Pretty good episode. Obviously it’s hard to judge this one too much on its own merits as it’s only part 1. But I think they did a good job setting things up. Rory gets to play CSI a little, and, well, Amy’s mini-skirt pretty much speaks for itself (I’m glad people were making a joke about it, though, and that there was actually a reason for her to dress that way—nice change from, say, Peri’s inexplicable wardrobe.)

Interesting guest star turn by Neve McIntosh who I remember from the Gormenghast mini-series of a few years back. And Meera Syal is a hoot as the scientist—shades of Evelyn Smythe from the Big Finish audios. As it is, I wonder if she qualifies for honorary companion status since she (sort of) rode in the TARDIS? Anyway, depending of course on what happens next episode, I hope they keep her in the “Donna Noble” file as a potential future companion.

Posted by Alex  on  06/13  at  02:19 AM

I really enjoyed this episode. The way it started out with the dad reading with his son, the way the suspense built up in the story, and the tone reminded me of my favorite monster movie “Tremors”. My favorite part has to be Matt Smiths preformance. He really shows a variety of emotions, playing them just the right way. He goes from curious, to funny, to angry, to intimadating, all the while giving some great acting in my opinion. I have a feeling this will make up for the two part “Angels” let down, and I can’t wait for the second part.

Posted by Mr. E  on  06/13  at  07:05 PM

The Hungry Earth reminded me of how much I enjoy two-parters (as long as they’re good - cough cough 1930 Daleks and UNIT vs Sontarans!) due to the extra time available to set up the story and the characters.

Overall though, my first thought upon watching this again was how much more I was enjoying The Eleventh Doctor without Amy hanging around all the time. (Yes, I admit I’m actually enjoying some aspects of this Doctor, now I’m coming to accept this is what we’re going to get.  Take that comment as you like.)
I like that he’s become less reckless and less inclined to react angrily to a situation or come across as annoyed with everything or everybody.  He seems happier with his world than he did in some of the early episodes, almost as if each thing that happens to him has sort of awakened a bit more of his ‘humanity’. Although I wish he’d stop peering right into a person’s face from about 2 inches away whenever he’s being sincere.
So it was nice to see the continuing increase in character depth from The Doctor in this episode, both in the scene where he talks to the Silurian (calmly discussing humanity) but most of all in his conversation with Elliot (anyone else wonder if the the name Elliot was a nod to E.T.?).

However, I must say I disagree with the comment in the Tardis File:
“The line “No, they’re scared of me” in reference to the monsters is notably played in a different way – quieter, reflective, arguably less demonstratively – than his predecessor.”
I think that Tennant would have played it in much the same way, especially as he was speaking to a child and had just been made to think about Gallifrey.  When I watched it the first time I specifically thought of that line and scene as being ‘a very Tenth Doctor-type’ moment. 
If anything, I think Tennant might have brought it down even further, saying it more to himself than to the boy, with a bit of a wry but saddened expression. Just my opinion! 

Although I’m coming around to this Doctor a little more each week, by contrast Amy has been grating on me increasingly with each episode, so I found it quite refreshing that she was locked away underground for most of it.
(Btw - if Amy was “dressed for Rio” with almost nothing on from the hips down, why was she wearing a leather jacket?)
It was a wonderful opportunity to see Rory competently taking matters into his own hands when necessary, and to interact as a ‘companion’ on his own with The Doctor.  Just as it did with the scenes of the two of them in The Vampires of Venice, it really worked.  In a short time he’s become amazingly accepting of everything he’s seeing and dealing with, without coming across as pouty or know-it-all as Amy does.  But this doesn’t stop him from telling The Doctor what he thinks, either!  Yay Rory!  And kudos to Arthur Darville for playing the role so perfectly too.

I found it a little disconcerting that Ambrose looked so much like she could be an older Amy - at first I was wondering if that was intentional and something will come of it, but now I doubt it.  Mind you she certainly had a some of the negative Amy aspects going on in her character - what a miserable woman. And the poor Doctor got all the blame for letting Elliot go missing (admittedly it was a bit of a lapse for him not to stop the kid from going out for headphones) - but his own mother didn’t even notice for quite a while…even when Rory asked if everyone was okay! And perhaps I missed something, but she didn’t seem overly concerned that her husband had disappeared too.
But I did thoroughly enjoy the Nasreen character though, she fit in perfectly right away.  Loved when she clapped at The Doctor’s speech.

So, all in all a decent part 1 that left you wanting to find out what happens next. Until then!

Posted by Julie  on  06/13  at  11:28 PM

This was boring.  My 12-year old son who loved Doctor Who wanted to turn it off so he could play with his Wii.  That was so surprising since he always watches Doctor Who over and over again.  Made him finish watching it though so that he can have a sort of fuller picture.  Big mistake.  He kept asking me, “why did he (the Doctor) let the boy leave?”  then, “why is nobody looking for the boy?”  Honestly, I don’t know!

Posted by Jennie  on  06/14  at  05:17 AM

As the old saying goes, “Nothing to write home about.” or to a blog for that matter.

Posted by Doug Grandy  on  06/14  at  04:54 PM

I will hold my comments until I watch Part II. Best line in Part I…“Don’t dis the sonic!’

Posted by Arev  on  06/15  at  05:13 PM