And so, here it is. The episode whose title was kept under wraps for months because it was considered to be “too SPOILER filled.” The episode that brought back the Daleks, yet again. The episode that brought back an old enemy. The episode that would bring together all of the Doctor’s companions (well, at least those seen since the show reluanched four years ago) for what promised to be an epic, ultimate battle.
It was an episode that I had pinned a lot of hopes on. As the final Russell T. Davies penned season finale, I was hoping that Davies would go for the gusto, throw in everything and the kitchen sink and give us the kind of finale that the series has wanted, demanded and needed since series one. I was hoping he’d learned from his previous mistakes and would truly give us a classic for the ages.
Instead, we got a re-tread of “Bad Wolf.”
Big time SPOILERS after the jump….
It’s not to say I didn’t like “Bad Wolf.” It is the superior half of the first season finale. But the problems that cropped up in “Bad Wolf” are also very, very much in evidence here.
By that, I mean that we spent a lot of the first half-hour of the show simply treading water. With “Bad Wolf” it was the various reality-show take-offs that filled half an hour or so while we waited around for the Daleks to show their eye-stalks and the real story to begin. With “The Stolen Earth” it’s the biggest cross-over event in the history of “Doctor Who” that keeps things treading water until Davros is revealed and the script finds a way to get the Doctor in on events.
The story begins with the Doctor and Donna arriving on current-day Earth, expecting it to be destroyed or in danger. It’s not. Everything is fine. The Doctor charges back into the TARDIS and a few moments later finds the Earth has disappeared. At this point, I won’t even go into the logic or reason as to why the materialized TARDIS isn’t taken with the Earth. It’s just a way to keep the Doctor sidelined and out of the action for the first half of the story so we can get an epic crossover.
If you’re read comic books, you probably know what happens here. All of our heroes are brought together to help stop the crisis facing the world. The crisis is that the Daleks have removed Earth and 26 other planets to somewhere else and outside of time. They’re doing this to create some kind of giant engine, though for what purpose I’m not quite sure. It didn’t make a whole lot of sense when they did in 1964 in “Dalek Invasion of Earth” and it doesn’t make any more sense here. And since that episode is specifically referenced in this story, it’s a criticism that has some merit.
The Daleks come to Earth and take over. And we get endless scenes of various companions all cowering in fear at this. Which I can understand that the Daleks are a truly loathsome, fearsome menace, but the scenes of Captain Jack Harkness standing about, cowering in fear, talking about how everyone on Earth is dead just didn’t ring true. This is a man who led a small group of people against the Daleks a few years ago. Surely he could be scared at first, but snap out of it and realize that it’s up to him to organize some resistance. Couple in that whole he can’t die thing and you’ve got a potential leader for the Earth resistance.
Especially as it becomes more and more obvious the Doctor can’t be found.
Even Rose’s return makes little sense. She shows up with weaponry to take out the Daleks and clearly the ability to move from her universe to ours. She finds Donna’s family and is then content to sit on the sidelines, whining that she’s not included when Harriet Jones finally organizes some type of resistance. Given how desperate Rose has been to find the Doctor and crossover, you’d think she might try and go find Jack and the Torchwood team. Instead, we get a repeat of “Parting of the Ways” with whiny, self-indulgant Rose.
The only person from the Doctor’s travelling past that does anything is Martha. She takes an active role and seems to be the one most fit for finding some way to deal with this threat until the Doctor can or does arrive. It just gives us more evidence that it’s Martha who is the best companion the new series has created.
Finally, Harriet Jones is able to bring everyone together via a super-sonic communications system.รย Well, except Rose, but I’ve already run that one into the ground.รย Harriet is able to bring togehter the resources of the group to find a way to call for the Doctor, giving him a link to lock-in on and find his way to the lost planets.
Meanwhile, the Doctor visits the Shadow Proclimation to find out what’s going on. These scenes serve as an attempt to keep the Doctor out of the action for a bit and to try and tie the season together. The repeated warnings about the bees comes into play and ends up feeling a lot like an homage to Douglas Adams with the dolphins leaving Earth before something terrible happens.
As I said, a lot of the first half hour is just treading water. And in a season finale that wants to feel epic, it left me feeling antsy and wishing the Doctor would just get there so the story could finally start.
At last, the Doctor finds Earth and we get the big evil reveal of the season. It’s Davros, who was rescued from the Time War by Dalek Khan from last year’s “Daleks in Manhatten” two-part story. This has made Khan a bit mad and led to Davros creating a new race of Daleks from his own body. These scenes and that revelation were effective and hit the notes they needed to. The Doctor’s horror as seeing Davros back from the dead and the revelation that the Doctor tried to save Davros during the Time War were well done.
And then we get to the last five or so minutes, which have probably set most of the Doctor Who fandom abuzz since the episode finished airing Saturday evening.
I’ll say this–if they can pull off what it appears they’re trying to pull off without one word of it leaking, it will be the biggest coup in Doctor Who since Adric shuffled off this mortal coil in “Earthshock.”
Now, I’ve SPOILED a lot of the story for those of you who may not have seen it. But this is big-time SPOILER stuff coming so I will say, if you don’t want to know, turn back now…
OK, so the Doctor and Rose finally catch up to each other and as they’re running toward each other, an errant Dalek comes out and shoots the Doctor. The Doctor isn’t fully hit, but hit enough that he collapses. He’s helped into the TARDIS by Rose, Donna and Jack and says that it’s started and he can’t stop it. The cliffhanger then builds up, showing us various other scenes of people in peril, but it’s what’s going on the TARDIS that has your attention and will surely keep everyone talking all week.
The Doctor begins to re-generate as the stinger airs and giant, cartoon-like “To Be Continued” words flash across the scene. That and no preview for next week make me wonder if the production staff pulled off what they seem to be trying to pull off. Could all the news of this ultimate meeting of the companions, a new producer next year and Tennant’s constant denials all be a smokescreen to cover this? If so, then they have done a hell of a job. And for those of you who argue that the specials will feature Tennant next year, I submit it could all be flashbacks somehow.
If they have pulled it off and there is to be a new Doctor, this could raise the stakes a lot higher for series five.
Until then, we’ll be left with a long week of wondering and avoiding SPOILERS for the next installment.
And left wondering what could have been if the entire episode had been as well done as the final fifteen minutes of “The Stolen Earth.”
DJ says
I absolutely LOVED this episode from beginning to end. There where so many “punch the air” moments. Little rewards for the loyal viewer, Sarah’s comment to Mr. Smith about his “fan-fare”.
I hope we don’t have a new Doctor, as I am not quite ready to let go of David Tenent. However, I will never be ready to let him go, so maybe it will be for the best.
However, with all of the guest stars from the past three seasons cropping up, and the weird timey-whimey effects going on all over the place, I figure something may go wrong with the regeneration, and we may end up seeing the 9th and 10th doctors standing in the TARDIS. That would be something to give Rose and Captain Jack an added head ache ๐
Lambo says
Michael,
Seriously, I think you have become so anti RTD, I wonder how objective you are. Also, Dr. Who has never been a show like BSG. You want serious Sci Fi and wonder how planets can be moved watch that. If you want a fun, over the top romp, watch Dr. Who. Sometimes, one needs to turn the brain off, and enjoy the ride.
Also, keep in mind, this is part one of two. A lot of your criticisms could be answered in part two. I really enjoyed this show, and looking forward to next week.
John says
As Khan has come back and Davros was saved from the timewar and time is all wibbly wobbly timey wimey…what if the Doctor, instead of regeneration, degenerates…because a former self…Ecclestone, or even McGann….might be fun.
Michael Natale says
As much as I’ve been very vocal about HATING Davies writing style, I actually enjoyed this episode. Usually my criticisms of the way he writes don’t come from the angle that you have to suspend disbelief. Its Dr. Who, so that’s a given.
The problem I’ve had with Davies is he has always cranked that suspension up to 11 and then piled bad storytelling and dialogue in there on top of it.
Not so with this episode, I think. At least, I HOPE.
If, as Michael suggests this episode is to be Tennant’s exit and the introduction of a new Doctor, then I’ll take back 99% of my criticisms about RTD. This will indeed have been a GREAT job on their part of keeping this hush hush and I think a great way to end Davies run. (I won’t take back my hatred of last year’s Christmas special. I mean COME ON RUSS).
I just hope they don’t retcon the story they’ve told somehow like they did in “Last of the Time Lords”.
Will says
I also enjoyed this episode. Every companion brought back was not a mere cameo, but had an integral part to play. Davies did his typical tactic of laying out the breadcrumbs throughout the season (and you could say that those could have been going on even earlier), but did it in an enjoyable way. At least we know what the Shadow Proclamation is.
I also think Tennant is coming back and here’s why (in reverse order):
a) “Forest of the Dead” – River tells the Doctor that he will be able to snap his fingers and the TARDIS’ doors will open. He says that is not possible, but it does happen later when he tries it. He has changed from what he knew to be true.
b) “Doctor’s Daughter” – Jenny does not regenerate, but resurrects after expelling some familiar looking golden mist.
c) “Christmas Invasion” – The Tenth Doctor’s regeneration goes wrong, but he eventually revives after expelling – what, class? – some golden mist. This happens, of course, after . . .
d) “The Parting of the Ways” – Here, the Ninth Doctor takes in the heart of the TARDIS from Rose which kills him and forces a regeneration into the Tenth Doctor. Golden mists abound here.
My theory: Taking in the heart of the TARDIS changed the Doctor at a fundamental level such that (among other attributes) the normal rules for Time Lord regeneration do not apply. This explains why Jenny resurrected. It is not because she is different, but because he is different. One can also use this to explain other oddities about the Tenth Doctor’s adventures (not dying from the Carrionite (sp?) during “The Shakespeare Code”, not dying in the fall in “The Satan Pit”, and the whole ending of “The Last of the Time Lords” are examples that come quickly to my mind). Exposure to the heart of the TARDIS has made the Doctor pretty much a demigod (which fits the deity themes that Davies explores during his tenure).
Andrew R says
Of course Tennant is staying, he has already filmed this years Christmas special! (And there are photos to prove it!) So unless they had him on location at the Christmas special just to deflect the news about a new Doctor, I suspect that this “regeneration” has just be there for dramatic effect. (And I bet the hand in the jar that has been in almost every episode is something to do with the resolution!)
Will says
RTD did make a point of having that hand visible during the episode, didn’t he? ๐
Brad Bowyer says
heh…I doubt that David is leaving….that almost seems like TOO obvious a thing. (esp since there are photos out there that seem to prove the possibility of an 11th Doctor wrong) There has to be some sort of a twist to it.
Although the IDEA of a DEGENERATION into a previous incarnation of The Doctor would be cool…..I don’t see that hapening. But I would LOVE to see a full-length modern series multi-doctor episode. (maybe with some sort of flashback showing the regeneration of the 8th Doctor into the 9th)
DJ says
I like the idea of Mcgann making an appearance. I think we can safely assume he was the incarnation of hte Doctor that actually did all the fighting during the time war. I think it would be fitting to have him make an appearance as Davros has come back.
I have to agree with Lambo. To really enjoy Doctor Who, and to really understand it, it needs to tap into something left over from your child hood. The Daleks are stealing WHOLE planets, and there is Sarah Jane and Davros. I’m eight years old again, as happy as can be!
Andrew R says
There are rumours that Paul McGann is appearing in one of next years specials…
David Hill says
From what I’ve heard a companion will die in the last episode – I believe it’s going to be Donna Noble.
I think she (knowing how to fly the Tardis) is going to go back to the Time War and stop Davros from being rescued. Therefore no Dalek invasion and no regeneration of the Doctor.
Bronzethumb (from Australia) says
I liked the episode. It wasn’t one of the best, mainly ’cause I felt like *too* much stuff was set up for the conclusion while nothing at all was resolved in this one. I wrote my own review on my blog, the link is on this post somewhere (*DING!*).
And you just know what David Tennant has been waiting to say since S2…
…
…
“KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!”
Michael Hickerson says
A few things to consider in how the cliffhanger could be resolved. Earlier this year, in the Doctor’s Daughter, Jenny was mortally wounded, appeared to die and re-generated with the same appearance. One possibility.
Another is that the specials for this year and next are all flashbacks.
The Paul McGann rumor is, just that….a rumor. I’d love to see it, but until we get something official….
As for those of you who say I don’t like the show. I will throw in there I’ve been a Dr Who fan for 20 plus years now. Having seen all of the original series and all of the new, I have very strong opinions of what I do and don’t like. And please know I’m just as critical of the classic run as I am of the new stuff. I don’t hate RTD. I think he’s a great showrunner. That said, I just have yet to see a story from him that truly blows me away. He tries very hard, but he tends to throw everything and the kitchen sink into the script and not slow down enough to explore or develop the good ideas or concepts that he’s created. Or he has a tendency to ground the show too much in the pop culture, such as the reality shows in Bad Wolf and the TV commentators reactions here. That’s time that could be used to advance the plot and overall story.
DJ says
Now, see, that’s something I’m not too sure about: Did Jenny regenerate? My first thought was that she was exhaling the same type of energy that was revitalizing the planet. When the doctor broke the magic terraforming ball, that same golden mist flew up into the air. Unfortunately, it is the same color as the energy released by a time lord during a regeneration cycle. Still, that could be on purpose, as both have the same general effect.
As for Paul McGann, I really would like to see more of him. The Big Finish audio dramas with him as the doctor where great, but he needs more screen time.
tlsmith1963 says
I don’t think Tennant is leaving just yet. The regeneration seemed too rushed. It wasn’t the regeneration scene a Doctor as popular as the 10th Doctor deserves. When 10 turns into 11 (which I hope is a ways off, since I really like Tennant), I want it to be big & emotional. The scene in TSE wasn’t like that.
As for evidence that Tennant isn’t leaving, I know of some people who saw parts of next week’s episode being filmed. Tennanr was definitely around.:)
Joe says
While we’re talking about The Doctor not being like anyone else, I should remind everyone of the untapped storyline that was hinted at the last time the Doctor and Davros met up in “Remembrance of the Daleks.” Go back to the DVD and there’s a mention that there were three great Time Lords in the history of Gallifrey: Omega, Rassilon and the unknown third. It is suggested that The Doctor is the unknown third and as Sylvester McCoy told Davros he was “far more than just another Time Lord”
Kevling says
One argument for the way Jenny healed herself is that her body was still new and just healed, in the same way that DT grew a new hand because his body was still new…
I vote for a huge reset at the end of this episode, possibly involving Donna sacrificing herself to achieve it (David Hill’s suggestion sounds a good one). Ever since Bernard Cribbins said “you look after her Doctor, you keep her safe” I’ve been convinced that she was a goner, and that the Doctor was going to have to go back to Granddad and tell him he couldn’t. That and the fact that Catherine Tate only signed up for a single series.
As for the regeneration itself, there’s no way they would introduce the next Doctor with a full episode to go. Either the “hand in a jar” will play a part and heal him, or it’s a genuine regeneration that will be undone by the big reset button at the end of the finale. The area of space being 1 second out of normal time could affect it as well, as could Davros’ giant 27-planet-engine-thing (we still don’t know what it does).
Finally, don’t know if you picked up on the story, but the finale is going to be a 65 minute episode instead of the normal 45ish.
Oh yes, and my 9 year old daughter was absolutely devastated by that final scene ๐
Michael Hickerson says
The line in Remembrance of the Daleks was a foreshadow of potential things to come had the series got to the 26th season. Alas, the BBC put it on hiatus so that storyline was played out in the New Adventures.
I think playing that line out here would be too self-referential for the show, given that I’d bet a large chunk of the modern audience hasn’t seen the story in question.
Rob Cannon says
You are spot on about the first part of this show. Very blah. It completely reminded me of those mega comic-book crossovers where you have face time (a panel or two) of every hero, but no one behaves as they normally do in their book becuase its a different writer. All of these people (back to Doctor Who) have faced the end-of-everything numerous times and to have them cowering in fear was a huge disappointment and completely out of character. Treading water is a perfect anology.
The previous lead-in episode was great and there are enough elements in play that the next episode could be great. I hope they put all of the effort into a great finish and just neglected the first part of this episode.
Marrtin says
Just to throw a few “co-incidences into the mix…..”
The “Dark Lord” – The Doctor has never been referred to as such in any previous dalek episodes and the Master supposedly is dead so…..
The last time Davros was seen in a Doctor Who episode it resulted in his supposed destruction by a certain part of anatomy……
There is something in the jar which has become increasingly more important……
Dalek Caan referring to a threefold Doctor……
The Outcome ????????
1 Dead Doctor
1 Regenerated Doctor (Still Tennant due to the unusual interference in the regeneration by …..)
The hand of OMEGA – The Dark Lord rises.
Probably totally rubbish but I’d love to see that.
Thanks for listening.
Grahame from the UK says
POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!!!
POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!!!
POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!!!
POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!!!
POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!!!
POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!!!
I’ve just watched the Dr Who Confidential for this episode (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayerbeta/episode/b00cccrm) and they’re mainly talking about the Daleks. Good ol’ Sylvester was interviewed as well as Peter Davidson. If you watch the rehearsals at about 31:20 the actors are sitting around the table. The young lad who became the soldier was there (and isn’t in the episode) as well as … {guess you’ll have to watch to find out}. Wait until you see them around the table a few times and tell me that’s not who I think it is.
Marrtin says
Who do you think it is ?
Kaneda Jones says
wow I hate to break everyone’s heart but although they have gone out of their way to show Donna learning to drive the tardis that probably won’t be necessary since someone told Donna they saw something on her back.
the conclusion of the Davis run on the show will be a rehashed version of ‘turn left’ and Donna will (don’t ask me how) be able to change a past decision of hers and erase the doctor’s life for god knows how long. I fear all the way back to the ninth doc.. but that doesn’t make sense with the leaked footage of the 2008 christmas special.
Stevevoratrelundar says
No one else seems to share my theory about Donna. Now I’m not going to spell it out, but in “Turn Left” Donna says, “Why Me? I’m not important.”, to which Rose replies, “Donna Noble, you are the most important woman in the whole of Creation”.
Oh come on, can NO ONE else see a historical/literary parallel here? And remember what we learned about the Doctor when he looked like Paul McGann…?
And another one. Mr Copper. No, I don’t think it’s the Master in another guise, but in series two there were so many Misters – Mr Crane, Mr Magpie, Mr Jefferson, Mr Skinner and then of course Mr Saxon in series three, but more importantly Mr Smith, history teacher (“Human Nature”). Are all these Misters other Time Lords who have re-written their DNA to become human? I do hope it’s not just a red herring.
Grahame from the UK says
Wouldn’t like to say but I think he belongs to the Church of England if that helps. ๐
Doctor Dude says
Just rewatched the amazing The stolen Earth and wondered if anyone else noticed that just before the regeneration scene when the Doctors talking he says,
“I’m sorry. It’s too late… i’m regenerated.”
Not i’m regenerating, but regenerated, wonder if that could be significant for tomorrow nights episode
Robin says
Whew. I’ve been avoiding reading this and other spoilers until I could watch the episode legally on SciFi. It’s been rough (and not entirely successful). In the meantime, you folks have come up with some pretty neat theories. I think it would be extremely cool to have McGann and/or Eccleston show up in the finale, be it as flashback(s), degeneration, or something more… timey-wimey.
Being a fan of intra-universe crossovers, I enjoyed all the cameos. Although I will agree that they bogged down the plot a bit in the first half, what with all the necessary introductions.
I don’t find Jack’s fear and despair out-of-character. After all, it was the Daleks who killed him the first time, and he thought that Rose had wiped them out. As far as he knows, Rose is still unreachable and doesn’t have that power anymore anyway. They are by far the most formidable foe he’s ever encountered, they’ve stolen the entire planet, his team is half what it once was, and the Doctor is nowhere to be found. I’d be feeling pretty hopeless, too. (Also, this isn’t his show. On Doctor Who Jack is the Doctor’s muscle, the loyal beta dog to the Doctor’s alpha. Without his leader, he’s a bit lost.)
@Stevevoratrelundar: I don’t think all the “Mister”s are related. I think they’re just male characters on a British series whose target audience is 10-year-old kids. They’re just more formal in that respect.
@Doctor Dude: I heard it as “I’m regenerating.” Tennant did kind of swallow the end of the word, though, since he was supposed to be in quite a lot of pain at that point.