It is new but also an extension of its ability to project a gravitational field as shown in "Horns of Nytol" -- er, "Nimon." The circumstances are even similar (remember the Doctor telling Soldeed someone was "building a black hole on your doorstep").

I liked "The Satan Pit." Especially how Rose has finally gained enough experience and confidence to take charge in the Doctor's absence (cf. "Christmas Invasion," when, however, she was distraught). This feels exactly right to me and justified the Doctors faith in her as a partner. As has been said before in these forums, Billie Piper kicks ass. The Doctor's dilemma and the plan that the prisoner had evolved made sense to me, and the Doctor's knowledge that everyone might die no matter what he did seemed powerful to me.

The acting by the guest stars in both these episodes was excellent, and I also liked seeing a "gritty" space environment that didn't particularly remind me of "Alien."

I know saying all this will cause CV to label me a patsy, but despite certain misgivings about what's already been noted as a certain Pertweeish edge of smugness that's creeping into the production, I've having a lot of fun with season two.

And plus (and I know it's completely shallow of me to say this), but the effects really have been superb. The Beeb really have done a stellar job, especially considering that there hasn't really been much call for these types of things since DW was last on the air in '89.

Yep, that's the one :D

Also The Creature From The Pit, IIRC...?

True, but more of this will-they-won't-they crap...The beast turned out to only pay minimal homage to the Beast who will brand people on the forearm and forehead Shortly Before The End Of Days (which I found a bit annoying - if you're gonna draw on 'Revelation', you might as well go the whole hog, IMO), the Ood were about as scary as spaghetti and eggs on legs can be, More Pip-And-Jane-Baker-meet-Ridley-Scott dialogue, and conceits that are positively arrogant (like the TARDIS being right at the bottom of the pit...Yawn...)

Very true. This was one of the points I rather liked about this serial, actually :)

I'd never label you a patsy! To my mind, you're more of a Gladys.