The End Of The World

If “Rose” was the hors d’oeuvres, could “End Of The World” lay claim to being the main course? It was certainly the most-expensive dish on the menu! Who’d have ever thought we could see such a lavish episode of “Doctor Who” on TV?

Russell T Davies, Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper did such a good job establishing The Doctor and Rose in the first episode, I already felt totally comfortable with the two lead characters. Which was quite an achievement after 45 minutes! Even from such an early stage in the series, the interchanges between the Doctor and Rose have become an integral part of the show.

I thought the scene in which the Doctor enabled Rose was able to phone home was a lovely touch. One of the big plusses of the new series over the old one is the “back story” of Rose’s family, an area which was rarely explored in any great depth previously. I must admit, I wasn’t sure about this move, but Davies was spot on, and such scenes obviously play to his main writing strengths – characterisation and dialogue.

But to the actual episode itself. No question that this was a triumph for the special effects team. Whereas I wasn’t quite sure the Nestene Consciousness was a visual triumph in “Rose”, no doubts here. The space station was as good as anything from the big screen. The metallic spiders were perfectly menacing. The various collection of aliens were magnificent. Lady Cassandra (voiced supremely by Zoe Wannamaker) was simply sensational. And the end of the world itself was beautifully done.

It was the big and bold episode Davies had claimed it was. Is there a but coming? Just a little one. Rather like “Rose”, did the style (wonderful and fun and easy on the eye as it was) sledgehammer the substance?

The aliens were superb, but we didn’t see nearly enough of them. This is the problem of the 45-minute episodes. And, as the cost of this one was obviously so high, I’m surprised they didn’t count make this one of the double-length productions. There surely would have been lots more fun to have had with the various creations, and the whodunit element could have more expansive, rather than crammed in.

No question “Doctor Who” is now a fast-paced show, and “End Of The World” wasn’t quite as frantic as “Rose” but, sometimes, there’s just not enough time to take everything in. Less can be more.

However, there were some great scenes in this episode. The pre-credits sequence setting the scene in the TARDIS and then the space station went from breakneck pace to gentle reflection effortlessly – not an easy skill. Jade (has there ever been a sexier tree?) offering her sympathies when she realised who the Doctor was also made her a memorable supporting act. And the closing scene back on Earth when the Doctor revealed he was the last of the Time Lords (I also had doubts about this plotline – but hats off to Mr Davies again) was simple but extremely effective. All in all, the episode successfully built on the promise of its predecessor.

It’s “the End Of The World as we know it”. And I feel fine . .