I'm going to try and get back into the habit of posting something every day round these here parts so let's kick things off with a bit of a view of the festive telly on offer. And you can't really talk about festive telly without mentioning this one, really...
In a nutshell:- The mantle is passed as not only does Tenth Doctor David Tennant make his departure but showrunner Russell T Davies leaves for pastures new, too.
The Basics:- Well, here in the UK, you would have been hidden under a rock to not know anything about this. David Tennant has appeared on so many other shows to promote it over the last few weeks that it's beginning to look like he's the only person at the BBC left working over Christmas (before his upcoming redundancy sets in, anyway). But for those who've not spotted:- after a year of special episodes, David Tennant returns for one final Christmas Day and New Year's Day two-parter to face the return of an old enemy and the end of time itself. All armed with the knowledge that his time is running out as someone will knock four times before the Doctor dies...
The Good & The Bad:- For once, it's difficult to separate this out so you're getting one whole jumbled-together review style thing. Which is, quite frankly, fitting. For, you see, The End Of Time Parts 1 & 2 summed everything that was good and bad about Russell T Davies' run as the man in charge of Britain's Favourite Family Show (TM). It was epic, it was insane, it was brilliant, it was nonsensical, it was emotional, it was mawkish, it was full of promise and oddly disappointing, it was funny and embarrassing, it was crammed with original ideas and yet strangely repetitive. Overall, it was a fitting epitaph to the man's run as the big brain behind it all and, for all his many flaws,he should be applauded for completely revitalising a dead show and making back into event television with mass appeal and genuine love and affection. I think he's reached a good point to leave as a lot of this finale felt like a greatest hits repackaging of previous finales with the volume dialled up to 11 (the "saying goodbye" to previous companions, the regeneration itself) so I think it's definitely time for some fresh blood behind the scenes. As for David Tennant, he has been brilliant in the role and has to take a chunk of the credit for making it the continued success that it is today. I for one was sad to see him go and felt his final line was fitting and poignant. The new guy, Matt Smith, was left with an unenviable task of trying to stamp an impression in the last minute after a long and drawn out farewell. For me, he didn't really make one, seeming like a pale imitation of David Tennant when he first regenerated but I'll wait for the series proper to give the guy a chance.
The Verdict:- Hats off to Russell T Davies overall for creating a real rollercoaster ride of a show over the last five years and leaving quite an act to follow, even if the conclusion to that ride wasn't quite as satisfying as the ride itself had been. And a fond farewell to David Tennant who will be missed. Let's see what new boss Stephen Moffat and Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith have to offer....
2 comments:
Spot-on review, mate! The story was, as you say, the usual "season finale" mixed bag, but magnified by the need to wrap-up RTD's era. I have to admit I fell for all the emotional blackmail ( what a wuss! ) and spectacle and just went with the flow. However, I'm definitely looking forward to the injection of new blood into the show - Bring on the new season!
Yeah. I do like his stuff - when he's at the top of his "throw-enough-shit-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks" game, he gives us brilliantly enjoyable stuff like "The Stolen Earth/Journey's End". And when he thinks he's being funny, we get "Partners In Crime" (my personal least favourite).
Yep, bring on Moffat! Time for a fresh start...
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