Historical stories were always a part of Doctor Who. And the 2005 series saw a fantastic double episode Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, set in the Second World War. So it seemed natural to look at the First World War. The Battle of the Somme is arguably the most famous battle in that war, and arguably the most tragic. By far the biggest casualties on that first day were among the Ulster Division, mainly Protestants from what is now Northern Ireland. Another large section, however, was from the North-West of England. Many of the casualties came from Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and other towns and cities of that region. The ‘Salford Pals’, the Accrington Pals and many other groups of mostly working class men, mostly young, suffered badly. The scenario in this story of the underage boy joining up with his brother was all too common. And streets like Chapel Street in Salford saw so many young men killed all in the one day that the British Army changed it's recruitment policy and ensured that they split up ‘pals’ into different regiments to avoid such wholesale tragedy which was causing even the most loyal people to question the value of the war.

Such is the history behind this story which serves as a glimpse into the tragedy. The Doctor’s reaction to what was going on is, I think, perfectly in character. He knew he could do nothing to stop the battle. But his compassion for all creation meant that he was bound to give what help he could in the aftermath.

The idea of him going through the field hospital and showing the dying the way to die is a disturbing one, of course. In the ordinary way The Doctor would be very much pro-life, I think, and euthanasia would be anathema to him. But in the very specific situation of that field hospital and the particularly agonising injuries, he offers those in extremis an option that they may take. He does not do it lightly, though. Life is always precious to him.

The scene in the hospital in which The Doctor unites Rose’s future grandparents is intended as a contrast to the ‘angel of death’ scene, to show that life, after all, does go on even in a place like that.

The Doctor and Jack in this episode have some interesting interaction. Jack’s feelings for The Doctor are, of course, an ongoing issue. It ought to be obvious to anyone, of course, that Jack is very attached to him. The Doctor certainly knows it. But his hearts and soul belong to Rose. Jack accepts a bond of friendship with him as the best he can hope for.

And Rose, meanwhile, tells it to him straight about leaving her out of the loop. His love for her cannot be allowed to sideline her from the action. That would be the Lois and Clarke syndrome that has to be avoided at all costs.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWsomme.htm

http://www.cdli.ca/beaumont/somme2.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Somme_(1916)