A new Doctor. A new companion dynamic. A new planet. And, oh my! We are having fun!
Watching these episodes in order, era followed by era, the difference in Doctor/lead actor dynamic has never been clearer, and whereas New Earth, first broadcast on April 15, 2006, isn't the strongest entry into the canon it marks the beginning of the Tenth Doctor’s era is commanding style, setting out to prove that Doctor Who is bigger, bolder, and funnier than ever. Written by Russell T Davies and directed by James Hawes, this episode leans into the show’s newfound confidence, taking us to an alien world, revisiting familiar faces, and blending comedy with horror in a way that only Doctor Who can.
The episode wastes no time in establishing the renewed chemistry between David Tennant’s Doctor and Billie Piper’s Rose. The playful energy that made them such a compelling duo in The Christmas Invasion is now fully cemented, and their lighthearted banter as they step onto New Earth is filled with excitement. The Doctor is positively giddy at the prospect of showing Rose something new, and Tennant’s infectious enthusiasm makes the audience just as eager for the adventure ahead.
New Earth itself is a striking setting. A gleaming futuristic city contrasted against the sterile, white interior of the hospital run by the Sisters of Plenitude. The world-building is efficient, quickly immersing the viewer in a society where feline humanoid nuns heal patients with almost miraculous speed. But, of course, something sinister lurks beneath the surface, and it’s not long before the Doctor and Rose become entangled in a dark secret—one involving a seemingly miraculous cure and the terrible cost behind it.
The return of Cassandra, played with delightful extravagance by Zoë Wanamaker, is a surprising yet welcome twist. Last seen in The End of the World, Cassandra was seemingly obliterated, but here she is back, surviving as nothing more than a consciousness, desperate to avoid her final death. Her bodyswapping antics, jumping between Rose, the Doctor, and various unfortunate victims, add an unpredictable layer of comedy and chaos to the episode. Billie Piper, in particular, gets a chance to showcase her range, embodying Cassandra with a mix of camp, vanity, and, ultimately, unexpected depth.
While the body-swapping hijinks provide the humor, the hospital’s true horror lies in its basement. Rows upon rows of artificially grown human beings, used as living test subjects for disease cures, create one of the show’s most chilling visuals. The reveal that they are sentient, capable of suffering, and desperate for freedom is a gut-punch moment that reaffirms Doctor Who’s ability to balance silliness with genuine horror. The Doctor’s anger upon uncovering the truth is palpable, and Tennant shines in his first proper moral showdown, calling out the Sisters for their cruelty.
The climax of the episode is classic Russell T Davies—chaos, action, and heartfelt resolution all rolled into one. The Doctor, using his quick wit and scientific know-how, manages to spread a cure through the diseased hordes, turning what seemed like an unstoppable catastrophe into an unexpected moment of hope. Meanwhile, Cassandra’s final moments offer a surprisingly emotional send-off. Her last request—to inhabit her former servant Chip, if only for a moment—reveals a hint of the person she once was, making her demise oddly poignant. It’s a testament to the episode’s writing that a character who spent most of the story as a comedic antagonist ends up with a genuinely touching farewell.
Rewatching New Earth in 2025, it remains a fun, high-energy opener for the new season. While it doesn’t reach the emotional heights of some of the era’s later classics, it serves as an effective showcase for Tennant’s Doctor, establishing his blend of charm, righteous fury, and boundless curiosity. It also reinforces the show’s ability to mix genres effortlessly—sci-fi, horror, comedy, and character drama all swirling together in a way that feels uniquely Doctor Who.
With the Doctor and Rose firmly set on their next journey, New Earth closes with an air of excitement. The Tenth Doctor is here, and he’s ready to take us anywhere.
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