The Eleventh Hour (Doctor Who)

Eleventh Hour (Doctor Who)

The Eleventh Hour is the first episode of the fifth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, which was first broadcast on BBC One on 3 April 2010. It marks the debut of Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor and introduces Karen Gillan as the new companion, Amy Pond. The episode was written by Steven Moffat, who took over as showrunner from Russell T Davies.

Plot

Following the Doctor's regeneration, the damaged TARDIS crash-lands in the garden of a young Scottish girl named Amelia Pond. After the Doctor promises to return in five minutes, he inadvertently travels twelve years into the future. He discovers that Amelia, now preferring to be called Amy, has been troubled by a crack in her bedroom wall that is actually a fracture in space-time. The episode follows the Doctor and Amy as they attempt to stop an escaped alien prisoner, Prisoner Zero, from causing the destruction of Earth by the galactic police force, the Atraxi.

Production

"The Eleventh Hour" was the first episode produced under Moffat's tenure as showrunner. The episode was designed to introduce not only the Eleventh Doctor and his new companion but also a new TARDIS interior and a redesigned exterior. The production team aimed to make the transition smooth for viewers, despite the many changes. Filming took place in various locations across the United Kingdom, including Cardiff, which doubles for the fictional village of Leadworth.

Reception

The episode received positive reviews from critics, who praised Matt Smith's performance, the writing, and the direction. It was viewed by 10.08 million people in the UK on its first broadcast, making it one of the highest-rated episodes of the series at that time.

Themes and analysis

"The Eleventh Hour" explores themes of change and trust. The Doctor's regeneration serves as a metaphor for change, challenging both the characters and the audience to accept a new incarnation of the titular character. Amy's initial distrust of the Doctor reflects the audience's uncertainty about the new actor. The episode also introduces the recurring theme of the crack in the universe, which plays a significant role in the overarching plot of the series.

Legacy

"The Eleventh Hour" is considered a significant episode in the Doctor Who franchise for successfully introducing a new Doctor and companion while maintaining the show's popularity and critical acclaim. It established Matt Smith as a worthy successor to David Tennant and set the tone for Moffat's era of the series.