As a send off for a well loved portrayal of the Doctor, this one was rather epic! Too much? Maybe…but really, there is no such thing when it comes to Doctor Who. I remember watching most of these for the first time, some of which were probably watched on ABC2 catch up, but still, so good! I specifically remember watching the tail end of ‘The End of Time: Part 2’ after running from the car after a drive back from a family holiday, just in time to see David Tennant’s Doctor saying the iconic line of “I don’t wanna go.” and then him regenerating. I really just left my family to bring in the bags for the last ten minutes of Doctor Who, and I am ver appreciative of my parents graciousness that they allowed me that. I know that once it was over I did help, I may have just been a little emotional.

Episode 01: ‘The Next Doctor’

While this isn’t a favourite of mine in the collection of the 10th Doctor’s Christmas specials, it is still a fun episode none the less. A little bit crazy, a little bit Christmas-y. Plus the Cybermen, I find, are always a great choice in ememy for an episode. I really liked the story of this one, with a man who accidentally aquires the Doctor’s memories and thinks he is the Doctor, only for the real Doctor to stumble upon him and question why he thinks he’s the Doctor. My favourite thing about this episode I think was the hotair balloon TARDIS – such a cool idea! A very timely episode for the start of David Tennant’s exit series.

Episode 02: ‘Planet of the Dead’

This episode was a lot of fun! Clever idea, with a threat induced urgency, and some very strange aliens. A London bus that goes through a portal and ends up in an alien desert. Classic Doctor Who! I really like Christina de Souza as a one episode companion for the Doctor – she is smart, sassy, and she challenges the Doctor which is great! I loved the scene where the Doctor calms everyone down, and so motivates the stranded group, by asking where they were going. It’s the most Doctorish speech, I love it. Also we have the return of Unit in this episode, which I really love (especially that theme tune Murray Gold wrote for them – epic!). Also Malcolm – the Doctor’s biggest fan! Overall a great episode, very enjoyable!

Episode 03: ‘The Waters of Mars’

This episode freaked me out so much. The idea of infected alien water (even on a different planet) got to my head. The infected were so freaky! I think though, that this along with the ‘fixed moment in time’ plotline, where the Doctor knows how things go, made this episode so impactful. There is so much panic in this episode, and with a countdown of impending death, it is very well positioned in this series of five specials. This one made me so emotional too. The last few scenes on Mars just before the Doctor decides to go back and change time are the reason I find this episode so hard to rewatch. As usual though, the Doctor is in his element with the challenge of the countdown, but we see him take it to the next level, and quite honestly, it is a really intense scene. So while this episode is one I find difficult to rewatch, it is still a favourite of mine.

Episode 04/05: ‘The End of Time’

These episodes were completely mad, and I absolutely love them for it! Seriously, the Master splicing himself into every human on earth is the most chaotic, Master-y thing he could have done, and that’s just the first episode. Part two, brings Gallifrey to earth along with the Timelords and oh my is the whole series of events stressful. So much happens in the two episode, and I loved all of it (even the regeneration, no matter how many tears it brings on).

Even on a rewatch I find myself tearing up multiple times as through the main plot points of the episodes there are the most beautiful, heartfelt moments that I almost find difficult to watch. Every time I see Donna again, and the Doctor’s reaction to that I find myself in tears. I still miss Donna and her dynamic with the Doctor after all this time. However seeing Wild and the Doctor working together is so wonderful! Anything with them really are my favourite parts of the episode. That and the Doctor visiting all his old companions before he regenerates, always makes me so emotional.

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Thank you for reading! I should have the Series 5 review up very soon! I lost it a bit with these as I have trouble rewatching these specials sometimes as they make me emotional, but I got there!

With the announcement of the release date for the Doctor Who special ‘The Power of the Doctor’, I now have a deadline for these. Which is wonderful for my motivation, as I would love to have finished my rewatch by the time that episode airs!

What were your picks for the above? I’d love to know your thoughts!