I don't really know what to say... It was just perfection, by all means. To be written by somebody who has constantly been belittled and chipped away at by the fan-base and to have pulled it off as brilliantly as Moffat did - I commend him SO much. It had the perfect balance of what had already been and presenting that in an up-to-date format, having a modern story and a historical story running side by side and then it also had various nods to the future which were just beautiful. The only thing that bothers me slightly is that it was claimed the episode would pick up directly from the Doctor and Clara in the time tunnel - but there was no explanation as to what happened there at all - so I'm hoping that River's spout of 'spoilers' will provide an answer to that in the near/distant future.

 

The opening scenes with Clara in the school and seeing what was seen before in 1963 was just stunning, and then when they were in the TARDIS being transported to the tower of London; that was just mesmerising (especially in 3D). All of it was, but there was just something very special about those scenes. The Zygon plot started fantastically and Queen Elizabeth was surprisingly less annoying than I imagined she would be (I was just sitting there waiting for Joanna Page to burst out in her Welsh accent - you could tell it was lying under the false English one), but when they started to introduce the main story, the Zygon plot seemed to get lost, and it felt as though it came to a rather abrupt end. I still don't understand how it completed itself and what the Zygons actually went on to as well as UNIT after 'working together'.

 

Rose (or, the interface) was fantastic. She was far more likeable in this role than she ever was in series 1 and series 2. It just seemed to work perfectly, and at least her presence was explained perfectly and there was no desire to know what happened to her after suddenly disappearing. I would have liked to see a lot more of her, but her sheer presence throughout the episode as the interface was quite chilling and it gave the episode the exact atmosphere it required. All I will say though is that I felt so sorry for 10 when he learned who John Hurt was referring to when he said 'Bad Wolf girl'.

 

The whole plot in itself really was quite beautiful, and there was a fine balance of the comedy and dramatic/emotional moments throughout. The comedy (especially in the scene where they were talking about the round things in the console room) was perfect and was written well for whomever was being comedic. The drama was excellent and the soundtrack went side-by-side with it perfectly. It really was exhilarating when all of the 13 TARDISes went together, and the glimpse of Capaldi in the TARDIS was both surprising and beautiful. I really can't wait to see him in action now - and the fact that he's part of what happened in the episode is rather nice. The final moments of the episode though where the Doctor discovered his destiny were fantastic. They were absolutely fantastic and Moffat certainly hasn't disappointed at all telling us that he's found his destiny. Hopefully this gives future episodes a purpose - and it's easy to see how Moffat aimed to ensure the show would reach the 100th Anniversary. The fact that he now has to find Gallifrey is just giving the show such a different dynamic and it's going to be so interesting to see.

 

The Tom Baker scene was very touching too. I don't like him at all, and I was apprehensive at first when I saw him, but my god that was a beautiful moment between the pair of them. Thankfully he wasn't in the episode for too long, but it was a nice nod to the past (I hope none of you are sitting there trying to find a reason to sit and curse at Moffat now - he's given you the most iconic Doctor in a full-circle role). But the last scene when he stepped out of the TARDIS and joined the other Doctors was just perfect - that was a fantastic ending to the episode.

 

So, yes, it was possibly the most beautiful episode of Doctor Who I've seen, one of the most well written and one of the most visually stunning (mostly down to the directing and art design - it was all gorgeous). It was fantastic to see it in 3D too, and the introductions from Strax, David and Matt were hilarious. :lol: First episode I can honestly say I'll give 11/10, ignoring the two VERY minor faults I can find (at most!). Hopefully from here on in Moffat can continue to please those he has previously disappointed. He's certainly proven that when he has a task at hand and something to live up to he can deliver as much as he needs to and THEN some.

I thought it was pretty terrible on the whole. They just threw so many things into it and then failed to let them live up to their potential. It wa like two

unrelated stories poorly shoved together with one of them randomly ending without any resolution at all. I was bored and confused throughout most of it.

It was nice to see "Rose" again, even though it wasn't really her. Also, the whole "changing time to avoid Gallifrey being destroyed" really pissed me off, I don't like how

they just changed the thing that made the Doctor who he is so suddenly and for no real reason.

A waste of my time.

ALSO, having David back reminded me of how much I loved him as the Doctor and how much I detest Matt Smith, the main reason why I have given up on the show.

Edited November 23, 201311 yr by Regina

I Loved it. Watched it with my mum, just like I did 50 years ago today. Doctor Who is all about change, and this was a good anniversary show, I've always resented the missing years gap, so it was great to have it filled in with John Hurt, promise of Time Lords back, and the Doctor saved from being a mass murderer - it needed addressing and the Time War needed seeing. John Hurt was great, Tom baker touching, and Peter Davisons half-hour show on the red button was hilarious and good-natured. Loved seeing the companions on the after-show party - just wish they could have interviewed them all instead of the 100%pointless and no-doubt pricey link to those Xfactor kiddies. An attempt to sabotage X Factor ratings, presumably....

 

It all made sense, plotlines tied up and new ones opened up and a great romp! Hooray!

 

Now, if I can just get the extended 3D version...

Edited November 23, 201311 yr by popchartfreak

Hmmm, Had its ups and downs, A bit like the whole of series 6 and 7 really! If you don't want spoilers, you shouldn't be reading this thread.

 

I felt for a 50th, it was a bit of a whimper - there wasn't really much of a sense of dread or suspense that made me want to keep watching. This whole Zygons-Queen Victoria storyline felt a bit like a ordinary filler episode and some of the Time War battle scenes looked like they were straight out of Star Wars.

 

However, I felt that the main storyline about the Doctor forcing to end the war was appropriate - Matt, David & John were really good together as was the spiritual Rose. The final fifteen minutes with all the tardises and the Doctors (that brief shot of Capaldi took me by surprise) just got me a little bit emotional.

 

All in all it was patchy and really should've been a lot better, but overall quite enjoyable. Expecting quite a bit for Matt Smith's final chapter. I'm guessing now that Gallifrey is still out there, that that will become a focal plot point?

He's nearing the supposed limit of regenerations so perhaps he will need to get back to Gallifrey for a top-up.

I find it funny that the people who don't regularly sit down and watch Doctor Who who have decided to watch it because it's the 50th Anniversary are complaining about it being 'confusing' and that the plot didn't make sense or it was annoying, etc. Watch more of the show.

Overall it was a HIT for me, though not without it's shortcomings. I felt like they could and indeed SHOULD have done whatever (and lets be honest for Colin, Sylvester, Paul and Peter it wouldn't TAKE MUCH) to bring ALL the living Doctors back, that final scene with the AWFUL (Eccleston mainly) stand ins was the perfect time to do it and would have made the whole thing feel a little more befitting and respectful of the 50 year history.

 

It was a good story though, a jolly good old fun ROMP through time and space. However, unlike Calum above, it actually makes me MORE annoyed at Moffat. How can he create something of this calibre and then be content to allow others to fart out some of the stuff we saw during the back half of S7. It boggles the mind and I am continued in my belief that he should be nothing more than a writer for the show.

 

Anyway the first half seemed to serve as basically an INTRO for what was to come and I'm a bit glad really because Joanne as Liz I pissed me off after about 10 seconds. She was nothing like here in any way and was rubbish in the role I felt. The Zygon thing was nice and a nice little homage to the past/The Brigadier stuff. I did audibly groan when I worked out they were going to undo the time war (basically about 20 minutes before they did it) but I liked how they went about it. It was clever and more importantly well executed. It gives rise to lots of potentially interesting new storylines and should give the show a renewed focus.

 

Acting wise Hurt was as good as ever, but the real star for me was Matt Smith. Rather than being a shrinking violet in the face of a legend and David Tennant he stood out more than ever as a great actor, brilliant comic timing and a great flair for the dramatic. I really will miss him as he's by far my favourite incarnation. LOVED seeing Tom Baker too, it was just a SHADE too WINK WINK NUDGE NUDGE for me and left me feeling a little confused as to his true nature, but it also warmed my heart to see him there.

 

So yeah, overall probably a 9/10 from me.

Overall it was a HIT for me, though not without it's shortcomings. I felt like they could and indeed SHOULD have done whatever (and lets be honest for Colin, Sylvester, Paul and Peter it wouldn't TAKE MUCH) to bring ALL the living Doctors back, that final scene with the AWFUL (Eccleston mainly) stand ins was the perfect time to do it and would have made the whole thing feel a little more befitting and respectful of the 50 year history.

 

It was a good story though, a jolly good old fun ROMP through time and space. However, unlike Calum above, it actually makes me MORE annoyed at Moffat. How can he create something of this calibre and then be content to allow others to fart out some of the stuff we saw during the back half of S7. It boggles the mind and I am continued in my belief that he should be nothing more than a writer for the show.

 

Anyway the first half seemed to serve as basically an INTRO for what was to come and I'm a bit glad really because Joanne as Liz I pissed me off after about 10 seconds. She was nothing like her in any way and was rubbish in the role I felt. The Zygon thing was nice and a nice little homage to the past/The Brigadier stuff. I did audibly groan when I worked out they were going to undo the time war (basically about 20 minutes before they did it) but I liked how they went about it. It was clever and more importantly well executed. It gives rise to lots of potentially interesting new storylines and should give the show a renewed focus.

 

Acting wise Hurt was as good as ever, but the real star for me was Matt Smith. Rather than being a shrinking violet in the face of a legend and David Tennant he stood out more than ever as a great actor, brilliant comic timing and a great flair for the dramatic. I really will miss him as he's by far my favourite incarnation. LOVED seeing Tom Baker too, it was just a SHADE too WINK WINK NUDGE NUDGE for me and left me feeling a little confused as to his true nature, but it also warmed my heart to see him there.

 

So yeah, overall probably a 9/10 from me.

How do you know? Do you mean she wasn't like Miranda Richardson in Blackadder? :lol: Let's face it, for all we know, this could have been the most realistic portrayal of Betsie I ever.

I find it funny that the people who don't regularly sit down and watch Doctor Who who have decided to watch it because it's the 50th Anniversary are complaining about it being 'confusing' and that the plot didn't make sense or it was annoying, etc. Watch more of the show.

 

I've seen pretty much every episode of the new era DW, It's only recently I gave up watching it and I read up on what I had missed before watching the special, I still thought it was awful.

How do you know? Do you mean she wasn't like Miranda Richardson in Blackadder? :lol: Let's face it, for all we know, this could have been the most realistic portrayal of Betsie I ever.

 

Sorry, I always assume the Helen Mirren TAKE to the the definitive. Or Cate Blanchett. I just don't buy her as a JOVIAL sort really, that's not enough to ruin the episode obv. I just dislike Joanna a lot which doesn't help.

Another thing I came away with tonight is how this show needs to have Jemma Redgrave as a proper recurring character. AMAZING.

Well, I found the Gallifrey storyline amazing, but can someone really explain what happened at the Tower?

I enjoyed it but it wasn't without fault. Whilst it was nice to see the Zygons back again they came across as pretty stupid compared to their old selves and the story would have benefitted from dropping them and Elizabeth entirely and spending more time on the big story of the time war. Hurt himself was magnificent and dominated the other Doctors despite a script that tried to convince us he was at the most desperate and embittered place and yet still able to make the odd quip and joke. The War Doctor should have been much darker as a character giving his final embracing of hope and his redemption much greater poignancy.

I'd like to have seen Eccleston just for the regeneration but I know he's to blame for that. Still a shame. There was a missed opportunity to feature a bit more McGann as I think he'd be up for it and whilst nostalgia wants me to see Davison, McCoy and Colin Baker I cannot think of a way in which they can appear with their aged appearance and it could benefit the story in any way. The Tom Baker plot device was stretching but I will forgive it as he is most iconic of all the Doctors and the scene worked AND gave us an intriguing premise about The Doctors future. Capaldi made a great cameo with only a single shot.

Speaking of whom I'm glad they've erased the whole Gallifrey being time locked thread and the 13th incarnation can go in search of it should he wish. It retcons one of RTD's biggest errors (and there were numerous) and leaves open the potential for The Doctor to gain more regenerations beyond the stated 13 allowing the show to continue. The question of whether a Time Lord has 13 incarnations or 13 regenerations seems to have been put to bed by the script tonight although it doesn't yet explain The Valeyard.

I'm actually surprised to say I enjoyed Billie Piper's role too. Hated Rose with a passion but the darker 'Bad Wolf girl' role was a big improvement. As for Clara, I'm still not impressed. It feels like she just did nothing of note until the final act where she reminds The Doctors of their promise when it would have been much better for the later incarnations to have verbally battled it over with The War Doctor but then she might as well have not been in it.

 

Overall, I thought it was a fitting celebration and although flawed it was a solid episode with some great moments.

Well, I found the Gallifrey storyline amazing, but can someone really explain what happened at the Tower?

The Doctors made both the humans and the Zygons unaware of which species they were and so they had to work out a treaty that suited both parties as neither knew which was which.

 

Yes, there were massive plot holes here.

The Doctors made both the humans and the Zygons unaware of which species they were and so they had to work out a treaty that suited both parties as neither knew which was which.

 

Yes, there were massive plot holes here.

 

Will we ever know what happened, though, or was it like an allegory to the Gallifrey situation?

Will we ever know what happened, though, or was it like an allegory to the Gallifrey situation?

Honestly who cares? That whole plotline was pretty bad and just an excuse to bring back a much loved monster and get the big 3 together. The more I think about that subplot the more I dislike it. Particularly as the final scene relating to that threw in an ambigous inhaler reference.

I enjoyed it but it wasn't without fault. Whilst it was nice to see the Zygons back again they came across as pretty stupid compared to their old selves and the story would have benefitted from dropping them and Elizabeth entirely and spending more time on the big story of the time war. Hurt himself was magnificent and dominated the other Doctors despite a script that tried to convince us he was at the most desperate and embittered place and yet still able to make the odd quip and joke. The War Doctor should have been much darker as a character giving his final embracing of hope and his redemption much greater poignancy.

I'd like to have seen Eccleston just for the regeneration but I know he's to blame for that. Still a shame. There was a missed opportunity to feature a bit more McGann as I think he'd be up for it and whilst nostalgia wants me to see Davison, McCoy and Colin Baker I cannot think of a way in which they can appear with their aged appearance and it could benefit the story in any way. The Tom Baker plot device was stretching but I will forgive it as he is most iconic of all the Doctors and the scene worked AND gave us an intriguing premise about The Doctors future. Capaldi made a great cameo with only a single shot.

Speaking of whom I'm glad they've erased the whole Gallifrey being time locked thread and the 13th incarnation can go in search of it should he wish. It retcons one of RTD's biggest errors (and there were numerous) and leaves open the potential for The Doctor to gain more regenerations beyond the stated 13 allowing the show to continue. The question of whether a Time Lord has 13 incarnations or 13 regenerations seems to have been put to bed by the script tonight although it doesn't yet explain The Valeyard.

I'm actually surprised to say I enjoyed Billie Piper's role too. Hated Rose with a passion but the darker 'Bad Wolf girl' role was a big improvement. As for Clara, I'm still not impressed. It feels like she just did nothing of note until the final act where she reminds The Doctors of their promise when it would have been much better for the later incarnations to have verbally battled it over with The War Doctor but then she might as well have not been in it.

 

Overall, I thought it was a fitting celebration and although flawed it was a solid episode with some great moments.

Eccleston was a very good Doctor so it's a shame he treats it as "just another part I played". However, there's not much anyone can do about that.

 

I loved the way they worked Tom Baker (another actor who tried to avoid any mention of the programme for many years) into the script but it would have been hard to do the same for all the other "original" Doctors who all look somewhat older than in their Doctor years.

 

One thing about the episode that underwhelmed me a little (although I'm REALLY glad Moffat actually showed it) is Hurt's regeneration into Eccleston - I wanted to see Chris just standing there before it cut away, but the fact that it didn't happen was a bit shit. :(

Eccleston was a very good Doctor so it's a shame he treats it as "just another part I played". However, there's not much anyone can do about that.

 

I loved the way they worked Tom Baker (another actor who tried to avoid any mention of the programme for many years) into the script but it would have been hard to do the same for all the other "original" Doctors who all look somewhat older than in their Doctor years.

 

Eccleston never wanted to be type cast. He's currently unrecognisable as a big bad alien in a blockbuster so he may (possibly) have been busy. His obituary, like all the Doctor's though, will still be "Doctor Who-actor...." so he might as well just enjoy the ride when he has time....!

 

Baker avoided it more because, as he said yesterday, they were the best years of his life, going back may have been difficult...

watching this now!! Forgot how much I loved David Tennant!!! :heart:

Fantastic episode!! Shame Donna wasn't in it though :(

Edited November 24, 201311 yr by jsg2013