The Lodger

This is the wonderful strength of Doctor Who, one that no other show has. Straight after Vincent and the Doctor, The Lodger is completely different, almost another programme altogether. But it is just as brilliant. This week Doctor Who does sit-com, and serves up a lovely little flat-share comedy.

In the world of comedy pilots it has become a dreadful cliché for odd characters to find themselves moving in together, but this is obviously where Doctor Who, operating in the sit-com genre, must begin. Luckily for us, what writer Gareth Roberts delivers isn't just a one-off, but a whole six part series in microcosm.

1: The One Where the Doctor Moves In.
2. The One Where the Doctor Takes a Shower.
3. The One With the Football Match.
4. The One Where Craig and Sophie (and The Doctor) have a Date.
5. The One Where the Doctor Goes to Work.
6. The One Where They Go Upstairs.

The key to the success of The Lodger is that even if it was unpacked over six half-hour episodes, even if it wasn't Doctor Who, we would all still watch that sit-com. Why does it work so superbly?

Firstly, casting. I know James Corden isn't for everyone but he is a brilliant comedy actor, and he is perfect for Craig, a character who is perhaps a little more restrained and likeable than some of Corden's other sit-com roles. Daisy Haggard, with various comedy series behind her, is an excellent choice as Sophie and together they convincingly portray friends who both secretly wish their relationship could go further. Excellent as Smith's Doctor has already been this series, it is here that he begins to coruscate: truly alien, charming yet socially awkward, incomparable and mercurial, he sets the screen alight here.

Secondly, it is properly funny, making the most of the 'fish-out-of-water' set-up without ever turning into Mork & Mindy. "I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS!"; "Pub league: a drinking competition?"; "Where are you strongest?" "My arms." Plus so many more beautiful moments: the Doctor stopping his phone call to eat a biscuit, stealing Craig's free kick, or cooking an omelette. Almost every word Smith says is funny. When Craig suggests the Doctor take a look at his room, Smith rolls the word "room" around his mouth like fine brandy, bemused, amused, delighted, intrigued.

Thirdly, and most impressive of all, The Lodger seamlessly melds the personal/domestic comedy with the requisite SF elements. Very gently, throughout the episode, we and the Doctor are shown how Craig and Sophie's relationship relates to the disturbing events upstairs: "You've got two sets of keys to somebody else's house?" the Doctor says to Sophie. "You must like it here too..." In the final crisis, it is only the conviction of Craig, knowing he has a reason to stay, that saves the day when the Doctor's endless wandering has become a liability.

This really is one of the boys' favourites - they both cried "Craig!" with delight when he appeared on screen - and who can blame them. Funny, lovely, and with an extraordinary performance from Matt Smith, The Lodger is, in it's own way, just as much a triumph as Vincent and the Doctor.


NEXT TIME...