Specifically, we delved deep into the murky world of in-jokes and sweet nerdy references.
Pfft, party poopers.
The first of many during his time in the TARDIS.
We also discover the new Doctors love of a little shop.
Returning was bitchy trampoline Cassandra who Rose had referred to as Michael Jackson in their previous encounter.
This time, the young blonde chose another pop culture reference for Cassandras helper Chip who Rose called Gollum.
When performing the body-swapping scenes, Billie Piper wore a WonderBra when possessed, according to co-star David Tennant.
Also returning was the Face of Boe.
LikeNew Earth, there are a few nods to the classic era.
This isnt the first mention of this particular queen.
The Queen knighted the Tenth Doctor but this wasnt the first time either.
Curiously, the Tenth Doctor describes 1979 as a Hell of a year!
Curious because Tom Bakers Fourth Doctor didnt think it was vintage and more of a table wine.
Perhaps he hadnt seenThe Muppet Movieby that point.
The return of Sarah Jane Smith saw bucketfuls of references and gags.
The inclusion of Sarah Jane and tin robot K-9 demonstrated that the Doctor was most assuredly the same person.
with regards to her relationship with the Doctor.
Another companion reappearing was K-9.
This was, in fact, Mark III of the tin dog.
In a prescient move, those with eagle-eyed ears will spot Joy DivisionsLove Will Tear Us Apartin the background.
TheSherlockco-creator also regurgitated some of his previous material from a collection ofDoctor Whoshort stories.
Moffat contributed Continuity Errors to 1996s Decalog 3 Consequences, his first official piece ofWhowork.
In that adventure, the Seventh Doctor is asked, What do monsters have nightmares about?
to which he replies, Me!
Which is word for word what is spoken between the Young Reinette and the Tenth Doctor.
However, it should be noted thatFathers Daywriter Paul Cornell got there first.
In his 1992 novelLove And War, the Seventh Doctor proclaims, Im what monsters have nightmares about!
(Lance Parkin would also use, I am the man that gives monsters nightmares!
in his 1997 novel,The Dying Days.)
Other stories from the past referenced are:Genesis Of The Daleks(Do I have that right?
from the Tenth Doctor is a nod to Tom Bakers Have I the right?
A favoured expression by the Cybermen in the classic years, particularly the Eighties, was Excellent!
Mickey does get to say, spare part, however.
And likeTooth And Claw, the Time Lord is taking Rose to see a gig.
Sadly, for the couple, Elvis in New York was replaced by alien activity in London.
Just the following year saw the singer star in the Christmas Special,Voyage Of The Damned.
Magpie Electricals, the television shop featured in the story, does not die with its owner.
Cardiffs Torchwood also had a Magpie Electricals television.
Juts over halfway through the second series and we get our first quarry!
In a couple of incredible What ifs?
For those who mourn the lack of Slitheen fun, there is a fart joke included inThe Satan Pit.
Classic fans ears will have pricked up at the voice of the Beast, provided by Gabriel Woolf.
The actor played Sutekh the Destroyer in the Fourth Doctor four-parterPyramids Of Mars.
While not stated, the implication of his casting and the nature of the beast is clear.
He was certainly his fathers son.
The orange suit seen here would be used again in the Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi eras.
Of course, we cant talk aboutLove & Monsterswithout referring to the main monster, the Abzorbaloff.
They were otherwise known as, wait for it, LINDA.
Luckily, for Russell,Love & Monsterswas set in the countrys capital.
Also worth noting is the memorable but short-lived chum of the Ninth Doctor, Lynda.
Well give you a couple of minutes to sit down and take that one in.
His story has never emerged.
Anyway, regardless of quality (its actually pretty inoffensive)Fear Herhas got a few nuggets to enjoy.
The idea of the Doctor watchingStar Trekmay make some queasy.
Surprisingly, there arent many references to the classic era at all.
A second BBC show link comes fromThe Apprentice.
Footage of Canary Wharf, where Torchwood is based, comes from filming on the Alan Sugar reality series.
Working at this particular incarnation of Torchwood was Adeola Oshodi, played by actress Freema Agyeman.
If youre looking for a first in this story, then its quite a biggie.
David Tennant premiered the much-repeated French phrase, Allons-y!
