50 Reasons Why 'Time Crash' Is The Most Perfect 8 Minutes of 'Doctor Who' Ever

#9 "Hands Free..."

 

Among all of the kisses to the past blown throughout it's seven minutes, Time Crash pays a little attention to the Fifth Doctor's lack of Sonic Screwdriver.

 

"I'm fine," Davison mutters, without even glancing up from the console, when Tennant offers him the use of his own Sonic.  It doesn't even occur to the Fifth Doctor to use it, having been without his trusty device for a good while now, ever since that nasty business with the Terilepils.

 

But what does the moment add to the context of the story? The honest answer? Bugger all! But, as with so many elements of the episode, it shows yet another subtle contrast between the two Doctors. Here's the Tenth Doctor, using his Sonic, relying on his Sonic to get up to all sorts of mischief, never mind applying it to get out some sticky situations! The Fifth Doctor, on the other hand, just soldiers on with whatever he can find at hand. And what's more, he manages to save the day! (OK, sort of. Ish).

 

Above all though, this moment is just a nod to the past that is beautiful in it's pointlessness. It's just there: A tiny moment that brings with it a host of subtle character contrasts and summaries, with only a throwaway line. And isn't that brilliant?

 

 

 

*

 

For the previous Time Crash entries (SO FAR):

#8 'That Rubbish Beard'

#7 Belgium

#6 High Five!

#5 Murray Gold

#4 David Tennant

#3 Peter Davison

#2 Graeme Harper

#1 Steven Moffat

 

 

 

 

 

 

50 Reasons Why 'Time Crash' Is The Most Perfect 8 Minutes of 'Doctor Who' Ever

#8 "Does he still have that rubbish beard?"

The Doctor's arch nemesis, the Master, who has destroyed countless lives and planets over many centuries, is nevertheless the subject of some ridicule. The Tenth Doctor had just been aged beyond all recognition and locked inside a cage for a year, while the Master conquered the world, and yet in Time Crash the two Time Lords have no problem poking fun at him, as if he's just a minor niggle!

It's Five's 'beard' comment that I find the most telling. Imagine Davison's Doctor tied to a chair while a chuckling Ainley Master calmly explains his plans for Universal domination. Part of the Doctor is hastily concocting a plan in his mind to escape, while the other part of him is thinking, "Gosh, I wish the Master would have a bloody shave!".

More Moffat genius!

 

*

 

For the complete list (SO FAR), click HERE!

 

50 Reasons Why 'Time Crash' Is The Most Perfect 8 Minutes of 'Doctor Who' Ever

#7  Belgium. Yes, Belgium. In true Douglas Adams style, Moffat gives us a threat the size of a country not far from Germany. Who needs planet-sized asteroids, and bombs as big as moons, when we can have holes torn in the time -continuum the size of Belgium? It's absurd, bonkers, and very 'Doctor Who'.

 

Peter Davison's disappointment makes the scene - "That's a bit undramatic, isn't it?" - cementing the ludicrousness of the moment.

 

"Two minutes to Belgium!"

 

A Belgian woman, yesterday.

 

50 Reasons Why 'Time Crash' Is The Most Perfect 8 Minutes of 'Doctor Who' Ever

#6  The 'high-five'. It's such a simple, funny moment that totally sums up each of the Doctors. Tennant's Doctor tries to be cool and 'trendy', despite his barely hidden geekiness, while Davison is completely oblivious to the concept of the 'high-five'. It's a tiny sequence, and utterly hilarious and adorable. Genius!

 

50 Reasons Why 'Time Crash' Is The Most Perfect 8 Minutes of 'Doctor Who' Ever

#5  Murray Gold did the music. His beautiful scores are cinematic, epic on a grand scale. And yet, for this little slice of nostalgic fun, Murray Gold scrapped his soaring orchestras and multi-layered harmonies in favour of an 80's style symphonic score. It adds to the overall effect, another direct little nod to a past era of this huge show. Just check out the little "Dun dun DDUUNNN!" bit when it's apparent the TARDIS will create a Belgium-sized hole in the Universe. Wonderful.

50 Reasons Why 'Time Crash' Is The Most Perfect 8 Minutes of 'Doctor Who' Ever

#4 David Tennant IS the Doctor! Tennant is clearly having a blast in this mini-story, especially considering Peter Davison was his childhood Doctor. The speech at the very end, which the Tenth Doctor delivers to the Fifth, was said to have been a direct tribute from Tennant to Peter Davison, only just staying on the right side of the Fourth wall! 

50 Reasons Why 'Time Crash' Is The Most Perfect 8 Minutes of 'Doctor Who' Ever

#3 Peter Davison IS the Doctor! We've had companions and monsters from 'Doctor Who's past returning left, right and centre, but to date, Davison is the only former Doctor to make a physcical appearance in the show. Seeing him, in the TARDIS, in that outfit, just feels right. And he doesn't take any nonsense from Tennant!

50 Reasons Why 'Time Crash' Is The Most Perfect 8 Minutes of 'Doctor Who' Ever

#2 Graeme Harper directed it. His 'Doctor Who' debut, 'The Caves of Androzani', was voted as the greatest 'Doctor Who' story of all time, and boasts some of the most gripping action scenes ever seen in '...Who'. He injects 'Time Crash' with the same breathless enthusiasm, and absolutely milks the two lead actors for all they're worth.

Nobody could have done it better.

50 Reasons Why 'Time Crash' Is The Most Perfect 8 Minutes of 'Doctor Who' Ever

#1 Stephen Moffat wrote it. He also wrote 'Blink', 'The Empty Child'/'The Doctor Dances', 'The Girl in the Fireplace', and 'Silence in the Library'. He is now in charge of 'Doctor Who' on television, and is an absolute, grade-A genius. He also cast Matt Smith as the Doctor.

Your arguement is invalid.