Well at least it generated content.

This is a late and long one. I took a trip to Prague the day after seeing the finale in cinema and I've just been left to seethe for a bit too long. It was nice to be in a city where no one really knew that Billie Piper was the Doctor, it felt validating.

I usually like to do a slight era review when covering the final episode of a doctor, but it just feels so premature to do it now. This, obviously, isn't the shortest tenure we've had but it for some reason it all just feels so un-finished and abrupt. But I'll get to that.

The episode starts out pretty strong, leading directly on from last week's journey into Ncuti's screaming mouth. The reintroduction of the time hotel and Anita was a pleasant surprise, although the initial visuals had me horrified of a possible TVA cameo somehow shoving itself into the canon of the show. RTD also managed to avoid his usually contrived solutions to impossible odds by actually using something that had some kind of establishment (so what if he's a professional writer, it's the little victories that count). I am also glad there was a pretty quick resolution to the brainwashing of the wish, even if it did leave Anita as a human doorstop for most of the episode, but we already have enough trouble with turning the ensemble into a hivemind of puppets so I'm not sure another speaking role would've done any favours for the script.

Ok right, so everyone is back and no longer homophobic, Mel's perm helmet has done its thing and Rose Noble is back so that Russel can trick himself into being an ally. Rose Noble (and by extension Yasmin Finney) has been done so unbelievably dirty in this period of the show. Her identity is utilised as a sci-fi plot point in her first outing, and then she's incorporated into the UNIT hivemind, only to exist as a form of expositing or demonstrating incredibly clumsy commentary. Not once is she ever treated as a character in her own right, she's a glorified literary device. I would've hoped that a show that is known for it's social commentary written by a man famous for his scripts that deal with LGBTQ+ issues and stories - but perhaps that's too much to ask for, after all we've got flashbacks to fit in! A part of me would hope for Rose (Noble, not Tyler) to come back to the show in some capacity in the hope that she gets some much needed characterisation. But then again, I don't really care because I haven't been given a reason to.

So after that, the Rani shows up for a bit - excellently performed by Archie Panjabi (would be a shame if anything happened to her). Then the big battle begins. The bone beasts (hilarious) storm the UNIT tower to keep everyone busy for a little while or - if you're Belinda - very un-busy. You know, it's quite an interesting choice to have your secondary lead of this season being rendered ineffective for the climax of the finale but I'm sure she'll have her big moment at some point.

Now, on first watch - I actually had a lot of anticipation going into the climax. The Doctor and Ruby were gearing up to head into battle and the Ranis seemed moments away from succeeding - classic stuff. Now, I actually quite like the moment between Ruby and Conrad, Lucky Day was my favourite of the season so to see the dynamic return and wrap up was a treat. I like that Ruby was the one to deal with him and she wasn't cruel about it, she used the upper hand that she'd gotten from spending that time with him in a sort of reversal of their roles. Great stuff. It's the Time Lord stuff that gets quite messy.

Omega is a character that is probably most famous for his design in the 3 Doctors - its creepy because of how hollow and rustic it is, a different type of feeling to the body horror of The Silence of the Khaled mutants. This new design completely abandons any of that. It turns Omega into a giant undead foetus thing with absolutely no reference to his original design. You can say what you like about Sutekh's CGI-ification but at least he was somewhat recognisable. Here Omega looks like a leaked boss from a new Resident Evil, which wouldn't be a problem - if this was used for a different character. Also, for some reason he decides to eat the last good character in this episode? There's that old saying, you are what you eat - but I think he was blasted to death a bit too soon for him to digest becoming an interesting character. And just like that, he's gone - barely a minute of screen time and the promised "big threat" has been neutralised back into his vault.

After all this though, the episode did slightly bring me hope again. The moments surrounding Poppy and her slow erasure from reality is incredible. Millie Gibson really is an incredible actor and I love the direction they've taken her character. It's a more tragic version of what happened to Rose. A character that was incredibly 'normal' and human in the beginning can't experience the world in the same way again as a result of their travels with The Doctor. It's an interesting consequence that differs from the usual death or death adjacent ending. However, as potentially tragic as this is, Ruby is not the only companion in this episode. Remember Belinda? You might not as she's been sat in UNIT's basement for the last 20 minutes or so. Belinda's ending is horrific. It's miserable. It's so f**king bleak. The Doctor saves Poppy, by sacrificing himself, but also Belinda as we knew her. The final scene between The Doctor and Belinda is so wildly off-putting and sort of contradictory to the messaging of last week. Why did Russel think it was a good idea to take the companion who started with so much self agency and turn her entire motivation into being a mother? Her reality is warped and her mind brainwashed into thinking this was always the case but it wasn't!! It's just so weird and dark to me that who we see at the end is not the same person we met at the beginning and she can't possibly know that. So what we end up with is a sort of 'Weekend at Belinda's' where the body of a character we know is being puppeted around but it's very clearly just an imposter wearing her face. I adored Belinda as a companion, and I think Varada did such a stunning job in the role - so it kind of hurts to see her character being stripped down. The problem is I like the whole sequence before this, The Doctor willingly sacrificing himself to save a child (that may not have even been real) is peak Doctor Who - that's him, that's the character. And the moment with Jodie is great as well. I just wish there was a universe where this could exist, without lobotomising Belinda, (maybe this universe could also make the space babies link make more sense, but what do I know? I don't run the show).

Then we get to the regeneration. The build up is brilliant, the speech, the score, the performance, the effects are all stunning. I'm glad they didn't blow up that very expensive set, and I'm sure Russel is too. But I was sad to see Nucti go so soon. His era doesn't feel complete enough for me. There was barely an arc, even 'The Boss' didn't get a complete resolution. A lot of his episodes are lacking in his presence because of how popular of an actor he was and it just feels like by the end I didn't know him as The Doctor. That being said, he had some of the best episodes in years and I will always treasure his performance and version of the character. The messes of his era are clearly the fault of uninterested suits who would only acknowledge the show if it'll allow them to buy their 8th house on the coast of Italy. I think that puts the show in a very familiar place to where it was in the early days of 2005, only this time Russel doesn't have enough Petrol in him to keep the faith. He's watched a few too many TikTok edits and thinks that's the sign of a good show. There's a reason why a lot of the dialogue in these last 2 seasons have sounded like they're clip farming. It's because they are. Aura farming and sigma edits do not make a good show. And neither does obscene nostalgia bait. Yes, I remember how good Billie Piper was - because I can watch her entire tenure on Iplayer. I thought that was the point? The show will change and regenerate, but if you're ever missing it the whole of time and space is available for you to watch. I'm sure Billie will be good in the role, she's incredible and I do look forward to seeing what she does with the character. Just please let her be a proper incarnation. Another gimmick might just be the final nail in the coffin.

Perhaps I'm a little too early, perhaps I should wait until next week to review this? But as of right now this episode, to me, seems like a waste of server space on Iplayer and whatever other unfortunate site has to hold onto this. It was a bold choice to reveal the return of everyone's favourite and most iconic Doctor Who villain in last weeks mid credit scene, hiding the reveal from The Doctor but ensuring the faithful viewers are in on the twist (because there's always a twist at the end) - the twist being everyone ignoring the Rani and focussing on Dugga Do instead - who actually should've been the 3rd member of the unholy trinity instead of who (I think?) it actually was revealed to be.

But, as it usually has been with RTD2 there are a few positives - mostly in the initial set up to the episode.

I adored the 1984 esque set up - the sets were perfectly eerie and the general weirdness of the uniformity was right up my alley - thank you Russel for doing that specifically for me. I enjoyed the nuclear family set up of all the characters, solidifying my hatred for Conrad - it was massively different to what Doctor Who is and I only wish we'd had more time seeing how twisted and pathetic Conrad's ideals are. Also, a special shout out to Russel spamming "Doctor Who" as many times as he could into the script.  Funny stuff. Oh, and of course, Archie Panjabi is stellar in the role. Her performance was easily my favourite in the episode, delightfully cruel and sort of uninterested? Her plan is all that matters to her and anything else is just irritating noise. The writing does border on making her the Master a few times, but I don't think I'm actually bothered by that. Russel managed to refrain from forcing a classic pop number into the The Rani's grand exposition dump (being self aware about this doesn't make it untrue, Russel) which I'm very proud of him for.

Other than that though, the episode felt like a poor impression of a bad Moffat episode. I just don't know if it was weird enough to work. The entire episode was set up for next week. And yes, I am aware that is mostly how a part one works but it should also be able to function as a story in itself. Last year's part 1 demonstrated this. It worked because we didn't know who Susan was. But this week, the grand reveal is introduced as soon as it's resolved - Omega's return. There is just far too much going on, far too much that needs to be resolved. Oh! And because there was almost time for providing some depth to the episode, RTD decided to lob an incredibly bizarre Johnathan Groff cameo into the script. Why is he here? Why does he know what's going on? Why does the hell dimension look like it was filmed in his bedroom? Tune in next week to probably still wonder WHY?? I think that is probably my main takeaway from this week. Why is all of this happening? Genuinely how could all of this be resolved? Why introduce the Rani(s) if the threat of Omega is introduced within 40 minutes to overshadow her? Why could Mrs Flood break the 4th wall? Why was Poppy in Space Babies? WHY is everything bone themed?? Perhaps to signify that the show I loved is nothing more than a fossil, all the substance is gone and all we have left is hype moments and aura farming. The skeleton of the show is its characters, and without the fleshy substance of them... they are only names,  spewing out with accompanying flashbacks.

Ironically, I think this episode does actually reflect a lot of my problem's with the episode. Don't doubt, just accept.

A more apt title would be - "The Doctor f**king explodes"

Title decided by throwing 3 darts at a clump of sticky notes then shoving "and" somewhere.

Absolutely batshit insane cliffhanger, feels like something you'd see in corrie

Seems to be the most divisive of the season so far, it worked for me for the most part. Juno Dawson, you are more than welcome to come back when the runtimes of the episode are a bit longer, or when you're not being bogged down by the series arc. A longer run time would've made the episode's politics a bit clearer, especially The Doctor's stance on his part in it towards the end. The moment is represented as reprehensible and an incorrect response to the complexities of the situation. However, I think it also has the tricky job of balancing the sci-fi of it all with the very real connotations. The response the Doctor has to Kid isn't a planned move, he is angry because he thinks Belinda has died - a trait we know the Doctor has, it's massively present throughout most of his modern incarnations. The drastic number of 3 trillion is also hanging in the balance - absolutely catastrophic stakes. I do think though, this moment (as much as I enjoy it as an isolated character piece) forgets the context it has set up for itself. Kid is a victim of corporate genocide and has been villainised across the universe, I don't agree that torturing him is the correct look for The Doctor, who is also a victim of genocide which we are reminded of in this episode! It's also a shame that we don't see much of a response from Belinda to this moment, I think it would've been very interesting to see her resort back to the hesitations she had at the beginning of the season just after proclaiming how wonderful he is. I like it when heroic figures perform morally reprehensible acts, it creates good drama - as long as there are proper consequences faced, and we just don't get that. By the end, Dawson makes a pretty clear stance on her politics - remarking that genocide is bad, no matter who does it or for what reason and that there should always be a better way to go about things. I would hope that we get to see more of a follow up to the events of this story, The Doctor grappling with his actions, and the corporation facing dire consequences - but I don't think we will. This being the penultimate story of the season before the 2-parter finale put it in a weird spot, where the show tries to say something meaningful but is stalled by Carol Anne-Ford aura farming in the TARDIS and Mrs Flood's bi-generation (are we seriously still doing this??).

The bits that worked for me were really fun and memorable and even though it was a bit muddled, the politics made a stronger stance than they would've in a lesser story. Ncuti and Varada continue to be great and I still think this season is miles beyond where we were last year. Let us just hope it sticks the landing.

This would be an all timer finale perhaps even the best of the show? A shame it's bogged down by the hybrid prophecy/ general Gallifrey lore. It's hardly mentioned throughout the series and is framed in a massively confusing way. A threat to the time lords? But they're gone aren't they? Lost in time somewhere I thought? Oh no, wait - as of the last 5 minutes of last weeks episode they're back! There wasn't a big enough deal made out of it for that part of the episode to work. However, everything involving 12 and Clara is predictably incredible - genuinely one of the best doctor/companion chemistries in the show and eventually the payoff to the hybrid is a good enough answer for me. Clara's ending for me isn't as final as I'd like and isn't as hopefully bitter-sweet as any of the previous companion departures, just seems like Moffat really didn't have it in him to commit - he doesn't like endings.

Yeah, really not a fan of this one. Like it was so boring? All he did was talk. #RIPDOCTORWHO Would be so much better if the he was being shot at by daleks the whole time.

I adore how they almost lull you into a false sense of security with this episode, for the most part it functions as a typical episode of the show. It really gives you hope all the way up until the end. Also, Capaldi got that s**t ON

LEAVE US ALONE MARK GATISS PLEASE. (Really cool direction in this one though)

Remember, never take your meds - they cloud your psychic abilities of whatever

Love the cameo of Ryan, Yaz and Graham (2d character joke)

I hold a Tardis load of bias towards this episode. The 11th Doctor is my Doctor and will forever be my Doctor. Matt Smith is one of the best to ever do it and is absolutely magical in the role. He has my favourite opener, theme, TARDIS interior (until they bulldozed it for some reason) and sonic screwdriver. He is part of the reason I love the show and will forever be the first person I think of when someone mentions The Doctor.

All of that being said, some time towards the end of season 6 the cracks began to show (hold on, I thought that was season 5???) and by the time we reach 'The Time of the Doctor' the quality was not what it was at the beginning. This episode is quite confusing, suffering from late stage 'Moffatphrenia'. I like the idea of this linking back to the arcs of the Matt's previous seasons and the Doctor finally staying - the battle being so great that he has no choice but to stay - which as we see in 'The Power of Three' is almost agony for him. It's nice to see the Doctor finally have a home again and become such a beloved part of the community. Whilst this idea is nice, in practice it is quite messy. The plot becomes overcrowded and the stakes confused and the re-introduction of the cracks / the Time Lords really doesn't help this. Not to mention the ridiculous insistence of making the question of the Doctor's name work this late in the game. Following this, not only is the kitchen sink thrown at the script, but every single appliance Steven could find (including the plug sockets). It just becomes a point where it's sort of too much and too ridiculous, not to mention Clara is back on Earth for most of this whilst the Doctor interacts with a townful of people we, the audience, have no attachment to.

Now, I understand this is terribly negative for an episode I have rated very highly and favourited. As I say there is bias, but also genuine love. More love than hate I promise. The emotional beats in this episode hit like a kitchen sink (maybe its the same one from earlier?). And as always, Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman are on top form - especially with the new and improved Clara personality (see Name of the Doctor review for whatever that means). Seeing the Doctor age in real time and the affect he has on the village is so incredibly moving. The reunion between Clara and The Doctor is heart warming and heart-breaking at the same time. Watching The Doctor's youngest face finally reflect his age is such an incredible choice and yet so hard to watch. Seeing this Doctor, so famous for his energy and youth, barely able to open a christmas cracker - WTF??! Merry Christmas to you too Steven. Oh, and I would also be lying if I said that the Endgame esque team up with all of the Doctor's foes didn't work on me, even if it is a worse version of the Pandorica -it doesn't have to be good, to make me happy.

I should also say, the eventual regeneration is my favourite ever. The speech is typically beautiful and, to me, is a better interpretation than RTD's incredibly bleak version. Yes I know that Karen Gillan and Matt Smith were both wearing wigs, does it matter? No. I love that we saw her again (even if it does slightly undermine Clara's being there and probably made her suspect if The Doctor had developed schizophrenia).

I think many people are too harsh on this episode. It's short comings (which are worth pointing out) really aren't that big of a deal and certainly don't effect my appreciation for the incredible send off my version of the Doctor received.

I think the Parting of the Ways is one of the stronger Doctor send offs of the revival, it's dramatic and emotional in all the right ways and the stakes, whilst definitely cataclysmic to the wider universe, but more so hinge on The Doctor and Rose and how they personally will end up after the 46 minutes conclude. It perfectly aligns with the mostly incredible (although unfortunately short) tenure the pair shared on screen.

The one star is purely for Jenna Coleman's incredible performance at the end. This is perhaps the most confused metaphor I've ever seen. It's as if Steven was completely sat on the fence for the whole episode, refusing to share his true opinion on the subject right until the end. Then, when the time finally came, he pulled out a comically obnoxious drill and mined straight down into the core of the Earth (which could also be an alien egg for all we know) where he burned and so did the chance of me ever looking fondly upon this episode.

What a special moment.

It actually seems that season 7b Clara did in fact die after jumping into the Doctor's timestream because the person that emerges next episode is NOT the same character, I will die on this hill. I do not know what happened but I'm so glad it did. It's like character assassination but good? If only there were a term for such a thing... I shall call it - Characterisation! I apologise if I sound like I've just stared into the untempered schism but my god it bothers me how different she is from Bells of Saint John until Day of the Doctor. Why couldn't she have been that great from the start??!

I can forgive the New Paradigm Daleks - in fact I quite like them- but what in the world is this? I'm sure they came up with the title once they realised it was too late to change the new design.

This episode horrified me as a kid, now I'm just absolutely terrified at the prospect of Mark Gatiss writing another episode

Never fails to make me cry, a shame that THE moment is undermined by something ultimately less moving. An unfortunate side effect of the need to make Clara more interesting than Amy and Rory without actually giving her a personality (yet)

6 years old. Too young to experience heartbreak like this. Damn you Moffat.

Are we still letting this guy write stuff??

James Corden is noticeable more insufferable in this one

Immense scale with masterful (HAHAHAHAHA) performances all the way through, a really interesting way to wrap up RTD's vision of the time war and version of how the characters involved handled it. The story-line does feel somewhat overcrowded despite the small cast, it sort of gets in its own way, constantly raising the stakes to beyond where they should be at an almost nauseating pace. The ending however, is thankfully brilliant. The return of Gallifrey, 10 and Wilf's duologue, The Master's switch and the impeccable realisation of the four knocks prophecy.

Most of the Doctor's present their 'alien-ness' in varying ways, Tennant's most consistent showcase of his otherness was his superiority and power in whatever situation he found himself in. This version of the Doctor was heavily mythologised (as seen in the first part of his finale and 'The Fires of Pompeii') to the point he was represented as more of a Time God than a Lord. The Doctor himself realised this. Perhaps more than other incarnations, this incarnation grappled with loss and loneliness - whenever he found someone to drown out his survivor's guilt, he lost them not too long after. As I say, this Doctor is repeatedly hailed as a hero, and a winner by those he saves - and even by himself at his darkest. At the point we find him in The End of Time, these titles are practically the only thing left he has in his life.

All of this to say, the resolution of the four knocks is beautifully poetic. The 10th Doctor, the hero, the winner chooses to lose. When all is said and done, The Doctor saves people, not for the glory but because he knows it's the right thing to do. This moment is one of the heights of the series, lifted there by some of the best performances ever put to screen and supported by THE Murray Gold, who actually might be a god.

The episode probably should end here, but the slightly self indulgent rehash of Journey's end is nice enough. Of course 10 wouldn't want to be alone at the end, what's to come for him is already scary enough.

When Tennant eventually regenerates, it's devastating and bleak. His final plea to stay has traumatised generations of fans. One of the most beloved Doctors of all time, and maybe its out of fashion to say it these days, but rightfully so.

Complete masterpiece, the best the show has ever been. Incredible progression of the Doctor. THIS IS IT FOLKS!!