I'm not usually in the business of reviewing minisodes. Usually, they're inconsequential, previews and the like, not usually considered canon by those who care about such things.
This one's different. It's been on the I-player and YouTube for just a few hours, but already there has been enough squeeing to burst the heavens. Prepare for more squeeing, because this is an amazing seven minutes. Oh Moffat, you do spoil us.
The first shock is to see Paul McGann's Doctor, rescuing a woman called Cass from a crashing spaceship, as is his wont. But, as soon as she realises he has a TARDIS she recoils, refuses his help, and they both plunge to their doom. The dialogue here is stunning; the Doctor admits to being a member of that notorious race the Time Lords but, to Cass, they are indistinguishable from the Daleks, both races hated for their Time War and the collateral damage it causes. The Doctor has tried to remain aloof, an individual, but his refusal to take part on the war has not prevented him from dying in it.
Except, fortunately, this is Karn, and the Doctor is able to be briefly kept alive by the Sisterhood and their Elixir. Wonderfully, Maren is back, once again played by Cynthia Grenville. (Edit: no she isn't. I got carried away there!!!)
The Sisterhood know that the Time War will ultimately destroy the universe, and they desperately urge the Doctor to involve himself in it for the universe's sake, offering him use of the elixir to choose his body (one of the choices given is "Man or woman?", interestingly). The Doctor's usual quips fall flat and he is persuaded (rather too quickly, perhaps; a small criticism, but given the running time I will be more than forgiving) that there isn't any need for a Doctor anymore.
So he decides to become a warrior. And there's a possible suggestion that his upcoming incarnation will be known as the Warrior, not the Doctor. Be that as it may, he regenerates (new style) into some I, Clavdivs-vintage stock footage of a young John Hurt, and it's all rather well done.
And, if all that isn't enough, all of McGann's Big Finish companions get name checked.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm still buzzing, and I'm off to watch it again...
Looking back, I have mixed feelings on this. I liked the War Doctor more than I expected too but a part of me still thinks he was an unnecessary character and that McGann could have had the role instead. It seems that Moffat just got John Hurt in to have a big name for the 50th special, and used McGann for a glorified cameo to show what his regeneration was like. How powerful it would have more to see 8 as the Time War Doctor as originally envisioned and depict his long awaited regeneration into Christopher Eccleston (basically have 8 be in the Day of the Doctor). In a way, I miss the old days when it was just the official Eleven Doctors and no writers were having to fold in the War Doctor, or the Timeless Child, or the expanded pre-Hartnell lore (Mobius Doctors)—March 2005 to March 2013 actually a continuity that feels both complete and intact, a version of the Doctor Who universe where things made sense enough, and more importantly, felt right...
ReplyDeleteSilly though it may seem, the thought of doing that- just having the War Doctor be an older version of Paul McGann's Doctor, in pointed contrast to the younger version we knew from the TV movie- hadn't even occurred to me. But yes, you're right: not only would the continuity be neater, but the characterisation of the War Doctor could have been so much richer.
ReplyDeleteInterstingly, there is “batmanmarch” Who Figure adventures series on YouTube. Using just simple action figures of the characters, he is able to make good writing and amazing themes.But his 8th Doctor ones are regared as his masterpiece. The 3rd season of the 8th Doctor series follows how the 8th Doctor could have battled in the time war as Russell T. Davies originally wrote the time war before Moffat invented the War Doctor. It proves that 8 could have fought in the time war and that there arguably was no need to invent a "forgotten" Doctor.
DeleteAnd there's me subscribed!
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