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2.13 Doomsday (2) Review by Paul Kelly Rose: "I love you." Doctor: "Quite right, too. And I suppose, if it's my last chance to say it. Rose Tyler..." Season two's been a mixed bag for Rose. Her enthusiasm and growth throughout season one were a pleasure to behold. But this season, the writers have seemed uncertain as to what to do with her. In fact, Rose has been downright annoying at times. So perhaps now was the right time for Billie's departure. That's not to say she won't be missed. She's was instrumental in reviving a much loved British institution, and breathing life into arguably the best loved companion since Sarah Jane. But it's better to bow out when you're on top. And Rose definitely went out with a bang. We expected her death. What we got was perhaps worse. At least she got a chance to say "I love you." It's been on the cards since episode one, but it was nice to hear it at last. And the Doctor surely loves Rose. He didn't quite manage to say it... the rift closed before he finished his sentence, but you have to believe that he felt it too. The tears on his cheeks said as much, surely? I loved it that Rose would have happily seen the universe ripped apart just to touch the Doctor one last time. Love's a bitch... and then you die. Or at the very least, you get trapped in a parallel universe. On screen, the Doctor and Rose looked so close; just different sides of a wall. But in reality they were worlds apart. Rose has been so brave these past two years. She's stepped into the fray when hope's been hard to come by, and risked her life for a world oblivious of her existence. But tonight it all went wrong. If it hadn't been for Pete, she'd have been sucked into the void and lost forever. And although she didn't die, in many respects, death would have been kinder. It was heart wrenching to watch Pete, Jackie and Mickey as they stood looking on... helpless... holding hands... unsure of what to do as Rose cried her heart out. But not even the Doctor could save her this time. And thus, their partnership came to its natural end. The Daleks 'v' the Cybermen battle was more of a bitch fight than a classic confrontation. Potentially, it was an intriguing match-up. But it totally failed to deliver. Again, the silliness of the dialogue ("you are only superior in one respect... you are better at dying") ripped the heart out the battle scenes, diluting them into farce. Since when did the Daleks possess such sardonic wit? And despite their superiority in numbers, the Cybermen fared poorly in combat. Four Daleks were more than enough to hold a room full of Cybermen. Yet despite their physical prowess, the Daleks still recoiled at the Doctor's name. As Rose said, "Five million Cybermen... easy. One Doctor. Now you're scared." Which demonstrates perfectly the Doctor's ingenuity and power. He's forever outnumbered by the Daleks. Yet still they fear him. And with good reason. How many times has he almost destroyed them? They once numbered in the millions. Now there are just four. So, all in all, a mixed finale. The Doctor/Rose story was upsetting (as we expected it would be) and the Cybermen/Dalek face-off a bit of a let down. But the ending was in a class of its own in plumbing the depths of crappiness. After such an emotionally charged climax, why did they have to ruin it by having Catherine Tate turn up? Instead of the episode fading out with a sigh, it ended with a groan. Bits and pieces: -- There was never anyone else for Jackie? What about Howard (of apple in pocket fame) from "The Christmas Invasion?" -- The lever at the end was the wrong way around. Rose was actually pushing against the pull of the breach. -- Where was Captain Jack? Doesn't he usually turn up for season finales? -- This was the first episode ever to have the Daleks and the Cybermen fighting each other. They've both appeared separately in "The Five Doctors" -- and in "Dalek," there was a Cyberman head in one of Van Statten's display cases. -- How on earth did Pete not get sucked into the void... or at least not get hit by debris? -- Ah... that's what the 3D glasses were for. Billie says... I have to admit I got into this one. Daleks versus Cybermen. Which do I prefer? Daleks definitely trump Cybermen, no contest. The two metal monstrosities outboasting each other in mechanical monotones, and the whole "Delete!" "Exterminate!" battles were sort of cool. All of them flying into a hole in the Torchwood Institute and disappearing forever was cooler, though. Despite the battling clunkers, this was a very emotional episode. I loved seeing Jackie and Pete, both widowed, ending up together. Rose watching her parents reunite was special; I'm such a sucker for this crap. (Is it reuniting if they've never actually met, though? There probably isn't a term for what just happened to Jackie and Pete.) You know, she didn't actually die. They lied to us. Not that I wanted her to. Even though I knew it was coming, I hated seeing the Doctor and Rose separated forever. I agree with Paul that they shouldn't have introduced Catherine Tate like that. It took some of the dramatic emphasis from the Doctor alone in the Tardis after that tearful goodbye to Rose at the appropriately named Bad Wolf Bay. Quotes: Dalek: "State your identity!" Cyberman: "You will identify first!" Dalek: "Identify! Mickey: "It's like Stephen Hawking meets the speaking clock." Cyberman: "Daleks, be warned. You have declared war upon the Cybermen." Dalek: "This is not war. This is pest control." Doctor: "I was there at the fall of Arcadia. Some day, I might even come to terms with that." Dalek: "The Emperor survived?" Rose: "Yeah. Until he met me." Jackie: "This is your fault. You and your Torchwood. You've killed us all." Doctor: "Pete Tyler! I knew you when you were dead." Doctor: "Once the breach collapses, that's it. You'll never be able to see her again. Your own mother." Rose: "I made my choice a long time ago, and I'm never going to leave you." View all comments or post a comment. |
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