Season Overview:
This season is the first season of Doctor Who after many years off the air. It provides an excellent introduction to the Doctor and the series for those who did not catch the original series that began in the 60's. As I said in my review of the season this is an excellent place to start for those unfamiliar with the show. Christopher Eccleston gives an excellent preformance as the Ninth Doctor.
There will be SPOILERS AHEAD
Episode 1 Rose 3/26/2005
This episode had an important role. It introduced the entire series, the doctor and the TARDIS to new viewers who had never seen it before. This was all done through the point of view of Rose, a 19 year old girl working at a shop in modern-day London. While it did a decent job, the effect was somewhat ruined by the silly plastic mannequin bad-guys. I don't think anyone who watched this will suddenly develop a fear of mannequins or have nightmartes about them coming alive, or whatever, but the story and the introduction to the doctor worked.
Episode 2 The End of the World 4/2/2005
This episode is the first adventure/trip the Doctor takes Rose on. He wants to show her the end of the Earth and it does a great job of showing the vastness of the university and the diversity of the life on it. I still wasn't 100% into the show at this point, and it had many weaknesses, but I was still interested enough to give it a chance and watch the next episode.
Episode 3 The Unquiet Dead 4/9/2005
The Doctor and Rose go back in time and see Dickens - and zombie-like reanimated bodies and spirits. Apparently, these strange occurrences are coming through a rift in space and time (which will become more imporant later on in the season). I liked it because it again widened the scope of possibility that the TARDIS provides, showing that the Doctor can travel in time as well as space. Otherwise I didn't really care for it/wasn't hooked yet.
Episode 4 Aliens of London (1) 4/16/2005 and Episode 5 World War Three (2) 4/23/2005
The Slitheen, the aliens in this two parter, were great when they were disguised, but as soon as we saw what they looked like they were just silly. Also, the farting was really stupid. Someone must have thought it would be funny. It wasn't. However, everything else in this episode worked for me. Mickey actually did something other than be funny, The Doctor was clearly growing to feel responsible for Rose's wellbeing and he actually cared for her, and Harriet Jones' character was just great. I enjoyed this episode despite the Slitheen.
Episode 6 Dalek 4/30/2005
This is the point at which I first began to take the threats/enemies in this show seriously. The Daleks demand that you take them seriously. I also like that it wasn't just Rose anymore, we got more chances for character interations and that worked. One of the best episodes this series!
Episode 7 The Long Game 5/7/2005
Another of the best episodes this series. This one had a very good world, some creepy brain chips/info transfer stuff, and it showed us that the Doctor doesn't just let anyone go on the TARDIS and that he can get very upset with companions. I liked Adam and I found his story very believable. Also, was it just me or were the brain things very gross?
Episode 8 Father's Day 5/14/2005
Many might have found this episode very cheesy and silly, but I personally think it was a necessary episode for the characterizations. It is natural for Rose to want to use the powers of the TARDIS to go back and see her dad, and to try and save him. If they hadn't included this episode Rose wouldn't have been as well-rounded and realistic a character. It was a great episode for characterization all around, as the Doctor and Rose's father also had their own struggles. It worked for me. It may not have been one of the best, but it strengthened the characterizations overall and it was a great episode.
Episode 9 The Empty Child (1) 5/21/2005 and Episode 10 The Doctor Dances (2) 5/28/2005
I began to thoroughly enjoy this series somewhere between Dalek and Father's Day, but it was this two part episode that made me a fan. This was one of the most memorable stories of Doctor Who and without doubt the best this season. It wasn't without its flaws, of course, the whole dancing on an invisible spaceship in the middle of an air raid thing was really stupid, but these tiny nitpicks are nothing next to the chilling story. What I loved about this episode is that it ends with us finding out that the force behind the problem isn't an evil force at all, it's not an alien with evil intent or anything like that, it's a well-thought-out medical development from the future. BEST EPISODE/STORY WINNER
Episode 11 Boom Town 6/4/2005
Not sure why they thought it was a good idea to revisit the Slitheen. The episode wasn't terrible, but I wish they had done something new with it. And yes, I understand that the Cardiff rift ends up being important for later, but really, they could have revisited it without the Slitheen... The actress who plays the Slitheen survivor is excellent, though, so it was fine. So it was the weakest episode of the season, but still a good one!
Episode 12 Bad Wolf (1) 6/11/2005 and Episode 13 The Parting of the Ways (2) 6/18/2005
This is another very strong story. I like that they revisited Sattellite 5 and showed the long-term effects of some of the Doctor's interferences... it doesn't always turn out for the best. This was a very well-done story and, although I didn't really buy the whole Rose-becomes-immortal because of looking into the heart of the TARDIS I would still have to say that this was the SECOND BEST EPISODE OF THE SEASON
Episode 14 Children in Need Special 11/18/2005 & Episode 15 The Christmas Invasion 12/25/2005
I never know where to include this. It fits very nicely in between both seasons and it is crucial for explaining the regeneration of the Doctor and the personality changes that he goes through along with his change in appearance. This is not one to miss, it's an OUTSTANDING EPISODE!
When it comes down to it, there isn't a single episode that I disliked or felt was very weak. All of them were decent and bearable despite their flaws and the season has some very memorable moments The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances storyline as well as the Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways episode. An excellent season, not to be missed.
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