The Parting of the Ways

It has taken me some time to review this final episode of the first series (or is that season?). This could be due to sudden depression setting in that thatВ’s no Dr Who until (Christmas excluded) March next year. I prefer to think though that the main reason for not reviewing earlier is that I had a lot of inner turmoil just deciding how to observe it. Should it be a single episode in its own right, part of a two-part story with В“Bad WolfВ” or as a season finale? I have had to watch it a number of times before I could be objective.

As I mentioned in my review of В“Bad WolfВ” I still look at these two episodes as separate entities. Although there were references to the Daleks involvement early in that episode it was still only the big reveal of the last ten minutes that set up the final part. There are elements that moved over to the final instalment like the Ann-Droid, Satellite 5 and a number of characters but it still remained in my mind a separate entity. However, these two stories are better linked than the previously mentioned В“Frontier in Space/Planet of the DaleksВ”.

The pre-episode countdown was brilliant, as has been the whole advertising campaign (including the countdown to the Christmas Invasion) and IВ’m going to make a final nod to the terrific theme music (has anyone complained about it ? В– I havenВ’t heard). Will someone please get this released. I canВ’t even get a downloaded version off the web.

After watching the episode many times and finally being attentive. (The first time I saw it was late in the morning coming back from Brighton В– to see the exhibition [as it turned out I just missed the new Emperor Dalek exhibit being opened] В– and other things.) I sat down last week and watched it properly in the day, wide awake, comfortable in a chair and sober. It just blew me away

The special effects were incredible. The reveal of the Emperor Dalek, although expected was impressive if a little inanimate (Did В“hisВ” Dalek minions around him move at all?) I was hoping for a bit more movement but then the previous emperors did no more than move an eye stalk or move on then offstage. The spacecraft although reminiscent of Mars attacks were menacing as was the deployment of the Dalek fleet.

All the set-pieces aboard Satellite 5 were well directed by Joe Ahearne and performed by all cast members with many deaths being meaningful. I might have to contradict myself now and say this is mainly due to all the characters being so well set up in the previous episode. It goes a long way to show RTDВ’s talent that he has still mixed fear, menace, humour, compassion and loss all in a 45 minute episode. I felt the story lost its way a bit when it returned Rose to Earth and I was eager to get back to the Invasion by the Daleks. RoseВ’s plight however was quite moving.

John Barrowman, in the nick of time, justifies his place in the series becoming the soldier that RTD envisioned. ItВ’s a shame again that as with the DoctorВ’s fate and that of RoseВ’s, his death is spoilt by the knowledge that he is likely to be back next season. However his В“deathВ” was shocking and again, as with Rose I didnВ’t work out the В“get-outВ” clause. His acting has been excellent throughout his tenure but his character seemed wanting during В“Boom TownВ” and В“Bad WolfВ”. IВ’m still not convinced that there should be so many sexual orientation references even if he IS hot property. He does however get a last minute reprieve.

The additional cast all performed well but I feel MickeyВ’s character seems to be going in circles. Rose puts him down in nearly every episode but he comes back in good spirits for the next.

Billie Piper was outstanding. Even if I found the whole В“Heart of the TARDISВ” plot development a little hard to swallow, her ability to rise above the techno babble shows how important it is that she survives the transition of Doctors. It has been said before but this series has been as much about RoseВ’s journey as the discovery of who the Doctor is (for new viewers).

Everything seems to have been said about Christopher Eccleston already. IВ’m not sure I can add to it. His interactions with Billie Piper when he left her in the TARDIS and also at the end were quite moving. His final speech was perfectly suited and quite apt to his overall performance.

As a mark of respect to the Ninth Doctor I will leave thoughts of his successor until next season. Time will tell if Eccleston becomes someoneВ’s favourite Doctor. I thought, the occasional gurning aside, he has portrayed every emotion going. He was, as is the whole series FanВ…В…. Oh everyone uses that word now. How about В“Wicked!!!!!В”?

Finally I should conclude with a final running of my favourite episodes, which no doubt will change upon repeat viewing. Even the last listed are still a brilliant pieces of writing and television. They are : - Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways, The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances , Boom Town, The Unquiet Dead, FatherВ’s Day, Dalek, The Long Game, Rose, Aliens/WWIII and The End of........

I have followed some reviewers religiously throughout my time as a critic and just out of interest would appreciate any constructive feedback on my reviews (content or style). Please contact me via pwilc1967