Doctor Who – Goodbye my lover

Thanks to friends in the UK with DVD recorders, I have been keeping a pretty close tab on the latest series of Doctor Who. If you haven't seen it at all, and you have even a vague liking for science fiction, its well worth tuning in. Even the Americans seem to be getting it this time around.

For me one of the big changes to the series was the upgrading of the "Doctors Companion" from helpless-waif-in-need-of-saving to a fully fleshed character in their own right. Even the marvelous Sarah-Jane Smith was a bit of a screaming ankle turning, at least when compared to the ballsy Rose Tyler. But then Rose has more of a vested interest in being the Doctors equal, and lets face it in 2006 and female characters have come some distance to becoming equals in most situations. But Rose is a standout, even over shadowing Janeway in my books.

Interestingly enough, another thread thats turned up in the series is some romantic and sexual interest. The Doctor has pretty much been a eunuch up until now, apart from that sad telly movie. In the last two series there has been love interest aplenty with Madame de Pompadour, the bisexual Captain Jack, some clear admissions of feelings for good ol Sarah-Jane and of course our girl Rose.

The new series has been really wonderful, fast paced, interesting, camp and funny with enough drama and excitement to make tuning in a pleasure. On top of which I have really engaged with the growing relationship between Doctor and Rose. It was even helped along by the Doctors unexpected regeneration at the end of 2005 – that was a surprise. Given that Russel T. Davies , of Queer as Folk fame, is involved its not so surprising that its so hot a show.

And now Billie Piper has decided to move on from the series, apparently because she wants to avoid being typecast as Rose. Which is really a sadness. Perhaps the void in my viewing pleasure will be filled with the return of Captain Jack in the upcoming spinoff – Torchwood. Fingers crossed that Jack lays off the foundation.

Exploring YouTube the other day I came across the following  which provides a fitting tribute to the relationship between the Doctor and Rose. I am constantly amazed by the things that people are cooking up at home now a days.

The following video will absolutely give away the surprises around Rose dying, so if you have'nt seen the final episode of the 2006 series, Doomsday, then you might want to NOT watch this.