Ep 2. Dinosaurs On a Spaceship

As the second episode of season 7 of Doctor Who (2005), "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship" takes audiences on an exciting journey through time and space as the Doctor and his companions cross paths with a group of automated robots and a cargo ship full of prehistoric creatures. The episode begins with the Doctor receiving an urgent message from the Indian Space Agency, who have detected an unidentified vessel on a collision course with Earth. The Doctor quickly recruits his companions, Amy and Rory, and a few familiar faces from the Doctor’s past to help him investigate the source of the distress signal.

As they board the alien vessel, the Doctor quickly determines that they are not alone. The ship is being run by a group of automated robots, who have been keeping its prehistoric inhabitants in stasis for millions of years. But as he explores deeper into the ship, the Doctor discovers that the cargo hold is teeming with dinosaur life.

From here, the episode follows two narratives that come together in a thrilling climactic battle. One narrative follows the Doctor as he attempts to disable the bomb that is set to detonate and destroy the ship, and the other narrative follows the Doctor’s companions as they trek across the cargo hold, encountering various species of dinosaurs. This includes a Tyrannosaurus Rex that has some surprising abilities, a loving pair of Triceratops, and a Pterodactyl that the Doctor catches as it flies by.

Meanwhile, the ship’s captain, Solomon, who has recruited the automated robots to help him acquire the dinosaurs and their remains as valuable commodities, has tracked the Doctor down and taken Amy and Rory hostage. What follows is a tense and thrilling showdown that sees the Doctor and his companions fighting for their lives against both the robots and Solomon.

The episode’s strength lies in its ability to balance humor, tension, and sheer spectacle. With a cast of characters ranging from the Doctor to a bunch of robots to a pack of dinosaurs, "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship" manages to weave a fun and entertaining story that is both light and dark, silly and serious.

Notably, the episode features the introduction of Rory’s father, Brian Williams, played by the veteran actor and comedian Mark Williams. Brian’s addition to the show provides a unique perspective both in terms of being an outsider to the TARDIS crew, and as a father figure to Rory. His presence is a welcome addition to the show and helps ground the fantastical events of the episode.

Overall, "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship" is a great example of why Doctor Who continues to captivate audiences. It features a wild concept—dinosaurs in space—that is executed with a deft balance of humor, action, and character development. The episode is a must-watch for fans of the show and a great jumping-off point for new viewers looking to get a taste of what makes Doctor Who so special.