I don't know about you, but I thought my reaction to the back half of The End of Time was somewhat curious.  Upon initial viewing my emotions while moved certainly, were somewhat reserved.  Then I watched Confidential, and the tears started to flow, not so much because of the material presented there, although there were moving moments there as well, but more from whatever background processing I had been doing regarding this regeneration story.  I've watched the episode two times since, and cried more each time.  Whereas I thought the valedictory lap taken in the final twenty minutes was initially wildly indulgent, repeated viewing of this (still indulgent) series of codas leaves me emotionally spent, and I suspect there's still more that can wrung out of me should I try again.  All of the investment of time and emotion I as a fan have put into the series was being in some way repaid.

Despite the obvious flaws in this (paper thin) story, that's great television.

Tennant was absolutely superb throughout.  Of course the scenes with Wilf shone again, but there were other moments too that sang, such as his conversation with Simm near the beginning of the episode.  Of course there was the requisite RTD dollop of spectacle (Wilf as Skywalker, the Doctor as skydiver) that ultimately went nowhere in hindsight.  But mostly this was Tennant's hour (or rather 73 minutes) to shine, and he was riveting.  For a Doctor which might superficially be more known for his exuberance, it's his melancholy which resonates more. 

No David, I don't want you to go either.

Did Davies subconsciously know he was channeling previous regeneration stories?  I strongly suspect he was… as they were most certainly there.  Pertwee dying from radiation and traveling for a while before finally succumbing.  Tennant acting almost as the Logopolis Watcher looking out for Mickey and Martha.  And of course–most strongly since they're linked both in story and heritage, Tennant offering himself to save just one other soul, just as Davison did in The Caves of Androzani. Well done sir.

Even capping the episode was emotional. Anyone looking for restraint this time around will be sadly disappointed.  Images and caps for The End of Time Part Two are now online.  More thoughts will follow.

Tidying up after a very busy holiday week here at THT Worldwide.  This should have gone out on the 23rd but (insane work schedule + family obligations = who knew?) we'll celebrate the re-airing of the first episode of An Unearthly Child  on the 30th instead.  In any event the 46th Anniversary of Doctor Who also marks the 12th Anniversary of the site.  In the past year alone the site has grown in content by 25%, switched primary hosting twice, along with endless restructuring behind the scenes.  Many thanx for all of your continued patronage and as we await the end of the Tennant era coming up, and know that we thoroughly enjoy all of the feedback and contributions as we look forward to a busy 2010.  The site anniversary and the headlong rush to the end of the year also reminds us about several site improvements going forward.

• Promo cap images for The End of Time from the end of The Waters of Mars and this years Children in Need are here and here.
• This should have been covered during the last site update, but the first "classic" series companion to get their own "Who Not Who" page is Elizabeth Sladen, who has so ably straddled both the old and new eras of the show.  This is where any of here SJA images will be located, save those from The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith.
• The (much anticipated?) return of the Tour's screensaver array, The Vortex.  In addition to the back catalog of previous efforts, there are two new screensavers promoting the end of the Tennant era, The End of Time.
• As always at this time of year, we've dusted off our annual Holiday tradition…. The original Doctor Who Christmas special, The Feast of Steven