Doctor Who - Series 4 Vol.3 [2008]

Things kick off with the excellent Steven Moffat-penned two-parter, Silence In The Library and Forest Of The Dead. Moffat, who takes over the running of Doctor Who for its fifth series, has been widely regarded as writing some of the best episodes of the show since it came back (including the stunning Blink), and he doesn't disappoint here. His story sees the Doctor and Donna landing in the middle of the biggest library in the Universe, a superb special effects creation that covers an entire planet. Yet it also houses a sinister set of foes that quickly send shivers up the spine, and that prove it's wise to, as advised, "count the shadows". To tell too much more would be to spoil some of the surprises, yet with the mysterious character of River Song, the equally intriguing Dr Moon and a small girl's nightmares to consider, there's plenty to unravel.

That two-parter out of the way, the mantle then passes back to Russell T Davies, who pens one of his very best episodes of Doctor Who with the terrific Midnight. It's a deceptive episode, starting off with a low-budget, unimpressive feel, but soon developing into a tightly-constructed, unnerving story, without the comfort of a happily resolved ending.

The back half of Doctor Who's fourth season was, on the whole, of exceptionally high standard, and this trio of episodes is one of the main reasons why. A terrific DVD, that demonstrates a treasure of a TV show doing what it does best. --Simon Brew