I can't believe Russell went there in breaking that fundamental premise.

I liked Waters of Mars... well, more than I expected to, which is not quite the same as liking it.

But as far as I'm concerned, RTD broke all fundamental premises by not hinting or alluding, but going so over the top that he literally presented a snuff film as entertainment in CoE. The only concession in Waters is that he had the snuff offstage and not lovingly lingered over.