Of all the things I was expecting for the 50th Anniversary, a
mini-episode featuring the regeneration of the Eighth Doctor was
definitely not one of them. The very tight script by Steven Moffatt
manages to connect the 21st century programme with its past, pay homage
to a well-known story, and play with the examination of the Doctor’s
character that Moffat has been preoccupied with of late. This is all
accomplished whilst being as witty and moving as the programme has ever
been. In a few lines, we are brought into the summer, or early autumn of
the Time War and we find just how devastating it was, and how a good
man finally went to war.
Paul McGann agrees to do something that Colin Baker refused to do –
return to be killed off – and he immediately makes a stamp on the role,
something he (through no fault of his own) failed to do in his debut. It
is a very different performance from the wistful weirdo from 1996 and
all the better for it – far steelier, but also with a lightness that is
slowly being chipped away by the knowledge of what he will inevitably
have to do. More importantly, we finally see the Eighth Doctor as a hero
for the first time, a man who will not abandon someone for just hating
him. Cass, the companion who never was, is strikingly portrayed by Emma
Campbell-Jones and the Sisterhood of Karn memorably return, led by the
brilliant Clare Higgins as Ohila. John Hayes helms a flawless production
- so much is packed into "The Night of the Doctor" and so epic does it
feel, it is easy to forget that it is based around two sets and three
speaking parts.
I would rather watch any Doctor Who story than the TVM, the only Doctor Who
story lacking in anything that be called a soul. So, to call this
wonderful seven minute 'minisode' easily the best televised appearance
of the Eighth Doctor rings rather hollow. McGann has put in some
excellent performances and been given some great stories on audio and,
sad though it is that the Eighth Doctor dies in only his second
on-screen appearance, he finally has a television appearance as the
Doctor he can be proud of.
NEXT: "The Day of the Doctor"
Tuesday 19 November 2013
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