In this sense the story is executed beautifully. It is well-written, well-acted and well-directed. We get to understand Elton, feel sorry for him and sympathise with his predicament. We connect with these new characters and are hurt when they disappear. We also don't like Victor Kennedy very much because we see his influence through Elton's eyes.

We also laugh at Jackie Tyler's blatant interest in and sexual advances towards Elton, and it's nice to see some flash backs to the Autons episode and the Christmas Invasion.

This is a great story if the episode is interpreted as a program in Elton's video casts. It was a great way to incorporate a creature created by a child (and he was credited too) and there was an amusing and well-written way of introducing the creature's name - The Absorbaloff from Glom.

But this is supposed to be Doctor Who. And for that, I hate this story with a passion. Sure the TARDIS is in it. Sure, the Doctor and Rose are in it. Sure there's aliens in it. But the star of Doctor Who is the Doctor and his companions, and having a Doctor Who episode that doesn't star the Doctor or his companions for almost 45 minutes is just asking for trouble from fans.

This is going to divide fandom. Forget discussing what the general public might want. If I was a member of the general public I wouldn't be running a website devoted to Doctor Who, so I am completely biased in this regard.

The books that are diaries from a non-companions viewpoint are always blasted in the reviews. The comic strips that barely feature the Doctor are rarely praised. The audios that have only cameo appearances of the Doctor or no Doctor at all, just aren't that popular with the majority of fans. So why do an actual Doctor Who episode with the Doctor and companion just making cameos?

Normally I put a review up within a day. This took me two days to get around to because I was so disheartened to write it.

The series' two best and worst on the same DVD. Probably a good thing.

As a stand alone story: 7 out of 10.
As a Doctor Who story: 3 out of 10

Here's the BBC blurb

Peter Kay, one of Britain's best-loved comedians, guest stars as the cold and powerful Victor Kennedy in the latest time-travelling adventure.

An ordinary man called Elton becomes obsessed with the Doctor and Rose and their mysterious blue box. But when Elton's investigations bring him to the attention of the enigmatic Victor Kennedy, his harmless hobby suddenly plunges him into a living nightmare.

David Tennant plays the Doctor, Billie Piper plays Rose, Peter Kay plays Victor Kennedy and Marc Warren plays Elton.