Journey's End
- Episode aired Aug 1, 2008
- TV-PG
- 1h 3m
In the wake of Davros' threat to destroy the existence of the Universe itself, the Doctor's companions unite to stop the Dalek empire. Which one will die by the prophecies and what will the ... Read allIn the wake of Davros' threat to destroy the existence of the Universe itself, the Doctor's companions unite to stop the Dalek empire. Which one will die by the prophecies and what will the fate be for the Doctor?In the wake of Davros' threat to destroy the existence of the Universe itself, the Doctor's companions unite to stop the Dalek empire. Which one will die by the prophecies and what will the fate be for the Doctor?
- Luke Smith
- (as Thomas Knight)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Doctor's asking Gwen if she's from an old Cardiff family is a reference back to The Unquiet Dead (2005), in which Eve Myles played the clairvoyant Gwyneth.
- GoofsWhen Martha contacts the Crucible the way she is holding the key changes between shots from inside the station and the view screen on the crucible.
- Quotes
The Doctor: I just want you to know, there are worlds out there, safe in the sky because of her. That there are people living in the light, and singing songs of Donna Noble, a thousand, million light years away. They will never forget her, while she can never remember. And for one moment... one shining moment... she was the most important woman in the whole wide universe.
Sylvia Noble: She still is. She's my daughter.
The Doctor: Then maybe you should tell her that once in a while.
- Crazy creditsAlong with the story's first half, "The Stolen Earth" (#4.12), this episode has the longest opening-credits cast list of the modern series: six names (Tennant, Tate, Agyeman, Barrowman, Sladen and Piper) appear before the title instead of the usual two... in the same amount of time.
- Alternate versionsWhen originally aired, when the TARDIS dematerialized at the end, it made its usual sound and a shot of Donna was shown hearing it, showing a hint of recognition, but then dismissing it. This ending was changed to have the TARDIS leave silently and omitting the last shot of Donna so as not to imply any triggering of her repressed memory and the established consequences thereof.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Doctor Who Confidential: End of an Era (2008)
- SoundtracksDoctor Who Theme
(uncredited)
Written by Ron Grainer
Arranged by Murray Gold
Performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales
David Tennant gives what might well be one of his best performances as the Doctor. It might not be on par with his brilliant performance in Human Nature / Family of Blood but like that two part story, Tennant gets to show a different side of his Doctor in a way not previously seen in the series and it makes the resolving of the cliffhanger all the more better. Outside of just that, Tennant brings his considerable skills to bare and goes through the full range of his abilities in this episode making it one of his best.
Then there is Catherine Tate as Donna. I don't think I'm spoiling anything by saying that is most certainly Tate's final appearance in Doctor Who and as being such it is one of her best. Tate brings together all aspects of Donna's character from the unassuming temp to the amazed companion to her considerable comedic skill to pull of one of the best companion exits of the series. It seems a shame that we are all ready saying good bye to her so soon. Donna Noble...we hardly knew you.
The only real let down of the episode is its under use of supporting cast. With so much attention focused on the leads, characters such as the group from Torchwood and the Sarah Jane Adventures virtually make cameos in this episode. That said there are some terrific moments for Matha Jones, Captain Jack, Sarah Jane, Jackie Tyler, and Mickey Smith. The real stand-outs of the returning cast is of course Billie Piper as Rose Tyler and Julian Bleacha s Davros. While both seemed to be overshadowed in much of the episode, in the end both get plenty of time on screen with Bleach giving an excellent continuation of the Davros character. Piper brings Rose back to the forefront in the her final scene which finally resolves many of the loose threads of the previous series and brings the arc of the character of Rose to a grand conclusion.
Russel T. Davis' writing is (as ever) the highlight of this episode. For the first time really since The Parting Of The Ways at the end of series one he finds just the right mix between the epic and the personal. On the epic side we get what could well be the end of everything to what seems to be hundreds or thousands or millions of Daleks and their ships in the most amazing CGI display the show has ever produced. Yet it is the personal side of the story that makes all of that so incredible. From Davros speech to the Doctor to the final scenes with both Rose and Donna, Davis shows once gain his ability to pin the incredible in the most basic of human emotions: fear and love. This would appear to be Russel T. Davis final Doctor Who script and if it is, it is one of his best.
Both the actors and script are backed up by excellent work behind the camera. It starts with the excellent CGI but its mostly up to the ever brilliant direction and pacing of the episode's director Graeme Harper. Harper once again brings his energy and love of action to Doctor Who yet allows the personal moments to take center stage when they need too. There is also of course the brilliant Dalek voices of Nicholas Briggs. Briggs plays the full range of Daleks from the minions to the Dalek Supereme to what is left of Dalek Caan. Murray Gold also supplies some excellent music for this episode that feels both epic and personal all at once. Well done everyone.
Despite the flaw of underusing some of the supporting cast, Journey's End is what could be called Doctor Who at its best. From excellent performances to one of Russel T. Davis best scripts to brilliant work behind the camera, Journey's End lives up to it's name. While tying up loose ends it all proves to be thoughtful and entertaining all at once. This is an ending but also a new beginning for the revived show and like so many other's I'm awaiting what happens next. Whiel time will tell what happens next one thing's for certain: one Journey's come to a proper End.
- timdalton007
- Aug 2, 2008
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Filming locations
- Morgan Jones Park, Caerphilly, Wales, UK(Park where the Doctor drops off most of his companions)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 3 minutes
- Color