1x04 Aliens of London (1)

I've always loved the drama of the Doctor returning Rose a year after. It's such a fun point of tension and adds real weight and consequences to her on the whim decision to travel with him.

The Slitheen here are really great villains. Their particularly detestable and off putting in a way that's super engaging to watch. I especially love their campy cackling demeanor . Though there may be something to say about them being portrayed as slovenly constantly farting fat people.

However here Davis stumbles into incredibly thoughtless writing in regards to his black characters I've noted before with Mickey. Both Rose and the Doctor have a casual disregard for his person in a way that feels pointed. While Rose and Jackie are apologetic that they're responsible for him being suspected of murdering her the show never really holds the weight of what it would mean for a black man in the UK to be suspected of murdering his white girlfriend. Davis also doesn't seem to be cognisant of how 9's callousness towards Mickey hits different with the racial dynamics of the show.

Davis' consistent inclusion of black people into his worlds demonstrates a genuine desire to include us but his lack of understanding of racial nuances leaves his stories frequently fumbling in to racially questionable territory unknowingly. It doesn't tar the era for me (though I do NOT look forward to watching series 3) but it does make revisi . And makes me VERY anxious about how Davis will approach his upcoming run with Gatwa

Ugh...... Here is what I liked: The introducing scene where the Doctor thought it had only been twelve hours, but it had actually been twelve months was freaking hilarious! So good!!! I liked the interaction between Rose's family and her, but that was short lived. The first half of episode was pretty great. Now, here is what I hated: these aliens are so incredibly fucking goofy, and sure it may have been the point, but I do not care. Why do they fart incessantly? How is that even funny? If they are going to even be sinister and fake the alien attack, then why act so stupid. I would taking Jar Jar Binks and his entire species over how idiotic these aliens are in the show. Also, their stupid zipper at the head thing is dumb. So dumb. I also do not like Rose's boyfriend. If Rose was gone for a year, why the hell is he still thinking she and him can be together. Obviously, she likes the Doctor more. God, I hate those aliens. So so so stupid! But you know what: there was one redeeming factor. Shaun's mom from Shaun of the Dead was here, which made it better. But that was it.