it always strike I that Christopher Eccelston 's Christmas Day interview with the BBC in 2005 -- the day that `` Doctor who '' be reboot for the 21st century -- be ironic . he know , because the complete first season be shoot , that he be not come back ; which be why he mention of the Doctor 's ability to regenerate be so ... tell ... but maybe Chris also have a clue about the come storm that be David Tennant . Tennant 's Doctor -- ten , as other reviewer refer to he -- spiritually do connect back to Tom Baker 's fourth doctor , but David capture a joy in he doctor that Baker do not seem to have . both they doctor seem to understand the `` stream of thought '' concept in line delivery that capture the TimeLord 's essence ... but Tennant have a fun with he interpretation that Baker either be not allow or could not express in he 1974-1981 run . as a result , David push the envelope from where Eccelston have the doctor at the end of he run . while be far more joyful , Tennant also seem to capture the core sadness and anger of the doctor , and those moment seem starker and more striking when they occur . because Russell T. Davies allow ten to be more of a romantic , there be some stunning moment through the season . in many way , `` School Reunion '' and `` the Girl in the fireplace '' play as a two-part episode . `` School Reunion '' bring Elisabeth Sladen back to the Whoniverse as the doctor 's former companion , Sarah Jane Smith , and allow for a discussion -- aside from the main storyline -- that the previous run of Doctor who might not have broach . the scene in which Sarah Jane , sneak through the school at night , discover the TARDIS , and then turn to find Tennant and realize who he be -- be joyous , but quickly turn heartbreaking when Sarah Jane vent at the doctor for leave she ... which in turn , make the doctor talk about he reality -- that he lose those he care about , no matter what . this be a theme that play out in `` the Girl in the fireplace '' , where the TimeLord develop a strong attraction to Sophia Myles ' Madame de Pompadour -lrb- Tennant 's great line after Myles kiss he -- `` I just snog Madame de Pompadour !!! '' -- be a wonderful kick -rrb- . Tennant 's interpretation of the doctor be a wonderful match for Billie Piper 's Rose Tyler . watch the Doctor grow closer to Rose -- we understand he reluctance , but she will not deny she feeling -- be marvelous . Camille Coduri 's Jackie Tyler be scatter and charming , and Noel Clarke 's Mickey Smith mature courageously and sadly through the series -- Mickey come to accept Rose 's attraction to the doctor , but also come to grip with larger responsibility in `` rise of the Cybermen '' and `` the Age of Steel '' that give he a place and purpose . this box set be about the line that open -- and close -- this season , which be why this review be title as such . from the open to the Daleks\/Cybermen smackdown that finish the season in `` Army of ghost '' and `` Doomsday '' , this season allow for a more thorough introduction to the doctor and he world , allow longtime viewer to see the heart -lrb- Hearts , since he have two -rrb- of the preeminent character in british science fiction . though there will always be a element of mystery clouding the doctor , Davies and Tennant allow we to see more of the timelord than we have see over the year ... he strength , he humor , he devotion to life and this planet ... in short , a greater understanding of `` who the ` ell he be ... '' , and this be continue in Tennant 's run in Seasons three and four . this set -- highly recommend .