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	Doctor Who: The Complete Specials (The Next Doctor / Planet of the Dead / The Waters of Mars / The End of Time Parts 1 and 2)
	Release Date: 2010-02-02
	Amazon Price: $32.99 (34% off the list price of $49.98) Sales Rank: 760
	Lowest Prices from Amazon Merchants: New $27.00 Used $33.60

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(82 reviews)

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Review by: Scot Merideth Peirson
Rating:

Doctor Who: The Complete Specials--Tennant's Valedictory...
It was inevitable that David Tennant had to leave Doctor Who. After all, part of the character's history has been the regenerations which allow the character to become another person (As well as allow for the actor playing The Doctor to be replaced). So the time came for Tennant--wildly popular in the role, and greatly responsible for reenergizing the character--to go, but BBC and Russell T. Davies couldn't evolve Tennant into Matt Smith without a fond and warm farewell. Which seems the purpose of the five specials. I don't see the post-series specials--I know some complained that "The Christmas Invasion" from Series 2, "The Runaway Bride" from Series 3, and "The Voyage Of The Damned" from Series 4 weren't in this collection, but those were all more separate one-offs--as standing on their own as much as I saw them as being comparable to the "Torchwood: Children Of Earth" mini-series. To me, the five episodes of this set had the obvious undertone of preparing for the regeneration--"The ending of The Doctor's Song" as the Ood put it in "The End Of Time, Part I"--but also (Obviously) wanting to send Tennant out on a heroic and sad note. This is why--for the most part--David doesn't have a constant Companion throughout these episodes. These episodes also show that our favorite TimeLord isn't as infallible as we usually believe him to be--otherwise, he would have realized immediately in "The Two Doctors" that David Morrisey's "Doctor" isn't who/what he assumed him to be (Specifically, a future version of himself). Or the final sadness of "The Waters Of Mars", in which The Doctor chooses to interfere with the time stream...and things do not quite work out the way he believed that they would. But overall, this is a fun and good set of episodes in which Tennant gets to say goodbye to a character which made him internationally known (Or at least very well known stateside). "The Two Doctors"--which brings back the Cybermen--is a raucous romp, what with Morrissey' "Doctor" being there...and not quite being there. "The Planet Of The Dead" introduces Michelle Ryan's Lady Christina de Souza--note to Steven Moffatt, here. Steve, here's a recurring character. You didn't bring her back in Series 5--fine. Find a place for her in Series 6, please. "The Waters Of Mars" is notable because of Lindsay Duncan's tortured performance as Adelaide Brooke is heartwrenching...and sets the table for "The End Of Time". The two-parter that concludes the David Tennant era is as it should be--an epic tale that brings back The Master; and this time, John Simm is brilliantly unhinged...but ends up getting trumped by Timothy Dalton's raging, expectorating Lord President when the TimeLords return to bring Gallifrey--the homeworld of The Doctor and The Master--back into existence. Bernard Cribbins is wonderful as Wilfred Mott--Donna Noble's grandfather, and the keeper of Donna's experiences with The Doctor. He is loyal and sees The Doctor as a true hero--even when he becomes responsible for what The Doctor MUST do in the aftermath of (Once again) saving the planet...it is a shame that Catherine Tate feels somewhat wasted in this story, however. Privately, there have to be a lot of Whophiles out there who somehow and someway want the Donna we had throughout Series 4 back...but it is a nice touch that the way that he met Donna is the way that he leaves Donna--in a wedding dress. The last 10 to 15 minutes of "The End Of Time, Part 2" are heart-wrenching; what with The Doctor saying good-bye to those he spent the last four-plus years with--Mickey and Martha (Anyone want to bet that we'll see Mr. and Mrs. Smith on "Torchwood"?). Luke and Sarah Jane. Captain Jack and Alonzo Frame (Before anyone mentions Alonzo joining Torchwood, remember that Russell Tovey has "Being Human" issues). Donna, Wilf and Sylvia Noble. And finally, Rose. In the end, we can't ask Matt Smith to replace or replicate what David Tennant did with his Tenth Doctor. What we end up asking for is for Matt to add to the legacy of the character...because David CERTAINLY did.

Review by: R. L. Lewis, Tacoma, WA United States
Rating:

A great introduction to the Doctor or for long time fans
I became a fan of Doctor Who just recently (I know, I know) and needed to catch up on some of the backstory. This collection was the perfect purchase. First it gives me a chance to see David Tennant's take on the doctor and gives you most of what you need to know leading up to the big finale and the change to Matt Smith's 11th doctor. The stories are very good. As I've explored more in the past of the doctor, it is clear the show is at its best when it focuses on character and that is the strength of two of these episodes in particular: "The Next Doctor" and "Waters of Mars" are very well done. Plus there is the continuing theme through these episodes of the 10th doctor's pain at the loss of his various companions. I have one pet peeve with the way the BBC ends episodes of Doctor Who and this is particularly apparent on the "Waters of Mars" episode. The BBC doesn't give you even a second to linger over the touching ending of this episode before the jarring previews of coming attactions pop up on the screen. That happened in the current season as well. Knock it off BBC. I'm watching a DVD, it is not like I'll change channels if you gave me two seconds of silence at the end of a dramatic story before some announcer shouts "On the next Doctor Who....." The extras that come with the specials are good. The Doctor Who Confidential series is helpful if you are a newcomer to the doctor and probably still has value for life long fans. I particularly enjoyed the Doctor Who Proms. I've always enjoyed the Proms whenever we've gotten to see them here in the US, and a Doctor Who Prom was a special treat.

Review by: doctor_tee
Rating:

Superior Specials
Just the thing for those of us missing Doctor #10. Loads of extras for your viewing pleasure. The best thing to fill in the gaps if you happened to miss BBC America's broadcasts and don't want to wait another year before they get broadcast by your local PBS station.

Review by: william m holtz, Rochester, NY, US
Rating:

end of dr, who #10
 DR. WHO specials is very good and now i look forward to the new ;;Doctor # 11;;; Bill

Review by: Mr. Paul B. Spivey III, anderson,sc usa
Rating:

the end of the doctor:
I was please overall with this dvd set..however the end of time part 1&2 were not that good..please kill off the old timelords..they realy are bad ,what save this part of the dvd is the last few mins of part two when the doctor try to set some things rights..it was a good ending to a good doctor: