The Parting of the Ways
Encyclopedia
"The Parting of the Ways" is an episode in the British
science fiction television series Doctor Who
, which was first broadcast on 18 June 2005. It was the second episode of the two-part story that featured Christopher Eccleston
making his last appearance as the Ninth Doctor
. The first part, "Bad Wolf
", was broadcast on 11 June.
fleet approaches Earth, the Doctor
and Jack
land the TARDIS
on the Dalek mothership to rescue Rose Tyler
, using the tribophysical waveform macro-kinetic extrapolator to protect themselves from the Dalek weapons. The Dalek Emperor, who describes himself as a god, explains that he managed to survive the Time War
in a crippled ship, and rebuilt the race by harvesting genetic materials from the humans such as those delivered from the Game Station. The Doctor observes that the Daleks have gained human traits and emotion by this process and have, because of their creed and resulting self-hate, become deadlier than ever. After bringing Rose aboard, the Doctor returns the TARDIS to the Game Station and works with Jack and the remaining humans aboard to prepare for the Dalek attack.
Jack uses the extrapolator to shield the top six floors of the station and sets up defensive positions, while the Doctor attempts to create a Delta Wave generator from the transmission equipment that will fry the brain of any being in its path, though it will take time to charge up. The Doctor tricks Rose into retrieving equipment from the TARDIS, and while she is inside, uses his sonic screwdriver
to direct the TARDIS to return her to her home in the 21st century, much to Rose's anguish. In a farewell hologram known as Emergency Programme One, he describes this as a procedure designed to stop the TARDIS falling into enemy hands. As the Daleks begin to invade the Station, murdering all humans on board and overrunning the defences, the Dalek Emperor contacts the Doctor. He tells him that the Delta Wave generator will kill everyone on nearby Earth as well as his fleet, but the Doctor says this is a preferable fate to enslavement to the Daleks.
Rose, back home, is met by Jackie
and Mickey
who try to console her. As Rose regains her composure, she spots the words "Bad Wolf" all around the area where the TARDIS has landed, and realises that it is a message rather than a warning. She enlists Mickey's help to try to open the heart of the TARDIS, hoping its telepathic circuits will recognise her desire to return to help the Doctor. Jackie, shaken by the revelation that Rose has met her late father Pete
, decides to help and borrows a large tow-truck from a friend. Between the three of them, they are able to open the heart, which engulfs Rose in a white glow. The TARDIS doors slam on Mickey and Jackie as they try to enter, and then it dematerialises.
Back in the future, the Daleks break through the final defences, kill Jack and Lynda, and confront the Doctor just as the Delta Wave generator is ready. However, he cannot bring himself to activate it, and resigns himself to being killed by the Daleks. The TARDIS materialises in the room and Rose, now infused with the time vortex
, steps out. Using its vast power, she spreads the words from the station's logo, "Bad Wolf", across time and space to be able to bring herself to this moment and rescue "her Doctor". The Daleks attack her, but she effortlessly disintegrates their entire fleet and brings Jack back to life. The Doctor, distraught about the consequences of all this, begs her to let go of the Vortex's power, but she is unable or unwilling to do so and begins to falter. To save her, the Doctor kisses Rose, thus inhaling the time vortex energy from her. He then exhales it back into the TARDIS and takes the unconscious Rose on board. Jack, confused by the disappearance of the Daleks and his own resurrection, turns up just in time to see the TARDIS disappear.
Rose awakens on the TARDIS to find the Doctor in pain - the residual Vortex energy is destroying every cell in his body. He tells her that he is dying, and vaguely explains the regeneration
process. After praising both Rose and himself as 'fantastic', the Ninth Doctor explodes with golden energy and morphs into his next incarnation, the Tenth Doctor
. The New Doctor briefly comments on his new teeth before offering to take Rose to the planet Barcelona.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
science fiction television series Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
, which was first broadcast on 18 June 2005. It was the second episode of the two-part story that featured Christopher Eccleston
Christopher Eccleston
Christopher Eccleston is an English stage, film and television actor. His films include Let Him Have It, Shallow Grave, Elizabeth, 28 Days Later, Gone in 60 Seconds, The Others, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra...
making his last appearance as the Ninth Doctor
Ninth Doctor
The Ninth Doctor is the ninth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He is played by Christopher Eccleston....
. The first part, "Bad Wolf
Bad Wolf
"Bad Wolf" is an episode in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast on June 11, 2005. The TARDIS crew find themselves trapped in the Gamestation, also known as Satellite 5, where they must battle to survive the cruel games...
", was broadcast on 11 June.
Plot
As the DalekDalek
The Daleks are a fictional extraterrestrial race of mutants from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Within the series, Daleks are cyborgs from the planet Skaro, created by the scientist Davros during the final years of a thousand-year war against the Thals...
fleet approaches Earth, the Doctor
Doctor (Doctor Who)
The Doctor is the central character in the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who, and has also featured in two cinema feature films, a vast range of spin-off novels, audio dramas and comic strips connected to the series....
and Jack
Jack Harkness
Captain Jack Harkness is a fictional character played by John Barrowman in Doctor Who and its spin-off series, Torchwood. He first appeared in the 2005 Doctor Who episode "The Empty Child" and reappeared in the remaining episodes of the 2005 series as a companion of the ninth incarnation of the...
land the TARDIS
TARDIS
The TARDISGenerally, TARDIS is written in all upper case letters—this convention was popularised by the Target novelisations of the 1970s...
on the Dalek mothership to rescue Rose Tyler
Rose Tyler
Rose Marion Tyler is a fictional character portrayed by Billie Piper in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who, and was created by series producer Russell T Davies...
, using the tribophysical waveform macro-kinetic extrapolator to protect themselves from the Dalek weapons. The Dalek Emperor, who describes himself as a god, explains that he managed to survive the Time War
Time War (Doctor Who)
The Time War, more specifically called The Last Great Time War, is a conflict within the fictional universe of the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
in a crippled ship, and rebuilt the race by harvesting genetic materials from the humans such as those delivered from the Game Station. The Doctor observes that the Daleks have gained human traits and emotion by this process and have, because of their creed and resulting self-hate, become deadlier than ever. After bringing Rose aboard, the Doctor returns the TARDIS to the Game Station and works with Jack and the remaining humans aboard to prepare for the Dalek attack.
Jack uses the extrapolator to shield the top six floors of the station and sets up defensive positions, while the Doctor attempts to create a Delta Wave generator from the transmission equipment that will fry the brain of any being in its path, though it will take time to charge up. The Doctor tricks Rose into retrieving equipment from the TARDIS, and while she is inside, uses his sonic screwdriver
Sonic screwdriver
The sonic screwdriver is a fictional tool in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who and its spinoffs. It is a multifunctional tool used by The Doctor. Its most common function is that of a lockpick, but can be used to perform other operations such as performing medical scans,...
to direct the TARDIS to return her to her home in the 21st century, much to Rose's anguish. In a farewell hologram known as Emergency Programme One, he describes this as a procedure designed to stop the TARDIS falling into enemy hands. As the Daleks begin to invade the Station, murdering all humans on board and overrunning the defences, the Dalek Emperor contacts the Doctor. He tells him that the Delta Wave generator will kill everyone on nearby Earth as well as his fleet, but the Doctor says this is a preferable fate to enslavement to the Daleks.
Rose, back home, is met by Jackie
Jackie Tyler
In "Rise of the Cybermen" and "The Age of Steel" Coduri plays a parallel Earth version of Jackie. In this universe, she is still married to Pete, but they have no children, although she has a Yorkshire terrier named Rose. Despite Pete's success, which has led to Jackie becoming a celebrity, they...
and Mickey
Mickey Smith
Mickey Smith is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, played by Noel Clarke.Mickey is introduced as the boyfriend of the Ninth and Tenth Doctor's companion Rose Tyler, and a recurring character on the programme...
who try to console her. As Rose regains her composure, she spots the words "Bad Wolf" all around the area where the TARDIS has landed, and realises that it is a message rather than a warning. She enlists Mickey's help to try to open the heart of the TARDIS, hoping its telepathic circuits will recognise her desire to return to help the Doctor. Jackie, shaken by the revelation that Rose has met her late father Pete
Pete Tyler
Pete Tyler, full name Peter Alan Tyler, is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, played by Shaun Dingwall...
, decides to help and borrows a large tow-truck from a friend. Between the three of them, they are able to open the heart, which engulfs Rose in a white glow. The TARDIS doors slam on Mickey and Jackie as they try to enter, and then it dematerialises.
Back in the future, the Daleks break through the final defences, kill Jack and Lynda, and confront the Doctor just as the Delta Wave generator is ready. However, he cannot bring himself to activate it, and resigns himself to being killed by the Daleks. The TARDIS materialises in the room and Rose, now infused with the time vortex
Time vortex (Doctor Who)
In the science fiction television series Doctor Who, the time vortex is the medium that the TARDIS and other time machines travel through...
, steps out. Using its vast power, she spreads the words from the station's logo, "Bad Wolf", across time and space to be able to bring herself to this moment and rescue "her Doctor". The Daleks attack her, but she effortlessly disintegrates their entire fleet and brings Jack back to life. The Doctor, distraught about the consequences of all this, begs her to let go of the Vortex's power, but she is unable or unwilling to do so and begins to falter. To save her, the Doctor kisses Rose, thus inhaling the time vortex energy from her. He then exhales it back into the TARDIS and takes the unconscious Rose on board. Jack, confused by the disappearance of the Daleks and his own resurrection, turns up just in time to see the TARDIS disappear.
Rose awakens on the TARDIS to find the Doctor in pain - the residual Vortex energy is destroying every cell in his body. He tells her that he is dying, and vaguely explains the regeneration
Regeneration (Doctor Who)
Regeneration, in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, is a biological ability exhibited by Time Lords, a race of fictional humanoids originating on the planet Gallifrey. This process allows a Time Lord who is old or mortally wounded to undergo a transformation into a new...
process. After praising both Rose and himself as 'fantastic', the Ninth Doctor explodes with golden energy and morphs into his next incarnation, the Tenth Doctor
Tenth Doctor
The Tenth Doctor is the tenth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He is played by David Tennant, who appears in three series, as well as eight specials...
. The New Doctor briefly comments on his new teeth before offering to take Rose to the planet Barcelona.
Continuity
- Rose absorbing the energy of the time vortex and destroying the Daleks is similar to the resolution of the last regular Eighth DoctorEighth DoctorThe Eighth Doctor is the eighth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by Paul McGann...
comic strip story in Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
. In The Flood, the Doctor is thrown into the vortex by the CybermenCybermanThe Cybermen are a fictional race of cyborgs who are amongst the most persistent enemies of the Doctor in the British science fiction television series, Doctor Who. Cybermen were originally a wholly organic species of humanoids originating on Earth's twin planet Mondas that began to implant more...
, and emerges suffused with enough power to deliberately trigger a "temporal meltdown" which destroys them. He relinquishes the power to rescue DestriiDestriiDestrii, or to give her full title, the Primatrix Destriianatos, is a fictional character who appeared in the Doctor Who Magazine comic strip based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. She was a companion of the Eighth Doctor...
, his companion at the time (DWM #346-#353). - Rose convinces JackieJackie TylerIn "Rise of the Cybermen" and "The Age of Steel" Coduri plays a parallel Earth version of Jackie. In this universe, she is still married to Pete, but they have no children, although she has a Yorkshire terrier named Rose. Despite Pete's success, which has led to Jackie becoming a celebrity, they...
to help her by describing the conclusion of Father's DayFather's Day (Doctor Who)"Father's Day" is the eighth episode in series one of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The episode was first broadcast on 14 May 2005...
.
The TARDIS
- The idea that the TARDIS console directly harnesses the energies which drive the ship (the heart of the TARDIS) and is at least in some sense alive and self-aware dates back to The Edge of DestructionThe Edge of DestructionThe Edge of Destruction is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts on February 8 and February 15, 1964. The serial is distinguished as a rare "bottle episode", in that the entire story is shot on a single set, with just...
(1964). It was re-introduced in "Boom Town", which also established some of the uses to which those energies could be put in extremis. This is a concept which has also been explored in a number of spin-offs, particularly in the Big Finish ProductionsBig Finish ProductionsBig Finish Productions is a British company that produces books and audio plays based, primarily, on cult British science fiction properties...
audio play, ZagreusZagreus (Doctor Who audio)Zagreus is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. This audio drama was presented on three compact discs, and was made by Big Finish as their primary release to celebrate forty years of Doctor Who.-Plot:Following directly...
. - The depiction of the VortexTime vortex (Doctor Who)In the science fiction television series Doctor Who, the time vortex is the medium that the TARDIS and other time machines travel through...
energy Rose uses to defeat the Daleks and revive Captain Jack is superficially similar to the energy used by the TARDIS to revive GraceGrace HollowayDr. Grace Holloway is a fictional character played by Daphne Ashbrook in the 1996 television movie Doctor Who, a continuation of the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
and Chang Lee in the 1996 television movie. - Rose claims that the TARDIS has no defences. However, earlier stories in the original series have established that the TARDIS is protected by a force field generator of considerable strength (The Armageddon FactorThe Armageddon FactorThe Armageddon Factor is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from 20 January to 24 February 1979...
, 1979, among others). In addition, the TARDIS has a Hostile Action Displacement System (HADS), seen in The KrotonsThe KrotonsThe Krotons is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from December 28, 1968 to January 18, 1969...
(1969), which teleports it away from potentially devastating attacks. - The TARDIS's ability to materialise around an object and have that object appear in the Console Room was previously demonstrated in The Time MonsterThe Time MonsterThe Time Monster is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from 20 May to 24 June 1972.- Synopsis :...
(1972) and LogopolisLogopolisLogopolis is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 28 February to 21 March 1981. It was Tom Baker's last story as the Doctor and marks the first appearance of Peter Davison in the role...
(1981). Although both instances involved the Doctor's TARDIS materialising around the MasterMaster (Doctor Who)The Master is a recurring character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He is a renegade Time Lord and the archenemy of the Doctor....
's TARDIS and creating a recursive loop, the second showed the Master's TARDIS materialising around a real police boxPolice boxA police box is a British telephone kiosk or callbox located in a public place for the use of members of the police, or for members of the public to contact the police...
. This is the first time on television that a Dalek has been seen inside the TARDIS. - Jack destroys the Dalek in the TARDIS with his one-shot weapon. In The Hand of FearThe Hand of FearThe Hand of Fear is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 2 October to 23 October 1976...
(1976) the Doctor claims that the inside of the TARDIS exists in a state of temporal grace which prevents weapons from being fired inside it, although the circuit was not working by the time of EarthshockEarthshockEarthshock is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 8 March to 16 March 1982...
(1982).
Daleks
- The last Dalek story to feature an Emperor — who was the Daleks' creator, DavrosDavrosDavros is a character from the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Davros is an archenemy of the Doctor and is the creator of the Doctor's deadliest enemies, the Daleks...
— was Remembrance of the DaleksRemembrance of the DaleksRemembrance of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 5 October to 26 October 1988....
(1988). The Emperor in this episode represents a return to an earlier concept of the Daleks' leader, seen in The Evil of the DaleksThe Evil of the DaleksThe Evil of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which originally aired in seven weekly parts from 20 May to 1 July 1967. This serial marked the debut of Deborah Watling as the Doctor's new companion, Victoria Waterfield.Evil was initially intended to...
(1967); whenever the Daleks had an on-screen leader in later appearances, it was a Dalek Supreme or Davros. - The use of human genetic material or body parts in the creation of new Daleks was pioneered by Davros in the Sixth DoctorSixth DoctorThe Sixth Doctor is the sixth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by Colin Baker...
serial Revelation of the DaleksRevelation of the DaleksRevelation of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts on 23 March and 30 March 1985...
(1985) but without the problems associated with the human factor in the Second DoctorSecond DoctorThe Second Doctor is the second incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by character actor Patrick Troughton....
story The Evil of the Daleks (1967). The idea that the genetic material alone is responsible for the human values is a feature of biological determinismBiological determinismBiological determination is the interpretation of humans and human life from a strictly biological point of view, and it is closely related to genetic determinism...
, an element of the nature versus nurtureNature versus nurtureThe nature versus nurture debate concerns the relative importance of an individual's innate qualities versus personal experiences The nature versus nurture debate concerns the relative importance of an individual's innate qualities ("nature," i.e. nativism, or innatism) versus personal experiences...
debate. - This episode shows the Daleks not only hovering, but flying through the vacuum of space.
- Jack tells his defenders that their ammunition consist of bastic bullets, which can penetrate Dalek casings. Bastic bullets were first mentioned as having this property in Revelation of the Daleks.
- The Doctor claims that he is known in Dalek legend as "The Oncoming Storm", a title that first appeared in the Virgin New AdventuresVirgin New AdventuresThe Virgin New Adventures were a series of novels from Virgin Publishing based on the British science-fiction television series Doctor Who...
novel Love and WarLove and War (Doctor Who)Love and War is an original novel written by Paul Cornell and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It features the Seventh Doctor, Ace and introduces a new companion, Bernice Summerfield...
by Paul CornellPaul CornellPaul Cornell is a British writer best known for his work in television drama as well as Doctor Who fiction, and as the creator of one of the Doctor's spin-off companions, Bernice Summerfield....
(who wrote the episode "Father's DayFather's Day (Doctor Who)"Father's Day" is the eighth episode in series one of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The episode was first broadcast on 14 May 2005...
"). In the novel, the title was applied to the Doctor by the DraconiansDraconian (Doctor Who)The Draconians are a fictional extraterrestrial race from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Their only television appearance to date was in the 1973 serial Frontier in Space. Unlike many "monster" races in Doctor Who, the Draconians were articulate and portrayed as having a...
. In the spin-off media, the better known title of the Doctor in Dalek lore is the Ka Faraq Gatri, the "Bringer of Darkness" or "Destroyer of Worlds", first used in Ben AaronovitchBen AaronovitchBen Denis Aaronovitch is a London-born British writer who has worked on television series including Doctor Who, Casualty, Jupiter Moon and Dark Knight...
's novelisation of his serial Remembrance of the DaleksRemembrance of the DaleksRemembrance of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 5 October to 26 October 1988....
. - The Emperor Dalek's final words are "I cannot die!", the same words said by Davros at the conclusion of Resurrection of the DaleksResurrection of the DaleksResurrection of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts between 8 February and 15 February 1984...
(1984) when he is apparently dying from a virus. In Davros's case, he survived to return another day, but whether this Emperor does remains to be seen. He is mentioned later in "DoomsdayDoomsday (Doctor Who)"Doomsday" is the thirteenth and final episode in the second series of the revival of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on 8 July 2006 and is the conclusion of a two-part story; the first part, "Army of Ghosts", was broadcast on 1 July 2006...
" by Rose and the Doctor and again by the Cult of SkaroCult of SkaroIn the television series Doctor Who, the Cult of Skaro was an elite order of Daleks, and the first individual Daleks whose recurring nature has been explicit.-Background:The Cult of Skaro first appeared in the double-episode "Army of Ghosts"/"Doomsday"...
in "Daleks in ManhattanDaleks in Manhattan"Daleks in Manhattan" is an episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was broadcast on BBC One on 21 April 2007, and is the fourth episode of Series 3 of the revived Doctor Who series. It is part one of a two-part story, concluded in "Evolution of the Daleks"...
". - The Daleks remain the only Doctor Who villains to have faced every incarnation of the Doctor. With the exception of Paul McGannPaul McGannPaul McGann is an English actor who made his name on the BBC serial The Monocled Mutineer, in which he played the lead role...
, the Daleks have been seen in the televised stories of all of the Doctors. Only the voices of the Daleks were heard when they "exterminated" the Gordon Tipple incarnation of the MasterMaster (Doctor Who)The Master is a recurring character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He is a renegade Time Lord and the archenemy of the Doctor....
at the beginning of the Doctor Who television movie (1996). The Eighth DoctorEighth DoctorThe Eighth Doctor is the eighth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by Paul McGann...
has also faced the Daleks in several Big Finish ProductionsBig Finish ProductionsBig Finish Productions is a British company that produces books and audio plays based, primarily, on cult British science fiction properties...
(as voiced by McGann) audio plays and BBC booksEighth Doctor AdventuresThe Eighth Doctor Adventures are a series of spin off novels based on the long running BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who and published under the BBC Books imprint. 73 books were published overall...
, and the Tenth DoctorTenth DoctorThe Tenth Doctor is the tenth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He is played by David Tennant, who appears in three series, as well as eight specials...
made his debut at the end of this story before facing the Daleks in the 2006 finale, "Doomsday".
Production
- This was the first episode in this series which was not given a press screening prior to the broadcast. Radio TimesRadio TimesRadio Times is a UK weekly television and radio programme listings magazine, owned by the BBC. It has been published since 1923 by BBC Magazines, which also provides an on-line listings service under the same title...
stated, "No preview tape was available for this episode." The episode was, however, screened for BAFTABritish Academy of Film and Television ArtsThe British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a charity in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.-Introduction:...
on 15 June 2005. - EndemolEndemolEndemol is an international television production and distribution company based in the Netherlands, with subsidiaries and joint ventures in 23 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Poland,...
and Channel 4Channel 4Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
are thanked in the end credits for the use of the Big BrotherBig Brother (UK)Big Brother UK is the British version of the Dutch Big Brother television format, which takes its name from the character in George Orwell's 1948 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four...
format and logo respectively, though these are featured only in the opening recap and not in the episode itself. - According to Russell T Davies in Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
, Jack was left behind because they wanted to explore the effects of the regeneration on Rose (noting that Jack would have taken the regeneration "in his stride"). Jack returned in the Doctor Who spin-off series TorchwoodTorchwoodTorchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. The series is a spin-off from Davies's 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who. The show has shifted its broadcast channel each series to reflect its growing audience, moving from...
, which began broadcast in October 2006. - In an interview in Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
, Russell T Davies stated that an alternate ending for this episode was written and filmed, with the intention that it would be shown to press previewers to hide the secret of the regeneration. This idea was abandoned when Eccleston's departure was revealed earlier than planned. The "false" ending would have featured similar dialogue to the televised final scene, but the TARDIS would have scanned Rose and the viewers would have seen the display read: "LIFEFORM DYING". Davies considered this scene inferior to the one actually shown, but suggested that it might be suitable as an extra on a DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
some day. On the DVD commentary, executive producer Julie GardnerJulie GardnerJulie Gardner is a Welsh television producer. Her most prominent work has been serving as executive producer on the 2005 revival of Doctor Who and its spin-off shows Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures...
and Billie Piper briefly discuss this ending, which Gardner describes as featuring Rose's death; unlike Davies, Gardner expresses doubts that it will be issued on DVD (it was not included in the Series 1 DVD set). - David TennantDavid TennantDavid Tennant is a Scottish actor. In addition to his work in theatre, including a widely praised Hamlet, Tennant is best known for his role as the tenth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who, along with the title role in the 2005 TV serial Casanova and as Barty Crouch, Jr...
's portion of the regeneration scene was actually filmed much later than Eccleston's, and without the presence of Billie Piper. Tennant's segment was recorded with him speaking to a piece of sticky tapeAdhesive tapeAdhesive tape is one of many varieties of backing materials coated with an adhesive. Several types of adhesives can be used.-Types:Pressure sensitive tape...
indicating Piper's eyeline and then edited into the broadcast version. - Upon translation into Italian, this episode was renamed Padroni dell'universo (Masters of the Universe).
Cast notes
- Jenna RussellJenna RussellJenna Russell is an English actress and singer. She has appeared on the stage in London in both musicals and dramas, as well as appearing with the Royal Shakespeare Company...
appears as the Floor Manager, who also appeared in the previous episode. However, she is not listed in the end credits.
Outside references
- Rose's actions create a predestination paradoxPredestination paradoxA predestination paradox is a paradox of time travel that is often used as a convention in science fiction. It exists when a time traveller is caught in a loop of events that "predestines" or "predates" them to travel back in time...
. The words "Bad Wolf" tell her to try to get back to the Doctor, and her doing so gives her the ability to leave the words through time as messages to herself, which she then does. Although it can be argued that the phrase "Bad Wolf" originates with the Badwolf Corporation, it can also be argued that she somehow prompted the creation of the phrase through her powers in the first place, thereby also introducing an ontological paradox. Ontological paradoxes were explored in "BlinkBlink (Doctor Who)"Blink" is the 10th episode of the third series of the new production of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on 9 June 2007, and is the only episode in the 2007 series written by Steven Moffat; the episode is based on a previous short story written by...
", where the Doctor explains that space-time is not strictly cause-to-effect, and serve as a major plot device in "Time CrashTime Crash"Time Crash" is a mini-episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was broadcast on 16 November 2007, as part of the BBC One telethon for the children's charity Children in Need...
". The Doctor himself moves in a fictitious five-dimensional setting (The Space MuseumThe Space Museum-VHS, CD and DVD releases:*This story was released alongside the surviving episodes of The Crusade on VHS in 1999.*The audio soundtrack was released with narration from Maureen O'Brien on CD in 2009....
, 1964), and perhaps a six-dimensional setting (InfernoInferno (Doctor Who)Don Houghton came to Terrence Dicks with an idea for the story based on the real life Project Mohole. A smaller budget for the serial drove the idea of a parallel world, where the studio could use the same actors in multiple roles...
, 1970).
External links
- Doctor Who Confidential — Episode 13: The Final Battle
- "They survived through me." — Episode trailer for "The Parting of the Ways"
- Watch the regeneration at the BBC website