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Daleks, Doctors, Donna and always someone shouting out the plot until you bought them a beer: this was event drama, this was party television. Everyone watched this, everyone. Pubs that usually are locked to Sky Sports were tuned to BBC1 and if you didn't get to watch it with friends and food, get 'em all round for the BBC3 repeats.

You did have to feel a bit cheated about the regeneration but it was done with such a knowing laugh - Russell T Davies gleefully enjoying all the fuss he helped create last week. It's going to be extraordinarily hard for the show to bring us back to this peak of interest whenever David Tennant really does leave, but that's probably Steven Moffat's problem now.

And tonight looked like it was going to be all effects and explosions - perhaps it was if you added it all up - but what you take away is entirely to do with the the characters. There were tears around my television over what happened to Donna: this is science-fiction fantasy at about its most pure yet it cut deeper than any soap tragedy.

But it was also just a barrage of imagery. The holding cells were like the Moment of Truth lights in Strictly Come Dancing. The Daleks' test on the prisoners was horribly like a Nazi gas chamber. And the Tardis being pulled down into Dalek Crucible was reminiscent of that famous opening to Trial of a Time Lord, Doctor Who's rather less impressive 23rd season back in 1986 with Colin Baker.

Best not to dwell on that.

Nor perhaps on tonight's torrent of technobabble that led to the saving of the universe: that was very Star Trek, with the Doctor, Donna and the other Doctor all chiming in with full-on Time Lord science.

But Russell T Davies got everyone together in the Tardis perfectly: we've never seen a Tardis flown by the six pilots it's supposed to have. And he got rid of them all perfectly too, even managing to deftly set up what's presumably going to happen next with Torchwood when it comes to BBC1 next year.

Maybe David Tennant should have gone. It was a perfect time, though that's hard to say that when he has been the best Doctor of them all. Jon Pertwee's Doctor gave us a glimpse of his loneliness back in 1973's The Green Death when his companion Jo Grant left. But David Tennant does it all the time, he makes it constantly fresh and raw, and it's hard not to choke.

If he's the best Doctor, then surely Doctor Who is the best drama on TV: it's the one with most verve and spark and exuberant excitement.

Nobody's going to get the pizzas in for the last episode of New Tricks.

The hand didn't play a role in the masters re-gen but he needed it (his only form of the docs DNA) to be able to control the doctor using his laser screwdriver

sorry Angel, yeh I knew how it got there, just couldn't figure if it actually played any major role in The Masters regen - not sure if it did now, but as it was so long back and I've only just returned from a ten year vacation in my own Tardis, best left - or even Turned Left!

if doctor who is stopping does that mean tourchwood will stop to?

In answer to Timmeroo's question as to "I'm still a bit puzzled as to its (the hand's) reappearance in 'Utopia'" If you remember, Captain Jack had the hand at Torchwood, using it much like a warning "siren" to indcate the Doctor's reappearance and he brought it with him when he clung to the TARDIS's side.

Will be sad to see Tennant go as his performances in almost all that he's done from Secret Smile, to Recovery, to Hamlet, etc, all match his fantastic Doctor - they were all superb - that man can act and because of that fact alone I can understand why he might want to get away from the juggernaut that is Doctor Who to do more varied roles for longer time periods than the series would allow him although it won't stop me being hugely upset when he leaves Doctor Who.

As to Donna, I have to say she was a great companion, despite my initial hatred of her in the Christmas special where I found her shouty, unpleasant character unbearable. She proved she not only had perfect comic timing but could act too.

re. Donna mind-wipe - go to 'Tennant Quits' blog to see follow up on my comment in Forest of the Dead blog.

So its 'The Next Doctor' hey? - wos tha' gonna be abowt oi wunder? Dr from a parallel timeline? New Blog Please!!

Oh my gosh, I had dreams about that episode. It was so annoying how donna had a sad ending.

Before dr who was re-launched in 2005, i didn't think much of it, just thinking it was a man who lived in a police box that was massive on the inside. but now i think its the best show ever on TV and David Tennant makes it so worthwhile to watch. He is the best Doctor Who ever and nothing will change my mind about it. I'm a massive fan and dr who turns 45 this year. The great storylines just keep on coming. Yay for Doctor Who.

doctor who is the longest running sci-fi drama because people like it the more people like it the more it is gonna be shown and the seasons fanaley was exelent u got to see evry one that has kept the show running and i thought it was amazing all those monsatrs e.g juddon,darleks,davros and the doctors children of time all that mixed together u aint getin a better episode then that again it was wonderful. love matty

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I think Dr Who is the best of BBC television and the best at it in the World. The scripts have been great and the acting wonderful. I think Catherine Tate has been the best pal ever and I wish she had stayed because it has been so much fun waiting for and watching Dr Who each week. Billie Piper ofcourse was missed but the performance given by Catherine Tate was outstanding. I am a big fan of the Doctor and have been since it first started - I am now 54years and find it is a talking point with both my children as they love it too.

Further to my discussion on the 200th Aired DW adventure (see Turn Left), I submit the following: Original Series etc:

"Mission to the Unknown" (T/A) is a prologue to The Dalek Masterplan (V) and is as such a part of that adventure.

The "Trial of a Timelord" (7A-7C2) season IS regarded as 1 long adventure. Total aired DW tv adventures (original series) = 154; one tv movie = 155; New Series etc:

S1 & S2 @ 10 adventures each = 175;

3 Xmas specials to date = 178;

S3 & S4 @ 9* adventures each = 196.

(* it is my contention that S3:11 "Utopia" & S4:11 "Turn Left" are in extricably linked to the following two final double episodes of those series; that they are actually 3 episode adventures, regardless of how they are advertised in the press.) Therefore, the forth coming fourth DW tv adventure (which will presumably be Xmas 2009) will indeed be that landmark 200th AIRED DW tv adventure; and will be RTD's DW swansong. If my argument for S3 & S4:11 does not stand then the 200th will be the second one along next. However, as my calculations would indeed point to RTD's finale being the 200th aired adventure, I have no doubt that this is the correct solution as I feel sure that is how RTD would have planned it.

...or have I opened a can of Wirrns?

The real mystery is what has happened to billy Pipers mouth?? She hardly opened it to speak! Even then it didn't sound like the old Rose - perhaps she has been to elocution lessons in the parallel world?

Hey William

Besides dragging up in purple robes and pink stockings and chasing Katy Manning round the throne room of Peladon in 1972, another memorable 70s TV role for David Troughton was in Alan Ayckbourn's The Norman Conquests, predating A Very Peculiar Practice by some ten years.

Good to see you defending Bonnie Langford. She was miscast as a Doctor Who companion, especially during that garish mid-80s period, but she's a hugely talented woman and unfairly gets a lot of stick from Who devotees. I interviewed her for RT c1986 and remember her being utterly charming and incredibly vivacious.

One of my bizarre abiding memories from that period was watching the recording of Time and the Rani at TV Centre and Kate O'Mara charging off set in my direction, "disguised" (for the purposes of the "drama") as Bonnie in ginger frightwig et al. A truly scary Doctor Who moment!

OK there were plenty of plot holes and unbelievable moments, but this is sci-fi fantasy! I thought that the last episode had everything - excitement, suspense (although I knew he wouldn't regenerate), drama and plenty to tug at the heart strings.

I thought that David Tennant gave the most amazing performance (perhaps bested only by his performance in Recovery). That man really can act! He gives the Doctor a powerful energy and presence, yet in the blink of an eye he can make the Doctor seem vulnerable and lonely.

The supporting cast are all excellent and the viewing figures show just how well made and well loved Dr Who is.

OK there were plenty of plot holes and unbelievable moments, but this is sci-fi fantasy! I thought that the last episode had everything - excitement, suspense (although I knew he wouldn't regenerate), drama and plenty to tug at the heart strings.

I thought that David Tennant gave the most amazing performance (perhaps bested only by his performance in Recovery). That man really can act! He gives the Doctor a powerful energy and presence, yet in the blink of an eye he can make the Doctor seem vulnerable and lonely.

The supporting cast are all excellent and the viewing figures show just how well made and well loved Dr Who is.

My new favourite phrases are "Time Lordy lady" and "timey-wimey", hilarious!

actually, this whole 'the darkness is coming' business is absolute nonsense. For it to have already been happening in the future of parallel earth, the reality bomb neeeded to have been detonated already in the Medusa Cascade for it to have taken effect as it spiralled out across the cosmos's and parallel cosmos's. As this was prevented, it couldn't have happened in any future. So really this whole yarn was a complete load of hokum and planetary sphericals. Conclusion: best not to dwell too much or you end up ripping your own throat out with the glaring inconsistancies of all things continuitous (or lack thereof) and timey-wimey!

Penny, If you're going to be really pedantic it's 'The Ship', not TARDIS ;)

I knew he wasan't going to regenerate if he did it would of been the best kept secret ever. It was a bit of a sad ending lk the doctor left with nobody lk does anybody know who's going to be playing the doctors next partner?. I can't belive we have to wait untill 2010 for another doctor who series I know that theres going to be specials on in 2009 but thatsot good enough lol.

And another thing; I presume the Void has re-established itself now, but Rose did say it had gone. Presumably it was during its brief breakdown when all those D's & C's which were sucked in and left drifting the nothingness at the end of S2, came a-tumblin' back out and found themselves freefalling to the nearest star cluster. Is this where the Xmas Cybo's are coming from and what about all those D's? another empire in-waiting - or is it this lot that re-established themselves with the Great Dalek Emperor whom Rose destroyed in the future (Satellite 5) at end of S1. Thats the trouble with having too many Dalek stories, they start tripping over themselves. Time the pepperpots were given a very long rest? By the by how comes Rose could survive a severe brain fry from absorbing the Heart of the Tardis and still get to remember everything, yet poor old Ms Noble has to have her brain nobbled just because she got a bit more Time Lordy Lady-ish clever?

Russel T Davies is not leaving for another year, actually. He's doing all the specials, which will air this Christmas and at various times in 2009. Moffat is not taking over until season 5, which will air in 2010.

Slightly confused. I didn't know whether to be happy for Rose or not. I know he's the same Doctor but he's not the same person-- if you know what I mean. For example, firstly he has some of Donna's personality. Secondly, he is full of revenge and is just like the Doctor BEFORE Rose changed him. It was the Doctor she turned him into that she loved the most. I still cried though despite my confusion. It reminded me of when they first said goodbye at Bad Wolf Bay. I almost flooded the house that time.

an amazing finale. the entire week i was convinced he wouldn't regenerate. if only i'd had a bet on it. why did donna have the worst ending though? i cried my eyes out into my ravioli whilst watching it, and thank god rose and (a) doctor finally kissed! farewell russell!

Hi. Hope you can help, I have 16 questions about this season ender and hope you can help answer them here:

http://youwillbeforever.blogspot.com/2008/07/doctor-who- journeys-end-finale-loose.html

Thanks!

Jomar

thought it was great, loved the momemt with all them all on the tardis ,thought it had all the elments of a great episode.nice move with the regenaration,( got to love the hand move ,corny but good , had me roaring at the screen ),even the referances to the different progammes ,( drove my sister nuts with that )but hey it does what doctor who does best, and yes i stil have MY doctor.

ok ok,its only tv escapism. If this had been the old series this yarn would have been an excuse to bring back past Doctors but instead we got recent past, present and spin-off companions and a divided Doctor to come to the rescue. I like the fact that RTD has answered some past DW trivia too.

The 3-fold man - wasn't the same said of the 9th Doctor in his various media incarnations (inc Curse of Fatal Death) viz The Gallifrey Chronicles novel.

The TARDIS/Tardis finally gets its 6 pilots and tells us just what a performance the Doc has piloting it on his ownsome.

Good or Bad, RTD has at least tied up his loose ends before bowing out. That can't be said of the old series which could still do with a few answers. I'm going to pat myself on the back for at least seeing that Ms Noble had something to do with interrupting/interfering with the regeneration process and became part Timelordy Lady; and as for the hand, well it was obvious really - another loose end (of arm) tied up. When it was lopped off, I remember thinking 'well so long as it survived the long drop, there's an arm waiting to become a body' and lo behold it turned up in Cardiff, though I'm still a bit puzzled as to its reappearance in 'Utopia' - did it have some effect on the Masters regen? - if so, does that now make the Master and the Doctor truly brothers, as has sometimes been surmised in the interim novels? Yes, there seems to be quite a bit of Interconnectedness of Everything going on here, indeedy.

Two further things - 1)why the BAD WOLF ref. it had no bearing on this at all. Rose could have simply whispered 'Rose Tyler'in Donna's shell-like at the end of Turn Left. 2) I dunno, I'd been half expecting that somehow Gramps Noble would be tied in to his earlier DW movie role as Tom Campbell in Dalek Invasion of Earth. Never mind though.

So we're back with the Robocop Cybermen for Xmas - I see another unresolved issue here so perhaps we will see them joining forces/doing battle with their parallel counterparts of our own Whoniverse. It is all to easily forgotten that this lot is not OUR lot. But why the Cybo's at all, when there are other adverseries that could be drawn on (or introduced)- The Zygons, the Ice Warriors to name but two.

Finally, back to a previous blog of mine regarding number of Aired DW adventures. Perhaps WG-RT would like to open up a new blog on the following debate: One of next years specials will be the 200th AIRED DW adventure. Which one depends on how one regards the televised adventures. For example The entire 'Trial of a Timelord' season is regarded as ONE adventure in 4 stories (14 episodes). I personally regard the last 3 episodes of S3 & S4 as one story. I've misplaced my scribblings but I suspect that it is either the first (Xmas) or the one after, of the next DW Specials, that will be that 'bicentennial' benchmark. Discuss.

I share William's concern that using the Doctor's (possible) regeneration as a cliff-hanger will lessen the impact when the tenth Doctor's time is truly up. Regeneration is such a unique and dramatic part of Who that to use it in this way - to get the 'biggest cliffhanger ever' desired by RTD - is to run the risk of devaluing it. More a case of "Cry wolf" than "Bad wolf". However, no doubt when the time is right, something great will be designed for the tenth Doctor's final stand, whether the show is under the guidance of Russell or Steven. On first watching, I did feel cheated, but on second viewing, I was pretty darned impressed by the finale. The half-regeneration, and all that it makes possible, is integral to the plot, and does give us some wonderful moments, such as the Tardis coming to the rescue, the "one heart" Doctor's dash towards Davros, his exchange with Doctor Donna, and a happy ending (for Rose) of the kind that no other TV series can match.

I could defend Russell T Davies here and I think I really should, but instead I come to praise…Bonnie Langford.

Knock her character, Mel, all you like and I will join it. Tell me that the stories she was in were among the worst slices of drama ever seen on British television and, well, I might point you toward selected highlights of The Bill, but otherwise I'd agree.

Only, I think Bonnie Langford herself is criticised very unfairly. She's talented and has had a quite remarkable career, it's just that Doctor Who isn't one of her highlights. I don't know that anyone could have made Mel good, it seems harsh to blame her for an impossible task. And, oh, go on, then: Russell T Davies. We all credit him for bringing back Doctor Who - I'd throw in a word of praise for Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter for that too - but what I think we forget is that he wasn't the first one to revive it. We had the Paul McGann TV movie in 1996 and that was meant to become a series. If it had, we'd have seen a nice Tardis interior each week (designed by Battlestar Galactica's Richard Hudolin!) but little else.

Because I think that TV movie was ordinary, complacent, a bit dull. Russell T Davies's revival was like a slap that woke us up to how good Doctor Who could be. As much as I agree about Steven Moffat being amazing, he's standing on Russell T Davies's work in re-creating the series the way he did.

Just as an aside, have a look if you can at RTD's introductions to his published scripts. Unlike any other script book I've read, his Doctor Who and Queer as Folk volumes both have introductions written in the form of a script. And they are joyous, just joyous.

William

It was awful, just awful.

All of RTD's excesses and failings condensed into one terrible, shambolic mess. Not only that but it felt tediously familiar as it followed the formula for all the other RTD finale's even to the point of once again serving up a big dollop of deus ex machina to save the day. Can't think of how to credibly defeat the monsters? That's alright Russell will just make up some mystical technobabble, something suspiciously akin to magic will happen and all will be well with the universe. It was lazy RTD by numbers and I for one am delighted he's moving on, if only because it hopefully means we'll never have to suffer Jackie Tyler appearing in Doctor Who ever again.

It's only redeeming feature was ridding us of Catherine Tate, worst companion ever besides Bonny Langford.

Bring on Steven Moffat, he's already shown himself to be twice the writer RTD is and while the hiatus is regretable it should give him time to mould the show, rather than jumping in and being stuck with lot's of RTD baggage.

Whatever you think about this season, or the way the finale turned out, the fact that the series can gain almost ten million viewers, and be the No.1 rated programme in Britain in it's 45th Anniversary year is one hell of an achievement.

If you had a Tardis, and went back to 2002, and told people that in a few years time "Dr Who" would be back on TV, and the biggest programme in Britain, with spin-offs shows and Xmas specials topping the ratings, they would laugh in your face - it is hard to remember now that just five years ago this was a dead series, and whatever else Russell T Davies might be responsible for, this revival will be his abiding legacy, not just to DW fans, but to the story of Television.

Director Alice Troughton is no relation of previous Doctor Patrick.

But she directed the episode Midnight, which guest-starred David Troughton as Professor Hobbes - and he is. He's Patrick's son.

David Troughton was in Doctor Who back in the late 1960s and early 1970s but arguably his first really memorable role was as Dr Bob Buzzard in A Very Peculiar Practice - where he co-starred with Doctor number 5, Peter Davison.

William

I've never posted a comment about anything before, but I was just so astonished to read a posting from 'Andy' that we should be glad Catherine Tate has gone as she was 'the worst Doctor's assistant EVER'. Surely I cannot be alone in thinking that she is the BEST Doctor's assistant ever??? I've watched Doctor Who since its very first episode, broadcast when I was three years old, probably too young to appreciate it fully then, but having an 8-year-old brother it was compulsive Saturday teatime viewing. I even remember losing a tooth in a Dairylea triangle whilst watching Patrick Troughton! I've had opinions on all of the Doctor's companions (and I consider Donna Noble to have been a true companion rather than an assistant as it happens), some better than others, and then when Living-Legend King Russell brought the series back into the nation's sitting rooms - and hearts - I thought Billie Piper was wonderful. I went on to think that Freema Agyeman was even more wonderful. When Catherine Tate arrived in the 2006 Christmas Special, all shouty and attitude-y, I was prepared to be disappointed. I have never been happier to admit how very wrong I was. As well as her perfect comic-timing, she has proved time and time again just what fantastically-talented actress she is. I have reduced to tears more times during this series than any other, and I can only imagine that's due to a combination of consistently brilliant writing, phenomenal acting and chemistry between the two leads, and not forgetting of course the incredibly magical soundtracks. Even to select these things seems unfair - considering the talents of each and every single person connected with the show. I'm getting side-tracked rather, as all I really wanted to say was I think Donna Noble is a creation par excellence, and Catherine Tate's portrayal of her was sheer genius. That's my opinion. By the way, can someone please put me out of my misery and tell me if Alice Troughton is 'any relation'??? It's been driving me nuts!

It was brilliant/fantastic.

Anyone with any problem with it should watch the repeats next Sunday ? on BBC 1.

Why do all you critics watch Dr. Who ? Because you love it.

Overall I think it was a solid episode. Far from perfect, but the good outweighed the bad. I do think it is a real pity that Donna was written out of the series. One real shortcoming of the new series is the rapidfire turnover of main actors. In the old series the actors would stick around a few years, giving themselves time to form a real chemistry. Tate and Tennant were brilliant right from the start, their sense of timing was almost flawless. If they could have had 2-3 years to hone that even tighter they could have been the best Doctor/companion team of all time. I will really really miss Donna.

That said, I am hopeful that we can finally put all of this Rose nonsense behind us. For all of the hoopla surrounding her she was a very weak companion..and that pseudo-romance drivel was nauseating. I think Piper did as good a job playing her as anyone could have, but I am more than ready to leave Rose in the past.

I can remember the First Doctor, I have seen all the different Doctors with their various companions and I have seen all the foes they have fought. I consider myself qualified to judge, and it is my opinion that David Tennant is far and away the best of all the Doctors. Journey's End was a fitting series finale, and a fitting way to end Russell T Davis' time at the helm. Bringing together so many of the Doctor's "children" was inspired, the interaction was so good as they fought to save the earth and help the Doctor. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the episode and was shouting encouragement at some points. Finally, a few words about Donna Noble. I had my doubts, but she grew on me, and she is the best companion of all. It is so sad she is not able to remember her time with the Doctor. Many thanks to all concerned for this television masterpiece.

Only one to get 3 doctors right, REmember Lela she was human, she stayed on Galafrey with a guard, what about there children, human X timelord?

I thought that the series final of Doctor Who this weekend was superb! My only negative about it was that I felt there were too many sub-plots. Appart from that, everything about it was brilliant! Julian Bleach was excellent as Davros. His performance brought back so many wonderful memories of the actors who have played the character over the years; Micheal Wisher, Terry Molloy and David Gooderson. It was also great to see Bernard Cribbins taking part in Doctor Who again. He is a wonderful actor, just watch his performance in the film Carry On Spying! Well done to the BBC for producing yet another great piece of television.

There was an added poignancy with Bernard Cribbins AKA Tom Campbell companion to the Doctor in the Peter Cushing DR Who Daleks invasion Earth film of 1966.

Some imperfections here and there but on the whole brilliant. Something for all the family. Fantastic contribution to British TV over 4 series by Russel T Davies. He should get a knighthood. He has successfully revived a some great British brands (the Dr, Daleks, Cybermen etc) which needed investment, ingenuity and some tender loving care. Not simply to be canned after a couple of bad seasons on a shoestring budget as "Sir" Michael Grade did.

Also: a big deal was made of Rose's return, but when she actually does turn up, it leaves us a bit underwhelmed. Her character did not get the proper writing/screen time it needed. No doubt that was done so that she wouldn't upstage the whole finale, but why bring her back at all in order to leave us cheated? We all wanted a satisfying resolution between Rose and the Doctor and didn't really get it. We got every single character popping up when Rose was all we wanted. It was a case of too much happening and not enough time devoted to a specific strand of the story. But all in all, TV with Doctor Who is better than TV without. Bring on the Xmas special.

It has been a stunning series… yes i was so worried Tennant could be leaving i was almost sick… but i felt it may have clouded Donna's leaving of the series. It's a shame she has been a fantastic character, so normal, and human. She has been the first to see the Doctor as a friend… and once in a while it's a fresh insight into the world of the Doctor. Catherine Tate has been a pleasure to watch, from her scenes with heartfelt compassion to the Ood to the heartwrenching Turn Left. So thank you Catherine for being an absolute star, it's just a shame you had to be clouded by the mass of returning characters (not that i'm complaining, the scene around the TARDIS console was fantastic!).

I think 'Journey's End' would have worked perfectly if it was separated into two. There wasn't really enough Rose for my liking, there was also no chance to see The Doctor's reaction (meaning the REAL Doctor) to having to give her up to his other self.

So now i await the Cybermen!!!!! :)

I'm seeing a lot of people on the internet who feel let down by this season finale. But I suppose it was always going to be very hard to follow up the excitement of the previous episode's cliff-hanger .

Yes, it was a bit anticlimactic and a few fans had far better ideas for the finale. All the loose ends were tied rather too neatly and future cameo options left open.

But I suppose it's also to do with the format of the show and the fact that actors are unwilling to commit for very long runs, as I suppose that's why Catherine Tate's character had to be dispatched in that way, albeit leaving open the option of a future cameo should her other projects dry up.

And yes, Rose's resolution also felt rather strange. A bit too neat but unsatisfying at the same time. This "and they lived happily ever after" didn't really feel that way. She goes for one man and gets another one. Although I suppose the other one will turn out to be a better option in the future, when he's no longer a young-looking 37 year-old against yourself turning 60/70/80…

"I really mean it about him being the best. The friends I was with on Saturday night when I wrote that blog pointed out afterwards that he has been helped by having the best scripts and I think that's true. Time and the Rani v Silence in the Library, case dismissed."

Not at all. Time and the Rani was about the worst that the original near 30 years produced, not the best, so that is a ridiculous argument.

For myself, though my memory goes right back to watching Hartnell, the very best, including the revival, was the first 3 years of Tom Baker ... not every story then, but many. I can still look at them on video now, and despite the limitations of the settings, sets, size of cast and effects compared with the revival, they still grab me and enthrall me even at the age I am now in a way that the revival ones conspicuously fail to do.

The WORST feature of the revival ones is that they try to write parts of each story as comedy, with deliberately overplayed clowning. That, for me, just runins it. Doctor Who at its best - like the Hinchcliffe/Holmes era - contained humour, but not comedy - an important distinction. When the new producers lost control of Tom Baker and he started doing comedy and clowning, his era deteriorated. And that is the core of my biggest problem since the start of the revival.

I didn't feel let down by the episode. I agree it felt a bit rushed and it wasn't quite up to the quality of previous eps, but it was action packed and tear-jerking. I was just SO relieved the Doctor didn't regenerate fully. I don't care if it didn't make sense, I'd been worrying about it all week - they can't replace David Tennant. He's the best Doctor ever and so good-looking!! And I laughed when he said, "After I healed myself I didn't need to change, I didn't want to, I mean, look at me"!! Hear, hear. I cried at what happened to Donna, though. think Catherine Tate has been a good assistant, very original and better than I thought she'd be. The only person I would criticise is Sarah Jane. Her acting was absolutely appalling! She sounded like she was on Ballymory! Doesn't she realise, Doctor Who stopped being just a kid's show a long time ago!

Thomas: "'...verve and spark and exuberant excitement' are not the core constituents of great drama. Subtle, nuanced, and credible characterisation is." You don't want both? I refuse to agree that they are opposites: Tennant's portrayal of loneliness in the Doctor is subtle and deep and credible, for instance. By sparky and the rest I don't mean jumping about through time and space, I mean characters that are alive.

I read the scripts to this year's Doctor Who series and right there on the page there is life and gusto and nuance. Even before the actors get to it, the drama is bursting with life. And by comparison, I've read - er, let's say Other Current TV Drama is Available - and they plod on the page.

Criminal Justice, though I haven't read Peter Moffat's scripts, that was equally alive and it had little but subtle nuance.

Spark doesn't equal explosion. But characters that are alive does equal drama.

And that's why I'd agree with you about American TV. We are, as ever, only seeing the very best of it and the worst is as bad as anything the UK can make - wait until you see the new Knight Rider - but when it is good, it is marvellous and there's little here to touch it.

DavidBE: Quite right: I was totally wrong last week about regeneration. But I don't mind that: I'm about roughly equal parts glad Tennant is staying and sorry he's not gone.

I really mean it about him being the best. The friends I was with on Saturday night when I wrote that blog pointed out afterwards that he has been helped by having the best scripts and I think that's true. Time and the Rani v Silence in the Library, case dismissed.

But so much, so very, very much pointed toward him regenerating. All the characters returning, all the spin-offs checking back in, all the plot strands from all three years of David Tennant's time, they converged in this story. And that was great: it gave the tale a sense of enormous weight and importance. It truly was climactic.

Except that it didn't climax because he stayed.

I think with a lesser series that would've felt like a cop-out. But even with this one I have a sense that it's spent its biggest bullet. Now it has to pick itself up and start again which is fine, it's even good because hopefully it will be fresh. And I don't doubt that the makers will be able to carry on this high standard. Yet David Tennant is going to leave at some point and the odds are that there are fewer episodes ahead of him than behind, so can the show make his eventual regeneration as huge as it would've been this week?

William

"You did have to feel a bit cheated about the regeneration but it was done with such a knowing laugh - Russell T Davies gleefully enjoying all the fuss he helped create last week."

No, YOU felt a bit cheated because you got it totally wrong last week and said there could be no turning back from the regeneration. Most of the people who left comments on your blog entry last week - including me - did not feel cheated because we were right that Tennant was carrying on.

It was disappointing in the rushed resolution of the doom of all reality through some gabbled nonsensical technobabble, emulating TNG at its worst.

Thank you. The whole series was fantastic, and I know this because my children were quiet throughout each episode. Donna was fantastic, bringing wit and cheek to the stories. Definately the best Doctor ever. Wonderful the way we linked up with Rose and Martha and Torchwood. The finale, jaw dropping, thank goodness for Sky+, being able to watch again and again. As a child Dr Who had me hiding behind the arm chair, this last episode had me reaching for the tissues. Brilliant.You left us wanting more and more and more. Oh, and if you have a spare clone of David Tennant left over, send it my way !!

...a fantastic season finale to a fantastic series of Doctor Who! At last, an ending which doesn't make me go"What??What happens next???" quite refreshing really

It would have been good if it were original, but this is a rehash of all the other end-of-season 'spectaculars', a Russell T Davies best of. People running and screaming, News 24, massive Dalek invasion fleet, the promise of a companion dying (but copping out on it), the goodbye to Rose in the sand, and the overall chaotic tone of the thing. It didn't feel like anyone was trying anything original, it was just, "and here's how we do the end of season finale". Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.

Penny Dantic - thanks for your comment, but in William's defence, Radio Times's style for "Tardis" is as so, lower case, because it is a pronounceable acronym.

andy - you might be interested to read what a fan of Catherine Tate as a Doctor's companion has to say in another blog:

http://www.radiotimes.com/blogs/339-why-i-lovecatherine-tate

Go easy on her!

Helen
RadioTimes.com

True!

We could all have guessed the story would be a let-down after last week's build-up; but even I was surprised at just how BADLY all those loose ends were tied up. Even if it worked, it was all so unsatisfactory: The way everyone was justed 'beamed' on board the dalek ship together putting an end to the fight; the explanation for how Donna and the Doctor's replica saved the universe; Donna having her memory wiped after everything she's done with the Doctor; and definitely worst of all dumping Rose back where she came from expecting us to feel that's fine since she's with a clone of the Doctor:- This was an implausible conclusion: Yes it's heroic to sacrifice true love for a good cause, but Rose hardly looked happy when he left. I'm left feeling only grateful and relieved that we kept the 10th Doctor, who unsurprisingly - and frustratingly - is more lonely than ever.

Let's hope with the 'slate wiped clean' future character, relationship and storylines will be just as interesting but also play-out to better conclusions. And if they ever want to replace David Tennant for real, for goodness sake get someone as good-looking! (eg someone such as David Morrissey).

Donna's fate has perhaps left the show with its biggest hole so far and it was a surprise that Russell T Davies didn't think to fill it at the very end of this episode.

When Rose was left to live out our days (or so we thought) on a parellel universe, before any of us could get too sad, we had Catherine Tate in a wedding dress. When Martha finally realised her love for the Doctor would always remain unrequited, along came the 'Titanic' to keep us wondering what was going to happen next.

My only criticism of this excellent finale was that there was no such dramatic device just before the credits rolled. Maybe this was the point: to emphasis the Doctor's loneliness. But isn't the whole point of the show that he doesn't really get the chance to reflect - not for more than a few seconds anyway.

Am I the only one who, despite enjoying the final episode immensely, feels a little cheated that there was nothing to lead us in to the Christmas episode.

I have followed Dr.Who over many years through the good and bad ( Colin Baker season )I felt that the finale of Dr.Who was the biggest anti-climax ever. The entire episode was like watching the three stooges and the music inappropriate. This summed up the whole of this season lame and infantile. This season wasn't a patch on the third season which was Dr.Who at its best and classic without a week story. There was only at least four good stories - Silence in the Library, Forest of the Dead, Turn Left and Stolen Earth. Talk about a cop out. Yet again its lets just pull the reset button, the characters two dimensional and comical. Torchwood cast - why? It was great to have Sarah Jane back. Hopefully the new producer will get the Dr. back on track. Steve ( Wales )

Just wanted to say what a fantastic performance from Julian Bleach as Davros. Truly spine tingling even through a faceful of latex.

who cares about the plot,just be happy catherine tate has gone(the worst Dr's assistant EVER)

i loved this episode and there was hardly a dry eye in our house especially with what happened to donna and the fact that we may never see the wonderful mr cribbins again, the man that everyone wants to adopt them as their grandfather, its such a shame that the doctor was laft on his own again but i cant wait to see who his next companion is gonna be, and just to let the bbc know im available straight away, no really i am the next train to cardiff leaves in an hour....:D

I do love Dr Who but it has spoilt one thing - RadioTimes. RadioTimes should be renamed the Dr Who Magazine for 13 weeks of the year (who needs an official Dr Who mag - buy RT - I actually refuse to buy the magazine now (shame on you).

William - it is TARDIS, not Tardis!

I thought that it stunk, yes sure it was enjoyable, but I felt the twist that meant the regeneration didn't happen was a bit far-fetched, then again with the duplicate Doctor, and the wiping of the memory - sure the Time Lords did it in The War Games to Jamie and Zoe but the Doctor's a renegade, he doesn't have the power or he would have done it yonks ago, true?

Then there is Davros, yay, Davros is back, hasn't he been a prisoner of the Daleks before? He just looks very different, the other Davros' you could tell it was Davros, he just looks too old and wizened, sure he had the chair and the blue thing in his forehead, but the Cyberman aren't Cybermen. The Cybermen are a human brain in a metal casing with an emotional inhibitor, screaming "Delete" all the time. Sound a bit too much like Daleks to me. What I liked about the real Cybermen, the actual Cybermen, not these fakes created by Russel T.(errible) Davies is that you knew they were once people, they had voices, you could converse with them, sure they were hell-bent on destruction but they didn't just have a one-track mind like a Dalek. I await the Christmas Special 2008 with a bit of trepidation.

Overall this new direction for Doctor Who is good, but no so great, I see they ignored the Doctor being revealed to be half-human bit in The Enemy Within. Just it's too much about the family and not about the Sci-Fi. It's like the old Doctor Who meets Eastenders, in the words of several of the cast on that show, "Leave it out."

It was marvellous. Only enhanced by the cracking thunderstorm outside my house at the time.

"...verve and spark and exuberant excitement" are not the core constituents of great drama. Subtle, nuanced, and credible characterisation is, and in that vein, very little of what's currently broadcast actually hits the mark (and of those few successes, the majority - to me at least - seem to be American).

You are so totally spot on.The hysterical web-sirfing and debate after last weeks episode was a joy.This weeks pay off was sublime with Rose finally getting her Doctor to herself and Donna heartbreakingly losing all that she had become.The central heart of this whole reimagining though is ultimately the frantic and unpredictable character that David Tennant has created.The emation he imbues the Doctor with is breath taking and sometimes the best moments are the tiny silences between.Just witness the chemistry at these times with Billie Piper and Catherine Tate.I just hope he is not too quick to leave.Christopher Ecclestone was good but David Tennant is the consumate Doctor and I see no-one touching what he can deliver to us!!