DW 02-08: The Impossible Planet (part 1)

A Guide to Classic Who references (and other references) in New Who episodes.

Doctor Who series 2, episode 8 (part 1 of Story 18).  Rose & the Doctor visit a base on a planet in a black hole with the TARDIS.

Viewing Order

• 01-01  "Rose" (Suggested viewing - introduction of characters.)
• Children in Need - "Born Again" or Christmas Special 2005 - "The Christmas Invasion" (Suggested viewing - reintroduction of character.)

References

[1ST] -  The first appearance of things in Doctor Who series.
[NEW] - Things that first appeared previously in the new series.

[OLD] - Things that first appeared in the classic series (or the film.)  Episode List.

• [OLD]  Indigestion - Eighth Doctor previously stated that the TARDIS suffered from indigestion when it ate the Master in the movie.

• [1ST]  Sanctuary Base - First appearance of this type of base.

• [1ST]  Sanctuary Base 6 - First appearance of this particular base, although it seems that the name was assigned to the Walker Expedition base before Walker was given his mission.

• [NEW]  Ancient Writing - First appearance of this writing, unless you count the Tardisode which included it in a book that turned up in the effects of the  Geddes Mission from the other side of the galaxy.

• [NEW]  The Ood - First appearance of this race, unless you count the Tardisode.

• [NEW]  Krop Tor - First appearance of this planet, previously mentioned (but unnamed) in the Tardisode.

• [NEW]  Black Hole - First appearance of K37 Gem 5, the black hole previously mentioned in the Tardisode.

• [NEW] Captain Walker - Killed in the trip to Krop Tor and does not appear in the episode.  He did appear in the Tardisode.

• [NEW]  The Beast - First mention of this entity, unless you count the Tardisode.

• [1ST]  The Scarlet System - First mention of this solar system.  Seems like the last, too.  Not sure if it is named after the red colour it appears to have, if it slept with another solar system's husband or if for some other reason.

• [1ST]  Pallushi - First mention of this race and their civilisation.  It's a little known fact that soft toys made to resemble members of this race are called "Pallushi Plushies."

• [1ST]  Grown TARDIS - Although the nature of TARDISes are fairly obscure, this seems to be the first time the TARDISes were said to be grown.  Other non-screen sources have suggested they use organic mater for computing and the Doctor's TARDIS is often treated as if alive.

• [1ST]  Basic - First reference to this measure of telepathy.

• [NEW]  The Pit - First mention of this location, unless you count the Tardisode.

• [OLD]  Space Suit - This is not the first one the Doctor has worn.  The Second Doctor looked stylish in one in "The Moonbase."

• [1ST]  Gravity Globe - First appearance of this device.

The 10 Rules to Doctor Who.

(Read the rules here.)

10.  The TARDIS is for arriving at the location of the story at the beginning of the episode and leaving at the end.  This is because Time Travel is the excuse for the story, not that the story is about.  Unless the episode is written by Steve Moffat, then it's definitely about Time Travel.

Only used for time travel then disappears.  [1]

9.  No one can cross their own Time Stream, except when they do.

No one tries. [1]

8.  There's no situation that can't be briefly defused by a non sequitur.

If an East Ender reference at the bottom of a well on a planet impossibly orbiting a black hole doesn't count, nothing does.  [1]

7.  The Doctor is both the most serious and most frivolous person in the room - any room - at the same time.  And he does that without becoming insane.  Mostly.

As always, although Rose does have some light back-and-forth with a couple of the Expedition crew.  [1]

6.  The last episode of every series must contain the Master or at least one Dalek.  Every time.  However briefly.

Not a series final.  [NA]

5.  The main companion will be a young contemporary British female.  Although, to be

fair, almost everyone in the Universe is British and most things happen in contemporary London.

Rose is a young female contemporary companion.  (Future space setting.)  [1] 

4.  The more emotionless a species, cyborg or robot the more likely they are to be destroyed by emotions.  This is true of the Daleks.  It is particularly true of the Cybermen.

The issue doesn't really come up.  The Ood aren't described as emotionless.  [0]

3.  Even if the episode title contains the words "Dalek(s)" or "Cyberman/men" the presence of the Daleks and or Cybermen will at the beginning be treated as a mystery and their revelation a surprise.

The meaning of the Impossible Planet is given pretty soon and isn't a spoiler.  [.5]

2.  The nature of the threat will be revealed to the audience before the Doctor.  The truth behind the threat will be unknowable by the audience until it is explained by the Doctor.

As a part one, we're still mostly in the audience gets more information stage.  [.5]

1.  The most dangerous creature in any situation is the last of its kind.  This sometimes also applies to aliens other than The Doctor.

No lasts of their kind besides the Doctor.. or is there?  [.5]

Score:  6.5/9.

~ DUG.