Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two

The Doctor (Matt Smith), TV's most eccentric and energetic time-traveling sci-fi hero, officially welcomes a new companion: Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman), a sassy, self-assured young woman who has appeared in different incarnations in two previous episodes (including the Christmas special “The Snowmen,” which is also newly available separately). The eight episodes in this run offer the usual time-hopping, universe-spanning journeys to strange worlds featuring colorful alien races and unusual cultures, where the Doctor's luck always manages to land them in the midst of some earth-shaking crisis. “There's one thing you need to know about traveling with me,” he tells Clara. “We don't walk away.” But there's a mystery surrounding Clara—“the impossible girl,” as everyone calls her—and a reason why her fate is so intertwined with the Doctor's (that overarching question is answered with a completely appropriate cliffhanger). Sci-fi and fantasy author Neil Gaiman contributes the Cybermen episode “Nightmare in Silver,” while the impressive guest cast includes Richard E. Grant, David Warner, Liam Cunningham, Dougray Scott, Diana Rigg, and Alex Kingston, the latter returning as River Song. Compiling the last half of the 2013 run on DVD and Blu-ray, extras include bonus scenes. Boasting a strong American following on BBC America, this revival of the classic British series is recommended. [Note: Doctor Who: The Complete Seventh Series is also newly available.] (S. Axmaker)