A Doctor Who a Day - Day 7 - Review: Father's Day
- Matty James
- Dec 31, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 2
Doctor Who Series 1, Episode 8, Father's Day
Original Air Date: 14th May 2005
"I've waited a long time to say this. Jackie Tyler, do as I say!"
When you rewatch the show in order it is hard not to think that Series 1 was a bit of a masterpiece. Father's Day is another brilliant Doctor Who episode, and one which I had underrated on first watch.
For some reason, younger me didn't really like Pete Tyler, but older me thought he was a great character and really well acted by Shaun Dingwall. I am not sure what that says about me? Maybe I have just softened over time?
The Doctor and Rose head off to the 80's to see Rose's Dad. However, it doesn't all go to plan… obviously!
I would have loved to have seen more 80's stuff going on, but I do appreciate budgets perhaps don't allow that, but I am a sucker for some 80's vibes. Stranger Things is an obvious example. Only yesterday did I have a little squeal when Steve and Dustin talked about Duck Hunt. Stranger Things obviously has Netflix behind it, so they can afford the music and the props, so it's a bit unfair to compare 2005 Doctor Who to this.
"Jackie, sometimes a duffle coat is just a duffle coat."
But I do love me some 80’s. GTA Vice City is my favourite game, Ashes to Ashes is one of my favourite programs. And does anyone remember Sky's Dream Team and its 80's special? It was brilliant!
The music, the fashion, the simpler way of life. Don't get me wrong, I'm not silly enough to think it was all rainbows and laughter… Maggie Thatcher existed after all. But other than Jackie's hair, a big phone, and a quite important car, there wasn't much in the way of the 1980's in Father's Day.
That is a minor gripe though, as the story is great. It also feels like our first real foray into the trouble with time travel. It could have been a story that Steven Moffat wrote.
Seeing Rose run past Rose and the Doctor was a thrill, it wasn't something that had been seen before, at least for me anyway.
Here is one of my Hot takes, and please put down the pitchforks when I say it. I prefer the chemistry between Rose and Nine to Rose and Ten. They are such a great team. Their argument over Rose saving her Dad is tense, and at one point you really do think the Doctor will leave her. I didn't share Rose's confidence that he would come back. Would he have come back if he could have flown away in the TARDIS? I think the answer is obviously yes, but you never quite knew.
"I’ve had all these extra hours. No one in the world’s ever had that. And on top of that, I get to see you. And you’re beautiful. How lucky am I, eh?"
I was more touched by Pete and his willingness to sacrifice himself for his daughter this time around. When he realises she is telling porkies about him being a great Dad it really tugs at the old heartstrings. Pete and Jackie are great together as well, a real love hate relationship, but you know deep down they do really love each other.
I guess the other complaint about this episode is we never see the Reapers again. And given the nature of the show, that seems odd. But as with a lot of things in this series, everything has a reason. There are no visions of granddaughters that lead nowhere here. Rose comforted her Dad as he died, and that led to Jackie believing the Doctor was a good man, which led to Jackie helping Rose become the Bad Wolf.
Series 1 is so good!
One final thing, I want to wish everyone a very happy 2026. Let's hope some rich shits get brought down a peg or three this year! Hope not hate!
What did you think of Father's Day? Let me know in the comments below.
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