror a bit more, but this is less of a Macra Story, and it really doesn’t have to. While their use isn’t the greatest, it’s a very solid one for me and just a nice little treat for people who are caught up with the series history without stepping on toes of newer viewers.
I do say this one is underrated, although in recent history I have heard a lot of love for this one, which I am quite happy about. A personal favorite of Series 3!
8 Likes
I haven’t watched Gridlock for a little while, but it was a nice conclusion for the Face of Boe (rip to Jack, I guess he can actually die). I enjoy how we get a glimpse into what happens to other places after the Doctor leaves (even if I wasn’t that emotionally attached to New Earth).
7 Likes
Probably my second favorite episode of this season. I enjoy the way the characters move through the various parts of the city, and the themes (and how they are expressed) are very interesting. The aesthetics are super cool, and honestly, this episode makes me care a lot more about New Earth than the previous New Earth episode did.
While it’s not one that immediately comes to mind when I’m asked about my favorite episodes, the more I think about it the more it moves up the list. There are so many scenes and moments that I really love. It’s a really great character episode, both in terms of main cast and more minor characters. (The Face of Boe really makes this already great episode, in my opinion.)
Totally, totally agree. This is what keeps boosting this episode up through my favorites list. I’m weak to cool and thoughtful worldbuilding and this is a really interesting and layered example. It’s not just the underworld or the overworld that we see/learn about, but both, as well as how they influence/create each other. I also love how we learn about New Earth society/culture through what is left behind. It’s a really fascinating way to reveal things about the world (and the part of me that loves climbing on/through ruins especially loves it).
As for the Macra… they are pretty much the last thing I think of when I think about the episode. To be fair, I don’t really know much of anything about them, but they don’t really add anything to the episode for me. They don’t really bother me much, either, but they’re pretty much just… there.
11 Likes
Like the kittens, quite a good story in general. I like it, but don’t love it, though it is really good.
6 Likes
It’s a great first interstellar outing for Martha. The return to New Earth treads familiar ground but differs well enough in its concept of an endless dystopian traffic jam. There’s a lot of fun characters here (like Brannigan) and antics that make it a fun episode.
7 Likes
I always thought this episode was fine, but nothing special before my recent rewatch. Now I kind of love it.
An endless traffic jam is such a fun sci-fi concept, and I love how fully the episode commits to it’s conceit. The world building here is great, it’s easily the most interesting look at New Earth the show has done. I think both the setting and the characters who inhabit it feel richer and more distinct than in most DW episodes. The plot moves (even if the cars don’t) in an enjoyable manner and we get some good lore building and teases from the Face of Boe. The Macra feel a little inessential here, but they don’t actively harm the episode so they’re fine.
I don’t know why I’d been sleeping on this episode for so long, it’s pretty great.
14 Likes
Had gone slightly down in my estimations on rewatch.
I found the singing a little bit too sweet. It’s also not clear why Boe and Hame need the Doctor to open up the city. He’s clever but they had 24 years to work it out 
On the positive side Brannigan, The Cassini ‘Sisters’ and Bower Hat guy are all really fun. The whole sequence of 10 dropping between the cars is a stand out. I also like the development of Martha and 10s relationship with her finally calling him out.
Just in terms of series layout this one is a bit weird. The next story is also in New York so we spend 3 consecutive episodes in the same city (I know they’re technically different places). Why is the whole supporting cast British/Irish in this ep?
8 Likes