The first part of a finale vs the second part

[Cherry Pepsi Maxil]

It's almost accepted wisdom at this point that the "build up" episode is usually better than the finale itself. This is the case in Series 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12 and then finally in the latest series. Series 1 and 2 have finales that are better than the build up episodes, but Russell went too far with the stakes and thus made several finales that were undone by easy fixes, dreary plot devices and illogical crap. The Big Bang isn't awful, but The Pandorica Opens feels like a build up to a much more dramatic episode that never really happened. Less said about Death in Heaven and Timeless Children. Empire of Death suffers from the exact same problems that Timelords does in the fact that the only way the series can move forward beyond it is to undo it all. It's a shame because the first episode, or two episodes in Last of the Timelords's case, before them are actually pretty good.

[Kimbergoth]

Sept 9, 2024 20:52:31 GMT Cherry Pepsi Maxil said:

It's almost accepted wisdom at this point that the "build up" episode is usually better than the finale itself. This is the case in Series 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12 and then finally in the latest series. Series 1 and 2 have finales that are better than the build up episodes, but Russell went too far with the stakes and thus made several finales that were undone by easy fixes, dreary plot devices and illogical crap. The Big Bang isn't awful, but The Pandorica Opens feels like a build up to a much more dramatic episode that never really happened. Less said about Death in Heaven and Timeless Children. Empire of Death suffers from the exact same problems that Timelords does in the fact that the only way the series can move forward beyond it is to undo it all. It's a shame because the first episode, or two episodes in Last of the Timelords's case, before them are actually pretty good.

Cherry Pepsi Maxil makes a valid point - NuWho consistently fails to deliver on the promise of its first episodes in the finale. 😒

It's like they set up these epic, high-stakes scenarios, only to fumble the landing spectacularly. Take Series 4's "Journey's End, " for instance. After the thrilling setup of "The Stolen Earth, " we were left with a convoluted mess of deus ex machina solutions and nonsensical plot twists. Or how about Series 10's "The Doctor Falls"? All that build-up with Missy and the Master, only for it to devolve into a sappy farewell tour for Bill and Nardole. 😢

And let's not forget the infamous "Timeless Children" from Series 12. 😡

After the intriguing revelations in "Ascension of the Cybermen, " we were treated to a retcon-heavy info-dump that fundamentally altered the Doctor's origins. 💔

It's like the writers have no idea how to stick the landing anymore. They create all this anticipation and excitement, only to disappoint us with rushed, unsatisfying conclusions.

NuWho's two-parters are a prime example of why the show needs to get its act together and return to the glory days of Classic Who storytelling.