Ep 2. The End of the World

In this episode of Doctor Who, the Time Lord takes his new companion, Rose Tyler, on her first full TARDIS voyage. But instead of arriving at a specific destination, the Doctor surprises Rose by taking her to witness the destruction of the Earth-- five billion years in the future. The pair soon discovers that they are not alone in observing this event: they have joined a group of wealthy galactic tourists who are watching the world end from the safety of their own planet.

As the episode unfolds, the Doctor and Rose meet an array of alien characters, from a stylized tree-like being and a humanoid cat to an autopilot robot and a blue, gelatinous blob. Through these interactions, the audience learns more about the show's sci-fi universe and its diverse inhabitants. Many of the characters have come to the end of the universe to bear witness to the last moments before its destruction, including Cassandra, the last surviving human, who has preserved herself in an enlarged frame of skin stretched tight over a metal frame. The show's special effects and makeup teams excel at bringing these creatures to life, creating a sense of otherness that furthers the show's imaginative spirit.

Although the main plot of the episode revolves around witnessing the apocalypse, there are several subplots scattered throughout the episode that offer glimpses into the Doctor's character and Rose's growth as a companion. The Doctor's quirks and oddball tendencies first become apparent as he fixes the broken autopilot device that controls the platform that the tourists have gathered on. Rose, meanwhile, begins to understand just how dangerous her travels with the Doctor can be when she realizes just how easily she could have died during their adventure.

As the end gets closer, the tension ramps up. The planet that the tourists are on is built to withstand the destruction of the Earth, but various systems begin to fail, including a powerful force field that was supposed to protect the onlookers from the sun's expansion. The Doctor rushes around, trying to solve one problem after another, all while urging the humans and other beings on the platform to band together and stay calm. It is in these highly charged moments that the audience sees the Doctor's fierce intelligence and courage, as he refuses to give up in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

This episode also sets the stage for a number of future storylines. Rose wonders whether the Doctor always travels alone, to which the Time Lord responds that he used to have a family but they are all gone. When Rose asks about his home planet, the Doctor tells her that it was destroyed in a war-- an event that will become important as the show progresses. Additionally, the episode introduces the concept of the Time War, a conflict that drove the Doctor to become a wanderer and left him as the last of his kind.

Overall, this episode is an excellent introduction to the show for new viewers, as it includes all of the elements that make Doctor Who a popular and enduring science fiction series. From the quirky and charismatic characters to the stunning special effects and imaginative worldbuilding, The End of the World is an excellent example of the type of storytelling that has made Doctor Who so beloved by fans around the world.