Rose

"Do you know like we were saying, about the Earth revolving? [...] I can feel it. The turn of the Earth. The ground beneath our feet is spinning at a thousand miles an hour, and the entire planet is circling around the Sun at sixty-seven thousand miles an hour, and I can feel it. We're spinning through space, you and me. Clinging to the skin of this tiny little world, and if we let go... That's who I am."

The wait is finally over. After 16 years (or 9, depending on your perspective), Doctor Who has returned. And it's a new look, new style Who. But that's not necessarily a bad thing.

"Rose" is fast-paced, slickly-edited television - with 45 minutes to introduce and resolve a plot, it's certainly a far cry from the traditional slow-burn nature of the old 4- and 6-part serials. And yet, it works. The Auton invasion (which many would see as the main plot of the episode) is very much incidental, as the primary thrust of this new first episode is to (re-)introduce the concept of the series, and the new characters. As such, it does tend to fall flat. The Autons are very much underused as a threat, mostly confined only to the first and last ten minutes, although the attack in the shopping centre was very effective. The pace did seem a little too fast at times, but when you're having to infodump exposition to the new viewers (and the new companion), a little speed can sometimes go a long way.

The Ninth Doctor is a man of contradictions - one minute manic and giddy, the next serious, mysterious, and altogether alien. And Christopher Eccleston plays the part superbly, with genuine passion and power. And whilst the manic grin at times does grate, in general, the Doctor remains the mysterious stranger he has always been. The brief hints at this Doctor's backstory - his involvement in the war and the destruction of the Nestene homeworld, the appearances in 1888, 1912 and 1963 (if not the result of future temporal excursions...) - provide us with interesting discussion points, and the sense that this Doctor isn't coming to us at the start of his ninth incarnation, but we are catching him 'mid-flow', as it were...

I wasn't as pessimistic about Billie Piper's starring role as others - having none of the "teen pop star"-type affectations about her acting skills - and was pleased to see her carry the role of Rose Tyler well - a young woman seeking an escape from her humdrum existence, caught up in incredible events. Her non-reaction to the replacement of Mickey with an Auton double, however, whilst more of a script error than an acting one, made the character seem less observant and world-wise than the rest of the episode suggested. But, her general reactions to the events taking place around her - in particular, her reaction to the TARDIS - were spot on. And she didn't scream in terror once...

Of the minor characters, Mark Benton as Clive was, for me, the most memorable. A spin on the traditional view of the "Doctor Who fan" (this one, of the "real" Doctor), his observations of the effects of the Doctor's presence were well-put, and if the episode indeed portrays his death, it is a shame, as the character could have been an interesting one to bring back in future installments. Noel Clarke as Mickey was less of a success - sometimes a little bit too over the top - but did well, especially as the Auton Mickey, portraying an unfamiliarity and a creepiness that was just what was required for the piece.

Musically, the new theme tune perfectly accompanies the style of the new series - powerful, bombastic, and yet familiar and Who. Of course, I am one of the few people who liked the TVM theme, so what do I know...

The incidental music was much more hit and miss. The very first piece, as we reveal the Earth in space, then zoom down to London, was absolutely perfect. But then, at times - particularly in the early part of the episode - the music drowned out voices, overshadowed drama, and generally distracted from the on-screen events. There were some good points - the little snippet of the theme tune as Rose ran past the TARDIS after escaping Hendricks, haunting melodies that played over several key scenes, including the "that's who I am" scene - and in general it improved as the episode went on. Still, it could be improved further. Music should underscore events, not overwhelm them.

But, all in all, it was an outstanding episode - a worthy beginning, and the preview for "End of the World" seems to show that the level of quality will continue. 8 out of 10.

Welcome back, Doctor. It's been a long time coming.