The Parting of the Ways

With Russell Davies at the helm, the new series has often felt more like fanfiction than television. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but when character interaction takes precedence over plot then the feel of 'Doctor Who' has a tendency to sidle out the back door. Worse still, it seems that Davies isn't just a fan of 'Doctor Who' -- many scenes from 'The Parting of the Ways' felt like a thinly disguised tribute to Joss Whedon.

The choices for the Bad Wolf & the Dalek controller were nowhere near as interesting as those I've read in fannish speculation, and there seemed to be only tenuous connections with the 'Bad Wolf' episode. The massed Daleks lacked the menace that imbued the single survivor in 'Dalek', and their video-game-like invasion felt contrived & rather pedestrian. Gun-toting Jack felt like he'd wandered in from another series. And, oh dear, the literal _deus ex machina_ ending -- let's just say Davies has now penned the Mary-Sue epic that every fanwriter needs to purge from their system.

Grumps aside, there is plenty to enjoy in 'The Parting of the Ways'. Chris Eccleston delivers a near-perfect performance throughout, and, as in 'Bad Wolf', Joe Ahearne makes him look almost Christ-like. I'm really going to miss the 9th Doctor. The Doctor's decision to send Rose home & her decision to return both felt right, and Rose's scenes in London worked surprisingly well. (I cheered when Jackie turned up with the tow-truck!) The various secondary characters were all given honourable deaths. Finally, one has to applaud the Beeb for daring Outraged of Tunbridge Wells with the same-sex kiss.

Not bad, but not stellar either: I'd expected far more from the season ender.