The Doctor's Companion Blog

I was more than a bit disappointed by the first part of the finale of David Tenants reign.  It seemed very disjointed and hard for people who do not know Who, to follow.  In fact as we all sat around watching it on Christmas Day I felt a bit embarrassed at making my Mother (not a Who fan) watch all this stuff.  I am pretty sure that most of went straight past her, although she is a very polite person and did not complain.

It was nice to see Wilf back of course, and I liked the cafe scene.  However who were this Naismith couple?  We had no explanation of why they were millionaires, how they knew of the immortality gate, and where the daughter got the idea from that she could become immortal.  It all added to the confusion.

In fact I rather felt as if Russell, the writer, knowing that this was the end of his Dr Who writing, had cast aside all restraint and piled in everything pel mel, with no particular order or cohesion between the various parts.  Sorry Russell, but that is what it felt like watching it for the first time.

Although it was exciting to see the Time Lords at the end.  I was not expecting that.  It was a good moment.

I have watched the episode since of course and it does improve on a second viewing. I understand it a bit better.  I think it will take a few more viewings though before I get it all, plus I expect parts of it will only be clear once we have seen the final part.  Due in a few days.

I am looking forward to Part 2, but my enthusiasm has been dented a bit by the deficiencies of Part 1.   Although I should make it clear that I thought all the *actors* was great, and I have no complaints at all about the quality of the acting. It was, as always, superb.

Doctor Who – Winter Specials 2009 – Waters of Mars and The End of Time [DVD] is available from Amazon.