With “Journey’s End” Russell T. Davies attempts to bring a sense of closure to his tenure as the producer for Doctor Who.Â
I’ll give him credit for what he tried to do here, even if I found the episode’s execution a bit lacking.Â
It was an episode that was neither as brilliant as it wanted to be or as it horrific as it could have been. It was definitely a step up from last year’s finale, but it still had a lot of the trademark weaknesses of the Russell T. Davies era.   Â
So, if you’ve seen the episode or don’t mind SPOILER for the season finale of Doctor Who and series four as a whole, join me behind the jump…
When it comes to cliffhangers on Doctor Who, I’ve found that my favorites tend to be those that don’t involve immediate peril for the Doctor and his companions.  Don’t get me wrong–there have been some superb cliffhangers over the years in which the Doctor and company face imminent death as the infamous stringer comes in and the clsing credits roll. But more often than not, these cliffhanger are the one that have the least satisfying resolution when the next episode starts because you can’t have the Doctor and company die.Â
So, while last week’s cliffhanger was one of the biggest the show has ever done (coupled with the fact that we got no preview), I just knew there had to be some clever way out of it. I couldn’t really see the story coming to a complete halt while we dealt with the after-effects of regeneration. The stakes were too high to allow the Doctor to have the typical amenesia and disorientation that comes with regeneration. And so, instead the script provides an easy resolution to the cliffhanger. And probably the one I most expected, though based on how the ending of “Doctor’s Daughter” was re-written, I fully expected some kind of reference to it here as well.
The Doctor channels the energy into his severed hand and then proceeds to figure out how to stop the Dalek and Davros’ huge masterplan. And to begin figuring out what it is. Interestingly, the plan turns out to be a gradoise idea of destroying all life in the universe but the Daleks. Sure, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when you step back and think about it. But then again, not a lot of Davros’ various schemes have made a whole lot of sense since his initial (and best) appearance in “Genesis of the Daleks” thirty years ago.
The biggest issue I had with this script was its lack of pacing. Things seem to unfold frantically or else they’ve all come to a screeching halt. The story also showcased the typical Russell T. Davies flaw of highlighting emotion over story.  Watched on a purely emotional level, with the brain firmly turned off, this could be one of the better stories of the era. But begin to dissect the choices made beyond the need to bring a tear to the eye or tug the heartstrings and it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
Let’s bring closure to the Rose storyline and instead of showing growth and character development for her, let’s just give her a copy of the Doctor for her very own. Yes, it was a sweet, nice moment when the second Doctor (who is part human, part Time Lord) can give her the emotional validation she needs and wants from the Doctor. But the fact that he’s basically at the same point that ninth Doctor was when we first met him and it’s easy to see he might be a danger to the parallel universe.  Could he become a new version of the Master and corrupt Rose to his agenda of vengeance, given that Rose is a bit more world-weary now and less optimistic? It could happen and it’s one of those things a better script would have addressed.
And let me just say this–looking back, bringing Rose back to the series added very little to the last few episodes. I like the character, but she wasn’t really all that pivotal or necessary to the story.
And it took away time from the more interesting companion plotline with Donna. After an entire season of hints, we finally find out what makes her special. She is given the Doctor’s entire memory and is able to help save the universe as we know it. Watching Donna’s transformation here and finding out that a lot of hints we didn’t even know where hints were scattered across her storyline was a lot of fun. Seeing Donna finally get a chance to come into her own, to be important and to make a difference was all great. Because of that, what finally happens to her seems all the more tragic. She is made to forget her time with the Doctor and if she ever recalls it or him, her mind will basically have a mental meltdown.
The final scenes with the Doctor telling her family this and Donna’s mom’s reaction were perfect and fit into one of the themes of this story–what coming into contact with the Doctor does to people.
That was the aspect of the story I really liked and wish we’d seen more of. Davros points out that his legacy is the Daleks, but the Doctor’s legacy is far darker. He transforms the lives of those who travel with him and maybe not for the better. While he abhors violence, he creates killers around him. He shows off the wonders of the universe to his companions, but often leaves things unresolving, simply dropping them off and not seeing how their lives turn out. He has had companions die. Is that better or worse than what Davros has created? It’s a fascinating question, but one that doesn’t get nearly the amount of screen time it deserves.Â
Let me also add that I was really annoyed that we could reference Sarah Jane meeting Davros in the classic series, but when it came time for flashbacks of how he’s impacted the lives of companions negatively, we didn’t get a shot of Adric. Adric’s death is one of the pivotal moments in all of Doctor Who and if you’re going to do callbacks to the classic series, it screams out for inclusion here. Especially given the fact that you’re pointing out the guilt the Doctor feels about the impact he’s had on his companions lives.
In the end, the Doctor saves the universe, but can’t save himself. His friends go back to their lives and he’s left alone. It’s a poignent moment and a bit of a melancholy end to the season.Â
And it brings the Davies era full circle with the Doctor travelling alone, burdened by the consequences of choices he’s made….
So, that’s it for series four. Now comes a year of a specials, with the first one airing at Christmas.Â
And then, the Steven Moffatt era begins….
Michael Natale says
Thank God THATS over with. Maybe its not necessary to mention all the WTF moments in this script but a few that stood out to me were:
– In the Dalek ships, you can open the trash incinerators from the INSIDE, something which Captain Jack was able to do while ‘pretending’ to be dead. Somehow the Dalek’s didn’t notice…
– Not ONE bad guy noticed that Rose’s mom teleported out before they tested the Reality Bomb? Despite the fact that Davros and all the Daleks in the universe were watching the prisoners stand there ready to be incinerated? REALLY?
– I wonder what sort of destruction towing the Earth through space back to its ‘original astronomical position’ would do to our planet?
-The obligatory RTD “lets show the entire cast one by one hugging each other for five minutes while dramatic music plays in the background as we realize that yes, once again, we’ve somehow saved the world” (despite logic, good storytelling and the laws of physics).
Bring on the Moffattverse.
Will says
I agree with you on this, Mr. Hickerson. The episode is very well done on an emotional level, but has flaws in execution when viewed with a critical eye. Seeing as RTD tends to write more from the gut than the head, the episode serves well as his final dissertation on Doctor Who.
David Hill says
It least it wasn’t a time-reset end to the story.
All the little problems still don’t take away from the story, I loved it.
Plus GERMAN DALEKS!!!!!!!
DJ says
Doctor Who changes its tone constantly, and that’s what let it survive so long. From historicals, to space adventure, to even a pseudo Gothic horror run during part of Tom Bakers era ( I actually liked those episodes a lot ). Will summed up RTD’s episode run perfectly. Less head, more gut. Sure, there where glaring plot holes, but I really didn’t care all that much, I happen to be a fan of story over plot in most cases, anyway. I thought this was a fun episode, and a fitting end to this era. I can wait for tighter plots when Mr. Moffatt takes over. As much as I liked RTD (and am thankful that he dusted off the Who Universe) I do think that Moffatt’s stories where some of the best in Who History.
Merry K says
Good review! I’ve noticed a lot of anger from fans who were hurt by what happened to Donna, but that was the point, wasn’t it? I love it when a story can go dark in such a creative and meaningful way—and yes, RTD is a very emotional writer rather than a storyteller like SM, which is why I don’t think I’m going to like SM being in charge. Most shows—and especially Doctor Who—need emotion more than logic. Not that they should have both…
slink says
But SM certainly has moments of great emotion – the hospital scene in Blink for instance (great especially when you remember that we have only known those two characters for 40 mins not a whole series), or the ‘echoes’ of the dead in Silence in the Library.
Will says
I think this is because SM seems to be a more balanced writer. He recognizes the value of emotional context in the story, but also recognizes that the suspension of disbelief can be taken too far. Great stories satisfy both the heart and the head.
pooch says
I HATE RUSSELL T DAVIES WRITING …..PERIOD…….
Al says
Wow, you lot do get a little worked up over what is really a childrens show for adults, don’t you ?
Are you honestly telling me, pooch, that you HATE all RTD written fiction ? Cassinova ? Queer as Folk ? Bob and Rose ? Second Comming ? Turn Left ? Eutopia ? Rose ? never mind the big Who double headers. Are you really that stunted ?
And Mark K, the Moff has given us the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world when it comes to emotional content, the quite heartbreaking Girl in the Fireplace.
I’m so looking forward to the Moff era, but thank god that we had/have RTD driving us to that junction.
KL says
Funny how people are all worked up about Donna’s fate when last winter Catherine Tate was trashed on most of the Who sites.
Phil B says
I’ve got to say I loved that. And yes, maybe I turned my head off, and yes, there were still things that jarred (why was the moon still there when the Earth returned – wouldn’t it shoot off in a straight line with no gravity to hold it in orbit)? And it was a shame Rose was so underused, and no appearance from Jenny (or Leela, or Romana, or …)
But Doctor-Donna rocked, and those few minutes really justified her part in the series.
So thank you RTD for bringing the series back, and good luck to SM for the future.
(And yes, German Daleks!)
Brian (Shadowfoot) says
I enjoyed the episode without thinking too much about the faults. Probably for the best if I don’t re-watch it.
I was not optimistic of Catherine Tate as a companion but I think she did a really great job, and the Donna Noble storyline was good. Having Martha Jones pop up now and again during the season helped remind us what Donna represented.
Robin says
Despite its logic flaws (and, yes, there were several), I really enjoyed the emotional rollercoaster of this episode. Having been a Who fan for as long as I can remember (Three cheers for PBS!) I’m very attached to The Doctor and his world. Seeing him and his various companions put through the wringer actually had me on the verge of tears. Their triumphs had me cheering out loud. Even without references to the original series, there was plenty of emotional impact from the last four years. (Although I will agree that Adric’s death was heartbreaking.)
I have to give special kudos to Catherine Tate and David Tennant. They both incorporated each other’s mannerisms and verbal patterns beautifully. Seeing DoctorDonna prattle on in gleeful technobabble and HybridDoctor bust out a pitch-perfect “No way!” were reminders of what amazing actors they are. It was like Face-Off but, y’know, funny. 😉
Gungadin says
Thank god they got rid of Donna, been watching Who since the beginning even the first doctor in reruns. But by far Donna was an awful companion. Shes a loud mouth and kinda ugly with that mole on her chin. I tuned out all season with her. I really tried to watch but any epiosode where they gave her a lot of play I just tuned out. Also many of this years past episodes really had very little Dr in them. I noticed that right off. I am watching Dr Who for the Dr not for Donna or some other has been. Thank god the writers got rid of her!
Jason P says
I didnt like Donna’s character in The Runaway Bride, and I didnt like her for the first few episode when she was The Doctor’s companion. However, I did like her eventually. Her character evolved tremendously. She went from an insecure, snotty, whiney brat to a full grown Adult, granted she still had some insecurities, but who doesnt?
Zmster says
Hi, Jussst caught up with S4 (have to wait to get the eps from a friend.) I think along w/ everything already pointed out,the one thing RTD really missed out on,that was begggging to happen and that was so set up…. was giving Grampa a ride in the TARDIS. I mean come on. He’d watched the stars all his life dreaming of other worlds. The least the Doctor could’ve done is take him to a far off galaxy for one trip. Dontcha think? Plus the fact that Bernard Cribbins played the role so very well. Just seeing the look on his face as he entered the TARDIS even if we didn’t actually get to see him during the trip itself. IMHO, that would’ve been the way to end the episode or watching his face as the TARDIS drops him off after. That being said, I still loved S4 with a few exceptions (giants wasps and roaches anyone???) and I’m now in love with River Song.:)
Peregrine says
By far, the high point of this episode: “Extermineeren! Extermineeren!”