Todd’s Movie Blog

Caught David Tennant’s final turn as The Doctor in a sad but fitting farewell to his quirky interpretation of everyone’s favorite time lord. Saving the Earth one last time from the machinations  of The Master, while giving a more insight into how the villain became insane (turns out the Time Lords did it in order to use him to save them from the time lock that trapped them in limbo, which also ended the time war with the Daleks).  While all of that is good sci-fi fun, the real meat of the final episodes is just exactly what it means to regenerate.  Since Pertwee’s tenure, regeneration was always seen as a disorienting transition in which The Doctor needed time to adjust himself to his new body.  But now they show just how difficult it really is.  It is really like dying, everything you ever were is gone.  The memories may remain but the person ceases to exist.  Tennant effectively conveys the sad and soul crushing aspect that lays under being able to live forever.  The final episode ends a little bittersweet as Tennant briefly visits all of his past companions, even Rose, before finally giving in to his body’s need to regenerate from radiation poisoning.  Though he may be gone, The Doctor still lives and is ready for more adventures.  Looking forward to seeing how the new  incarnation  does.