End of Time Reaction Post
I have to admit that this was, despite my hopes in many ways a RTD Finale. A brilliant set up, a wrap up that doesn't make a great deal of sense, a twist that will need some explaining, and a bit of self-indulgence. At least this time we got some nice character moments as well.
RTD's best work todate has been midnight. When he throws in the spectacle he looses the plot.
Overall it left me feeling like we were still waiting for he kicker. The Whole timelords returning plot seemed to be an after thought. A Dues ex machina to create the character moments that the episode was really all about. I was disapointed with the wrap up. How great would it have been if they had come back and stayed especially with the Doctor being more explicitally at odds with them as he has in the past. Obviously Moffat didn't want to use them so they got shoved back in the closet. Dissapointing.
Also while I concede that RTD can change his mind, and Timothy Dalton was inspired casting for the president, Russell had stated that Romana was president during the war. I can only think that Romana was the TimeLady killed in part one. Clearly RTD changed his mind to simply give the timelords a reason to have to be boxed again.
The self indulge I didn't mind so much this time round. RTD has been wanting his multi alien scene for ages - and wanting Midshipman Frame back for as long. My only issue with Alonzo's return is that he really wasn't important enough to warrant one in terms of Ten's tenure. Having read the writers tale it was nice to see RTD get his moment. Couldn't have been done without Jack. I suspect this would have really bugged me if I hadn't read TWT.
I liked that Ten took time to see his companions off, and that his 'reward' was to make their lives better in some way; saving Luke, solving Donna's money problems etc. I liked that Rose began and ended this regeneration. Although there had been rumours of a cross over scene to the alternate universe, I liked that it wasn't in the episode. Rose's arc has, to my mind, been ended. This was about Ten - not about her. Also while he couldn't do anything for Rose anymore - it was Ten doing something purely for himself - to say goodbye.
Across the episode the things that bugged me were the usual RTD let downs. Two things really stood out.
The mystery TimeLady. When she uncovered her eye's we got, I think, the Doomsday theme, implying she was Rose. That would make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Then when Wilf asked who she was there was a hint that she was Donna. Unless RTD decides to tell us in the commentary - we will never know. This is highly irritating - I suspect on purpose. (Edit - I've gone back and checked and it was actually the metacrisis theme - so I'm assuming that WAS Donna and that I was just confused.)
Martha. I HATE what they did to poor Martha. One minute she's working to temper UNIT - a doctor, engaged to a doctor, with power and respect in not one but TWO male dominated fields and next . . . .what the? Was RTD still bitter about the Torchwood thing or something?
The highlights were definately Wilf and Ten's scenes. Brilliant acting, Brilliant character development. Worth watching the episode for. These moments are some of the finest television I've seen in a long time.
RTD's best work todate has been midnight. When he throws in the spectacle he looses the plot.
Overall it left me feeling like we were still waiting for he kicker. The Whole timelords returning plot seemed to be an after thought. A Dues ex machina to create the character moments that the episode was really all about. I was disapointed with the wrap up. How great would it have been if they had come back and stayed especially with the Doctor being more explicitally at odds with them as he has in the past. Obviously Moffat didn't want to use them so they got shoved back in the closet. Dissapointing.
Also while I concede that RTD can change his mind, and Timothy Dalton was inspired casting for the president, Russell had stated that Romana was president during the war. I can only think that Romana was the TimeLady killed in part one. Clearly RTD changed his mind to simply give the timelords a reason to have to be boxed again.
The self indulge I didn't mind so much this time round. RTD has been wanting his multi alien scene for ages - and wanting Midshipman Frame back for as long. My only issue with Alonzo's return is that he really wasn't important enough to warrant one in terms of Ten's tenure. Having read the writers tale it was nice to see RTD get his moment. Couldn't have been done without Jack. I suspect this would have really bugged me if I hadn't read TWT.
I liked that Ten took time to see his companions off, and that his 'reward' was to make their lives better in some way; saving Luke, solving Donna's money problems etc. I liked that Rose began and ended this regeneration. Although there had been rumours of a cross over scene to the alternate universe, I liked that it wasn't in the episode. Rose's arc has, to my mind, been ended. This was about Ten - not about her. Also while he couldn't do anything for Rose anymore - it was Ten doing something purely for himself - to say goodbye.
Across the episode the things that bugged me were the usual RTD let downs. Two things really stood out.
The mystery TimeLady. When she uncovered her eye's we got, I think, the Doomsday theme, implying she was Rose. That would make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Then when Wilf asked who she was there was a hint that she was Donna. Unless RTD decides to tell us in the commentary - we will never know. This is highly irritating - I suspect on purpose. (Edit - I've gone back and checked and it was actually the metacrisis theme - so I'm assuming that WAS Donna and that I was just confused.)
Martha. I HATE what they did to poor Martha. One minute she's working to temper UNIT - a doctor, engaged to a doctor, with power and respect in not one but TWO male dominated fields and next . . . .what the? Was RTD still bitter about the Torchwood thing or something?
The highlights were definately Wilf and Ten's scenes. Brilliant acting, Brilliant character development. Worth watching the episode for. These moments are some of the finest television I've seen in a long time.