After the failure of the FOX telefilm, and subsequent attempts to make a big budget “Doctor Who” movie, the BBC regained the rights and tried a new tact. The series would return, in the form of an animated special set for release in November 2003.

It’s a bizarre irony that “Lost” and the show touted to replace it ended in the same week. So what began with a bang for “Flash Forward” months ago, concludes tonight with dramatic whimper, doubtlessly forgotten by the viewers who abandon it months ago. All in all rather a shame, since the denouement is a fairly entertaining but confusing and uneven finale.

With vampires now all the rage again, it’s no surprise that the series would venture into “Twilight” territory, thus allowing The Doctor to face off against some good old fashion Nosferatu.

The way the network was carrying on about “Lost” closing up shop, you’d expect flags to be flying at half mast Monday morning. So with much drama, pomp and circumstance, “Lost” ended its reign as the IT show on ABC with a nicely done two and a half hour finale. It might not answer all the questions and appeal to all fans, but “Lost” ends on a note of hope with plenty of heart and soul — not to mention the mystery and fanaticism its been famous for.

For the past two weeks, there’s been an impostor masquerading as BBC’s hottest show. Sure Matt Smith was there, doing his quirky, brilliant best as the 11th Doctor with his trusty TARDIS and sonic screwdriver. So was Karen Gillan, playing the dreamily beautiful companion Amelia Pond, spunky as she is gorgeous. But alas, the episodes were dreary and flat, lacking any suspense or even a hint of spark. That all changes with episode four, as Steven Moffat brings in the big guns–and they make a helluva bang.

Every since the series was resurrected in 2005, fans have been clamoring for an episode where an earlier incarnation of The Doctor encounters a previous one. But unbeknownst to fans, this has happened years ago, although it wasn’t the 8th/10th Doctor crossover everyone was salivating over. Back in 2007, the Children in Need telethon got Steven Moffat to bring the 5th and 10th Doctors together, with all of creation in the balance. But it’s not just a little seen curiosity, it may also have repercussions for the present season.

The high point of the evening wasn’t the premiere of Marvel Studio’s latest blockbuster, but a bear that had escaped from a nearby circus. It prowled around the parking lot, rumored to have clawed a few cars and generally making it a stressful experience for anyone attempting to see the midnight premiere of “Iron Man 2″. At the very least you were guaranteed to have gotten your money’s worth no matter what you thought of the film.

“Victory of the Daleks” should have been a benchmark episode, the 11th Doctor finally squaring off against his deadliest enemies. So what exactly went wrong? It has a neat idea, but quickly becomes a galaxy of story fragments that coagulate into something resembling a script. Aside from being notable for Matt Smith making the role his own, the third episode under Steven Moffat’s tenure plays more like an extended teaser for the rest of the season than a “Doctor Who” episode.

“Flash Forward” is essentially a dead man walking, a series waiting for the inevitability of cancellation. Ratings are in the sewer, and cast members appear to be leaving like rats off a sinking ship. The series is so sick it’s got bed sores. But when majority of shows would just cut their losses and phone weekly episodes in, who would have thought “Flash Forward” would decide to be brilliant?

All good things must come to an end, this is a certainty of life. Especially true if you’re a fan of “Doctor Who”, and you’ve been spoiled by the recent landmark storyline. Sooner or later, things are going to return to normal and you’re gonna get an episode you really could have done without. Exactly why Steven Moffat decided to hit us with it on the second time out is anyone’s guess.