ebonlock | "Oh my god...I'm the tin metal dog!"

Good lord,

elo_sf warned me that he was crying by the end of this one, and I totally joined him. I am a big, blubbery mess at the moment, wiping away tears and sniffling. It's really quite pathetic.

This is far and away the best episode of the series so far, and they're going to be very hard pressed to top it. The scene where the Doctor first lays eyes on Sarah Jane was a thing of beauty, that moment of surprise and delight when he sees her and tries to cover and pretend he's just John Smith. Only topped by the moment where Sarah Jane stumbles upon the TARDIS, the mix of pleasure and pain that washes over her is just so poignant.

I'm not sure I could pick a favorite moment, there were so many good ones to choose from. Mickey's gradual change from reluctant sidekick to all but begging the Doctor to take him along. Rose's realization that she's not the Doctor's only companion...and only love. Sarah Jane's heartbroken, "I waited for you...why didn't you come back?" The Doctor's subtle admission of his love for both women, and the fact that he knows, and has always known that both relationships were doomed.

Ah gods this episode kicked my ass so thoroughly on every level, though the final parting between SJS and the Doctor really did me in. "Oh it's not good-bye..." the Doctor begins blithely, only to have Sarah Jane interrupt him with, "No, say it Doctor, this time I need you to say it."

*sob*

And K-9! Such a good little dog. Gods I'm so glad he left her a new one at the end, as

tamago commented to me, "Maybe it means they'll bring back 'K-9 and Company'...only good this time." Heh, two Dr. Who spin-offs? Works for me!

And Tony Head can be my Headmaster any day...rrrrawrrr :)