Journey's End

Didn't take much really, just no more than two to three minutes was all it took Russell T. Davies, whom I had just completely forgiven for all the horrible stories he has written over the past four years after three consecutive good episodes, completely takes away all the tension that had built up in "The Stolen Earth" and begins "Journey's End"- THE most contrived, hackneyed, sappy, ludicrous, and downright annoying Doctor Who episode of all time. "Twin Dilemma" and "Timeflight" step aside, "Journey's End" is the all time worst episode of Doctor Who, and if not for the brilliant opening half it would be the all-time worst Doctor Who story.

Quite simply I cannot think of one single thing I thought was good about "Journey's End". OK, Davros is still well-realized and there's some decent tension in the first... Oh, who am I kidding. No, Davros was the only positive in this episode. Davies' handling of everything else was downright horrendous, from character to plot to the overblown romance plot and what is surely the biggest mistake Doctor Who has EVER made- Doctor Donna. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

Murray Gold, as per usual, is absolutely and utterly horrendous with his handling of the music. Overblown, ridiculous, overbearing, hideous attempts at being 'majestic' and every cliché in music composition pops up in this episode. Truly, truly terrible.

Featuring in this magnificent offering of Doctor Who are the following:

• spinning Daleks. - Doctor Donna. - half-human Doctor who kisses Rose in the series' worst ever scene outside the telemovie. - TARDIS dragging Earth. - Doctor Donna. - Doctor Donna.

Did I mention Doctor Donna yet? Practically everything past the half hour mark here is utterly unbearable, either completely overblown, nonsensical, and cowardly plot-wise, or hopelessly sappy, sentimental GARBAGE aimed at the lowest common denominator. Doctor Who has never talked down to children, why on Earth start now?!

All the performances are phoned-in and horrendous outside Tennant and Sladen. Agyeman is particularly awful, with every moment she tried to emote being absolutely, miserably terrible.

What a way for Russell to go out. Really. Such a champ for bringing back the show, and he offered some fine stories while in charge. Those fine stories appear to be mere tiny outbursts of skill and drive, as "Journey's End" tops even "Last of the Time Lords" for sheer ridiculousness, sappiness, and general awfulness.

Let's hope the specials are good, because although I'm not a fan of Russell the writer he doesn't deserve to end his reign on THIS note. What a colossal, colossal misfire this is. Don't care what Moffat says about what he thinks of Russell's era of Who, nothing he's written, not even "Chalk", has matched the complete absence of quality in this utterly insulting garbage.

1/10

Wish I could give it less.

"Journey's End" is a marvellously satisfying finale to this latest season. Russell T. Davies pulls out all the stops to tie up the loose ends and unfinished business from previous seasons in a manner that should please the majority of fans. Dramatic, moving and humorous, this story contains all that is special about the "new" series.

While Davros is somewhat underused in this tale, it remains a terrifically faithful return of this old nemesis and we see his most ambitious plans to-date unfold.

This longer-than-usual installment is a joy from beginning to end. A taste of the Christmas special will keep viewers counting the days 'til the 25th December when we will be reacquainted with another old enemy.

10 out of 10. Splendid.

When series four of Doctor Who started airing here in the U.S. I had expectations from the early episodes that this was going to be a bad season. But as the series went on things got better and better and by the time Turn Left aired my expectations were raised once again. Now the end has come for this series and I'll say this: it was brilliant! The resolving of the cliffhanger from The Stolen Earth felt a bit like a cheat to begin with but as the episode went on, it became apparent this wasn't a simple cheat. Instead Russel T. Davis showed a bit of brilliance that brought a series worth of foreshadowing together in one of the new series most amazing moments.It also gives the series two leads a chance to show off their skills once more.

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.

I often lament in my reviews of two-part episodes of "Doctor Who" that the opening episodes often write cheques that the second can't cash. Whilst I do again think that "The Stolen Earth" is better than "Journey's End" this is probably as close as we get.

The Doctor (David Tennant) cancels his regeneration by using the power to regenerate his body but channelling the rest into the severed hand on board the Tardis. The Tardis and the rest of the team are transported on board The Crucible, the Dalek command ship. The Dalek's order the destruction of the Tardis, with Donna (Catherine Tate) inside. She comes into contact with the severed hand, with surprising effects. With seemingly everyone captured, Davros (Julian Bleach) plans to set of a reality bomb, one powerful enough to destroy all matter in every universe.

This episode is, in so many ways, the beginning of the end. The last full seasons for David Tennant and Russel T Davies - for now. The end of Donna Noble's time as a companion - for now. It's effectively an end to the story that Davies has been telling for the previous four seasons, with it all culminating in the "gangs all together" style scenes that make up the episode's final few moments.

It's quite clever, particularly in the way that Davros points out that, though he is a teacher of peace, all The Doctors disciples are quick to turn to violence as a way to get out of their situation. Then later the version of himself mixed with human genetics is also quick to exterminate the Daleks - much to the annoyance of the real Doctor.

In an episode full of good performances, it is perhaps not surprising that it's again Bernard Cribbins that manages the most effective performance as Wilf. I'm glad that, despite Donna's story ending, he at least will return.

Probably the best season finale that the show has had and certainly the back half of season four is the best fun of episodes that the show would ever manage.

Enough to tear a TARDIS apart, Z-Neutrinos at the Crucible's heart, so many will die, Davros riding high, a psychopath driving a cart.

They've gathered to save us again, Rose and Micky, Captain Jack, Sarah Jane, Doctor Donna's there too, so expect a small coup, consequences are hard to restrain.

A great season finale and one of the best episodes of all time.