I like that Martha feels a bit more clued in than Rose/Donna from the get go.

RTD really did the Earthbound continuity better than anyone (really, I don't think anyone else even tried). One oddity in this episode is Martha commenting on the alien incursions of the past couple of years, and yet Morgenstern later spouts off that Mr. Saxon was right in his belief in extraterrestrials.

The straw bit is a funny joke, and is probably peak dark humour in this episode.

I like that stupid straw a lot - the episode strikes a pretty good balance of madcap insanity. Anne Reid plays the plasmavore with a good energy, as well.

Martha's an enjoyable character, but it's a real shame she gets bogged down by the unrequited love arc. It works well enough in this episode - the Doctor's behaviour throughout the adventure could easily be mistaken for flirting, and how can you not fall in love with David Tennant just a little bit? But it's a shame it didn't end here.

Stray thought: small universe syndrome aside, I sort of wish Clive's girlfriend Annalise had been Nerys instead.

I think it's pretty common knowledge, but "Judoon platoon upon the moon" was written into the script specifically because it would be hard for David Tennant to say with an English accent.