Ever since John Hurt faced the world with movie-like credits stating "Introducing John Hurt As The Doctor" accompanying him in May 18th this year; I've been glued to websites for updates and news of the upcoming 50th Anniversary Special for the BBC Sci-Fi series, Doctor Who. It was only in the past two months and a half where my excitement turned into obsession and the wait felt longer than ever. So after seeing "The Day Of The Doctor" that most of the world was watching along with myself, what's the verdict?
My initial reaction to the episode was (without cutting it short) the biggest satisfactory grin on my face since (most probably) the cliffhanger to the Series 7 finale. The final shot of the 11 (or 12?) Doctors gazing at their lost homeworld, Gallifrey which as stated by the fourth Doctor, Tom Baker making a surprise cameo was their new objective and destiny to find. I found this so uplifting, because after weeks to months of Steven Moffat and even some co-stars telling us that this episode will have the Doctor find his destiny, his purpose, and even "change the way he travels", I was expecting none of these aspects to come into play, so when we all realised that what had been said was actually true, I was absolutely thrilled and couldn't have asked for more than what was given.
The chemistry between actors in this is tremendous with everyone feeling like good friends and no conflict back-stage (although they're paid for pretending to be someone else, so you never know). Jenna (Louise) Coleman is terrific, dropping the whole Impossible Girl aspect of her character that many thought was a bit forced and the only reason why she was the Doctor's companion in the first place, but here she has wit with her impersonation of a Witch, a joke to John Hurt near the end; but her most recognisable and memorable trait was an emotional side that was hinted last series, but really shines through here which makes her so respectable as a companion and not a plot device. Jemma Redgrave reappears as Head of Scientific Research in UNIT, Kate Stewart, last seen in the Power Of Three where she's given a bigger time frame and more material to work with as an actual boss, peace-maker, and a Zygon.
Billie Piper makes a Doctor Who return, but not as the blonde Londoner, Rose Tyler; instead she's an interface for the powerful weapon known as "the Moment" that only John Hurt's incarnation can see and interact with. I actually speculated before the episode premiered, with trailers and advertising if her and Hurt would be the same situation as in Name Of the Doctor with 11 and River Song and I was pretty much correct. But this interaction doesn't feel forced as she says that the face and body chosen were from his future which Rose played a big part in and it gives Billie Piper fans a chance to squeal although I will admit I'd have like to have seen Matt Smith react to seeing and talking to her. Obviously the main interactions that people want to know about are the actual Doctors, so what did I think? Fantastic. John Hurt was incredibly moving with his darker moments and hilarious with his funny "doctor" ones; the same goes for David Tennant and Matt Smith, the former hasn't appeared since 2010 when Smith took over. David Tennant gives a great sparkle with each of his lines making them memorable, and Matt gives one of his best Who performances yet as his little conflict with David about forgetting the children of Gallifrey was immensely chilling and so satisfying to finally watch.
The action in this one is ground breaking with every event from the Time War to the Elizabethan chases to the final climax featuring all 13 incarnations of the Time Lord (yes 13) feeling so unrestricted by budget faults, that you could envision this in a high budget summer film; 3D viewers were in for a treat. The effects whether practical or computer generated are flawless with the Dalek ships destroying Gallifrey and the Zygon costumes looking so brilliant, it's inspirational and tiring to think of what work the designers went through if on a computer or in a workshop. Steven Moffat has really outdone himself with "ambitious" putting it mildly; the lengths he's gone to make this more than a celebration of the past, but of the character himself are note-worthy to say the least. There are lots of scenes, my favourites being the three Doctors imprisoned in 1562 and the projection of Gallifrey's citizens running with Hurt and Tennant reiterating the promise they made when they took up the name "Doctor". This is all the more gratifying when the 13 incarnations come together to save their home and the last DAY of the Time War.
The opening titles were great to see again, but this time with an obvious difference in the BBC logo underneath; the policeman walking around the corner of the legendary 76 Totter's Lane sign was nostalgic.. The Doctor hanging on for dear life at the bottom of the TARDIS with the credits popping up was again very movie-like, but didn't feel out of place. The pacing was quite steady at the beginning on a first viewing as it felt like it forgot it was the anniversary special and just an average good episode with Zygons, but after a couple of watches, it feels extraordinary to watch the story unfold to the climatic battle that it does. Part of the reason it felt a steady was because the editing near the beginning felt a bit strange like it existed somewhere else, with Matt Smith quickly saying "No More" in a flash, but again on other viewings this can be looked at as his darkest day flashing in front of him.
Time and time again, Moffat said that the Classic Doctors coming back was a big "no, no", but obviously as he does best, he lied, and also included a future version of the time traveller in the form of Peter Capaldi who we know will be carrying the burden given to him by Matt Smith. Whether or not, he'll be titled the 13th or still the 12th will have to be seen only by patience and time. If we're going to speculate, from the few seconds he's on it, then we can tell that this Doctor's going to be tougher and stronger in who he is, and have a big dark side, or he's going to be a David Tennant-ey fun guy and his dark side is going to scare the living daylights out of kids (and some adults).
For the past fifty years, the Doctor has seen countless enemies, embarked on wild, dangerous adventures, met iconic figures, friends and companions, had gadgets beyond our wildest dreams, a Time machine that's bigger on the inside, has had 12 faces including a thirteenth to come, and has always been running from his home planet that he destroyed in the Last Great Time War, but now after 400 years of regretting and forgetting his decision, he and his past regenerations have saved Gallifrey and now it is lost and he's running to find it. The poetry in that statement is true to the show and it's beautiful. The Doctor has had many faces, but is the same man who's granddaughter let strangers into her mysterious home as is the young slapstick man that loves bow ties; It was the last day of the time war and the Doctor; not Matt Smith, not David Tennant, not William Hartnell, the Doctor saved the day. That is why for all of his regenerations to come, he will never forget the Day Of The Doctor.
List your thoughts of the episode and my review down below. Would appreciate hearing your thoughts and discuss amongst yourselves.