The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit [TV/2006.6.3 ~ 6.10]

★★★★★

  Before I go along and write actual, meaningful thoughts on this superb two-parter (there, if the five-star rating wasn't an indication of my opinion towards it, then this adjective surely will), I'd just like to say that Murray Gold really outdid himself with the music here. Parts of it almost remind me of Marcin Przybyłowicz's score for The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (I'm not going insane, I promise you) and in case you don't get the reference point... it means I bloody love it. Haunting and emotional in all the right ways, the score is. 

  It's not just the score that excels... hell, this entire two-parter is incredibly strong stuff that has aged so well. The slowly creeping dread, the smashing return of the base-under-siege format, some gorgeous set design that rivals the best of the classic series', a practically peerless rendition of the Tenth Doctor and Rose and their relationship and equally splendid work with the characters on the space station... whenever something leaves me actually speechless, at a loss on where to even begin, then it's always the best sign. The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit is a slick, expensive-looking TV adventure with some gorgeous directorial cues to dish out genuine creeps and eerie sensations, and its narrative scratches that itch I always have with wanting more science fiction stories that verge on the supernatural, the almost Lovecraftian (though I'd hesitate to call this that) sense of impending dread concerning an entity so vast and so ancient that "beating" it is practically impossible. That's right, Dr. Who tackles actual Satan, and I'm actually surprised how those uptight Christian families didn't have a recorded outrage over it. This is the Beast, properly so, with horns and roars and gruesome red skin and all. Its CGI stands up so well -- again, artistic integrity and how it ages with time and all that. The well-realised devil imagery (complete with other elements that really take my fancy, such as indecipherable ancient language texts and mysterious, creepy cave drawings) and David Tennant and Billie Piper acting their hearts out? The Doctor plunging into the depths because there's no other way, with his supposed last words being about Rose and how she'd know what he was going to say? This two-parter does a lot of heavy lifting for the importance and emotional resonance of Ten and Rose, and I'm here for all of that. Just... fantastic character work all around. I guess former Virgin New Adventures writers really have it in them to write fantastic TV episodes.

  So yes, this really is a game-changer. First proper alien planet, a return to form for the tried-and-true base under siege format with a new coat of paint, two lead actors directed by the production to act their absolute hearts out (Rose's reaction to "losing" the Doctor, and also to hearing about her own future "death"... Billie Piper really was one of a kind), a great introduction to the Ood (an alien race which so obviously needed a further exploration, which they eventually got), and a story that's actually willing to go there and take the extra step into actual insanity... I mean, the actual Devil! What were they thinking? Can I have some more of this in Dr. Who? The two-parter that really sealed the deal that this silly science fiction television show was back in spectacular fashion, and back to stay; supreme confidence to be witnessed in all aspects.