The Flood was a viral life-form that existed in the water deposits on Mars. A human expedition to Mars found traces of water but soon became infected by the Flood, turning some of them into terrifying zombie creatures. One drop of water would infect other humans. The Tenth Doctor arrived during this horrifying situation and was conflicted because he couldn’t help or interfere because he knew that the destruction of Bowie Base One on Mars was a fixed point in time. This proved to be one of the most emotional and complex stories in the history of Doctor Who and the Doctor’s inner turmoil was heartbreaking to watch.

The Waters of Mars

★★★★★

TX: 15/11/2009

Written by Russell T Davies & Phil Ford    Directed by Graeme Harper

The Tenth Doctor arrives at Bowie Base One, a human expedition to Mars searching for life after water deposits were found. Unfortunately, the water they have found contains a viral life form called the Flood, which infects some of the crew due to a broken filter. The Doctor suggests that the Flood was frozen centuries ago by The Ice Warriors beneath the glacier that the base is excavating. The Doctor wants to help but is unable to because he knows that the destruction of Bowie Base One and its crew is a fixed point in history and cannot be altered. As the humans, led by Captain Adelaide Brooke, attempt to escape, the Doctor decides to leave. However, as part of the base explodes and the situation becomes desperate, the Doctor realises that because he is the last of the Time Lords, he is now the boss of time. So he decides to return and rescue the humans and forgo his qualms about the situation being a fixed point. The Doctor uses the base’s service robot called G.A.D.G.E.T to reach the TARDIS in seconds, activate it and send it back to the base to rescue them. The Doctor, Adelaide and the other survivors escape in the TARDIS moments before the base self-destructs. Back on Earth, the Doctor explains to Adelaide that he is the Time Lord Victorious and he can therefore alter time as he sees fit. He says that Adelaide’s death has been prevented and she can now inspire her granddaughter in person. But Adelaide sees the Doctor’s behaviour as reckless and irresponsible. She decides to put history back on track by shooting herself in her own house. The Doctor despairs over this as he feels responsible. Realising that he has gone too far, the Doctor sees Ood Sigma in the distance, which he realises is a warning of his impending regeneration. It is interesting to note that The Waters of Mars is an anagram of Wars of the Master, which is a clue as to the return of the Master in the following story The End of Time. It is important to remember that in real life, you can’t change the past, you can only learn from it. You should only look forwards not backwards. We all have our crosses to bear. We all have our scars. David Tennant gives the performance of his career in this terrifying episode, proving once and for all that he will always be the best Doctor, a fact not an opinion! How could anyone think that David Tennant is not the best Doctor? 🥹 Meeting David Tennant was genuinely one of the best days of my life.