Doctor Who Project - "New Earth"

The first thing I noticed about this episode is that it's the first story since the show's return to be set on another planet (OK we came pretty close with the Platform 1 and Satellite 5/the Gamestation but they were in orbit around Earth). Seems odd that I've only just picked up on that but maybe the first series was set predominately on Earth deliberately. OK not like a Pertwee banishment to Earth but more of a BBC budget restriction and the success of that first series allowed them a bigger chunk and the freedom to create new worlds?

Interesting point over. This episode is probably most memorable for the return of Cassandra and The Face of Boe from "The End of the World". Not sure why either warrants a return to be honest.

I guess "New Earth" is Russell T Davies commenting on colonialism (the human race expanding into the stars and naming new places after old places back home ie how many places in the US are named after towns and cities from the UK, Ireland etc? Even New York's name comes from York so what better than to add another new to the name. Of course it could just be a reference to Futurama!) and stem cell research (bodies grown for the purpose of infection in order to find cures). The morality of the latter being questioned in the story.

This story is also memorable for Cassandra possessing Rose. Finally Rose is sexy! Billie Piper's performance in this story (playing Cassandra possesing her body) reminds me of Billie Piper's post Who job 'Secret Diary of a Call Girl'. Also there's the further nod to cosmetic plastic surgery being taken too far. I like how it's resolved at the end with Cassandra (in Chip's body) telling her past self (ie when she was more than just a fold of skin and and a face) how beautiful she is. This was revealed earlier in the episode to be the last time that anyone told her she was beautiful. Very fitting, the last time she was told she was beautiful was when she was completely or fairly natural. Funny thing is it's  Cassandra herself that tells her that she is beautiful! Hmm self fulfilling?!