The Parting of the Ways

The new era of Doctor Who seems in many ways just to have begun. Only 13 weeks ago the 9th Doctor ran onto our screens with his Leather Jacket, his manic grin and his love of the Fantastic. Now the 9th Doctor is all finished on TV, but itВ’s hardly an end to this new world. Russell T Davies Doctor Who (it is his, more than anyone else) has amazed us over the last few months В– and now we have a show that is popular, loved by the media and trendy В– three things that Doctor Who of the past only rarely achieved.

Christopher Eccleston has been at the forefront of this revival. His portrayal of the Doctor was bang up to date, yet still the old Time Lord we know and love. His performance over the season has been universally excellent В– it has been a thrill to watch him beat the Monsters and put the world to rights. ThereВ’s been talk that if Eccleston only wanted to do 1 season, then he should have not been allowed near the TARDIS, that another actor would have been better for longevity purposes. I, for one, would have much rather seen 1 brilliant season of Ecclestons Doctor, than none at all. His Doctor can stand alongside previous Doctors with no shame В– his Doctor has been another wonderful ingredient in the exquisitely tasting cake that is Doctor Who.

A massive part of this new series has been Rose В– and as befitting the season as a whole Rose has plenty of impact in the finale. It can be strongly argued in fact that this season Rose has been as dominant as the Doctor, if not more dominant. This hasnВ’t been a problem, as Billie Piper is the single biggest success story of the season. I am delighted she is doing another full season. Best Actor/Actress this year В– definitely Billie Piper as Rose.

The final episode offered thrills, spills and a huge amount of emotion. It felt like the end, but also a new beginning. It was epic in all kinds of ways.

I was astounded at the scope of the story on offer here. CGI showed the Daleks in all their magnificence, but Russell Ts story was full of the emotional drama of the one, or the small group. The episode was brilliant because it focused on a small group, and how they were trying to save the world against this powerful aggressor.

Both the Doctor, Rose and Jack had a huge part to play in this salvation В– each extremely heroic in their very unique ways. It was wonderful how the Doctor sent Rose back, to save her. He cared that much about her. It was even more wonderful that Rose demanded a return to the future (the scene with the truck pulling the TARDIS console was tacky, but so very Doctor Who) and achieved it. She cared so much about him. As she turned into Super-Rose it was glorious to see her saving Jack aswell, destroying the Daleks, and saving the world. It was magnificent that the Doctor saved Rose, but sacrificed one of his lives in the process. It was a stunning regeneration scene, rivalling the 5th/6th Doctor transformation for its impact and self-sacrifice.

The Daleks were big here В– really big. The re-introduction of the emperor Dalek was a master stroke. Turning it into a God allowed the episode to address huge issues relating to beliefs and ideals. The Daleks might have been servants/drones to the super being, but they have never had such a strong motivation as they did here. Russell Ts story was grand in so many ways.

I struggle with Science, always have and will. When DW was more scientific before (eg Season 18) I didnВ’t get it. As a result I didnВ’t get the Bad Wolf scenario at all. The clues written everywhere was a pretty cool idea, but the resolution stumped me. The making of the jigsaw to me was far more interesting than the finished picture. All that Time Vortex creating Super Rose, and the Daleks being wiped out В– no, didnВ’t understand the why at all. What I do know is that it looked brilliant, that I cared about these wonderful characters, and that they succeeded because they were selfless and heroic В– thatВ’s classic Doctor Who, and I really couldnВ’t care less about the scientific mumbo jumbo explanations. This new Doctor Who doesnВ’t lose the viewers with its technobabble В– it focuses instead on characterization and the interaction between those characters. ThatВ’s the main reason for its success.

So the season ends, and the 9th Doctor is now the 10th Doctor (nice cameo by David Tennant В– promising). Russell T gave us a speech for his demise that was totally appropriate. Christopher Eccleston as the 9th Doctor has been Fantastic В– the whole series has been Fantastic in fact. It has exceeded my expectations on virtually every level. The reaction of my friends and family has been amazing В– and itВ’s wonderful to see the magic of DW (that I have felt all my life) have an impact on them.

I look back at DW 2005 with a huge dollop of affection. I donВ’t recalll any other Series of Doctor that has been so chock full of brilliant moments, wonderful scenes and brilliant characters. I love the old Doctor Who a great deal, but I have to admit that this new show is superior in so many ways. Wonderfully aswell, it has always been totally, definitively Doctor Who В– the same show, but better, that I have loved all my life.

With the recent announcement of a 2nd and 3rd Series we have so much more to enjoy of new Who. I am sure that David Tennant will continue the grand tradition of Who В– and be excellent too. HeВ’s stepping on board a cruise liner, majestically sailing through the oceans of the world, dazzling so many people with its grandness. I look forward eagerly to all the wonders it will pay a visit to.

Doctor Who fans have never had it this good, ever. TV has never had it this good В– the stunning adventure continues. 10/10