The Parting of the Ways

It seems a while ago now since we were promised the trip of a lifetime and an exciting new re-awakening of a much loved tv show which had been off the box for years. The return of Doctor Who was something we have craved for years. I, for one, could not quite understand why it had been taken off air, given that it had plenty of scope and storylines could take place anywhere and in any time.

Creator Russell T Davies has done a smashing job bringing back the show he loves and it has provided us with many jaw-dropping scenes and plenty of emotional drama to re-invigorate the show in style. With the dynamic Christopher Eccleston at the helm, joined by Billie Piper who has really given the character of Rose plenty of heart, the show has had a massive impact.

There is no doubting the show has delivered with an elegant and loving revamp which gives the modern day Who some of the best characteristics of previous incarnations ... and importantly, made Dr Who cool again!

Eccleston has played a masterful role in re-launching Dr Who and the wrong lead could very well have cost the show despite the high quality of the scripts. His performance at times has been exemplary particularly when dealing with the Daleks, Fathers's Day and End of the World.

And now we come to the big finale. The Parting of the Ways had something of an epic feel as it drew the whole series together in stunning fashion. As much as I enjoyed it, and it was a terrific episode and climax, with yet again, superb dialogue between the main characters, I did feel it had a few faults and almost tried to cram in just a bit too much. Loved the Dr and Captain Jack rescuing Rose from the fleet of Daleks ... superb stuff.

The biggest disappointment for me was the Doctor admitting he was a coward. Why was this line not deleted? How can you have the main hero or star of the show admitting he is a coward? Perhaps to show he was almost human?

The dilemma featuring Tom Baker's Dr and whether he was brave enough to kill off the Dalek race at the embryonic stage in Genesis was far better handled. You don't just have the Doctor announcing to one and all (including one of the highest rated episodes of the series no doubt) that he is a coward. That spoilt things a tiny tad for me. The brief near romantic relationship between two of the Game Station controllers was designed to show that these people had characters before they were brutally exterminated. But it was a bit too much additional emotion considering we already had enough going on with Rose going back to Earth. The Daleks were good and I liked how they made their comeback what with the Emperor Dalek and all! The Emperor was resplendent in his big comeback since 1967 and the loud booming voice was very much in keeping with Troughton's face-off.

I loved the first ten minutes or so as the Dr, Rose and Captain Jack confronted the Emperor with the forcefield in place. The episode was peppered with some really emotional moments, particularly when the Dr sends Rose back to the planet Earth as for the first time, we see the Doctor almost realising that things might all go wrong as humans and Daleks could be destroyed.

The fast and fiery dialogue in this series has been superb (what a time to go for a leak from Captain Jack was one which had us all guffawing) and some of the interaction between the leads has been superb.For me, that is one of the best things about it. Even Captain Jack's kissing exploits were delicately handled and a nice touch. It was good that he did not die but I am very disappointed that he will not stay as a regular throughout the next series after being left on the Games Station. I know he is coming back next series but he has really been a nice shot in the arm for Who and I think it would have helped ease the regeneration if he stayed for that.

I was not overtly convinced with Rose being "Bad Wolf". I thought there may have been some deeper meaning. When she read it in the playground, how did that convince her she was to go back and try and save the Dr? There have been some wide and varied theories on the internet about who Bad Wolf actually was. But the conclusion as she saved the Dr was enthralling stuff all the same.

All the business with Rose, Mickey and her mum trying to open up the Tardis was quite good fun. The big finale was excellently handled in the most part (except THAT line) and Rose taking in the Vortex and the Dr giving her the kiss of life was a majestic way of finishing the series.

The regeneration sequence was good (if a little quick) and the Dr's last few lines of dialogue were superb. I certainly hope that the new Dr and Rose visit the planet Barcelona!

I also particuarly liked the nod to the very first regeneration sequence as the screen shot shows the Dr looking at the back of his hand on the console which seemed reminiscient of "The Tenth Planet". When the Dr said with his wide toothy grin, "You've been fantastic Rose, and you know what, so have I" - I could not agree more.

Thank you Russell T Davies for bringing back the show with vigour, character, massive emotion and real depth and also thanks to Christopher Eccelston for being brave enough to take the part which could have been a poisoned chalice. Dr Who is brilliant again - perhaps the best it has ever been in some respects given the superb special fx, brilliant high class acting, and amazing scripts. I believe the show is in very good hands and wish David Tennent good luck in carrying the torch. We may have only had one series of Christopher Eccleston but the man has been an absolute star. Dr Who was never this good. It may never be as good again. But if anyone can continue the legend of Who with panache and a touch of class, I think it is Russell T Davies.