Series 1, Episode 4 | First broadcast: 16 April 2005 | Writer: Russell T Davies | Director: Keith Boak
Cast
- Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor
- Billie Piper as Rose Tyler
- Camille Coduri as Jackie Tyler
- Noel Clarke as Mickey Smith
- Annette Badland as Margaret Blaine (Slitheen)
- Penelope Wilton as Harriet Jones
- Naoko Mori as Dr Sato
Summary
The Doctor brings Rose home, only to discover the TARDIS has landed a year later than intended, and Rose has been missing and presumed involved in her own disappearance for twelve months. Their reunion with Jackie and Mickey is interrupted when an alien spacecraft crash-lands in the Thames in full view of London, sending the country into a state of emergency. As the government and military scramble to respond, the Doctor suspects the crash is a hoax, and uncovers the alien crime family the Slitheen, who have infiltrated 10 Downing Street disguised as high-ranking officials, wearing the skins of the humans they have killed.
Interesting Facts
- This is the first of a two-part story, concluding in “World War Three,” and the first multi-part story of the revived series.
- It marks the first appearance of the Slitheen, a family of alien con artists who compress themselves inside human skin suits.
- Rose’s extended absence forces the story to deal directly with the emotional fallout of time travel on the people left behind.
- Penelope Wilton’s Harriet Jones, introduced here as a minor backbench MP, would return in several future episodes as Prime Minister.
- The episode’s flatulence-heavy humor from the Slitheen proved divisive among fans and critics, becoming one of the more debated creative choices of the revived series’ first year.
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