This was David Tennants Debut adventure on Christmas day 2005. I will now rate it on five things. The plot, The acting, The monster, The companion involvement and overall enjoyment.
The Plot:
Basically the doctor has just regenerated and crash lands on Earth seriously ill due to the regeneration. He is asleep for the first half of the story and when Rose goes shopping she and Mickey are attacked by a group of robot santas. When she goes home she is attacked by a killer christmas tree which is thankfully destroyed by the doctor who has appeared to suddenly got his health back but after defeating it he collapses and is worse than before. A space probe is stolen by a group of aliens and Rose and Mickey are scared, The next day the aliens arrive and take over the population. Rose, Mickey and Jackie hide the doctor in the TARDIS but when Jackie goes out of the ship it is teleported. Rose stands off against the leader and then the doctor wakes up. Has a fight and teleports everyone back to earth. This is when the PM sends an order to Torchwood to destroy the Sycorax ship. They eat dinner and then Rose and the Doctor travel again.
Overall its not got the best plot in the world but most post-regenration stories don't. 6/10
The acting:
In this David Tennant is mainly asleep but when he finally wakes up his acting is on top form. He has all the gimickiness he has throughout his reign and is an enjoyment to watch. Next we have Billie Piper. She seems to be very unnerved by the new actor and there isn't much chemistry until the final scene of the episode. She also seems bored and is not on her best form. Camille Cordrui (Jackie Tyler) Is as brilliant as ever in this. With her one liners and worried mother acting about her its obvious she loves the job and warms to Billie brilliantly as ever. Next we have Noel Clarke who plays Mickey. In this his acting is awefully average and isn't on top form. We then have the guest cast the only one who is half decent is Penelope Wilton who plays Harriet Jones. She shows the dark side of Harriet very well and is also much better than in her debut adventure with Christopher Eccleston. Certainly more enjoyable in this and good to watch.
Acting very average in this story. 5/10
The Monsters:
There are two monsters in this story. The Sycorax and The pilot fish. The latter are the first to appear. They aren't very well made. They also arent a very big threat doing more damage to eachother rather than The Doctor and Co. The highlight of the Pilot fish are there Christmas tree which wrecks Jackie Tylers flat and allows for some funny one-liners. Thankfully they were better in The Runaway bride. We then have the big monsters. The Sycorax. Unlike the pilot fish these are very well made, very scary and also pose a threat. Sadly the doctor defeats them easily which knocks off half a mark but these are very very good monsters.
One brilliant monster, one terrible monster. 5/10
Companion envolvement:
Rose and Mickey are very important to this story and it certainly wouldn't be the same without them. Used just enough to make them good but not to much to make them annoying Russell got the measurements bang on in this story which makes the companions very very envolved. Losing a couple of points for doing nothing once the doctor woke up they lose a few points for that.
Very well used. Enjoyable to watch. 8/10
Overall enjoyment:
With some excellent one liners. Some beautiful monsters and in some cases good acting this was a very enjoyable story to watch. Its also recommended by me and I think its a good way to start David Tennants era.
A pretty little Gem: 7/10
Overall score: 31/50
