But the last two Doctor Who episodes for David Tennant were at least worthy of being Christmas and New Year events - which is more than can be said for the Easter and November "specials" (Yes I feel cheated that we didn't get an actual series in 2009 and I am pleased that things are going back to normal in 2010)
So, anyone spot the kitchen sink? No? Seriously? RTD didn't throw that in as well? I'm suprised!
As a swansong for DT it was a fine one. Flawed, but a good ending. Hard to go wrong when paying homage to so many classic sci-fi films and programmes really. I'm sure youtube will be full off mashups of DW/Star Trek and DW/Star Wars videos in the coming weeks. I'm certain I wasn't the only one providing the alternate dialogue in my head.
I felt the elongated ending was a tad self-indulgent. Nice as it was to see the end of the stories for some of the characters in the Who universe, it did drag a bit. Not sure what the big deal was for him going back to see Rose to be honest. In part one he gives an emotional speech about how in regeneration everything he is dies, then goes back to see her just before she meets the Doctor he was before this one!
I think of all the companions in this new Who, Wilf is my favourite. I don't think his story has ended yet, at least I hope not. Many people have commented on the moment the Tenth Doctor realises that it is Wilf who knocks four four times and brings about his end, but if you can tear yourself away from Tennant for a second, rewatch the episode and notice the moment that Wilf realises it! I think that was the closest I got to tears while watching this episode.
Despite so many loose ends being neatly tidied away for the new boys to take over, I did like the fact that we still don't quite know who Claire Bloom's character was other than she was one of two Timelords who did not agree with the plan to mess with the Master and bring the events of this episode about. Nor do we know the identity of the other Timelord who objected. Certainly something to ponder on, particularly in the light of some of the dialogue between the mysterious Timelady and Wilf!
I'm sure that the line "But I don't want to go" was poignant for some, but by then I was just waiting for the blaze of glory and to see how Matt Smith would make an impact in the brief moment he would appear. I think he carried it off well, with a few little jokes in there too (references to his hair and his chin) and watching the New Series trailer on the Doctor Who site has whetted my appetite for the adventures to come.
Some links!
Reviews -
Getting ready for the New Series -
The official BBC site (includes the trailer for the new series)
