So we decided the kids were no longer too young to be scared by this, and decided to watch it as a family.
Overall, they've very much enjoyed it, and I'll comment on the episodes below:
1. Rose
A surprisingly low-budget and low-impact episode considering all the special effects to come. And yet it provides a very human introduction to the Doctor as a character, and his conflicts. Billie Piper does a superb job of carrying the viewer's disbelief in trying to understand what's going on.
2. The End of the World
And now they hit us with decent special effects, as aliens gather to watch the end of the Earth. A decent thriller plotline that includes enough peril without being frightening. Some decent humour, too. Ultimately, it shows that life with the Doctor can be as dangerous as it can be fantastical. Rose also shows guts, which helps the kids like her more as a character.
3. The Unquiet Dead
A trip to the 18th century helps showcase the variety of settings this programme can work with. We have a nice human touch throughout, the message of sacrifice that will underline many future episodes. There's also some good pathos with Charles Dickens, especially when he mentions the name of the book he's writing...
4. Aliens of London
5. World War Three
A two-parter involving the Slitheen. There are a couple of nice plot twists, and a great sense of drama overall. However, it seems pitched to appeal to younger audiences, though this isn't a bad thing in ensuring wide appeal.
6. Dalek
Wonderful pathos as the Doctor and Rose confront a Dalek that appears to be the last of its species. Also some nice hat tips to previous Who stories with the museum. A really stand-out episode for humanising the Doctor's arch-enemy, while also making us raise uncomfortable questions about him.
7. The Long Game
There are some interesting developments, and some good display of boundaries for travelling companions. It's great to see Simon Pegg in an episode, though ultimately this episode feels more like a curiosity - even filler - than anything else.
8. Father's Day
Again, an episode focused on the human experience. This helps create an episode with real feeling, passion, and pathos. And raises moral issues about time travel. Another strong episode for the difficult emotional questions it asks - and then answers.
9. The Empty Child
10. The Doctor Dances
A two-parter from Steven Moffat, which mixes a spooky WWII setting with the charm and humour of Captain Jack. What's especially good here is how aware the story is of social issues, and open-minded about them. Moffat can excel with short and punchy episodes.
11. Boom Town
More focus on Rose's relationships, not least how she's torn between Mickey and the Doctor for different reasons. At times it felt a little dragged out over the Slitheen survivor as the Doctor ponders the moral question of what to do with her - and the consequences. Interesting but not great.
12. Bad Wolf
It all begins a little silly, with parodies of popular TV programming which are luckily quiet recognisable 12 years later even by those who never watched them. What really makes this episode is the reveal toward the end of an imminent Dalek invasion.
13. The Parting of the Ways
A really dramatic episode that sets the Doctor against impossible odds - only for everything to be resolved by a blatant deus ex machina. The kids didn't mind, though. But they were surprised and disappointed that the Doctor regenerated - and not impressed by the appearance of David Tennant. However, I'm sure they'll change their minds about that.
Overall, they've very much enjoyed it, and I'll comment on the episodes below:
1. Rose
A surprisingly low-budget and low-impact episode considering all the special effects to come. And yet it provides a very human introduction to the Doctor as a character, and his conflicts. Billie Piper does a superb job of carrying the viewer's disbelief in trying to understand what's going on.
2. The End of the World
And now they hit us with decent special effects, as aliens gather to watch the end of the Earth. A decent thriller plotline that includes enough peril without being frightening. Some decent humour, too. Ultimately, it shows that life with the Doctor can be as dangerous as it can be fantastical. Rose also shows guts, which helps the kids like her more as a character.
3. The Unquiet Dead
A trip to the 18th century helps showcase the variety of settings this programme can work with. We have a nice human touch throughout, the message of sacrifice that will underline many future episodes. There's also some good pathos with Charles Dickens, especially when he mentions the name of the book he's writing...
4. Aliens of London
5. World War Three
A two-parter involving the Slitheen. There are a couple of nice plot twists, and a great sense of drama overall. However, it seems pitched to appeal to younger audiences, though this isn't a bad thing in ensuring wide appeal.
6. Dalek
Wonderful pathos as the Doctor and Rose confront a Dalek that appears to be the last of its species. Also some nice hat tips to previous Who stories with the museum. A really stand-out episode for humanising the Doctor's arch-enemy, while also making us raise uncomfortable questions about him.
7. The Long Game
There are some interesting developments, and some good display of boundaries for travelling companions. It's great to see Simon Pegg in an episode, though ultimately this episode feels more like a curiosity - even filler - than anything else.
8. Father's Day
Again, an episode focused on the human experience. This helps create an episode with real feeling, passion, and pathos. And raises moral issues about time travel. Another strong episode for the difficult emotional questions it asks - and then answers.
9. The Empty Child
10. The Doctor Dances
A two-parter from Steven Moffat, which mixes a spooky WWII setting with the charm and humour of Captain Jack. What's especially good here is how aware the story is of social issues, and open-minded about them. Moffat can excel with short and punchy episodes.
11. Boom Town
More focus on Rose's relationships, not least how she's torn between Mickey and the Doctor for different reasons. At times it felt a little dragged out over the Slitheen survivor as the Doctor ponders the moral question of what to do with her - and the consequences. Interesting but not great.
12. Bad Wolf
It all begins a little silly, with parodies of popular TV programming which are luckily quiet recognisable 12 years later even by those who never watched them. What really makes this episode is the reveal toward the end of an imminent Dalek invasion.
13. The Parting of the Ways
A really dramatic episode that sets the Doctor against impossible odds - only for everything to be resolved by a blatant deus ex machina. The kids didn't mind, though. But they were surprised and disappointed that the Doctor regenerated - and not impressed by the appearance of David Tennant. However, I'm sure they'll change their minds about that.
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