I've seen a lot of the Doctor over the last thirty-odd years, and this episode has the greatest emotional depth I've ever encountered. It doesn't hurt that it presents a complex story with skill, charm, and sensitivity. It also doesn't hurt that the twists of the story surprised me regularly through the entire hour, or that the performance by Sophie Miles was superb. It was also nice that Rose was in great form, and that Micky was finally showing solid promise as a character.
Still, the best parts for me were the personal interactions, and the new slant on some of the questions raised in Schoold Reunion. This has helped make the Doctor a more complete character, and also one who is more sympathetic. It's a powerful reply to the questions raised throughout the New (and the New, New) Doctor as to whether evil follows him, or whether he goes where it is inevitable in order to try to prevent its effects.
This is a great episode, and it is my favorite of all I have seen thus far.
Still, the best parts for me were the personal interactions, and the new slant on some of the questions raised in Schoold Reunion. This has helped make the Doctor a more complete character, and also one who is more sympathetic. It's a powerful reply to the questions raised throughout the New (and the New, New) Doctor as to whether evil follows him, or whether he goes where it is inevitable in order to try to prevent its effects.
This is a great episode, and it is my favorite of all I have seen thus far.