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The Next Doctor - scattered thoughts on the Christmas special.
I wanted to re-watch the episode before writing anything, but since I'm not sure when I'll get round to it, I thought I'd just get down my initial impressions so I could go indulge in other people's thoughts.
First of all - I really liked it. It was clever and entertaining and had a GIANTrobot CyberKing stomping around Victorian London... I can't express how much I adore my show for never shying back from the enormous clichés!
And as for the 'new' Doctor - I thought it was a smart idea, and one that worked beautifully - especially what with all the parallels to Donna. I'm sort of sat staring at the screen blankly, because there are layers here that I'm not sure I am up to tackling right now.
But I loved the Doctor having that kin-ship, even just for a short moment - having someone who understood him, seeing himself and seeing the bravery and tenacity reflected back... Jackson Lake was running away too, running from the memories he didn't want back because they were so painful, and yet he stayed where he was, fighting because it was the right thing to do and he was the Doctor.
I loved the ending - a lovely counterpoint to Donna's total commitment to stay forever. Jackson grasped what the TARDIS was, but firmly decided that it wasn't for him, and not just because of his son. And I *adored* that the Doctor accepted the dinner invitation (also a nice call-back to, and change from, Donna's invitation) - the first Christmas dinner since the one with Rose in the first Christmas special...
Now from what I've read, the Doctor won't have a Companion in the specials, which works well, I think - I'm sure he'll find people to connect with, but he won't invite them along. I like the fact that Donna's fate will carry so much weight!
All of which leaves River (that *we* of course might never see again, but we know the Doctor will, so I'm talking about her). River works perfectly as the post-Donna Companion-who's-not-really-a-Companion. Despite obviously loving the Doctor to pieces, she has not made him her entire life, and - maybe more importantly - he already knows how it ends (she'll die, but she won't leave him). He also knows that she would not change a thing, not even when facing death.
I do love tracing the Doctor's development as seen through his Companions. :)
Anyway, Miss Hartigan was a great villain, the cybermen worked well (Miss M had been worried about them, since she's not keen on them, but she thinks this was the best Christmas Special there's been!), and I really don't have time to write any longer. Hope you didn't mind my waffling, I don't know if I said anything interesting at all.
First of all - I really liked it. It was clever and entertaining and had a GIANT
And as for the 'new' Doctor - I thought it was a smart idea, and one that worked beautifully - especially what with all the parallels to Donna. I'm sort of sat staring at the screen blankly, because there are layers here that I'm not sure I am up to tackling right now.
But I loved the Doctor having that kin-ship, even just for a short moment - having someone who understood him, seeing himself and seeing the bravery and tenacity reflected back... Jackson Lake was running away too, running from the memories he didn't want back because they were so painful, and yet he stayed where he was, fighting because it was the right thing to do and he was the Doctor.
I loved the ending - a lovely counterpoint to Donna's total commitment to stay forever. Jackson grasped what the TARDIS was, but firmly decided that it wasn't for him, and not just because of his son. And I *adored* that the Doctor accepted the dinner invitation (also a nice call-back to, and change from, Donna's invitation) - the first Christmas dinner since the one with Rose in the first Christmas special...
Now from what I've read, the Doctor won't have a Companion in the specials, which works well, I think - I'm sure he'll find people to connect with, but he won't invite them along. I like the fact that Donna's fate will carry so much weight!
All of which leaves River (that *we* of course might never see again, but we know the Doctor will, so I'm talking about her). River works perfectly as the post-Donna Companion-who's-not-really-a-Companion. Despite obviously loving the Doctor to pieces, she has not made him her entire life, and - maybe more importantly - he already knows how it ends (she'll die, but she won't leave him). He also knows that she would not change a thing, not even when facing death.
I do love tracing the Doctor's development as seen through his Companions. :)
Anyway, Miss Hartigan was a great villain, the cybermen worked well (Miss M had been worried about them, since she's not keen on them, but she thinks this was the best Christmas Special there's been!), and I really don't have time to write any longer. Hope you didn't mind my waffling, I don't know if I said anything interesting at all.
no subject
But I loved the Doctor having that kin-ship, even just for a short moment - having someone who understood him, seeing himself and seeing the bravery and tenacity reflected back
Exactly - especially since the Doctor's bad sides (the not-simply-evil but slightly sociopathic genius who uses people to get things done) are reflected in Miss Hartigan.
CYBERKING: What do you make of me, Sir? An idiot?
THE DOCTOR: No. Question is - what do you make of me?
CYBERKING: Destroy him!
THE DOCTOR: You make me into this. (...) Just look at yourself. Look at what you've done. I'm sorry, Miss Hartigan... but look at what you've become.
I'm sure the Doctor has spent many a lonely hour in the TARDIS mulling over what Davros said to him... and he uses a Dalek weapon to defeat the Cybermen (who worked perfectly, precisely because we already know who they are and don't have to spend a lot of time on them; the villains are only there for the effect they have on the characters.)
Yet at the end, it's his connection to humanity that wins out. That "Bravo, Sir!" scene was the Doctor's "The Prom".
no subject
I'll have to re-watch it, but my initial reaction is the same. It all just worked beautifully.
David Morrissey really is incredible, and the only thing I didn't like about this is that now we can be reasonably sure he won't be Eleven...
I'm not sure I've ever seen him in anything else, so wasn't sure about him before seeing this, but he really won me over - he brought a wonderful vulnerability to his character, whilst keeping him both Doctor-like and also very much a man of his time.
especially since the Doctor's bad sides (the not-simply-evil but slightly sociopathic genius who uses people to get things done) are reflected in Miss Hartigan.
*nods* I was going to quote the 'You make me into this', because it's such a great line.
I'm sure the Doctor has spent many a lonely hour in the TARDIS mulling over what Davros said to him...
*nods* Have you seen this vid? It really sums the whole thing up.
who worked perfectly, precisely because we already know who they are and don't have to spend a lot of time on them
Exactly. No need for long back-stories or exposition.
Yet at the end, it's his connection to humanity that wins out. That "Bravo, Sir!" scene was the Doctor's "The Prom".
Oh that's the perfect analogy! Yes. And now I'm almost beginning to choke up... *squishes the Doctor*
no subject
You mean you haven't seen Blackpool? Heartily recommended. Tennant is in it too, but Morrissey really steals the show.
Have you seen this vid? It really sums the whole thing up.
Oh god, not "Hurt". Now *I'm* choking up. That was brilliant, thanks.
no subject
I have not, but everyone keeps waxing lyrical about it, so if it's ever repeated I'll make sure to watch it!
Oh god, not "Hurt". Now *I'm* choking up. That was brilliant, thanks.
My pleasure (you know what I mean). Poor, poor Doctor, he was just *made* to hurt!
ETA: Have you ever read this drabble? It is quite simply extraordinary.
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And not just him. Being a Johnny Cash fan, that song is one of my personal cornerstones of emotional overload.
Have you ever read this drabble?
Oh.
Oh.
OW.
Yup. That's the Doctor.
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It works like that for *anyone* I think... (Going back to the Doctor, then I've sketched out a re-write of the S4 finale set in my AU 'verse, and even though it really is VERY different - no Donna or Rose f.ex - the Doctor still ends up shattered. Pain just looks good on him I guess...)
Oh.
Oh.
OW.
I *know*! It still gets me. (Also possibly the best use of 100 words ever. Drabbles really are an artform I think.)
Blackpool
Re: Blackpool
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Well, seeing as Morrissey plays the leading role and Tennant has only one of the supporting roles, I don't think "steals the show" is the right phrase - if you're playing the hero of the story, that's per definitionem impossible, no?
Anyway, Blackpool recommendation seconded, it's fabulous. Other things David M. is excellent in is "The Deal" (he's Gordon Brown) and "State of Play" (with John Simm as the honest journalist to Morrissey's flawed politician).
no subject
You're right. I suppose I tend to think of it that way since I watched it for Tennant's sake and found myself blown away by Morrissey instead, even though I'd never seen him in anything before. I'll have to look up the others you mention, I guess - thanks!