It's been a while since I've gone back to watch Rose, and my review is almost 10 years late, mehh. I can remember the anticipation surrounding this one, everyone I knew was counting down to watch it, old and new fans alike. I can remember watching it and thinking 'Is this going to work?' Back in the day I worked in the store where the interior shots were filmed, and there was a bit excitement surrounding the cast's appearance. If memory serves during the initial transmission there was a slight interruption that cut to Graham Norton. Looking back on it now I enjoyed the exuberance of the episode, the mix of sci fi and light humour, so different from Series 8 (the most recently transmitted series at the time of writing this.) Two things I possibly didn't notice back then, one, how much I loved Billie Piper's performance, and two, Mr Eccleston was actually quite attractive. I knew I was going to love Camille Coduri, Jackie was a fantastic character, so much fun. Mickey certainly developed as he went on. I was so pleased to see the return of the Autons, a heads up to the Iconic Spearhead from Space, it was a safe bet to try to appeal to the hoards of existing loyal fans. On the downside I found Auton Mickey and the bin scene would have been better suited to CBBC, would be difficult to imagine that happening in a 2015 episode. Some of the effects seem a little on the dodgy side, the photo-shopping is particularly shambolic. Are they implying Rose is particularly dense? Mickey looks rather plastic and has forgotten how to drive, she doesn't notice. On the plus, I applaud it for hooking in a lot of original and new viewers, many of which would stay with the show for years to come. We got to see Chris smile, a definite plus. We get an endearing companion with a real back story, a family, a job etc. Chris injects a bit of mystery and sadness into the role. There is some very nice music in this episode, in my opinion the music in the earlier series was much better. The opening credits at the time and music were excellent, and the TARDIS interior was beautifully created. The new 45 minute format also seems like a winner. It's hard to find many major faults with Rose, it's not exactly a masterpiece or an iconic episode, but it is fun, pacey and very entertaining, they did a good job, drafting in the lovable Mark Benton was a good move. The positives massively outweigh the negatives. Wasn't it just nice to have the iconic blue Police box back on our screens. 10.81 million viewers thought so and tuned in. A very solid 7/10
58 Reviews
An enjoyable introduction to the wacky world of Doctor Who.
pjgs2007 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I really like this episode. It's funny, the characters are all likable and feel really natural, and it does exactly what it was meant to do, introduce us to the show. As my first episode ever, I didn't think much of it, but I loved the idea of the time travel and adventure. I can't think better way of introducing the character of the Doctor than this. I love how Clive showed Rose pictures about who this mysterious person is, how he always has death as a companion, and how he thinks the Doctor is immortal. What is that blue box, and why does it appear and disappear? This episode's mystery almost borders on conspiracy. It's a shame that Clive died, as he would have made for an awesome companion. The mystery is fantastic, and it partially gets answered as the series progresses. Eccleston gives a great performance as the Doctor, and Billie Piper is just as good as Rose. The plot with the "living plastic" was good, and I imagine the special effects would have been really impressive in 2005, when "Rose" first aired- they still hold up pretty well, especially the explosions. Going back and watching this episode again, I couldn't stop smiling in the last few minutes when the Doctor flies away in the Tardis and then comes back to pick up Rose. It might be nostalgia, or it might be that the concept of this show is so utterly fantastic that it still feels outstanding and mysterious after so much time, or it might be both. As a normal episode of Doctor Who, Rose is a 7/10; but as an introduction episode to both the characters and the world of the Doctor, it couldn't have been any better. Overall: 7.5/10
Re-watching with kids: Rose
ossie8510 August 2022
Started to watch this series again, but this time with my young kids!
They were very engrossed in this first episode. They found the Doctor very interesting as a concept, and the Autons sufficiently scary.
I think I have them hooked.
They really latched onto Rose and her life, which made me see the true strength in this show isn't the Science Fiction antics, but the humanity behind it.
Hopefully I've created a couple of life long fans.
They were very engrossed in this first episode. They found the Doctor very interesting as a concept, and the Autons sufficiently scary.
I think I have them hooked.
They really latched onto Rose and her life, which made me see the true strength in this show isn't the Science Fiction antics, but the humanity behind it.
Hopefully I've created a couple of life long fans.
"I'm the Doctor, by the way. What's your name?"
MaxBorg8914 October 2008
As essential a part of British pop culture as the Monty Python and James Bond, Doctor Who was a massive hit for 26 years (1963-1989), making it one of the longest running TV shows in the world (most serials are lucky to have ten seasons). Plans to reboot the series were always on the BBC's agenda, and after a miscalculated (not to mention Americanized) TV movie produced by Fox failed to capture the magic of the original version, another nine years (Comic Relief spoof and animated mini-series notwithstanding) were required before the ultimate Time Lord could return properly, courtesy of acclaimed writer Russell T. Davies.
Davies' brilliance in reintroducing the character lies in his decision to do so through the eyes of an outsider: Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), a London-based girl who leads a very normal life until one night she is attacked by creatures made out of living plastic. She is rescued by an elusive stranger who introduces himself simply as the Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and then disappears after quipping: "Nice to meet you, Rose. Run for your life!". As she gets more and more curious about this "man", she soon finds herself in a whole new world: aliens, invasions, travel through time and space, and of course, the omnipresent Police Box-shaped TARDIS.
The first 45 minutes of the new Doctor Who are almost perfect (the special effects could have used a bit more polishing) because Davies nails two things: the show's unique humor and the two protagonists. The original series' most endearing trait was its blend of spectacular sci-fi and pure British comedy, a hybrid that's hard, if not impossible, to export. Here the laughs are all linked to the conversations between Rose and the Doctor, who come off as fully rounded characters after just one episode. Okay, so technically Eccleston's Doctor is the Ninth to use that name, but he distances himself from the previous eight incarnations by speaking with a Northern accent (the one he uses on a daily basis) and justifying it with a terrific line: "Lots of planets have a North!".
The real triumph of this episode, though, is Piper's performance: in theory, Rose is in her late teens, therefore nearly the same age as thousands of young viewers who had never heard of the Doctor before. Her portrayal of an ordinary girl lost in a new, exciting universe, represents the new generation's reaction to the return of a TV icon, and the chemistry that instantly forms between her and Eccleston is a sign indicating the new Doctor Who is just as good as the old one.
First, fifth, ninth, it makes no difference: there may have been others before Eccleston (and Piper, for that matter) but together he, William Hartnell, Peter Davison and the rest of the bunch are one single character, one so cool he doesn't even need a name: he's THE Doctor.
Davies' brilliance in reintroducing the character lies in his decision to do so through the eyes of an outsider: Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), a London-based girl who leads a very normal life until one night she is attacked by creatures made out of living plastic. She is rescued by an elusive stranger who introduces himself simply as the Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and then disappears after quipping: "Nice to meet you, Rose. Run for your life!". As she gets more and more curious about this "man", she soon finds herself in a whole new world: aliens, invasions, travel through time and space, and of course, the omnipresent Police Box-shaped TARDIS.
The first 45 minutes of the new Doctor Who are almost perfect (the special effects could have used a bit more polishing) because Davies nails two things: the show's unique humor and the two protagonists. The original series' most endearing trait was its blend of spectacular sci-fi and pure British comedy, a hybrid that's hard, if not impossible, to export. Here the laughs are all linked to the conversations between Rose and the Doctor, who come off as fully rounded characters after just one episode. Okay, so technically Eccleston's Doctor is the Ninth to use that name, but he distances himself from the previous eight incarnations by speaking with a Northern accent (the one he uses on a daily basis) and justifying it with a terrific line: "Lots of planets have a North!".
The real triumph of this episode, though, is Piper's performance: in theory, Rose is in her late teens, therefore nearly the same age as thousands of young viewers who had never heard of the Doctor before. Her portrayal of an ordinary girl lost in a new, exciting universe, represents the new generation's reaction to the return of a TV icon, and the chemistry that instantly forms between her and Eccleston is a sign indicating the new Doctor Who is just as good as the old one.
First, fifth, ninth, it makes no difference: there may have been others before Eccleston (and Piper, for that matter) but together he, William Hartnell, Peter Davison and the rest of the bunch are one single character, one so cool he doesn't even need a name: he's THE Doctor.
Plastic Fantastic...
Xstal22 November 2021
An alien invader (a repeat offender), the Nestene Consciousness, ravenous and hungry for hydrocarbons, establishes itself in London and animates an army of Autons (dummies) to do its cultural assimilations. Simultaneously it empowers a wheelie bin to gorge on a predator and harasser of women (something we didn't know at the time), turning him into a dummy too. Meanwhile an angry regenerated Doctor from the north aims to scupper the invasion and in doing so; a Rose blossoms from the chaos and starts to bloom.
S1, E1 - Rose: 'I can feel it, the turn of the Earth'
liamdonovan201030 September 2011
A great way to introduce the new era of Doctor Who. A new era which was immediately successful, credit to a 'Fantastic' opening episode. In this episode we meet Rose and The Doctor and some of the supporting characters as well. When a strange man saves a young woman called Rose from killer mannequins she becomes embroiled with him and helps him face a hidden invasion by the Autons: led by the Nestene Conscienceness.
It really was a great introduction. Christopher Ecclestone is now long in the past which is a shame. Not to say he should of gone on in place on Tennant but I really felt Ecclestone got the role. Billie Piper will always be the most memorable NuWho companion to me as she was just so much more charismatic than the others. Martha and Amy, i find boring. Donna got on my nerve. Rose was near perfect. As a story it isn't much. There were some daft little moments clearly aimed at kids. On the whole though it was brilliant.
The best moment has to be 'I can feel it' speech by Ecclestone. Very rarely in his tenure was he as good as this. That isn't a knock as this is one of my favourite NuWho moments. It really did sell me on the new series. The final scenes were also great, The Doctor's remarks about time travel the key.
OVERALL - 7.0: Very good intro but not a suspenseful, thrilling masterpiece. However very entertaining, great characters, and the Nestene looks great.
It really was a great introduction. Christopher Ecclestone is now long in the past which is a shame. Not to say he should of gone on in place on Tennant but I really felt Ecclestone got the role. Billie Piper will always be the most memorable NuWho companion to me as she was just so much more charismatic than the others. Martha and Amy, i find boring. Donna got on my nerve. Rose was near perfect. As a story it isn't much. There were some daft little moments clearly aimed at kids. On the whole though it was brilliant.
The best moment has to be 'I can feel it' speech by Ecclestone. Very rarely in his tenure was he as good as this. That isn't a knock as this is one of my favourite NuWho moments. It really did sell me on the new series. The final scenes were also great, The Doctor's remarks about time travel the key.
OVERALL - 7.0: Very good intro but not a suspenseful, thrilling masterpiece. However very entertaining, great characters, and the Nestene looks great.
It's An Intro . Nothing More
Theo Robertson12 April 2007
It was almost like a dream come true . Prestigious actor known for playing angry introspective characters gets cast as the most famous icon on British television in a show I'm on record as saying probably works best as a memory . Not only that but the BBC bombarded the public with trailers in the run up to this episode . There was even an news item on the BBC main news pointing out that the episode had been leaked over the net at the start of March 2005 with Eccleston stating that the fans who had seen it had hated the episode
As a fan I didn't hate this episode but I was hoping for more . It's there to set up the characters of Rose , her mother Jackie and her boyfriend Mickey so the plot featuring an Auton invasion is pushed aside and seems very rushed but that's not really important since it's an intro episode . Thankfully my parents did say they were giving it a chance to see if it the series would improve as it went along and I did go on record as saying it was entertaining but there was room for improvement . Not as good as classic stories from the 60s and 70s but certainly an improvement on many of the appalling Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy episodes
One interesting aspect is the in jokes which would be noticed by fans such as The Doctor appearing in the crowd photo on the day Kennedy was shot . If you didn't know President Kennedy was killed on the 22nd November 1963 the day before DOCTOR WHO premiered on BBC television , or that Rose thinks the Autons are a student prank which is exactly what a policeman thinks in the novelization of the 1970 adventure Spearhead From Space . Subtle humour from Russell T Davies though his plotting leaves a lot to be desired
As a fan I didn't hate this episode but I was hoping for more . It's there to set up the characters of Rose , her mother Jackie and her boyfriend Mickey so the plot featuring an Auton invasion is pushed aside and seems very rushed but that's not really important since it's an intro episode . Thankfully my parents did say they were giving it a chance to see if it the series would improve as it went along and I did go on record as saying it was entertaining but there was room for improvement . Not as good as classic stories from the 60s and 70s but certainly an improvement on many of the appalling Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy episodes
One interesting aspect is the in jokes which would be noticed by fans such as The Doctor appearing in the crowd photo on the day Kennedy was shot . If you didn't know President Kennedy was killed on the 22nd November 1963 the day before DOCTOR WHO premiered on BBC television , or that Rose thinks the Autons are a student prank which is exactly what a policeman thinks in the novelization of the 1970 adventure Spearhead From Space . Subtle humour from Russell T Davies though his plotting leaves a lot to be desired
Season One Review
98nurdinm-118 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
They did it. And, boy, did they do it fantastically or what! The BBC finally brought the Doctor back to our screens on a Saturday evening where he belongs! And they did it with style!
EPISODE ONE: "Rose" - One of the strengths of the new series is Russel T Davies as a writer and executive producer. He's a fan of the show and knows what the other fans want, but also is an experienced writer in his own right, so knows what other people want. Another strength, as perfectly shown here in this first episode, is Billie Piper and her character of Rose Tyler. Finally the Doctor's companion gets a credible back story and a strong character. Also nice to see the return of the Autons - a nice nod to the Classic Series there.
EPISODE TWO: "The End Of The World" - In the start of this double bill to show off the TARDIS' strengths, we end up in a story where special effects is everything! They now have the technology to create real, believable environments and monsters - no more rubber suits of sorts! Also the hints at the end of this episode regarding the new Doctor's past - very intriguing to kill off all the Time Lords and make him the only one.
EPISODE THREE: "The Unquiet Dead" - We've had the future, now lets have the past. The first non-Davies written episode is a little flat in some places, but this is made up for by Simon Callow's Charles Dickens and the sudden twist in the plot when it is revealed the pitiful Gelf are not so pitiful after all...
EPISODE FOUR: "Aliens Of London" - The consequences of the Doctor's actions are fully explored in this series, not least with the repercussions of Rose running off with him. Also, we have our first cliffhanger; not the best of ones admittedly. The Slitheen are an interesting villain, though they can look too CGI for their own good.
EPISODE FIVE: "World War Three" - The second part of this story about the Slitheen suffers mainly from the same problems of the first. Also, the clips from the next episode coming up at the end of the current episode are annoying and spoil it for people.
EPISODE SIX: "Dalek" - Yes! We've had the future, the past, and the present(ish), but now we get to the good stuff - the return of the Doctor's arch-nemesis. Here I think we can complement Christopher Ecclestone - he was brilliant as the Doctor, and no more so then in this episode, where we see the pain on his face as he recollects the Time War and the alien nature of him as he almost turns into a Dalek himself.
EPISODE SEVEN: "The Long Game" - really only a story to act as a prologue for the series finale. Saved by Simon Pegg as the smarmy Editor and Tamsin Grieg in an amusing cameo. The media are controlling us - that's never been done before, has it...
EPISODE EIGHT: "Father's Day" - this is a great episode. Full of human emotion and heartache for Rose, and the true consequences of what happens when you really muck up history. Full marks to Billie Piper here.
EPISODE NINE: "The Empty Child" - I don't find this kid very scary. Sorry, but I don't. It's a good episode though, but the cliffhanger still could have been better - it's those "Next Time" bits that spoil them. John Barrowman is introduced here as Captain Jack, the dashing conman - he's a good actor who's been around for a while but only seemingly noticed now.
EPISODE TEN: "The Doctor Dances" - Part two of this WW2 story - very well made in historical context terms. A nice upbeat ending, though a little confusing perhaps for younger viewers when the "Mummy" is revealed?
EPISODE ELEVEN: "Boom Town"- probably the weakest of the series, but that doesn't mean its bad. A nice return for the Slitheen and also an interesting character study of the Doctor and Rose.
EPISODE TWELVE: "Bad Wolf" - this starts off quite silly, with some good-hearted humour and cheeky fun making at popular TV shows over her in Blighty. Things turn deadly serious quickly, though, and the revelation at the end is the best cliffhanger in the series!
EPISODE THRITEEN: "Parting Of The Ways" - Goodbye Christopher Ecclestone. A fantastic Doctor in so many ways, David Tennant is having to really work his socks off to be as good as him. The regeneration scene at the end is beautifully played. Oh, and the Daleks are back - in the extreme! God bless CGI, because they'd never be able to pull this off normally!
Overall - brilliant! 9/10
EPISODE ONE: "Rose" - One of the strengths of the new series is Russel T Davies as a writer and executive producer. He's a fan of the show and knows what the other fans want, but also is an experienced writer in his own right, so knows what other people want. Another strength, as perfectly shown here in this first episode, is Billie Piper and her character of Rose Tyler. Finally the Doctor's companion gets a credible back story and a strong character. Also nice to see the return of the Autons - a nice nod to the Classic Series there.
EPISODE TWO: "The End Of The World" - In the start of this double bill to show off the TARDIS' strengths, we end up in a story where special effects is everything! They now have the technology to create real, believable environments and monsters - no more rubber suits of sorts! Also the hints at the end of this episode regarding the new Doctor's past - very intriguing to kill off all the Time Lords and make him the only one.
EPISODE THREE: "The Unquiet Dead" - We've had the future, now lets have the past. The first non-Davies written episode is a little flat in some places, but this is made up for by Simon Callow's Charles Dickens and the sudden twist in the plot when it is revealed the pitiful Gelf are not so pitiful after all...
EPISODE FOUR: "Aliens Of London" - The consequences of the Doctor's actions are fully explored in this series, not least with the repercussions of Rose running off with him. Also, we have our first cliffhanger; not the best of ones admittedly. The Slitheen are an interesting villain, though they can look too CGI for their own good.
EPISODE FIVE: "World War Three" - The second part of this story about the Slitheen suffers mainly from the same problems of the first. Also, the clips from the next episode coming up at the end of the current episode are annoying and spoil it for people.
EPISODE SIX: "Dalek" - Yes! We've had the future, the past, and the present(ish), but now we get to the good stuff - the return of the Doctor's arch-nemesis. Here I think we can complement Christopher Ecclestone - he was brilliant as the Doctor, and no more so then in this episode, where we see the pain on his face as he recollects the Time War and the alien nature of him as he almost turns into a Dalek himself.
EPISODE SEVEN: "The Long Game" - really only a story to act as a prologue for the series finale. Saved by Simon Pegg as the smarmy Editor and Tamsin Grieg in an amusing cameo. The media are controlling us - that's never been done before, has it...
EPISODE EIGHT: "Father's Day" - this is a great episode. Full of human emotion and heartache for Rose, and the true consequences of what happens when you really muck up history. Full marks to Billie Piper here.
EPISODE NINE: "The Empty Child" - I don't find this kid very scary. Sorry, but I don't. It's a good episode though, but the cliffhanger still could have been better - it's those "Next Time" bits that spoil them. John Barrowman is introduced here as Captain Jack, the dashing conman - he's a good actor who's been around for a while but only seemingly noticed now.
EPISODE TEN: "The Doctor Dances" - Part two of this WW2 story - very well made in historical context terms. A nice upbeat ending, though a little confusing perhaps for younger viewers when the "Mummy" is revealed?
EPISODE ELEVEN: "Boom Town"- probably the weakest of the series, but that doesn't mean its bad. A nice return for the Slitheen and also an interesting character study of the Doctor and Rose.
EPISODE TWELVE: "Bad Wolf" - this starts off quite silly, with some good-hearted humour and cheeky fun making at popular TV shows over her in Blighty. Things turn deadly serious quickly, though, and the revelation at the end is the best cliffhanger in the series!
EPISODE THRITEEN: "Parting Of The Ways" - Goodbye Christopher Ecclestone. A fantastic Doctor in so many ways, David Tennant is having to really work his socks off to be as good as him. The regeneration scene at the end is beautifully played. Oh, and the Daleks are back - in the extreme! God bless CGI, because they'd never be able to pull this off normally!
Overall - brilliant! 9/10
Plastic Fantastic
southdavid30 January 2020
Because, frankly, I am a lunatic I'm also, along with everything else, going to go back to the start of "Doctor Who" or "Nu-Who" anyway, and rewatch and review every episode. I have seen every episode before, but very few of them more than once. Let's go back to 2006 for the first one.
Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) works in a London department store. One night, just before lock up she's attacked by the shop dummies. Her life is saved by a man enigmatically known only as "The Doctor" (Christopher Ecclestone). The Doctor, an alien, is tracking signals that are controlling plastic things, particularly but not exclusively shop dummies but both he, and now Rose, are being targeted in turn.
This was my real introduction to "Doctor Who". I was 9 when the show ended, and though I do remember the feature length episode with Paul McGann, this was the start of the show, for me. The most striking thing about it, looking at it with 2020 eyes is how badly the computer generated effects have aged. It's not the fault of the BBC, it's just that 14 years ago visual effects were so costly there was a compromise required. It cannot be ignored though that the interaction between Mickey and the Dustbin looks terrible. My next thought was that I should be cherishing this time with Christopher Eccleston as I know it's not going to last very long. Everyone is clearly settling into everything at the moment . . . which I think is the excuse for the overblown "I can feel the movement of the earth" speech in the middle of the episode. But a couple of other moments really land, such as enthusiastic "Yeah" in response to Rose's question about whether travelling with him will always be this dangerous.
This episode has a lot to do, it introduces us to all the principles that will take us forward for the next few years, including Mickey (whose characterisation is perhaps the most "off" in this one) and Jackie. It can perhaps been forgiven then that the plot is a little basic and we hang around in the climactic scenes far longer than we ought too, before Rose decides that she can save the day. But it's an engaging start to the series that would now (and did at the time) entice me to start watching.
Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) works in a London department store. One night, just before lock up she's attacked by the shop dummies. Her life is saved by a man enigmatically known only as "The Doctor" (Christopher Ecclestone). The Doctor, an alien, is tracking signals that are controlling plastic things, particularly but not exclusively shop dummies but both he, and now Rose, are being targeted in turn.
This was my real introduction to "Doctor Who". I was 9 when the show ended, and though I do remember the feature length episode with Paul McGann, this was the start of the show, for me. The most striking thing about it, looking at it with 2020 eyes is how badly the computer generated effects have aged. It's not the fault of the BBC, it's just that 14 years ago visual effects were so costly there was a compromise required. It cannot be ignored though that the interaction between Mickey and the Dustbin looks terrible. My next thought was that I should be cherishing this time with Christopher Eccleston as I know it's not going to last very long. Everyone is clearly settling into everything at the moment . . . which I think is the excuse for the overblown "I can feel the movement of the earth" speech in the middle of the episode. But a couple of other moments really land, such as enthusiastic "Yeah" in response to Rose's question about whether travelling with him will always be this dangerous.
This episode has a lot to do, it introduces us to all the principles that will take us forward for the next few years, including Mickey (whose characterisation is perhaps the most "off" in this one) and Jackie. It can perhaps been forgiven then that the plot is a little basic and we hang around in the climactic scenes far longer than we ought too, before Rose decides that she can save the day. But it's an engaging start to the series that would now (and did at the time) entice me to start watching.
Welcome Back!
zacpetch29 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
From 1963-89 we had seven Doctors. In 1996 we got number eight, but it was too American for something so British. BUT -- In 2005 we met the Ninth. Christopher Ecclestone had to be good to do justice to the many predecessors he had but he manages it in a way that his Doctor can only describe as "FANTASTIC!!!"
This 'pilot' begins by introducing us to Rose Tyler. Billie Piper brings this character to the screen with perfection. Rose has a believable background and only meets the Doctor because she ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pure dumb luck, nothing more. But it changes her life. The Doctor saves her life (twice) and she helps him defeat an army of autons (complete with tonnes of smashing glass!) before being whisked away in the TARDIS. Mickey, her boyfriend, never stood a chance to this mysterious northerner. Russell "The" Davies tells the story from the perspective of Rose making her act as the audience surrogate on an adventure with the Doctor and this is why it works so well.
RTD creates a new background for the Doctor making him someone who couldn't care less whether you like him or not. He has a darker edge than any of them we've seen before and the fans will be intrigued why. It's implied that he killed some people at one point but will not be made explicit for another episode. To create this sense of mystery was a complete masterstroke on his part.
Ecclestone only lasted one series but what we have is a very consistently good one so we shouldn't complain. His debut is wonderful. Shame about the wheelie bin. 8/10
This 'pilot' begins by introducing us to Rose Tyler. Billie Piper brings this character to the screen with perfection. Rose has a believable background and only meets the Doctor because she ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pure dumb luck, nothing more. But it changes her life. The Doctor saves her life (twice) and she helps him defeat an army of autons (complete with tonnes of smashing glass!) before being whisked away in the TARDIS. Mickey, her boyfriend, never stood a chance to this mysterious northerner. Russell "The" Davies tells the story from the perspective of Rose making her act as the audience surrogate on an adventure with the Doctor and this is why it works so well.
RTD creates a new background for the Doctor making him someone who couldn't care less whether you like him or not. He has a darker edge than any of them we've seen before and the fans will be intrigued why. It's implied that he killed some people at one point but will not be made explicit for another episode. To create this sense of mystery was a complete masterstroke on his part.
Ecclestone only lasted one series but what we have is a very consistently good one so we shouldn't complain. His debut is wonderful. Shame about the wheelie bin. 8/10
"I can feel it...the turn of the Earth..."
tlfirth12 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
When Doctor Who started back in 1963, I don't think many believed it would last until 1989 before the BBC decided to put it out of its misery. Neither would they have believed that a movie in 1996 would lead to its immortality in the Big Finish audio stories. Even more astonishing is its revival in 2005, after a much-needed hiatus that reinvigorated its ideas and rekindled its magic. It's an amazing achievement that Doctor Who will be 53 years old in November this year, and as a fan since 2006, I believe it's fitting that I should start reviewing the entirety of New Who and explain what an impact it has had on me as one of my favourite shows of all time; starting with Rose...
In all honesty, Rose has to act as a premiere in itself, despite continuing a long and rich history of stories in the past. It must introduce a new Doctor, a new companion, a new look and a new generation of youngsters to something that has been one of Britain's greatest achievements. In that respect, it does reasonably well. It incorporates the new personality of the Doctor while also paralleling a back story involving an alien invasion that has been so definite in any Doctor Who story. The Autons are perhaps not the best monsters to choose for a return to the screen, but their link to the setting of the story is understandable.
As for Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper, there's no doubting their connection, despite their contrasting characters. Eccleston plays it cool and calm in a role that has the wit of the Sixth Doctor, the hilarity of the Second Doctor and seriousness of the Third. His outfit befits him as a contemporary character, and also advertises the mystery of his new face. Piper plays a companion that has little relation to previous companions, who is brought into the Doctor's adventures through sheer luck and then stubbornness. She is perfect for Eccleston's Doctor, simply because she's spirited in a way that demands answers and wants flare in her life. Both actors are commendable for that.
Concerning the story and script itself, this is where I struggle. The mystery around the Doctor, and the slight hints of what has perhaps happened to make him this new man are done well, but the general storyline around the invasion and discovering the lair of the enemy, the eventual attack and a saviour comes along to save the day. It's a little repetitive and whilst harking back to Classic Who, it also amplifies it to a new level of cheesiness. The ending is also not heavy enough to make an impression on anyone to watch the next episode.
Regarding the characters themselves, Russell T. Davies has everyone well pinned, with supporting characters like Jackie and Mickey providing great comedy and gags for both kids and adults to enjoy. Nevertheless, the predictable formula feels hollow for an episode that is so energetic.
For clear reasons, I really do like the episode, the production values have sky-rocketed since 1989, the cast are dependable if the script doesn't seem up for the task, and the whole new blend of darker tones and wittier characters gives a new lease of life for Doctor Who, and that's what mattered in the premiere if anything else. It set up nicely for a season that brought the show to a new level of appreciation. That's reward enough.
Favourite Quotes:
"I'm in my dressing gown." "Yes, you are." "There's a strange man in my bedroom." "Yes, there is." "Well, anything could happen." "No." - Jackie and the Doctor meet for the first time.
"Do you know like we were saying about the Earth revolving? It's like when you were a kid. The first time they tell you the world's turning and you just can't quite believe it because everything looks like it's standing still. I can feel it. The turn of the Earth. The ground beneath our feet is spinning at a thousand miles an hour, and the entire planet is hurtling round the sun at sixty seven thousand miles an hour, and I can feel it. We're falling through space, you and me, clinging to the skin of this tiny little world, and if we let go. That's who I am. Now, forget me, Rose Tyler. Go home." - The Doctor
"The Doctor is a legend woven throughout history. When disaster comes, he's there. He brings the storm in his wake and he has one constant companion." - Clive
"The assembled hoards of Genghis Khan couldn't get through that door, and believe me, they've tried." - The Doctor
In all honesty, Rose has to act as a premiere in itself, despite continuing a long and rich history of stories in the past. It must introduce a new Doctor, a new companion, a new look and a new generation of youngsters to something that has been one of Britain's greatest achievements. In that respect, it does reasonably well. It incorporates the new personality of the Doctor while also paralleling a back story involving an alien invasion that has been so definite in any Doctor Who story. The Autons are perhaps not the best monsters to choose for a return to the screen, but their link to the setting of the story is understandable.
As for Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper, there's no doubting their connection, despite their contrasting characters. Eccleston plays it cool and calm in a role that has the wit of the Sixth Doctor, the hilarity of the Second Doctor and seriousness of the Third. His outfit befits him as a contemporary character, and also advertises the mystery of his new face. Piper plays a companion that has little relation to previous companions, who is brought into the Doctor's adventures through sheer luck and then stubbornness. She is perfect for Eccleston's Doctor, simply because she's spirited in a way that demands answers and wants flare in her life. Both actors are commendable for that.
Concerning the story and script itself, this is where I struggle. The mystery around the Doctor, and the slight hints of what has perhaps happened to make him this new man are done well, but the general storyline around the invasion and discovering the lair of the enemy, the eventual attack and a saviour comes along to save the day. It's a little repetitive and whilst harking back to Classic Who, it also amplifies it to a new level of cheesiness. The ending is also not heavy enough to make an impression on anyone to watch the next episode.
Regarding the characters themselves, Russell T. Davies has everyone well pinned, with supporting characters like Jackie and Mickey providing great comedy and gags for both kids and adults to enjoy. Nevertheless, the predictable formula feels hollow for an episode that is so energetic.
For clear reasons, I really do like the episode, the production values have sky-rocketed since 1989, the cast are dependable if the script doesn't seem up for the task, and the whole new blend of darker tones and wittier characters gives a new lease of life for Doctor Who, and that's what mattered in the premiere if anything else. It set up nicely for a season that brought the show to a new level of appreciation. That's reward enough.
Favourite Quotes:
"I'm in my dressing gown." "Yes, you are." "There's a strange man in my bedroom." "Yes, there is." "Well, anything could happen." "No." - Jackie and the Doctor meet for the first time.
"Do you know like we were saying about the Earth revolving? It's like when you were a kid. The first time they tell you the world's turning and you just can't quite believe it because everything looks like it's standing still. I can feel it. The turn of the Earth. The ground beneath our feet is spinning at a thousand miles an hour, and the entire planet is hurtling round the sun at sixty seven thousand miles an hour, and I can feel it. We're falling through space, you and me, clinging to the skin of this tiny little world, and if we let go. That's who I am. Now, forget me, Rose Tyler. Go home." - The Doctor
"The Doctor is a legend woven throughout history. When disaster comes, he's there. He brings the storm in his wake and he has one constant companion." - Clive
"The assembled hoards of Genghis Khan couldn't get through that door, and believe me, they've tried." - The Doctor
Hello Rose, run for your life!
MrFilmAndTelevisionShow17 March 2021
A solid start to a great season. I love the cheerfulness of the Doctor his smiling right at the camera/audience. I'm surprised I'd never seen at Christopher Eccelston episode before, they don't ever seem to be on TV, which is a shame, because the 9th Doctor is really really good!
The beginning starts here...
cybermansec6 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Rose-
It's back. It's big. It's HUGE!
STORY: Doctor Who stars Christopher Eccleston as the 900 year old doctor as he battles out the universe with companion Billie Piper AKA Rose Tyler. In the first episode, they battle the plastic Autons. But Rose is searching for this doctor's history.
REVIEW: OK. This is the starting episode. But even though it was very well structured and a good idea, it was pretty boring. Christopher Eccleston is brilliant as is Billie Piper. So what is exciting? What is old and what is new? Well the TARDIS is the same but the interior is bigger. The doctor is new, well of course. He's a fantastic character. Rose Tyler's episode is a well written and fun episode with some good effects and some fantastic sequences. The episode 'Rose' has a bit where Rose investigates the doctor in a shed which is boring. Anyway, this is an enjoyable adventure.
CAST: Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston Rose Tyler Billie Piper Jackie Tyler Camille Coduri Mickey Smith Noel Clarke Clive Mark Benton Caroline Ellie Garnett Clive's Son Adam McCoy Autons Alan Ruscoe, Paul Kasey, David Sant, Elizabeth Fost, Helen Otway Nestene Voice Nicholas Briggs
It's back. It's big. It's HUGE!
STORY: Doctor Who stars Christopher Eccleston as the 900 year old doctor as he battles out the universe with companion Billie Piper AKA Rose Tyler. In the first episode, they battle the plastic Autons. But Rose is searching for this doctor's history.
REVIEW: OK. This is the starting episode. But even though it was very well structured and a good idea, it was pretty boring. Christopher Eccleston is brilliant as is Billie Piper. So what is exciting? What is old and what is new? Well the TARDIS is the same but the interior is bigger. The doctor is new, well of course. He's a fantastic character. Rose Tyler's episode is a well written and fun episode with some good effects and some fantastic sequences. The episode 'Rose' has a bit where Rose investigates the doctor in a shed which is boring. Anyway, this is an enjoyable adventure.
CAST: Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston Rose Tyler Billie Piper Jackie Tyler Camille Coduri Mickey Smith Noel Clarke Clive Mark Benton Caroline Ellie Garnett Clive's Son Adam McCoy Autons Alan Ruscoe, Paul Kasey, David Sant, Elizabeth Fost, Helen Otway Nestene Voice Nicholas Briggs
Boring for the first half, but you may find some entertainment if you muscle through
durinae_nov_Fantazirs19 January 2014
This episode was my first exposure to Dr. Who. I've heard from many people about how awesome this show is, so I decided to give it a go. To be frank, it was boring for at least the first half (I know this opinion isn't likely to be popular, but I'm being honest). It took me multiple attempts to actually finish the episode; I shut it off at one point and decided to try again a few days later. The latter half of the show was a bit more interesting/fun to watch, at least, and what happens at the end is highly entertaining... at least to me. As boring as the first half was, the second half gave me enough hope to watch the next episode, at least.
Rose
Prismark1014 August 2018
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.
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.
Rebooting a classic
Tweekums15 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
As this, the first new episode of Doctor Who for many years opens we see shop worker Rose Tyler descending to the basement of the store she works; here she is accosted by various manikins that appear to have come to life. As she flees she is rescued by a man who simply identifies himself as The Doctor. He gets her to safety before returning to the building; shortly afterwards it explodes. Rose returns home and the next day she starts researching The Doctor; she soon finds a conspiracy theorists who has evidence suggesting that The Doctor was present at many historical moments. While Rose talks to him her boyfriend Mickey is attacked by a wheelie-bin and replaced by a plastic copy! Once again she is rescued by The Doctor; he explains that they are dealing with Autons; plastic beings controlled by the Nestene Consciousness which is trying to take over Earth. Together they set off to stop them.
The main purpose of this episode was to reintroduce us to The Doctor, now played by Christopher Eccleston, and his assistant-to-be Rose, played by Billie Piper. I liked how we meet Rose first and it is only when she is in danger that The Doctor arrives. Having an enemy that was first seen in the original series of the show but not one of the iconic villains was an inspired move as it provided a link without suggesting there would be an over-reliance on Daleks and Cybermen. As well as our two protagonists we are introduced to Rose's mother and her boyfriend; while we don't see too much of them they promise to be interesting recurring characters. Eccleston does a fine job as The Doctor but it is Billie Piper who is a revelation as Rose; I recall when the series first aired people questioned giving the role to a pop-singer but here she shows she can act too. Overall this was a fine series opener that should leave viewers keen to see what happens when the duo start travelling in time and space.
The main purpose of this episode was to reintroduce us to The Doctor, now played by Christopher Eccleston, and his assistant-to-be Rose, played by Billie Piper. I liked how we meet Rose first and it is only when she is in danger that The Doctor arrives. Having an enemy that was first seen in the original series of the show but not one of the iconic villains was an inspired move as it provided a link without suggesting there would be an over-reliance on Daleks and Cybermen. As well as our two protagonists we are introduced to Rose's mother and her boyfriend; while we don't see too much of them they promise to be interesting recurring characters. Eccleston does a fine job as The Doctor but it is Billie Piper who is a revelation as Rose; I recall when the series first aired people questioned giving the role to a pop-singer but here she shows she can act too. Overall this was a fine series opener that should leave viewers keen to see what happens when the duo start travelling in time and space.
Promising beginning to the new series of adventures
DVD_Connoisseur31 December 2006
With "Rose" the audience is introduced again to the eccentric time-traveller known only as "The Doctor".
Russell T. Davies' script manages to introduce a new Doctor through the eyes of companion-to-be, Rose Tyler, as well as fitting in a rushed but reasonably exciting tale featuring the classic Who baddie, the Autons.
This is 45 minutes of polished, excellent, fun-filled television and it's clear from the outset that the future of the show is in safe hands. While the effects aren't perfect in "Rose", this is early days for a new show and the effects team are in new territory.
Billie Piper is a joy to watch and Ecclestone breathes new life into the legendary Time Lord.
There are plot points in "Rose" that may upset some fans but it's early days and anything can happen in the future...
Russell T. Davies' script manages to introduce a new Doctor through the eyes of companion-to-be, Rose Tyler, as well as fitting in a rushed but reasonably exciting tale featuring the classic Who baddie, the Autons.
This is 45 minutes of polished, excellent, fun-filled television and it's clear from the outset that the future of the show is in safe hands. While the effects aren't perfect in "Rose", this is early days for a new show and the effects team are in new territory.
Billie Piper is a joy to watch and Ecclestone breathes new life into the legendary Time Lord.
There are plot points in "Rose" that may upset some fans but it's early days and anything can happen in the future...
Return of the Doctor!
A_Kind_Of_CineMagic28 November 2018
This marked the return of Doctor Who as a series for the first time in 16 years. Doctor Who of course began in 1963 and ran until 1989. A movie in 1996 and various audio adventures were all that bridged the long gap until Russell T. Davies thankfully resurrected the TV series in 2005. The formula remains the same: The Doctor is an alien who travels in time and space in a ship called the TARDIS which is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. The Doctor is a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey and is able to regenerate into a new body and personality when near death. He has a special fondness for earth and usually travels with a human companion.
The theme music is a rearranged and modernised version of the original theme and the main elements have been kept true to the show's history. Russell T. Davies has done a great service to old fans by bringing it back in such a loving and respectful way and has gifted new generations of fans with the magic and joy of Doctor Who.
This episode has an alien threat which featured in Doctor Who in the 1970s, the Nestene Consciousness. This alien power is able to control plastic and creates soldiers out of plastic shop dummies which are called Autons. As the Autons attack 2005 London a young and feisty shop assistant named Rose (Billie Piper) is rescued and befriended by the Doctor (the 9th Doctor) played by Chris Eccleston and together they battle to save the world from the Nestene threat.
Rose is a great companion for the Doctor, good hearted, strong and brave. Billie Piper does a good job in the role and characters of her mother Jackie and her boyfriend Mickey provide fun too. Eccleston is a fine actor and does a good job in his debut as the Doctor. He has suitable characteristics to stay true to the classic Doctors whilst adding a modern edge.
The story itself is a good plot idea until the climax which is a bit of a weak resolution with Rose essentially being the hero. I found that dramatically not the most exciting end and also felt that introducing the Doctor to new fans he should have been the hero in his debut really but one of the features of new Doctor Who is to make the 'companions' more central and more heroic.
The humour in this opening episode is mostly good and funny and the action is exciting with shop dummies still a good scary 'monster' after all these years. A couple of scenes are less impressive such as scenes with a plastic wheelie bin and with a plastic version of Mickey.
Overall an enjoyable and good quality episode which faithfully recreates the magic of Doctor Who of the past but leaves room for improvement.
8.5/10
The theme music is a rearranged and modernised version of the original theme and the main elements have been kept true to the show's history. Russell T. Davies has done a great service to old fans by bringing it back in such a loving and respectful way and has gifted new generations of fans with the magic and joy of Doctor Who.
This episode has an alien threat which featured in Doctor Who in the 1970s, the Nestene Consciousness. This alien power is able to control plastic and creates soldiers out of plastic shop dummies which are called Autons. As the Autons attack 2005 London a young and feisty shop assistant named Rose (Billie Piper) is rescued and befriended by the Doctor (the 9th Doctor) played by Chris Eccleston and together they battle to save the world from the Nestene threat.
Rose is a great companion for the Doctor, good hearted, strong and brave. Billie Piper does a good job in the role and characters of her mother Jackie and her boyfriend Mickey provide fun too. Eccleston is a fine actor and does a good job in his debut as the Doctor. He has suitable characteristics to stay true to the classic Doctors whilst adding a modern edge.
The story itself is a good plot idea until the climax which is a bit of a weak resolution with Rose essentially being the hero. I found that dramatically not the most exciting end and also felt that introducing the Doctor to new fans he should have been the hero in his debut really but one of the features of new Doctor Who is to make the 'companions' more central and more heroic.
The humour in this opening episode is mostly good and funny and the action is exciting with shop dummies still a good scary 'monster' after all these years. A couple of scenes are less impressive such as scenes with a plastic wheelie bin and with a plastic version of Mickey.
Overall an enjoyable and good quality episode which faithfully recreates the magic of Doctor Who of the past but leaves room for improvement.
8.5/10
Good comeback, but it overshadows story
r-lythgoe12 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I would just like to say that I like this episode. Russell T Davies brought back the show very well and introduced the show to modern viewers very well. Rose is a great companion here and pretty much represents the viewer in this episode, similar to Ian and Barbara in An unearthly child, as is her reaction to the inside of the TARIDS. The doctor is also built up as a mysterious figure, again managing to grab and intrigue new viewers in who the doctor is. Now THAT is how you do a reboot. However, the actual story is not really up to much. The autons are incredibly underused, the episode suffers from unfunny, childish comedy like the burp scene, the special effects (especially trying to make Cardiff look like London) are terrible and Mickey and Jackie are dreary, one-dimensional characters. Still, this was a good return, even if the actual story wasn't up to much.
"Lots Of Planets Have A North!"
ShadeGrenade20 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Picture the scene: a mountainous alien landscape. Twin moons illuminate the blood red sky. The Tardis lands, and out steps the Doctor, a middle-aged man in a Victorian frock coat, and Rose, his companion from Earth. A flicker of recognition crosses his face. "Well, I never! Its the planet Saurious-7. Where I fought the warlike Kraggartians. They tried to use giant Skinkons to take over the planet.". The girl sniffs the air. "Can't we go, Doctor. I don't like the look of this place. I keep thinking we're being watched.". The Doctor wags a disapproving finger. "Don't be silly, girl. I wonder if the King and Queen of Cordaraby City remember me from my last visit. Come along, Rose, come along!". He strides off, the girl struggles to keep up. High on a hill, sinister red eyes regard them with hatred...
That was not how 'Rose' began back in 2005, and thank heavens for that say I. Unfairly derided at the time of its original U.K. broadcast, 'Rose' can now safely be regarded as a landmark episode, putting 'Dr.Who' back where it belonged, as one of the B.B.C.'s flagship programmes. The mistakes made by the McGann T.V. movie were well learnt. Instead of trying to shoehorn the new 'Who' into existing chronology, it represented a fresh start for the series, beginning with shop girl Rose Tyler ( Billie Piper ) going about her daily routine. One day she goes to the basement to find a man named Wilson, and then the trouble begins. Mannequins come to life and attack her. It is only through the intervention of a mysterious stranger ( Christopher Eccleston ) that she is saved.
The story, slight though it may be, is more than adequate as a starting-point for the series. The Autons are, of course, an old villain ( this was their first appearance since 1971 ), but no references are made to their past appearances - another wise move. The finale effectively recreated the famous scene in 'Spearhead From Space' when shop window dummies sprang to life. As the Doctor, Christopher Eccleston lacked the eccentricity of his predecessors, preferring a modern leather jacket to the Doctor's traditional period clothes, but this made him more accessible to the show's hoped-for new audience. Billie Piper confounded her critics by making a big impression as 'Rose'. Also good was Noel Clarke as her boyfriend 'Mickey'.
Yes, there was an added emphasis on special effects, but then there needed to be - the wobbly sets and unconvincing monsters of the past have no place on 21st century television. What is more important is how good a script this is. Ten million people tuned in to see the new Doctor.
'Dr.Who' was back - and back with a bang!
That was not how 'Rose' began back in 2005, and thank heavens for that say I. Unfairly derided at the time of its original U.K. broadcast, 'Rose' can now safely be regarded as a landmark episode, putting 'Dr.Who' back where it belonged, as one of the B.B.C.'s flagship programmes. The mistakes made by the McGann T.V. movie were well learnt. Instead of trying to shoehorn the new 'Who' into existing chronology, it represented a fresh start for the series, beginning with shop girl Rose Tyler ( Billie Piper ) going about her daily routine. One day she goes to the basement to find a man named Wilson, and then the trouble begins. Mannequins come to life and attack her. It is only through the intervention of a mysterious stranger ( Christopher Eccleston ) that she is saved.
The story, slight though it may be, is more than adequate as a starting-point for the series. The Autons are, of course, an old villain ( this was their first appearance since 1971 ), but no references are made to their past appearances - another wise move. The finale effectively recreated the famous scene in 'Spearhead From Space' when shop window dummies sprang to life. As the Doctor, Christopher Eccleston lacked the eccentricity of his predecessors, preferring a modern leather jacket to the Doctor's traditional period clothes, but this made him more accessible to the show's hoped-for new audience. Billie Piper confounded her critics by making a big impression as 'Rose'. Also good was Noel Clarke as her boyfriend 'Mickey'.
Yes, there was an added emphasis on special effects, but then there needed to be - the wobbly sets and unconvincing monsters of the past have no place on 21st century television. What is more important is how good a script this is. Ten million people tuned in to see the new Doctor.
'Dr.Who' was back - and back with a bang!
Dr. WHO, what, where, and when......WHY....because we love it.
dutnam26 March 2006
Since Sci Fi channel has been showing this series, I was hooked from the first episode. I hear a lot of bad press about it but I don't care what they think. I love this show for 2 reasons: FIRST being ROSE (actress Billy Piper). She is sweet, lovable and very beautiful, with an arsenal of emotions and faces. We see the (altered) world thru her eyes, our standard Earther beliefs. It just so happened that she made contact and got to board the TARDIS, but it could have been any one of us. SECOND is "THE DOCTOR". He is trying to save the other species and is giving them a chance to live and do right, compared to our Kill the Aliens politics. He takes Rose and us by surprise by looking at things from a completely different point of view. His out of time, out of the moment, completely oblivious to the situation style of wit cracks me up. Like when he is scorning Rose's kidnappers and between sentences turns to her and gives her a cheerful "OH, HELLO." and return to scorning without missing a beat. He comes off as having a "I don't know what I'm doing, but you don't know what I'm doing either so we're even." personality.
The sets, costumes, props, are all obviously TV grade, not as good as Farscape, but fitting for the show. The "END OF THE WORLD" show had several good aliens and props, but true to WHO. The advertisements show upcoming episodes with robots I remember from the original WHO series in the 70's. I can't wait to see where this series goes. OH, and the theme song is the same for true fans. However I always have to think back to the ROCK AND ROLL PART 2 parody from the TIMELORDS.... Dr. WHO and the TARDIS
The sets, costumes, props, are all obviously TV grade, not as good as Farscape, but fitting for the show. The "END OF THE WORLD" show had several good aliens and props, but true to WHO. The advertisements show upcoming episodes with robots I remember from the original WHO series in the 70's. I can't wait to see where this series goes. OH, and the theme song is the same for true fans. However I always have to think back to the ROCK AND ROLL PART 2 parody from the TIMELORDS.... Dr. WHO and the TARDIS
7.4/10
rohanumpleby30 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
It is good one, it is a lot better then some on series 11 that's for shore. I love the bit where Rose's mum is flirting with the Doctor that's quit funny. It is a bit odder then most of the others but still enjoyable to watch. I think it has good knowledge on who the doctor really is. And at the end it's good to see that Rose will do the adventures on doctor who. It has been lots of enjoyment. It started in 1963-2019 that is about 55 or 56 years of doctor who now and I've seen all of the 1-11 siries of Doctor Who
The 9th Doctor's time in the TARDIS begins
studioAT23 April 2020
15 years ago the 'modern' Doctor Who launched with this stellar episode that manages to be an introduction to new fans, a reintroduction for older fans, and a blue print for what was to/should come next.
With a sparkling performance from Billie Piper as Rose and the debut of the 9th Doctor, a brooding, darkly war-torn figure portrayed by Christopher Eccleston, this episode doesn't let up, with lots of memorable moments and quotable lines.
15 years later this remains a great episode.
With a sparkling performance from Billie Piper as Rose and the debut of the 9th Doctor, a brooding, darkly war-torn figure portrayed by Christopher Eccleston, this episode doesn't let up, with lots of memorable moments and quotable lines.
15 years later this remains a great episode.
Was It good, or Bland?
rohanumpleby-340573 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Still a great start to the show even after all these years. Christopher Eccleston absolutely stills the show, every scene he's in his line of delivery is perfect. When he's first introduced he says to Rose ( Billy piper ) " Nice to meet you Rose, run for your life " which showed his character and type of performance and Doctor he was going to be. He's a fun doctor whilst stilll looking back on the Time war, giving an eary feel to his character which is presented so we'll. Billy piper as Rose also had a brilliant performance and is great as a companian. She wants to know so much about this Doctor that she's just met, and starts asking him questions. She finds out that there's a guy on the internet that let's everybody know about the Doctor who are interested. It's in the guys perspective, Clive. So Rose being as interested as she is goes to his house with her boyfriend Mickey. When she's in Clives house this leads to a rediculous scene where Mickey is staring at a Bin curiously for whatever reason. This scene leads to him going out the car and going up to the bin and chucks him inside, that scene was utterly silly and was strategically cinematic garbage scene that doesn't hold up well at all. Should of been scrapped. A different more unappealing look on his face as if he had plastic surgery done to him, which was stupid. And Rose after getting in doesn't seem to notice even though it was obvious. And the Ortons died to easily with no real pay off but I liked the scene as Rose saved the day and it added more to her character. She was good at athletics which was a nice moment. Rose's mouther Jackie was also an hilarious mouther. She's having a strange scene with the Doctor as she gets intimate forgetting her past and who she loved. It's a nice scene as she wants that moment back in her life, as she has still got feelings but can't also hold back as she wants a relationship. It's a great scene and adds an earthly feel to her character. She also was the stereotypical mum who was overly worried about nothing, but she had lots of depth and weight. The end scene of Rose running to the Tardis was silly. Murray Gold score was immense, and perfect. The score and music was well choreographed and presented.
So all in all,
Was it good, or Bland?
It had questionable things inside the episode, but was a good starting point so yes It was Good, Overall: 7.0/10.
So all in all,
Was it good, or Bland?
It had questionable things inside the episode, but was a good starting point so yes It was Good, Overall: 7.0/10.
The Perspective of a First Time Doctor Who Viewer...
chasemike7920 December 2023
I'm a big fan of New Who. This episode brings the nostalgia of Doctor Who... and reminds us of the adventures of the 8 Doctors who came before.
But for the uninitiated like I was... this episode almost made me give up watching the show before I had really started. Fans of the old show were happy to have New Who... and it eventually found its footing (and just took off under the team of RTD and David Tennant).
But for those of us trying to get to know the Doctor for the first time, it left so much to be desired. The villain was bad, the effects were terrible (which is excusable), and the plot was simple and not particularly interesting. Some of it was embarrassing to watch, to be honest.
RTD did a much better job introducing 10 in The Christmas Invasion, and Moffat one-upped him welcoming in 11 in The Eleventh Hour.
All that to say... we're so excited to have RTD back as the showrunner for our new 15th Doctor!
But I gotta call it like I see 'em. And for the uninitiated, this episode was rough.
But for the uninitiated like I was... this episode almost made me give up watching the show before I had really started. Fans of the old show were happy to have New Who... and it eventually found its footing (and just took off under the team of RTD and David Tennant).
But for those of us trying to get to know the Doctor for the first time, it left so much to be desired. The villain was bad, the effects were terrible (which is excusable), and the plot was simple and not particularly interesting. Some of it was embarrassing to watch, to be honest.
RTD did a much better job introducing 10 in The Christmas Invasion, and Moffat one-upped him welcoming in 11 in The Eleventh Hour.
All that to say... we're so excited to have RTD back as the showrunner for our new 15th Doctor!
But I gotta call it like I see 'em. And for the uninitiated, this episode was rough.
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