What am I talking about? The Day of The Doctor - 50th Anniversary Special duh! Where to start? Just where to start? Wow!
Ok. Was this the anniversary of anniversaries? Yes! And did they bring it? Hell, yes! I think this episode had everything. A real platter to satisfy every viewer and every fan. There was the suspense, action and explosions. The mystery, conflict and tension. The humour, wit and banter. The hope, soul and legacy. It was definitely a celebration and a cheer to the future.
Spoilers!
Time War Doctor: Why are you pointing your screwdrivers like that?! They're scientific instruments! Not water pistols!
The story starts clean. We can presume it's at least a few months since the events of The Name of The Doctor. And Clara, she has a job! She's a teacher. It seems like we have not returned to full time travelling companion roles, but that The Doctor is still giving his companion a balanced life of battling aliens and adventure, coupled with normality of a home and a job. This is interesting and I wonder if it's going to change in the next series, with the new Doctor to come.
I'm beginning to like Clara. Ooooh yes I said like. In this episode she comes off strong and independent in a more believable way than in previous episodes. She's no longer the plot device and can finally just be the companion and do what companions do best - help The Doctor see. To really see the world and see himself. It is Clara that pulls us back, The Doctors and the audience, from all the madness and chaos. She makes The Doctor see sense, to be the good man he is. The only qualm I have is that she's not as brave as I'd like her to be. She knows what's right but she doesn't speak up, not until The Doctor pauses to acknowledge her distress, and he does so only because her opinion is important to him. If it was Rose, Martha, Donna or Amy they would have been strong enough to say 'no' outright.
I love how the episode dives straight into the excitement with no time to spare. This is a Special and that's how you do it, Sir! But as much as I'd like to praise this episode, I can't all the way through. I thought the story was brilliant and the plot was very strong all the way up until the middle. What happens at the middle? The writer has to reel it in and come up with the resolution. And unfortunately, I don't feel the second half of the episode was as strong. Namely the timey-whimey kicks in and the explanations rely on the speed of articulation over logic and clarity. Let's hoodwink the the viewers!
Anyone lose a fez? ~ Time War Doctor
My favourite part... can you guess? When Ten meets Eleven; and then the two of them meeting Hurty (sorry, I don't want to keep writing the Time War Doctor, it's such a mouthful). It was pure gold! I could watch the scene a billion times and it will never get old! It's Sandshoes, Grandpa and Chinny!!
Time War Doctor: O.o Really?
Eleven: Yeahh...
Ten: ...really.
Time War Doctor: O.O You're ME. Both of you!
Ten: Y-upp!
Time War Doctor (glances side ways to Ten): Even that one?
Eleven (a little offended): Yesss!!
Ten nods sadly, "yes".
Time War Doctor: You're MY future selves?!
Eleven and Ten: YES!
Time War Doctor: Am I having a midlife crisis!
It's just a wolf. What's that saying of a wolf in sheep's clothing? N-no. Probably not the right analogy here. Or is it? It wasn't Rose! As suspected. But it wasn't Bad Wolf either! It was the most powerful weapon. A weapon so powerful it developed a conscience. I liked this character. I liked that it was something more than it being Rose coming back. But do I like that it wasn't Bad Wolf? I don't know. I mean I liked that it was something new. A new being, being introduced. But this being could have taken any face or form from The Doctors past or future and the story could have worked just as well. Which is why I sort of wished they had put in a more compelling reason for why it chose Rose of all forms. Then, there is also that lingering disapppointment that Rose or at least the Moment in the guise of Rose did not get to interact with Ten or Eleven. All we got was that brief moment when the two Doctors hear Hurty say "Bad Wolf Girl". The words making more of an impact on Ten, obviously, than Eleven for which hundreds of years have past since his travels with Rose.
Am I missing something? Ah yes there is one more thing I want to mention, or maybe two... or three?
First up, Tom Baker returns! I've not watched any of the Fourth Doctor's episodes but by golly, Baker's performance was otherworldly! That little scene must be my second favourite. There is still so much mystery in the universe and in the Doctor's future too keep us in suspense. It's that spark and charm, this show endures to prove.
Second last, it's 13! So it's official then, we need to do a shuffle of the Doctor's and bump up everyone since Christopher Eccleston. Initially, from The Name of The Doctor, I thought that Hurty wasn't called 'The Doctor', that maybe he went by a different name, possibly The Doctor's real name. As the dialog went "I said he was me but I never said he was 'The Doctor'... The name I chose, is 'The Doctor'. The name you chose, it's like... it's like a promise you make. His the one who broke the promise". I'd thought he'd chose a different name to go by and therefore was not 'The Doctor', and cut from the count. But now, we can welcome Hurty to the family! By the way I thought John Hurt was brilliant as The Doctor. Although, I think its still safe to keep the numbering as is for the sake of convenience. Eleven will still be Eleven as Ten remain Ten. It's just too confusing to change it now.
Lastly, The Doctor is finally going home! I must admit it does 'almost' bring a tear to my eye. It's the heart in the show that keeps beating. It's a new direction for this long tale and I love it! The beauty of this idea makes me want to not wonder to deeply what implications this means for the events of The End of Time. Oh and don't get me started on the logic of how all 13 Doctor's all assembled in this time and place. How did One through Seven even know what the Time War was since they predate its beginnings?
Ahh there are still so many questions. I'd like to know more but do I want all the answers?
There's only one more adventure with the Elevnth Doctor. It's going to be a sad one no doubt! But all the same I want more Who!
That's it for now.
