You know, when this episode first started, I was having a difficult time believing it was Doctor Who! All the scenes prior to the opening credits gave me the feeling of, "Wow, far too much money was spent on these scenes for this to be Doctor Who!" I mean, seriously, flying crimson monks?!
Perhaps this was just directed VERY well, but I was amazed (I'm still talking about the opening scene).
How many times have Stargate teams visited some Medieval-village setting and have anything even remotely this exciting take place? Ummm, NEVER!
After the opening credits....
Those scenes in the country were very panoramic. Again, good direction here. Unfortunately, Rose wouldn't shut up about getting Queen Victoria to say "We are not amused". This is bad writing.
The incidental music, as has been throughout the bulk of RTD's reign as producer, was annoying and overly "let's please as many people as we can".
And, seriously, enough with the Torchwood references! RTD has used Doctor Who to advertise his spinoff show SO MUCH that I refuse to watch a single Torchwood episode. Again, bad freakin' writing.
The story so far?
Great Directing
Great Doctor
Good Plots
Lame Incidentals
Lame Credits (seriously, my screen saver's wobbly, 3D text is more amusing!)
Pedantic, self-serving Dialogue