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The first part of the two-part season finale is excellent. We start to see all the series IV threads come together in an episode featuring an unprecedented number of crossovers, companions and the return of an old enemy. Classic.

The episode begins where we left off in Turn Left. The Doctor is concerned the universe is about to end and returns immediately to Earth. Only to find everything is normal. And then the Earth disappears and the Doctor and Donna are left behind in the TARDIS in empty space.

A few moments later the inhabitants of Earth are recovering from the jolt. We see Martha Jones, Captain Jack Harkness and two Torchwood members, Sarah Jane Smith and companions, Donna's mother and grandfather, and finally Rose, all in different locations. This sort of gathering of companions is usually reserved for special events, eg. the Five Doctors.

The Doctor and Donna travel to the Shadow Proclamation and we discover it is a place guarded by the Judoon (last seen in Smith and Jones). The Doctor is told it's more than just the Earth that has gone missing, it's 24 others. Donna asks about Pryovillia and the Adipose planet. The Doctor realises it's a total of 27. When displayed in 3D they re-arrange themselves automatically and the Doctor muses about the purpose behind this and about someone who tried to steal the Earth before. The Doctor is at a loss how to find the Earth until Donna mentions the bees disappearing - something I spotted a few times. The Doctor traces the alien bees to the Medusa Cascade (yet another new series thread). He is then stumped and appears to give up.

Back on Earth, we discover the daleks are behind it all. A whole new fleet lead by a supreme dalek and including a damaged (insane?) dalek Cann. They invade. A subwave network is activated by none other than deposed British PM, Harriet Jones. It contacts the companions who then plan together. Rose can only listen in; the others are unaware of her presence. Eventually they figure out how to transmit on the subwave network and contact the Doctor's phone. Everyone is connected.

Then another revelation - there is yet one more dalek to reveal: Davros. He's still alive and behind all this. Indeed dalek Caan somehow rescued him from the time-war. And he's used his own cells to create more daleks.

The Doctor and Donna head to Earth and the tension builds. Jack leaves Torchwood to find the TARDIS while the daleks reach it. Sarah Jane leaves her house but runs into daleks. The Doctor and Rose are re-united, but the Doctor is struck by a glancing bolt from a dalek. Rose and Jack get him into the TARDIS and he begins to re-generate. A superb set-up for the final episode.

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Now I try and avoid the Doctor on the web while I haven't watched the episodes, but I'm pretty sure I would have heard if there was a new Doctor. So this re-generation can't happen. But how does the Doctor stop it?