The Tenth Doctors SwanSong
Hi Guys,
Welcome back to the lab.
Today's post is another post in our recurring series of Through the Vortex! For this entry we are going to be speaking about The Tenth Doctor's final set of specials from ‘The Next Doctor’ all the way to ‘The End of Time Part 2’
Shortly after the release of Series 4, it was announced that Doctor Who would take a break from its regular series format and instead have specials premiere throughout the following year. These specials were: ‘The Next Doctor’ ; ‘Planet of the Dead’ ; ‘The Waters of Mars’ & ‘The End of Time Parts 1 & 2’. It was also confirmed that both head writer Russell T Davies and The Tenth Doctor himself David Tennant would be leaving the show.
This was huge news for fans, both David and Russell had been huge influences to the shows success. People were devastated, however both had promised that The Tenth Doctor would have an almighty sendoff. So did they tell the truth? Did it deliver?
Let's get into it.
To be completely honest with you. These specials (Especially the last three: The Waters of Mars and End of Time parts 1 & 2) are some of the strongest in Tennants entire run. The stories, the production design, the writing and the performances are absolutely top notch. You can tell from the start of these specials that the BBC were going to make sure they delivered on giving this version of the character the best send off possible.
Each story was separate (Except for The End Of Time) and yet they were all loosely linked. The theme of The Tenth Doctor's song ending soon had been put in place since the beginning of series 4 and it was recurring ever since but more prominently in these specials. As the episodes and the year went on more was teased. In the special Planet of the Dead episode (Released on easter) the tease of “He Will Knock Four Times” was revealed. After this people then had to wait until November for the next part!
This was something that these specials excelled in, and that was the talk around the show. Due to the fact we had to wait weeks (sometimes months) between episodes, meant that the buzz for the show was at an all time high and people would speak about it all year round. People couldn't wait for the next special, too see what came next. By the time The End of Time Part 2 came around 10.4 million viewers in the UK watched the episode live to see how The Tenth Doctor would come to regenerate in the show. This was huge!
Tennant's final episode also saw the Return of Gallifrey to the mix. Revealing them at the cliffhanger ending of The End of Time Part 1 and having them return fully in Part 2. Again this was big news, they had not been seen to this capacity since Classic Who. The Newspapers spoke about it all week inbetween episodes.
Due to the tease of the Four Knocks, people naturally assumed that it was John Simms' incarnation of The Master that would cause The Doctor to meet his end. Yet this was not the case. Whilst John Simm did indeed return as The Master (And put in an absolute blinder of a performance) it was in fact the return of Wilfred Mott (As Played by Bernard Cribbins) that brought the end of this incarnation of the character we adored. The scene in which this is realised, in which The Doctor confronts Wilf about it not being fair is simply heartbreaking. The Raw emotion from both Cribbins and Tennant had viewers crying and heartbroken. Reader, I am not ashamed to say I shed a tear and still do to this day. However no scene in this episode makes viewers cry more than the final scene. Yes, that's right. Vale Decem.
Vale Decem is the name of the final soundtrack that goes over Tennant's regeneration scene. Having just said goodbye to all his companions thus far, The Doctor stands in the TARDIS and declares “I Don’t Wanna Go” as he regenerates into his next incarnation. It’s a heartbreaking scene and a scene that viewers will never forget. As the TARDIS explodes around him and 10 becomes 11, it truly felt like the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Russell T Davies truly knew this world and character inside out, and to have him as showrunner for the show will always be one of its biggest successes.
Each episode in this series of specials were strong, each had stunning performances however for me one stood out way beyond the rest. The Waters of Mars. This was a special that was released in November and was easily one of the darkest episodes the show had ever done. The premise being that The Doctor arrives on mars to meet the crew of Bowie Base One. They are being infected by something in the water yet The Doctor cannot save them. He knows Bowie Base One explodes later that day and is a fixed point in time meaning he cannot alter the events.
This was such an interesting concept for them to explore, we had heard about fixed points before but we hadn't seen the more evolved sides to it until this episode. The Doctor being adamant he cannot alter any events until the very end when he becomes the ‘Timelord Victorious’. This is a side to the timelord we haven't seen before, and for fans it's quite frightening. He declares that only he has the true control of time, almost as if he is an antagonist of sorts. This ends in one character ending their own life as then it wont alter the fixed point too much. Seeing how he has caused this, The Doctor breaks down, see’s an Ood in the snow and assumes it's for his death, when this is not the case he gets up and goes off in the TARDIS leading to his final adventure.
It’s very dark for an episode to handle, yet it is handled beautifully, the soundtrack, the story and production, but the performances, mostly by Tennant. This is easily his strongest performance in his entire run. Going from Adventurer and being quite timid in helping at the beginning, to then being mad with power, to lastly grief and heartbreak. He performs perfectly and it still blows me away to this day. This goes for his entire run too. He portrayed the timelord in such a unique and beautiful way, a way in which a simple scene can go from happiness to heartbreak. His incarnation of the character still lives on in fans hearts, and his tenure as The Doctor will never be forgotten.
If you have never seen the show and don't think you want to commit to the entire run, at least watch this episode. It is a beautiful hour of drama. One scene in particular set between The Doctor and Adelaide (Played by Lindsey Duncan) speaking about the fixed point in time is heartbreaking and poignant and beautiful. One of my favourite shows in the entire show and worth your time. Russell T Davies and Co-Writer Phil Ford wrote this scene so beautifully. If it lets me, I will link this scene for you at the end of this post.
So back to my original question, did these specials deliver? Yes, very much so. Russell T Davies created a perfect swansong to his era of Doctor Who. Delivering thrills, surprises and heartbreak. It is an era of Who i will never forget, and i for one am very glad these specials were created. The Tenth Doctor will always be one of my favourites for the rest of my life.
So there we have it, another look Through the Vortex. Next time is the start of my personal favorite doctor (Alongside 10), The 11th Doctor as played by Matt Smith and Series 5. Very excited to get into this one!
Until then we will see you soon for a new post.
Stay Safe, look out for each other.
Harry x