Journey's End

Nothing gets better than this... this series finale is the prefect end to perfect series 4, which is the best series of Doctor Who, not a single episode in series 4 is weak, all 13 episodes are amazing, it's the only series where I can confidently say that I enjoyed from beginning to end. It's been over a decade and Doctor Who will never top series 4. Not ever.

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.

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.

This finale took my breath away on every level, the writing, the story and the music was epic. Everyone played a part that was key and the Daleks reached a new level in evilness. This episode had everything highs lows unexpected twists and was so well constructed that the story dragged you kicking and screaming to every level finally ending and allowing you to get your breath back. This was difficult to write without spoilers but I am jealous of everyone who sees this for the first time. In my humble opinion this is quite simply the best doctor Who ever. And I want to add this actually bought a tear to my eye. Brilliant writing Russel T Davies take a bow. Murray Gold you also surpassed yourself. Sir.

Well, as the other commenters have made clear, this is an episode you either love or hate! For myself, I quite enjoyed it - yes there are plot holes (when aren't there?), but it was a very satisfactory wrap up to a strong season, tying in plot elements found in stories over the last 4 seasons. Looking at some of the fan forums, it's plain that many people are unhappy with the treatment of Donna, but it was always known that Catherine Tate was only available for one season, so the only question was how she would be written out; many of the detractors seem to view the episode more kindly after another viewing. There was a strong feeling throughout the episode that Russell Davies was tying up all the loose plot lines of his era, and clearing the decks for Steven Moffat's takeover in season 5. I felt some of the multitude of companions in this and the last episode were rather underused - the Torchwood mob were rather useless (what's new? :) ).