The Power of the Doctor

"This is the day you die."

Writer: Chris Chibnall

Format: TV

Broadcast: 23 October 2022

Series: BBC Centenary Special

Featuring: Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz, Dan, Ace, Tegan

Synopsis

Her final battle. Her deadliest enemies. The Thirteenth Doctor faces multiple threats from Daleks, Cybermen and the Master in a fight for her very existence.

Verdict

The Power of the Doctor was an outstanding feature-length special to conclude the run of the Thirteenth Doctor! There was just so much going on from start to finish and it really did not disappoint. It brought a really nice end to the current run of the show whilst also paying homage to years gone by in a rather splendid way. With this episode celebrating the show and it's place on the BBC for fifty-nine of its century of years, it was fitting to finally combine the forces of the Master, Cybermen and Daleks. Their alliance being based on a hatred for the Doctor more so than hatred for themselves was excellent and the only motive necessary. I thought the departure of Dan was slightly abrupt but it was more than understandable that after a very close shave in space, he wanted to ensure he had a life to go back to. But things moved so fast that we didn't ponder and two companions from years gone by made emphatic returns! The moment the Doctor laid eyes on Tegan and Ace was sensational and it was such a look of joy and guilt all rolled into one. Ace was certainly more happy to see her old professor whilst Tegan was rather peeved not to have any contact in the thirty-eight years since she departed in Resurrection of the Daleks! The later scene where she barged her way onto the TARDIS was incredible as well. She was not messing around. Despite all the nostalgia and sentiment occurring, the star of this episode for me was by far the Master. Sacha Dawan gave an astounding performance as the renegade Time Lord and honestly it might be my favourite ever from a Master. The moment where he has the Doctor imprisoned in a Dalek casing is sublime and the Rasputin song overplaying is just glorious. So incredibly good. The concept of the Master being Rasputin in of itself is extraordinary and I love that as an in-universe explanation for the pull he had on the Tsar. The threat of the Daleks and the volcanos going off to destroy Earth was strong and the multiple threats for the Doctor to tackle at once provided strong jeopardy. I loved the familiarity Ace and Tegan brought as they both instantly reacted to mentions of the Master and Cybermen. The references to Logopolis and Survival were absolutely delightful as the Master asked after Tegan's aunt Vanessa whilst then describing his Catkind stage as experimental. Superb. Kate was brilliant as well and it's fitting that UNIT featured in such a celebratory episode. The idea of the Master forcing the Doctor to regenerate and him take over as her was sensational, even more so was the fact he was successful! The attire he wore with remnants of so many Classic costumes was just wonderful and the moment he screamed in Yaz's face that he was the Doctor was so chilling. Fantastic stuff. The scene that made me smile most was seeing the Thirteenth Doctor on the edge of regeneration and the remnants of her former selves, with the First, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Doctors all making splendid surprise cameos! That was such a lovely treat and I love that there was no effort to hide that they were much older now. Having the moments between the Fifth & Tegan and the Seventh & Ace was also gorgeous stuff that actually made me quite emotional. I loved it. The Fugitive Doctor being on hand to help Yaz with the forced degeneration was tremendous and harnessing the regeneration energy from the Cyber Masters was magnificent. I thought Ashad was a little quiet, but it was nice for him to torment UNIT. The Master forcing the Doctor into regeneration was a fitting way to round out her era as he seemed doomed on the metal planet destructing, and the Doctor was able to postpone her regeneration just long enough for a heartfelt goodbye to Yaz. It was a really emotional ending and I have to say that Jodie Whittaker has been truly wonderful. I am going to miss her greatly, but this was a fitting sendoff and her regeneration was handled lovely. She had an extended fam and getting to see that with a club with Graham, Jo, Ian and Mel making surprise returns was also glorious! Ian getting a line about the Doctor being a her was just so much fun. But that moment of regeneration on the clifftop was so perfect, and a familiar face became the Fourteenth Doctor! David Tennant is back as a completely new incarnation, one he remembers but clothes as well? Just what is going on? Well, it looks like we have to wait over a year to find out! Overall though, a wonderful special.

Rating: 10/10