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DW 5.12. The Pandorica Opens.
So, before the episode aired, my thoughts were pretty much the same as ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
promethia_tenk’s, in ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
doctoreleven’s Official Squee Reaction Post:
RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER!
And after the episode, my thoughts echoed this tweet by James Moran:
OMG TEH THING WITH THE THING AND THE THINGS AND WHEN THAT THING OMG TEH DOCTOR AND THING AND OMGGGGGG
(This started out as a review, then turned into meta and then became a love letter to Eleven... I don’t even know. It was late when I wrote it.)
Well when watching the start of the ep (once we’d got past poor Vincent and Churchill & Bracewell (HELLO continuity, ILU!) the River squee above was pretty much what my brain was doing.
I didn’t think they could top her entrance in Time of Angels, but this blew it straight out of the water. I might have mentioned once or twice that competence is probably my biggest kink of all, and River being OMG!Awesome tapped into that like you wouldn’t believe.
Btw I think River made short work of the Smilers, hence Liz Ten deciding to confront her personally. Also the little stick figure with the curly hair is the most BRILLIANT thing ever! And then - Cleopatra! :D
“You graffittied the oldest cliff face in the world!”
“You wouldn’t answer your phone!”
Srsly, she is *totally* the perfect woman for him. *ships them liek whoa*
‘One Oh Two am. No pm. No - AD!’ is one of those beautiful little moments that highlight the way the Doctor sees time, and the madness of time travel, without any great speeches. I love it. :)
Everything to do with Stonehenge was fabulous - the Indiana Jones feel of it all, the Doctor’s face when they opened the big, HUGE doors, the way the three of them fall into a family dynamic... It’s all good!
Also good is the Pandorica. Just generally. Looks good, works well... *waves hands about in Eleven-y fashion to indicate general approval*
Am skipping lots of stuff, to get to the (to me) important parts.
Firstly the Amy/Doctor talk about the ring. I just love it on too many levels to count. The Doctor’s protectiveness of the ring - when he says ‘Someone I lost’ the weight of Rory’s loss sits so heavily on him. And then the way he tries to get her to remember ‘Sometimes people fall out of the world , but they leave traces...’ [from memory, it was longer than this I know] (This little speech also neatly explains how the photo of Amy with Rory survived.) - he wants it so badly, and yet the connection is, once more, snapped.
But the conversation leads to the Doctor admitting that he did have a reason for choosing Amy (other than loneliness): Too many empty rooms in her house... (It’s that duck pond again, I’m telling you!)
“Does it ever bother you, Amy, that your life makes no sense?”
I can feel how important this’ll all be, but I’ll be darned if I can work out why. (DON’T SPOIL ME! Not even with speculations!!!)
Of course this *fascinating* discussion is cut short by the cyberarm’s firing at them, leading to that most marvellous of moments:
“Look at me! I’m a target!”
♥ ♥ ♥
Also kudos to Moffat/the team for managing to make a cyberman simultaneously creepy/scary (were they ever?) and hilarious!
And then... RORY!!!!
I had hoped he’d be back, of course, but being unspoiled paid off BIG TIME! *dances*
The Doctor’s reaction was just right, absentminded old buffer that he is. ♥ And then the rather awkward conversation that follows, which included one of my favourite quotes to come out of the show: “The universe is vast and complicated and sometimes impossible things just happen and we call them miracles.” It was used in the BBCA trailer, and I’ve loved it ever since first hearing it, and it absolutely breaks my heart that Rory was the first miracle the Doctor was ready to believe in in 900 years...
And then Amy wakes up and breaks poor Rory’s heart. And it only just occurred to me today that the Doctor knows *exactly* how Rory feels. He, too, has witnessed his best friend walk past him as if he was just another guy, not worth a second glance.
Of course he then sends Rory to do what he himself can’t - try to get the girl to remember. Except memory turns out to be as fatal for Amy as it would for Donna - she remembers Rory at precisely the wrong moment, because the things she’s seen whilst travelling with the Doctor (oh Bracewell) make her fight for Rory’s humanity when she ought to have run...
(And how beautiful is the Amy/Rory theme? *sniff*)
But back to the episode, and River. River who is brilliant and competent and gets taken to Amy’s house by the TARDIS (OMG the screen cracking was *perfect* and exceedingly worrysome), and particularly loved her: “Oh Doctor, why do I let you out?” upon seeing Amy’s dolls. And it ties in with her previous comment about how she dislikes white wizards in stories because they always turn out to be him - she loves him (obviously), but has no illusions about him and, I think, knows exactly how much his wizarding can cost the people who follow him. (Will we maybe one day get her back story? Where does she come from? How did she become such an adept criminal? And how does the archeology fit into that? etc. etc. She’s fascinating!)
But now for the Doctor. Oh Doctor, Doctor, how much do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
I love you for smiling when you see River’s message.
I love you for being so HAPPY and intrigued to have found the Pandorica.
I love you for pointing out how the Daleks are always cross.
I love you for your gentleness in dealing with Amy when trying to get her to remember.
I love you for ridiculously throwing yourself into danger, arms thrown wide.
I love you for trusting River completely.
I love you for not running away this time. (“Run where?” “Fight how?”)
I love you for your great big speech (re-using parts of the speech you did as Nine! ♥) - for basically standing there and being the Oncoming Storm, and for the fact that every. single. word of that speech fits with you being ‘the most feared being in all the cosmos’.
I love you for playing match maker even at the most inopportune time possible, because you want people to be happy.
I love you for the look on your face when you realise that the Pandorica is for you, for the despair and terror and pleading as you are locked away. For being just this slightly ridiculous looking man, with a face too young for your eyes and a bowtie, looking neither like a villain nor a hero, but a madman with a box.
And I love you for having a huge blind spot when it comes to yourself, and thusly needing things spelled out for you sometimes - like Amy does at the end of ‘The Beast Below’. And I love how that speech contrasts with the one about the warrior in the Pandorica, because - impossibly - you are both. I hope and pray that you - somehow - save the universe by being kind.
♥
(Also I love this wallpaper and this fic: Cautionary Tales for Incautious Children. Both very relevant to this post!)
promethia_tenk’s, in doctoreleven’s Official RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER! RIVER!
And after the episode, my thoughts echoed this tweet by James Moran:
OMG TEH THING WITH THE THING AND THE THINGS AND WHEN THAT THING OMG TEH DOCTOR AND THING AND OMGGGGGG
(This started out as a review, then turned into meta and then became a love letter to Eleven... I don’t even know. It was late when I wrote it.)
Well when watching the start of the ep (once we’d got past poor Vincent and Churchill & Bracewell (HELLO continuity, ILU!) the River squee above was pretty much what my brain was doing.
I didn’t think they could top her entrance in Time of Angels, but this blew it straight out of the water. I might have mentioned once or twice that competence is probably my biggest kink of all, and River being OMG!Awesome tapped into that like you wouldn’t believe.
Btw I think River made short work of the Smilers, hence Liz Ten deciding to confront her personally. Also the little stick figure with the curly hair is the most BRILLIANT thing ever! And then - Cleopatra! :D
“You graffittied the oldest cliff face in the world!”
“You wouldn’t answer your phone!”
Srsly, she is *totally* the perfect woman for him. *ships them liek whoa*
‘One Oh Two am. No pm. No - AD!’ is one of those beautiful little moments that highlight the way the Doctor sees time, and the madness of time travel, without any great speeches. I love it. :)
Everything to do with Stonehenge was fabulous - the Indiana Jones feel of it all, the Doctor’s face when they opened the big, HUGE doors, the way the three of them fall into a family dynamic... It’s all good!
Also good is the Pandorica. Just generally. Looks good, works well... *waves hands about in Eleven-y fashion to indicate general approval*
Am skipping lots of stuff, to get to the (to me) important parts.
Firstly the Amy/Doctor talk about the ring. I just love it on too many levels to count. The Doctor’s protectiveness of the ring - when he says ‘Someone I lost’ the weight of Rory’s loss sits so heavily on him. And then the way he tries to get her to remember ‘Sometimes people fall out of the world , but they leave traces...’ [from memory, it was longer than this I know] (This little speech also neatly explains how the photo of Amy with Rory survived.) - he wants it so badly, and yet the connection is, once more, snapped.
But the conversation leads to the Doctor admitting that he did have a reason for choosing Amy (other than loneliness): Too many empty rooms in her house... (It’s that duck pond again, I’m telling you!)
“Does it ever bother you, Amy, that your life makes no sense?”
I can feel how important this’ll all be, but I’ll be darned if I can work out why. (DON’T SPOIL ME! Not even with speculations!!!)
Of course this *fascinating* discussion is cut short by the cyberarm’s firing at them, leading to that most marvellous of moments:
“Look at me! I’m a target!”
♥ ♥ ♥
Also kudos to Moffat/the team for managing to make a cyberman simultaneously creepy/scary (were they ever?) and hilarious!
And then... RORY!!!!
I had hoped he’d be back, of course, but being unspoiled paid off BIG TIME! *dances*
The Doctor’s reaction was just right, absentminded old buffer that he is. ♥ And then the rather awkward conversation that follows, which included one of my favourite quotes to come out of the show: “The universe is vast and complicated and sometimes impossible things just happen and we call them miracles.” It was used in the BBCA trailer, and I’ve loved it ever since first hearing it, and it absolutely breaks my heart that Rory was the first miracle the Doctor was ready to believe in in 900 years...
And then Amy wakes up and breaks poor Rory’s heart. And it only just occurred to me today that the Doctor knows *exactly* how Rory feels. He, too, has witnessed his best friend walk past him as if he was just another guy, not worth a second glance.
Of course he then sends Rory to do what he himself can’t - try to get the girl to remember. Except memory turns out to be as fatal for Amy as it would for Donna - she remembers Rory at precisely the wrong moment, because the things she’s seen whilst travelling with the Doctor (oh Bracewell) make her fight for Rory’s humanity when she ought to have run...
(And how beautiful is the Amy/Rory theme? *sniff*)
But back to the episode, and River. River who is brilliant and competent and gets taken to Amy’s house by the TARDIS (OMG the screen cracking was *perfect* and exceedingly worrysome), and particularly loved her: “Oh Doctor, why do I let you out?” upon seeing Amy’s dolls. And it ties in with her previous comment about how she dislikes white wizards in stories because they always turn out to be him - she loves him (obviously), but has no illusions about him and, I think, knows exactly how much his wizarding can cost the people who follow him. (Will we maybe one day get her back story? Where does she come from? How did she become such an adept criminal? And how does the archeology fit into that? etc. etc. She’s fascinating!)
But now for the Doctor. Oh Doctor, Doctor, how much do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
I love you for smiling when you see River’s message.
I love you for being so HAPPY and intrigued to have found the Pandorica.
I love you for pointing out how the Daleks are always cross.
I love you for your gentleness in dealing with Amy when trying to get her to remember.
I love you for ridiculously throwing yourself into danger, arms thrown wide.
I love you for trusting River completely.
I love you for not running away this time. (“Run where?” “Fight how?”)
I love you for your great big speech (re-using parts of the speech you did as Nine! ♥) - for basically standing there and being the Oncoming Storm, and for the fact that every. single. word of that speech fits with you being ‘the most feared being in all the cosmos’.
I love you for playing match maker even at the most inopportune time possible, because you want people to be happy.
I love you for the look on your face when you realise that the Pandorica is for you, for the despair and terror and pleading as you are locked away. For being just this slightly ridiculous looking man, with a face too young for your eyes and a bowtie, looking neither like a villain nor a hero, but a madman with a box.
And I love you for having a huge blind spot when it comes to yourself, and thusly needing things spelled out for you sometimes - like Amy does at the end of ‘The Beast Below’. And I love how that speech contrasts with the one about the warrior in the Pandorica, because - impossibly - you are both. I hope and pray that you - somehow - save the universe by being kind.
♥
(Also I love this wallpaper and this fic: Cautionary Tales for Incautious Children. Both very relevant to this post!)
no subject
Firstly the Amy/Doctor talk about the ring. I just love it on too many levels to count. The Doctor’s protectiveness of the ring - when he says ‘Someone I lost’ the weight of Rory’s loss sits so heavily on him . . . “Does it ever bother you, Amy, that your life makes no sense?”
Best scene of the episode. Hands down. Just may have knocked the interrogation scene with Alaya off the pedestal for Matt's best scene of the season--I'm gonna have to think about it though. So many emotions. So much restraint. Doctor being so old and so vulnerable and so gentle but also a little bit manipulative. Mesmerizing. My favorite beat was when he's trying to get the ring back but Amy pulls it away and he's all "Do you mi . . ." and then he drops his head " . . . mind?"
“The universe is vast and complicated and sometimes impossible things just happen and we call them miracles.”
Moff has freaking word magic. That part made me shiver.
Will we maybe one day get her back story? Where does she come from? How did she become such an adept criminal? And how does the archeology fit into that? etc. etc. She’s fascinating!
I think River would make for a perfect Doctor lite episode. It would be awesome, and we could get actual relevant character and/or plot development out of an ep that's usually a one-off. Or maybe I just want to watch her be James Bond for 45 minutes. That would be good too.
And I love you for having a huge blind spot when it comes to yourself, and thusly needing things spelled out for you sometimes - like Amy does at the end of ‘The Beast Below’. And I love how that speech contrasts with the one about the warrior in the Pandorica, because - impossibly - you are both. I hope and pray that you - somehow - save the universe by being kind.
Ok, reading your post, I was actually tearing up by this point. *guh* Oh, Doctor. And I want exactly what you said to happen. I want the Doctor to live up to that best version of himself that Amy saw back in "The Beast Below." This needs to happen because, I think, just about any other ending would be emotionally unsatisfying, and Moffat, whatever anyone else says about him, has a genius for hitting those emotional resolutions right. His endings *glow*.
no subject
Oh good! And you're in good company... (I read through the first few pages of the reaction post, and your comment just stood out! The sheer enthusiasm made me smile and realise that this was exactly how I felt too!)
Best scene of the episode. Hands down. Just may have knocked the interrogation scene with Alaya off the pedestal for Matt's best scene of the season--I'm gonna have to think about it though. So many emotions. So much restraint. Doctor being so old and so vulnerable and so gentle but also a little bit manipulative. Mesmerizing.
*nodnodnod* Restraint, that was the word I was after when I was writing this. I could watch him all day.
My favorite beat was when he's trying to get the ring back but Amy pulls it away and he's all "Do you mi . . ." and then he drops his head " . . . mind?"
Oh God yes. I just... run out of words. (MAGIC acting, that's what it is. MAGIC!)
Moff has freaking word magic. That part made me shiver.
Same here. And the delivery was just incredible. So low key, almost.
I think River would make for a perfect Doctor lite episode. It would be awesome, and we could get actual relevant character and/or plot development out of an ep that's usually a one-off. Or maybe I just want to watch her be James Bond for 45 minutes. That would be good too.
I'm easy too! Maybe next season? *crosses fingers*
Ok, reading your post, I was actually tearing up by this point. *guh*
*hands you tissues* It was strange writing this, because I just started writing various brilliant things down in response to my 'let me count the ways', and then suddenly it... developed.
Oh, Doctor. And I want exactly what you said to happen. I want the Doctor to live up to that best version of himself that Amy saw back in "The Beast Below."
I didn't know I wanted that until I wrote it. And now I need it. Because he is kind. *points to icon* The gentleness of that scene just totally did me in. (I've got a whole flaily post about The Lodger - just follow the tag if you're interested.)
This needs to happen because, I think, just about any other ending would be emotionally unsatisfying, and Moffat, whatever anyone else says about him, has a genius for hitting those emotional resolutions right. His endings *glow*.
Sometimes literally! *g* But... I know what you mean. And I'd love a happy ending, because all the finales up till now have been tragic one way or another. (I want the final scene to be Amy and Rory's wedding btw. Because I think that'd be perfect!)
Anyway, thank you for your wonderful comment. (Less than a day left OMG!)
no subject
I think River would make for a perfect Doctor lite episode. It would be awesome, and we could get actual relevant character and/or plot development out of an ep that's usually a one-off.
*dies laughing* She got her own freaking SEASON! OK, so what you meant was probably something along the lines of 'A chapter from the life of River Song' (possibly with her own team), but... How were we to know that she'd be so very tangled up in the Doctor's life? *happy sigh*
Oh and this:
and Moffat, whatever anyone else says about him, has a genius for hitting those emotional resolutions right. His endings *glow*.
Is very reassuring. Esp considering that the post was written at the point we are at now - i.e. the day before The Big Finale.
Um, goodmorning?
no subject
Came back to this post, partly for the RIVER RIVER RIVER thing (which I'll need again)
Are you planning your squee ahead of time?!?! lololol *squishes you* Or if you're planning to make fun of me, I would support that too.
*dies laughing* She got her own freaking SEASON! OK, so what you meant was probably something along the lines of 'A chapter from the life of River Song' (possibly with her own team), but... How were we to know that she'd be so very tangled up in the Doctor's life? *happy sigh*
Yeah . . . very dramatically underestimated Moff's commitment to providing River story. Very dramatically. Someday I shall adjust to this idea, I swear.
Is very reassuring. Esp considering that the post was written at the point we are at now - i.e. the day before The Big Finale.
Yup! Like Owl's phrasing about it all ending in hugs. And probably sparkles <3 Need a happy ending rather badly here . . . though mostly worried Amy and Rory will get shortchanged :-\
Really enjoyed your Angel post! Don't really feel qualified to properly comment, but it's an intriguing way to look at the character. Actually quite excited to get back to AtS at some point once Who has wound down a bit (got through the first season and an ep or two into the second before I was lured away). Oh, and if you're bored you should READ FIC! *poke, poke*
no subject
Are you planning your squee ahead of time?!?! lololol *squishes you*
Aw, thank you. And yes, I'm totally planning my squee. Doesn't everyone?
Yeah . . . very dramatically underestimated Moff's commitment to providing River story. Very dramatically. Someday I shall adjust to this idea, I swear.
Same here. I still have to pinch myself to make sure that I'm awake and that MY SHIP is the main story. THAT NEVER HAPPENS.
Yup! Like Owl's phrasing about it all ending in hugs. And probably sparkles <3 Need a happy ending rather badly here . . . though mostly worried Amy and Rory will get shortchanged :-\
Well it's an ongoing story. *crosses fingers* (And now I have deja vu, but can't remember what about.)
Really enjoyed your Angel post! Don't really feel qualified to properly comment, but it's an intriguing way to look at the character.
Thanks - it started its life as a comment that was never posted, to someone who was all 'But NFA was all *wrong* and Angel shouldn't have done what he did etc etc' which just... Huh? ETA: Oh, and it's all your fault for bringing up 'I'm Not Driving Anymore'.
Actually quite excited to get back to AtS at some point once Who has wound down a bit (got through the first season and an ep or two into the second before I was lured away).
\o/ I was going to watch Jekyll last night, but couldn't find the box. :(
And I have the fic open in a tab. Life's just... /o\ (I keep stopping by the computer, tapping out swift replies, and then running away.)
no subject
And yes, I'm totally planning my squee. Doesn't everyone?
Only for Gwen Cooper. And that was basically one sure thing on a show for which I had no presumptions that anything else would be at all worthwhile. I had a fantastic post all planned out of mad Gwen squee alternated with unapologetic snark, and then Rusty had to go and RUIN EVERYTHING by being any good /o\
someone who was all 'But NFA was all *wrong* and Angel shouldn't have done what he did etc etc' which just... Huh?
NFA felt so right. And I'd not been particularly sucked in by the season before that, but I got to NFA and was like "ok, maybe this show is worth something, then."
Oh, and it's all your fault for bringing up 'I'm Not Driving Anymore'.
I can deal with that ; )
I was going to watch Jekyll last night, but couldn't find the box. :(
You know what? Good. By this point I kinda feel like watching Jekyll would just be SPOILERS. Find it and watch it after the finale, though, or I shall be forced to do something drastic (precise nature 'something drastic' to be determined later). Read fic instead *nods*
no subject
Only for Gwen Cooper. And that was basically one sure thing on a show for which I had no presumptions that anything else would be at all worthwhile. I had a fantastic post all planned out of mad Gwen squee alternated with unapologetic snark, and then Rusty had to go and RUIN EVERYTHING by being any good /o\
Oh I'd have loved that. Esp since I think it was the worst of Rusty all rolled up into one...
NFA felt so right. And I'd not been particularly sucked in by the season before that, but I got to NFA and was like "ok, maybe this show is worth something, then."
It was PERFECT. One bright shining moment. And the fight never ends. ♥ And there is the fact that Angel spends the preceding four seasons being manipulated and dragged up down and sideways by various powers. The moment he signs away the shanshu is fantastic. Like Lindsey, he's stopped playing other people's game and made them play his... (Ooooh such lovely parallels! Although Angel is hopelessly arrogant of course.)
I can deal with that ; )
Figured as much. *g*
You know what? Good. By this point I kinda feel like watching Jekyll would just be SPOILERS. Find it and watch it after the finale, though, or I shall be forced to do something drastic (precise nature 'something drastic' to be determined later).
Well I will have to concentrate on the Sekkrit Project first... ETA: Also, can't read the fic. I mean I started, and it's beautifully, beautifully written, but when I was about half-way through part 1 my mind started to wander, because I know this is just a story and my head is full of BUT WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW? and yeah. Will get to it when my head is clear.
no subject
*soothes* lol--saw your procrastination post, you poor thing. Is it just me, or has LJ been rather slow this week (as in volume, not bandwidth)? And if you want readers, post your fic to a comm like the rest of us!
Although I would be happiest in a small, dark, soundproof room, all on my own. But hey ho, can't have everything...
Oh, jeeze, this! I refuse to watch DW eps for the first time with anyone but my sister, but she and I always freak out about the same things.
Family has persisted in plans to take me out for my birthday. Incredibly cool sculpture gardens I've wanted to see for a long while, but . . . /o\ Feeling a bit cheated out of getting to stare at my computer screen in an agony of anticipation. At least plans are to go a bit early; hopefully shall be able to watch the episode not long after I would have gotten to otherwise *prays*
Oh I'd have loved that. Esp since I think it was the worst of Rusty all rolled up into one...
*grins* I love it like a big, gaudy thing <3 No mere squee harsher, me; I just like disagreeing with people!
I know this is just a story and my head is full of BUT WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW? and yeah. Will get to it when my head is clear.
Lol. Maybe we should just sedate you?
no subject
You know, I COMPLETELY forgot about that. I crossposted Part 1, but obviously a Silent came along and made me forget to do that with part 2... (Stupid cold.)
*wanders off to crosspost*