#dws1

DOCTOR WHO

The End of the World is where we first learn of the Time War and its emotional effect on the Doctor.

Aliens of London/World War Three is where Jackie demands that the Doctor keep Rose safe. Of course he may have sent her home anyway, but that is called back to by Jackie herself when she praises him for doing the right thing by sending Rose home, and it's a really good emotional through line.

Dalek obviously introduced new audience members to the concept of the Daleks and everyone else to the context of what the Time War actually was and the ninth Doctor's specific emotional relationship to the Daleks.

The Long Game is essentially the story that the finale is a sequel to. It introduces us to Satellite 5 and the unintended consequences of the Doctor's actions are what cause the hellish circumstances we see in Bad Wolf. The title also only becomes clear once we get a reference to the "long game" the Daleks have been playing in the finale.

Father's Day provides an important emotional beat that is what convinces Jackie to help Rose, without which she couldn't have saved the Doctor.

Finally, Boom Town introduces the concept of the heart of the TARDIS, both to Rose and the audience. It also has Mickey struggling with being in love with Rose even though she doesn't really feel the same way, a narrative beat that is completed in The Parting of the Ways when Rose confirms there's nothing left for her at home and Mickey decides to help her get back to the Doctor.

There may be things I've missed, but these are what leapt out at me on this rewatch, and I think it makes the finale, and series 1 as a whole, richer.

DOCTOR WHO