Martha Jones and her music:
Martha really was the doctor her season. She even got 5 songs for her on the soundtrack, she's such a musical companion:
I love Martha's theme. It's so sultry and soothing. Almost a mirror to the Doctor's original theme with the female crooning voice only in contrast it's uplifting but just as mysterious. It fits her temperament as a doctor, like I said, soothing. Lulls you into a sense of ease. Almost like a lullaby. But then that harmonica comes in and it's wry, reminding us this 23 year old medical student is a woman, and an alluring one too. Then the music swells and a choral fixture is added, played at the moment Martha sees how the Tardis works, perfectly showcasing how the Doctor can broaden Martha's understanding and horizons. Then it falls back as Martha takes it all and now it builds again and we get this lovely brass and the voice lifts into these lovely runs and strings. Then, in probably my favourite parts, it lifts and descends, looping, and it just sounds so romantic, as if the music literally mirrors her acceptance of the Doctor and the Tardis, like you're literally falling into his arms (or his into hers.) It just sounds so comforting and it's so beautiful that it is at this moment Martha sees the Tardis interior. As if she's saying, of course this is your ship, that this is you. Then her main melody comes back and we get this completely orchestral rendition then sounds so completely different. I never really knew what to make of it. I don't really recall the full version playing in the show, but I like to think it's a way of cementing her into the show as a companion. Or perhaps a call a response. I like the idea of the brassier version of her theme at the end, a little faster being the Doctor's response, his way of playing her theme, how it sounds coming from him. Adjusting the pace to fit into the inevitable adventure, his world. Like he's appraising her, thinking, sounding it out, then with a flourish deciding. Because we all know it was never gonna just be 'one trip.'
Next we have:
Now I remember immediately wanting to find this after hearing it in 'Human Nature'. It's this cute little whistling piece with soft percussion carried by piano and guitar. I can't really tell if it's a bass or another stringed instrument, but either way it's perfect for a bike ride - which is what Martha is doing in this scene. I remember thinking it was so sweet to see her riding and getting some reprieve then suddenly - she's at the Tardis! And the theme suddenly gets more emotional and tugs at your heart as it adds in strings because we're inside the familiar territory of the Tardis and it's heart wrenching to see it without the Doctor and in lowlight. Then.
Then.
The music shifts and we get these really anxiety inducing minors with the violins and the scene intercuts between now and the past and the violins become sharper and these marching drums come in as we see the pain of the Doctor's transformation. I like to think this drumming that comes in mirrors the Doctor's poor dual hearts having to cancel one out. And Martha kept her cool this far but it's a pretty good insight to the ball of fear and panic inside of her from the experience and what she now has to carry out
It's called 'The Doctor Forever' but it's carried by Martha's theme, but a little differently. It's a different voice and accompanied by these lovely violins that sound like sighs. Sighs of relief I can imagine at this point in the story. A pillar of strength. And then so, so emotionally it intertwins the Tenth Doctor's theme. A theme that for some reason was never released officially but hey. We all know what piece it is. It made its first grand appearance in 'The Runaway Bride.' Then it lifts as he hugs her and it's just so emotional. Then the Doctor's theme comes back really soft but assertive, almost like he's saying 'it's okay I can take it from here now.' Releasing the burden. And it repeats and we get these lovely chimes to add some more magic. Then the theme pretty much goes into the same loop but this time it's very jaunty and grandiose, very adventurous eventually ending in big brass and clash of symbols.
This a big one. The brass is heavy and the violins are circling around and around and it's oppressive, and pretty much the epitome of shaking your head and wanting to will something away but the truth doesn't change. The Master has won and it's only getting worse. The Doctor is trapped in a cage of his years, even some musical beats harken back to the Cybermen, and there's this uncanny moment when the music loops around to accompany the Toclafane starting to kill people. And here's the thing about Murray Gold - it still manages to sound fantastical and even magical despite the horror. Very much like you are seeing something epic which of course you are. It just feels giant and almost too much, and it fits Martha and the gravity of her situation perfectly. Then there is this really underrated piece in the middle when the violins flurry and it builds then stops. Like a point of hope. But then the strings are back and it kind of reminds me of Succession. Then this really commanding theme plays for the Master which predates probably one of the most searched pieces ever. I read the comments. What I believe is an oboe (?) accompanied by piano plays this theme that plays as Martha, eyes full of tears looks into the Doctor's eyes as they realise it's too much. They've lost. The piece is simple but really gets to you, you can hear the despair and grief. Especially as the Doctor looks to Jack as they concede defeat as the brass section repeats, almost as if the first part is Martha's communicating through just her eyes a "is this really it" and wirh this heady brass the Doctor responds. "Yes." Then Martha leaves and it swells to this grand moment as we see the extent of the Master's evil and destruction and Martha's declares through grit that she'll be back.
Whew. What can I say? So much. It's swings at the beginning and there's a piece that takes your breath away, as the strings move as if they are waiting for Martha to speak. It's exciting. It's her big moment. Then her theme is back. Smooth and refined. Then it builds and it's just so. So. Beautiful. And climaxes in this gorgeous apex of her original theme, carried beautifully by these flourishes and the harmonica and violin runs. It's almost like a sunray bursting through, dazzling you it's so bright. I adore how the brass harmonises with itself. But I love even more how it's quells to this quiet ending, and the harp comes in subtly. It's like the music is giving you a chance to reflect on her, miss her, reminisce. Just like the Doctor does. Especially in how in the last section the strings rise up, almost hopeful with these harp moments. Then one final loop of her main melody, with these now nostalgic sounding brass parts and with a low rumble it's over. Perfection.
Bonus:
The song that plays as we are introduced to her and her family. The first hip hop song used as incidental music in the show too. Weirdly enough I can't find the official lyrics to this. But what I do know, is that the second half of this is about interracial dating which is clearly a reference to Martha as the first female black onscreen companion being romantically linked with the Doctor. It's bop!
