As good as Chris Eccleston is as the Doctor, a lot of the first rebooted series in 2005 is still the show figuring out exactly what it wants to be and what it can accomplish. Once the show gets to this two-parter, however, it's definitely firing on all cylinders. The really remarkable thing is that this story is able to tick so many boxes -- it's almost universally beloved because everyone, no matter how curmudgeonly and devoted to the original series, can find something to like about it. There's an engaging and emotionally evocative story set against a backdrop of London during World War II. There's a pretty gruesome element of body horror that to this day we have no clue how they managed to get past the BBC censors. And there's Nancy, one of the most interesting and well-developed female characters who has ever been featured on the show. What more could you ask for?
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
