The Parting of the Ways

"You hate your own existence."

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Broadcast: 18 June 2005

Series: 1.13

Featuring: Ninth Doctor, Rose, Captain Jack

Synopsis

As the Daleks make their ultimate assault on Earth, the Doctor must make the ultimate sacrifice to save Rose's life. The insane Dalek Emperor launches his full-scale and final attack, and the only hope for mankind lies with a small band of people trapped on the Game Station...

Verdict

The Parting of the Ways was a phenomenal episode to conclude the story that started with Bad Wolf and to finish the first series of the revived era! This really is a tremendous finale and such a strong showing for a series that was in its infancy in the current format. The way it evokes emotion and really makes the Daleks fearful and almightily is just outstanding. It follows on immediately with the Doctor saving Rose as he promised in exciting fashion and I really liked the scenes in Space with the TARDIS evading missile destruction. Some of the special effects throughout the episode were actually fantastic and fitting for a finale with the imagery of all of the Dalek saucers and then the absolute sheer volume of Daleks that exit with their sights set on the Game Station. I loved that and I liked how there wasn't much time messing around when it came to introducing the Dalek Emperor as the lead villain and head of the Daleks. The continuity with the Time War was brilliant and I love how the Doctor is constantly shocked by the presence of his old enemies. The image where he's inside the TARDIS and has a moment with his head against the door is superb and says everything needed about the threat posed by the Daleks. I think Dalek helps with that a lot as we could see what just one singular Dalek could do so to now have such a big number present means trouble is certainly ensuing. Jack's knowledge of the Daleks and the Time War was intriguing and I liked how he was rallying the troops of the Game Station against the impending Dalek attack. The battle floor by floor was really good and I thought the death of Lynda in particular was magnificent. The Doctor clearly cared a great deal for her and promised to get her out alive, but he failed. The Assault Dalek looked really good and I liked that twist on the Dalek that showcased their capabilities further. The Dalek Emperor looked incredible and I have been so pleased to recently pick up the Eaglemoss figurine that I have longed for ever since it was released. The maniacal and almost religious nature of the Emperor was sublime and I love how that just made him even more crazy than the Doctor knew. The Daleks having a concept of blasphemy and the Emperor being worshipped as a God was tremendous stuff. The scale of his hiding and rebuild operation was magnificent and I liked how the new army of Daleks had been salvaged and harvested from the discarded of the human race. The Daleks being impure and hating their own existence was really well done. Seeing them retreat in fear of the Doctor was sublime though and I thought Eccleston was once again fantastic as the Ninth Doctor. The Doctor saving Rose without telling her was admirable and I liked how she was also determined to get back. The way the Bad Wolf arc came full circle is really great and whilst I thought it was a bit harsh on Mickey for her to say she had nothing left on Earth in her own time, the way she wanted to help the Doctor was great. Captain Jack accepting death long before the fight started was superb and I thought the image of him actually getting exterminated was very good and shocking. The return of Rose through the heart of the TARDIS and literally becoming the Bad Wolf is tremendous and such a powerful way for her to rid the universe of the Daleks. That coming after the Doctor admitted he was a coward was great stuff. Jack being brought back to life only to be left behind must have been quite a shock for viewers on broadcast but the story from there is all about the Doctor. He takes the power of the Vortex from Rose and of course, nobody is supposed to do that. The way regeneration is introduced to the modern audience is done well and pretty quick which I am sure would have made a big impact at the time. Overall, a superb finale! 

Rating: 10/10