In 2013 the Eleventh Doctor and Clara are brought to London's National Gallery by UNIT head Kate Stewart, who shows them a three-dimensional painting of Time Lord origin which depicts the final moments of the Time War on Gallifrey. In 1562 the Zygons are preparing to put a nefarious plan into motion, and the Tenth Doctor is courting Queen Elizabeth I. While on Gallifrey, the War Doctor is preparing to detonate the moment that will destroy his home planet and end the Time War. In the course of events, all three incarnations of the Time Lord's paths cross and both the Tenth and Eleventh Doctor work with the War Doctor, to detonate the moment.
Matt Smith's penultimate episode before he would make his final appearance in the 2013 Christmas Special The Time of the Doctor, this one-off special to commemorate the series' 50th anniversary saw the return of David Tennant as the tenth incarnation of the Time Lord. While also seeing Billie Piper return albeit not a Rose Tyler but the interface of The Moment, a sentient Gallifreyan weapon of mass destruction that takes on her visage. Guest starring as well is John Hurt who appeared at the end of The Name of the Doctor where in a shock revelation it was revealed that there was a secret version of himself who fought in the Time War and is known as the War Doctor.
The third televised multi-doctor story with the past two being The Three Doctors and The Five Doctors, by stories of this nature its plot is always going to feel somewhat contrived. Although to the writer and then showrunner Steven Moffat's credit he rises to the challenge and pretty much delivers the goods. Although one might wonder why the Moment takes on the appearance of past companion Rose Tyler, seeing as the War Doctor has yet to eventually meet her. Which makes Billie Piper's inclusion seem rather superfluous. Although it's to her merit she gives a sublimely alien performance as the Time Lord sentience. Matt Smith is in reliably top-notch form as the Eleventh Doctor, and he impresses in a showstopping opening credits sequence that sees him dangling from the TARDIS as it's airlifted via helicopter by UNIT. A stunt that he performed himself. Jenna Louise Coleman once again offers solid support as Clara, with the chemistry between her and Smith already having been more than cemented.
The early scenes between David Tennant's Tenth Doctor and Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabethan England offer some fanciful moments of humor, with Joanna Page clearly having a ball as the smitten monarch. It also makes a nice little callback to the series three episode The Shakespeare Code as well as The End of Time where his relationship with her was briefly mentioned. We also see the welcome return of the shape-shifting Zygons, who made their one and only appearance in the classic Tom Baker four-parter Terror of the Zygons back in 1976. And they make for a formidable presence as they match wits against the three Doctors.
This brings us nicely to both Tennant and Smith who as has been seen in interviews they've had together, have an excellent rapport with one another which translates greatly on screen. They bounce off of one another effortlessly, and Moffat peppers his script with some witty banter and back-and-forths between the two. While John Hurt's aged personae appear to be perpetually perplexed and bemused by his future self's behavior. Jenna Louise Coleman also ably gels with Tennant as well.
However, what proves problematic is that Tennant predominantly is given little to do and he feels as if he's really just along for the ride, which is a potential pitfall with multi-doctor stories. Moffat however somewhat makes up for this with an inspired plot device that necessitates the presence of all the Doctor's inclusions, which includes a very brief appearance of a a certain future iteration of the Time Lord. It works remarkably well within the context of the plot and avoids what could have been obligatory fan service.
As for the production values, the BBC has clearly pushed the boat out on this one with the relatively brief scenes of the Time War on Gallifrey having the kind of epic quality that you would hope for. The quieter scenes involving the War Doctor and the moment within a barn in the Dry Lands on Gallifrey are beautifully realized.
Although slightly flawed The Day of the Doctor ranks as the best anniversary special of the series and is bolstered by strong turns from its cast with Tennant stepping back into the role with ease, feeling as if he never left the role. And with a neat little cameo near the end, which somewhat foreshadows the impending exit of Smith's Eleventh Doctor, as Tennant's was foreshadowed in Planet of the Dead. This anniversary special makes for an enjoyable, nostalgic romp with solid imaginative storytelling from Moffat, and at just 75 minutes in length, it's admirable that he's able to cram so much plot in such a relatively short run-time. Setting the standard for Smith's departure which would see Peter Capaldi taking up the reins.
Matt Smith's penultimate episode before he would make his final appearance in the 2013 Christmas Special The Time of the Doctor, this one-off special to commemorate the series' 50th anniversary saw the return of David Tennant as the tenth incarnation of the Time Lord. While also seeing Billie Piper return albeit not a Rose Tyler but the interface of The Moment, a sentient Gallifreyan weapon of mass destruction that takes on her visage. Guest starring as well is John Hurt who appeared at the end of The Name of the Doctor where in a shock revelation it was revealed that there was a secret version of himself who fought in the Time War and is known as the War Doctor.
The third televised multi-doctor story with the past two being The Three Doctors and The Five Doctors, by stories of this nature its plot is always going to feel somewhat contrived. Although to the writer and then showrunner Steven Moffat's credit he rises to the challenge and pretty much delivers the goods. Although one might wonder why the Moment takes on the appearance of past companion Rose Tyler, seeing as the War Doctor has yet to eventually meet her. Which makes Billie Piper's inclusion seem rather superfluous. Although it's to her merit she gives a sublimely alien performance as the Time Lord sentience. Matt Smith is in reliably top-notch form as the Eleventh Doctor, and he impresses in a showstopping opening credits sequence that sees him dangling from the TARDIS as it's airlifted via helicopter by UNIT. A stunt that he performed himself. Jenna Louise Coleman once again offers solid support as Clara, with the chemistry between her and Smith already having been more than cemented.
The early scenes between David Tennant's Tenth Doctor and Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabethan England offer some fanciful moments of humor, with Joanna Page clearly having a ball as the smitten monarch. It also makes a nice little callback to the series three episode The Shakespeare Code as well as The End of Time where his relationship with her was briefly mentioned. We also see the welcome return of the shape-shifting Zygons, who made their one and only appearance in the classic Tom Baker four-parter Terror of the Zygons back in 1976. And they make for a formidable presence as they match wits against the three Doctors.
This brings us nicely to both Tennant and Smith who as has been seen in interviews they've had together, have an excellent rapport with one another which translates greatly on screen. They bounce off of one another effortlessly, and Moffat peppers his script with some witty banter and back-and-forths between the two. While John Hurt's aged personae appear to be perpetually perplexed and bemused by his future self's behavior. Jenna Louise Coleman also ably gels with Tennant as well.
However, what proves problematic is that Tennant predominantly is given little to do and he feels as if he's really just along for the ride, which is a potential pitfall with multi-doctor stories. Moffat however somewhat makes up for this with an inspired plot device that necessitates the presence of all the Doctor's inclusions, which includes a very brief appearance of a a certain future iteration of the Time Lord. It works remarkably well within the context of the plot and avoids what could have been obligatory fan service.
As for the production values, the BBC has clearly pushed the boat out on this one with the relatively brief scenes of the Time War on Gallifrey having the kind of epic quality that you would hope for. The quieter scenes involving the War Doctor and the moment within a barn in the Dry Lands on Gallifrey are beautifully realized.
Although slightly flawed The Day of the Doctor ranks as the best anniversary special of the series and is bolstered by strong turns from its cast with Tennant stepping back into the role with ease, feeling as if he never left the role. And with a neat little cameo near the end, which somewhat foreshadows the impending exit of Smith's Eleventh Doctor, as Tennant's was foreshadowed in Planet of the Dead. This anniversary special makes for an enjoyable, nostalgic romp with solid imaginative storytelling from Moffat, and at just 75 minutes in length, it's admirable that he's able to cram so much plot in such a relatively short run-time. Setting the standard for Smith's departure which would see Peter Capaldi taking up the reins.