The End.

[caz963]

So... Mr Tennant has taken his last trip in the Tardis and has handed over the sonic screwdriver.



I haven't read any reactions yet - I'm still trying to process mine, but overall I think it was a fitting send-off for probably the most popular Doctor ever. Was the last twenty minutes or so rather self-indulgent? Hell, yes, but I didn't mind. I'm sure there will be people out there who hated it (there always are), because the episode ended up being more about the actor than the character, or because that final section wasn't part of the story told by the rest of the episode(s) (Master, Time Lords returning etc.) - but I'd argue that it was part of the larger overall story, that of Ten's "death" and regeneration.

I liked it for what it was; I laughed ("This is the worst rescue ever") and I cried. Bernard Cribbins was (yet again) wonderful and David Tennant ripped my heart out several times over. I liked that Ten got to say goodbye to the people who had been so important to him; the best farewell for my money was the one with Sarah-Jane when you could see that she just knew... He couldn't see Donna and I was kinda bummed that she still doesn't know that she saved the universe, but at least she's happy and about to become rich - oh, and Mickey and Martha are married! Hee! And I have to give RTD a pat on the back for the way he brought Rose back (that was the one reunion I was 'meh' about). It would have been too much of a stretch to bring her back into Ten's "present" (and anyway, she's supposed to he happily settled with her very own Ten!) so having them meet before she meets Nine was okay by me (even if it leads to continuity issues). I know I'm probably giving RTD too many free passes, but at this stage, I don't care. I was watching this to see a much-loved incarnation of this character I've watched for over 40 years make his exit and as far as I'm concerned it pulled all the right strings and pushed all the right buttons. I had tears rolling down my cheeks for almost all of the last twenty-five minutes, but when Ood Sygma appeared and said that the Ood would sing him to his sleep (if I heard that right), and the Ood song started, well, that just about did me in and I had to fight to stop wailing and scaring the kids!

It was nice that Matt Smith got a bit of screen time at the end; I was surprised there wasn't a next season preview at the end of the episode, as there always has been in the past - but that appeared on BBC3 later. (It would appear that the tradition of the Doc snogging his companion is to be continued!) I will be watching the new series - I always have in the past and I see no reason to stop doing so now. It won't be the same of course, but nothing stays the same for ever, nor should it.

Goodbye Ten. Sleep well.

Comments

[loreley-se.livejournal.com]

I loved it - story didn't make a whole lot of sense to me but like you I liked it for what it was :-)

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Quite. I got as far as the fact that we were seeing the Time Lords on the last day of the war, but for how and why, I'll have to rewatch to work it out!

[olsonm-raymond.livejournal.com]

Hi Caz! I've finally seen it. My reaction was pretty much the same as yours. I loved the ending. If there was any time to be schmaltzy that was it.

I found the story engrossing. I had always wanted to know what had happened to the Time Lords. I was so engrossed that I was surprised by Wilf knocking four times and it had the intended affect.

When it came to the regeneration I was ready. I was sad but not unhappy. He had a great run and a good send off. And then he had to go and say it. "I don't want to go." The bastard. That one got me.

I started watching with Eccleston and he was a great introduction to the character but Tennant is Dr. Who for me.

I recently discovered that I have BBC America on my tv so I will be able to catch up on the new Who. I just need to find the first ep.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Hi Ray! Long time no see!

I know that in many ways EoT was a bit of a dog's breakfast, but you know - I don't care. David got one helluva send off, which is as it should be - he's a National Treasure, and deservedly so!

I still can't watch his final moments without bawling my eyes out :(

I believe BBCA is about 2 weeks behind us - we're getting ep 9 this week, but you can find the episodes at the usual places. Email me if you need a reminder.

[olsonm-raymond.livejournal.com]

I was able to find the first ep online and have now seen the first two eps. My tv has up to ep 6 saved for me to watch any time. B-)

I've enjoyed the first two episodes a lot. I like how certain qualities of the doctor's character stay the same even though each actor plays him a bit differently (Smith is only my third doctor). I noticed that the next ep has some daleks and it's good to see that they've kept some of the classic villians. Amy seems like a promising companion. But I don't want to pass judgement yet. I was worried that she was just a pretty face. The companion needs a personality that can play off the doc. (you know, like Donna!) So far I like Amy but there's a touch of the ingenue there. But maybe that's because she's still new to the doctor's world. She was feistier in the first ep before she knew who he was. Hopefully there will be more of that.

I'm off to bed now but I'll be back to comment on the new show.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

I've been posting about DW regularly - about all the differences in the show as well as from episode to episode, so do feel free to pitch in.

I'm afraid Amy gets on my nerves. She's shallow, selfish and self-absorbed and the Doctor deserves better, IMO. I liked little Amelia much more. I won't blather on about it here - have a look through my posts and you'll see why she's so far failed to make much of an impression on me. Also - Karen Gillan couldn't act her way out of a paper bag.

[olsonm-raymond.livejournal.com]

That's too bad about Amy. I was starting to get that vibe watching episode three. Oh well, at least she's nice to look at. O;-)