The Parting of the Ways

For the historical split between Christianity and Judaism, see Split of Christianity and Judaism.

For the historic place in the state of Wyoming, see Parting of the Ways (Wyoming).

For the Casualty special, see The Parting of the Ways (Casualty).

2005 Doctor Who episode

166b - "The Parting of the Ways"

Doctor Who episode
Cast

Doctor

* Christopher Eccleston – Ninth Doctor

Companions

* Billie Piper – Rose Tyler
* John Barrowman – Jack Harkness

Others

* Jo Stone-Fewings – Male Programmer
* Jo Joyner – Lynda Moss
* Paterson Joseph – Rodrick
* Nisha Nayar – Female Programmer
* Noel Clarke – Mickey Smith
* Camille Coduri – Jackie Tyler
* Anne Robinson – Voice of Anne Droid
* Nicholas Briggs – Dalek Voice
* Barnaby Edwards, Nicholas Pegg, David Hankinson – Dalek Operators
* Alan Ruscoe – Android
* Jenna Russell – Floor Manager (uncredited)
* David Tennant – Tenth Doctor

Production
Directed by| Joe Ahearne
Written by| Russell T Davies
Script editor| Helen Raynor
Produced by| Phil Collinson
Executive producer(s)|

* Russell T Davies
* Julie Gardner
* Mal Young

Music by| Murray Gold
Production code| 1.13
Series| Series 1
Running time| 2nd of 2-part story, 45 minutes
First broadcast| 18 June 2005 (2005-06-18)
Chronology
| ← Preceded by
"Bad Wolf"  | Followed by →
"The Christmas Invasion"

|

List of episodes (2005–present)

"The Parting of the Ways" is the thirteenth episode and the season finale of the revived first series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who. The episode was first broadcast on BBC One on 18 June 2005. It was the second episode of the two-part story. The first part, "Bad Wolf", was broadcast on 11 June.

In the episode, the Dalek race invades the human satellite Satellite Five in the year 200,100, intending to make more Daleks by harvesting dead humans. The alien time traveller the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) plans to use the satellite's transmitter to try to destroy every Dalek, while at the same time sending his travelling companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) home to keep her safe.

The episode featured Eccleston making his final appearance as the Ninth Doctor and marks the first appearance of David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor.

The mystery of the reocurring phrase "Bad Wolf", as part of the Series wide mystery box story arc, is resolved in this Episode. The words are revealed to have been scattered in time by Rose herself after she absorbed the Time Vortex, in order to lead herself to that exact moment.

## Plot

[edit]

The Ninth Doctor uses the extrapolator on the TARDIS to generate a protective shield around it as he pilots the TARDIS to rescue Rose from the Daleks. The Doctor discovers the Daleks' Emperor survived the Time War and escaped to Earth in a crippled ship, where it rebuilt the Dalek race by harvesting DNA material from humanity.

Returning to Satellite Five, Jack uses the extrapolator to shield the top six floors of the station and sets up defensive positions. The Doctor attempts to create a delta wave generator which will destroy the Daleks, but also life on Earth. The Doctor tricks Rose into going inside the TARDIS, and remotely directs the TARDIS to return Rose to her home time to keep her safe. The Daleks invade the station, killing everyone in their path.

Rose notices the words "Bad Wolf"—words which also exist on Satellite Five — on her estate and realises that they are a message rather than a warning. She convinces Mickey and Jackie to help her open the heart of the TARDIS. Mickey uses a truck borrowed by Jackie to pull the panel on the console open and Rose is bathed in the light of the TARDIS.

The Daleks reach the top of Satellite Five, killing Jack and Lynda in the process. They file into the control room while the Doctor contemplates firing the delta wave, eventually deciding he cannot do it. Before the Daleks can kill the Doctor, Rose arrives in the TARDIS, wrapped in the glow of the time vortex. She declares that she is the "Bad Wolf", spreading the words "Bad Wolf" throughout time and space as a message to lead her there. Rose disintegrates the Dalek fleet. The Doctor begs her to relinquish her new power, but instead she resurrects Jack. Rose begins to suffer the effects of the power, and the Doctor kisses her, absorbing the entire power of the vortex into his own body to save her life. He releases it back into the TARDIS and carries an unconscious Rose back inside. They leave in the TARDIS before Jack can get back to them. As a result of absorbing the energy of the time vortex, every cell in the Doctor's body begins to die. He reassures Rose, before regenerating into the Tenth Doctor.

The Emperor Dalek, as shown at the Doctor Who Experience.

## Production

[edit]

This was the first episode in this series which was not given a press screening prior to the broadcast. Radio Times stated, "No preview tape was available for this episode." The episode was, however, screened for BAFTA on 15 June 2005.

According to Russell T Davies in Doctor Who Magazine, Jack was left behind because they wanted to explore the effects of the regeneration on Rose (noting that Jack would have taken the regeneration "in his stride").[1] Jack returned in the Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood, which began broadcasting in October 2006. In an interview in Doctor Who Magazine, Russell T Davies stated that an alternate ending for this episode was written and filmed, with the intention that it would be shown to press previewers to hide the secret of the regeneration. The "false" ending would have featured similar dialogue to the televised final scene, but the TARDIS would have scanned Rose and the viewers would have seen the display read: "LIFEFORM DYING".[1] Davies considered this scene inferior to the one actually shown but suggested that it might be suitable as an extra on a DVD someday. On the DVD commentary, executive producer Julie Gardner and Billie Piper briefly discuss this ending, which Gardner describes as featuring Rose's death; unlike Davies, Gardner expresses doubts that it will be issued on DVD (it was not included in the Series 1 DVD set).

David Tennant's portion of the regeneration scene was actually filmed much later than Eccleston's and without the presence of Billie Piper. Tennant's segment was recorded with him speaking to a piece of sticky tape indicating Piper's eyeline and then edited into the broadcast version.[1] It was recorded on 21 April 2005.[2]

The Doctor claims that he is known in Dalek legend as "the Oncoming Storm", a title that first appeared in the Virgin New Adventures novel Love and War by Paul Cornell (who wrote the episode "Father's Day"). In the novel, the title was applied to the Doctor by the Draconians.[3]

Eccleston's planned departure was leaked early by the BBC on 30 March 2005. They claimed that he was scared of being typecast. On 4 April, they admitted that this statement had been made without consulting the actor, and were forced to apologise.[4] In 2010, Eccleston denied the typecast claim, explaining that he was not comfortable in the working environment.[5] He later stated that he could not get along with some of the "senior people".[6] According to the Sunday Mirror, an interview for BBC's Doctor Who website that was taken down after his departure was announced revealed that Eccleston had planned to stay for two or three more years.[7][8] Tennant was offered the role whilst watching a pre-transmission copy of Casanova with Davies and Gardner. Though Tennant initially believed the offer was a joke, he accepted the role after he realised they were serious[9] and was announced as Eccleston's replacement on 16 April 2005.[10]

## Broadcast and reception

[edit]

"The Parting of the Ways" received overnight ratings of 6.2 million viewers, a 42% audience share and the most-watched programme of the night.[11] When final consolidated ratings were calculated, figures rose to 6.91 million.[12] The episode was broadcast in the United States on the Sci Fi Channel on 9 June 2006.[13] The episode received an Audience Appreciation Index score of 89.[14]

Digital Spy's Dek Hogan wrote that the finale was "something of an anti climax", with the Bad Wolf resolution being a "let down" and the regeneration "a bit rushed" and "lacking in the sort of emotional tension that has been one of this series hallmarks".[15] SFX gave "The Parting of the Ways" a score of nine out of ten, calling the two-parter Davies' "finest work this season", especially praising the emotional moments.[16] However, he felt that two aspects of "The Parting of the Ways" let the story down: the Bad Wolf resolution and the deus ex machina of Rose's transformation.[16] Patrick Mulkern of Radio Times praised the episode, stating that it was "inventive, gripping entertainment" and that "for the first time, Doctor Who has a proper, exhilarating season finale."[17] Alasdair Wilkins of io9 praised the "mad energy" of the two-parter but felt the Dalek plan was "convoluted and a whole bunch of seemingly important stuff ... is brushed aside in the rush to the Doctor's big moral dilemma".[18] Wilkins also pointed out that the story had to deal with Eccleston's abrupt departure, and as a result there was little thematic build-up and the regeneration feels "bolted on to the rest of the story".[19] Despite this, Wilkins ranked it the best regeneration and the third best regeneration story (as of 2010).[19]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Mcalpine, Fraser (2015). "'Doctor Who': 10 Things You May Not Know About 'The Parting of the Ways'". BBC America. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
2. ^ "Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways". Doctor Who Magazine: Series One Companion. No. 11 – Special Edition. 31 August 2005. p. 93.
3. ^ "The Parting of the Ways – Fact File". BBC. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
4. ^ "BBC admits Dr Who actor blunder". BBC News. 4 April 2005. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
5. ^ "Eccleston quit Doctor Who to be his 'own man'". Yorkshire Evening Post. 15 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
6. ^ Kelly, Stephan (21 July 2011). "Doctor Who: why did Christopher Eccleston leave show after one series?". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
7. ^ Lawler, Danielle (3 April 2005). "Dr Who Told Beeb He'd Stay in Show". Sunday Mirror. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
8. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (3 April 2005). "Eccleston promised to film new 'Dr Who'?". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 6 April 2005. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
9. ^ Aldridge, Mark; Murray, Andy (30 November 2008). T is for Television: The Small Screen Adventures of Russell T Davies. Reynolds & Hearn Ltd. pp. 196–197\. ISBN 978-1-905287-84-0.196-197&rft.pub=Reynolds+&+Hearn+Ltd&rft.date=2008-11-30&rft.isbn=978-1-905287-84-0&rft.aulast=Aldridge&rft.aufirst=Mark&rft.au=Murray,+Andy&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:The+Parting+of+the+Ways" class="Z3988">
10. ^ "David Tennant confirmed as the tenth Doctor Who" (Press release). BBC. 16 April 2005. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
11. ^ Timms, Dominic (20 June 2005). "6.2m see Eccleston's exit". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
12. ^ Russell, Gary (2006). Doctor Who: The Inside Story. London: BBC Books. p. 139\. ISBN 978-0-563-48649-7.
13. ^ "Who Boosts SCI FI Ratings". Sci Fi Wire. Sci Fi Channel. 13 June 2006. Archived from the original on 12 February 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
14. ^ "Ratings Guide". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
15. ^ Hogan, Dek (19 June 2005). "The Global Jukebox". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
16. ^ a b "Reviews: Doctor Who, episode by episode". SFX. Archived from the original on 16 October 2005. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
17. ^ "Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways ★★★★★".
18. ^ Wilkins, Alasdair (27 November 2009). "5 Lessons We Hope RTD's Learned From His Past Doctor Who Epics". io9. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
19. ^ a b Wilkins, Alasdair (1 January 2010). "Ranking The Regenerations Of Doctor Who". io9. Retrieved 19 January 2013.

## External links

[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to Ninth Doctor.

* "The Parting of the Ways" at the BBC Doctor Who homepage
* "The Parting of the Ways" at the Doctor Who Stories Website
* "The Parting of the Ways". Outpost Gallifrey. Archived from the original on 6 January 2008.
* Doctor Who Confidential — Episode 13: The Final Battle
* "They survived through me." — Episode trailer for "The Parting of the Ways"
* Watch the regeneration at the BBC website
* "The Parting of the Ways" at IMDb

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Doctor Who episodes

Original series
Season 1

Film
Missing episodes

Revived series
Series 1

2008–2010 specials

2013 specials

2022 specials
2023 specials

Series 1|

* "Rose"
* "The End of the World"
* "The Unquiet Dead"
* "Aliens of London" / "World War Three"
* "Dalek"
* "The Long Game"
* "Father's Day"
* "The Empty Child" / "The Doctor Dances"
* "Boom Town"
* "Bad Wolf" / "The Parting of the Ways"

* Christmas and New Year's specials
* Supplementary episodes
* Missing episodes

Links to related articles

* v
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Doctor Who episodes by Russell T Davies

Ninth Doctor|

| Series 1|

* "Rose"
* "The End of the World"
* "Aliens of London" / "World War Three"
* "The Long Game"
* "Boom Town"
* "Bad Wolf" / "The Parting of the Ways"

|

Tenth Doctor|

| Series 2|

| Special|

"The Christmas Invasion"

|

* "New Earth"
* "Tooth and Claw"
* "Love & Monsters"
* "Army of Ghosts" / "Doomsday"

Series 3|

| Special|

"The Runaway Bride"

|

* "Smith and Jones"
* "Gridlock"
* "Utopia" / "The Sound of Drums" / "Last of the Time Lords"

Series 4|

| Special|

"Voyage of the Damned"

|

* "Partners in Crime"
* "Midnight"
* "Turn Left"
* "The Stolen Earth" / "Journey's End"

Specials|

* "The Next Doctor"
* "Planet of the Dead"
* "The Waters of Mars"
* "The End of Time"

Fourteenth Doctor|

| Specials|

* "The Star Beast"
* "Wild Blue Yonder"
* "The Giggle"

|

Fifteenth Doctor|

| Series 14|

| Special|

"The Church on Ruby Road"

|

* "Space Babies"
* "The Devil's Chord"
* "73 Yards"
* "Dot and Bubble"
* "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" / "Empire of Death"

Mini episodes|

* "Music of the Spheres"
* "Destination: Skaro"

See also|

* Damaged Goods
* Death of the Doctor
* Mind of the Hodiac

* v
* t
* e

Doctor Who: Ninth Doctor stories

Television|

| Series 1|

* "Rose"
* "The End of the World"
* "The Unquiet Dead"
* "Aliens of London" / "World War Three"
* "Dalek"
* "The Long Game"
* "Father's Day"
* "The Empty Child" / "The Doctor Dances"
* "Boom Town"
* "Bad Wolf" / "The Parting of the Ways"

|

Minor appearances|

* "The Name of the Doctor"
* "The Day of the Doctor"

Audio|

* The Ninth Doctor Adventures

Video games|

* Legacy
* Lego Dimensions

* v
* t
* e

Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor stories

Television

| Series 2|

| Special|

"The Christmas Invasion"

|

* "New Earth"
* "Tooth and Claw"
* "School Reunion"
* "The Girl in the Fireplace"
* "Rise of the Cybermen" / "The Age of Steel"
* "The Idiot's Lantern"
* "The Impossible Planet" / "The Satan Pit"
* "Love & Monsters"
* "Fear Her"
* "Army of Ghosts" / "Doomsday"

Series 3|

| Special|

"The Runaway Bride"

|

* "Smith and Jones"
* "The Shakespeare Code"
* "Gridlock"
* "Daleks in Manhattan" / "Evolution of the Daleks"
* "The Lazarus Experiment"
* "42"
* "Human Nature" / "The Family of Blood"
* "Blink"
* "Utopia" / "The Sound of Drums" / "Last of the Time Lords"

Series 4|

| Special|

"Voyage of the Damned"

|

* "Partners in Crime"
* "The Fires of Pompeii"
* "Planet of the Ood"
* "The Sontaran Stratagem" / "The Poison Sky"
* "The Doctor's Daughter"
* "The Unicorn and the Wasp"
* "Silence in the Library" / "Forest of the Dead"
* "Midnight"
* "Turn Left"
* "The Stolen Earth" / "Journey's End"

2008–2010 specials|

* "The Next Doctor"
* "Planet of the Dead"
* "The Waters of Mars"
* "The End of Time"

Other appearances|

| Major|

* The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith
* "The Day of the Doctor"

|

Minor|

* "The Parting of the Ways"
* "The Name of the Doctor"
* "The Girl Who Died"

Mini episodes|

* "Attack of the Graske"
* "Time Crash"
* "Music of the Spheres"

Animated serials|

* The Infinite Quest
* Dreamland

Audio

| Audiobooks|

* Pest Control
* The Forever Trap
* The Nemonite Invasion
* The Rising Night
* The Day of the Troll
* The Last Voyage
* Dead Air
* Death's Deal

|

Audio drama|

* The Tenth Doctor Adventures
* Zero Space
* A Brave New World
* The Last Line

Books

| Novels|

* The Feast of the Drowned
* The Resurrection Casket
* The Nightmare of Black Island
* The Art of Destruction
* The Price of Paradise
* Sting of the Zygons
* The Last Dodo
* Wooden Heart
* Forever Autumn
* Sick Building
* Wetworld
* The Pirate Loop
* Peacemaker
* Martha in the Mirror
* Snowglobe 7
* The Many Hands
* Ghosts of India
* The Doctor Trap
* Shining Darkness
* The Story of Martha
* Beautiful Chaos
* The Eyeless
* Judgement of the Judoon
* The Slitheen Excursion
* Prisoner of the Daleks
* The Taking of Chelsea 426
* Autonomy
* The Krillitane Storm

|

Novellas|

* I Am a Dalek
* Made of Steel
* Revenge of the Judoon
* The Sontaran Games
* Code of the Krillitanes

Decide Your Destiny|

* The Spaceship Graveyard
* The Time Crocodile
* The Crystal Snare
* War of the Robots
* The Haunted Wagon Train
* Second Skin
* The Dragon King
* The Horror of Howling Hill

Video games

* Top Trumps
* Legacy
* Lego Dimensions

Fourteenth Doctor stories template

* v
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* e

Doctor Who: Dalek stories

Television

| First Doctor|

* The Daleks
* The Dalek Invasion of Earth
* The Chase
* "Mission to the Unknown"
* The Daleks' Master Plan

|

Second Doctor|

* The Power of the Daleks
* The Evil of the Daleks

Third Doctor|

* Day of the Daleks
* Planet of the Daleks
* Death to the Daleks

Fourth Doctor|

* Genesis of the Daleks
* Destiny of the Daleks

Fifth Doctor|

* Resurrection of the Daleks

Sixth Doctor|

* Revelation of the Daleks

Seventh Doctor|

* Remembrance of the Daleks

Ninth Doctor|

* "Dalek"
* "Bad Wolf" / "The Parting of the Ways"

Tenth Doctor|

* "Army of Ghosts" / "Doomsday
* "Daleks in Manhattan" / "Evolution of the Daleks"
* "The Stolen Earth" / "Journey's End"

Eleventh Doctor|

* "Victory of the Daleks"
* "Asylum of the Daleks"
* "The Time of the Doctor"

Twelfth Doctor|

* "Into the Dalek"
* "The Magician's Apprentice" / "The Witch's Familiar"

Thirteenth Doctor|

* "Resolution"
* "Revolution of the Daleks"
* "Eve of the Daleks"
* "The Power of the Doctor"

Minor appearances|

* The Space Museum
* The Wheel in Space
* The War Games
* The Mind of Evil
* Frontier in Space
* Logopolis
* "The Five Doctors"
* Doctor Who
* "The Waters of Mars"
* "The Beast Below"
* "The Pandorica Opens" / "The Big Bang"
* "The Wedding of River Song"
* "The Day of the Doctor"
* "Hell Bent"
* "The Pilot"
* "Twice Upon a Time"
* "Once, Upon Time" / "The Vanquishers"

See also|

* The Curse of Fatal Death
* Tardisode 13 – "Doomsday"
* Daleks!
* "Destination: Skaro"

Films

| Dr. Who films|

* Dr. Who and the Daleks
* Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.

|

See also|

* The Lego Batman Movie

Audio

| The Monthly Adventures|

* The Genocide Machine
* The Apocalypse Element
* The Mutant Phase
* The Time of the Daleks
* Jubilee
* The Juggernauts
* Return of the Daleks
* Renaissance of the Daleks
* Brotherhood of the Daleks
* Enemy of the Daleks
* Plague of the Daleks
* Daleks Among Us

|

Dalek Empire|

* Dalek War

I, Davros|

* Innocence
* The Davros Mission

Other|

* Death and the Daleks
* Unbound
* The Lost Stories
* The Four Doctors
* The Five Companions
* Energy of the Daleks
* The Eighth Doctor Adventures
* The War Doctor
* Living History
* The Tenth Doctor Adventures
* After the Daleks
* Nightmare of the Daleks
* The Final Beginning

Minor appearances|

* Seasons of Fear
* Eyes of the Master

Books

| Novelisations|

* Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks
* The Dalek Invasion of Earth
* The Chase
* The Daleks' Master Plan Part I: Mission to the Unknown
* The Daleks' Master Plan Part II: The Mutation of Time
* The Power of the Daleks
* The Evil of the Daleks
* Day of the Daleks
* Doctor Who and the Space War
* Planet of the Daleks
* Death to the Daleks
* Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks
* Doctor Who and the Destiny of the Daleks
* Resurrection of the Daleks
* Revelation of the Daleks
* Remembrance of the Daleks

|

Eighth Doctor Adventures|

* War of the Daleks
* Legacy of the Daleks

New Series Adventures|

* I Am a Dalek
* Prisoner of the Daleks
* The Dalek Generation
* Engines of War

Other|

* The Dalek Factor

Video games

* Dalek Attack
* Destiny of the Doctors
* Top Trumps
* "City of the Daleks"
* Evacuation Earth
* Return to Earth
* The Mazes of Time
* The Eternity Clock
* Legacy
* Lego Dimensions

Stage

* The Evil of the Daleks
* The Daleks' Master Plan
* Doctor Who Prom
* Doctor Who Live

* v
* t
* e

Doctor Who: Jack Harkness stories

Television|

| Ninth Doctor|

* "The Empty Child" / "The Doctor Dances"
* "Boom Town"
* "Bad Wolf" / "The Parting of the Ways"

|

Tenth Doctor|

* "Utopia" / "The Sound of Drums" / "Last of the Time Lords"
* "The Stolen Earth" / "Journey's End"

Thirteenth Doctor|

* "Fugitive of the Judoon"
* "Revolution of the Daleks"

Minor appearances|

* "The End of Time"

Video games|

* Top Trumps
* Legacy
* Lego Dimensions

Torchwood template

* v
* t
* e

Doctor Who: Regeneration television stories

The Doctor|

* The Tenth Planet
* The War Games
* Planet of the Spiders
* Logopolis
* The Caves of Androzani
* Time and the Rani
* Doctor Who
* "The Parting of the Ways"
* "The Stolen Earth"
* "The End of Time"
* "The Night of the Doctor"
* "The Day of the Doctor"
* "The Time of the Doctor"
* "Twice Upon a Time"
* "The Power of the Doctor"
* "The Giggle"

| Post-regeneration|

* The Power of the Daleks
* Spearhead from Space
* Robot
* Castrovalva
* The Twin Dilemma
* "The Christmas Invasion"
* "Journey's End"
* "The Eleventh Hour"
* "Deep Breath"
* "The Woman Who Fell to Earth"
* "The Star Beast"
* "The Church on Ruby Road"

|

Other characters|

* Destiny of the Daleks
* Shada
* Mawdryn Undead
* "The Five Doctors"
* "Utopia"
* "Day of the Moon"
* "Let's Kill Hitler"
* "Hell Bent"
* "The Timeless Children"

See also|

* The Deadly Assassin
* The Curse of Fatal Death
* "The Impossible Astronaut"
* "The Wedding of River Song"
* "The Angels Take Manhattan"
* "The Witch's Familiar"
* "The Lie of the Land"
* "World Enough and Time" / "The Doctor Falls"
* "Destination: Skaro"

Multi-Doctor stories
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