70. The Happiness Patrol End My Life
For validation of the last point I just made, imagine this moment but with more money. As it is, it is pretty impressive and a radical departure from the light tone of the previous years, which makes it all the more surprising as the Doctor reveals his dark side as well as his philosophy. He goads a sniper to shoot him and look him in the eyes and see if he can do it. Just to prove a point about how valuable life is and how guns do not make big men. Its an excellent piece of acting and the tension you can cut with a knife.
69. Rise of the Cybermen Cyber Attack
There is no other way I can put it really. After the triumphant return of the Daleks the previous year, expectations for the Cybermen were pretty high. Admittedly I dont think they have achieved the same popularity as they could have but they made a pretty good effort. Their appearance is hinted at throughout the programme and then the come marching out of the fog, smashing through windows and rounding up all the humans. When the Doctor and Rose try to escape there are literally Cybermen at every turn, before they are surrounded in the garden. Its clearly a cold night because the mist is pretty thick and you can see the actors breath in the air. It all adds to the cold nature of the Cybermen themselves. My favourite part about this is the fact that there was no Next Time trailer and its only this episode, 'The Stolen Earth' and the specials that dont feature one in the Tenth Doctors era. I for one think the episode was better for that.
68. Planet of Fire - The Masters Death
For a story called 'Planet of Fire', this is a very cold moment. It had been speculated for years that the Master was the Doctors brother, needlessly dismissed in 'The Sound of Drums'. This scene is the closest we get to an admission. The Master has come to Sarn, a world with unique qualities. Flames erupt from beneath the surface with healing qualities, which the Master intends to exploit. Having miniaturised himself after a failed experiment with his Tissue Compression Eliminator, the Master uses the healing Numismaton Gas to restore himself to full size. Only the plan goes awfully wrong due to the Doctors meddling and the Master is burnt up in pure flame, all the while pleading to the Doctor for help, but he simply watches on. The Masters last words being, not even your own just teasing the fan theory. Its Peter Davison who makes this scene work, he doesnt say a word, he just watches before walking away. Its all leading up to his regeneration, he pledged at the end of the previous story to change his ways to save the suffering of innocents. Its the consequences of that that has cost him Tegans companionship and also the life of Kamelion. The themes of the harsher Sixth Doctor era are already creeping in. No more Mr Nice Guy.
67. The Fires of Pompeii - Making History
Although never really cited as many peoples favourite story, 'The Fires of Pompeii' really packs an emotional punch. If you break down the story it doesnt really make sense, but then again not many stories do under scrutiny. The construct we have is that at the time of the Doctor and Donnas arrival Vesuvius should be erupting but isnt. Donna tries to change history in the same way as Barbara. Set on warning the people to evacuate, imagine the pain of both her and the Doctor when the power to put history back on track is put in their hands, literally. The dilemma is a powerful one, for they will make the eruption of Vesuvius happen. For once the Doctor begins to question his own rules as the seemingly fixed point becomes an opportunity. The Doctor and Donna deciding together really puts a lump in the throat.
66. Journeys End - Davross Ultimate Victory
Julian Bleach didnt have an easy job taking on the legendary role of Davros, portraying the creator of the Daleks while covered in latex. But my goodness does he do it well. Davros genuinely comes alive. His finest hour is undoubtedly after evaporating a group of prisoners to test his reality bomb. Declaring it his ultimate victory. The destruction of reality itself, to destroy all realities and leave himself and the Daleks the only creatures left in existence. So mad it might work. Davros is certainly mad. But he phrases it magnificently.