"Rose" EDWE 5

Written by: Russell T Davies
Year: 2005

WARNING
This is a very controversial review. These are just MY opinions.

The fifth Every Doctor Who Episode Review brings us to a modern episode, and perhaps the most important 'modern series' episode there's ever been. Rose introduced us to new Doctor Who. Sprinkled with hints about this new Doctor, and full of the humour the old series had been, this is Doctor Who for a new era.

Now that's the nice bit of the way. Rose is an interesting one. I like the way we meet Rose, even if the opening shot (and much of the modern series) does step straight out of EastEnders. But anyway, I like the way we meet Rose, with a normal job, with a normal boyfriend, in a normal but modern London (something reminiscent of how we meet Liz Shaw, driving through London in a black cab to UNIT). But the first few scenes set up a very normal Doctor Who series. And then we continue the Spearhead From Space link to find the Autons, not named as the Autons in this episode. I've always found the Autons and other plastic things coming to life are better than meeting the Nestene Consciousness in a warehouse, or a toy factory. But more of that later.

We meet the Autons, and then the Doctor grabs Rose's hand and says - RUN. The first word of this new era. RUN. Then we cut to a frankly rubbish running scene where this northern bloke in the worst DW costume ever and a 19 year old shop worker JOG. Yes, JOG along, away from the pursuing Plastic Dummies. So the first word should really have been "JOG". Not "RUN". Anyway, they go into a liftshaft and then we have a conversation, meant to be funny, and we meet a Doctor who has the same principles as all of the old ones. Then we've the classic warning "don't tell anyone about this 'cos if you do you'll get them killed" and we also have the "I'm the Doctor by the way".

The episode continues with jokes, and more hints about who this strange alien is. We then stumble into his TARDIS. I'm sorry but it is a rubbish TARDIS. A huge, McGann copycat TARDIS, but not as good. The circles aren't enough of a feature and the console is way too tall. The pillars I like, I'm a fan, but the actual TARDIS is rubbish. And is very 'Survivor of the Time War'. But we'll get onto that later as well.

The episode continues and we meet the Consciousness, who's rubbish. The CGI in some bits is terrible and why do they have to tie into the Time War? Russell hates the TV Movie, yet he took kissing, the TARDIS, a modern companion from it. He also said that he hated the fact the adventure only happened 'cos the Doctor arrived. But most adventures in the new series happen because of the Time War! I hate the Time War, and was only used so we didn't have to go and see Gallifrey. Everyone says the Gallifreyans stepped in and saved everyone. No. They. Didn't. They did it a few times, and those stick in people's minds. Gallifreyans didn't stop parallel universes trips, they didn't stop time rips or splinters or bruises or whatever word RTD could think of for something going wrong. Gallifrey were used less than people think in the classic series.

So, everyone escapes the rubbish Conciousness, and then after a while, Rose joins the Doctor in the TARDIS. So what did I think? It was way too modern, and almost too different. It was in some ways DRASTICALLY different to the classic series. Yes this makes it more appealing to the new generation, but why not introduce them using the same principles as the classic series? I was introduced to DW by Rose, and I loved it. But now I've seen the classics I can see what Doctor Who would've been. Even if series one grabbed people's attention, the series should have become more classic series in the future, and the new fans would've stayed. But instead it became more modern.

I think having a Doctor who doesn't fit the role is the big thing. I love Rose, I don't have many problems with it, only that it could've been more classic series. But the Doctor, played by Christoper Eccleston, isn't that good. He fits into the role as he goes through the series, much like Matt Smith did and David Tennant didn't. But Chris isn't all that good as the Doctor. Chris is an ACTOR. Not a DOCTOR and that's the problem. He only did it cos RTD was writing it, and his dedication to the programme isn't that good. Matt Smith may be young, but he appreciates Doctor Who, and being an actor in a family programme. Chris didn't appreciate Who and didn't appreciate being an actor in a family programme.

A good episode, but a few OTT and disappointing performances.
8 or so/10

James