Out with the Old, and in with the New …

Phew, what a big night … !

You probably know — or have realised, by now — that I’m something of a Doctor Who fan.

More fool you, if you haven’t!

So, as you can imagine, tonight’s second episode of The End of Time was something I was looking forward to.

As was Adrian, Kevin and Allison, who joined me to watch it, tonight.

Bit of a mini-movie-night, in point of fact … !!

And I think that we managed to watch Part Two of The End Of Time with a generally pleased reaction.

And, although Adrian seemed to have some reservations, he, too, was a glued as the rest of us.

With good reason, I think: while I’m thinking that <>The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End two-parter was a better written pair of episodes, The End Of Time, Parts One & Two hit exactly the right tone for David Tennant’s last hurrah.

Part Two picks up from last week’s Part one, with a flashback to the last Timelord High Council meeting, at the End of the Time War: they decide to break free of the Time Lock that prevents time travel into or away from it, by implanting the beat-beat rhythm that has tormented The Master — played by John Simm — since his childhood.

Actually, I’m thinking John Simm’s performance as The Master is one of the highlights of the new version of the series.

As is Bernard Cribbins’, as Wilfred Mott: beautifully played. If he doesn’t get some sort of gong for his performance, I’ll be very surprised.

Back to the plot, though …

The Doctor and Wilf are helped from the Master’s clutches by the Vinvocci salvage team; and, along with the Master, realise that the ‘something’ that has been predicted to return isn’t just the Timelords.

But the planet of Gallifrey, itself …

And, in a confrontation with the Lord President — revealed as Rassilon, himself — the Master and the Doctor have to cooperate to end the threat to the whole of creation, itself.

The Doctor shoots the white-point-diamond anchoring the Timelords and Gallifrey to Earth, while the Master kills the Timothy Dalton played Rassilon.

And vanishes.

Leaving the Doctor in the remains of the Naismith mansion.

And Wilf — literally locked away — banging on the door of his cell, to be let out.

Four time in a row …

I think we’ve guessed, after all this time, what that’s means …

The last ten minutes or so are the really emotional — or emotionally heavy-handed, perhaps — parts of the show, as we see the Tenth Doctor saying an individual ‘Farewell’ to the various companions of his years: Martha Jones and Mickey Smith, now freelance alien hunter’s: with Wilf, watching Donna’s wedding: and wishing Rose an anonymous Happy New Year, in January of 2005, a few months before he mets her.

Before staggering back to the TARDIS.

And whispering “I don’t want to go”.

Before the inevitable change happens …

•••••

Which was nicely done, although I think the actual swipe between David Tennant’s and Matt Smith’s faces was a touch rushed …

•••••

But those few minutes of Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor?

Now those were …

Intriguingly manic, I’m thinking …

But I’ll try and include some footage, if I get the chance.

I am thinking that the spring of this year — when the new series is due to start — looks like it could be interesting …

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But The End Of Time does, I think, raise a question or two: for me, at least.

Well …

One, at any rate.

Now, I know that the show — to date — hasn’t shown us much of the Timelords, or the events of the Time War.

So having something more added to the mythos is always appreciated.

I’m curious as to why Russell T. Davies picked Rassilon as the character to use as the Lord President.

I’m curious as to why.

After all, Rassilon was only ever seen once, in the original series, and that as a long-dead, electronic ghost.

Saying that, the name is already established in the Doctor Who universe, and a suitable character to bring into the mix.

And given that these two episodes tell us that both the Daleks and the Timelords have used time, itself as a weapon — and that the Daleks have already dragged Davros from the timelocked vaults he’d been trapped in — I’m going on the assumption that this is the same Rassilon of old, brought back by the Timelords to lead them.

I’m only hoping that the Doctor’s people re-occur in the Matt Smith/Stephen Moffat era.

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The other question is a lot simpler.

At various points across this episode, we see an older — and unidentified — woman in white, communicate various bits of helpful and sage advice to Wilf.

And I’m wondering who she is.

I know — from the hints I’ve picked up from various sites — that Alex Kingston is due to return in the next series, as Doctor River Song.

But the Tenth Doctor sees her — with Rassilon and the rest of the High Council — when he and The Master are fighting them.

There’s a look passed between them that seems to imply, if not actually say.

In an earlier conversation with Wilf, the woman says she’s someone who was lost for a long time.

And — significantly — will the Tenth Doctor and the unknown woman are exchanging glances, the incidental music usually used to indicate an emotional moment with either Rose, or another companion, plays.

Want to know what I think?

I’m thinking that may well turn out to be one of two people.

Either a returning Romana …

Or (possibly) Rose, herself.

I guess we’ll find out in the spring …

Oh, just in case that video doesn’t show up properly, you’ll need to watch it in Full Screen Mode … So you know …