Memorable

Doctor Who’s farewell to Rose Tyler named the greatest scene in science fiction by fans.

The scene topped a poll for the new edition of SFX magazine to find the all-time best bits in sci-fi, horror and fantasy.

While that is a great scene, I wouldn’t say it was the best one ever.  But then, I’m only focusing on Doctor Who.

I harken back to my earliest days before I was even a fan. The Ark in Space, which was my very first story (and may have something to do with this opinion) contains a fantastic speech about humanity delivered by Tom Baker.

But I also still think the end of Caves of Androzani Part 3 is a real cracker.

The Doctor’s farewell to companion Rose Tyler in Doctor Who has been named the greatest scene in science fiction by fans.

The scene – between actors David Tennant and Billie Piper, first screened eight years ago – topped a poll for the new edition of SFX magazine to find the all-time best bits in sci-fi, horror and fantasy.

The fact that of all SF/F this is the best is quite an honor for the program. After all, being memorable is part of the TV game. Look at Firefly 11 years later, and that was only 14 episodes!

Runner-up in the list – to mark the magazine’s 250th edition – was a scene in the film Avengers Assemble in which The Hulk bashes a helpless Loki from side to side like a rag doll, while the “chestburster” moment in screen hit Alien took third place.

Both Very worthy.

The winning scene – which topped a list compiled from more than 90,000 reader votes – saw a hologram of The Doctor say his goodbyes to his sidekick but the image fades out before he has chance to say he loves her.

Tennant said of the climax to the pair’s story: “It all came together so perfectly in this scene that people still talk to me about it with misty eyes all these years later – and I suspect they always will. Whatever else I do and wherever else I end up, this will be a moment I will be forever proud to look back on.”

The magazine said of the winning moment: “We’ve all had to bid farewell to someone we care about – even if it wasn’t forced upon us by the threat of universal destruction – and this eye-moistening moment perfectly encapsulates the agony of break-up.” (Wales online)

1. Doctor Who – The Doctor and Rose say farewell

2. Avengers Assemble – The Hulk beats up Loki

3. Alien – the alien bursts from John Hurt’s chest

4. Firefly – a bad guy gets kicked into an engine intake

5. The Empire Strikes Back – Luke Skywalker learns that Darth Vader is his father

 

See what I mean about memorable. 🙂