2.47-billion. There is a reason that out of all the actors to play the character and all the variations on the single person calling themselves The Doctor, I return to Christopher Eccleston’s 9th. He’s the one where the story began and how it became what it is. It is argued by some that Tom Baker is the most important run because of his lengthy stay and popularity it brought. It is also argued William Hartnell’s run is the most important. No one seems to notice the metaphorical roof that is now more than 50-years old, which is held up by all the walls, not just one. You can have a favorite, but they all matter in the 50-years leading to this point and beyond.

I’ve said it recently and I’ll say it a billion times more until I’m done with Capaldi’s run, Steven Moffat soon overstayed his welcome and was done adding things. However, all that comes after he did what he does best, wrapping bows around things a million miles away. This might be evident by reviews I’ve done of Jodie’s latest series and reviews yet to come, but I don’t think the Doctor’s story is interesting. It never has been, and I honestly don’t care about the Doctor’s name or where he/she/they are from, it is just not an interesting thing. What the Doctor has done, or how they deal with something is far more interesting because that’s an adventure.

The way Steven Moffat crafted not only a feature-length film to celebrate fanfare, but also wonderfully tied bows around not only several years of storytelling to that point, but 50, is impressive. I don’t think another writer could do it with such vim, creativity, and unapologetic charisma, or do so while not only satisfying people, but drawing that line where you can stop touching the Doctor’s story. This was the point to clear the board and move on to adventure, throwing away so many of the pieces that Doctor Who focused on for so long. The mad fool ended the Time War, brought back Gallifrey, stated clearly how many children burned and died in the Doctor’s mind for 400-years, and did it with a new Doctor.

Ok yeah, he did it with a Doctor that screws with our nerdy, “I want to number them all” nonsense. However, it was a beautiful way to explain the Time War: A small, frail, and afraid man, not a general. Someone who couldn’t even name himself the Doctor. The incarnation that Paul McGann’s 8th, finally appearing on-screen as something more than post-regeneration antics, had to go into knowing he was not going to be the Doctor. He had to become a warrior, John Hurt’s low-voiced, tired, and battle-weary incarnation, the one that killed 2.47-billion children and would go on for 400-years hearing their cries. It is hard to find a word to criticize his short run on-screen.

I think that’s enough teary-eyed frivolous fan-service and poetic thoughtlessness from me about the meaning of the episode. I think it was clear from the moment I started writing about specific episodes with glee that I’d be head-over-heels about the episode that brings us 14(-ish) Doctors. It is the first (and only) multi-Doctor story outside of a mini-episode prior to Jodie’s run into Ruth, and it does so much heavy-lifting. It also contains the first on-screen appearance for the Zygons in their true form since 1975, their only story, and U.N.I.T led by Kate, who makes a return with new long-standing cast members to return later. It’s the type of episode where you can go in knowing little and have fun, or you can go in knowing it all and recognize the references. Even Malcolm gets a mention!

I’d love to meet the people who hate this story, episode, or film if you so like calling it that. I mentioned it back in the review of “The Crimson Horror,” but I’ve been rattling my way through the book version of “The Day of the Doctor.” Of course, there is the usual thing that needs to be said of the Target novelizations, there is a bit more detail or focus on sections not seen on screen. However, it is more or less the same story fleshed out. The Under Gallery gets more meat on its bones, Gallifrey high command has their discussions about killing the Doctor for turning on them and attempts to stop him taking The Moment. Either version of the story is packed with endless detail as Gallifrey Falls; No More.

The elephant (or rather The Moment) in the room is a little obvious I think, the howling wolf that is haunting the War Doctor needed a face for the consciousness to impose its will on him. The form it takes is both known as the Bad Wolf and Rose Tyler. I don’t know what else to say other than Moffat was audacious and wanted to do so much with a single episode/story. You see, recently, I’ve been having conversations about bringing characters back and spin-offs of shows, specifically discussing how I don’t like them. My mindset is to very much kill your darlings (Clara), otherwise, you are going to end up with a Steven Moffat, or Hideo Kojima.

That said, Rose Tyler (or more specifically Billie Piper) will always have a special place within I think all of our hearts. For many of us, she was the first companion and she was our window in the world as we know it. However, this is where I get to say I still win and I am still right, because that’s not Rose, even if it is. It is the consciousness of The Moment, the bomb that will destroy the universe and end the Last Great Time War. It is a piece of AI (kind of) that evolved to have an interface that projects someone’s closest friend, the person they trust most in the world. The person they believe has a conscience.

Why? Keep up! It’s the bomb to terminate the universe, it’s going to at least attempt to have a word in the funeral you are arranging. If you want to end it all, it might want something in return, something to make sure you can live with your success, or to make sure you want to do what you are about to. What does the Bad Wolf want from the War Doctor? To be obtuse, to oppose and question what he desires. To see him live and to see him be the Doctor, call himself that once again. He just wants to finally die, ending every bit of it along with every war he’s ever fought and is going to fight.

As much as it is Billie Piper, it is an entirely different character and I think she pulls of the role perfectly. Her stomping around in the barn shouting “No More!” on repeat while John Hurt is stone-faced, sad, and perfectly encapsulates the Doctor without being the Doctor, is brilliant. Call it fan-service, call it what you may, but that’s one of the best actors from a soggy little island being made fun of by… I do love Billie Piper but she’s no John Hurt, she’s her own piece of brilliance, but never as serious or grumpy.

I could honestly sit here and squeal like a pig about every scene, every actor, and every moment because it is filled with detail, excitement, bows to tie up the story, and so much more. It is not easy making such a cataclysmic change to the established story, but despite repeating myself it is something Moffat did with gusto. To bring back the Time-Lord, Gallifrey, and to craft a beautiful story that makes Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor have just another layer to it, every single bit of it is bubbling with energy and fun. All as it tries to wrap up 50-years of one of the most bi-polar and brilliant shows.

From Nick Hurran’s directing, to the set design and acting, everything just clicks. Jemma Redgrave returning as Kate is wonderful, I love Kate. Joanna Page playing the not so virgin queen, the Zygon returning after decades away, and The Curator are all great additions. If there was one part of the acting I think was slightly flubbed that wasn’t Jonjo O’Neill answering the phone, it might just be Tom Baker’s excited and quick lines as the Curator. I say this knowing full-well I wouldn’t have “The Day of the Doctor” any other way. It’s not perfect, it is no “Smith and Jones,” but it is as close to perfect as you’d have gotten.

Sure, the Zygon’s are a bit naff, and the whole idea of just popping Gallifrey into a pocket universe hidden and frozen in time seems a little poorly handled. However, every little chip you try to make in the episode is brought with a wide shot of how big the monster you are trying to take down is. I could complain about the most minute things on the planet, the things no one cares about, but the question when reviewing something is simple: Did you like it, and why?

It is just as much fun for people like me who will read the books, listen to Big Finish, and maybe even play the new game, as it is for anyone else. Sure, I might get the little nods to Ian or one of the many other references to the many times the Doctor has encountered ginger Lizzy. It feels big, it wraps up the stories of several Doctors and gives us a new one that was robbed of having more TV stories. “The Day of the Doctor” is the story where you could draw the line in the sand and never touch the Doctor’s story ever again. You don’t need to say he’s a good man or that she is from another place.

Sure, I get kicks out of the lines about America and their war films/re-writing history. It feels like a cuddle when Tennant says, “I don’t like it!” The design of the War Doctor’s Tardis being a small room with the roundels and the corals, feels like the perfect blend of Classic-Who and New-Who despite my previous notation that I cherish the 8th Doctor’s TARDIS. It was a near-flawless penultimate swan-song for Smith in his final days before going to Christmas/Trenzalore.

Sure, it might not do what “Smith and Jones” does so well in introducing Doctor Who to new people, but it feels like a great point for those who haven’t seen the show. It brings the weight with the implication of all those 2.47-billion kids dying since you’d have to be heartless to think that’s nothing and believe that wouldn’t haunt you. Meanwhile, it is an episode that can so easily make you laugh and smile as much as it can make you cry. It is Doctor Who drama at its best, period.

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Doctor Who "The Day of the Doctor"

9.5

Score

9.5/10

Pros

• Fantastically funny and heartwarming from every bit of writing.
• Bowtie, Sandshoes, and Grandad.
• Every tiny detailed reference.
• Billie Piper stomping around making fun of John Hurt.

Cons

• A line give a bit too much here or there.