The Rings of Akhaten. DW S7.8

[elisi]

I almost don't know where to start. There was 'Clara's First Adventure', and I loved that aspect, but for now I will immerse myself in imagery and history and continuity and the wonderful unfolding story of the Doctor... I've seen people say that they didn't feel the big speech was 'earned', and I... don't understand. I mean, obviously we all watch different shows, but do they watch in a vacuum? This is a very important chapter in a long, long arc. Most specifically it's the answer to AGMGTW (although the last ghost of The Timelord Victorious is also laid to rest for good, I hope). Let me illustrate, and then expand:





Because it's about the song.

AGMGTW was his greatest hour, after which he fell further than ever before... He was forced to face what he had become, how the very meaning of his name was changing. How he had enemies and caused danger to those he loved because of who and what he was, and what he had become. Since then we have seen him lay the warrior to rest, step by step, and with great difficulty.

He 'died', returning to the realm of Legend in the universe as a whole, before Oswin erased him from the Daleks' knowledge, removing the label of 'Predator', severing that tie. And he then went on to erase himself from the universe altogether, turning up 'worthless' in Solomon's search. Yet the scars, and the danger was still there, lurking under the surface - he killed Solomon in cold blood, and was ready to execute the dark mirror he found in Jex.

But then he lost his Ponds, and with them his joy in life. He withdrew and would not stir no matter the occasion - until Clara. But notice the way he dealt with Dr Simeon - there was still a good bit of cold warrior in there.

And then he finds Clara again, against all the odds. And takes her away to see the wonder of the universe.

What happens when they realise the severity of the situation?

Clara: “You are going to fight it, aren’t you?”
Doctor: "Regrettably yes, I think I might be about to do that.”

But he doesn't.

Mind you, he doesn't have a clue what to do - and then he hears the singing. The people singing for him... And what do they sing?

“Rest now... My warrior..."

And he smiles.

Doctor: "OK then, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll tell you a story."

The singing then continues:

"Live! Wake up. Wake up. And let the cloak of life cling to your bones."

The speech that follows is important in many ways. It brings casual/new viewers up to date, informing them of the major issues (such as the incredible things he has done and the dangerous secrets he knows), it gives us our first, proper, onscreen mention of Omega, and it is a stunning spectacle, both visually and in the way that the singing carries the Doctor through.

But there is something else, something very important. I said he doesn't fight - what he does instead is offer himself as a substitute sacrifice, with every breath claiming his own humanity (for lack of a better word). It is, in a wonderfully ridiculous way, just like Bracewell:

Doctor: "Good. Remember it now, Edwin! The ash trees by the Post Office and your mum and dad and losing them and men in the trenches you saw die... Remember it! Feel it, because you're human. [...] Believe it! You are Professor Edwin Bracewell! And you, my friend, are a human being!"

Doctor: "You feed on them - on the memory of love and loss and birth and death and joy and sorrow, so- So... [voice goes quiet] Come on then. Take mine. Take my memories."

He doesn't try to win by being stronger or more dangerous or more deadly. But simply by being more human, by having a more than a thousand years of love and loss. Not a remote god, not a warrior, not suppressing or denying his emotions, but waking up and feeling it all. Living.

It gives me chills.

Especially because - it isn't enough. He staggers, defeated, just a man. An old, old man, with two hearts.

And then comes Clara. With her mother's book of 101 Places to See, looking like a very young girl indeed, not much different from Susan all those years before. And what saves the day are the stories not told - contained in a leaf. The most important leaf in human history...

And so, just like in Asylum of the Daleks, being human - hanging onto humanity against everything, - is the most important thing of all. ("I am Oswin Oswald. I fought the Daleks, and I AM human!")

Finally, I'll quote promethia_tenk, who sums up the scene with the leaf beautifully:

Clara's standing there, holding a book of travels.
She has a leaf. A leaf which brings people together. That lets people find each other. That's about husbands and wives and mothers and daughters and connections and loss.
And it's full of history and full of stories.
There are people singing about embracing life, and about laying down the warrior, which is the exact word River used in AGMGTW.
And there is gold magic dust going on.

About the only thing missing is literal water. But as she's standing there making a lengthy philosophical speech about time and loss, and because basically the first thing she asked in the entire episode was what time is made of, I'm willing to overlook the omission ; )

Laying aside any thought of literal connections for a moment, you couldn't fit any more symbolic connections into that scene if you tried. And were T.S. Eliot.

Which needs another illustration. And I love the colours, the mirroring... everything.



And that's all for now. Am tired. Will probably write more later, but right now, this is all. It was the episode where the Doctor took on a god - by refusing the label himself. And believing it.

Comments

[honeynoir.livejournal.com]

♥ ♥ ♥

[elisi]

♥ ♥ ♥

[sensiblecat.livejournal.com]

I loved it. Love, love, loved it. That was the moment when Matt Smith became The Doctor for me. It's as if he's been looking for himself all that time - back to his regeneration and even before that. I just could never get the Ponds - they did nothing for me, I'm afraid. But Clara is a completely different kettle of fish - something about her seems to bring him back to his humility, his centre.

It wasn't just about preferring Ten - I simply couldn't see a connection that I could believe in between Eleven and all the ones that had gone before. But perhaps that was intentional - that he'd gone so far away from himself that something very drastic, followed by a period of quiet reflection, was necessary. Appropriately for this anniversary year, he seems to have found it bearable, at last, to return to his routes. I always felt that that exploded, postmodern TARDIS interior was about chaos and collapse and running away from the undeniable. But now it seems that everything Ten wasn't ready to confront has come up and slapped Eleven in the face and he has simply had to change.

That big speech is astonishing and your screencap reveals he's actually crying in it. Wow.

[elisi]

I loved it. Love, love, loved it. That was the moment when Matt Smith became The Doctor for me.
In which case I love it even more! ♥

It's as if he's been looking for himself all that time - back to his regeneration and even before that.
*nods* And I don't think it's an Eleven-y thing as such. This is healing/accepting some of the major wounds from the Time War. I'd say that this ties right back to Nine.

I just could never get the Ponds - they did nothing for me, I'm afraid. But Clara is a completely different kettle of fish - something about her seems to bring him back to his humility, his centre.
Basically, after the screwup that was Ten (and sorry, then is by far the most un-Dotor-y for me -> "No second chances") I think he made Amy/the Ponds his entire world, as he tried to learn to *live* again. And now, with Clara, he is ready to step back out and embrace the whole world once more. Like you say, he was finding his way back. And as it happens, Promethia has been making a vid chronicling alllll this perfectly: The New Age. (Time War/destruction -> Ponds -> Waking up)

But now it seems that everything Ten wasn't ready to confront has come up and slapped Eleven in the face and he has simply had to change.
It's taken a long time, but all the work has been paying off... (Moffat really has been very successful in putting the Doctor back together. <3)

That big speech is astonishing and your screencap reveals he's actually crying in it. Wow.
IKR? I've been listening to the song on repeat for days now. Live! Wake up...

[kikimay]

I loved the episode SO MUCH. And the Doctor speech with that song on background just got me. AMAZING. Very enjoyable review. I feel all the emotions about it!

[elisi]

All the words don't even come close to the emotions...

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

Between you and Lone, you have explained the bits (and made me like them more!) that left me headscratching and a little 'meh'. Thank you for this meta - very think-inducing!

*HUGS*

[elisi]

See it didn't really make me think - all this writing is me desperately trying to find words to explain the ways it just overwhelmed me. <3

[promethia_tenk]

Best show <3

[elisi]

Best, best, BEST show! <3

[tv-fan-2008.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is an awesome parallel that you have pointed out here! :D I just loved this episode and as always I enjoyed reading your thoughts on it :)

[elisi]

♥

This show. This show is ALL THE THINGS!

[radiolaires]

Brilliant!
I was more prone to link it to the God Complex, since what struck me really was the parallel between the Grandfather (oh, the name they chose for him!) and the Doctor. I see the Doctor as a love and devotion vampire :).
But the parallel you drew with AGMGTW was SO beautiful. And the leaf!
I had no problem with the speech, it was perfectly earned, desperate and completely pathetic, the Doctor giving in. After all he sent Clara away, he was alone at that moment. But she came back, she saved him, from his foolishness -you said it, he has no idea what he is doing-, just like River. It was beautiful.

[elisi]

Brilliant!
:)

I was more prone to link it to the God Complex, since what struck me really was the parallel between the Grandfather (oh, the name they chose for him!) and the Doctor. I see the Doctor as a love and devotion vampire :).
Hmmm. Yes and no. I mean, yes of course. But it was as if they set up the parallel so carefully (going so far as to name the god 'grandfather') - and then they subverted the whole thing to such an extent that I'm still flailing.

But the parallel you drew with AGMGTW was SO beautiful. And the leaf!
IKR? Alll the love! Allll the imagery! <3

I had no problem with the speech, it was perfectly earned, desperate and completely pathetic, the Doctor giving in. After all he sent Clara away, he was alone at that moment.
I can't even remember where I read it, but I just wanted to make the point clear. *Disliking* it is something else entirely, but somehow failing to see the importance is something I can't understand.

But she came back, she saved him, from his foolishness -you said it, he has no idea what he is doing-, just like River. It was beautiful.
Actually the main issue with AGMGTW is that he knows exactly what he's doing. He doesn't see where it's leading, but he's all plan back then. Mmmmm, love it, even though it's bad.

[dweomeroflight.livejournal.com]

Even though the actual plot of the week was kinda lame, I appreciated how this entire episode summarized all of Moffat Who.

It's all about the power of stories and the power of memory and the power of just damn well existing ever on in such a big universe.

[elisi]

Even though the actual plot of the week was kinda lame
Plot schmot. This is the programme that can reverse the polarity of the neutron flow.

I appreciated how this entire episode summarized all of Moffat Who. It's all about the power of stories and the power of memory and the power of just damn well existing ever on in such a big universe.
ALL THE THINGS. <3 <3 <3

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

You just made this episode even better. :) My only peeve was the fact that the TARDIS wasn't translating for Clara but we decided it was too much fun to watch her bark to care.

Yes, really good episode, felt like a good place for a new fan to come in but with enough nods to the previous series to keep the rest of us happy. Cannot wait to see what else is in store for Clara!

[elisi]

You just made this episode even better. :)
\o/

My only peeve was the fact that the TARDIS wasn't translating for Clara but we decided it was too much fun to watch her bark to care.
It translated everyone *except* the barking lady, so yeah, I think it was done for laughs. Like making Ten speak Judoon.

Yes, really good episode, felt like a good place for a new fan to come in but with enough nods to the previous series to keep the rest of us happy. Cannot wait to see what else is in store for Clara!
Same here! :)

[lonewytch.livejournal.com]

Love.

It isn't enough because he isn't human, and he never can be human. He doesn't know true death and rebirth (the essence of the leaf - life lived, ended in death and the vast plain of unfilled potential). He offers up everything and he can't win - always he's been the dying and resurrecting God, but here's the truth, and the truth is that in this arc he doesn't actually hold the power that death has because- effectively - he is immortal.

It's a big metaphor for the whole show too - in order for the Doctor to properly "win" once and for all, against all his enemies, he has to actually die, the show has to end. While he still lives, there is the endless battle - otherwise we wouldn't have a show.

Does any of that make sense?!!

Also, love the mirroring of the leaves and fire/water tones in the shots you've contrasted.

[elisi]

Love
♥

Does any of that make sense?!!
It makes all the sense in the world! (I've yet to read yours or janie's meta, have quite simply not had the time... /o\)

Also, love the mirroring of the leaves and fire/water tones in the shots you've contrasted.
Most gorgeous show ever!

[niyalune.livejournal.com]

Very good meta !
Funnily one of my first thoughts after that part (after "I wonder if he lost some memories") was "I bet Elisi loved it" ;)

Also, when Clara talked about her mom's days that should have been, I couldn't help but be reminded of Amy's "days that never came" from the Big Bang. I wonder if it's intentional.

And thank you about the rec for Promethia's vid, I hadn't seen it - it's utterly fantastic ♥

[elisi]

Very good meta !
Thank you! <3

Funnily one of my first thoughts after that part (after "I wonder if he lost some memories") was "I bet Elisi loved it" ;)
Ah, I am very predictable...

Also, when Clara talked about her mom's days that should have been, I couldn't help but be reminded of Amy's "days that never came" from the Big Bang. I wonder if it's intentional.
Oh totally.

And thank you about the rec for Promethia's vid, I hadn't seen it - it's utterly fantastic ♥
I've been witness to its creation over the last month and a bit, and oh, it's been fabulous. :)

[flowsoffire.livejournal.com]

Loving the parallel between the speeches—especially with the colour parallels, omfg! The way you analyzed the Doctor's evolution through s7 was simply wonderful.

it gives us our first, proper, onscreen mention of Omega
Ahhhh! I'd completely missed that. Good news for your theory! :D

He doesn't try to win by being stronger or more dangerous or more deadly. But simply by being more human, by having a more than a thousand years of love and loss. Not a remote god, not a warrior, not suppressing or denying his emotions, but waking up and feeling it all. Living.
It gives me chills.
Me too. Even more seeing it put into words ;)

Great thinking, once more. I really enjoyed reading this, thanks for sharing :)

[elisi]

Loving the parallel between the speeches—especially with the colour parallels, omfg!
ALLLL the reds! ALLLL the blues! <3

The way you analyzed the Doctor's evolution through s7 was simply wonderful.
Aw, thank you.

Ahhhh! I'd completely missed that. Good news for your theory! :D
It could also be Rassilon, but as he's locked up in the Time War, I doubt he'll turn up...

Me too. Even more seeing it put into words ;)
:D

Great thinking, once more. I really enjoyed reading this, thanks for sharing :)
Thanks for commenting.

[unfeathered]

Thank you for this. I love the way you can make sense of Moffatt's DW for me, make me see the beauty in it. I hate that I can't see it on my own, though. A lot of his eps, including this one, fall really flat for me until I see them through your eyes.

Guess I'm just not on the right wavelength. :-(

[elisi]

Well I can't not see it. I'm not sure if that's innate or a learned skill though... I remember the first time I read proper meta (not a review or analysis of the plot points, but meta meta, digging through all the layers) - it was about the Buffy finale and it was like absolute magic! The sort of vague thoughts and feelings I hadn't really known what to do with or how to even begin to formulate were all laid out and examined and made sense and the sheer depth was just incredible. Like the difference between 2D and 3D. I spent the next few years going through everything in the Buffy & Angel canon that I could, which overlapped with DW starting.

And then came Moffat and dear Lord, the mirrors turned into a discoball...