20 years of New Who! It all started here, with Rose.

Rose itself is a very solid episode of television. While it's got a good story (albeit not anything special), the real standout here is the characters. This episode serves as an introduction to the show, and it does a brilliant job at doing so. Just like An Unearthly Child, this story starts with the perspective of the companion(s). More than ever we are put in their place, and see the world through their eyes. The more relatable characters of Rose's life grounds the show in the present and gets you on board very effectively. Rose is extremely well characterised here, she doesn't simply stand and watch, she is involved and very relevant to whatever's going on.

But perhaps the most intriguing part of this episode is the Doctor himself. Christopher Ecclestone is absolutely the Doctor here, his performance is on point. His speech about the turning of the earth, the jokes he makes and even the way he walks builds the character up perfectly in not just acting as a familiarity for old fans, but grabbing the attention of new viewers and setting up for what's to come. Here, the Doctor is very much presented in a manor that would appeal more to a 2005 audience than any of the older doctors, but that doesn't mean he isn't the doctor through and through. Rose gives you a great idea of what the 9th Doctor is like and makes you want to see more.

The plot itself is alright, good, but not amazing. However, I'd argue that it doesn't need to be. It's a functional way of setting up these characters and the title of the episode itself, 'Rose', implies that the story is about it's characters rather than the plot. The opening shot is fantastic and immediately puts us from space into Rose's perspective within seconds. I think the tone balancing is probably the weakest thing here. Some aspects of the story are quite goofy and do feel a bit out of place, but it's not a major issue. ALSO: obligatory shout-out to Murray Gold for the incredible soundtrack that definitely contributes to the atmosphere that sells this episode.

1970's Spearhead From Space bares quite a few similarities to Rose, as it has a relatively simple plot too, but it's effective in setting up what's to come. I would say that I probably prefer Spearhead From Space to Rose, but that doesn't mean Rose is bad at all, it's actually quite a good episode. However, Rose is not on the same level as what's to come so it's only fair to later episodes that I give Rose a 7/10. A good start to the next 20 years of New Who!