The Parting of the Ways

166b – "The Parting of the Ways"
Doctor Who episode
The TARDIS crew face the Dalek Emperor — and his army.
Cast
Doctor Christopher Eccleston (Ninth Doctor) David Tennant (Tenth Doctor)
Companions Billie Piper (Rose Tyler) John Barrowman (Jack Harkness)
Others Jo Stone-Fewings – Male Programmer Jo Joyner – Lynda Paterson Joseph – Rodrick Nisha Nayar – Female Programmer Noel Clarke – Mickey Smith Camille Coduri – Jackie Tyler Anne Robinson – Voice of Anne Droid Nicholas Briggs – Dalek voices Alan Ruscoe – Android Jenna Russell – Floor Manager
Production
Directed by	Joe Ahearne
Written by	Russell T Davies
Script editor	Helen Raynor
Produced by	Phil Collinson
Executive producer(s)	Russell T Davies Julie Gardner Mal Young
Incidental music composer	Murray Gold
Production code	1.13
Series	Series 1
Length	2nd of 2-part story, 45 minutes
Originally broadcast	18 June 2005
Chronology
← Preceded by Followed by → "Bad Wolf" "Doctor Who: Children in Need" (mini-episode) "The Christmas Invasion" (special)

"The Parting of the Ways" is the thirteenth episode of the revamped first series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, which was first broadcast on 18 June 2005. It was the second episode of the two-part story that featured Christopher Eccleston making his last appearance as the Ninth Doctor and marks the first appearance of David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor. This is also the last episode to feature Jack Harkness as a regular companion on Doctor Who. Jack would appear as a guest companion in the Series 3 finale "Utopia", "The Sound of Drums" and "Last of the Time Lords" and again in the Series 4 finale "The Stolen Earth" / "Journey's End". The first part, "Bad Wolf", was broadcast on 11 June.

The episode opens with the Daleks questioning Rose on what the Doctor will do next. The Doctor uses the extrapolator on the TARDIS to generate a protective shield around them as he materialises around Rose and a Dalek. Jack destroys the Dalek and they exit the TARDIS to speak to the Daleks. The Doctor is surprised to see the Dalek Emperor in command, and even more surprised when the Emperor describes himself as a god. The Emperor survived the Time War and escaped to Earth in a crippled ship, where he rebuilt the Dalek race by harvesting DNA material from selected humans that were transmatted to them by the Game Station. The Doctor observes that the Daleks have gained human traits and emotions from this process and have become deadlier than ever. The Doctor, Rose, and Jack use the TARDIS to return to the Game Station and prepare for an imminent attack.