![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
Thoughts on Adelaide, and how the Doctor sees the world.
Adelaide Brooke is not a companion.
I know this sounds obvious, but I've seen her described as a companion, and it made me think. As did the podcast etc.
She obviously doesn't slot in with Rose, Martha or Donna. But she's not like Astrid or Lady Christina either. Adelaide join the list of historical figures we get once or twice a season: Dickens, (Harriet Jones,) Queen Victoria, Madame de Pompadour, Shakespeare and Agatha Christie. That's how the Doctor sees her, and that is very important - because the Doctor loves great people from history. He's quite the fanboy, and this is something we see every time. Also - Reinette apart - he's very keen on keeping them where they belong. They're part of the tapestry of history, and that's what matters.
But Adelaide is different than the others we've seen, and not just because of when he arrives, or her fate etc. Adelaide is a hero, and a visionary. Someone whose parents were killed by Daleks, but who got inspired and wanted to explore the universe. The Doctor admires her deeply, and even - unbelievably - uses the 'L' word! I think she is someone he identifies with - or, maybe more accurately, *wants* to identify with. Someone he looks up to. And, unlike ordinary DW stories, it is Adelaide running the show - if anything the Doctor is *her* companion. (Yes, this is partly because he knows what's coming etc. But she's the Captain and the one in charge. In 'Planet of the Dead' Christina set herself up as leader, but there was a definite sense that it was the Doctor 'letting' her. Here the Doctor is on Adelaide's turf, and she makes sure he knows it.)
Which brings me back to historical figures Vs. companions. The Doctor picks up random, ordinary people, and they grow and they do extraordinary things and tend to save the world a lot. But - great people from history don't need the Doctor to give them a hand up.
I think this is part of what the Doctor's 'big people/little people' speech at the end of WoM is about. I can perfectly easily accept that this is how he sees the world. Not that he doesn't admire the 'little' people too, but just as he automatically sees himself as better than everyone else, so he probably divides the world up as well.
The thing is though, that the 'big people' often give him a harder time - especially if they're in a position of power. Look at Harriet Jones or Queen Victoria. We see the same pattern with Adelaide. She won't stand for the Timelord setting the rules. I think her suicide is very much an echo of the Master's - the Doctor can control almost everything, so they choose the one way of defiance that's left to them.
And I love how this reflects back on him - this is a woman he's admired for most of his life, one presumes. And as a consequence of meeting him - she kills herself. The Timelord Victorious? Not on her watch. She wins.
Now I *loved* that defiant "No!" at the end of the episode, and was THRILLED when I discovered that indeed it was the Doctor deciding not to go gently into that good night. Refusing to accept Adelaide's words or actions. And marrying Queen Elizabeth is like the icing on the cake on that one. I mean, you'll be hard pressed to find a more iconic historical figure. And I wonder if he actually changed history, by having a wedding proper - it certainly sounds like it: "And let me tell you, her nickname is no longer...hmmm. Anyway." After all, the Laws of Time are *his*, aren't they? He can do what he wants.
And I love it. I love it to infinity and beyond, and my glee contains no bounds! \o/
(Also - for reasons that approximately two people will get - I am *ridiculously* pleased that he named a galaxy 'Allison'! *g*)
That's all for now. I know I ought to have sat on all these thought a bit longer and turned them into proper meta, but they were eating my brain, so...
I know this sounds obvious, but I've seen her described as a companion, and it made me think. As did the podcast etc.
She obviously doesn't slot in with Rose, Martha or Donna. But she's not like Astrid or Lady Christina either. Adelaide join the list of historical figures we get once or twice a season: Dickens, (Harriet Jones,) Queen Victoria, Madame de Pompadour, Shakespeare and Agatha Christie. That's how the Doctor sees her, and that is very important - because the Doctor loves great people from history. He's quite the fanboy, and this is something we see every time. Also - Reinette apart - he's very keen on keeping them where they belong. They're part of the tapestry of history, and that's what matters.
But Adelaide is different than the others we've seen, and not just because of when he arrives, or her fate etc. Adelaide is a hero, and a visionary. Someone whose parents were killed by Daleks, but who got inspired and wanted to explore the universe. The Doctor admires her deeply, and even - unbelievably - uses the 'L' word! I think she is someone he identifies with - or, maybe more accurately, *wants* to identify with. Someone he looks up to. And, unlike ordinary DW stories, it is Adelaide running the show - if anything the Doctor is *her* companion. (Yes, this is partly because he knows what's coming etc. But she's the Captain and the one in charge. In 'Planet of the Dead' Christina set herself up as leader, but there was a definite sense that it was the Doctor 'letting' her. Here the Doctor is on Adelaide's turf, and she makes sure he knows it.)
Which brings me back to historical figures Vs. companions. The Doctor picks up random, ordinary people, and they grow and they do extraordinary things and tend to save the world a lot. But - great people from history don't need the Doctor to give them a hand up.
I think this is part of what the Doctor's 'big people/little people' speech at the end of WoM is about. I can perfectly easily accept that this is how he sees the world. Not that he doesn't admire the 'little' people too, but just as he automatically sees himself as better than everyone else, so he probably divides the world up as well.
The thing is though, that the 'big people' often give him a harder time - especially if they're in a position of power. Look at Harriet Jones or Queen Victoria. We see the same pattern with Adelaide. She won't stand for the Timelord setting the rules. I think her suicide is very much an echo of the Master's - the Doctor can control almost everything, so they choose the one way of defiance that's left to them.
And I love how this reflects back on him - this is a woman he's admired for most of his life, one presumes. And as a consequence of meeting him - she kills herself. The Timelord Victorious? Not on her watch. She wins.
Now I *loved* that defiant "No!" at the end of the episode, and was THRILLED when I discovered that indeed it was the Doctor deciding not to go gently into that good night. Refusing to accept Adelaide's words or actions. And marrying Queen Elizabeth is like the icing on the cake on that one. I mean, you'll be hard pressed to find a more iconic historical figure. And I wonder if he actually changed history, by having a wedding proper - it certainly sounds like it: "And let me tell you, her nickname is no longer...hmmm. Anyway." After all, the Laws of Time are *his*, aren't they? He can do what he wants.
And I love it. I love it to infinity and beyond, and my glee contains no bounds! \o/
(Also - for reasons that approximately two people will get - I am *ridiculously* pleased that he named a galaxy 'Allison'! *g*)
That's all for now. I know I ought to have sat on all these thought a bit longer and turned them into proper meta, but they were eating my brain, so...
no subject
I like your take on it!
no subject
no subject
LOL. Yes, I can see why that would please you *g*.
I haven't listened to the podcast yet, but I do like your thoughts on Adelaide.
no subject
:) The only thing that's annoying is that I can't *use* any of this in that 'verse. Ah well.
I haven't listened to the podcast yet, but I do like your thoughts on Adelaide.
The podcast is lovely, and also explains things like 'how come that there's all that *fire* on Mars? Surely that's impossible...'
no subject
Your thoughts about Adelaide make good sense. I haven't hung out in the who-forums too much (those people are scary! I thought the Spike redemption wars/ spuffy vs bangel vs spander vs spangel etc ship wars were vicious. But Yikes!) but I get the idea that "companion" is a very specific title. People argue who fits; I had no idea Adelaide was being called a companion.
no subject
*laughs* Yes, good old Queen Bess! :D
I'm clearly going to have to track down children in need, aren't I.
Yes. Yes you are. It is made of SO MUCH WIN!
Your thoughts about Adelaide make good sense.
Thanks, I'm glad you think so.
those people are scary! I thought the Spike redemption wars/ spuffy vs bangel vs spander vs spangel etc ship wars were vicious. But Yikes!
They've had 40+ years of getting entrenched...
People argue who fits; I had no idea Adelaide was being called a companion.
Well I'd say that both Astrid and Christina could be counted as in a companion-in-the-making, since they both wanted to travel with the Doctor. Adelaide was doing her own travelling. (I think 'companion' is being used a lot as shorthand for 'female that the Doctor bonds with during the ep'.)
no subject
Anyway, yes, have nothing to add, enjoyed reading this. :)
no subject
Hello! *waves*
I hadn't actually put much thought into WoM yet beyond oh, Doctor, no/of course, but my first instinct would have been to call her a companion, as shorthand for major character running around with the Doctor, as you point out in comments.
That's generally the way the show works, the problem of course being that Adelaide is from the future... we don't refer to Dickens as a companion f.ex. ;)
But your thoughts strike me as absolutely right, as give much more significance to what I thought of as just a throwaway line (of hilarity) meant only as a continuity nod to Shakespeare Code.
Well my first reaction upon hearing that line was just pure glee, but once I began thinking about it, things fell into place.
Of course he goes from WoM to butting heads with the laws of time.
He stepped over the line, and despite everything I think he really enjoys being on the wrong side. I love how he's so very Doctor-ish in the preview snippet, and yet just that tiny bit off. Like he's in the wrong key.
no subject
no subject
It's so wonderfully random, isn't it? (My own reason for loving is that I have an OC called Allison!)
no subject
no subject
I loved
Also, she's an outsider; a sympathetic one, but she's as much a stranger to Pompeii as the Doctor is. Whereas Adelaide is actually a part of the historic catastrophe; it's her life and those of her crewmates which are at stake. So when she changes her mind from trying to escape to initializing the self destruct sequence, she's not acting as an outsider but as the person immediately concerned.
(Read the whole thing, it's excellent.)
I'm not sure I share the same love for his defiance, especially after his constant "everything has a time, and everything dies" speeching.
I've just waiting for this to happen for SO long - all the things he's been through, it's amazing he's not broken until now. And I'm absurdly grateful to RTD for actually going there.
I understand why it's come to this, but I don't like it, and am frankly terrified of what he's doing next.
Ah yes. But I like my heroes to have God-complexes and be terrifying, so I'm very happy! :) (Also Eleven is waiting just round the corner, so in one way or another things will work out!)
no subject
no subject
Thank you!
I've mainly been thinking of this in the context of contrast with things like Father's Day (where he is openly admiring of normal people) and Turn Left (where we see how Donna is the model of The Little People)
Oh I think he definitely loves 'The Little People' - but it is a love of potential, I think... and maybe also a longing for something [normal life] that he can never have. To him, they're the real aliens.
But you are right- he does have a line between Companion and Fanboy Fodder. And that influences his view of the world and his place in it (and power to change it.)
I noticed it very much in WoM - the way he interacts with Adelaide is very, very reminiscent of his behaviour around Reinette or Agatha Christie. A very specific focus on *this* person, more than all the others. I re-watched 'Fires of Pompeii' today, and was struck by Donna's plea (before they enter the TARDIS) to save someone, and his absolute blank refusal. Major case of déja vu!
no subject
no subject
Ooooh, dragons! Yes, I LOVE that. And thank you for linking me to your vid-idea - it looks fascinating. Very much looking forward to seeing the finished product.
no subject
Now I really *really* want to see how that ended to cause Queen Elizabeth's reaction in the end of Shakespeare Code
no subject
I'm sure a million fanfics will happily fill in those blanks! ;) (Although my guess is that he came, swept her off her feet, got married, had a night of unbridled passion - and then he ran off! *g*
(Although this Blackadder crossover might also be a good explanation, if we twist the ending a little: Just Impediment. Hysterically funny!)