SMITH AND JONES - The Co-Pilot's initial reaction

I liked SMITH AND JONES. I liked it's style and it's wonderful visual effects. I liked the adult tone - the cruel death of the senior doctor, the horrible effect of the Judoon gun zapping a hapless hospital person. Mostly however I liked SMITH AND JONES because it wasn't crappoola! Unlike the puerile "romps" RTD has specialised in (perhaps the worst exampe of which is NEW EARTH), SMITH AND JONES is classy, tense in parts and fun in a non schticky kind of way. I am delighted to say it didn't feel like it was being made to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Martha is wonderful straight off the bat...and what spunk! Tennant manages to be less cringe inducing that usual, putting one in mind of the fine actor he is often reputed to be. In short, a fine season opener...at last! I suspect this will be one of the lesser stories of the year, which bodes wonderfully well for a sparkling season ahead.

The Co-Pilot