Once more up to previous Russell standards.

Sheer prime time TV class; We are a very lucky nation.

I thought this second episode did not live up to the first. The ending was hurried, with the main conclusion of the story given only a brief narration, seemingly to make room for the slushy "human interest" element.

I still think Thomas Sangster gave the best performance throughout. Good casting, but poor writing.

This story was adapted from a Dr Who book by Paul Cornell so that explains it's strength. Also a new producer, Suzie Liggit.

Lots of regerences to the originals Dr Who series with sketches of William Hartnell through to Paul McGann in Smith's notebook. The name John Smith was the Doctor's cover name in the Jon Pertwee era. There were also clever references to Sydney Newman who created Dr Who, and Verity Lambert, the original (and best) producer - in this story Smith said how his father was named Sydney and his mother was Verity. Plus the little girl with the red balloon was a close relection to the one in Remembrance of the Daleks, with even the same tune played in the background.

Episode two did fall apart slightly, but overall this was the best story so far since RTD took over.

If my baby boy was a girl (!) she would have been named Verity after.......