NuWho Rewatch: Smith and Jones

The first episode of a new series is a strange thing, especially as it is often burdened with introducing a new Doctor or companions. It has to juggle introducing the show to potential new viewers, introducing the new character to old ones, providing a quick brush up on the general idea for the forgetful and introducing the first glimmerings of whatever this season's theme and/or arc is going to be. On the whole it is remarkable that so many of them fall into the category of competent if a bit unmemorable, given the temptation to be a huge mess.

( Smith and Jones is competent if a bit unmemorable )

Obviously there's a hospital on the moon and somewhat dim space rhino police all existing on the "yes, but" level but these stories work best if you just go with the flow and, on that level, Smith and Jones works well. Like New Earth, it does its job as a season opener and given that isn't the easiest job for a Doctor Who story, it does well to be competent if unremarkable.