| THE END OF THE WORLD by Russell T Davies |
| Story 2 Synopsis: The Doctor shows Rose the future - 5 billion years ahead, as the Earth finally dies. Various alien races have come to Platform One to witness the final destruction. Robot spiders get into the infrastructure and cause havoc. The Doctor deduces that they are working for Cassandra, the "last pure human", who stands to make a fortune when the other parties present die in the destruction of Platform One. The Doctor saves the day, and brings Cassandra back, after she teleports away. Without constant rehydration, she dies. |
| Review:- So, Rose takes her first steps away from the home she knows, and what a culture shock she is let in for! Also, a gloomy lesson in the ignorance that humans have for their planet. The Doctor brings her to Platform One, 5 billion years into her future, for the ceremony as her planet is finally allowed to destruct. But there are other parties present as witnesses... Fortunately (sort of) this soon changes into a murder mystery, with the unfortunate Steward given a quite grisly death, and the suspicion falling on the other guests. It is clear to the viewers that small spider machines are the cause, and they were brought on board by the Adherents of the Repeated Meme. But there is more to this case than meets the eye... It is easily understandable that a story bringing together several rapacious aliens would provide a good motive for one of them to be exceptionally nasty, and so it proves. The Moxx of Balhoon, the Face of Boe, the Trees... all these prove interesting if mainly incidental characters in the mix. Cassandra, the last "pure human", is more, esteemed as guest of honour, although in what is almost certainly a direct comment, she is the most rapacious of all. Even in the far future, it seems, humans are still the very worst people to know. There is much colour from the aliens, and not just the ones with blue faces (although I still am amazed that comic actor Simon Day was the Steward, I certainly didn't recognise him). Though we see little of the Moxx and the Face of Boe, the audience does get involved with the Trees, as Jabe pairs up with the Doctor, whilst Rose makes her own way around. Beyond the central tale of greed, this adventure gives us a lot of insight into the Doctor, and some worthy scenes for Rose. Jabe, like Clive in Rose, has inside knowledge of the Doctor, although she at least gets to put this knowledge to him. Also like Clive, she doesn't live too long after finding out the information, although at least she is allowed the chance to help the Doctor and die in a good cause. He finally shares some information with Rose, during a curious coda to the story back on "modern-day" Earth. But whether such information becomes significant later on in the series remains to be seen. It has certainly provided food for thought. Rose shows compassion when meeting the lowly plumber, is imperilled by almost meeting the same end as the Steward, and shows considerable depth at the loss of the Earth, which became overlooked by everyone in the struggle to save themselves. Her putdown of Cassandra is at least a convincing moment for her, showing that although it is scary to be surrounded by creatures unlike anything you've ever known, the one person whom is really awful is the one with whom she ought to share some kinship. The Doctor also gets some defining characterisation here. Although the audience is again baffled by his almost manic approach to danger, it is clear that he is no pushover now. His tear when Jabe shows compassion for what has happened to him, his grief for Jabe, his control when concluding that the Adherents are mere agents of Cassandra, and his retrieval of her, followed by his condemnation and execution of her, all paint a picture of a Time Lord who has crossed a line. Though he tired to negotiate with the Nestenes, he offers no rescue for Cassandra. Of course, there is still time to see where this character leads... Overall, I recommend this heartily, and I enjoyed it very much. |
| Disclaimer: I have watched this story. |