DW 5.09. Cold Blood.

[elisi]

First of all, two fics recs. Both very, very short, very, very spoilery, and very, very good:

a shift in the universe by such_heights.

(he wasn't there again today) by lizbee.

ETA: And another one: Just a Moment. (Time-wise set before the other two, so read it first.)

First of all, a clip of the cut part of 'The Hungry Earth', because I love it.

Watch on YouTube

Actually I think there's a bit missing where Amy asks the Doctor what he thinks of Rory, 'cause his 'I like him' comes sort of out of the blue. BUT. He likes him. A lot. I'll get back to this.

I'm not sure I have all that many thoughts on the episode itself, but let's try...

- Disliked that all the 'bad guys' were women, liked that Nasreen and Amy were awesome, and thought that the 'in a thousand years time' resolution was just lovely. (And I don't care how heavy handed it was: 'This planet is to be shared' is a great message.)

- The Doctor's 'Tell me you didn't do this!' when they brought in Aleya's body once more confirmed Eleven's role as the grandfather of the universe. Not surprised, just so, so disappointed... ('Nobody human has anything to say to me today!') 'Not again', his face said, and 'Why do you keep doing this...' (And this just after he'd been so deliriously happy that he'd got them to sit down and negotiate. Poor Doctor.)

- Rory. Oh Rory. First of all, it was a good death. He was brave and saved the Doctor's life, and the whole thing was just utterly heartbreaking. And even if we never see him again, that is something. Of course I hope we do see him. As everyone has remarked, that little red box was very prominent (the second macro in this post!), and I hope and wish that the finale will have something to do with the Doctor trying to get Rory back (which, combined with parts-of-the-universe-that-should-never-have-touched, and TARDIS going boom (??? NO!!!!!), and the Moff's MAGIC writing will mean that the very end will be Amy and Rory's wedding. (THIS WILL HAPPEN, YOU HEAR ME?) Also, if you're going to kill off A Big Major Character, then you save it for the end, as it were, for that extra gut-punch. (See Doomsday and Journey's End) So the fact that he died now, and in such a low-key, 'let's-move-on' way, indicates (to me) that he'll be back. (Of course it was the Doctor's fault that Rory died, what with wanting to get a piece of debris. Which makes it all so much sadder. He liked him. A lot. *sniff*. And also helps my theory of the Doctor tearing down the walls between dimensions to get him back...)

And that's all, I think. Life is sadly very busy...

Comments

[zanthinegirl.livejournal.com]

I just watched that a little while ago; as you know I was spoiled for Rory's death and kept putting off watching. I really didn't mean to be spoiled (well, this time I didn't mean it) but clicked on the wrong forum.

Rory!

I like the bit about time not being fixed; it gives me hope. But I was hoping we'd see Rory on that hill and confuse Amy! I mourn team poncho.

Thanks for the links; both those stories rock. In the "made me tear up" sense of "rock"!

[elisi]

I just watched that a little while ago; as you know I was spoiled for Rory's death and kept putting off watching.
I can understand that. :(

I really didn't mean to be spoiled (well, this time I didn't mean it) but clicked on the wrong forum.
This is why I never venture outside my flist! (And even then am ridiculously careful about what I click on, what with doctoreleven being chockfull of spoilers. They're very good at marking them though.)

I like the bit about time not being fixed; it gives me hope. But I was hoping we'd see Rory on that hill and confuse Amy! I mourn team poncho.
Same here... *prays to Santa Moff* (There was a whole episode dedicated to Amy choosing between them, it can't end like this!!!

Thanks for the links; both those stories rock. In the "made me tear up" sense of "rock"!
Yeah, same here. *sniff* (I love fandom for always having just the right thing!)

[velara.livejournal.com]

I'm actually a little heartbroken about Rory, cause I started to love him so much! He wasn't a M/Ricky the idiot.. he was smart and funny and he just did everything right helping the Doctor! I hope you're right and he does come back.

I'm also now wondering how this affects the universe.. he's gone from existence! (and yet.. the jewelry box is still there..) No wedding that Amy ran from, how did the dream episode go instead.. all those little things that have been uniquely changed by Rory's existence!

-as a side note to M/Ricky the idiot.. I started watching my 2005 dvd.. and man, I totally forgot what Mickey was like in Rose.. but then he totally makes up for it on Aliens of London and World War III. *sigh* I kinda miss those days.

Also, after rewatching Rose.. I know there's the whole, Nine was on the Titanic (saved that family) and and at JFK's shooting.. but I don't think it'd been really that long since he'd regenerated. Cause the way he acts in that apartment.. total regeneration! He's spraying cards around, he's getting into everything, looking at himself in the mirror and commenting like it was his first time looking at himself... I didn't get that my first couple times watching it! Even if I did watch some Classic Who, it was so long ago to me.. After two regenerations though, I have a different viewpoint on that!

[elisi]

I'm actually a little heartbroken about Rory, cause I started to love him so much!
Oh I'm *very* heartbroken, but I refuse to give in... (He'll be back, pretty please Moffat, you can't do this!)

he was smart and funny and he just did everything right helping the Doctor!
*nods* Rory was awesome.

No wedding that Amy ran from, how did the dream episode go instead.. all those little things that have been uniquely changed by Rory's existence!
I KNOW! It makes my head hurt, just thinking about it... (read the fics that I rec'd btw. Both of them address this point.)

and man, I totally forgot what Mickey was like in Rose..
I have succesfully repressed it! (Interesting interview with Noel Clarke here btw, wherein he also talks about how Mickey evolved, and actually explains a lot!)

I know there's the whole, Nine was on the Titanic (saved that family) and and at JFK's shooting..
Those could have happened in his future (timey-wimey-ness), maybe going off without Rose now and again? *tries to remember timeline*

Cause the way he acts in that apartment.. total regeneration! He's spraying cards around, he's getting into everything, looking at himself in the mirror and commenting like it was his first time looking at himself...
I've thought this too, and I think this is a good theory. Also, it means that Rose sorta maybe imprinted on him (twice, what with being there when he became Ten), which would explain a lot of their soul-matey-ness. :)

[velara.livejournal.com]

hose could have happened in his future (timey-wimey-ness), maybe going off without Rose now and again? *tries to remember timeline* OOooh. Like, in between twice asking Rose to come with him. I mean, he asks.. she says no, he goes all stone faced and leaves.. then he comes back and says it's a time machine.. hell, who knows what he did in that time. Like he said.. "it's a time machine!" He could've gone wandering around, got all lonely and thought... you know, that Rose chick was fun to hang around with. Let's go try again.

[elisi]

Yup, that could work I think. (Really ought to re-watch S1, but we're without a DVD player at the moment....)

[ladypeyton.livejournal.com]

I am going to be very cross if Rory doesn't come back. I was spoiled by prats at I09 who can't seem to get through the day if they don't post crap like, "You know he's dead, right?!?!?!" in the comments even though they know it hasn't aired in the US yet.

I blame it on penis size.

[elisi]

I blame it on penis size.
You're probably right! (And here's the Doctor with a gun, 'case he's angry too!)

Also, Rory will be back - if not I shall live in The Land of Denial quite happily. :)

[tempestas-inu.livejournal.com]

THEY BETTER GET MARRIED IN THE END (which simultaneously demands that Rory be brought back). IT'D BE SO UNFAIR TO JUST LEAVE THAT BIT HANGING.

I'm heartbroken, just because I SO loved Amy and the Poncho Boys.

The Doctor is also heartbroken, I mean, c'mon "Tell me about Rory, Fantastic Rory, Funny Rory, Gorgeous Rory". And he has to grieve for both himself and Amy because Amy clearly no longer can ;_;. I'm with you on that he starts ripping through the Universe in order to have Rory reestablished in the timestream, in the meantime also repairing everything else that seems to be going wrong.

Oh, here's another post-Cold Blood fic you might enjoy. (Just a Moment)

[elisi]

THEY BETTER GET MARRIED IN THE END (which simultaneously demands that Rory be brought back). IT'D BE SO UNFAIR TO JUST LEAVE THAT BIT HANGING.
YES IT WOULD! Also, I've been thinking. The wedding-to-be is a red thread throughout the season so far. There's the wedding dress in ep 1, Amy mentioning getting married in ep 2, ep 3... well, there's the 'fancy someone you shouldn't?' I guess ETA: How could I forget? There's the girl who loses her boyfriend, and at the time I was going 'This better not be foreshadowing, you hear me show?' :( I hate to be proved right!, ep 4 is 'is River your wife?', ep 5 is 'I'm getting married tomorrow - let's have a bit of fun first!' and 'OMG the universe cracks open ON AMY'S WEDDING DAY!', ep 6 is stag do, and getting-the-fiancees-back-together, ep 7 is 'happily married in the future' as well as uncertainty in the present, and ep 8 & 9 feature the engagement ring quite prominently.

So... season arc is crack & wedding. Therefore something will happen!!!!

I'm heartbroken, just because I SO loved Amy and the Poncho Boys.
Same here... :*(

The Doctor is also heartbroken, I mean, c'mon "Tell me about Rory, Fantastic Rory, Funny Rory, Gorgeous Rory". And he has to grieve for both himself and Amy because Amy clearly no longer can ;_;.
It's SO HORRIBLE! Wah!

I'm with you on that he starts ripping through the Universe in order to have Rory reestablished in the timestream, in the meantime also repairing everything else that seems to be going wrong
It's the only things that makes sense!

Oh, here's another post-Cold Blood fic you might enjoy. (Just a Moment)
Oh god, that one nearly killed me. Thank you so much!

(possibly crazy) fannish theory

[(Anonymous)]

i hope you don't mind my posting this here. i lurk a lot but don't have an lj account.

your idea about the doctor trying to get rory back (plz plz plz let this happen!!!) made me think, and this is what i came up with:

amy's marriage seems to be a key point in time. in "flesh and stone", the doctor found out that the event that causes the cracks happens on amy's wedding day. then, in the final scene of the episode (while amy is trying to come on to him) the doctor seems to have a great big realization moment immediately after amy's marriage is mentioned - "it's you, it's all about you. everything, it's about you... amy pond, mad impossible amy pond. i don't know why, i have no idea, but quite possibly the single most important thing in the history of the universe is that i get you sorted out right now." he then sends her off on a date in venice with rory to "sort out" their relationship. i think it can be assumed that the doctor has realized that amy's wedding is the important event that causes the cracks.

in "cold blood", the doctor talks about events being fixed or in flux when talking to amy, nasreen, and the homo-reptilia leader guy. i'm going to assume that amy's wedding is fixed, since it seems to be so pivotal to the entire universe. i'm also going to assume that the cause of the cracks is that the wedding did not go the way it was supposed to, which put the universe all out of whack - similar to the way rose preventing her dad's death in "father's day" caused the reapers to swallow up all the people in sight. In the case of amy's wedding, the cracks take the place of the reapers, swallowing people whole in an effort to clean up the universe's mess.

but what went wrong with amy's wedding that caused the cracks? is it that the wedding HAD to happen and somehow didn't, or that it COULDN'T happen and somehow did? if it couldn't happen, then rory's death would fix everything - no more wedding, no more cracks. however, this would mean that both major plot points that the writers have brought up over and over throughout the season would be gone. As this would cut the plot of the final four episodes of the season off from the previous nine, i'm going to say that the wedding had to happen - and, by not happening, caused the cracks.

if amy's wedding not occurring caused the cracks, then the only way to prevent the cracks from swallowing up the entire universe would be to bring rory back (unless she were to end up with either the doctor or jeff - but i doubt moffat is going to go there, especially after having spent so much time on rory). and there's no way the doctor's going to let the universe get devoured. therefore, rory HAS TO come back. the doctor said in "flesh and stone" that "it's all about [amy]," but after the events of "cold blood," it's now all about rory.

(also, if this theory is correct, it creates an interesting paradox: by swallowing rory, the cracks caused their own existence.)

not sure if that made any sense...

-nori

Re: (possibly crazy) fannish theory

[elisi]

I have absolutely NO time to give you the response you deserve, but this:

also, if this theory is correct, it creates an interesting paradox: by swallowing rory, the cracks caused their own existence.
is pretty much my thoughts exactly!!! So yes, you make perfect sense! :D