If you go down to the core today, you're sure of a big surprise, if you go down to the core today, you'll find things you won't recognise, for every Silurian that ever was, will gather there for certain because, today's the day the humans dig up their city.
14 Reviews
Entertaining But Highly Derivative
Theo Robertson22 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I was looking forward to this episode but did have some trepidation for it . Doctor Who And The Silurians from 1970 ( Check out my review of it ) is in my opinion the greatest story from the classic series . It's an episode of great drama that mirrors that of Nigel Kneale's QUATERMASS serials from the 1950s . Probably my second favourite all time story is Inferno from 1970 ( yes check out my review of that ) that features a drilling project to tap a new source of energy from under the Earth's crust . Seeing as the episode was to feature these old monsters with a plot device stolen from Inferno I was curious if Chris Chibnall had any ideas of his own . He did write 42 from series three which was a medley megamix of every film and TV story featuring a plot set on a spaceship . He did write a very original episode for Torchwood season one entitled Cyberwoman which has got to be one of the worst pieces of television ever created . So what would we be getting ? Derititive television or debacle ?
Thankfully we didn't get debacle but we didn't get anything outstandingly original either . Fans of a certain age will instantly recognise the inspirations for the narrative . The worker being pulled down through the soil is a cross between the opening of Attack Of The Cybermen and Frontois . A barrier surrounding a small village where no one can escape is a rip off of The Deamons as is the church setting to a certain extent whilst a character finding out his skin is turning green is a plot device from both Inferno and The Green Death . There's even a line from the 1989 story " There will be no battle here " . I've always thought the strength of the programme is its originality . Maybe I'm being unfair and Chibnall is in fact the most post modernist writer in television today ?
Two serious writing flaws that can be laid at Chibnall's door is that after Amy is swallowed by the ground the Doctor doesn't seen very concerned . He's not being callous or pragmatic but seems to know that Amy will come to no harm . He may be a Time Lord who can travel through time and space , regenerate when he is mortally injured and live hundreds of years but is he clairvoyant ? Of course not . Despite meeting the Silurians before there's no logical reason for him to know he's facing Silurians at this point , and even if he does what's to stop him believing Amy hasn't been killed either out of hand or during any process of being held hostage . Another flaw is possibly down to Moffat rather than Chibnall and that is everyone lives so far . One of the great strengths of both DWAS and Inferno is that nearly no on lived which made for great and gloomy Who
Perhaps the biggest flaw with The Hungry Earth is the new Silurian design itself . The original story might have had men in rubber suits and the sequel story Warriors Of The Deep was a step downwards but both were much superior where reptile design was concerned . The new Silurians have got whiplash tongues that can poison humans but are now missing the third eyes on their foreheads . You can understand the missing third eye since it's a plot device . After all when the Silurian gets captured she could have easily used her eye to kill the humans . But that begs the question as to why she didn't use her tongue to kill them instead . And having an electronic voice would have been preferable to having the ( Not very good ) actress using her own voice
In conclusion The Hungry Earth is a story that will appeal much more to fans who can't remember the 1970s . Certainly it is something that 10 year old fans will love and has some entertaining moments and very high production values and is miles better than the 1984 tale Warriors Of The Deep . The unfortunate thing is those of us who loved the Pertwee era in general and his debut season in particular will be slightly disappointed . If however you enjoyed this episode wait until after next weeks conclusion then track down Doctor Who And The Silurians , Inferno , The Deamons and The Green Death , watch them and ask yourself if The Hungry Earth is a better story than all of the aforementioned ?
Thankfully we didn't get debacle but we didn't get anything outstandingly original either . Fans of a certain age will instantly recognise the inspirations for the narrative . The worker being pulled down through the soil is a cross between the opening of Attack Of The Cybermen and Frontois . A barrier surrounding a small village where no one can escape is a rip off of The Deamons as is the church setting to a certain extent whilst a character finding out his skin is turning green is a plot device from both Inferno and The Green Death . There's even a line from the 1989 story " There will be no battle here " . I've always thought the strength of the programme is its originality . Maybe I'm being unfair and Chibnall is in fact the most post modernist writer in television today ?
Two serious writing flaws that can be laid at Chibnall's door is that after Amy is swallowed by the ground the Doctor doesn't seen very concerned . He's not being callous or pragmatic but seems to know that Amy will come to no harm . He may be a Time Lord who can travel through time and space , regenerate when he is mortally injured and live hundreds of years but is he clairvoyant ? Of course not . Despite meeting the Silurians before there's no logical reason for him to know he's facing Silurians at this point , and even if he does what's to stop him believing Amy hasn't been killed either out of hand or during any process of being held hostage . Another flaw is possibly down to Moffat rather than Chibnall and that is everyone lives so far . One of the great strengths of both DWAS and Inferno is that nearly no on lived which made for great and gloomy Who
Perhaps the biggest flaw with The Hungry Earth is the new Silurian design itself . The original story might have had men in rubber suits and the sequel story Warriors Of The Deep was a step downwards but both were much superior where reptile design was concerned . The new Silurians have got whiplash tongues that can poison humans but are now missing the third eyes on their foreheads . You can understand the missing third eye since it's a plot device . After all when the Silurian gets captured she could have easily used her eye to kill the humans . But that begs the question as to why she didn't use her tongue to kill them instead . And having an electronic voice would have been preferable to having the ( Not very good ) actress using her own voice
In conclusion The Hungry Earth is a story that will appeal much more to fans who can't remember the 1970s . Certainly it is something that 10 year old fans will love and has some entertaining moments and very high production values and is miles better than the 1984 tale Warriors Of The Deep . The unfortunate thing is those of us who loved the Pertwee era in general and his debut season in particular will be slightly disappointed . If however you enjoyed this episode wait until after next weeks conclusion then track down Doctor Who And The Silurians , Inferno , The Deamons and The Green Death , watch them and ask yourself if The Hungry Earth is a better story than all of the aforementioned ?
Inferno meets The Silurians.......if only.
Sleepin_Dragon31 August 2015
We're back in Wales, South Wales, 2020, and something is lurking underground. A drilling project is ongoing in the area, after a target is hit something is disturbed, and pretty soon people are disappearing down into the Earth. The Doctor assists Scientist Nasreen, Tony, his daughter Ambrose and Grandson Elliot, in trying to discover what's gone wrong and what's happened to Elliot's Dad who was an earlier victim . Amy is the next victim do disappear into the Earth, and soon after a force field engulfs them, with something on way up from beneath the ground. Elliot is taken, Tony intercedes and is attacked.....by a Silurian.
I was never really a big fan of the Silurians, none of the Classic serials featuring them ever appealed to me in a big way.
I'm afraid this episode doesn't really do it for me in a big way, it has some good bits, I love the new design of the Silurians, gone are the rubber suited men with sore throats, now we have rather marvellous, sleek reptile like people. Meerya Syal and Robert Pugh are very very good. Neve Mcintosh is incredible, truly brings the Silurians back to life.
Favourite bit has to be Tony being attacked by the Silurian, and it's subsequent first proper re-appearance.
The story isn't the greatest in my opinion, I find it a little dull, I think the fact that it's a two parter makes it feel very padded in parts. There is absolutely nothing original in it. Smith has almost a casual attitude, had it been Tennant and Rose was taken I would have expected to see tension and fear, I don't even think Matt blinked an eye, slightly caught up in the episode's casual pace. 6/10
I was never really a big fan of the Silurians, none of the Classic serials featuring them ever appealed to me in a big way.
I'm afraid this episode doesn't really do it for me in a big way, it has some good bits, I love the new design of the Silurians, gone are the rubber suited men with sore throats, now we have rather marvellous, sleek reptile like people. Meerya Syal and Robert Pugh are very very good. Neve Mcintosh is incredible, truly brings the Silurians back to life.
Favourite bit has to be Tony being attacked by the Silurian, and it's subsequent first proper re-appearance.
The story isn't the greatest in my opinion, I find it a little dull, I think the fact that it's a two parter makes it feel very padded in parts. There is absolutely nothing original in it. Smith has almost a casual attitude, had it been Tennant and Rose was taken I would have expected to see tension and fear, I don't even think Matt blinked an eye, slightly caught up in the episode's casual pace. 6/10
Leaves you hungry for something better
dkiliane17 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The ground eating people has the beginnings of an interesting premise by Chris Chibnall but like the rest of the episode is only rather half-baked (and being the first of a two parter is still no excuse when the setup itself doesn't feel complete). On the plus side we are introduced to a plethora of decent supporting characters and with Amy missing the majority of the episode, Rory gets to shine a little bit here. And the Doctor with his techno babble is quite fun. His strong stance against weaponry in this episode, while technically in character, still feels hypocritical as it usually does when one thinks about other actions he's taken in the past.
Ambrose, the mother, is already starting to come off as annoying in this episode (and she doesn't get any better in the follow up). Points for the Doctor's interrogation of Alaya tho. The line "no, I know how being the last of one's species sits in the heart so don't lie to me" is especially good. The alien is rather antagonistic for no real reason but I suppose it stands to reason so is the hate that she basically characterizes. So while I realize there are some definite good things to be had here it is still a far cry from the thoroughly entertaining "42" that Chibnall penned in season 3. 7/10
Ambrose, the mother, is already starting to come off as annoying in this episode (and she doesn't get any better in the follow up). Points for the Doctor's interrogation of Alaya tho. The line "no, I know how being the last of one's species sits in the heart so don't lie to me" is especially good. The alien is rather antagonistic for no real reason but I suppose it stands to reason so is the hate that she basically characterizes. So while I realize there are some definite good things to be had here it is still a far cry from the thoroughly entertaining "42" that Chibnall penned in season 3. 7/10
A danger from below
Tweekums23 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The Doctor's plan to treat Amy and Rory to a trip to the Rio Carnival go slightly wrong when instead of landing in Brazil they find themselves in a small Welsh village in the year 2020. The Doctor notices something strange; there are patches of blue grass in the cemetery, so rather than trying to go to Rio he sets off with Amy to investigate. Rory gets left behind as he returns to the Tardis with Amy's engagement ring. The Doctor's investigations take him to a mine where two scientists who are working on an experiment drilling deep into the Earth are wondering what happened to their colleague; we know however as were were shown him being swallowed by the ground. Not long after Amy suffers a similar fate. The Doctor is convinced that she can be saved but has another worry; while the drill was going down something else was coming up. After retreating to the church The Doctor must tell Rory that Amy is missing, he also promises the family on the missing man that he will find him too. Things seem to get worse when a creature snatches a child but just as things are looking bad they manage to capture one of the creatures, it isn't alien but an ancient reptilian being that has dwelt deep in the earth for millions of years.
This opening of a two part story had plenty of great scares; even though we know Amy is bound to be okay in the end the scene where she was swallowed by the Earth was genuinely scary and anybody who is slightly claustrophobic will be scared in her later scenes where she is trapped underground. While it is good that Doctor Who monsters are no longer men in rubber suits it is a pity they don't look scarier, this was probably down to her face till looking recognisably human behind the make up. Slightly over half way through this series I'm convinced that the BBC made the right choice when they cast Matt Smith and Karen Gillan as The Doctor and his new assistant as they are both great in their roles.
This opening of a two part story had plenty of great scares; even though we know Amy is bound to be okay in the end the scene where she was swallowed by the Earth was genuinely scary and anybody who is slightly claustrophobic will be scared in her later scenes where she is trapped underground. While it is good that Doctor Who monsters are no longer men in rubber suits it is a pity they don't look scarier, this was probably down to her face till looking recognisably human behind the make up. Slightly over half way through this series I'm convinced that the BBC made the right choice when they cast Matt Smith and Karen Gillan as The Doctor and his new assistant as they are both great in their roles.
Most ridiculous ending to Dr Who Ever
skeatesyboy23 January 2020
Refreshing and effective
Moonwrack4 April 2010
I am old enough to have seen the very first episode of Dr Who when it was transmitted in 1963. I have seen many of the other Doctors in action and, is spite of being in the old-fogey age category I would say that Matt Smith has taken up the baton as the latest Doctor with great style and originality. He has clearly brought something new to the role, without losing the subtle thread of continuity extending back to William Hartnell in 1963. I hope he will stay with the part long enough to develop it even further. As for Karen Gillan; well, she is quite the best female lead since Elizabeth Sladen; maybe the two will meet in a future episode.
It was okay
wolfordcheyenne25 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It was an okay episode overall. There was nothing truly memorable about it. The plot, characters, and dialogue were all serviceable. The reason I wasn't immediately hooked was because of the dull setup and drawn out scenes. Did we really need a scene of the Doctor and people gathering electronics and supplies? There was also a lot of talking and not enough action. My favorite part was Amy getting sucked into the Earth. Karen Gillan is such a good actress, her facial expressions were on point. Hopefully more happens in part 2.
Cliffhangers
boblipton12 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The roots of DOCTOR WHO lay in serials -- indeed, the original series was run by the BBC's serials department --and its scripts effectively combined all the effects of the movie serials, including cliffhangers that would punctuate the ends of each episode of multi-episode story, good writing often overcoming inadequate budgets and a grueling pace of production.
The new Who has added a consistent back story, a season story arc and a goodly sense of humor, but a lot of the stories have been told in one episode and so have lacked that frisson of fear and anticipation that ended those episodes: how are the Doctor and his companions going to get out of this one? THE HUNGRY EARTH is the first part of a two-parter and, like its predecessor, THE TIME OF ANGELS/FLESH AND STONE, has that cliffhanger. My viewing of it left me anxious for the week to rush along so I can see the next episode.
In addition, the comparatively leisurely pace of the story lets the you know about and care for the characters and permits the plot exposition to fill in the gaps better than the single-episode stories. That certainly improves this story, so that this, the second one scripted by Chris Chibnall, is likely to be one of the highlights of the season. Chibnal does not write as many of the funny lines as Steven Moffat, but there is a much higher and constant level of tension. Director Ashley Way drives things along at a fine pace, and the costuming and special effects department have done a wonderful job of bringing the Silurians into the 21st Century.
Last year, I made an effort and bought all the dvds of classic WHO that I could find and, when I was done, I passed them onto a friend whose British wife had grown up with them. In her thank-you note, she mentioned that she had watched many an episode in its original appearance, from behind the safety of the living room couch. I don't doubt that many a child will view this episode from the same vantage point and they, like I, will wonder how the Doctor and his companions will get out of this one.
The new Who has added a consistent back story, a season story arc and a goodly sense of humor, but a lot of the stories have been told in one episode and so have lacked that frisson of fear and anticipation that ended those episodes: how are the Doctor and his companions going to get out of this one? THE HUNGRY EARTH is the first part of a two-parter and, like its predecessor, THE TIME OF ANGELS/FLESH AND STONE, has that cliffhanger. My viewing of it left me anxious for the week to rush along so I can see the next episode.
In addition, the comparatively leisurely pace of the story lets the you know about and care for the characters and permits the plot exposition to fill in the gaps better than the single-episode stories. That certainly improves this story, so that this, the second one scripted by Chris Chibnall, is likely to be one of the highlights of the season. Chibnal does not write as many of the funny lines as Steven Moffat, but there is a much higher and constant level of tension. Director Ashley Way drives things along at a fine pace, and the costuming and special effects department have done a wonderful job of bringing the Silurians into the 21st Century.
Last year, I made an effort and bought all the dvds of classic WHO that I could find and, when I was done, I passed them onto a friend whose British wife had grown up with them. In her thank-you note, she mentioned that she had watched many an episode in its original appearance, from behind the safety of the living room couch. I don't doubt that many a child will view this episode from the same vantage point and they, like I, will wonder how the Doctor and his companions will get out of this one.
Bit dull
warlordartos21 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This seems overrated to me. I have only seen the first part so far but even so if the second part is good then sure rate that high but that doesn't make up for the first part. Also the episode just ends very suddenly, rather than ending on a good cliffhanger with the lizard doctor about to dissect Amy
The Hungry Earth
studioAT11 March 2022
Hunger that will ultimately not be properly satisfied but a reasonable first course...
A_Kind_Of_CineMagic7 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The Hungry Earth / Cold Blood
This 2-part story from future Showrunner Chris Chibnall involves the Doctor, Amy and Rory arriving in a near future Earth in South Wales where a drilling operation encounters reptilian race the Silurians, who were first shown in a 3rd Doctor story in 1970. It is also clearly influenced by some bits of other 3rd Doctor stories Inferno and The Green Death but is not in the same league as the quality of those 3rd Doctor classics.
The first part is not all that original or impressive but it is quite fun and interesting with solid characterisation and acting.
The reassertion of the 1970s concept that the Silurians were a native species to Earth who evolved to extreme technological advancement hundreds of millions of years ago is scientifically implausible. Science tells us only very early forms of land dwelling creatures existed at that time on Earth. I wish they had changed that and asserted that the Silurians arrived on prehistoric Earth from an advanced world. That would be easier to understand as a standard sci-fi concept that life evolved faster and further in different parts of the universe. But it isn't a major issue just a little personal grumble.
The main issue is that I find the plot unsatisfactory in Part 2: I don't find the mother killing the Silurian captive entirely convincing and it shows utter stupidity on her part.
The Doctor's negotiations are silly expecting two random humans to be able to speak for humanity. When UNIT was involved in the original Silurian story it made sense. This one suggests the Doctor naively expects all of the nations of the world to just accept what Amy and Nasreen have negotiated! A bit naive and silly. Perhaps a sign of some of Chibnall's later writing.
Also, why does the Doctor not react at all to Amy and Rory from the future apparently coming to wave at them. That would probably have seemed weirder to them than it did in the episode and should really have puzzled the Doctor and maybe concerned him at the time? Not a big issue but another slightly questionable aspect for me.
When the continuing story arc of the crack in time comes in at the end it presents further issues for me: It has been previously established the light from the crack in time deletes you from history if you touch it and yet the Doctor reaches into the crack fearlessly! When you think that through it makes no sense. Why would he not feel that was an unnecessary risk at the very least?!
Also, why would reaching in be likely to achieve anything and isn't it actually pretty unlikely that he reaches in and picks out a piece of the TARDIS? It just does not ring true to me.
The impact of Rory's emotional death scene is lessened a bit for me by the fact he already apparently died only 2 episodes earlier and then was shown to have not died. This death also gets 'undone' and Rory returns in a future episode so on rewatches this is just another in a long line of Moffatt faking and undoing deaths of main characters. I am glad Rory wasn't killed off though as I love him.
My Ratings: The Hungry Earth - 7.5/10 Cold Blood - 5.5/10 Overall 2-part story average rating - 6.5/10.
This 2-part story from future Showrunner Chris Chibnall involves the Doctor, Amy and Rory arriving in a near future Earth in South Wales where a drilling operation encounters reptilian race the Silurians, who were first shown in a 3rd Doctor story in 1970. It is also clearly influenced by some bits of other 3rd Doctor stories Inferno and The Green Death but is not in the same league as the quality of those 3rd Doctor classics.
The first part is not all that original or impressive but it is quite fun and interesting with solid characterisation and acting.
The reassertion of the 1970s concept that the Silurians were a native species to Earth who evolved to extreme technological advancement hundreds of millions of years ago is scientifically implausible. Science tells us only very early forms of land dwelling creatures existed at that time on Earth. I wish they had changed that and asserted that the Silurians arrived on prehistoric Earth from an advanced world. That would be easier to understand as a standard sci-fi concept that life evolved faster and further in different parts of the universe. But it isn't a major issue just a little personal grumble.
The main issue is that I find the plot unsatisfactory in Part 2: I don't find the mother killing the Silurian captive entirely convincing and it shows utter stupidity on her part.
The Doctor's negotiations are silly expecting two random humans to be able to speak for humanity. When UNIT was involved in the original Silurian story it made sense. This one suggests the Doctor naively expects all of the nations of the world to just accept what Amy and Nasreen have negotiated! A bit naive and silly. Perhaps a sign of some of Chibnall's later writing.
Also, why does the Doctor not react at all to Amy and Rory from the future apparently coming to wave at them. That would probably have seemed weirder to them than it did in the episode and should really have puzzled the Doctor and maybe concerned him at the time? Not a big issue but another slightly questionable aspect for me.
When the continuing story arc of the crack in time comes in at the end it presents further issues for me: It has been previously established the light from the crack in time deletes you from history if you touch it and yet the Doctor reaches into the crack fearlessly! When you think that through it makes no sense. Why would he not feel that was an unnecessary risk at the very least?!
Also, why would reaching in be likely to achieve anything and isn't it actually pretty unlikely that he reaches in and picks out a piece of the TARDIS? It just does not ring true to me.
The impact of Rory's emotional death scene is lessened a bit for me by the fact he already apparently died only 2 episodes earlier and then was shown to have not died. This death also gets 'undone' and Rory returns in a future episode so on rewatches this is just another in a long line of Moffatt faking and undoing deaths of main characters. I am glad Rory wasn't killed off though as I love him.
My Ratings: The Hungry Earth - 7.5/10 Cold Blood - 5.5/10 Overall 2-part story average rating - 6.5/10.
The Hungry Hippo.
wetmars1 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Cwmtaff, South Wales 2020 AD. I must say, it is pretty ironic that it takes place in 2020 considering you know. They're not wearing masks! It seems like humans are drilling deep into the Earth. Those phone designs are interesting. Something is shaking violently causing a stir. But, it stopped. One of the security cameras went out. All of them. I like how atmospheric the mines are. There appears to be a hole. The man slowly approaches it. He touches it and, it gets him! Intro.
Team TARDIS lands in Rio, 2020. The Doctor notices that the ground feels strange. Two people are waving at them. The Doctor explains that it is them ten years from now. (( Hah, you wish. )) The Doctor notices "a big mining thing" As of 2021, there isn't any "big mining thing" in Rio. I love to spot the pros and cons. The Doctor gets a look. Oh, brother. At this point, Amy and Rory are so uninteresting. If you mind me complaining, I thought I was going to have fun with Series 5. For god's sake, anyway. The mining team realizes a hole that wasn't there last night. Rory goes to the TARDIS and hides the Wedding Ring somewhere in the console. Rory meets some people along the way. The Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver to open the gate. It is going to get tiring when the Sonic Screwdriver gets overused, from my point of view. Without the Sonic Screwdriver, I love to see what the Doctor does without it.
Once they are in the mines." Oh, please. Have you always been this disgusting?" Oh, you will see it in the next two seasons. Trust me. 11 and Amy meet up with Nasreen. I pretty much have to agree with her saying: "And what're you wearing?" Moffat, why? Another Earthquake happens but, it's far worse. 11 orders the mining team to run. Amy slowly gets sucked in the hole, 11 helps her. The Mining Team shuts down all drilling activity. 11 loses his grip for a bit. Are we starting with the multiple Amy deaths? Dear, lord. I feel a bit bad for 11 losing someone. He has lost many countless people. Ambrose explains to Rory that nobody has ever touched the grave since her aunt was buried. When they dug it open, the body was gone. Interesting concept of the story, after all. 11 uses his sonic screwdriver on the ground. He realizes that it is manufactured by bio-programming. He demonstrates bio-signals to resonate with the internal molecular structure of natural objects. Explaining that it is mainly used in engineering and construction, mostly jungle planets. "You're not making any sense, man." I kinda agree. 11 still hears drilling under the ground. He uses his Sonic Screwdriver hacking into their records. Probe reports, samples, sensors. Uniting the data, making it all one big conversation. 21,009 km, wow! (( Would it make it -68,927,165 ft? )) That is deeper than the Oil Field over Qatar. 11 questions Nasreen why they would drill on this site. She responds saying: "We found patches of grass in this area, containing trace minerals unseen in this country for 20 million years." 11 says that those trace minerals weren't X marking the spot, they were a warning. "Stay away." They've been drilling up. 11 orders to grab the equipment and follow. He also explains that the "noise isn't a drill, it's transport. Three of them, 30 kilometres down. Rate of speed looks about 150 kilometres an hour (( 93 mph. ))" 12 minutes. 11 uses the slingshot, there is an energy shield that is trapping them. 11 explains that it's some kind of an energy barricade, invisible to the naked eye. They can't get out and, no one from the outside world can get in. Giving me some Under the Dome vibes right here, lol. 11 vaporizes the energy shield using his Sonic Screwdriver. The Team gets in the church.
11 orders them to wisely use 8 minutes to set up a line of defense. Bringing him every phone, camera, piece of recording or transmitting equipment. Every burglar, movement sensor, security light making the whole area covered with sensors. Great montage. Ah yes, no weapons. Elliot draws out a map for 11. I like this kid! He's smart and has great chemistry with 11. Good dialogue here, Elliot: "Is it monsters coming? Have you met monsters before?" 11: "Yeah." Elliot: "You scared of them?" 11: "No, they're scared of me." 11 tries to barge in the gate. Rory asks him why he isn't using the Sonic Screwdriver. 11 responds that it doesn't do wood. Rory responds that it is rubbish. "Oi, don't diss the sonic." Lol, I love Series 5 11. They finally get in, yet again an Earthquake happens turning off the power. "It's coming through the final layer of Earth." The team wonders where Elliot is, oh boy. I like how 11 feels regret realizing that he shouldn't let Elliot go. He knocks on the door. It takes him. Yet, the two others run off to find him. The woman is taken. The Old Man attempts to fight it off but fails. 11 promises her to find Elliot and orders her to get inside the Church along with the others. 11 wearing sunglasses, haha. Just wait until your next incarnation!
"I know who they are!" Oh yes, you do 11. 11 uses the CO2 gas against it and traps it. We are back with Amy. She gets gassed. 11 confronts the green being, he removes the mask. And I have many words. "Remnant by a bygone age on planet Earth." First off, I don't dig those Silurian designs. I prefer my Silurian designs based on Doctor Who and the Silurians, but whatever. I like how 11 confronts them as 3 did. Alaya explains that their sensors detected a threat to their life support systems. The warrior class was activated to prevent the assault, planning to wipe out the vermin from the surface and reclaim Earth as their planet. 11 plans to go down below the surface to find the rest of the tribe to talk to them. We got our Silurian reference, oh yeah! Great explanation here. "They're not aliens. They're Earth-liens. Once known as the Silurian race, or, some would argue, Eocenes, or Homo Reptilia. Not monsters, not evil. Well, only as evil as you are. The previous owners of the planet." Mack responds saying "what if they come back? Shouldn't we examining this creature? Dissecting it, finding its weak points?" Again, I like how 11 is sort of "defending" them. 11, Mack, and Nasreen enter the TARDIS. The TARDIS gets hijacked since the Silurians sensed the electromagnetic field, thus pulling the TARDIS down into the Earth. Mack is infected with something, yikes. 11 exits the TARDIS. Again. We're back with Amy. A man near her explains that the Silurians have been dissecting him. A Silurian scientist approaches Amy with a scalpel. 11 and Nasreen look down. "Maybe more than a dozen. Maybe more like an entire civilization living beneath the Earth." Cliffhanger!
Thoughts?
I do appreciate that the story was slow, setting it up as I am not a huge fan of fast-paced stories. Also, I like how there is no music throughout the episode. I think 11 might be the highlight of the story. It would be interesting to see 3 in this kind of situation. I like how this episode is without Amy. She is unbearable.
7/10, I am surprised by how I am entertained by this. It is still a good story.
Team TARDIS lands in Rio, 2020. The Doctor notices that the ground feels strange. Two people are waving at them. The Doctor explains that it is them ten years from now. (( Hah, you wish. )) The Doctor notices "a big mining thing" As of 2021, there isn't any "big mining thing" in Rio. I love to spot the pros and cons. The Doctor gets a look. Oh, brother. At this point, Amy and Rory are so uninteresting. If you mind me complaining, I thought I was going to have fun with Series 5. For god's sake, anyway. The mining team realizes a hole that wasn't there last night. Rory goes to the TARDIS and hides the Wedding Ring somewhere in the console. Rory meets some people along the way. The Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver to open the gate. It is going to get tiring when the Sonic Screwdriver gets overused, from my point of view. Without the Sonic Screwdriver, I love to see what the Doctor does without it.
Once they are in the mines." Oh, please. Have you always been this disgusting?" Oh, you will see it in the next two seasons. Trust me. 11 and Amy meet up with Nasreen. I pretty much have to agree with her saying: "And what're you wearing?" Moffat, why? Another Earthquake happens but, it's far worse. 11 orders the mining team to run. Amy slowly gets sucked in the hole, 11 helps her. The Mining Team shuts down all drilling activity. 11 loses his grip for a bit. Are we starting with the multiple Amy deaths? Dear, lord. I feel a bit bad for 11 losing someone. He has lost many countless people. Ambrose explains to Rory that nobody has ever touched the grave since her aunt was buried. When they dug it open, the body was gone. Interesting concept of the story, after all. 11 uses his sonic screwdriver on the ground. He realizes that it is manufactured by bio-programming. He demonstrates bio-signals to resonate with the internal molecular structure of natural objects. Explaining that it is mainly used in engineering and construction, mostly jungle planets. "You're not making any sense, man." I kinda agree. 11 still hears drilling under the ground. He uses his Sonic Screwdriver hacking into their records. Probe reports, samples, sensors. Uniting the data, making it all one big conversation. 21,009 km, wow! (( Would it make it -68,927,165 ft? )) That is deeper than the Oil Field over Qatar. 11 questions Nasreen why they would drill on this site. She responds saying: "We found patches of grass in this area, containing trace minerals unseen in this country for 20 million years." 11 says that those trace minerals weren't X marking the spot, they were a warning. "Stay away." They've been drilling up. 11 orders to grab the equipment and follow. He also explains that the "noise isn't a drill, it's transport. Three of them, 30 kilometres down. Rate of speed looks about 150 kilometres an hour (( 93 mph. ))" 12 minutes. 11 uses the slingshot, there is an energy shield that is trapping them. 11 explains that it's some kind of an energy barricade, invisible to the naked eye. They can't get out and, no one from the outside world can get in. Giving me some Under the Dome vibes right here, lol. 11 vaporizes the energy shield using his Sonic Screwdriver. The Team gets in the church.
11 orders them to wisely use 8 minutes to set up a line of defense. Bringing him every phone, camera, piece of recording or transmitting equipment. Every burglar, movement sensor, security light making the whole area covered with sensors. Great montage. Ah yes, no weapons. Elliot draws out a map for 11. I like this kid! He's smart and has great chemistry with 11. Good dialogue here, Elliot: "Is it monsters coming? Have you met monsters before?" 11: "Yeah." Elliot: "You scared of them?" 11: "No, they're scared of me." 11 tries to barge in the gate. Rory asks him why he isn't using the Sonic Screwdriver. 11 responds that it doesn't do wood. Rory responds that it is rubbish. "Oi, don't diss the sonic." Lol, I love Series 5 11. They finally get in, yet again an Earthquake happens turning off the power. "It's coming through the final layer of Earth." The team wonders where Elliot is, oh boy. I like how 11 feels regret realizing that he shouldn't let Elliot go. He knocks on the door. It takes him. Yet, the two others run off to find him. The woman is taken. The Old Man attempts to fight it off but fails. 11 promises her to find Elliot and orders her to get inside the Church along with the others. 11 wearing sunglasses, haha. Just wait until your next incarnation!
"I know who they are!" Oh yes, you do 11. 11 uses the CO2 gas against it and traps it. We are back with Amy. She gets gassed. 11 confronts the green being, he removes the mask. And I have many words. "Remnant by a bygone age on planet Earth." First off, I don't dig those Silurian designs. I prefer my Silurian designs based on Doctor Who and the Silurians, but whatever. I like how 11 confronts them as 3 did. Alaya explains that their sensors detected a threat to their life support systems. The warrior class was activated to prevent the assault, planning to wipe out the vermin from the surface and reclaim Earth as their planet. 11 plans to go down below the surface to find the rest of the tribe to talk to them. We got our Silurian reference, oh yeah! Great explanation here. "They're not aliens. They're Earth-liens. Once known as the Silurian race, or, some would argue, Eocenes, or Homo Reptilia. Not monsters, not evil. Well, only as evil as you are. The previous owners of the planet." Mack responds saying "what if they come back? Shouldn't we examining this creature? Dissecting it, finding its weak points?" Again, I like how 11 is sort of "defending" them. 11, Mack, and Nasreen enter the TARDIS. The TARDIS gets hijacked since the Silurians sensed the electromagnetic field, thus pulling the TARDIS down into the Earth. Mack is infected with something, yikes. 11 exits the TARDIS. Again. We're back with Amy. A man near her explains that the Silurians have been dissecting him. A Silurian scientist approaches Amy with a scalpel. 11 and Nasreen look down. "Maybe more than a dozen. Maybe more like an entire civilization living beneath the Earth." Cliffhanger!
Thoughts?
I do appreciate that the story was slow, setting it up as I am not a huge fan of fast-paced stories. Also, I like how there is no music throughout the episode. I think 11 might be the highlight of the story. It would be interesting to see 3 in this kind of situation. I like how this episode is without Amy. She is unbearable.
7/10, I am surprised by how I am entertained by this. It is still a good story.
The Hungry Earth
MrFilmAndTelevisionShow7 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A plenty fine start to the two parter, I never thought much of the Homo-Reptilia species, unlike the Jadoon, Cybermen, Daleks, and my personal favourite the Weeping Angels they always seemed boring and rather irrelivant, but I think this episode does them some justice they actually appear sane and reasonable (at least some of them do).
The premise itself of this episode is very interesting, it leaves the viewer wondering what is burrowing up to get them while they drill down as far as they can.
The premise itself of this episode is very interesting, it leaves the viewer wondering what is burrowing up to get them while they drill down as far as they can.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
