If you’re reading this review, you should realize that it might contain “spoilers”. You’ve been warned.

The first episode of the new series of Doctor Who featuring David Tennant as the good Doctor was transmitted by the BBC today.

Although Tennant made his debut in the Christmas Special, he really spent most of the time in a post-regenerative coma and barely did anything till the end – but what he did do towards the end left me with great hope for the future. He actually saved the day, something the last Doctor never really did.

I had a lot of concern when I learned that Lady Cassandra, a particularly stupid character from last year’s “End of the World” would be returning in this episode. Despite that, now having watched the full episode I can safely say,

David Tennant is The Doctor!

Hurrah and congratulations all round.

There are two major sub-plots in “New Earth” really have nothing to do with one another, in fact, the Lady Cassandra plot seems to have been brought in just to (a) bring back her character, (b) provide an opportunity to make it look like Rose and the Doctor kiss each other in the previews and (c) kill time because the main plot isn’t fleshed out enough for a full 45 minute episode.

The first plot involved Cassandra putting her mind into Rose’s body. Later on, hilarity ensues as she keeps her mind leaping from body to body like a brain version of musical chairs. With a little luck, Cassandra is really dead this time.

The second plot, and, presumably, the main plot, concerns a hospital on New Earth, which has amazing restorative powers, far beyond what technology should have at this point in time. The Doctor has received a psychic call from the Face of Boe, who has something important to tell the “timeless wanderer god” before he dies.

Of course, something is afoot, and the sisters who run the hospital are not as merciful as they first seem.

Unlike the previous series of Who, when the chips are down in this episode, the Doctor steps up to the plate, risks his life and limb and saves the day and brings the dawn of the new human race.

Even though the story was a bit weak, the Doctor’s character is wonderful and it looks like he’s going to be a man of action.

Here’s to a long tenure for David Tennant as the Doctor!

Technorati Tags: Blog, Commentary, Doctor Who, Review

My favorite “Japanese” food is Curry Katsu. It stands head and shoulders above all other forms of Japanese food. The problem is, most of the places around these parts think Japanese food = Sushi.

So the funny part is the only place it seems you can get to get curry are at Hawaiian places, so I’m not displeased with this new Hawaiian fast food fad that seems to be making the rounds.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ is down the street from my office and I’ve been there several times. Among other things, they have good kalua pork, grilled teriyaki chicken, beef, spare ribs and katsu.

At first, Ono’s prices seem a bit like they came right from Hawaii – outrageously expensive. (We once paid $12 for an ordinary frozen pizza and $5 for a gallon of mile from a major grocery chain on the big island.) Then, when the food arrives, things aren’t so bad, because the portion sizes are so big the mass literally begins warping the fabric of space/time exactly as Einstein predicted in his General Theory of Relativity. Any single entrée is big enough to feed two.

And so it was with my Curry Katsu, pictured above.

Right off the bat, it was pretty good, but I have a few reservations.

• Despite being depicted as a spicy item on the menu, it’s quite mild.
• The presentation is wrong, with the curry served on the side

Why do I care about the presentation? It just seems a bit lax. I was, essentially, given a chicken katsu plate, with a side of curry. This made it much easier to share chicken with my daughter (who won’t touch curry), but it made it feel like the dish was just an afterthought.

The rest of the food we’ve had an Ono has also been quite and and plentiful, and I don’t hesitate to recommend it.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ
3923 E.Thomas Rd., Suite B-4
Phoenix, AZ 85018

(Other locations around Phoenix)

Technorati Tags: Blog, Food, Restaurant, Review

Starting today I’m branching out more on my reviews. In addition to the typical food and pizza reviews, I’m going to start reviewing DVD releases, books and miscellaneous other items.

There’s likely to be a few other changes in the next few days. Stay tuned for the surprises.

Actually, when I say, “today”, I mean, “tomorrow”. I’ve got two restaurant reviews to complete before I move on.