The Parting of the Ways

With interesting concepts and a few odd twists, Parting of the Ways was a rollercoaster- and had it's fair share of ups and downs. With a warming display on the part of Mickey and a rare glimpse of Jackie Tyler's compassionate nature, complete with Captain Jack at his most 'heroic' (for want of a better word), it succesfully tied up the odd loose end.

No doubt a few watchers were punching the air in triumph when Rose revealed herself as the now infamous Bad Wolf- but for me, the ending was a kind of anti-climax. Having the Doctor able to explain his regeneration (as far as time would allow him) was a nice little addition that I think is helpful to the newer fans of Doctor Who. Ecclestone's performance in that scene reflected the disjointedness that regeneration brings brilliantly.

With the arrival of David Tennant as Doctor Number Ten, and a brief but unique introduction, on the whole the episode lived up to the credentials of a finale. However, the idea of the Doctor taking the Daleks' word of 'coward' unto himself seemed a little final, as if he expected to lose without a battle.

Rose bringing Jack back to life with her temporary 'demi-god' powers courtesy of the TARDIS....a good show of her feelings for him and the extent of her 'power', but a little off-key. And the dramatic rise in the series' death toll (once again) brought back the slightly darker and more sinister shadow behind the new and re-vamped Doctor Who.

Overall verdict? Great- but I have yet to decide if the new Doctor will fill his predecessor's shoes successfully...