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
