The Parting of the Ways

So the first new season of Doctor Who is now over and viewers are debating if it went with a bang or an even bigger bang. After the cliff-hanger of "Bad Wolf" I was in seventh heaven, feeling like I did as a kid watching Peter Davidson. "Parting of the Ways" had a huge mandate to cover in 45 minutes, wrapping up the Dalek invasion storyline, resurrecting an old enemy, solving the riddle of the Bad Wolf and killing off the latest incarnation of the Doctor. So, for those interested, did it pull it off?

Yes and no is the answer. This episode is a perfect reflection of this new series as a whole with it's moments of divine inspiration which is inevitibly followed up by lack-lustre resolutions. In my mind there are several flaws in this episode and as seems to be the tradition in reviews I suppose I should get these out of the way first.

1) The 45 minute episode format. This really could've worked and I was looking forward to a Dalek two-parter but with so much of the first episode given up to amusing if dissapointing antics in reality-show hell it didn't leave enough time to develop the characters or story-line. In the end it felt too rushed by the end and this could have been more easily dealt with. ( See point two)

2) Russel Davies writing. Now I was a fan of his previous work, the man can write. But ever since I heard his comments about detractors of the new series being 25 guys who aren't gonna watch the show anyway I have seriously gone off the guy. So here goes as I invoke the wrath of the daleks, er RTD fans, as I blaspheme. The guy is a great guiding light for the series but shouldn't be allowed to write for it as he doesn't seem able to balance various story threads. This has been evident right from the first episode, ie juvenile comedy with high drama, and in this episode the pacing of the story is off balance.

3) Deus ex machina is one of the most criticised and over-used plot devices in sci-fi and here we go again. Granted given the lack of time left by the end of the episode there was no other choice but again, better writing could have given us so much more.

4) Plot holes: Go on, watch this episode again and think about what is going on. Quickly, as happens in most of this season, the plot falls apart. For example, Rose lives but it is the Doctor who cops the whack? How does Rose remember a helicopter landing that she never saw? The Daleks have apparently gone mad because they were lonely? Hell they never were sociable creatures so I am sure missing Mrs Jones cocktail party would not have pushed them over the edge. Also there is no explanation given as to how the Daleks breached the TARDIS in the first part, or why they didn't just kill the Doctor if they are so afraid of him. Still not sure what the Dalek Emperor was up to and it just seemed a bit convoluted.

5) The shameless ripping-off of every other series. From classic Doctor Who to Buffy, RTD can think of very little original plot devices or imagery. The regeneration is Spike's death, Rose possessed is Buffy harnessing the first Slayer, the Doctor kissing Rose was Cordy and Doyle in Angel, Daleks made out of humans, the Doctor sacrificing himself for his companion, abandoning Capt. Jack. Done, done, done and done.

Okay guys, crucify me later because despite all this I loved the episode. This was event television of a high order and quality with excellent performances. I was on night shift when this was shown and went into work 1 hour early so I could sit in the staff room and watch it.I loved it when the Doctor materialised the TARDIS around Rose, which was not without precedent in the classic series. It was unexpected and exciting, my inner child was very happy. The CGI was good but on the small scrren I was watching it on it became hard to make out details in the space scenes. The acting was simply superb.

Billie Piper can move me just by watering up and she has been the real star of this series beyond a boubt. The scenes with her mother were superb even if they slowed the story down. When she tells Jackie about seeing her dad die I was engrossed in her performance, even Camille Coduri was good.

John Barrowman, who I have adored since I saw him in Sunset Boulevard, has been a great addition and ths is his finest hour (so far!). When he was left behind at the end I was saddened because he is a fine addition to the TARDIS crew. I know he will be back but hey. And the kiss? Come on, for the first time we have a bisexual character who isn't about the issues. The Doctor accepts him completely and isn't embarassed by this display of affection and friendship. What greater statement to make to the younger generation. This is the best way to portray these issues, don't make an issue, just accept it and the audience will too.

Chris Ecclestone has grown from irritating (all grins and "fantastic!") to a watchable and likeable Doctor. He never fully nailed the part for me but I guess I will just have to accept that as he ain't coming back which is a real shame.

David Tennant, a few seconds and I think I may like him. The regeneration was too short and easy on the Doctor but this is a talented actor, a fan of the series and a Scot so am gonna allow myself to be biased on this one, lol.

It will be interesting to see how this episode will be viewed 15 or 20 years down the line but for that 45 minutes I was engrossed. There is much more I could have said about the episode and the other actors but I want to leave with how I felt at the end of the episode. The exitement knowing the Doctor was coming back, the elation at a gripping story with thousands upon thousands of Daleks flying through space (that was kinda cool!) and the sense of loss that until Xmas saturdays will no doubt again be dull and uninspired veiwing. Farewell Chris, you will actually be missed.