I think we were told far to much in advance about the Ponds leaving midway. It made the episodes feel like a very long and drawn out goodbye to the characters. It really didn't help much that we said hello and goodbye to them at the start and end of each episode. It felt like they were trying to ween the audience off without really showing them any less. Then in this episode they essentially die, not really just stopping like was expected.
I say they are the worse off because, Donna while she might not remember anything still has her friends and family with her, and there is nothing to suggest she still can't grow as a person. It's just the doctor forces fast change, while for the average person it takes time. It's sad that she isn't who she was when she was with him, but it's not to say she still can't be that person again, it's in her after all.
And Rose while yes originally she was put in a bad position, but by her second leaving I'd honestly say she's in one of the best if not the best position any companion has ever gotten, New and old series included. Friends, family, gets the technically be with the doctor for the rest of her life. Something no one else can really say.
Amy and Rory while having one another are technically cut off from every relation and tie they've ever had in their entire lives. No mothers or fathers, no friends, and whether or not River can actually show up that often who can say. Especially considering it really seems she's getting closer and closer to her own death.
It just really leaves me with a bad taste, the doctor as hard as it's been has always allowed or made his companions leave. It's hurt him to be certain but he's never let that pain stop him from knowing when to let go before. Yes he likely still carries everyone with him that he's ever travelled with that's to be expected, but physically allowing them to go he's never tried to stop this badly before. And because of that this whole situation is on his hands. Compounded by the fact is the talk to Rory's own father the episode previous.
I'm not saying it didn't have to be heartbreaking or sad. It's just the lead up episodes were seriously lacking, and the actual farewell just really doesn't work for me and just paints the doctor in such a bad light it really turns me off quite a bit. Because it really is completely and utterly his own fault. Other companions it was always a choice, or bad place wrong time.
What annoys me most of all is they can't even follow up on this situation and his feelings of it, because he's already getting a new companion next episode during Christmas. Which is why I'm looking forward to the fresh start. But at the same time desperately hoping they don't do another series 3 of 'The rebound companion' where all he does is talk about Amy and Rory too his new companion.
Suppose I just expected better of the Doctor than this... *shrugs*