There have been more boring episodes, there have been episodes with far worse effects, there have been plots that were much more stupid, but no other episode causes me to want to put my fist through the face of our heroes.

Yeah, I can understand that reaction. I wanted to punch them, too, although I actually enjoy the episode. Mostly because their jerktastic behaviour here has such heavey consequences later on. (Victoria is inspired to create Torchwood which leads to Doomsday which leads to Rose trapped in another universe and the Doctor being emo.)