“We wanted to live forever. So the Doctor made sure that we did.” Very chilling words, and the Doctor didn’t say a thing, which is always the worst thing!

The switch back from human to time lord is my favourite thing ever. It really shows David’s phenomenal acting in this amazing episode.

This two parter has always been considered one of the best in the series. Emotional, scary, sad, triumphant, and so very human...everything that Doctor Who is at it's best.

I've just noticed something for the first time. When Tim has premonitions of the war and then runs off with the watch a classmate calls him a "filthy coward" and he says "Yes sir, every time", and he perhaps echoes what the ninth Doctor says when questioned by the Emperor of the Daleks as to whether he is "coward or killer" and he responds "coward, any day." It's not exactly the same words but it suddenly seemed resonant.

The ending scene with the Doctor and Martha visiting Tim on Remberance Day is touching.

Time for a few long fun facts: this two-part story is actually based on a novel featuring the 7th Doctor, published in 1995. It follows mostly the same plot, with the aliens trying to capture 'John Smith' as he, the Doctor's companion (Bernice Summerfield) and Nurse Redfern have to evade them. What's especially noteworthy is that the writer of the original book, Paul Cornell, is actually the one who adapted it into this two-parter, basically giving it a seal of approval as an adaptation of his own excellent story. Not only that, but there's one small detail in the book version that I always loved: the boy with the watch, Tim Latimer, is plagued by visions of the future and fears the First World War starting the following year, mostly because he's afraid of killing, and doesn't want to become that sort of person. He knows he can't do anything to stop the war, and when it hits, he's going to have to go and fight and main and murder. In the epilogue, once the main story is over, we see another character from the story who enlisted when the war broke out who has been badly injured, and is essentially dying where he lies. But just as all hope seems lost, someone finds him. Tim Latimer... who never enlisted with the army, and instead joined the British Red Cross. Tim didn't want to kill, so he became an army medic instead. In a technical, round-about sort of way... Tim became A DOCTOR.

Falling in love... That didn't even occur to him? What sort of man is that? The fury of the Timelord is a reminder that we are lucky he is as... good... as he is.

This . . . IS the quintessential, ‘Doctor Who’ This . . . is why we watch

One of my favourite exchanges in this episode: "Latimer, you filthy coward!" "Oh, yes, sir! Every time!" It perfectly mirrors the Ninth Doctor and the Dalek Emperor in 1x12: "What are you, coward or killer?" "Coward, any day."

This episode helps highlight two of the Doctor's main character traits. , The first is how he can often act silly to put his enemies off-guard, which is very bad news for them when he gets serious (though it's something that's more prominent with a few incarnations like the Second and Seventh Doctors), and the other thing is just how ruthless he can be when the situation calls for it and he's pushed too far.

I liked Tim. He would've made a great companion.

This is one of the best episodes of the entire series. I don’t even know why, but that Remembrance Day scene at the end has me tearing up every time.

I like how they show how ruthless, and dangerous, The Doctor could be, if he were to ever go down that path. And, it also gives us a glimpse into why so many beings throughout the universe fear him so much.

Honestly, I never pictured that the Doctor would have left Martha behind if he'd taken Joan with him as a companion- he's had more than one companion at a time before after all. I did always find it significant that he seems to have not asked Martha's opinion on the matter or even given her the heads up about it. I don't think he meant to make a unilateral decision there, I think it just genuinely didn't occur to him that it may be something Martha might not be happy with- as far as the Doctor is concerned, Martha is a cool person and Joan is a cool person therefore of course they'll get on and like travelling together. Gods love him, but social cues (especially human social cues) seem to fly over the Doctor's head a lot.

I think the music adds so much to the atmosphere and emotions of the story... murray gold is an exceptional composer...

The Doctor's scene where he asks Joan to travel with him is staggering to me for the sheer fury and disgust she has for the Doctor and his cold, cold stare back at her. This one really is a blessed story - great actors, a fantastic piece of source material in Paul's book and supperb direction that makes an assault by scarecrows look threatening rather than ridiculous. Frankly, a perfect story that only strikes a slight off note thtat the Doctor's treatment of the family is comming from a darker place than we've seen for this Tennant's Doctor so far. There's five truely superb stories from the first four years of DW - and this is arguably the best of them.

This story actually originates as a novel from the "wilderness years" after the original series was cancelled in 1989. The details were slightly different (McCoy, the 7th Doctor for one.) There are so many things i'd like to say, but i'm afraid it would spoil things. There have been so many little bread crumbs setup throughout this series as we come towards the final run. It's a wild ride, Jules. Some say this is the peak of the series here. (My personal favorite is series five, but I digress.) A great two-parter. The Family of Blood were great villains, and the mirroring of the young boys fighting off the scarecrows to what the reality of war would be like for them in a very short period... Lots of great visual symbolism going on.

You most certainly are not alone thinking this is a great episode, its objectively really well written and performed.

This episode is a fantastic demonstration of everything that Dr Who can be. It's terrifying, poignant, offers moral questions that the Doctor sometimes can't answer and despite the sci-fi/fantasy elements it's rooted in human emotion and history and god does it make me cry every single damn time. And on top of all that, Martha is just awesome, but then she always is. I totally agree, Jules, these two episodes are amongst my favourite in the whole of Who.

He doesnt have to leave Martha behind. Doctor have had multiple companions in the past.

A truly heartbreaking story, with amazing performances from everyone, I can't praise this enough. And when we see just how savage the Doctor was with his punishments - chilling. Previous quotes like 'no second chances' and ' I used to have so much mercy' hit home here. In the classic series the Doctor (especially McCoy) always had a ruthless streak, but this took it to another level - it seems the Time War really did a number on him. As always it was a joy to to watch you experience something so many of us grew up on, keep it coming.

First coloured Doctor in the UK was Dr James Horton, a liberated slave from America who made his way to England and graduated as a Doctor in 1837. I thoroughly recommend giving his life history a read, it’s quite fascinating. First female Doctor in the UK was Dr Elizabeth Anderson. She became a Doctor by exploiting a loophole in the UK’s legal system regarding Apothecaries and passed her exams first try. She set up her own medical practice became a Dean of medicine and successfully campaigned for women to be allowed to practice medicine, resulting in women being legally allowed to train as Doctors by 1876. By 1914 there were roughly 1000 women working as doctors in England. The point I’m making here is that Doctor Who got the discrimination against Martha sliiiiightly wrong around 4:00. People of colour and women were legally allowed to train as doctors and their fight for that right was quite famous.

The Fury of the Time Lord speech is one of the most powerful things I've ever heard. Upon my first time watching this, I immediately committed it to memory. All these years later, and I still have it memorized, but I can't get through it without bursting into tears.

The ending gets me everytime. The cut forward to remembrence day always makes me tear up. And rhis episode really hammers home how dark WW1 was, reminding us that many of the soldiers were young teenagers.

Before streaming happened, I had Doctor Who box sets on DVD (well, they're still in the cupboard) and this two-parter and the next episode were on one disc, and it was the best DVD I owned. Just a brilliant story. I do watch this and try to place other Doctors in the role. The original book featured Sylvester's Doctor, and I can see that; I can also see [redacts name of next Doctor though I'm sure you know it] doing it. The one after that? Not so much. But David got it and he was magnificent. What an interesting take on the punishments delivered to the Family of Blood. I think we're meant to be alarmed and a little bit horrified! Never mind! As I said last time, Golden Age.

I could actually pinpoint the moment your heart seemed to break, which caused mine to break... bloody hell.

I submit that Martha knew about the proposal, they had discussed it, and she even offered to go to Joan and talk her into joining them. But he dismissed the offer, as he just knew it would be futile. Her last words to him stung, but they were very true and he knew it.

You remember when I was saying Murray Gold was stepping up his game this season? This is what I meant. He delivers his best in these two episodes and paired with the BAFTA level writing and brilliant acting, the music carries perfect emotion and progression. The Family off Blood is one of my all time favorites. In parts to the Doctor's bravery in exchanging his faux life but Martha stepping forward, especially when demonstrating she's more than a color but a brilliant mind.

This has and will always be my favorite two parter. David Tennant is phenomenal in it because he was playing not just the doctor but John Smith and played them with so much distinction that they were clearly different people without being jarring And this episode had such impact on the doctor as a future episode shows that redferns memory stayed with him.

When the Doctor gets Mad....Look Out...=))

This two parter is absolutely one of my favourite stories, probably my favourite in Tennants run. It's fantastically well written and has some great set pieces with brilliant acting.

Aw, I get the desire to be in sync with the crowd, but never let what other people think about something you love tarnish your love for it. It just means you see something differently than everybody else, and there's nothing wrong with that (unless you're hallucinating; in that case, you might want to see a doctor).

They could have called this episode the Doctors Mercy and it would have been a perfect reveal for how the family of blood met their end. Dude was glacially cold when passing sentence and it still gives me chills when the son is doing his voice over. Especially that bit about sister of mine and the mirrors. Man this was a great two part episode. How he does not have more credits on show scripts is beyond me. All of his episodes were bang on. And his big finish stories are some of the best around. Friggin' love that guys writing style. That bit with John Smith not wanting to die still has me in tears all these years later, you were not alone in your reaction Jules.

This is one of the reactions I've been waiting for since episode 1. I'm glad to see that you had a very emotional experience. There are more on way.

John Smith realises he's 'just a story', the Doctor sometimes realises this too. One of the strengths of this series is that it's often touching on levels not usually met. Star Trek has dealt with someone discovering their life was as an actor in a play, and others have had 'psycho-dramas' of people confronting their own minds, or evil natures. Doctor Who has even visited 'The Land of Fiction' in the story 'The Mind Robber'.

Don't feel bad about crying at this episode. I've seen it countless times, including when it came out, and I still cry at it. Honestly, I don't know why these episodes haven't won an award of some sort.

I remember watching this as it aired in 2007 when I was 9! This story is still one of my absolute favourites of the show. So beautiful in many ways. Martha really shines in this one, truly love her! Series 3 as a whole really hits different for me, I just adore it

Holly crap that was awesome! Thanks so much Juliette🥰 Going to have to agree with you 13:44 🤨What about Martha?!🤷‍♂

Something of note, both the youngest boy, played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and Baines, played by Harry Lloyd, the older boy in the "family," were in "Game of Thrones" (along with many other "gigs"). Thomas played Jojan Reed and Viserys Targaryen, respectively. AND on top of that, in this Thomas refers to The Doctor as being "Fire and Ice," which is the name of the book series (A Song Of Fire and Ice) Game of Thrones is based on. Foreshadowing? Possibly? WIbbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff? Probably.

"He's like fire, and ice, and rage. He's like the night and the storm in the heart of the sun. He's ancient and forever. He burns at the centre of time and he can feel the turn of the universe. And... he's wonderful" Nearly 17 years since this episode aired and I still get chills from that speech.

I love Jessica Hynes, I'm always surprised she's not more well known. Especially considering how well known her old cast mates and director are, ie Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright. PS If you ever get a gap in your reacting schedule, you should check out the TV show SPACED

I don't think he would have left Martha behind in exchange for Joan, I think he woulda tried to take both of them, but it never would've worked. He knows Martha is in love with him, and he only still feels anything for Joan because he met and fell for her when he was human, without his centuries of experiences, including the recent loss of Rose, blocking him from that. And asking her, knowing the trainwreck that that would have been, how much he would have hurt Joan and Martha both, was very selfish of him, and still entirely understandable. That's what's so good about this one, though. The Doctor feels like a real person. He makes selfish choices and John and as the Doctor, despite his best intentions. Even becoming human to hide shows a crazy amount of nuance. It was, end of the day, because he had to, because it would have been a disaster if the family had found him and his technology, but he still chose to let some die to save many more. Even the fact that this episode shows the bigotry of the era in ways that most Who doesn't go out of its way to shows how far out of their way the writers went to give this one nuance.

This episode is so sad for Joan cause while the doctor is standing in front of her with the appearance of the one she fell in love with, he's gone for good in her eyes and its really sad even with the glimpses of their future makes it hurt even more. A interesting detail is that the family of blood when they took over their bodies they either dont blink at all or barely blink. The Doctor when he comes back he never says a word but you could tell he is angry essentially trapping them because they wanted to live forever so doctor they made sure they did.

"We wanted to live forever. So the Doctor made sure that we did." Chills.

Ive been looking forward to seeing this reaction for so long. Brings tears to my eyes every time. Glad you loved it too.

This is one of my favs… the next one is most people’s favs (although mine is different)… doctor who is unstoppable in this era… it’s just so well done, acted, directed, written - the golden age

My take on the Doctor offering Joan the opportunity to travel with him, is that he thought he was genuinely being kind to her. As for Martha, I don't know if there's anything in the episode to contradict this, but it struck me when you were talking about her that maybe the Doctor had told Martha he was going to invite her to travel with them, and that Martha had then perhaps avoided either encouraging or discouraging the idea as she could guess what Joan's response would be anyway.

I think that when the Doctor offers to take Joan with him at the end he's doing so not just for her, but for himself too - in a kind of hope that he might maybe recover what he gave up when he opened the watch. But he doesn't really sell the offer, because he knows in his heart that it's an impossible dream and what John and Joan had can never be recovered. Then when she criticizes him he has no words, because he knows she's right. The look he gives her is the look of someone who accepts responsibility and knows there is nothing he can say or do to undo the damage he's caused. I don't think he's being cold, as another commenter said; I think he's accepting who/what he is, and understanding that that means that there are some nice things he doesn't get to have. Later with Martha he seems to make light of it all, but I think he's repressing all of the hurt inside himself - which is a very Doctor thing to do, IMHO.

Another comment: Do not ever feel bad for liking what you like. Speaking as the person who liked and enjoyed the "John Carter" movie, who cares if others think something "rubbish." If you found enjoyment in it, that's what matters.

Knew this one was going to hit heavily. It's probably one of the biggest emotional gut punches the show has ever pulled, and that's not something that can be said lightly. Thing that only just occurred to me now is how many different perspectives there are here. I kind of remembered it as exposing all the flaws of the 10th Doctor at their worst, with what he ended up putting everyone, including Martha and even including John Smith, through in an attempt to avoid directly fighting. But I'd somehow managed to forget that the episode acknowledged that and still managed to depict him as a positive force of nature, and still found time to keep all the human characters grounded in the very real tragedy of the war. I feel like I've ended up rediscovering this episode all over again.

He didn’t want to go. I’m so sorry, I had to

I think everyone has been waiting for your reaction to Human Nature/Family of Blood. I predicted it to be your favourite episode, right back since your reactions began 😊

This is a classic! I really enjoy this one. As it was based on a novel, Cornell had lots of material to work with here. It's great.

Something to consider in regards to the Doctor inviting Joan, in classic who the TARDIS crew was often more than just the Doctor and one companion, and frequently the larger groups did change in parts, with some characters leaving while others remain, and new characters joining the existing crew, all the way back to the first shakeup when susan left and Vicki coming in while Ian and Barbra remained, so if Joan had said yes and travelled with the Doctor, it wouldn't nescisarily mean Martha leaves.

Phenomenal two parter this. Knew they would hit you hard Jules, haha; these ones get us all! I also absolutely love the idea that he became a human to hide away because he was "being kind". Amazing when we see the families fates for their crimes.

The Doctor unleashed his darkness here. Really showed the valeyard. If you don’t know what that is it apparently The Doctors darkness that been predicted since the six doctor era.

This two-parter is one of my favorite stories! I watched it numerous times and watched dozens of reaction videos- I always cry 🙂

One of the most beautifully acted episodes in modern Who. Tennant rightly won awards for playing essentially two very different parts, giving an extraordinary performance as the human John Smith struggling to understand what was going on around him and realising his whole identity was a lie. Heartbreaking stuff. The World War I references are beautifully and powerfully done too. Phil Cornell also won an award for adapting his original 1990s Doctor Who novel into this script. Phil wrote another tearjerker in series 1 - 'Father's Day'. This two-partner and the next two episodes after it, make up just about the best four-episode run in the whole of modern Doctor Who. Really glad you're enjoying it. Regarding the end of this episode - the Doctor was inviting Joan to join him as a travelling companion, but alongside, not in place of Martha. It's a sign of how the Doctor doesn't understand human emotions that it never occurs to him that Joan could never travel with a stranger who wears the face of the man she's just loved and lost (John Smith). Martha meanwhile continues to carry a torch for the Doctor, even though it's unrequited love. At least he's beginning to trust and value her input now. The reason she was so upset in the Shakespeare episode was because he said, out loud, "Rose would know what to say or do." - instead of even asking Martha for her opinion!

Your reactions are why we watch! They're so pure and heartfelt that it feels like I'm watching again for the 1st time. I think Tim's speech about the doctor sums up the show perfectly and is why we continue to watch: He's like fire and ice and rage. He's like the night and the storm in the heart of the sun. He's ancient and forever. He burns at the centre of time and can see the turn of the universe. And... he's wonderful.

Jules, don't feel bad that this story broke you - it does it to me and others every time... and yes, I've rewatched this many a time over the years because it's just so good! Glad you rate it!

Such a great episode. Very emotional as well. Also, I never realised just how scary the Doctor can be. Now you could say they deserved it but the fate he bestowed upon the Family was, I felt, particularly cruel. Thanks for another excellent reaction Juliette, loved it as always 💜🥰

Perhaps Doctor Who’s finest moment. A special, special story that demonstrates just what this show is capable of.

I knew you'd love this two-parter, Juliette!😊 Great plot that tears at your heartstrings. Great performance from Tennant... AND a special nod to Harry Lloyd (very creepy as Baines). Also we get to see Freema shine as Martha!! You mentioned that the Doctor would never abandon Rose for another, like he possibly seems willing to do to Martha, but I do have to remind you about The Girl In the Fireplace. Yes, the circumstances were different, but he did willingly try to save Madame Pompadour, believing that he could never return to Rose and he did seem to forget her rather quickly when he believed he was stranded in 18th century France. I think the Doctor is a bit fickle.😉 I've never seen you check on how a Doctor Who episode was rated before. This is quite a coincidence as the next episode is rated the best ever of New Who

"Oh my God, that is beautiful" - interesting choice of words there ....

This two-parter is one of my favourite stories for sure, though like Father's Day, one to reserve for days when I need a good cry! It's beautiful. Thanks so much! ❤

Oh “Human Nature” and “The Family of Blood”. This is considered one of the best stories, not only of David Tenant’s run as The Doctor, but the entirety of Doctor Who’s 60 year king history. No spoilers for the next episode, just a remark. The following episode is one of the most iconic in Doctor who, it was one of the few moments the show broke out of its “British nish”, letting to a lot of people discovering the show. Not to mention becoming one of the most culturally important episodes in Internet culture of the late 2000’s/2010’s. I bet you are going to enjoy it, not to mentioned that this is probably the episode most are looking forwards to your reaction

"They Shall Not Grow Old" is also the name of a WWI documentary with original footage edited together to retell the tale of going there & back again. I highly recommend it.

One of my favourite Doctor Who episodes, the way The Doctor punishes The Family is so shocking and dark it’s easy to forget that The Doctor was a solider and when pushed has the capability to take up arms

One of the best Doctor Who reaction videos. It's nice to see the episode hit perfectly with someone.

17 years on and still an all time classic. A masterpiece that goes beyond a just being a great Doctor Who episode . I have always found it fascinating that the one thing to invoke the fury of the Doctor was not fighting with gods and demons, or loosing beloved companions - but having the chance of starting a family taken away from him, experiencing being a human (the species he most loves and admire) and then having to go back to being the Doctor. This two parter is such an insight into the Doctor’s psyche.

This as well as the next upcoming episode are my favourite episodes in series 3, I've seen this countless times and every time I end up with tears and snot all over my face

Awesome video as always! That for me is a perfect episode of Dr Who, it just hits all the perfect notes.

"We wanted to live forever...so The Doctor made sure that we did." The surface of Pluto is warmer than that line. Absolute chills.

Beware the justice of a Time Lord.

the family of blood episode is one of the saddest episodes of doctor who, yet still my favourite

Another excellent reaction to a fantastic, and hearts-wrenching, episode of Doctor WHO. One of the reasons why I watch your reactions, from Doctor Who all the way to the X-Files, is down to the fact that you are a very genuine and compassionate person. You are absolutely a comfort-watch. Also, occasionally a cat shows up, and that's a bonus. LoL Sometimes I wish I could comment with a little more substance than I often do, but I don't always have the spoons for it. Regardless, you're doing such an excellent job with your channel, and I'm going to keep right on watching. Allons-Y!

I cried with you , again, brilliant editing as always, thank U. Also ..there is a animation story BBC, tells the story of the cat sister ( who looked after face of Boa) and what happened to her,

Yes so terrified that he would have to destroy them. And then he did. Chills. Just Nothing but Chills from this episode.

After however many years it's been since realease, this episode is still awesome!! Love it so much!!

Yes, one of my favorite Ten episodes, and Thomas Sangster delivers one of my favorite Doctor Who monologues (and there's a lot of really, really great ones). A lovely exploration of what it means to be the Doctor as well as the life the Doctor cannot have.

An episode that shows how brilliant of an actor David Tennant is. It's also one of the best written of the entire Who-verse.

A glorious episode. The part from when The Doctor returns to the end, is brilliant, emotionally devastating and so poignant. No surprise you were so affected Jules.

Sadly, despite knowing his life would turn out great as a human, The Doctor did choose to be alone. In his hearts he knew even though he offered for her to come with him she wouldn't, He is forever the lonely traveler, picking up companions along the way, but she was right as well, if the Doctor had never hidden there, no one would've died. There are alot of surprises to come, and I can't wait to share them with you, until next reaction!

Such brilliance. You are in the middle of one of the best run of episodes of the show since it came back. Love that you are getting to watch it fresh. Enjoy!

An absolutely superb and amazing episode of New Who. And your reactions were absolutely perfect too, Jules. Thanks for sharing this video.

A true Doctor Who classic this two parter. Brilliant writing.

What a incredible ep I can’t believe 2007 is so long ago . I remember being 9 years old watching this two parter and it was a masterpiece 🫡

I am so so happy you appear to love these episodes as much as I do, these will (for me) always be the best episodes in all of NuWho. I'm crying all over again watching you cry lol! Beautiful episodes, thank you for the video Jules!!

A remarkable story, Tennant's acting is superb!

The very end will always, always hit men hard. The lad lived a long life because of a simple warning, and in the end seeing his benefactor standing there, unchanged… and the music in this was so heart rending. Uplifting. Foreboding. Inspiring. Every emotional thread is thrummed and I will never not shed a tear or twenty when watching this.

Congratulations, you've now entered the golden age of Doctor Who. From now until probably the end of series 5 is some of the greatest TV writing of all time!

“We wanted to live forever, so the doctor made sure that we did” Remember, the hero we trust and travel with is ruthless if you piss him off. It’s a solid reminder that he lives up to the legends that his enemy’s say about him.

This two part-er is one of my favorites. The acting is incredible from everyone. It's also very sad on so many levels. A great range of emotions; an episode that can make you happy and sad is a sign of a good episode. Just wanted to say, I greatly appreciate you for these videos. Looking forward to the next episode as always!

Love watching your videos! ❤

What a great reaction, thank you Jules. You feel the emotional aspects of these shows you watch so deeply and I love that (because I'm the same). I'm not saying I enjoy seeing you cry, but when you cry I cry too and it can be so cathartic. I like a good blub at least once a day. 😂

An absolutely amazing story and I forgot that powerful line asking if The Doctor never went there would anyone there have died Also the absolutely phenomenal acting in the scene where he petends to still be human and the brilliant "you really shouldn't have let me press all those buttons" and you realise everything was on purpose showing the brilliance of The Doctor and David simultaneously

I love this story so much. Always have, always will. Truly peak Doctor Who for me. It just has everything. 10/10 for sure. I was almost crying with you even though I've watched this story so many times. It continues to invoke the same reaction in me without fail. Glad you enjoyed it so much!

This episode is dark and can change the way you look at both episodes. For one you could see what the Doctor does to the Family of Blood as a form for torture, even though I get why nor pity them, but the whole narration about him hiding as a human in order to show them mercy plus how easily he seems to deal with them once his memories return puts every death on the Doctor’s hands. He seemingly chose to run and hide not because he couldn’t stop them rather because he wouldn’t. At least it ends with a silver lining wherein the boy was able to use the future knowledge he received to save his & his fellow soldier’s lives.

beautiful reaction Jules!

This is one of my favorite stories, in any medium. John Smith simply wanted to live a normal life. He didn't want to be an all-powerful Time Lord. And he was right. His simple, obvious choice is such a powerful lesson, I weep every time. The next episode is another of my favorites, for entirely different reasons, and I can't wait to see your reaction!