Is This The Best Doctor Who Finale Ever?

Series 1 of Doctor Who's 2005 revival was a runaway success, but was the two-part finale 'Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways' able to stick the landing and end the series strong?
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#DoctorWho #Series1 #Review

[@HarboWholmes]

haha Discord go brr: discord.gg/9VEtaET Also please help breathe life into the subreddit reddit.com/r/HarboWholmes/

[@MissTelevision]

I like regeneration stories that aren't "regeneration episodes", where the episode is all about the regeneration, but the regeneration coming out as a consequence in the story.

[@dominickeijzer5844]

Metacrisis Doctor is a prime example.

[@edmundbarker2311]

Caves of Androzani ftw.

[@PoissonVisageStudios]

Yeah, I got pretty sick of Capaldi's 3 episode regeneration.

[@Lefty7788tinkatolli]

Agreed, they really hammed up the regenerations in New Who, become these big, dramatic exits of "woe is me, I'm dying, this is the end, gotta say goodbye to everyone!" that could span many episodes. Capaldi's is the worst offender of this, spanning like two episodes. Matt Smith's regeneration was pretty emotional though, as he "died" of old age and couldn't regenerate anymore. This is a long drawn-out regeneration done right.

[@Trazynn]

@@Lefty7788tinkatolli Matt Smit's regeneration was brilliant because now they can have the actor come back at any age without having to explain his aged appearance.

[@Jedi_Spartan]

Weird how Eccleston is the only time a real regeneration in New Who makes it look like he's actually dying.

[@Smeelay]

I'd say 10 felt like he was dying, with his "i dont wanna go" thing And 11 also felt he was dying because that was his last body

[@Jedi_Spartan]

@@Smeelay no, I meant looking like it physically... unlike Tennant who spent half an hour visiting everyone, Smith who deaged himself, made a phone call and gave a monologue and Capaldi who put off his regeneration for a full episode at least. In contrast, most Old Who regenerations makes the Doctor look like he's dying.

[@nightowl8477]

@@Jedi_Spartan - you mean 9's exit was less prolonged and less melodramatic? Cos that is why I love the Regeneration.

[@10thdoctor15]

@@Smeelay We know now that it wasn't his last body.

[@mgthestrange9098]

True, watch the 3rd into 4th Doctor. He actually dies mid sentence and stays dead for 5 to 10 minutes.

[@itsallrigged7295]

"I'M GONNA WIPE EVERY LAST STINKING DALEK OUT OF THE SKY!" That whole speech man, I'd kill to go the parallel universe where Eccletone got another season or two, this ending is legendary status, real credit to Murray Gold as well, the music in this is intense

[@thepandorica1660]

Eccleston

[@itsallrigged7295]

Whatever. Splitting hairs over a spare E lol That man with the leather jacket and the northern accent done doctoring good. Better? Lol

[@CashelOConnolly]

October 2020 here,well it could happen

[@Nyaliva]

"BUT YOU HAVE NO WEAPONS. NO DEFENCES. NO PLAN." "Yeah! And doesn't that scare you to death!" Still gives me chills every time!

[@seanalbro3689]

I love that Jackie Tyler saves the day. Initially, she's arguing against Rose going back, but she helps her open the TARDIS anyway. What's amazing about this is that, in this particular season, every character saves the day at least once. The Doctor, Rose, and Jack obviously save the day, bit Mickey and Jackie saving the day is unexpected because they're seen, at this point anyway, as just supporting characters, but Mickey saves the day against the Slythin, and Jackie saves the day in this episode. Every character is the hero at least once

[@darrensmith8730]

Very true!

[@daynacorkery467]

*slitheen

[@alexpotts6520]

When does Jack save the day? The weird thing I've noticed about Jack on this show - he tends to show up, cause problems for the Doctor to solve (create the empty child plague with his Chula nanogenes, chase the TARDIS to the end of the universe where the Master is waiting), create friction for the Doctor-companion relationship (love rival for 9 to Rose, the infamous "blogging" with Martha), and then doesn't actually do that much to help. (Often he gets locked up because having an immortal guy running around for you kind of negates most threats.) I'm glad he's around, he's a great character, but he's primarily a character rather than a plot mechanic.

[@DaraGaming42]

i also love how mickey helps becasue he realsizes rose isnt HIS ROSE Annymore and she needs the Doctor

[@hrgrhrhhr]

@Rory Goodchild yeah, especially given that Yaz's family are actual characters in series 11 and 12, only to do basically nothing.

[@tomwood4610]

It’s absolutely FANTASTIC

[@nightowl8477]

The Parting of the Ways has the most *perfect* escalation of intensity I've ever seen. First a side character dies (Lynda), then a reoccurring character (Jack), and then finally the Doctor himself. There's a motif of 'The Chain Reaction' throughout the story - one event leading to another, not unlike Rose and Bad Wolf. My favourite Gold theme "I'm Coming to Get You" is repeated throughout the episode, but fades away just before the crescendo, but then (the shot following the chain from the yellow truck to the blue box), the Heart of the TARDIS opens and the music explodes! All aspects of production lend themselves to this escalation of events. It's sublime.

[@alexcooke4856]

That moment is waaay up there on my list of favourites from the whole show. Cutting between Jack being chased down and Rose opening the Heart, the music building as you're waiting to see if she makes it in time, it is perfect.

[@nightowl8477]

@@alexcooke4856 - Russell is a genius and, thankfully, so were his team. You should watch Queer as Folk. Episode 2's ending is a brilliant escalation of events.

[@alexcooke4856]

@@nightowl8477 I'll be sure to check it out, thanks!

[@senonimoustv2497]

I love "I'm Coming To Get You", I even used in it as an scoring in my drama class😂. It got me an A.

[@iusedtowrite6667]

Even though i love this finale, I still wish he had another series. He had so much potential. And as much as I love Tennant, Eccleston had this edge. He was perfect for darker, morally gray stuff. We could've had some interesting experimental stuff with him.

[@naomilu9910]

It's a show about time travel. There shouldn't be any reason they can't make an alternate Dr. Who explaining what it is that he did while he wasn't in the episodes shown already. No reason at all, unless he doesn't want to do it. Wait a minute. 2005 was 18 years ago? How is that even possible?

[@Anonymous-bu5bk]

Eccleston is the only Doctor with a real Time Lord regeneration. No teary eyes, no long winded speeches, no dragging it out across the whole finale/special. Just 'thank you for everything'. BANG! New Doctor.

[@tomnorton4277]

John Hurt gets that kind of regeneration too.

[@ranjanasharan4051]

Now 13 and 14 have had simmilar enough

[@jmeMK64]

"People staying indoors because the air is too polluted to breathe. It's such a dystopian concept" Welp. 2020 says hi

[@HarboWholmes]

We're in a cyberpunk dystopia just without the neon cities and widespread robot limbs

[@DaraGaming42]

@@HarboWholmes Pretty Much, although we do have most of the tech, flatscreen, smart phones , driverless cars and the cerfews

[@joshuagodfrey5686]

Remember it’s Lynda with a Y not Linda with a I.

[@tennisthelegend]

Linda with a I got kicked out of the big brother house

[@larsswig912]

@@tennisthelegend for destruction of property

[@BlueEyesWhiteGuy89]

The best thing about Nu-Who was the set up of arcs in seasons, Season one had Bad Wolf with call backs to Slithein, The Rift and Satellite Five. Later on we would get Harold Saxon and The Master, Return of Rose, The Doctor Donna, The Pandorica, The Silence, and so on...until we get to Jodie Whitaker doctor who’s seasons that have no set up, no arc to build upto. So sad

[@nightowl8477]

Even Father's Day comes back! Brilliant. Every single episode of Series 1 is essential watching. Meticulously structured (though I personally feel the structure of Series 10 is more intercrite.)

[@CineScarborough]

It’s not being generous. The Timeless Child WAS an arc.

[@alexcooke4856]

@@CineScarborough A very very loose one. Mentioned one time in Series 11, then in the Series 12 opener, forgotten about, then in Fugitive of the Judoon, forgotten about, then revealed in the finale. All those listed in the original comment had almost weekly mentions, some quite prominent in the episode like in Boom Town. A lot of people, myself included, didn't think Timeless Child was going to be an arc initially because it was just casually said by some cloth in episode 2 and never mentioned again until Series 12, two years later. It was just too disjointed.

[@jeck8005]

@@CineScarborough it's not an arc. It's just a theme sorta

[@MuchWhittering]

I'd have to disagree. I think the story arcs are one of the worst bits ot NuWho. Just give me some good episodes, don't cram story arcs into it. Series 11, for all its faults, at least managed to do that.

[@RPGmodsFan]

Yes, this is the best season series finale. I was shocked and sad to see Christopher Eccleston go. He was my first Doctor. He and Matt Smith are my favorite Doctors, mainly because I can relate to them the most (in terms of physicality and personality).

[@karenhall4645]

I knew nothing about Doctor Who before Eccleston's season and when he started regenerating I was like what's going on here?!

[@RPGmodsFan]

@@karenhall4645 ditto. I knew nothing of Daleks, Cyberman, etc. So I was able to watch the new series with "a fresh set of eyes" and "with no baggage", and I loved it (well, at least, the Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat eras).

[@jonathanskinner7647]

I think it's just so tight compared to most of the finales. After this they either found themselves being overly complex (moffat finales), falling under its own weight (series 4) or just not being tidy enough. After the mystery in the episode is revealed about the station it becomes somewhat simple. Daleks are coming to kill everyone, we need to stop them. It has real emotional stakes and some genuinely sad moments. And it has what most finales and episodes in general lack in DW ; consequences. It also helps that the Dalek emperor is greatly designed, voiced and his fanatic followers are terrifying. The daleks have not since topped this. I would not mind if they had remastered the effects in the steel good re-release as it would of been nice and some point of view destruction shots of the Daleks destroying earth would have really added to it. Anywho 9-10/10

[@10thdoctor15]

I agree with you about the Emperor and his Daleks being some of the most dangerous, and about Moffat's stories. However, I like series 4 a lot.

[@jonathanskinner7647]

@@10thdoctor15 I do to. But I like it because it's epic but it is less neat. It's comparing Infinity War to Endgame. One is far more thrilling and we'll trailered to the fans, the other is a far tighter movie by itself

[@machineguncrally7020]

The thing I remember clear as day with this finale as well was in the next time snip the episode before the final two parts there was literally nothing dropped in it that referenced it was going to be the Daleks and started off as silly reality TV. I miss when they didn’t post to many spoilers because that made this legendary finale the best for me. The stakes with the Emperor Dalek in this were insane as well possibly more than Davros I thought

[@CharlieInDaUK]

I think one scene which you didn't mention and should have is the scene between Rose and Jackie talking in the TARDIS about how she held Pete's hand when he dies. It's such a key moment for Jackie in realising how powerful and magical he is, before she decides to help and find the pick up truck. So many episodes in Series 1 genuinely count towards the story of the finale compared to other series (and not just in the recurring words 'Bad Wolf' 'Torchwood', 'Vote Saxon' or any other loose connection) but in the plot points.

[@intergalactic92]

One slightly sad thing is that some of the tension is spoiled slightly by the fact that the next time trailer after Boom Town shows the Daleks, which undermines the twist somewhat. Also it was widely known that Eccleston was leaving after this series and that Billie Piper was staying (although there was speculation he would leave on the Christmas episode, not this one) which undermines Rose's death somewhat. But I can’t blame the writers for that, they are still excellent episodes.

[@sarahsong8345]

I was sad to see Eccleston go. He was the one that made me love Doctor Who. He will always be my favorite doctor.

[@libby_b0145]

Please continue with weekly reviews for series 2, they’re great

[@user-jn1wm3tb8v]

I actually really want an alternate version where Lynda lives. She has such a nice personality and can be fleshed out so much.

[@autumnmatthews3179]

0 0 me too, I really liked her and hoped at the time she might join the Doctor

[@user-jn1wm3tb8v]

@Voltaic Fire DIY Team TARDIS. Alternate reality where Lynda, Trainy Boy and the lot join the TARDIS.

[@jrobertlysaght]

I go through this every other episode, I swear. They write side characters so well, I get greedy. From Mickey's rise to big damn hero, to the trio of Vastra, Jenny and Strax. From The Doctor's daughter Jenny to The Gallifreyan General (Both regenerations), Morrissey's 'Doctor' and Rosita, to Wilf, and where is my Unit show with Kate Stewart and Osgood? Even now, at arguably the show's worst writing, I desperately wanted more of Ruth.

[@user-jn1wm3tb8v]

@@jrobertlysaght Kill 13 and give us Ruth. Have her regenerate into Ruth but wipe her memories of 13.

[@tinykemper2561]

Agreed, I certainly think there was *space* for her.

[@The4thSnake]

I love the bit where the Doctor's hologram turns his head to face where Rose is now. I don't know why, but I do.

[@user-is7xs1mr9y]

And that's the moment where I lose it every time :'(

[@nightowl8477]

13:58 Classic Russell. *"The Sphere is not our's."*

[@CineScarborough]

I love the absurdity of the Doctor on Big Brother in this story. It’s the absolute last thing you would expect.

[@garylouk8776]

All of RTD’s finales were 10/10

[@nightowl8477]

Last of the Time Lords is a bit naff, and I have issues with Journey's End.

[@Gamelover254]

This and Doomsday were amazing. They hit the emotional beats so well and the action was pretty well paced. Not to mention the conclusion to each felt earned.

[@cameroncaws8506]

Nah, series 3 and 4 both fall flat at the end.

[@garylouk8776]

@@cameroncaws8506 definitely not imo

[@cameroncaws8506]

@@garylouk8776 Last of the Time Lords with whatever the hell that Space Jesus was. Otherwise it was pretty good but come on that was ridiculous. Journey's End with the character assassination of both Martha who became an idiot who thought wiping out the Earth was anything but the stupidest plan anyone has ever had and the Tenth Doctor who seemed more concerned with upholding his pacifist ideals than the fate of the entire multiverse to the point where he was actively trying to prevent everyone from doing anything, even scolding the metacrisis doctor for having the balls to act. Plus it implies that the Daleks are so incompetant and stupid that not only did they build controls that can wipe them all out, but also thought putting the Doctor in the same room as them was a good idea.

[@kianharvey9787]

The series 1 finale is certainly one of the best of the reboot, only topped by series 10’s imo

[@thatbloodypanda6989]

Personally I'd say also Series 5, but I can see why it might be an issue

[@NoahIsCanned]

Series 1 isn’t my favorite, but it has some of the best episodes. Like The Empty Child and Dalek.

[@aliliving7774]

10 to 11 was the worst regen yet. Bleargh. RTD was wanking himself there.

[@tomtomato9929]

@@thatbloodypanda6989 I agree, the series 5 finale was the best

[@dmaxwell910901]

Honestly, 10's finale is a bit overrated.

[@BradleyS95]

I love this two parter! I also think the 9th Regeneration is the best. When I watched it when I was about 9, I was Rose in that scene, not sure what was happening. It wasn't drawn out, it wasn't already known, it was short and sweet. I also really like the special effects at 11:48 where it actually looks like he's growing a new head, rather than the most recent regeneration which is just a quick lazy face morph. It's a shame that now whenever the Doctor regenerates, we know months before, we know when it'll happen and who they'll change into. :/

[@10thdoctor15]

The Dalek Emperor survived the Time War, of course he's going to think he's immortal.

[@bmvthemoviefanatic7282]

The game show segment of the episode I LOVED despite knowing about NONE of these shows at the time. I just saw the weakest link as your standard quiz show or the Jack segments as a standard costuming show. That's all you need to appreciate it, ESPECIALLY the Jack moments: "Ladies. Your viewing figures just went up" XD Although, was always bloody confused by Rose repeated "An...Droid" as a kid XD

[@quietdemon8138]

The thing I love about the bad wolf element is that throughout the series it’s treated by the characters as simple coincidence but by the parting of the ways it’s revealed to be much more, the biggest element I love is that when Rose says ‘I take the words .... I scatter them in time and space .... a message to lead myself here’ because as soon as that is shown we all realise that it becomes a never ending loop in a way .... ok stay with me here, Rose and the Doctor constantly see and hear references to the word of bad wolf it will always and forever lead them to platform 1, and when she sends the words back the cycle repeats itself therefore being a never ending loop

[@stevenhale2935]

Can we all just appreciate the 9th doctor beating the shit out of a guard at 15:18 ?

[@leoj2439]

"coward, any day." this has to be the best finale, like this is beautiful.

[@erinella]

This is the best finale ever. No question. It is the only one that I rewatch and still get emotional responses from. I keep thinking Rose will make it to the Doctor instead of getting hit by the transmat and when Rose/Bad Wolf is talking to the Doctor about keeping him safe breaks me everytime. And Eccleston's regeneration...Oof, what a beautiful end to my favourite series of NuWho :')

[@nobodyshome4633]

Lynda Moss is one of my favourite characters, I really wish she got to travel with the Doctor and she suffered such a horrifying death. This Story is absolutely terrifyingly awesome. The Daleks are RUTHLESS. What a horrible future. Christopher Eccleston was magnificent x - one of my favourite scenes is when Rose tells Jackie that she met Pete to show Jackie that the Doctor isn’t just some distant Alien and that he has made her so much better and want to live her life x - Also, the Emperor is NIGHTMARE FUEL. That voice resonates throughout my entire body

[@samuelbarber4154]

Why is it that so many Russell T Davies had people being turned into things? The Daleks in The Parting of the Ways The Cybermen in Doomsday And the Toclafane in Last of the Timelords

[@elijahmitchell9944]

o and people being turned into the master in the end of time

[@DaraGaming42]

His concept in Doctor Who was that the Aliens robbed people of there Humanity

[@EditedAF987]

There was also Halpen being turned into an Ood

[@alexcooke4856]

I love how it has a regeneration in an epic two-part series finale. Every regeneration after this was in a single special episode broadcast on its own (End of Time was a two-parter but both were still kind of isolated on Christmas and NYD). We nearly got it again with 12 and it would've been magical. Both finales are hopeless, both have the Doctor essentially just buying time, and both end with actual consequences for the Doctor. It's just that 12s got pushed back into a special, while 9s didn't and got to act as the perfect button for the story. I wish we get more regenerations in finales, I think it works much better than in one-off specials where a whole new story has to be set-up, while The Parting of the Ways had everything built up so it could just let loose from the start.

[@bluejaayway]

Has to be one of my all time favourite NuWho stories, makes me nostalgic every time I watch it, I wish Doctor Who episodes where that good these days, feels like a totally different show atm! Series one was phenomenal!! It doesn’t matter how much money they throw into the show these days, if the writing isn’t up to standard then there’s no saving it, series one proves how powerful a good writer can be👌👌👌

[@Lia-uf1ir]

Since you brought up Jack's ressurection and subsequent immortality, will you review Torchwood at some point? :D I'm just watching the second season again and I love it. Especially since it brings more depth to Jack's character and his meeting with the Tenth Doctor becomes even more meaingful.

[@tomnorton4277]

Torchwood is the only reason Jack Harkness holds a candle against Steven Moffat's best characters. All of Russell T Davies' other companions are pretty basic with fairly simple character arcs. Moffat can write circles around Davies within the restrictions of a children's show. Davies can only unleash his full capabilities when he's writing for adults.

[@elliotcrossan6290]

Personally, it's my fourth favourite Doctor Who story ever, but also my fourth favourite finale 😂 The Stolen Earth/Journey's End, The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords, and The End of Time are all only just better. I so wish Eccleston had stayed for another series or two though! As long as it meant we still got the Tennant era as well lol Oh, and, that's right - BARCELONA!

[@22dallas1]

Elliot Crossan This is true, I would rank the finales like this 5: bad wolf/parting of the ways 4: army of ghost/doomsday 3: the sound of drums/last of the time lords 2: the end of time 1: stolen earth/journeys end

[@elliotcrossan6290]

@@22dallas1 My ranking is similar 1. The Stolen Earth/Journey's End 2. Utopia/The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords 3. The End of Time 4. Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways 5. Army of Ghosts/Doomsday

[@22dallas1]

Elliot Crossan Yeah I could see that, either way all finales are great in my opinion

[@tableface77]

Is this the best finale ? Yes.

[@bmvthemoviefanatic7282]

Though other RTD finales have higher highs, I feel THIS finale is the only one to 100% stick the landing. It quite possible perfection TO ME. Yes, the ending is a Deus Ex Machina, but as you said, there are consequences. Also, it's set up well after Boom Town, and it does ALOT for the Doctor and Rose's character arcs. Considering Eccelston was originally not supposed to leave, I'm curious how RTD would have concluded the finale, though. Either way, Daleks were PHENOMENAL, Nine was PHOENOMINAL, everyone was PHENOMENAL. A truly FANTASTIC finale.

[@jessiechen5431]

Chris Ecclez iz da best eva!!1!11! But really, oh how I wish we could have had more time with Eccleston, even though this was the perfect send off for him. I've really enjoyed this whole episode-by-episode review of Series 1, hope to see more like it!

[@lewislewis3531]

How cool is Captain Jack in this episode? Proving once again what a hero he is, this finale made him one of my favourite characters of all time

[@Dead_in__side__]

I love that there’s two Eastenders actresses: The producer of the Weakest link played Michelle Fowler And Lynda played Tonya Branning

[@bruh949]

This episode perfectly reflects how the Dalek Emperor and the Doctor know each other so well, they were directly opposing leading Generals on both sides of the Time War and have perfect contrast.

[@directorh6018]

Christopher Eccleston - the 9th Doctor - a male presenting time lord insisted that Rose let go of the powers of the time vortex, even using the words "let go". He ultimately sacrificed his incarnation by absorbing the power from Rose via kissing her and without any hesitation whatsoever gives it back to the TARDIS. This is how the 10th Doctor comes to the scene. It's ironic that the 60th anniversary special said that a male presenting Time Lord can never understand letting go when the exact opposite of what was stated is why we first ever got the face of the Time Lord they were speaking to at the time... This came from the same show-runner as well...

[@Comicbroe405]

Spitting. I'm glad that literally everybody is criticising it.

[@karenhall4645]

I've just now realized a small comparison between this and the 6th Doctor story Vengeance on Varos. On Vengeance on Varos, the people sit around watching prisoners get tortured and killed in real time. This episode, even though it's game shows, people of Earth are sitting around watching the losers of the game shows getting killed (so they thought).

[@intergalactic92]

9:02 this is not what being fridged means. That’s where a character is killed near the start of a story for the sole purpose of motivating the main character. Jack's death does not serve to motivate the Doctor or Rose, it is there as an emotional sucker punch and to demonstrate the ruthlessness of the Daleks. Nobody is safe, there is no plot armour here.

[@ReddwarfIV]

I believe the name for this trope is Sacrificial Lion.

[@DanielDiaz-um1xd]

Funnily enough, while I really like the regeneration scene, I've always hated the reason for it (I've always griped how rose wasn't affected yet the doctor was)

[@JuniDebonaire]

I honestly think the 9th doctor stayed for as long as he needed. He was there to deal with the trauma of the time war and to learn to be kind and hopeful again. That was the point of his regeneration so after those goals were fulfilled it was time for him to move on. He was willing to die for a human (rose), that is something he would have not done at the start.

[@emilymorano2923]

I always loved Chris so much😭 he really was fantastic

[@Newt.--.Jaeden]

One thing that always stands out about this Finale for me is Murray Gold's score, and it has my favourite scene in Doctor Who in it: Emergency Programe One

[@bethanygreen430]

12:44 cant believe I've just noticed that the mutant has 2 eyes instead of 1; as if the daleks aren't frightening enough 😂

[@safespacebear]

"Bear with Me", sad I never got to see that show

[@RJALEXANDER777]

I disagree about Jack's resurrection cheapening his death and sacrifice. For the single reason that Jack didn't know it was going to happen. He had no way of knowing that he was going to get brought back to life, so his sacrifice is still genuine.

[@anakinskywalker596]

I can understand your reasoning, but my personal favourite finale is The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang, and it also counts as my favourite story.

[@georgelinford5576]

@Zac technincally not a finale but I agree 100%

[@nightowl8477]

@@georgelinford5576 - of course it's a finale. *It's defined by finality.*

[@DaraGaming42]

even though thats the worst and Moffat never really did big Finales at all

[@giladzxc17]

Imho series 9's finale os the best. Face the raven serves as a great setup. Heaven sent is a masterpiece, the best episode ever. Finally hell bent- could have been better- sure, but its thrilling through and through.

[@MovieMagic515]

Hell Bent is one of the worst episodes. Absolutely awful tonal mish mash that undercuts the beauty of Heaven Sent and Clara's exit.

[@karenhall4645]

This was the first Doctor Who story I ever saw and I have to admit, even though I was in my late twenties, the Daleks were pretty scary. Because it was my introduction, it will always be one of my favorite episodes.

[@10thdoctor15]

The 'Bad Wolf' arc is not let down, nor is Jack's sacrifice devalued.

[@EditedAF987]

In your opinion yes, but not in Harbo’s own opinion.

[@10thdoctor15]

@@EditedAF987 Yes, of course, in our opinions. But he didn't say that in the video, so I didn't in the comment.

[@10thdoctor15]

Definitely the most efficient we've ever seen the Daleks. In The Stolen Earth, they do a bit of killing and take some humans for testing because they think all of reality is going to be destroyed.

[@bruh949]

The 4 most underrated villains who need to come back: - Dalek Emperor, Dream Lord, The Rani and Slitheen or if not a view of raxicoricofallipatorius and they see the civilisation there and the slitheen commit crimes there then maybe follow almost a detective hunt across the universe for them.

[@TopKingNZ]

Keep it up dude, I'm loving these DW video essays!

[@10thdoctor15]

The shows don't make it easily dated. There's 500 floors, some will have The Chase and Pointless, and other newer and older shows.

[@LadyDoomsinger]

I loved this finale, although there was one part I would have liked different: I always felt this episode would've been better, if Rose had died from absorbing the time... stuff from the Tardis; or rather not died, but instead become the nebulous, timeless entity (Bad Wolf), and perhaps made multiple appearances in future episodes in that new role (like how she appears to the old Doctor, when he's about the wipe out the Darleks to end the Time War). It would have been a far more emotionally satisfying end, than just dumping her in an alternate reality once her contract expired (or whatever happened). I especially loved how the Bad Wolf bit was set up nearly from the beginning of the season, and kept being a mystery right up until the final episode - and I don't mind the Deux Ex Machina thing, because it was set up in advance: it made sense when Rose looked into the heart of the Tardis, and it made sense that it was so powerful, it would destroy her. I even liked how she brought Jack back - though only in hindsight, because although a fan-favorite, he only became my favorite *after* he became immortal, when I watched the episode for the first time, it felt cheap just to undo a meaningful death like that, but it was made up for in both the Doctor Who episodes in which he appeared later, and the spin-off series Torchwood. All that said, Bad Wolf and Parting of the Ways were *not* in my opinion the best Doctor Who finale; that honor goes to the three-part season 3 finale, *Utopia* , *The Sound of Drums* and *Last of the Time Lords*

[@EditedAF987]

I don’t think killing Rose off would’ve been a viable option back then as they really needed her familiar presence if they wanted audiences to warm to the new Doctor.

[@LadyDoomsinger]

@@EditedAF987 Yeah, I suppose that's true. I was just looking at the finale itself, without the context of the next season, and how I think it would've been better.

[@andrewrussell0201]

Please do this for the other series. It’s so fun seeing your opinions on all of the episodes

[@ToaArcan]

I've always loved the Emperor's voice. It's amazing how powerful the usual Dalek screech sounds when pitched down. *"THEY SURVIVED THROUGH ME."*

[@dr.feelgoodmalusphillips2475]

Series 1 is still the best new series of Doctor Who. Tightly written continuity on point. No self grandiose bullshit. Just a man dealing with War torn PTSD and having a new companion cure him of it.

[@frde2190]

I think this was definitely the best new who regeneration but my favourite has to be Matt Smith, mostly because of his ending speech.

[@danlar1312]

Can't stress enough how much I laughed at you adding the Vince McMahon bit in😂

[@jdg9825]

I love the literal-ness of Rose's Deus Ex Machina ("God from the machine"). She is THE Deus Ex Machina

[@blobfish5730]

Loving the Dragonfire clip

[@TheRealJetJaguar]

If the game show thing was done now it would be: the chase, catchphrase and tipping point or tenable

[@cameroncaws8506]

With Graham presenting the Chase

[@luke-alex]

11:35 It's ironic you say that, I heard that the reason this regeneration was designed to look the way it does, with the Time Lord energy exploding out of the doctor's body, was because this was what was literally happening because there was too much (the doctor having absorbed it from Rose). The fact that all later regenerations also have this design was due to laziness (arguably, or just playing it safe), in that they choose not to change the look of regeneration (even though classic regenerations were quite varied). So, as a result of this episode, all new Who regenerations have been violent explosive events. But if you were going to blame a single episode, it would I guess be the one with the next regeneration, so 'The Stolen Earth' (although that one is interrupted). I'm pretty sure it was a YT video I saw that explained this, but I can't find it (if anyone knows the one I'm talking about please comment).

[@MyWeedIsVeryGood]

*Also, why didnt any time lord look into the heart of their TARDIS to get god like powers to destroy the Daleks during the Time War??*

[@EditedAF987]

Well, the Big Finish time war audios revealed that the Doctor had a habit of dropping in on Time Lord attempts to fashion radical and dangerous new weapons or strategies that could end the war and ruining them so perhaps he did the same for whatever heart of TARDIS experiments they did.

[@Gamelover254]

The Doctor explained that if a time lord achieved that power they’d essentially become a “Vengeful God.” Rose was only human and her deepest desires was to save the people she loved, and sacrifice herself if she must. Most timelords (especially the ones in charge) couldn’t be trusted with such power.

[@hollyrosewood1038]

this ending was so amazing, sad to see Ecelston go but David Tennant was also amazing. he is an amazing doctor.

[@doomspidey1737]

It really sucks that in the next time part of boom town ruined the dalek reveal

[@nightowl8477]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3vVnqpjmtNojq8 - *The sound editing in Lynda's Death is just something else, man.* Loud, bombastic, Murray-esque music - cut to the Dalek flamethrower crackling into life, overpowering the music. When the sound of crackling fades, new music rises...four simple, nursery-rhyme-sounding beats on a suspenseful loop. Now inside the Observation Deck, we see the Dalek flame working it's way into the metal, cracking again. Then the four beats stop with one loud spark from the flame, acting as the first beat of the Dalek Theme. Lynda turns around, and the Dalek outside the glass silently exclaims "Exterminate!" Best. Sound design. Ever. *That's* how you do it! (This scene is also the escalation I was talking about.)

[@richardmorris8902]

This episode broke my heart. Mostly because it was just too soon. I don't feel we had enough time to really know Nine. Gone too soon. However, it was completely dwarfed by one sentence a few years later... "I don't want to go." What? I'm not crying. Shut up. It's allergies.

[@smorgasbord9940]

It would have been interesting if they had rose almost give up and let us see the tardis just sit there as a relic, old dusty and gloomy as time passes by. Then rose eventually like years later realizing what she could do. It would ruin pacing but would have been a cool visual

[@lilianderson8256]

nothing better than sitting in bed with a fuck off cold watching a new harbo wholmes vid

[@HarboWholmes]

Just coming off of a cold myself lol, glad you liked the video

[@tpgcandy]

That higher power joke got a good chuckle out of me.

[@debbiejoanhill1760]

Rose was the War Doctor,s companion, and wrote Bad Wolf on War Doctor, s Tardis.

[@sonicthecheese6467]

how have i never noticed that reflection of a dalek next to the controller before

[@alfiethomas5632]

I remember watching this at age 6 and it was all so much to take in that I just cried

[@richardbourton4523]

‘Relentless Killing Spree of the Daleks’ sounds like a parody episode.

[@leejohnstone9047]

I love the beginning of Parting of the ways

[@ecousins01]

4:57 had me in stitches. fair play

[@owenoastler101]

series one is my favourite... it just got something so right that could have been so wrong

[@braders790boop]

I was genuinely upset when lynda with a Y was killed. she was set up really well and she could easily have been a good companion but then shes ripped away by the daleks.

[@TheGodOfGravy]

I feel like you’re wrong about Jack’s resurrection devaluing his sacrifice. Even though he comes back, he doesn’t know that when he makes the sacrifice. The character development on display as the formerly sleazy, time travelling con artist was willing to die in order to potentially save The Doctor, Rose and anyone else he could despite how bleak the outlook was. His resurrection doesn’t diminish that. He still died. And in terms of the stakes of the universe, we quickly find out why this is a onetime only thing. The time vortex is not a magic defibrillator to cracked open whenever it’s needed. It’s deadly to whoever looks into it. Plus as we later find out through Torchwood and Jack’s later appearances in Who, his accidental immortality is hardly a blessing.

[@LiveHedgehog]

Whilst Eccleston is my favourite Doctor, I think it was for the best that they introduced the concept of regeneration early. The Parting of the Ways is still by far the best NuWho regeneration story.

[@sabrinaleedance]

History , trends and fashion always repeats itself. So even tho the shows seem dated now, it is still a very likely and possible thing that could take place in the far future.

[@senonimoustv2497]

This regeneration episode so far is the most unique in the whole new series of Who. I wish they would go back to having Doctors regenerate in season finales instead of specials and don't foreshadow it and make it all about "ohhhh the impending doom of regeneration😱". Instead, make it a normal episode with high stakes and a fantastic villain that results in the Doctor getting fatally wounded and having to regenerate.

[@StrawHatSogeking]

I think bringing jack back is worth undoing his sacrifice because so much more was done with his character

[@julil3021]

Idea: season 14 starts with Eccleston waking up “wow what a weird dream!” Then a season of his other adventures before we get introduced to the 14th doctor

[@10thdoctor15]

The Dalek vision of Rose is before the controller is taken and killed.

[@OTMM22]

The only aspect that never made sense to me is that Rose, a human, can absorb the time vortex and awake from it dazed whilst the Doctor, a time-lord, dies from it. David Tennant even says in Utopia that a time-lord could absorb the time vortex but that he/she would become a God, a 'vengeful' God.

[@JedPenberthy]

You say the Deus Ex Machina as such a bad thing, but RTD wrote the Daleks so well that no one can defeat them without severe consequences. S1 Doctor dies. S2 Rose lost. S3 Human Timelords wiped out. S4 Doctor/Donna. Moffat’s Dalek stories in comparison all ended somewhat jumping into the tardis and moving on without any quarrels.

[@HarboWholmes]

I know, I made a four part series about it a while ago haha!

[@richardgregory3684]

I thought it was terrible. It's a _deus ex machina_ type device of the worst possible kind, literally resort to a "magic fixes it all". So basically Rose absorbs the Vortex and wipes out the Daleks with a thought - hmm...why didn;t the Time Lords think of doing that then? If you want a really good regeneration, look no further than the Third Doctor. He genuinely looks like he's dying and the way he says the TARDIS has brought him 'home' is great (previously the TARDIS being his home, and 20th century earth to which he was exiled has changed from a resented prison to a home). Sarah's "Please...don't die" followed by "A tear, Sarah-Jane? Whilst there's life, there's...." (and he slumps back, after which Sarah gently closes his eyes) is understated, yet incredibly moving, and a masterpiece of acting by Lis Sladen and Jon Pertwee. It didn;t need the minutes long maudlin speeches accompanied by "Cry, you bastards!" music thumping away we get these days.

[@biscuitsandbananas3433]

No, I don't think this is the best series finale, but it is a strong contender and it's a great sign-off for the best Doctor of modern Doctor Who.

[@DaraGaming42]

This Finale is AMAZING and eccleston was FANTASTIC, and is the best Finale until Journey End. Bad wolf/Parting of the ways is Hauntingly Beautiful in a surreal sort of way The ENTIRETY of Season One Feels like DREAM you think didn't happen, and exists almost as a Separate entity . also even as a 16 year old lad , i thought Seeing Tennent for the First Time that Tennent was waaay too young, but he won me over of course in the Series 2 Episode Tooth and Claw.

[@bruh949]

Anything with the Dalek Emperor is S Class, such a good rare occurring and deadly villain. Bring him back now! He takes prolonged gaps and there has been one, plus the Daleks as a huge Dalek fan has become stale. The Emperor can revive that.