Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Keith Boak
“Victory should be NAKED!”
Well, THAT was an interesting ride. Not quite what I was expecting, but nevertheless, absolutely entertaining.
THE IFFY
* Let’s get this part out of the way. The pacing was all over the place, resulting in the alien plot being ended 3/4 of the way through, to make room for the epilogue with Rose and her mum. It certainly made for a rather sudden, abrupt feeling…almost an anti-climax.
* I also don’t buy all of Ricky’s ability with the computer to fire a missile, even with the Doctor’s help. That’s said, stranger things have happened on Doctor Who…
THE GOOD
* The truncated story, making way for the epilogue, was worth it. It provided some very nice closure to the plot elements of both Aliens of London and Rose, and sets the stage for the next set of adventures, free of the strictures of home. It was a sad, melancholy goodbye, but exceedingly well handled. I’m sure we’ll be seeing Mrs. Tyler and Mickey again…despite this ending…
THE GREAT
* The Slitheen remain fabulous. If anything, they get even funnier AND more menacing! Once more, Davies manages to punch up a script that combines the ridiculous and the sublime in gorgeous, wonderful ways. It’s never too silly, or too funny…and it get’s deadly serious when you least expect it. Just like Doctor Who should be all the time…
* Harriet Jones, MP…in all her giddy glory. You go girl! I forsee return engagements with this wonderful character, perhaps the first truly great creation of the new era of Doctor Who. In fact, if Penelope Wilton’s delicious alter-ego doesn’t return to Doctor Who in the future, I shall be most irritated! Time to start the letter-writing campaign, I think…
* The Doctor making up with Ricky. It’s sweet and stupid and funny and entirely real.
THE ABSOLUTELY FUNNY & OUTRAGEOUS
* The Slitheen…death by pickled onions. BAM! Even the Slitheen couldn’t believe it! But dammit, it works! 
* The entire action/adventure being run from the sealed up cabinet room, and over the phone. It’s all handled brilliantly, managing to be tension-filled AND totally retarded…simultaneously!
* And YES…they blew up 10 DOWNING STREET! Yippee!!!
So, it’s not quite perfect, but it does act as perfect closure to the first flight of the new series. Our test flight with the new Doctor and the new companion is over…now we start getting to the really meaty stuff.
8
And next week…DALEK!
