"These cats have secrets."
Writer: Russell T Davies
Format: Audio
Broadcast: 15 April 2006
Series: 2.01
Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Rose
Synopsis
The newly regenerated Doctor and Rose Tyler board the TARDIS for new adventures in time and space, but when they visit mankind's new home, far into the future, they find gruesome secrets hidden inside a luxury hospital. An enemy thought long since dead, the paper-thin Cassandra, is out for revenge.
Verdict
New Earth was a very good and rather fun episode to kick off Series 2 of the modern era of Doctor Who as I once again embark on a rewatch with my girlfriend Gemma as we delve through the show since the revival together for the first time. For Gemma, this is why she's really here as she absolutely adores the Tenth Doctor and Rose together and that was evident from her face as I surprised her by chucking on BBC iPlayer with our cups of tea this morning before some early viewing of the series opener. She's always loved Rose but I think coupling her with the Tenth Doctor and the romance that comes with their pairing just heightens her love and there really isn't much better than seeing her smile. It was worth the rewatch from just opening seconds! I do feel sorry for Mickey here as Rose seems to be stringing him on a little with the big kiss before she departs in the TARDIS again whilst she clearly has gained a great deal of romantic interest in the Doctor since the regeneration. We know that from Cassandra as she states after being inside Rose's head. The arrival on New Earth is terrific and it's good to see the Doctor and Rose enjoying each other's company with the jokes about the name of New New York and the apple grass. I like how the Doctor has a message for help on the psychic paper but is keen to get in some relaxation before getting to work at the hospital. The use of the robot spiders is fun and I like that we get a returning Lady Cassandra, something that wouldn't have appeared possible from her demise in The End of the World. Rose referring to those events as her and the Doctor's first date is good and I love the comment of Cassandra being repaired from the back so essentially she's talking out of her arse. The disinfectant scenes are a lot of fun and the contrast in reactions from the Doctor and Rose is fantastic. Chip is a really good character and I admire how much he has devoted himself to his mistress, so far as volunteering his life for her. The Face of Boe being the one to have sent the message to the Doctor is brilliant and I like how the story arc for Series 3 essentially starts here with the legend woven of Boe's dying message to a traveller. Terrific stuff and great story threading across the show. The Sisters of Plenitude are brilliant and seeing this episode for the first time since having a cat certainly made for a different perspective! Rose's reaction to them was excellent. I liked how they used their claws as weapons and their growing a sub-species of the human race to ensure they could cure every disease was pretty gruesome. Injecting their subjects with every disease on a regular basis to find the cure was pretty awful! Their attempts to justify that for the good of humanity were logical, but the means were atrocious and the Doctor wasn't having that. His moment where he exclaimed there was no authority was superb and fantastic for a full episode with Tennant in the Doctor role. Cassandra jumping between the bodies of Rose and the Doctor was a lot of fun and it's really good to see the Doctor clocks on straight away from that strange posh Cockney accent that Cassandra tries to pull off! Her bouncy castle comment was excellent and I love how she makes no qualms in showing off her new body. The Doctor's reaction to his getting snogged about him still having it was wonderful as well. I thought Tennant was delightful as the Doctor here and the way he played Cassandra and taunting Rose about her liking the new appearance was magnificent. The Duke of Manhattan was also a fun little character and I particularly enjoyed his secretary. The ending with the Doctor curing everybody is terrific and a great use of his name and I really liked what he does for Cassandra even after all she has done. Her acceptance of death is a powerful moment and it's nice for her to go and see her former full-bodied self. Overall, a great episode!
Rating: 8/10
New Earth rock.
ReplyDeleteRose Tyler look lovely and hot with her purple-and-blue blouse. My personal top one. A pity she left it. If it were up to me, she'd wear it more. I see her wearing ti on action scenes such as martial arts fights and also when hugging sicne her muscles would enhance her gentleness; the strong person being gentle especially with the little ones. Yep.
The Face of Boe's theme touch me. A sad soul. So old.
Those puss people were rogues. MAny being greedy and hurting the New Humans for money.
The tubby Duke was such a loveable man. Sad when he was sick from the stone sickness. And happy when he heal. He was so jolly and funny. And so glad he help to protect the people.
Ther 10th Docot rprove a beter man. The 9th one woulda murder Cassandra, but the 10th oen chsoe meryc.
WOudal rock if Rose took control on tiems when Cassandra was on ehr. A sorta Gollum-Smeargol scenario. Many woudl hear them talk to each other and quarrel, some thinking Rose mad. Rose would annyo Cassandra a by causign them do daring thigns evne though Cassandra object.
This got me ideas:
ReplyDelete1. Rose would wear a similar blouse to the one from New Earth. I see it fitting martial art scenes, scenes when she gets intimacy with her beloved, and when she hugs others including tiny ones.
2. Rose can prove more forgiving with Hame than some.
3. One enemy can be Hame's bro, inspire by Green from GTA San Andreas. A sibling of hers who fell to crime out of jealousy, arrogance, greed, and ambition. He even rants on invincibility and power, though he proves far from perfect such as losing coz of his lack of mental stability.