Doctor Who: The End of Time

Time to go ?

Russell T. Davies’s The End of Time was not as atrocious as I feared from snatches accidentally read here and there, but still not the story one could expect to celebrate David Tennant’s ultimate appearance as the Doctor.

My reservations fit in two words: TOO MUCH. Too many elements added nothing to the story whatsoever, or were just plain laughable. Now I am aware that criticising an episode of Doctor Who for being silly is a tad absurd. Let’s face it, we are talking of a 906 year-old alien travelling in time and space in an outdated blue box, who saves Earth from alien invasions every year from the 1960s on, fights murderous pepperpots, plastic manikins or potato-headed dwarves, and gets a shiny new life (and a facelift) whenever he dies. But if even you accept these basic principles – if you don’t, you’re shouldn’t be reading this! - , the End of Time fails to convince. To list but the major hitches: (SPOILERS AHEAD)

• Completely pointless characters, like the two scientists/aliens in disguise – their only interest is the ship they own, that the Doctor conveniently borrows. Even more useless, the billionaire who wants immortality … not for him, but for his daughter ?!? Who cares – the two are seen a grand total of five minutes onscreen.
• The Master’s new super-powers. Was it really necessary to have him flying around laughing maniacally and devouring the odd person to complement his chips and burger? John Simm’s performance is over the top, but a good fifty metres over I would say. It is sad because he proved his talent enough in other series, such Life on Mars and State of Play.
• Last but not least - the Master’s plan of turning every human into himself (maybe as a result of watching Being John Malkovich too often). Daft does not even start to describe it. Unfortunately, it is also one of the central plot ideas.

On the other hand I liked several aspects of the two-parter. Most importantly, the basic concept. Of course the Time Lords would have tried to survive the Time War, and they are a clever lot. Bringing them back (at least temporarily) was a great idea. The explanation for the sound of drums that torments the Master was a clever twist, although it does not account for the fact that he did not seem to be affected in the classic episodes. I also really enjoyed the interaction between the Doctor and Wilf, a truly moving character. The Doctor’s very human fear of dying was something new, and another interesting facet. But indisputably the best bit was what caused the doctor’s death. That was genuinely unexpected, and I would say, quintessential Doctor Who. On the other hand I was not so keen on his extended goodbye at the end. The Doctor received a massive, lethal level of radiation poisoning, but he still has time to pay a visit to all his acquaintances in turn, albeit with a grave face. Hum.

I liked David Tennant’s slightly manic doctor, but felt like the Ood that maybe he had dallied a little too long. A new doctor is most welcome, as is a new executive producer – Steven Moffat, the writer of the fantastic Girl in the Fireplace (Season 2) or Blink (Season 3) is taking over from Russell T. Davies. It is, of course, difficult to judge Matt Smith’s acting ability from the thirty second he was seen on screen. As the Doctor would say: Time will tell.

The End of Time. Doctor Who 2009 Specials.
Part 1 : Initially broadcasted on 25 December 2009.
Part 2 : 1 January 2010.
Starring David Tennant, Bernard Cribbins, John Simm, Timothy Dalton and Matt Smith.