RTD Retrospective #10: Series Finale

[Stevil2001]

Results from last round: Favorite penultimate episode?
42%: The Stolen Earth
38%: The Sound of Drums
13%: Bad Wolf
4%: Army of Ghosts / The End of Time, Part One

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This time, it's what was your favorite series finale? As before, we're talking about the individual episode, not the two- (or three-)parter it was part of.

 

[Bones2]

4 cop-outs and an utter nonsense. Based purely on memory though, I suppose Last of the Time Lords as the least of the evils.

 

[Worf2DS9]

I went with "Doomsday" for the sheer emotional impact of Rose's departure. A lot of people were tired of Rose by that point, but it was still strong stuff between Tennant and Billie before and after her departure. Of course, all this was somewhat diluted by her return in S4, but still...

 

[Candlelight]

The Parting of the Ways by a country mile.

Doomsday was alright but the cop out Rose dying ending was dumb. And it repeated the whole "massive army destroyed really easily".

Last of the Time Lords is barely memorable. All I remember is puking at the Doctor's restoration scene for how trite it was.

Journey's End was hard to watch. The crossover was fanwankery. The Tardis crew pushing the Daleks around at the end was too reminiscent of the 60's Cushing films, and didn't really fit in with the deep dark tone of the finale in general.

The End of Time I fast forwarded through most of it. Watched the regeneration. Laughed myself silly. Cringed. Watch the shark jump. Etc.

 

[Captain Pike]

God.. what a selection.. :|

 

[Starkers]

They're all flawed but I kinda like them all with the exception of the Last of the timelords (and even there time has muted my hatred somewhat).

I'll go with Parting of the Ways with the End of time a close second.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

This is a bit of a tough choice, but on a more average level than the mid-season two-parters. As Starkers said, they're all flawed although "Last of the Time Lords" is extremely flawed. "The End of Time, Part Two" is much better than "Part One" which is an odd reverse to how I feel about "The Sound of Drums"/"Last of the Time Lords." "Journey's End is also pretty good with some fantastic moments (Davros recognizing Sarah Jane, Davros telling The Doctor what his companions have become, all of the companions operating the TARDIS) but I'm still very iffy on the whole meta-crisis Doctor (aka Consolation Doctor).

In the end, I think I have to give "The End of Time, Part Two" the edge because like "The Sound of Drums," there's fairly little I don't like about it.

 

[Stevil2001]

This was a tight match between "Doomsday" and "Last of the Time Lords" for me (I think both are fantastic, you old nay-sayers ), but "Doomsday" barely won out because I don't think the show has ever exceeded the emotional impact of those closing scenes. The Doctor and Rose on the opposite sides of the wall breaks my heart every time.

Also: Dalek/Cybermen trash-talking!

 

[Starkers]

Doomsday is only really let down by

A/The restrospective dilution of its emotional impact with Rose returning later.

B/ The stupid vacuuming up of all the Cybermen and Daleks!

 

[HappyDayRiot]

I'm the exception to the rules of normality/taste etc because my reason for being unable to choose is that all 5 of these episodes kick ass. So they're stupid and overblown and over the top and repetitive? I don't care - all have great moments and set-pieces and all kept me more than adequately entertained.

After a complicated procedure of flipping coins, I vote End of Time.

 

[Shazam!]

Parting of the Ways, easily.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Like HappyDayRiot, I enjoyed all these episodes for their infectious manic energy and emotional impact.

"Doomsday" is probably my favorite.

 

[Winterwind]

I went with "Doomsday" for the sheer emotional impact of Rose's departure. A lot of people were tired of Rose by that point, but it was still strong stuff between Tennant and Billie before and after her departure. Of course, all this was somewhat diluted by her return in S4, but still...

This is my view as well. Most of RTD's finales are utter kitchen sink crap. This one was to an extent but it did indeed have that emotional impact.

 

[Jax]

The End of time because I loved The Master finding some sort of redemption at the end and DT regen stuff was full of emotion...Doomsday 2nd

 

[Starkers]

It wasn't redemption, it was revenge. He decided he hated the Timelords more than he hated the Doctor, and even then he only fought Rassilon because Rassilon wouldn't let him ascend with the others.

 

[Jax]

Could be either and could be a bit of both, its all down to how we choose to view it I guess. His only redemption was revenge and in the process saved The Doctor...thats good enough for me.

 

[QCzar]

Gotta go with Doomsday, though EoT2 and PoTW are close.

 

[Candlelight]

B/ The stupid vacuuming up of all the Cybermen and Daleks!

Or the Tardis towing the Earth in Journey's End.

 

[selina]

"Doomsday". I cried at the end, I admit it.

 

[captcalhoun]

Journey's End