With much anticipation and excitement, the great 50th anniversary of Doctor Who finally arrived yesterday. Two big specials were the cornerstones of the day with many little specials sprinkle throughout the week. It quite frankly was the best week ever for a Doctor Who fan. Best. Week. Ever.
It kicked over last week with the release of the minisode "The Night of the Doctor" that saw the surprise return of Paul McGann as the 8th Doctor. In 6 minutes, he dazzled us and cemented his legitimacy for ever. Detailing the last few moments of this incarnation, Paul gave a bravo performance leading to his regeneration into John Hurt's Doctor. The clip blew up the internet and blew up my brain. I never thought we'd see his return to television let alone a regeneration but it was the best birthday present ever for Doctor Who.
The next minisode released titled "The Last Night" details the Fall of Arcadia on Gallifrey with the invasion of the Daleks and the final night of the Time War. Featuring no Doctors, it shows Time Lord soldiers on the front line of the war at the moment the Daleks break through their barriers. It's a lovely tease to the Day of the Doctor that's expanded upon in the episode.
November 23, 2013. 2:50 EST. Global simulcast of the Day of the Doctor earning a new Guinness Book of World Records. It was everything I hoped and more. I know these anniversary specials can be a poison chalice when you assemble multiple Doctors but Moffat delivered a well balance, timely treat. The chemistry between 10 and 11 was magic that reminded me of 2 and 3 but different. The introduction of John Hurt's War Doctor was fascinating and showed enough of the Time War to understand the weight of his actions to end it. His incarnation with 10 & 11 reminded me of the 1st Doctor berating his future incarnations. The return of UNIT and the Zygons was great. Seeing the multiple TARDIS's and console rooms was great. Seeing the 13 Doctors flying towards Gallifrey was dizzying. Seeing Peter Capaldi's eyes was mind blowing. And the cameo by Tom Baker was the Curator was lovely and enigmatic as ever. All in all, it was just about the most perfect piece of Doctor Who to date.
The other special anniversary treat was the television movie about the creation of Doctor Who called An Adventure in Space and Time. Detailing the collaboration between Sydney Newman, Verity Lambert, Waris Hussien, and William Hartnell on the beginning of a legend. It so lovingly recreates many of the sets from the early days with clips from some of the classic Hartnell stories. But at the heart of the story is William Hartnell, his love of the role, his deteriorating health, and his eventual departure from the show and his sadness at leaving. The movie really shows how against all odds, Doctor Who was born and rose to such popularity. The final scene of Hartnell looking across the console room seeing Matt Smith as the 11th Doctor standing at the classic console, seeing his legacy before him, is such a lovely touch. This movie is really a treat for us old Doctor Who fans.
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