We're meaning different things by the same words, it seems. Let me try again.
Who needs to take the concepts it introduces seriously to the extent that (a) they make sense within the established continuity of the show and (b) the consequences that flow from them make sense. In addition, it would be nice if they did not violate known physical principles to the extent that the audience is expecting any character with GCSE science to be doing a double-take.
The Hole and the way it is handled is a problem because it violates (b). If the Hole goes to the centre of the Earth, there should be a big explosion when you start opening it at the bottom. If there isn't an explosion due to Magic Alien Tech, you have used up your Magic Alien Tech card for that plotline, because if the Magic Alien Tech can be rolled out to solve any plot problem, I get bored. Further, if you have a Hole to the centre of the Earth, you have to factor the length of the Hole into subsequent plot development -- you can't pretend it's not 6,000km long. (Which they do, because 1. anything at the other end of a 6,000km hole is not an imminent threat, and 2. emptying the Thames into something that size isn't going to make a noticeable difference to anything.) But the Hole isn't the only element of the episode that's handled in this way -- there's the Huon particles, and oh, pretty much every emotional arc in the piece, except for possibly the Doctor's. Everything happens because the plot requires it to, not because it develops logically from previous events.
I also object to the Hole on aesthetic grounds, because it just makes me feel like RTD is being lazy.
no subject
Who needs to take the concepts it introduces seriously to the extent that (a) they make sense within the established continuity of the show and (b) the consequences that flow from them make sense. In addition, it would be nice if they did not violate known physical principles to the extent that the audience is expecting any character with GCSE science to be doing a double-take.
The Hole and the way it is handled is a problem because it violates (b). If the Hole goes to the centre of the Earth, there should be a big explosion when you start opening it at the bottom. If there isn't an explosion due to Magic Alien Tech, you have used up your Magic Alien Tech card for that plotline, because if the Magic Alien Tech can be rolled out to solve any plot problem, I get bored. Further, if you have a Hole to the centre of the Earth, you have to factor the length of the Hole into subsequent plot development -- you can't pretend it's not 6,000km long. (Which they do, because 1. anything at the other end of a 6,000km hole is not an imminent threat, and 2. emptying the Thames into something that size isn't going to make a noticeable difference to anything.) But the Hole isn't the only element of the episode that's handled in this way -- there's the Huon particles, and oh, pretty much every emotional arc in the piece, except for possibly the Doctor's. Everything happens because the plot requires it to, not because it develops logically from previous events.
I also object to the Hole on aesthetic grounds, because it just makes me feel like RTD is being lazy.