User Reviews

Other reviewers have said that the way the doctor used peoples' belief in him to become all powerful makes no sense and is inconsistent with the show. I think not. First, in the Shakespeare episode ("The Shakespeare Code") we saw alien 'witches' use the power of words to a similar end. To be honest I thought that whole idea was rubbish, but this episode is consistent with that idea.

The whole countdown precognition can be explained either as time lord precognition (we have seen that like the TARDIS, time is woven into the fabric of his being) or as the deduction of a genius like the doctor knowing that the mad master would want to show off by broadcasting the precise moment that his plan would take effect (just as he did the first time in The Sound of Drums).

The way the doctor linked himself to the satellites is not explained but possible (since time lords are telepathic) as well as his ability to use peoples' thoughts as a power source.

Scientifically speaking, it is theoretically possible to channel and use the energy generated from brain waves on a specific wave length. Google the experiments on using brain waves to power light bulbs.

I'm no scientist, but I'll try to explain the scientific basis for you. All our thoughts are translated into brain waves- small charges of electricity- inside our brains. If everyone is thinking the same thought, all our brain waves will be generating the same wavelength or frequency. See the scientific research currently being done on mind reading (translating brain waves of specific thoughts) to understand this phenomenon.

The doctor had reprogrammed the satellites to collect that energy and direct it into himself. The satellites that originally sent out specific brain waves frequencies (the drum beat) were reversed (typical Dr Who) to instead receive specific brain waves (the doctor incantation). He then directed that energy at himself.

How he did this as a prisoner--well like he said, "I had a whole year," and he had help from friends using the hacking technology at the Torchwood institute.

Somehow, I guess by means of his alien physiology, he was able to absorb it and use it as a power source. We have seen him use and absorb other power sources that a human being could not: gamma radiation ("Evolution of the Daleks"), time tides (from Rose), etc. We have seen other creatures absorb human energy to regenerate ("The Lazarus Experiment"). Why can't the doctor use brain waves? After all, it is just the small electrical charge generated in our brains but magnified by a factor of billions since all those people generated the same charge at the same moment.

The brain waves did not have to be generated from people thinking his name; they could have all thought "I like ice cream" as long as they were all thinking the same thing, but that wouldn't be as mystical or as poetic! Think back to what the witches said to the doctor after he demystified their actions by explaining the science behind it.

The doctor has always had a flare for sentimental faith: he likes that humans do not break everything down into science and logic; that they have a "soul." I've tried to do that for those of you who need it.

I'm clearly no scientist, but I have seen enough sci-fi and read enough scientific research to at least give you a glimpse of the theory behind the science fiction. Please try and take the "science" part lightheartedly. The ideas may be pure fiction, but Dr Who is still very entertaining!

Another brilliant finale came and went, brilliant plot, brilliant ending and a great conclusion to Season 3 if we don't include the Christmas Special up next, can't wait to watch that one. My favourite part though had to be the reveal about the Face of Boe's true identity. Though that brings into question if he can't die, how comes he did die eventually?! Oh well somethings just won't ever get explained. Tom Bom, jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo!

In this stunning episode, set one year after the events in "The Sound of Drums", The Master is in control of all the Earth, and he is preparing the mysterious Toclafane for a war against the rest of the Universe in his quest to be the Master of the Universe. Meanwhile, he holds The Doctor, Captain Jack Harkness and all of Martha's family hostage, and there's only one person who can stop him: Martha. But what can she do to stop the psychotic Master on her own? This was a stunning finalé, full of unexpected twists and turns, some stunning revelations and an unexpectedly emotional climax with the cast all putting in a sensational performance. John Simm's performance as The Master could rank as the best so far since "Doctor Who" was brought back. I can safely say that this is edge-of-your-seat stuff, and is unmissable for any Doctor Who fan.

There were too many things to inadvertently laugh at in this crapfest of a finale so I'll just pick a few...

**SPOILERS AHEAD** The Doctor as a rubbish CGI munchkin stuck in a Budgie cage...hilarious! Martha apparently roves over the entire Earth (including walking across the U.S) in less than a year...stupendously rib tickling! The effects of time going into reverse are apparently that it gets really windy and people fall over...most chucklesome! Seriously, this was the worst episode I've seen since *cough* love and monsters *cough* which is a bit of a shame as series 3 had been, in parts, a huge improvement and deserved better.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS : For an avowed atheist, RTD sure does come on strong with Christian religious imagery in this final episode. The whole series, at times, has had a definite no holds barred Protestant ring to it. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, drama-wise, but I do wonder if the final ep needed rather more than even the generous 50 minutes to properly set up the quasi biblical themes, which dragged in just about every one of the big No No's except gluttony and lust! I am such a big fan of David Tennant that it irked me to see him masquerading in a form other than his gorgeous self for so much of the time. And, while I enjoyed John Simms performance in general, it did grow wearisome that the character of the Master was not just incredibly bad but a hundred times madder than a coot as well. Surely there was enough plot potential to be had in pure evil without adding the craziness? The Master was defeated by means which I liked and found valid, being an unapologetic humanist with strong romantic leanings from way back, but the Risen Doctor scene - which made dramatic sense - did not work for me at all cinematically and Tennant for once looked less than convincing, strung up on a wire, surrounded by ethereal golden beams, before landing on the floor with a small and very human thud. Martha did good work as the Doctor's disciple, however! Walking the entire earth for a year, spreading the message? Why not? It's a metaphorical time span that is used in countless quest stories and folk tales. I love it that she was able to do what she had to do, using the Doctor's own preferred means of operation. No violence, just faith and hope. Yea! And the Doctor set the seal to the three Virtues by demonstrating charity, when he forgave the Master all his wrongdoing. Clunky? In a way, yes, but given what I perceive to have been the redemptive theme running through the series, it worked. RTD laid a trail of herrings, red and otherwise, all through the series. I give him full credit for hauling so many in, in the final two or three eps. Frankly, I will long treasure the fact that the people of the world saved the Doctor from destruction by the means we first heard about in "The Shakesperare Code". Loved it! In a series where we have had to admire the technological special effects contributions to just about every episode, it was great to finish with such a profound affirmation that words really do matter!

The script is a disgrace. The performances are for the most part excellent . I feel sorry for John Simm, to be given the coveted role of The Master and be made to play it like a camp Batman villain. And how out of character is it for a being who has not only gone beyond his limit of regenerations but gained a new set to refuse to regenerate?

The over the top campy comedy of the aged Doctor being made to live in a dog house tent with a water bowl. The musical number straight from Rocky Horror Picture Show. Martha's Family made maid service and Janitor corps.

The Doctor giving the cliché' You are better than him speech to get Martha's mum to drop the gun. Ugh.

The Doctor being made into a Gollum creature and kept in a bird cage?

I do admit that I can't get the song "Voodoo Child" from the previous Episode out of my head but I still feel it inappropriate to the sensibility of the show.

Martha leaving? I called it last episode while watching it with a friend. "How does she come back from this?" The phone was a nice touch.

Jack as the Face of Boe? Interesting but forced into the story.

As soon as I heard Paradox Machine I knew it would be a segment of time erased and reset yet one year was a bit much when you consider we experienced none of it as an audience.

And the Doctor being revived by a psychic chanting of his name to be made invulnerable and able to fly? He's not Tinkerbell. Seriously.

I understand those who will say they love every episode of Doctor Who in order to keep it on the air but I disagree that this method works. Keep the show alive by keeping it good.

Lucy shoots the Master and retrieves his ring. I'm guessing pregnant with his child who will be possessed by his conscience imprinted in the ring.

Laser Screwdriver? Nah! Tissue Compression gun.

The Doctor "permanently" fused the Tardis coordinates. Yet he is able to fly her when he gets her back. Yes, I imagine he "fixed" it but then why couldn't the Master during 18 months?

Who the Toclafanes were excellent. Talking like imbecilic children ala Jar Jar, not so much.

It seemed like a script written with no respect for the audiences intelligence yet a great deal of reverence for camp homage.

There has always in the past been a mutual respect between The Master and The Doctor. It seemed that the respect has been made one way in this.

Lastly in criticisms: The Titanic bursts through the inner wall of the Tardis. My reaction was much like the Doctor's "What?" It defies the precept that the Tardis is impervious (Something made very clear over the years.) Not to mention breaching the bubble of the inside of a dimensionally transcendental vehicle. It makes me go cross eyed.

Yes, I know it is fiction but in fiction certain acceptable criteria are established along the way. By not overstepping these the audience may maintain its suspension of disbelief. The criteria can be expanded to include more and more but this was an example of too far.

Positives: David Tennant is an impeccable performer, in no moment is he, himself, unbelievable. There are moments between characters that are amazingly well done. Perhaps the paradox machine allowed great performances in a schlock story.

This is the only finale that on the first watch i actually believed the doctor couldn't win. it wasn't as predictable as the others (blowing up the daleks cybermen etc) and just seemed to be the most dramatic and PERSONAL battle the doctor has ever faced. it took an entire year to defeat the master giving him credibility as a true evil force. the acting was brilliant and it was full of surprises (Jack being the face of boe, Martha leaving the doctor, the wife killing the master and him choosing not to regenerate) it was a 3 part finale that works so well cause it didn't need thousands of aliens, lots of weapons, tones of fighting etc it's a dramatic personal struggle for the doctor which makes this the best finale of the 4 so far

It took me a minute to get into Dr Who but over the last few seasons it has grown on me to the point where it is one of the few series where I make the effort to never miss an episode. It is not perfect of course but there is one thing that some critics of the show forget – when you watch it in its scheduled slot, you are watching Saturday night television. Let me stress what that means. It means Pop Idol. It means Strictly Come Dancing. It means Blind Date. It means the lottery draw show. It means, and I shudder to even recall it, Celebrity Wrestling. In short, this is hardly the time to come to if you are looking for a strong family drama – which is more or less what Dr Who manages to be over the duration of a season.

Season three is a mixed bag but even when it is weak, it is pretty good. Of course it is easy to stand head and shoulders above anything else you'd be watching on Saturday evening but the series does still merit the status. It starts well with a good episode that perhaps borrows a bit to heavily from Hitchhiker's Guide in regards the Judoons being all to much like a rhino version of the Vogons but it is effective and sets up the idea of Martha being quite smitten. From here on in we have a handful of solid "monsters and time travel" episodes that tick all the basic boxes – the one with Shakespeare, the youth machine, 42, End of Time, they were all enjoyable as light entertainment. The return of the Daleks suggested that perhaps we should just drop them for the next season or two; the NYC episodes were OK but perhaps not as good as they should have been. The strongest "monster" episode was undoubtedly "Blink" which used restraint to get big scares with what you weren't seeing – shame that the rather emotional side to the story tended to detract from the tension.

The episode with the cars trapped in New New York was interesting but the strongest episode was Human Story. It has the monsters of course but at its core it is touching for various reasons. Whether it be the thoughtful reflection on war or the desire of the Doctor just to remain a human and enjoy the live that he has always sort of longed for, it was impressive and, again, a genuine surprise to find at tea-time on Saturday evening. The season finale saw "End of Time" being little less that a stage setter but it made up for that in part 1, which was tremendous entertainment apart from some inconsistent and silly moments, not least of which was the use of a dance pop song when the aliens pour onto the Earth. Shame then that the second part was really not that good – it had too much ground to cover and relied heavily on lazy writing and unexplained things happening. The Flash Gordon ending was typical of an episode that did not live up to the promise in the first part and it was a bit of a downer to end the season that way. However in honesty the uneven nature of the final two episodes is part of the wider issue over the inconsistent nature of the show, meaning everyone will dislike at least one episode – I suppose though it is a strength as much as it is a weakness.

I had expressed concerns over Tennant for his overly-wacky and knowledgeable personae but this season gave him more to do more than this. He returns the favour with a performance that is fun and silly when it needs to be but also effortlessly taps into something deeper and more interesting. The real surprise of the season though was Freema Agyeman's Martha. I wondered if she was up to it but the tabloids perhaps worried the subject too much and, in my opinion, there was an element of racism in just how much they questioned whether she could fill the shoes of Piper's English Rose, but there can be few who doubt for long. In a smart contrast with the dynamics of Rose and the Doctor, Martha is crushed by the lack of interest in her but yet remains bubbly and fun when not being knocked back. It is an assured performance and, if Agyeman did feel the pressure then it doesn't show at all. Quite why the costume department felt the need to stick her in some rubbish clothes is beyond me, but the force of her personality carries many a scene and episode. The guest actors are mostly good with people like Jacobi, Stevenson and others, however the one that we were all waiting for was Simm. Not unaccustomed to the world of time travel (or not), Simm matches Tennant at his own game and it does make for a strong first episode – just a shame that the writing lets him down so badly in the second part; hopefully future seasons will see him return with material that can match his potential (suggestion: we have had several episodes with the Doctor barely in them, can we make one of them focus on the Master?).

Overall another strong season. It is a bit inconsistent perhaps but even when it is average it is still good and stands head and shoulders above the other stuff that is all around it on a Saturday evening. However it is the highs that are worth noting, whether that is the fear of Blink, the emotion and thoughtfulness of Human Story or the spunky and wounded wonder that is Agyeman's Martha, the season has plenty of them and they more than make up for the weaknesses.

Man, I absolutely love this finale to death. This was Martha's best performance ever, she's such a underrated companion. Tennant's and Simm's performance stole the show! Loved the scene where the Doctor saved the whole entire human race and the supposed end of the Master.

I still love the design of the Laser Screwdriver to this very day, excellent drama, a epic conclusion, great ending, haha.

As the headline indicated the concluding episode of the season 3 finale is a bit hokey. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea that the Doctor could be brought back by belief but it doesn't quite jive with the rest of the episode's tone and feels a bit off. I enjoy the allegory as related to faith (the belief in the Doctor) but at the same time it was a little in your face with the messianic symbolism. Very...The Doctor as Jesus sort of thing. And it just played out kinda oddly.

Other than that, seeing Martha's journey - - both her literal journey and her character arc was quite satisfying, with Martha coming into her own. Jack Harkness was entertaining too if not a bit under utilized. The Doctor's desperate plea for the Master to regenerate and his subsequent refusal were poignant character moments for both.

Over all the episode had many strengths but unfortunately too many weaknesses to feel grander than the previous two episode buildup of the Master. 8/10

By the time the end credits finally start rolling, it becomes increasingly clear that the major problem with this 3-part finale is it desperately needed to be a 4-parter instead - (easily capable of occupying an entire standalone sci-fi mini-series, cramming in a whole season's worth of original content) with - at the very least - one extra episode to flesh out the overall story, providing the opportunity for further development of ideas featured which are especially glossed over here rather frustratingly & hurriedly.

To be specific, there's a blatantly noticeable gap between "The Sound of Drums" & "Last of the Time Lords" & as so much stuff of significant importance happens BETWEEN these episodes, the conclusion wastes a lot of essential time in simply trying to help the audience catch up with events as we find them at the beginning of its final installment.

Hence, we're subjected to numerous, heavy exposition dumps which could've been prevented if we'd visually seen the mentioned occurrences unfold & subsequently, due to this mistake, Russell unfortunately (& continuously) breaks the vital "show, don't tell" rule of filmmaking to save precious minutes of the run-time, leaping from set piece to set piece with little to no connective tissue bridging the large sequences. That's not to say he doesn't try - as it's obvious he does inject quieter, emotive character moments in whenever possible - but these attempts are in vain, crumbling under the sheer weight of the audaciousness of his grandiose script, biting off way more than he (or any individual) could ever realistically chew in a mere 50 minutes.

If they'd had another Doctor-lite episode which focused on Martha travelling the world, spreading the word, establishing the plan before it transpired whilst evading the Toclafane, the eventual pay offs would've been far greater & more rewarding as Davies would've had additional time to foreshadow their sadistic origins & the importance of the Arkangel Network Satellites etc.

However, that wasn't to be & so we're sadly left with the bare bones of what could've been a pretty hefty & juicy narrative that viewers could've sunken their teeth into. That's not to say this is a bad finale - far from it - as the basic premise & conception is a deeply fascinating one, not to mention unsettlingly cynical, dark & mature:

Here, Russell makes a bold & introspective statement on the bleak nature of humanity - our immorality, callousness & selfish willingness to survive at whatever cost; depicting the very worst our species is capable of - to exemplify the fact that the Doctor's companions reflect the strongest & the best; Martha moreso than most, standing as a beacon of hope in times of fear & oppression etc.

That doesn't however negate the fact that the execution of the idea is lacking & it does disappointingly feel like a lacklustre, wasted opportunity which had way more potential than what we were eventually left with... So it's good but as a desired superior alternative, it could've preferably been phenomenal.

Regardless, those 3 words will still continue to haunt me forever:

"Because it's fun."

When the Face of Bo declared,"You are not alone", I was very excited. Did this mean the start of a new Timelord dynasty. The series was leading up to this moment. When we finally were introduced to the Doctor's nemesis, it was a great move. The Master was excellently played and I was hoping he would be a more permanent fixture.

Ironically I have felt the better episodes were ones which did not feature the doctor too much. The weeping statues of this series and the absorbaloft of the previous were excellent. I must admit I am not a fan of David Tennant in this role, but then again, Tom baker is in my opinion, the quintessential Doctor.

I felt the climax was a little lame though. Was he supposed to be some type of deity, I don't know. I was surprised to see the Master killed off, but I imagine there may be a return in some guise as there was the little snippet of a lady taking his ring, so who knows.

Another surprise was the exit of Martha Jones, which I didn't expect. I thought she did well but the lines were a little bit too Rose Tyler for me.

Overall though a brilliant series again and a great ending if somewhat cheesy. Roll on Torchwood and Captain Jack.

I had hoped for so much more. This story just failed on so many levels. The most basic, though, was the way the Doctor was returned to his old self by the power of thought from the Earth. I could buy that the power of thought might overcome the telepathic field from the satellites, giving the Doctor, Martha and Jack the opportunity they needed to stage a fight-back, but not this. It seems that in pushing, pushing, pushing the story as far as possible, the scriptwriters pushed the Doctor beyond the point at which they could find a credible return for him.

The quasi-religious tale of Martha walking the Earth, telling the story of the man who had saved humankind so many times, without them even knowing, was so clunking as to be embarrassing.

Finally, the Titanic breaching the structure of the Tardis? Oh pur-lease! Yes, OK, I found it amusing at the time, but it just doesn't work like that.

There were positives. John Simm was excellent as the Master. The solution to who the Toglophine were worked well for me, as did their child-like menace. And the hint as to Captain Jack's ultimate destiny was an incredibly neat tie-up - you have to wonder how long that has been the intention! But all in all, this was the weakest in the series by a long, long way. A great shame.

I've always been a big fan of Doctor Who, for as long as I can remember. I have had my complaints and my praises over the years... There has been bad writing and acting, and good writing and acting, and bad effects and good effects, sometimes all within the same story. I've watched every Doctor. I was fonder of some more than others. I was fonder of some story lines more than others. I laughed, I cried, I was bored, I was excited, sometimes I had to think about it. Thing is, it's always kept me coming back.

So! Season 3 is done!

The Master was back but now he's gone (but left us with a wee possibility of resurrection...). I liked him. (I do wish there'd been more story for the wife. Wife!?! What?! Surely we'll see her again?) After the Face of Boe aid his big secret, I was sorta expecting the Master. I wish they'd made it more of an arc, kept us guessing longer, thrown in some red herrings, who knows...

Martha is gone but she'll be back. (I'm glad she did what she did. Her pining for the Doctor was getting boring. I was beginning to lose respect for her. Sara Jane had it right, those foolish enough to fall for the D. have to get over it, it will not be reciprocated. One can have a crush and know it's utterly hopeless, but I'm tired of the idea that all the Doctors companions are totally and hopelessly infatuated with him. Rose who left him and was forced into a new life surrounded by friends and family with a good job and knowledge how to help others, and she couldn't do anything but cry about how she has died?! What a weakling!! If that's how she feels, thank goodness she "died"! She doesn't deserve the wonderful adventures she got to have or the loving family and friends (Go Micky!) she had. Martha, however, won my respect back by "dumping" the Doctor. She basically gave him the "we should just be friends" speech. Duh, yeah. They can be. It's too bad that she can't keep traveling in the TARDIS, though... (But then, Coronation St. is the #1 show, and I'm lead to believe that's where she's heading.) I'm happy to learn she'll be back.

By the way, I really didn't like Rose - least favourite companion ever! Well, maybe Tegan is still my least favourite, but Rose was pretty bad! (Who sits around crying to be saved by someone in a coma? He was obviously not well in the Christmas Invasion. Get up and save yourself, you toddler!) This is nothing against Billi Piper, Actually, I think she's an okay actor, I feel sorry for her having to play such a useless, whining character.) Sorry, I was venting there. The thing that made me the saddest was the producers running around saying she was a powerful, modern, smart and adventurous companion, unlike the Doctors previous companions from the original - does that mean they never watched the show previously?! How could they possibly get away with saying that about Neesa, Leela, Jo, Susan, etc.?! Here's to whomever the future companions might be - may they be as good, (or better!) and may the writers make them with respect, and respectable.

Nah, I didn't like the finale all that much, for many of the same reasons already written by others. There's a lot of reaching for the empathy. I like that the show often has an emotional impact, but sometimes it's so contrived and that ruins it. I liked an idea another writer suggested: the finale should have been presented as a arc over many episodes, then they could have elaborated some things, and we might have cared about some of the many ideas presented more. Rather a lot happened! Some of it got squashed. I didn't like the deus ex machina thing. It felt like a big cop-out. I'm sure there was some way they could have made it work better, somehow... I didn't mind the Dobby-Doctor, actually. It was kind of interesting. Odd, bizarre, but interesting. I do wish he'd said and done more. Bring on season 4!

I'm looking forward to season 4, and I really really hope it's not a long wait.