The Parting of the Ways

I believe it was Harlan Ellison that once said that it's much easier to criticise a bad film, because there are more things to write about. In which case, this review of В“Parting of the WaysВ” would be extremely short. This is an episode that will definitely divide fans because it flies in the face of every single convention that's been touted by traditionalist Doctor Who fans since 1963. Russell T. Davies said he wanted to write a space opera in which anything can happen. He has succeeded beyond my wildest expectations.

This episode reaches the blackest depths of despair, and finally achieves the greatest heights of emotional triumph. So first В– the Daleks. There was never any reason to be afraid of them in the old series. As Jon Pertwee once said, run up a flight of stairs and you've got them beat. One of RTD (and Rob Shearman's) greatest achievements is to make the Daleks the genuinely scary menace they were meant to be.

From the very first opening salvo, you know that none of the people on that Station are going to make it. RTD promised a bloodbath and that's exactly what we got. The bloodthirsty violence during the siege very much reminds me of 'The Caves of Androzani'. It's not a matter of whether anyone will survive В– more a matter of seeing how many horrible ways RTD can kill people. It also brings home (as if there needed to be any doubt) just how horrifyingly dangerous the Daleks truly are. The slaughter of the survivors on Floor Zero, and Lynda's death via explosive decompression, will probably give me nightmares for weeks.

Fortunately, RTD contrasts that with Rose's reluctant return to the 21st Century.Which gives the audience a breather from all the bloodshed occurring on the station. It's also an opportunity to see just how much Rose has changed since she first entered the TARDIS. Her remark В“There's nothing here for me anymoreВ” is deeply hurtful to her loved ones, but also contains an element of truth. And as for that В“so-called controversial kissВ” between Jack and the Doctor, I would think we've come far enough that such an action should be seen for what it truly is В– an expression of caring and love from Jack to two people that are very important to him. I'm thrilled to hear that Captain Jack will be back in Series 2. John Barrowman's charisma and sense of fun made Boom Town and Bad Wolf lots of fun to watch. The TARDIS just wouldn't be the same without him.

But the capper to an already spectacular episode is THOSE two sequences. The revelation of who Bad Wolf actually was, was a major surprise to me. I thought the Bad Wolf was an evil malevolent entity, instead it was a В“goddessВ”, sending messages of hope and salvation throughout time and space. It borrows heavily from the Buffy fourth season episode В“PrimevalВ”, but at the same time is solidly based in Doctor Who lore. But is it plausible, based on what we thought we knew about the TARDIS? Every Who fan knows the TARDIS is a living machine, but never until know have we realised the sheer power encased within it. This isn't just a case of Rose saving the Doctor. It's a united effort by the two В“womenВ” in his life that love him the most В– both Rose and the TARDIS, to save him and provide him with redemption. And it works beautifully.

Then there was that regeneration sequence. I've played that moment over and over a dozen times now, and it still brings me to tears. This is the Ninth Doctor's final heartfelt farewell, and Christopher Ecclestone pulls it off beautifully. Thanks to Rose and the TARDIS, he was finally able to find redemption В– defeat the Daleks without compromising his love of life and antipathy towards bloodshed. But the cost is his life. In that moment of regeneration, it is not death, but salvation and exultation that we see.

And what an entrance for the new Doctor! I'm amazed that lines that when read in isolation, can (thanks to David Tennant and RTD), encapsulate such humor and charm, and also give us a brief glimpse into what this new Doctor will be like. After Ecclestone's emotional farewell, I laughed out loud in sheer absolute joy at the Tenth Doctor's first appearance. Onwards to the Second season!