These days television executive hold up Rose as an example of how to successfully revive a series even though the central plot is from Jon Pertwee's third doctor debut story, Spearhead from Space. Both stories start with the shot of Planet Earth.
Russell T Davies brings Doctor Who back for the 21st century. RTD knew that he needed to reach a new younger audience who knew little about Doctor Who and keep things in the real world. Jacki Tyler talks about compensation claims, Mickey does not want Rose to go through her emails, the Doctor flicks through the latest edition of a celebrity gossip magazine. There is a lot told in an economy of words.
Christopher Eccleston shows goofiness and has enough mystery that this is man who maybe could not be trusted, someone who is trouble as the character of Clive warns Rose.
Billie Piper is the one who astonishes the audience as the shopgirl Rose Tyler who his bored of her life and in the Doctor she can escape to a life of adventure in the Tardis.
Director Keith Boak did not quiet get the balance right between comedy, scares and drama. Maybe the burping wheelie bin was just too silly but he does keep it fast moving.