Bad Wolf

And so the mystery is finally revealed - um, or is it?

'Bad Wolf' is an odd episode, by turns cringeworthy and gripping, slow and exhilirating. The words which have haunted the Doctor and Rose throughout their adventures belong to a shady organisation running Satellite Five, last seen in 'The Long Game'. To my knowledge, however, it was never adequately explained how the influence of this organisation manages to extend to all the various places the TARDIS crew have travelled. Perhaps in next week's episode...

The reality TV commentary is initially quite amusing and the everyday experience taken to the extreme is pure classic series. It does grate, however, with at least one scene too many for the Doctor, Rose and Jack in their respective shows before the plot really gets moving.

Rose's 'death', however, is played beautifully, as is the 'gearing up for battle' scene and the Controller (who could have been given more space for development and made a little creepier) reaching out for the Doctor's help. The Doctor's realisation that it is his fault that things have got so bad on earth is a very nice touch, also.

The biggest problem with 'Bad Wolf' is that it relies so completely on its final (spine-tingling) revelation to satisfy viewers that it leaves huge numbers of questions open. What are the Daleks up to? Why their interest in Earth? How much have they been manipulating the Doctor's travels? What do they want with all the humans they are teleporting to their fleet when they 'die' in the games? And why the phrase 'bad wolf'?

It is impossible to rate the episode properly until seeing 'The Parting of the Ways', but there seems a real danger that the season finale will focus so fully on the final battle, Rose's fate and the Doctor's last stand (not to mention what will happen to Jack) that all these 'why's that would justify the season-long build-up will just be left behind. And there is little more disappointing that a season finale which does not live up to its own build-up.

The reality TV idea is a good one, but I can't help but feel that it might have been better if RTD had placed it earlier in the season (instead of World War Three would have been nice, but it could easily have taken the place of The Long Game) and left 'Bad Wolf' to answer all the necessary questions before the final face-off.

That said, it's entirely possible that 'Parting' will answer everything, thus leaving 'Bad Wolf' as yet another solidly entertaining episode in a wonderful season of television. Only one week to find out and a regeneration just around the corner ...