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Doctor Who: Flux
To sum up:
Spoilers below cut, although not a lot of thoughts.
First of all, I am v. proud of this icon which I made way back after The Haunting of Villa Diodati aired, because give me poetry, and I'm THERE. Alas, there was to be no more poetry, and Chibnall!Who turns my brain to teflon - it just slides off, barely leaving a mark.
Aaaanyway. Flux was fun and kept me engaged throughout.
When watching the first episode I had the very odd experience of being completely detached - not sure how to explain it, except for what it must be like for a casual viewer? Also had completely forgotten everything about 'The Division' (and that that was its name) so a good chunk of the plot wasn't apparently connected to anything, until I saw other people's takes and went 'Oh, so that's why'.
I thought the Angel episode was the best - it was smart and clever and used the angels incredibly well and had some stunning imagery.
I liked the villains (Blue Hordak and his sister, the Christmas tree bauble - Swarm & Azure, hey I remembered the names!), but they didn't really get to do much later on and their motivations were meh.
Was very happy to see Tecteun again, less happy that she was immediately killed off. Have no particular interest in the whole Timeless Child thing, and am wondering how (and if) Chibbers is going to tie it all up in the specials.
ETA: Oh oh oh! Knew I was forgetting something, but like I said, it just all slides off my brain, like easy-listening-jazz. Wrt the fob watch & stowing it away, THIS was all I could think of:
Alas Flux gave us very few answers (except for some exposition on The Division) and by the end this was my main thought:
Not bad stuff, it was very engaging, but there was no emotional pay-off.
It's really hard not to sound negative - it was perfectly enjoyable, I just have nothing to say.
(ETA2: A few more thoughts on Chibbers here in the comments on LJ, specifically wrt Companions.)
Spoilers below cut, although not a lot of thoughts.
First of all, I am v. proud of this icon which I made way back after The Haunting of Villa Diodati aired, because give me poetry, and I'm THERE. Alas, there was to be no more poetry, and Chibnall!Who turns my brain to teflon - it just slides off, barely leaving a mark.
Aaaanyway. Flux was fun and kept me engaged throughout.
When watching the first episode I had the very odd experience of being completely detached - not sure how to explain it, except for what it must be like for a casual viewer? Also had completely forgotten everything about 'The Division' (and that that was its name) so a good chunk of the plot wasn't apparently connected to anything, until I saw other people's takes and went 'Oh, so that's why'.
I thought the Angel episode was the best - it was smart and clever and used the angels incredibly well and had some stunning imagery.
I liked the villains (Blue Hordak and his sister, the Christmas tree bauble - Swarm & Azure, hey I remembered the names!), but they didn't really get to do much later on and their motivations were meh.
Was very happy to see Tecteun again, less happy that she was immediately killed off. Have no particular interest in the whole Timeless Child thing, and am wondering how (and if) Chibbers is going to tie it all up in the specials.
ETA: Oh oh oh! Knew I was forgetting something, but like I said, it just all slides off my brain, like easy-listening-jazz. Wrt the fob watch & stowing it away, THIS was all I could think of:
Alas Flux gave us very few answers (except for some exposition on The Division) and by the end this was my main thought:
Not bad stuff, it was very engaging, but there was no emotional pay-off.
It's really hard not to sound negative - it was perfectly enjoyable, I just have nothing to say.
(ETA2: A few more thoughts on Chibbers here in the comments on LJ, specifically wrt Companions.)
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All I want from TV is to feel like this (for better or worse):
WHY can't Chibnall do that on Doctor Who?? WHY? Goodness knows there were a lot of emotions on Torchwood. (/rhetorical question, pls ignore)
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Just sit back, ignore, and wait for RTD. ;)
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The Chibnall era haven't really been filled with storytelling I enjoy, but I have liked seaons regardless and enjoyed the second season much more than season 1, and I do like the 13th doctor, so I am sad to see her go.
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I hope you enjoy! Without spoiling anything, I can say that Chibnall is far better at serialised story-telling than standalones. :)
The Chibnall era haven't really been filled with storytelling I enjoy, but I have liked seaons regardless and enjoyed the second season much more than season 1, and I do like the 13th doctor, so I am sad to see her go.
Same here. I just wish I cared about her more. But hey, she gets to be plenty Doctor-y in Flux!
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They made a great start but then did nothing. I had this argument with a friend about them, actually.
Her: "I love them, they're great!"
Me: "But what are they DOING?"
Nothing much as it turns out!
Was very happy to see Tecteun again, less happy that she was immediately killed off.
I knowwwwww. I couldn't believe Chibnall killed her off so cheaply (although I don't know why I was surprised, that's been his MO with Doctor Who).
it was very engaging, but there was no emotional pay-off.
Yes, and this is the overarching issue with Chibnall Who for me. All these great characters and ideas but very little actually done with them, no follow through. Three series of Thirteen and the story's barely moved. The Simpsons GIF is spot on.
Have no particular interest in the whole Timeless Child thing, and am wondering how (and if) Chibbers is going to tie it all up in the specials.
I don't care about it, either, and I'm looking forward to RTD quietly ignoring the whole thing! Or investing it with actual meaning. Either would be good.
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Accurate argument is accurate. They started off great and then just... dwindled off. Which was a shame, because they managed to act through all the make-up. All the props to the actors!
I knowwwwww. I couldn't believe Chibnall killed her off so cheaply (although I don't know why I was surprised, that's been his MO with Doctor Who).
Grumble, grumble. Well IF the Doctor ever accesses her memories, then presumably she'll be back. (sigh)
Yes, and this is the overarching issue with Chibnall Who for me. All these great characters and ideas but very little actually done with them, no follow through. Three series of Thirteen and the story's barely moved. The Simpsons GIF is spot on.
Thank you. Companions should elicit this response:
Not this exchange wrt Tara:
XANDER: I'm not really sure what kind of thing she'd ... I mean, I don't really know her that well.
BUFFY: (nods) I know.
XANDER: (quickly) I mean, she's nice.
BUFFY: (quickly) Yeah! Yeah, nice ... nice. I-it's just, I-I sort of... XANDER: I don't necessarily get her ... but she's really nice.
BUFFY: Yeah. There's ... just that thing.
XANDER: (agreeing) That thing.
BUFFY: As for example. But she's super nice.
XANDER: You betcha.
^Chibnall characters. (Most specifically Yaz who should be The Awesomest, and we should all stan her like mad, and instead she's just there being quietly competent and not getting the recognition she deserves.
I don't care about it, either, and I'm looking forward to RTD quietly ignoring the whole thing! Or investing it with actual meaning. Either would be good.
I am SO CURIOUS. He's already written the 60th I think? *claps*
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^_^ I would now add - fixed the Doctor (11th) and then did a deep dive into all his issues (12th). So Chibnall could have gone *anywhere*. Although to be fair, being 'fairly well-adjusted' is not the best thing for a main character... ;)
So now Chibnall's broken the Doctor again — or, really, more, he's broken the show — and I'm kind of hoping RTD will be able to mend it.
Promethia said how it's funny that RTD was the first one to break the show and he's now the one who has to pick up all the pieces & put it back together.
I don't want him to ignore the Timeless Child, because it's there now, but I really would like to see him give it a point, a purpose, and actually have some kind of effect on something!
I forgot to mention, but the moment where the Doctor asks Tecteun if the Master told the truth & Tecteun confirms it is so funny. Because the Doctor's face is all 'Really?? He didn't lie?? That must be a first.' Anyway, let the fanboys (i.e. Chibnall & RTD) work it all out. I just want to be entertained, and (hopefully, when RTD takes over again) engaged.
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Yeah, I felt so bad for them, they did a great job with what they were given and they were underused. But then you could say that about a lot of the characters in Flux sadly. :/
Well IF the Doctor ever accesses her memories, then presumably she'll be back. (sigh)
Maybe that's what RTD wrote for the 60th? We can dream, right? I'm also annoyed that we got so little of Ruthless Doctor in Flux. You know there's a real problem when someone who's supposed to only have a few appearances has more impact and charisma than most of the recurring characters. Speaking of which...
Yaz who should be The Awesomest, and we should all stan her like mad, and instead she's just there being quietly competent and not getting the recognition she deserves.
I do love Yaz but it doesn't seem like Chibnall does. Even though she's a police officer! Yaz really feels like the Martha of Chibnall Who and not even in a GOOD way. At least Martha had some development, even if it was through a terrible unrequited love storyline. I'M ACTUALLY NOSTALGIC FOR THAT, DEAR LORD. *drags hands down face*
I also love Dan, mainly because John Bishop can carry the comedy much better than Bradley Walsh. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Not saying Bradley was bad, exactly, just that John is better.
The exchange about Tara made me smile a little because in the end she did have a huge impact on the storyline, even if the character herself was a bit 'meh'. And I'm not sure if Yaz will even get that. *sigh*
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It's so WEIRD.
Maybe that's what RTD wrote for the 60th? We can dream, right?
Hmmm, WHO KNOWS. Me trying to work out what RTD is planning:
I'm also annoyed that we got so little of Ruthless Doctor in Flux.
I mean, I appreciate trying to make the Doctor 'smaller', because if they can just flicktheir wrist & solve everything that is a problem, but zomg I love ruthless!Doctor... (sigh)
I do love Yaz but it doesn't seem like Chibnall does. Even though she's a police officer! Yaz really feels like the Martha of Chibnall Who and not even in a GOOD way. At least Martha had some development, even if it was through a terrible unrequited love storyline. I'M ACTUALLY NOSTALGIC FOR THAT, DEAR LORD. *drags hands down face*
OK, this made me laugh. BUT. I bloody love Martha - sure she got stuck with a shitty crush, but she was also such a HBIC and was generally awesome. We watched 'Smith & Jones' not too long ago, and she just SHINES. Why does Yaz not shine?? :( All the components are there, she just... doesn't. (Hence why I hope she sticks around for RTD - and she's said she might - I'd LOVE to see what he'd do with her.)
I also love Dan, mainly because John Bishop can carry the comedy much better than Bradley Walsh. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Not saying Bradley was bad, exactly, just that John is better.
Dan is ADORABLE and running around hitting Sontarans round the head with a wok is peak companion stuff. Luff him.
The exchange about Tara made me smile a little because in the end she did have a huge impact on the storyline, even if the character herself was a bit 'meh'. And I'm not sure if Yaz will even get that. *sigh*
*shakes Chibnall* Go on, let her SHINE! I forgot to mention (should add it to the post) that Darcy commented on Mandip's acting ability (cos she is v good), imagine what she could do if they gave her something interesting to do!
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Oh, I meant Jo Martin aka Ruth aka Ruthless Doctor! But yes, I also wish they'd let Thirteen be darker. At least we had that nasty moment where she tried to guilt trip Yaz over asking basic questions with "Haven't I shown you amazing things?!"
I bloody love Martha - sure she got stuck with a shitty crush, but she was also such a HBIC and was generally awesome. We watched 'Smith & Jones' not too long ago, and she just SHINES.
You're absolutely right.
Why does Yaz not shine?? :( All the components are there, she just... doesn't. (Hence why I hope she sticks around for RTD - and she's said she might - I'd LOVE to see what he'd do with her.)
Oh man, I hope so because Mandip DESERVES a good script. She is so talented, as Darcy said. When Jericho died, her expression was so good.
running around hitting Sontarans round the head with a wok is peak companion stuff.
It was perfect. I wish Dan had been given more of an opportunity to actually interact with Thirteen! I don't know why he's going with the Doctor when he barely knows her. He's far more attached to Yaz.
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Ahhh, I have not come across that moniker. (I have not engaged with fannish discourse in... forever.)
But yes, I also wish they'd let Thirteen be darker. At least we had that nasty moment where she tried to guilt trip Yaz over asking basic questions with "Haven't I shown you amazing things?!"
*snort* Dunno that I would call it 'nasty' just... weird. Yaz has been there long enough to be a top tier companion and 13 still treats her like... Peri. (Poor Peri, but at least Six was an arse to everyone.) (I love Six, no hate plz.)
Oh man, I hope so because Mandip DESERVES a good script. She is so talented, as Darcy said. When Jericho died, her expression was so good.
*nods a lot* And that whole episode where the characters kept moving around and Mandip played like half the cast? *chef's kiss*
It was perfect. I wish Dan had been given more of an opportunity to actually interact with Thirteen! I don't know why he's going with the Doctor when he barely knows her. He's far more attached to Yaz.
Everyone loves the Doctor Just Because! (I shan't blame only Chibnall for this. Wilf was full of praise for Ten despite what happened to Donna...)
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Yeah, it's very weird in that Thirteen acts like Yaz is some noob who needs to 'show some respect dammit' but Yaz has been around for YEARS at this point? And at least Six was prickly with everybody because that was just a feature of his personality. I wouldn't MIND if Thirteen had that aspect, too, but just WRITE IT CONSISTENTLY.
Everyone loves the Doctor Just Because! (I shan't blame only Chibnall for this. Wilf was full of praise for Ten despite what happened to Donna...)
Wilf did remain a big fan of Ten despite Donna losing all her character development, you're right. A lot of characters still loved Ten despite the way he treated them (Jack, Martha), but I always put that down to RTD thinking nobody could possibly hate David Tennant. :')
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At least it FINALLY seems like things are coming to a point! (If that's the right term? Am half asleep.)
And at least Six was prickly with everybody because that was just a feature of his personality. I wouldn't MIND if Thirteen had that aspect, too, but just WRITE IT CONSISTENTLY.
Well Thirteen is is CONSISTENTLY opaque and secretive!
Wilf did remain a big fan of Ten despite Donna losing all her character development, you're right. A lot of characters still loved Ten despite the way he treated them (Jack, Martha), but I always put that down to RTD thinking nobody could possibly hate David Tennant. :')
... He has a point, I mean, just look at those eyes! *g*
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I think so. At least Yaz is finally getting fed up with the Doctor's hot and cold treatment.
Thirteen is is CONSISTENTLY opaque and secretive!
This is true.
He has a point, I mean, just look at those eyes! *g*
As Donna would say, "meh". ;)
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I need to actually finish & post a fic I started AGES ago. About The Fam meeting previous companions. (ponders)
As Donna would say, "meh". ;)
LOL
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Just odd.