Another of the "second of two parts" episodes from series 3 in which a story relatively prosaic in nature developed in the first part ("Human Nature") transcends itself and takes we the viewers (British and Commonwealth viewers in particular) to meaningful, emotional places they never thought "Dr Who" would take them. Gentle in its way, and subtle, and yet HUGELY significant in its content - and all the more so since it is speaking to children and adults, and yet more so when the crescendo ending comes on the back of the Doctor's altar ego - 1913 British schoolteacher "John Smith" - simply begging tearfully to be allowed to live the normal human life (and death) that he is able to glimpse through the Doctor's ability to fast forward from the starting point of the love he has now found for Matron Joan Redfern (played just superbly by Jessica Hynes). In no way at all does this person now want to be "the Doctor", whom he perceives as sad and lonely, but also dangerous, which in fact the restored Doctor does turn out to be, as he takes a suitable revenge on the enemies that have long pursued him through time and space.
Inspiring and moving and complex and deep and thoughtful and fine. An absolute tour de force! And given that it was followed by the unbelievably classy episode "Blink", we were indeed spoiled quality-wise back in 2007.
Inspiring and moving and complex and deep and thoughtful and fine. An absolute tour de force! And given that it was followed by the unbelievably classy episode "Blink", we were indeed spoiled quality-wise back in 2007.