Let’s get this out of the way: if you stare too closely at the details of a Russell Davies’ Doctor Who story, you might fall through a plot hole and end up in a paradox. Nobody wants to be stuck in a paradox, so just go with the intent of the story and ignore some of the pesky little details that geeks love to argue about. Stick with that mindset and you’ve opened yourself up to a fun journey through series four.
In my previous reviews of the show (review 1, review 2) I thought the episodes (and the finales) kept improving from series to series. Does that hold true for the 2008 episodes?
Looking at series 4 overall, I’d have to say that episode for episode, 2008 didn’t quite live up to 2007 (series 3). On the whole, there were more great episodes last year than this year. That said, this year had some excellent stuff. I don’t think anyone would argue that the “Library” 2-parter was one of the top 3 stories ever written for Doctor Who, for example (in fact, most reviews I’ve seen would put it at number 1). It also boasted the most guest-star-filled episodes ever (with the possible exception of the original show’s “The Five Doctors” - though I’d give “Journey’s End” the edge).
Since this is Russell T. Davies’ final year as the show runner, it was built as the wrap-up to the major threads he began in 2005 when he brought the show back. Even the Ood had a sense of closure this year. As such, this series (and in particular, its finale) will probably be looked at as one of the most important of the reborn show, even if it wasn’t the best in terms of consistent quality.
Some general statements:
- I like that Donna was not a participant in the “unrequited love” subtext that pervaded the previous years of the show. [Note to Steven Moffatt: let's have more of that! Get back to the way companions used to be handled in the original run!]
- There were some great moments in this year. I particularly liked the Latin-to-Celtic translations bits in the Pompeii episode.
- I loved how the finale episodes were rich with callbacks to not only this year but previous years, even including a couple references to the original show!
Best episodes:
- As mentioned, the Library 2-parter
- The three-part series finale
- “The Doctor’s Daughter” and “The Fires of Pompeii” each have some important elements, but as stand-alone episodes they don’t quite make the “best” list.
Because of the nature of the finale, I must now employ my newly acquired, dimensionally transcendental spoiler saver (it is, after all, bigger on the inside — though it apparently doesn’t work in RSS, so if you’re reading this in a feed reader, stop reading here unless you want spoilers)…
Show Spoiler ▼
We certainly got a lot of cool stuff this season, what with multiple Doctors, an examination of the effects of being with him - and by extension, a look into his character - a new time lady out there (or is she?), and hints of a companion, and love, to come, and a look at the universe that could have been - one without the Doctor.
Gallifrey didn’t return as speculated, but there’s still a chance of that happening in the specials for 2009, I suppose, before Davies drops out completely.
As is typical, the cliffhanger was resolved quickly and simply, in a somewhat unsatisfying manner. Still, at least with the regeneration issue it furthered the story later on.
Rose has her life with the Doctor now, I suppose (though that’s fraught with one of those plot holes you can’t stare at too long). That seemed like a nice way to end her story. I also liked that her mom and Mickey got involved and had good endings.
Speaking of Mickey, it was interesting that he ended up walking off with Jack and Martha. I wonder if those two will replace Toshi and Owen in Torchwood. They have similar skill sets to those two characters, and Jack’s comments to each could be seen as foreshadowing. Plus, Mickey now has two years of experience with the parallel worlds’ Torchwood.
Donna… very sad. I liked how her death wasn’t really a death (but then again, in some ways it feels like a cheat). Also, these last few episodes (Forests of the Dead, Turn Left, and Journey’s End) have contained some of Catherine Tate’s best acting, in my opinion.
It was an interesting point for Davies to add that a Tardis was designed to have 6 pilots, thus explaining the hexagonal design of the control panel. Nice touch.
The earth being towed through space… well, I’ve got a lot of problems with that, honestly, so I’m just going to ignore it.
Really, everything from the entire new series - at least everything major - was tied up in this finale, except for the Doctor’s daughter running around the cosmos. Even the old hand was put to good use and had its own story. All previous companions now have someone else and relatively happy lives (even if Donna can’t remember the Doctor, her life will be relatively happy).
Now it’s just the Doctor, alone again with the burden of having faced his legacy of destruction, as described by Davros. It was an interesting comment from Davros that the Doctor is running from his history, never staying long or looking back out of shame. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays into next year’s specials, and if it continues to be a theme in Moffatt’s tenure as show-runner.
If you look at all 4 years as a single story, this series serves as a satisfying ending, in my opinion. There were certainly problems with it on its own, but as a piece of the larger pie, I’m happy with it.
Looking forward to the specials, and then to the full return with Moffatt in the lead.
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