Liam Rudden: Haven’t I seen you before?

DOCTOR Who returned last Saturday with a fast-paced romp entitled The Bells Of St John and, in what I suppose is quite fitting for a series about time-travel, looked back to the future for its inspiration.

For 50 years, give or take the odd 16-year hiatus, everyone’s favourite Time Lord has flitted around the universe saving a galaxy here and a planet there - more often than not the Earth.

Of course, those of us old enough to remember what is now referred to as the classic series, when William Hartnell, Pat Troughton, Jon Pertwee, the two Bakers, Tom and Colin, and Peter Davison manned the controls of the TARDIS, have seen it all before.

But then, new ideas in Doctor Who are few and far between, especially under the guidance of current lead-writer Stephen Moffat, who seems to fixate on the same themes, time and time again.

Exceptionally Troughtonesque, The Bells of St John was thankfully saved by some quite beautiful camera-work that showed London off at its very best, and a cast at the top of their game.

New companion Jenna-Louise Coleman brought a truth to her character that caused the already excellent Matt Smith to up his game further. Could this be another of the series-defining partnerships, like the first Doctor and Susan, the second Doctor and Jamie or the third Doctor and Jo Grant?

Because, let’s be honest, if the sets were wooden and wobbly back in the day, some of the acting in recent years has been nothing short of cardboard.

Having previewed the next two episodes - The Rings of Akhaten (amazing soundtrack) and Cold War (Das Boot meets Alien), I’m glad to report the new Tardis crew continue in the vein they have begun, which in itself highlights the programme’s secret of longevity, its very own ability to regenerate.