The Parting of the Ways

It's now two whole days since the screening of this final installment in the Ninth Doctor's all-too-brief tenure, and I'm still feeling a real tearing inside that he has gone. So many moments replay themselves in my mind, pieces of music, great lines, great expressions. And a new Doctor with new teeth....

It seems almost churlish to criticise the one or two elements I wasn't so impressed by, in comparison to so much wonderful stuff. RTD in this final two-parter got it right, to the extent that I remembered previous contributions such as the first two episodes rather than the wretched Slitheen. I can understand slightly why one or two people have suggested that this was a George Lucas-style take on Dr Who at its conclusion - it shared the same sense of too many big moments crammed in a la Revenge of the Sith - but aside from this, Lucas cannot write dialogue with anything approaching this kind of punch.

So much they got right. NOT bringing back the Master or Davros for one. The savage twist of the new Daleks being grown from the remains of humans. Recurring and new musical themes (if Murray Gold hasn't got it right, why do so many bits keep going round my head?) The change in Mickey causing him to urge Rose to keep trying. The magnificent scene where the Doctor tricks Rose in order to save her and keep his promise to her Mum. The look of pain on Eccleston's face as he hears Lynda-with-a-y's death scream. Rose's beautifully understated "my head is killing me". Jack's courage and the sweet little kiss he gives the Doctor. Outraged of Surbiton? Get over it.

But nothing has stuck in my head so much as the final scene, which but for a stupid press leak, could have been more devastating still, with the Ninth Doctor seemingly having saved the day and survived, then his moment of realisation as he noticed the glowing light under the skin of his hand. The final speech, trying to warn Rose of what is about to happen, encapsulated almost all of what has made Eccleston's portrayal so absorbing and involving; trying to lighten the mood, the love, the loneliness, the sadness and strangely tragic egotism in that great last line. David Tennant made an intriguing first impression, but it was all about Chris. I am torn between delight that the series will continue and this strangely deep sense of loss over our Ninth Doctor. Great acting, and probably the deepest, most conflicted and emotionally involving Doctor I can remember. Perfect? No. But then none of his predecessors were either. Fantastic? Absolutely.

I will miss him.