 Both episodes contain elements from current popular television quiz and reality shows. The Weakest Link (whose host Anne Robinson provided the voice of Anne Droid) and Big Brother. Other television programmes mentioned include Call My Bluff, Countdown, Ground Force, Wipeout and Stars in their Eyes.
This story features vocal contributions from celebrities such as Davina McCall, Anne Robinson, Susannah Constantine and Trinny Woodall. It has since become something of a tradition for the final story of each season of the revived show to feature a selection of famous cameos.
Jo Joyner, who played Lynda Moss, went on to great success as Tanya Branning in BBC soap EastEnders.
Paterson Joseph, who played gameshow contestant Rodrick, stared in the BBC's remake of Dalek creator Terry Nation's Survivors. He was even touted by some as a possible future Eleventh Doctor.
During the recording of the ‘What Not To Wear’ segment, shots of Captain Jack Harkness' naked bottom were filmed. These were not included in the final version of the story at the request of the BBC's Editorial Policy department.
This story introduces the Deadlock Seal, a plot device and form of advanced security to prevent The Doctor from using the sonic screwdriver to unlock a door or device.
Captain Jack Harkness reveals that Dalek armour can be penetrated by bastic bullets, as previously established in the 1985 story "Revelation of the Daleks"
The Dalek saucer design is a homage to the look of the ships previously seen in the 1960's Dalek comic strips and a CGI recreation of those for the DVD release of the 1964 First Doctor story "The Dalek Invasion of Earth".
The second episode "The Parting of the Ways" sees the welcome return of The Emporer Dalek who was first seen in the 1967 Second Doctor story "The Evil of the Daleks".
The Daleks are currently the only monsters to have featured in a story with every Doctor. Although they do not appear onscreen in Paul McGann 's only adventure, the 1996 television movie "Doctor Who: The Movie", they are heard at the start of this story - the Daleks have also faced him in several audio adventures.
The Doctor is referred to as ‘The Oncoming Storm’ by the Daleks, a title that first appeared in Virgin Books' The New Adventures "Love and War" written by Paul Cornell. In that instance it was used by another alien race, the Draconians.
At the end of the second episode the TARDIS leaves without companion Captain Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman, and Rose Tyler, played by Billie Piper, witnesses the Ninth Doctor, played by Christopher Eccleston, regenerate into the Tenth Doctor, played by David Tennant.
Captain Jack Harkness’ departure was because it was felt that having him on board the TARDIS after The Doctor’s regeneration would take something away from Rose Tyler's shock of dealing with a new Doctor.
Before the title sequence in episode two there is a brief recap of the main events that took place in the first episode.
Before the end credits at the end of episode one there is a trailer for the second episode of this story. The second episode of this story, being the last episide of the season does not include a trailer for the next story. It does though have a title card, at the beginning of the end the credits, that reads "Doctor Who will return at Christmas in "THE CHRISTMAS INVASION".
Following on immediately after both episodes, on BBC3, were the twelth and thirteenth chapters of Doctor Who Confidential. "The World of Who" looked into the fans, the conventions and reactions of the show. While "The Last Battle" looked into life with The Doctor and Rose.
| |
|
The Firsts:
David Tennant's first appearance as the Tenth Doctor.
The first appearance of the Emporer Dalek for 38 years - since the 1967 Second Doctor story "The Evil of the Daleks".
This story introduces the Deadlock Seal, a plot device and form of advanced security to prevent The Doctor from using the sonic screwdriver to unlock a door or device.
The first use of a title card, at the beginning of the end the credits, to advertise that Doctor Who will return.
|
|
(Position = 2 out of 10)
(Position = 10 out of 200)
(Position = 13 out of 241)
