I had forgotten how great the setup for this special was. The editing and the structure to get us our three doctors is fun, informative for the plot and gives you a clear sense of The Doctor's identity. All performances are terrific (except for Tennant's hair which should be doing the spiky swoop thing). Some of the cinematography is a bit odd and jarring. Mostly some hand held shots that seem less stylistic in nature and more of a time saver.

Tom Baker's cameo brings me so much joy. His every gesture and cadence choice feels directly attached to his run on the show. A legend. Might just run off to buy some more of his Big Finish ranges right now!

When this aired, I hated the retcon. Gallifrey being burned to the ground in the time war was pivotal to The Doctor's identity in the new era. A horrible decision which puts so much dramatic tension on his shoulders. It set the stakes for Eccleston's run and has carried through with every calculation made by The Doctor.

Upon this rewatch, I don't know what to make of it. Perhaps it doesn't matter. What matters is that, after all those years, he dared to find another way. And that's The Doctor we all know and love.