Does it matter that these two episodes were adapted from a Dr Who tie-in novel with a different companion?

I don't think it matters. They pretty radically changed "Blink" from the short story upon which it was based.

Though, really, it would be stranger if he did; he is an alien after all.

Well, he's canonically half human, too. Which might explain his interest in them, but not quite getting the human race.

Of course the same could be true for a large number of us...

I'm guessing this episode is one of the ones containing the genesis of the complaints about race in general on this show.

Can you go into more detail? What were the race complaints?

On a meta level, I have no problem with it. From inside the story I don't remember if it's a proper choice made by the characters or not.

I've not gotten the impression that they're retaining that bit of canon, DCJ.

I do agree with your last point, though. I know I often roll my eyes at the human race.

The core of Blink was the main character, peripheral storyline, and the angels.

The core of this episode was the doctor being secreted away as a human at a early 20th century boys school training them for war, which is the last place the Doctor would be expected to be. Him all against guns.

I suppose you could place him on Raxicoricofallipatorius...

Can you go into more detail? What were the race complaints?

It's kind of hard to summarize without spoilers for the whole season.

I've watched the whole season, so I don't mind.

Spoilers for Doctor Who Season 3:

The complaint I remember at the moment is that Martha, her mother, and her sister all end up the season having been in maids' uniforms (Martha in this episode, the mother and sister in the finale). And, um, I don't really remember the rest of it, or I didn't pay attention. Although I think there was some inclination that Martha was less successful with the general audience because she was black.

And that led to people saying things, which led to other people saying "You Americans need to stop imposing your issues on us, because the U.K. doesn't have any problems with racism," which led to disbelieving laughter.

What Dana said. Also, the Human Nature episodes problematized that further, since again with the maid's uniform. And the finale had Martha save the day by... spending a year telling people to think of the Doctor? It's active, but still kind of subservient.

For me, on an individual level, I don't have issues with Martha--I like her a lot, and I really like the way she chose to leave. But I can totally see why people have issues with it.

Huh.

Were these complaints about racism mostly centred in the US fanbase, then, or on both sides of the pond? I'd be interested to know whether Britons found it offensive.

I mean, saying that the UK doesn't have race issues is a no-brainer, but we certainly don't have the SAME race issues, or the same cultural cliches and hot buttons. Black Britons have undoubtedly had plenty of shit to deal with as a visible minority group, but afaik, in the UK it wasn't until The Windrush (1948) that we had many people of colour living here, and although I think they found the reality of Britain a pretty far cry from the advertising, they weren't working as servants to rich families. They were more likely to be in the Forces or the factories. Martha-as-a-maid honestly doesn't ping me any more than Rose-as-a-maid.

I'd be interested to know ita's take on it, as she's lived in both countries.

I'm not trying to be combative, although I think perhaps I may be coming across that way - I haven't seen any of the Martha episodes myself, and I'm just trying to test my understanding.

Is there a general feeling that the Doctor/the showrunners ought to be more careful of Martha's sensibilities/their portrayal of her empowerment because of her skintone? Or would you say that she is generally portrayed, as a character, in a demeaning or racially stereotypical fashion?

(On the subject of smart and adventurous women of colour gadding about in days of yore, can I recommend Mary Seacole's extremely readable autobiography? Bit of a tangent, I know, but I read it in the process of researching her to teach the kids, and she is SO much more entertaining and likeable than Florence Nightingale. It's as much fun as Pride and Prejudice, but with more gobsmacking and wince-inducing moments. She was a hell of a lady.)