Drastic moments Whovian Spoiler Update!

Soundtrack: "Drastic Measures" - Sarah Slean. Uhm, in the midst of everything; according to someone who should know this (Catherine Tate), David Tennant is going to quit "Doctor Who" after completing Series 4. Apparently, she revealed this somewhat überspoilerish fact on National Television, no less, while visiting talk show host Jonathan Ross. So it's not even a secret anymore. I found the whole transcript here at the DW-LiveJournal, and the discussions are all over the net as I write, with various opinions in often contrary, sometimes compatible directions as to what one might think of a new Time Lord and whether one will actually miss David. The reasons for the possibly true departure remain unknown, however, and it could be a piece of utter rubbish that someone posted on a DW-comm., just to be funny, and which the Beeb will deny shortly, but it seems people agree to have heard her speech correctly. And if she indeed stated this, why would Catherine Tate who stars in Doctor Who, lie about such a matter? She also confirmed that her character Donna will only stay for one more season (big tell-tale-heart day for you, Cathy?) and not feature in the three specials coming in 2009 - but also that David Tennant, on the other hand, will. This means we have three stories where the subject of plot and the identity of the companions, possibly also that of The Doctor himself, is pretty unsure. I find that mildly hair-rising. Basically, because it gives these episodes indefinitite potential, but simultanously poses an enormous pitfall into which they might just as well plunge. I cross my fingers it will be three hours of fabulously unbelievably never-before-seen miraculously sci-fi GRANDEUR. A proper, fond farewell to Mister Tennant. Which is no more than he deserves. I don't really want to say anything about his qualities and how I've enjoyed his portrayal of Le Doc, at the moment, not before I know for sure that he'll leave forever, but to give you a hint: it won't be the same without him. That's for sure. And, with this particular series, what is "forever" anyway? As proven by a certain Miss Billie Piper, saying bye-bye, even if soaked in tears, doesn't necessarily mean "we'll never meet again", but rather "sorry, luv, but it will take a while for me to construct some kind of devise to jump back into your parallell world and have us reuinte, so meanwhile why don't you make yourself a cuppa tea or something?". An set of ironic circumstances, for which I am very, very grateful.

Moreover, Catherine's statement does leave room for a couple of conclusions, and some very neat ones too, like: Billie Piper and David Tennant will rejoin because David Tennant is indeed leaving, as predicted, and she didn't want to let him finish off his Doctor-era without an appropriate rencounter with Rose, as previously stated. Billie loves David, as Rose loves The Doctor; these are old speculations which cause this whole story to come as no real surprise, and leave us quite certain that the two lovebirds may in fact get some screen time together, re-establishing the bond between them, which is happy happy news. It suggests an outline of incidents that involves fanciful travels to planets made of CGI sceneries, visiting old Gallifrey, crossing borders and boundaries and maybe seeing some further cameos by the other Time Lords? That'd be great. A last resort-kind of solution would be three episodes of flashbacks, or The Doctor travelling with three new, different assistants - like the upcoming Christmas Special (more on that later!!) which looks amazing. Fine promises. To me, anyhow, the only acceptable alternative - since Rose is coming back - is a heart-warming, redeeming sort of reunion. Sad, fair enough, but on the whole a timely and fitting situation. I'd love for the two of them to continue their trips in the fashion they exhibited at the end of Series 2, in episodes like "The Satan Pit" and "Fear her". The whole style of copying "Ghostbusters", "Scooby-doo" and even "Star Wars"; wildly running around, employing techincal terms they didn't understand themselves, deducting and investigating and intruding; whilst having loads of fun. Was all such...exceptionally lovable television. Some more episodes like that - pretty, pretty please?

And finally, what I'm rooting for: adventures that lead up to a content Tenth Doctor regenerating at the end of the last special, with an older Rose present, as always holding his hand, thus fulfilling their relationship with a satisfcatory finale. She stays with him until the end, how could it else be? With the incarnation she learned to love (truly) gone, but in a "better" sense than on the last occasion, Rose can also wave the time travelling life byebye, providing a boundless future for a new Doctor with new missions, a new mind, and all loose ends tied up in the best way possible. Conflicts settled, unanswered questions hopefully solved. I hope he gets a complete memory wipe and wakes up not knowing who he is, finding a new companion, building a new TARDIS, starting a new life as a different man. That's not such a bad idea, is it? Should write a fanfic about that someday. Bottom line is, I think The Doctor deserves to be rid of the nasty memories and losses he's suffered so far, and without Rose - for Billie's not staying without David, I'm sure - our poor, beloved Time Lord must forget the past, and his past appearances, otherwise he'll just go on moping - and I'm slightly tired of the moping, to be frank. Either Ten or Rose together, as in happy times are here again, or rather Eleven with somebody utterly different. Works for James Bond, should work for The Doc. No more Martha or Donna, we need yet another fresh start. New beginnings. The above-described, afore-mentioned happy-go-lucky travelling could also work with a new Doc and a new assistant. Surely it could. But I want more of Rose/Ten, first and foremost. And of course, although Tennant's Doctor does leave the official storyline, and (most likely) takes Rose with him, that'll just result in (the ghosts of) the two of them living on blissfully and merrily on some strange planet far away, rescuing helpless aliens and saving the day, everyday, for the rest of their lives. Back to what they once were. Together. Hand-holding, immortality, indestructable love, TARDIS tales, et cetera. At least, it'll be a fate for us shippers to imagine. I'll be counting on, hoping for, that solution regardless what happens over the next series.