LOTS of rambly thoughts about EVERYTHING! (DW + TW)

[elisi]

Oh that’s fearsome writing.

::is still in shock::

Seriously though. I watched it three times last night (don't think I've *ever* done that before with any episode of *any* show), and I’m still utterly awed. I can’t remember the last time we had an episode this dense - not a single second wasted. Crammed full of characters and plot and story and continuity and... *flails* Not to mention the worst cliff-hanger EVER!

But, let me try to find some coherence. (Not much, admittedly, but *some* at least.)

The beginning was *brilliant* - the Earth being normal (and a Saturday), and then everything being shaken up, before cutting to all our heroes and teams: Sylvia and Wilf, Sarah Jane and Luke, Martha @ UNIT, Jack @ Torchwood (as usual Ianto got the best line: “Slight loss of dignity, but that’s nothing new.” Every time Torchwood came on screen I flailed and wibbled like you wouldn't believe. Srsly, I’ve missed them SO MUCH!)

And then Rose (with that f*cking huge gun!!!!) and the revelation - it was gorgeously, gorgeously done. A sky full of planets...

Oh - almost forgot about the DoctorDonna side of things. How he’s all ‘OMG it’s the end of the universe’ and she says ‘But isn’t it good that Rose is coming back?’ Just because she wants to make him happy! Have I mentioned how much I love Donna?

Which then leads to - Earth vanished! (I love the ‘fearsome’ line. It just really, really works. Because it takes a lot to impress the Doctor, and this time he’s almost speechless.) And then - The Shadow Proclamation! Squee!

Back on earth Rose was being zomg cool (loved her ‘Have one on me mate!’ and her pleasant threats.) Loved Ianto watching Paul O’Grady (Channel 4 *would* put Paul O’Grady on, wouldn’t they? *g*). Which of course leads to ‘Ex-ter-mi-nate!’ and we see Rose, Martha, Sarah Jane and Jack all utterly stunned, terrified and lost. (And Jack hugged both Gwen and Ianto and kissed them. Shiniest OT3 on screen, I *swear*!)

And then the Doctor spoke Judoon!!!!!! *flailflailflail* And sounded sooooo cool and commanding. (It was another one of those things that just worked on so many levels - it *sounded* great; it reminded us that the Doctor speaks 5 billion languages; that words can be very, very powerful; and showed again just how much respect he commands when he reveals who he is. Oh and Donna was BRILLIANT standing up for herself - and the Doctor was so pleased. Ilovethemsomuch!

The whole ‘missing planets’ exposition was beautifully done (My pet-theory is that Klom is the Weevil home world! *g*), and of course Donna was brilliant again, remembering what they’d been told in Pompeii etc.

And I am of course *impossibly* intrigued by the weird beat (sounded like a heartbeat) that Donna could hear, as well as the ‘there was something on your back’ ‘you are something new’ and ‘the loss still to come’. This show is KILLING me!

Anyway, this whole bit of course led us to the Daleks and so forth - don’t really have an *awful* lot to say about them, since they were just being fab and Dalek-like and Davros was great and Dalek Caan is *incredible*. It think this is one of the things I love most about this ‘verse - how it can take something that wasn’t really brilliant (‘cause honestly, the Daleks in Manhattan story was NOT the greatest of episodes) and then use it to create something truly spectacular. Have we ever seen a completely batshit crazy Dalek before? And not just that, but one that can tell the future/speak only truth, apparently? Little Miss M decided that he was The Dalek Prophet. I like that a lot. :) Oh and of course if Dalek Caan managed to find a way back into the Time War...

I’m doing this from memory btw. I think we go back to Earth now. And Daleks are rounding people up and generally being their evil Dalek selves, Wilf has a clever plan (that doesn’t work, omg! ‘My vision is not impaired!’) - ‘twas clever nonetheless. And then Rose comes to the rescue with her giant gun!

And then Harriet Jones, former Prime Minister to the rescue! This is one of the most *incredible* uses of a character ever. Also such gorgeous continuity, in the way she introduced herself, because she’d not changed from the woman we first met, who kept introducing herself as ‘Harriet Jones, MP for Flydale North’ - except this time *everyone* knew who she was! (And making me laugh as someone is about to be executed, lump in my throat and everything, is bloody *amazing* writing. RTD I bow before you.)

Mr Copper set up a foundation! Having just re-watched VotD the other day, we again see how the Doctor’s influence inspires people. That said, I loved how Harriet never backed down from her stance. (And she sure has a point.)

All the introductions were brilliant, and so was the Martha reveal - again making me have two simultaneous and utterly different reactions: Poor Rose!/Yay! Martha is awesome!

And Martha went home - I love that to pieces, because I think that’s the important thing about Martha: She chose her family over the Doctor, which is the opposite of Rose (‘There is nothing for me here.’). And I think Martha might have done that even if the Doctor *had* loved her the way she wanted. And her mum was so happy. *adores Martha* And the Sarah Jane/Jack introductions were EXACTLY like everyone has always imagined (there’s a lot of fic out there) - he admires her work, and she wants to stay far away from all the guns. And then he hits on her and she’s flattered! Eeeeeeeeee! *is in fannish heaven*

And of course poor Rose feels all marginalised and out of the picture, when Martha is introduced as ‘The Doctor’s former companion’. Despite her hurt feelings, I have to say that I love this - most fic featuring Rose’s return inevitably have Martha (if she’s around) feeling somewhat inferior, or second best. This turned it on its head in a very plausible fashion. (And without anyone being in any way to blame!)

Anyway, then we have the Indigo Project (and Ianto being jealous! Can’t be easy dating Jack!), and that weirdly named key that has the most ominous theme I’ve ever heard on the show (the Dalek theme is *jolly* in comparison), and even Harriet Jones [former Prime Minister] refuses to consider it.

Somewhere inbetween all this we have the Doctor & Donna fleeing the Shadow Proclamation (the bees - they were aliens! Huzzah! It’s totally ‘So long and thanks for all the fish’, RTD is a genius!!!!!!), although I am hoping and praying that the Doctor *will* come back and lead the universe in a war against Davros and the Daleks, because that would be the coolest thing EVER, especially since he’s been running away from fighting for 4 series now. It’s something he really needs to deal with. *crosses fingers like mad* ETA: Please read selenak's comment on this!

And the Medusa Cascade with another rift in time and space - that the Doctor apparently closed single-handedly... (And what about his name? Evelina: “Even the word 'doctor' is false. Your real name is hidden. It burns in the stars, in the Cascade of Medusa herself.” *needs to know more*) Anyway, then the trail goes cold and he just... stops. I don’t think I have the words to describe how that affected me.

Still, we have all our human heroes working together and figuring out a way to call the Doctor (and the shoutout to LotT made me squee. Yes, I loved that ep!) and of course it works! (Loved the Ianto moment too [IANTO!!!], as well as Jack taking an interest in Luke. Sarah Jane is lucky that he’s so young, or Jack would’ve offered him a job on the spot, I think!

Then of course the Doctor gets his call, Harriet dies, and everyone is sad and happy. Jack’s ‘WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?’ might be my favourite bit, although Donna asking who Jack is was PERFECT! *profound love* And can anyone tell me what Ianto said in response to Gwen’s statement that the Doctor was younger & prettier than she’d thought? I’ve re-watched it about 10 times, and I still can’t make it out clearly. But I love Jack’s reaction! *g*

Annnyway, then Davros cuts in and eeeeeeeee! Gorgeous exposition again (did I mention that insane!Caan is one of my favourite things ever? There should be more loopy Daleks!) and the Doctor tried to save Davros! I adore that. And the ‘I have one thing to say to you - byeeeee!’) And by the way, the word ‘Crucible’ (or Cruciform or Crucifle - does anyone have a canon spelling/pronunciation?) made me sit up - do we have any idea what it is? This is what the Master said: “I was there when the Dalek Emperor took control of the Cruciform. I saw it. I ran. I ran so far. Made myself human so they would never find me because…I was so scared.” Whatever it is, it terrified *the Master* enough to run to the end of time and space itself. And, he wasn’t afraid to admit it to the Doctor, which speaks *volumes*!

Where was I? Oh yes, the Doctor comes to earth and all his friends run to be by his side. Sarah Jane runs off, abandoning her son, and Jack runs out on Ianto & Gwen again, promising to be back... and that is one of the most incredible scenes in the entire episode. Because looking at all the TW scenes, and Jack’s behaviour, I think we can see the fallout from ‘Exit Wounds’ - he tells Ianto off for inappropriate behaviour; he (with good reason, certainly) doesn’t even attempt to think of a way to fight the Daleks; he tells his team to ignore the message coming through. I think he’s just so tired, and traumatised too, that a lot of the fight has gone out of him...

But then Harriet Jones rallies him, leading to the Doctor appearing - and suddenly he’s found that spark again. He’s running around, getting his wrist strap to work, grabbing the biggest gun he can find (and Ianto helps him his coat on!!!! It’s like everything I love wrapped up in a few scenes!), all action and gung-ho again... and Ianto and Gwen have just seen that the Daleks are on their way.

But they look at Jack (and I soooo wish there were screencaps up somewhere! Got one! Many thanks to cowboyhd!), and I think they just fall for him all over again - how can you not love him? He’s wonderfully larger than life and heroic and ready for anything and HAPPY - I mean, just look at him! (Sorry about my poor vocabulary, I’m afraid my brain’s too scrambled to think up clever or beautiful language.)



So they say ‘Just go, we’ll be fine,’ knowing that they’re moments away from being slaughtered - but they don’t want to upset him. And that just slays me. And despite missing Owen and Tosh SO MUCH, I think that at this moment the show works better because it is just Ianto and Gwen.

Also, have I mentioned how much I love Gwen? ‘I plan to go out fighting. Like Owen. Like Tosh!’

*waves hands helplessly*

(They CAN’T die, OK? Because then I’d have to *kill* RTD and I really don’t want to go to prison... Seriously though, I doubt they'll die. And last-minute rescues are obligatory on this show!)

Of course, then we have the Doctor and Rose. And despite hating RTD (you know what I mean), I still kinda love him, because it was all just *so* perfect! (I’m not a Rose/Doctor ‘shipper’ btw, but I do love their story.) Seeing each other at opposite ends of a road and running towards each other is so clichéd that I can’t quite find the words, but I’m so glad that they did it that way - with a story like that you can’t *not* play the romance.

And then the Dalek!!!!! At first I felt sure that it’d aim for the Doctor and Rose would jump in the way, so seeing the Doctor shot was a *huge* shock. When Jack turned up, I was actually yelling at him to kiss the Doctor (it worked with Ianto! Why not a Timelord too?) But no.

RTD is definitely an evil genius, because killing the Doctor just as Rose has found him is HORRIBLE - although undoubtedly brilliant story telling! (Not just from our POV I mean. Devastating for *her*, because Ten was definitely *her* Doctor.) Donna is just confused and desperate to know what’s happening, and Jack wonderfully matter-of-fact ('Good luck Doctor' was it? I *adore* Jack). And we see how Jack has grown - the Doctor, despite being very important to him, is far from his whole world anymore.

And the whole thing has me biting my nails like very few things ever have. Possibly the only thing to shock me more was Spike getting his soul back. If the Doctor really *is* regenerating it is the best kept secret in the history of forever. (We are only getting a few specials next year because of DT’s Hamlet. DO NOT TOY WITH US LIKE THIS!)

Anyway, I am clinging to three things:

1) The hand. They only ever show us the hand when it’s important.
2) Jenny didn’t regenerate.
3) River Song. If she doesn’t meet the Tenth Doctor at some point before going to the Library her story makes no sense.

*takes deep breath* That’s all for now - although there might be more once I’ve re-watched another half dozen times. Basically I love how they've taken 4 years worth of canon, plus two spin-offs, and just got everything out of them that they could. In with maximalism! :) And now I can finally go read other people's posts. (So far I've only read those featuring capslocks and exclamation points! *g*)


In other news, the next chapter of ‘My Immortal’ is very nearly done. Will post Monday or Tuesday. (You all need a distraction, don't you? I know I sure do!)

ETA: DO NOT SPOIL ME, I KNOW NOTHING!!!!

Comments

[kitmarlowescot2.livejournal.com]

And Jack tried to flirt with Sarah Jane !!! BWAHHHH !!!!
Oh to see those two in a relationship.

[elisi]

And Jack tried to flirt with Sarah Jane !!! BWAHHHH !!!!
I *know*! This entire episode was just made of squee!

[adriana-is.livejournal.com]

((WAVES))

No spoilers in trailer. Just a recap of last night's episode.

[elisi]

Thanks. :) I did wonder why bother with a trailer... I mean, they wouldn't want to spoil their surprise.

[adriana-is.livejournal.com]

Brilliantly said, Elisi. I only watched the once and you saw my caps lock of doom reaction. (I'll see it again once I finish this last translation)

((LOVED)) The TW team! It's like seeing old friends. And, so there with you with the OT3 (makes brilliant sense). And, I loved Donna's reaction to Jack and DW's classic "don't do that" or "stop it", I forget. (dies)

The hand! What was the hand doing there? I thought it was gone. That's the first thing I noticed. (brain explodes)

Best get back to work...

HUGS

[elisi]

Brilliantly said, Elisi.
Thank you! :)

I only watched the once and you saw my caps lock of doom reaction.
I think all of fandom spoke in capslocks after seeing it...

((LOVED)) The TW team! It's like seeing old friends. And, so there with you with the OT3 (makes brilliant sense).
TW is much more 'our' people, more down to earth, if you get what I mean? And the Gwen/Jack/Ianto triangle works so *beautifully* - Jack and Gwen have that OTT romantic thing, Jack and Ianto have the sex and the deep manly bonding thing, and Ianto and Gwen have the BFF thing. *draws hearts around them* (I adore Gwen/Rhys btw. They're such a *real* couple and their relationship is *brilliantly* written.)

And, I loved Donna's reaction to Jack and DW's classic "don't do that" or "stop it", I forget. (dies)
Yes! It was like a thousand fics come to life! *dances*

The hand! What was the hand doing there? I thought it was gone. That's the first thing I noticed. (brain explodes)
I want Jenny!!!!!!!! (She'll come and stop the regeneration or something. See selenak's post for more theories.)

LOTS OF HUGS BACK

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

It was sooooo awesome!!!! The whole thing was so made of squeee!

There were so many things to love about this episode! It made me so happy that they had Sarah Jane and Luke in it too!

[elisi]

It was sooooo awesome!!!! The whole thing was so made of squeee!
Every time I thought 'THIS is the best thing ever', something else came along. RTD is *so* the new Joss! *flailityflail*

[cordykitten]

*spoils* No, just kidding :)
Just a fly by question: This is which season and it's near the end of the season if I'm right?
I didn't understand much, season 2 here but had fun reading. Very interesting :-D
*edit*
Back to my F-List I saw the cut: 4.12 = not nearly near the end then. A lot of time to solve everything, whatever may happen.

[elisi]

Just a fly by question: This is which season and it's near the end of the season if I'm right?
This is season 4, and next week is the finale. I'm not surprised you didn't get much - you *really* need to have watched for years to understand all the different storylines & characters. (Not to mention Davros, who's from Old Who - he was the one who created the Daleks!) Seriously though, this show is AWESOME!

[flowright.livejournal.com]

Ianto said "Not that young" I think.

I love how jack turned his head toward Ianto at his comment like he doesn't know if he's exasperated or if he's stunned that Ianto does know everything.

[elisi]

Ianto said "Not that young" I think.
That's plausible, yes. And Ianto *would* know about the Doctor (former Torchwood 1 employee after all). Oh and thank you!

I love how jack turned his head toward Ianto at his comment like he doesn't know if he's exasperated or if he's stunned that Ianto does know everything.
Me too! :)

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

But then Harriet Jones rallies him

That was one of my fav moments in an episode full of squee.

GWEN: Someone's trying to get in touch.
JACK: The whole world's crying out. Just leave it.
HARRIET JONES (FORMER PRIME MINISTER): Captain Jack Harkness, shame on you! Now stand to attention, sir!

THAT'S how you take charge of a situation. I love that they brought Harriet back and had her save the day after the way they left her almost three seasons ago - and I love that they subverted the "yes, we know who you are" joke with the Daleks and her comeback. "You know nothing of any human, and that will be your downfall."

As for the Doctor regenerating... didn't Caan refer to him as a "three-fold man dancing" or something like that? Hmmmmmm? Unless that's another religious parallel (in nomine Doctori, TARDIS et time-space continuum sancto?)... well, the season started with a multi-doctor episode, didn't it?

And the Daleks, and Jack's and Sarah Jane's reaction to them... and Dalek Caan... and... I won't even get to see the last ep until next Monday! It's killing me now!

[elisi]

That was one of my fav moments in an episode full of squee.
Same here! :)

THAT'S how you take charge of a situation. I love that they brought Harriet back and had her save the day after the way they left her almost three seasons ago
Yesyesyes! And it all made *sense* character and plot-wise (which isn't always the case! *g*) and was just so full of squee that I've not yet recovered!

and I love that they subverted the "yes, we know who you are" joke with the Daleks and her comeback. "You know nothing of any human, and that will be your downfall."
How could I have forgotten to mention that! Awesome! (And she's right too - I'm hearing Anya's speech in 'End of Days' in my head now...)

didn't Caan refer to him as a "three-fold man dancing" or something like that?
I think he was talking about himself dancing through time (and dying a thousand times over - it IS hard to work out what he's saying), but he definitely called the Doctor 'The Dark Lord' which is nicely ominous! selenak has some great ideas in her post - maybe we'll get the same body, but a different aspect of his personality?

And the Daleks, and Jack's and Sarah Jane's reaction to them... and Dalek Caan... and...
I *know*! That total fear as the message came through... *flails*

And I feel for you! Although on the other hand I wish I could save it up for ages and ages.

[kathyh]

Just watched it again and am joining you in your flailing *g*. So many wonderful moments but the return of Harriet Jones was possibly my favourite.

So they say ‘Just go, we’ll be fine,’ knowing that they’re moments away from being slaughtered - but they don’t want to upset him.

That was something I missed first time round, that Jack didn't know the Daleks had reached the Hub and Gwen and Ianto didn't tell him. I was thinking how odd it was of him to run out on them like that but it became a lot clearer on second viewing.

[elisi]

Just watched it again and am joining you in your flailing *g*.
The whole fandom is flailing. It's fun, if terrifying.

So many wonderful moments but the return of Harriet Jones was possibly my favourite.
I can't choose! But that was probably the best surprise.

I was thinking how odd it was of him to run out on them like that but it became a lot clearer on second viewing.
Same here. But he really isn't paying attention, and he thinks they're worried he's abandoning them. (Will there be a moment of him seeing Torchwood obliterated and breaking down? Not sure how much more emotional heartache he can cope with...)

[spikechris.livejournal.com]

Davros was first seen when Tom Baker was the Doctor, he was the fourth Doctor of the series and the second Doctor to have Sarah Jane as a companion, she was the third Doctor's companion, John Pertwee, so saw the transformation. The storyline you need to see is "Genesis of the Daleks". Yes I am old enough to have seen the very first episode and I remember seeing the Daleks for the very fisrt time and the second time when they invaded Earth I still shudder when I see Battersea Power Station.

I love Torchwood and being Welsh consider it my own, especially after Captain John, so I was really pleased to see them connect up with the DW verse, but I'm sure the Doctor has never been mentioned. I know when Martha came on TW they skirted around any mention of him.

Chris

[elisi]

The storyline you need to see is "Genesis of the Daleks".
*takes notes* But I new about Sarah Jane being with several Doctors - I've picked up quite a bit from Old Who fans. :)

I'm sure the Doctor has never been mentioned. I know when Martha came on TW they skirted around any mention of him.
Well Ianto came from Torchwood One and would have known about the Doctor - esp having actually been in Canary Wharf itself when they caught the Doctor. (And Jack mentioned the Doctor to Owen once at the end of S1...)

[themonkeycabal.livejournal.com]

Shiniest OT3 on screen, I *swear*!
Hee, too right.

I really did love how much time everybody had, and how much character they were given. Such a large cast, and RTD handled it so very well.

how it can take something that wasn’t really brilliant (‘cause honestly, the Daleks in Manhattan story was NOT the greatest of episodes) and then use it to create something truly spectacular.

That's very true. Those episodes were a bit crap, but the payoff was really quite nice.

And then Harriet Jones, former Prime Minister to the rescue! This is one of the most *incredible* uses of a character ever.

It was really very excellent. Such a great return for that character, and I loved that she never gave up on what she believed was the right thing, and how very right she was that the Doctor is not always around, and at some point, the people of Earth are going to have to be able to take care of themselves.

and that weirdly named key that has the most ominous theme I’ve ever heard on the show (the Dalek theme is *jolly* in comparison)

Hee. I didn't even notice that. I'll have to go back and watch again. Oh woe, such hard work. Heh.

I still have a hard time with Rose's reaction to the Doctor's regeneration. I mean, shock, sure, I get that, but the "no, no, I've come so far" bit, like he's going to just disappear. She knows what regeneration is, she knows that if he regenerates he's not really going anywhere. It was very odd to me, and I have to think there's something about this specific regeneration that she was bothered by. I think she knows something. But, I don't really know, and I hate to speculate, because I am always, always wrong.

[elisi]

I really did love how much time everybody had, and how much character they were given. Such a large cast, and RTD handled it so very well.
Keeping them all separate helped in that aspect I think - if they'd all been in one room, it'd have felt like some big reunion gig.

Those episodes were a bit crap, but the payoff was really quite nice.
I remember rolling my eyes muchly as Caan did his 'emergency temporal shift'... who'd have thunk it'd turn out this brilliant? ("I fleeeeeeew" *loves*)

loved that she never gave up on what she believed was the right thing
*nods* And it's not black and white. I love shows that can handle complex stuff.

I'll have to go back and watch again. Oh woe, such hard work. Heh.
Indeed. *g* But it really is OMINOUS!

It was very odd to me, and I have to think there's something about this specific regeneration that she was bothered by. I think she knows something. But, I don't really know, and I hate to speculate, because I am always, always wrong.
Heh - I hate speculating too. Partly because I hardly ever get it right, and partly because I like to be surprised. (Although maybe she was just worried that he'd regenerate into a short ginger bloke with bad teeth? ;) )

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I am hoping and praying that the Doctor *will* come back and lead the universe in a war against Davros and the Daleks, because that would be the coolest thing EVER, especially since he’s been running away from fighting for 4 series now. It’s something he really needs to deal with.

Hmmmm. Obviously, he did lead armies during the Time War, but never before and never after as it just goes against his very nature. Not assembling people together, or helping them to fight back, and this show certainly doesn't postulate peaceful resistance is the only way to go - see the positive depiction of the Ood uprising, which was violent - but I don't think he would do more than help, advise or support as long as it's a war. Oh, and of course trying to stop said war via his own actions, but that's something else. Not leading. It's something so quintessential to the character that I doubt they'll ever go against it on this show. (Except in off screen backstory such as the Time War.) Mostly, the scene between the Doctor and the Shadow Proclamation leady struck me as a direct homage to the final scene of The Five Doctors between the Fifth Doctor and Chancellor Flavia.

To get the implications, you have to consider this: the Doctor starts out as an exile on the run from his people. The most dire situation between the Doctor and the other Time Lords is the end of the Two and most of the Three era, where this exile becomes basically imprisonment on Earth because they take the ability to travel through time and space from him. Then after he saves their asses in "The Three Doctors" he gets that back, but it isn't until the Fourth Doctor era we get reconciliation. Four is the Doctor who goes home again (and of course the only one save One and Susan who travels with another Gallifreyan, Romana), participates in Gallifreyan politics, and starts to gain some respect. This culminates in Five, at the end of The Five Doctors, being offered the Presidency by Flavia, with pretty similar words (that they want him to lead them). And Five reacts just like Ten does here, which is instantly recognizable if you've watched the scene - he pretends to accept, vanishes into the TARDIS and gets the hell out of there. In The Five Doctors Tegan asks him whether that doesn't mean he'll be an exile again, on the run from his people (who are simply furious about this behaviour), and Five, with overwhelming relief, says "YES!" (And gives her the smile Ten gives Donna.) The refusal of that authority, the choice to run, is probably the trait that saves the Doctor from getting too much into the angry god ("if you could decide who lives and who dies...") mindframe, which is why I don't think it will change.

[elisi]

This is why I *need* to watch Old who... (no idea when, but miracles happen, right?)

Anyway, thank you so, so much for all that back story - knowing the history (esp in situations like this) is incredibly important. But I think that'll have to stop running and work out some sort of strategy...

(Oh and I have a theory!)

[promethia_tenk]

Oh, god, I don't even know what to say here. Also I am laughing very hard. Not at you--just at the absurdity of life.

So, I've been poking through some of your RTD meta just out of interest and in the hopes of picking up stray themes that could be useful, but I think mostly because I'm fascinated with the way that it's all very involving and deep and thoughtful as I'm reading it and then immediately dissipates as soon as I stop reading and I'm left sort of gazing in puzzlement into the air and wondering what it was I was just thinking about. Truly a very novel sensation. I feel like a kid cutting off the blood flow to their hand until it goes numb, just so they can poke at it and flap it around. And I'm aware I sound like a total nut case right now. It's gonna get worse before it gets better.

And then I got to this. And I know you'd said that you loved this episode, but truly I was not prepared. And I was just reading down your reactions, thinking about my own responses to the same scenes (and also my sister's, who is very like me in pretty much every way), and laughing harder and harder the longer it went on.

How on earth do we manage to get along so well? How are we even able to communicate?!?!? Truly it is a baffling and wonderful thing. How strange people are.

Oh, I do love life very much.

At any rate, I just felt like sharing my amusement and to let you know that I have been enjoying your meta, even if I can't remember (and therefore comment) on any of it.

And I'm going to go do something productive and stop poking at my limp hand now, I swear. Haha.

[promethia_tenk]

And then immediately after writing that, I happened to stumble across this:

http://community.livejournal.com/dwfanvids/465610.html

and now everything ever just seems so impossibly delightful that I really should just go to bed now and have cotton candy rainbow dreams.

*sigh*

[elisi]

Oh, god, I don't even know what to say here. Also I am laughing very hard. Not at you--just at the absurdity of life.
Well I'm happy to have made you laugh. :)

I feel like a kid cutting off the blood flow to their hand until it goes numb, just so they can poke at it and flap it around. And I'm aware I sound like a total nut case right now. It's gonna get worse before it gets better.
It's been COLD and WET and HORRIBLE the last few days, and my hands have gone numb many times, so it's a very apt metaphor.

And then I got to this. And I know you'd said that you loved this episode, but truly I was not prepared. And I was just reading down your reactions, thinking about my own responses to the same scenes (and also my sister's, who is very like me in pretty much every way), and laughing harder and harder the longer it went on.
I am a fangirl. I squee, therefor I am. (Or something like... Heh. Srlsly, that ep just hit allllll my buttons. Well a lot of them. Although interestingly I've not got any icons from it. Well I had fewer spaces then, but even so. It made me squee, but not... whatever that magical thing is that makes me need icons. Icons are generally a good indicator of how much I love something. *g*)

How on earth do we manage to get along so well? How are we even able to communicate?!?!? Truly it is a baffling and wonderful thing. How strange people are.
LOL! Ah but here's the thing. I've got friends who adored RTD with me. Who wrote meta, and flailed and devoured all the themes, and it was a true meeting of minds. And then S5 started, and I was all: 'OMG Eleventy! And Moffat! And themes and layers and stories and AWESOMENESS!!!' And they were like: 'Um. Not really doing anything for me. It's a bit... boring?' Which made me sad and wondering how ANYONE could fail to appreciate the delightfulness that's Eleventy. Incidentally, I can see why people have problems with RTD. I can understand why people disliked Ten - esp old!Who fans - and I can understand why the show was frustrating and difficult to watch. I find it near impossible to understand how anyone cannot enjoy Eleven. (Probably a blind spot on my part, but...)

ANYWAY. My own liking of both types of storytelling probably comes from my Buffy love. Joss is in many ways like RTD - he's very much character driven, and some of his plots are way wonky (there's a reason retconning is known as 'jossing'). But he does write character stuff that's utterly gorgeous and heartbreaking, and he's the reason I always curl up in a protective ball if the characters are happy, because this means that HORRIBLE THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM! But - Buffy was an American show and had a whole team of writers who'd carefully plot and plan every season, and there's TONS of layers and themes etc etc (Moffat's Who gave me back a show with endless layers! I can't explain my joy).

At any rate, I just felt like sharing my amusement and to let you know that I have been enjoying your meta, even if I can't remember (and therefore comment) on any of it.
Well your comment made me laugh, and no worries about the lack of comments. *g* (Basically ALL of RTD's work is about what it means to be human. That's the theme he keeps coming back to over and over again. And sometimes he creates masterpieces (Children of Earth). I like it.)