If you’re reading this review, you should realize that it might contain “spoilers”. You’ve been warned.

The first episode of the new series of Doctor Who featuring David Tennant as the good Doctor was transmitted by the BBC today.

Although Tennant made his debut in the Christmas Special, he really spent most of the time in a post-regenerative coma and barely did anything till the end – but what he did do towards the end left me with great hope for the future. He actually saved the day, something the last Doctor never really did.

I had a lot of concern when I learned that Lady Cassandra, a particularly stupid character from last year’s “End of the World” would be returning in this episode. Despite that, now having watched the full episode I can safely say,

David Tennant is The Doctor!

Hurrah and congratulations all round.

There are two major sub-plots in “New Earth” really have nothing to do with one another, in fact, the Lady Cassandra plot seems to have been brought in just to (a) bring back her character, (b) provide an opportunity to make it look like Rose and the Doctor kiss each other in the previews and (c) kill time because the main plot isn’t fleshed out enough for a full 45 minute episode.

The first plot involved Cassandra putting her mind into Rose’s body. Later on, hilarity ensues as she keeps her mind leaping from body to body like a brain version of musical chairs. With a little luck, Cassandra is really dead this time.

The second plot, and, presumably, the main plot, concerns a hospital on New Earth, which has amazing restorative powers, far beyond what technology should have at this point in time. The Doctor has received a psychic call from the Face of Boe, who has something important to tell the “timeless wanderer god” before he dies.

Of course, something is afoot, and the sisters who run the hospital are not as merciful as they first seem.

Unlike the previous series of Who, when the chips are down in this episode, the Doctor steps up to the plate, risks his life and limb and saves the day and brings the dawn of the new human race.

Even though the story was a bit weak, the Doctor’s character is wonderful and it looks like he’s going to be a man of action.

Here’s to a long tenure for David Tennant as the Doctor!

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