Review of Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor (2013) by James S — 04 Dec 2013

(NO SPOILERS).

I have to say this DEFINITELY wasn't what I was expecting it to be. It was fantastic in its Homage to the past (in particular its homage to the more recent doctors), but the story was, well it was a little frantic and areas slightly rushed. I think it is a show that would have benefitted from an additional 10-15 minutes.

However, taking nothing away from the performances; they're all fantastic, my only criticism in this area is that Billie Piper would have been better served with some emotional scene with David Tennant which she is cruelly denied. The effects really show just how much the BBC has invested in this show, they are truly phenomenal and if this is to be the very last 3D BBC broadcast, then i'll just say they save the best for last. AMAZING.

Overall, I have to say that without spoilers a review of this is difficult; I would imagine that it is NOT what a lot of people had expected or are expecting. It is most definitely worth a watch, and where possible, watch in 3D, it really is first rate.

The Time War at last, is revealed in all it's glory. Although, I think I had expected to see more other than Arcadia. It was meant to be the greatest galaxy chomping war of all time... The BBC showed us essentially one battle and a few generic flames and people running?!

And yes, we do finally see the full circle and fill in some (although not ALL) of those dark, up until now nether seen, years. HOORAY.

It really does, overall, feel like this, and the 2013 Christmas special, is something that BOTH Russell T Davis and Steven Moffatt have been building towards, "Marvel Universe" style for the past 8 years. And the overall episode really doesn't disappoint.

The only (spoiler free) criticisms I would raise are the following;.

1. Billie Piper isn't the character she played in the series, and whilst she is utterly fantastic and steals every scene she allowed into, you can't help but feel short changed slightly by the end of the episode.

2. The storyline is, as I say, rushed. It needed the character development an additional 10 minutes or so would have allowed for.

3. The storyline again; I feel I missed out something in between The Name of the Doctor and The Day of the Doctor?! What happen to Clara that has lead her to her current position? Never explained and again, it is a BIT bizarre as a result.

4. The ending (POTENTIAL VAGUE SPOILERS).

I really don't know how to feel about the ending. I'm not sure if it was just me, but it felt as if it had just wiped the entire character the doctor had grown into out of existence. I mean, it essentially changed the course of his development, changed the course of the show; which is all brilliant, but it did so in a way that potentially means that the last 8 years of the show need never have happened?! So i'm not sure how I feel about that or whether I've been timey-wimied.

Overall however, I really can't complained, a show needs rejigging and re energising every now and then, and if this 50th is anything to go by... then here's to another 50 years.