Martha Jones Freema Agyeman

• Why I like Martha Jones by Nathan Mullins

Why I like Martha Jones by Nathan Mullins 14/3/09

What is it that I like about Martha Jones that hasn't been said about her by fans already? I've heard by some that she's not liked for whatever reason but that doesn't go to say that I agree with them. When I first heard about the casting of Martha and who was to play her, I was terribly impressed. There's always a first for everything and besides, what's wrong with having a black female companion? Absolutely nothing! I loved her quirkiness and the energy she gave. She took on a difficult role of coming after Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) who was much loved by all and missed when she departed but Martha Jones was a breath of fresh air.

Her first episode, Smith and Jones kicked of the new season with a bang. I loved how she was introduced to us as someone who everyone could talk to and speak to on a personal level; for example, her sister, Trish, her mum and her dad, and her brother, Leo. I loved how she explained away her cousin's identity who died fighting in the Torchwood tower. I loved the Judoon and the fact that their outfits mimicked the Sontarans of old but that made them all the more frightening. Even the story, which I felt everything that came into the mix was carefully woven into and just the fact that David Tennant stayed on for another season was remarkable. His Doctor is one of the very best since the show went off air in 1989 and that's a fact, though he throws in some of his own personal qualities that make for "new" Who.

Every episode from the beginning of the aforementioned season worked very very well, though I didn't like The Shakespeare Code as much as thought I might because of the CGI effects of the Carrionites which I just didn't take a liking to. However, the rest of the episode was amazing and the London shots were terrific. I also rather enjoyed Gridlock. Mainly because of the subtle hint to the Macra, an old foe the Doctor had once encountered in The Macra Terror, a Patrick Troughton adventure. Also because it made reference to the Face of Boe and it was where the Doctor first took Rose after the story he first met her in. This was hinted at by Martha who said he was taking her to all the places he once took Rose. I loved the kidnap of Martha. That excited me and how the Doctor would react to that and also the singing at the end of the episode when the Doctor spoke of gallifrey. One of the best bits, I thought.

The two parter, that being the Dalek episode, was another highlight and the Dalek Sec hybrid was the closest we got to the return of Davros since the show's revival. The overseas location work was brill and some of the shots used were outstanding. I thought that the pigmen reminded me of the robomen in The Dalek Invasion of Earth. They're not much different really, only that the Daleks had been experimenting and had created something to aid them in their conquest. The episodes I haven't mentioned are all as well realised as the episodes I have mentioned and the character of Matha Jones had developed over the 13 weeks we saw her progress in the TARDIS alongside the Doctor who, although henever really gave her a chance, should have because she was fantastic. Also, the books touched upon her character a lot, especially in Sting of the Zygons, where her skin colour is mentioned and explained away by the Doctor as is done in Human Nature which I felt was appropriate. Of Freema Agyeman, her journey was not only an emotional one but a sad one because I don't think any of us wanted her to leave. When she did, I felt that the Doctor should have made her feel more welcome aboard the TARDIS.

So, after reviewing Martha Jones, I still haven't a clue why some people dislike her character though everyone has their own opinion and so do I. Enough said.