Father's Day

Season 1, Episode 8, Aired

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Location: London, Earth Date: 7 November, 1987 Enemy: The Reapers
Rose requests a trip back to the day her father, Pete Tyler, died. Reluctantly, the Doctor agrees, but he realises he has made a mistake, when Rose saves Pete from being run over by a car. This has now changed the timeline, and Reapers are transposing themselves all over the Universe. However, this time, the Doctor doesn't have a planmoreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (20)

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  • Rose wishes to be there for her father as he dies, but saves his life, releasing the Reapers from the Time Vortex. With the Doctor soon devoured by one, will Rose give up her lviing father to undo the paradox she created?moreless

    4.5
    "Poor"
    By 10thdoctorfan, Sep 13, 2011
    This episode seems to be the only episode that shows the weakness of Rose's character. She saves her father from being hit by a car with a second pair of her and the Doctor around, weakening time and space enough for the Vortex Reapers to emerge and devour the whole world. Due to the stupidity of Pete trying to prove that Rose is the same as the infant Rose, the two touch, strengthening the paradox and allowing a Reaper to kill the Doctor and leave only the option of pete giving his life to save the world, but not until he shows Rose that he trully was a good father despite his shortcomings.moreless

  • Not a big fan of the time paradox, but this episode is all about heart.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Lord_Fly, Oct 13, 2010
    This is a really good episode where the enemy is not as much out there as it is within ourselves. I'm not a fan of the time paradox, and whether crossing one's own time-line is possible or not, but they did a good job of not making this the heart of the episode.

    It is a little disappointing that this episode came so soon after Rose witnesses a stupid choice by others [namely Adam's selfishness from last episode]. Did she not learn anything about trying to make changes. It was good that they made it more spur the moment a gut reaction. There is a lot of emotion throughout, with the Doctor giving some tough love, but Shaun Dingwall who plays Rose's father does a nice job of showing a roller-coaster of feelings. This all adds up to a sad ending were you do feel Rose's pain.moreless

  • Brand new Doc doesn't seem to be able to get away from Earth...

    7.0
    "Good"
    By squishyhippo, Jul 03, 2010
    I have enjoyed all of the episodes of the new season. I liked this one because it dealt with the choices and responsibilities we face every day, and how living in the world of "what if" is unhealthy and destructive.
    I'm looking forward to all of the new episodes of season 2.

  • Great, fantastic, tissue needed

    9.3
    "Superb"
    By berryman1981, Jul 03, 2010
    This episode was always destined to be the most emotional of the new series, and after the more traditional 'Who' of The Long Game, it was to be a very different type of story. Rose never knew her father, Peter. He died when she was a baby. Brought up by her mother, she only knew her father from what she had been told. As far as she knew, Peter was a businessman, a loving husband, and a doting father. He died alone - the victim of a hit and run.

    This background information has been lurking behind the scenes since the first episode, and was re-told - perhaps with more detail - skillfully by Rose, and in flashback by Jackie to her young daughter. Explaining to the Doctor why she's been thinking so much of her father quickly, and easily, explains to the viewer. Rose merely wanted to see her father when he was alive, to know what he was like, and - more importantly - she didn't want him to die alone. But, as the Doctor says, be careful what you wish for.

    On seeing her father, and witnessing his death, Rose is incapable of action. She asks the Doctor for a second try. At this point the story could so easily have become Groundhog Day, but fortunately Phil Cornell must have been aware of this and stipulated that they could only be there twice. On this second attempt to be with her father at his death, Rose realises that she can't face losing him again, and acting purely from grief she rushes out to save his life. Who amongst us can say, hand on heart, that we wouldn't do the same? The catastrophic results which ensue from this single act lead to the end of the world, and inevitably Peter realises that he is the only person who can save the world - the only person who can make things right. Along the way we witness tempers, and tantrums, from Peter, Jackie, Rose and the Doctor, and Rose discovers the truth about her parent's relationship. Disappointed, and disillusioned, she watches them bicker. Rose is overflowing with remorse that her selfish actions have led to such a catastrophic turn of events, and again she has to face the death of her father. But this time she has a chance to say goodbye, as does Jackie, and Peter chooses to die - rather than being a victim, he becomes a hero, someone Rose can be truly proud of. Peter recognises that the Doctor knew the truth, that he knew that Peter had to die - but was trying to find a better solution. In the end, Peter doesn't die alone. Rose is with him, and she comforts him in his final moments. She attains closure, and, in two short scenes, we see the truth of the strong bond she has with the Doctor - his actions and her father's mirrored when comforting her.

    This episode was wonderfully written, fully exploring the 'what if?' scenario, which we all face when dealing with the grief of losing a loved one. Can anyone truly say that this element of time-travel has been so well explored since H G Wells? Once again, we see a more human side to Eccleston's Doctor, and Chris was - as ever - superb. The Doctor's anger at Rose's stupidity - from the simmering silence to "I picked another stupid ape" - and his attempt to protect her, and her family, and his self-sacrifice, were portrayed in a wonderfully understated way. All of these emotions truly convey how much the Doctor cares about the human race, perhaps the most moving speech was when the Doctor was talking to the couple who were about to get married, ending with "I never had a life like that" shows us just how much the Doctor lost in his years of exile.

    Camille Coduri, and Shaun Dingwall, were excellent as Rose's bickering parents, who recognised that they still loved each other intensely at the end of the episode, and who's courage and self-sacrifice poignantly saved the world. I felt their grief, and pain, and the mental anguish that Pete was going through was so well portrayed. But the praise really has to go to Billie Piper. This is certainly Rose's hardest adventure to date. She doesn't realise how hard this will be, and she faces her emotions head on. Two weeks ago Chris portrayed the Doctor in a highly emotional state, believing that he'd killed Rose. This week Billie portrayed Rose in a similarly emotional state, believing that she's killed the Doctor. On top of the grief, and remorse, which Rose was already dealing with, Billie made us feel that this really was the worst day of Rose's life. When Rose hugged her father, as he realised who she was, I felt her pain and grief - and this is all testament to Billie's superb acting. She has been a revelation in this series, and this episode has surpassed all others in terms of her acting - I'll never doubt her again.

    At the end of this episode, I was left wondering what I would do if I had a TARDIS - how, or if, I would fight the temptation to do something similar and save my mum's life. And I know, deep down, that like Rose I'd meddle with history. In that situation who wouldn't? And I cried. I cried when I watched a second time, that's how strong the story is. That's how good the acting is. This is twice now that 'New Who' has made me cry. And this finally proves that great Sci-Fi can also be great Drama.moreless

  • Beautifully acted and poignantly written. A keeper.

    9.2
    "Superb"
    By mosmanite, Jul 03, 2010
    I personally loved this episode. It was unexpectedly moving, and provided a real insight to the world Rose grew up in, and to the life Jackie has been left to lead. It was filled with fantastic acting, reasonable effects, and provided a much needed back story. When Pete sacrificed himself, to live up to the ideal of a father he could never be, I must confess I reached for the Kleenex. We also witness the first tender moment between Rose and the Doctor, their first hug. Rose was able to be there for there for her father, to hold his hand whilst he died, a very poignant and beautiful moment. The flashback at the beginning and end sum up the story wonderfully. The Doctor is able to do amazing things, for everyone.

    Favourite Quote: I've waited a long time to say this: Jackie Tyler, do as I say!moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (8)

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    • When everybody runs in the church during the initial reaper attack, Jackie picks up Rose's baby carriage. However, it is obviously empty.

    • The Doctor is very careful to avoid Rose coming into contact with baby Rose. This isn't the first time the Doctor has been concerned about this - although it doesn't apply (it seems) to Time Lords. In Mawdryn Undead The Brigadier comes into contact with a past version of himself, causing a sort of "temporal short".

    • Baby Rose's eyes are blue, but older Rose's eyes are hazel. On the other hand, it's not unheard of for a baby's eyes to start blue and darken with age.

    • On the DVD commentary for this episode, Billie Piper said this was her favourite episode from the first season.

    • (Unless Rose has 2 phones) Adam could have given back the phone to Rose in the TARDIS on the journey between 200,000 and Adam's own time.

    • This episode shows that changing history has violent ramifications. However this also implies that every time the Doctor or his companions saves someone's life (or kills them--cf. The End of the World) there is a risk of something like this happening--especially if they don't know the local history.

    • Rose's mum does not look 20 years younger as compared to Aliens of London/World War III which is supposedly 2006. Even with the big hair.

    • Although the TARDIS has changed into just a call box, the Doctor leaves it without locking it.

  • QUOTES (23)

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    • Stuart: Excuse me, Mister... The Doctor: Doctor. Stuart: You seem to know what's going on. The Doctor: I give that impression, yeah.

    • Rose: You can't tell her. Pete: Why? Rose: I mean, uh, I really don't want you to tell her. Pete: What, you don't want people to know? Rose: Where I come from, Jackie doesn't know how to work the time on the video recorder. Pete: I showed her that last week. Point taken.

    • new version of Pete's death Jackie: The driver was just a kid. He stopped. He waited for the police, it wasn't his fault. For some reason, Pete just ran out. People say there was this girl, and she sat with Pete while he was dying, and she held his hand, and then she was gone. I never found out who she was.

    • original version of Pete's death Jackie: He died so close to home. I wasn't there, nobody was. It was a hit and run driver, never found out who. He was dead when the ambulance got there. I only wish there had been someone there for him.

    • (Opening of the episode) Rose: Peter Alan Tyler, my dad. The most wonderful man in the world. Born fifteenth September, 1954.

    • Rose: When time gets sorted out… The Doctor: Everybody here forgets what happened. Don't worry. The thing that you changed will… stay changed. Pete: You mean I'll still be alive. Though I'm meant to be dead. [pause] That's why I haven't done anything with my life. Why I didn't mean anything. The Doctor: It doesn't work like that. Pete: Rubbish. I'm so useless I couldn't even die properly.

    • Pete: Am I a good dad? Rose: You told me a bedtime story every night when I was small. You were always there. You never missed one. And, um… you took us for picnics in the country every Saturday. You never let us down. You were there for us all the time. Someone I could really rely on. Pete: That's not me.

    • Pete: Me and Rose were just talking. Jackie: Oh yeah? Talking? While the world comes to an end, what do you do? Cling to the youngest blonde.

    • The Doctor: Between you and me, I haven't got a plan. No idea. No way out. Rose: You'll think of something. The Doctor: The entire Earth's been sterilised. This and other places like it are all that's left of the human race. We might hold out for a while but nothing can stop those creatures. They'll get through in the end. The walls aren't that old. And there's nothing I can do to stop them. There used to be laws stopping this kind of thing from happening. My people would have stopped this. But they're all gone. And now I'm going the same way.

    • The Doctor: The police can't help you now. No one can. Nothing in this universe can harm those things. Time's been damaged and they've come to sterilise the wound. (pause; he walks over to Rose) By consuming everything inside. Rose: Is this because… Is this my fault? (The Doctor doesn't answer her, but just walks away)

    • Jackie: (about Rose) Another one of yours, is she? Pete: She saved my life! Jackie: Oh, that's a new one. What was it last time? Pete: I didn't even know her. She was a cloakroom attendant. (to Rose) I was helping her look for my ticket. There was three duffel coats all the same, somehow the rack… collapsed. We were under all this stuff. Rose: Were you playing around? Jackie: What's it got to do with you what he gets up to? Rose: What does he get up to? Jackie: You'd know! Pete: Oh, cos I'm that stupid? I play around and I then bring her to meet the missus? You silly cow. Jackie: But you are that stupid! Pete: Can we keep this stuff for back home, just for now? Jackie: What, with the rest of the rubbish? You bring home cut-price detergents, tonic water, Betamax tapes and none of it works! I'm drowning in your rubbish! (to Rose) What did he tell you? Did he say he's this big businessman? Cos he's not. He's a failure! Born failure, that one.

    • Rose: I think he left me. Pete: What? A pretty girl like you? If I was going out with you… Rose: Stop. Right there! Pete: I'm just saying… Rose: I know what you're saying, and we're not going there. At no point are we going anywhere near there. You're not even aware that there exists. I don't even wanna think about there and believe me, neither do you. There, for you, is like… like, the Bermuda Triangle.

    • Rose: It's so weird. The day my father died. I thought it'd be all sort of grim and stormy but it's just an ordinary day.

    • Sarah: And I know we're not important... The Doctor: Who said you're not important? I've travelled to all sorts of places, done things you can't even imagine. But... you two... street corner, two in the morning. Getting a taxi home. I never had a life like that. Yes, I'll try to save you.

    • Pete: Now it's my fault all this has happened. Rose: This is my fault. Pete: No, love. I'm your dad. It's my job for it to be my fault.

    • The Doctor: Rose, there's a man alive in the world who wasn't alive before. An ordinary man. That's the most important thing in creation. The whole world's different because he's alive.

    • The Doctor: My entire planet died. My whole family. You think it never occurred to me to go back and save them?

    • The Doctor: Your wish is my command. But be careful what you wish for.

    • The Doctor: I did it again. I picked another stupid ape. I should have known. It's not about showing you the universe. It never is. It's about the universe doing something for you.

    • The Doctor: The past is another country. 1987's just the Isle of Wight.

    • The Doctor: I've waited a long time to say this: Jackie Tyler, do as I say!

    • The Doctor: Just... tell me you're sorry.

    • The Doctor: So don't touch the baby! Rose: I'm not stupid! The Doctor: You could have fooled me!

  • NOTES (16)

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    • Original International Air Dates: Turkey: October 18, 2009 on CNBC-e.

    • In the original script, when the Doctor opened up the TARDIS it was meant to fall apart instead of just appearing empty. This was changed due to cost reasons, but writer Paul Cornell stated on the commentary he thought the change was an improvement.

    • Originally writer Paul Cornell envisioned the Reapers as having the well-known hood & scythe appearance of the Grim Reaper. However, later drafts saw this change into something less humanoid. Special effects company The Mill made the Reapers' tails scythe-shaped in tribute to Cornell's original concept. The Hood and Scythe creatures later appeared in Torchwood episode, 'Exit Wounds'.

    • Music: 'Never Gonna Give You Up' by Rick Astley, and then 'Don't Mug Yourself' by The Streets, playing in the car as Rose and Pete drive to the wedding.

    • The final viewing figure for the BBC One airing of this episode was 8.06 million.

    • The church used in this episode is St Paul's Church in Grangetown, Cardiff.

    • The location where Pete Tyler is originally killed is Loudoun Square, Bute Town, Cardiff, which was also the same location used for the "big yellow truck" scene in "The Parting of the Ways."

    • Paul Cornell has previously written an adventure for the Ninth Doctor...but not Christopher Eccleston. Cornell wrote Scream of the Shalka, a fully Flash-animated internet-broadcast adventure produced by the BBC and featuring Richard E. Grant as the Ninth Doctor.

    • This episode was nominated for the 2006 Hugo award for "Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form."

    • The reptilian flying creatures are never identified as "Reapers" either on-screen or in the script. They are only given that name in the publicity material, presumably so that they could be called something. They bear a resemblance to the Chronovores, a creature from the original series' episode "The Time Monster." Writer Paul Cornell also used the Chronovores in his novel No Future.

    • The driver of the car is identified as "Matt" in the shooting script but not on-screen.

    • Working titles: "Wounded Time" and "Wound in Time."

    • Another "Bad Wolf" sighting: toward the beginning of the episode, as the shot pans left along the posters on the brick wall, the "Energize" poster on the bottom has been defaced with the words "Bad Wolf".

    • We learn Mickey is a few years older than Rose

    • In this episode, we see the Doctor die, for the first time. However, he didn't regenerate. (Reply) It's hard to regenerate when you've been eaten by an extradimensional monster from outside time. Regeneration merely allows you to recover from fatal wounds, no recover from being eaten/ blown up/ burnt to ashes etc.

    • Described in the Radio Times Doctor Who special as: "there'll be trouble if you go trying to change history - as Rose discovers to her cost".

  • ALLUSIONS (4)

    ADD ALLUSIONS

    • Suzie: There's no one from the Lamb and Flag... The Lamb and Flag was one of the regular settings in 'Bottom' a British sitcom of the early 1990s, and later a series of stage shows written by Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson.

    • Registrar: I, Peter Alan Tyler, take you, Jacqueline Andrea Suzette Prentice… Pete: I, Peter Alan Tyler, take you, Jacqueline… Suzanne… Suzette… Anita… Jackie: (to Registrar) Oh, just carry on. It was good enough for Lady Di. Jackie refers to the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer to Prince Charles at St. Paul's Cathedral on July 29 1981 when she famously got his names mixed up when taking her vows.

    • Voice On Phone: Watson, come here, I need you. This is intended to be the first words ever spoken via telephone by inventor Alexander Graham Bell to his assistant Thomas A. Watson on March 10 1876. However, there is some debate as to the original wording of the message, whether Bell said he 'wanted' Watson or 'needed' him.

    • Rose: So you're a bit of a Del Boy then? Del Boy is the dodgy loveable hero in the BBC sit-com 'Only Fools And Horses' (BBC TV 15.9.1981 – 25.12.2003).

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