Doctor Who: Parting of the Ways
Jun. 19th, 2005 01:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenayTo quote a certain someone: fantastic!
I'm writing this without having checked my emails, looked at my friends page or discussed it much with anyone other than my father. So it's quite possible that I will find other things to whitter or squee about after more detailed discussion. But first impressions count most, right?
Brilliant, brilliant episode :-)))) I was completely absorbed, worried sick in many parts and loved every second. So glad that I went into it unspoiled *gg*
For a very brief moment, I was concerned that Rose's rescue was too easy. Shouldn't that be the main point in the episode? Except it quickly became obvious that there were other, much bigger, things going on and Rose was turning out to be central to them. I loved the idea of an insane Emperor Dalek. After all, the Daleks have never been on the saner side of the divide anyway and this just worked. It also made sense of the lethal quiz shows - who is going to question the disappearance of thousands of humans when they think they know what's happening? It also makes sense, to a degree, of the Dalek agenda. I'm not entirely convinced that all of the Daleks have died this time (damn, those buggers are persistent) but that's a thought for another season.
We finally had a fuller (although by no means complete) picture of what happened during the Time Wars. It makes many of the Doctor's reactions to things (particularly the Daleks) more understandable. The way that Christopher Eccleston has played the Doctor's behaviour around the Daleks, both here and in 'Dalek', had me completely convinced that he would see the destruction of the human race as a small sacrifice in the face of the larger destruction of the Daleks. I had no doubt that he'd do it. That made his inability to pull the trigger in the end more affecting, in a way. He remembered who he is and what he does - he just couldn't do it. I was reminded very much of Tom Baker's performance in sections of 'Genesis of the Daleks' - he knew that he had the power to wipe out a race that would bring misery and slaughter to billions, but he couldn't do it. This Doctor did the same thing, except this time he knows that the Daleks are going to wipe out the humans. He's faced with a choice that isn't a choice: mass genocide at his own hands or allow the Daleks to do it. Either way, it's the end.
The Doctor calls himself a coward for not being able to do it. Except he's not. He's just following a moral code that he's built over the centuries and he can't do anything else.
I gasped out loud when Captain Jack died. Never mind that I half expected it, I still didn't want it to happen.
The Doctor and Rose. Possibly the first het ship in years that I've cheered every inch of the way. I kind of expected the Doctor to send Rose away but I was still yelling in my head that he couldn't do it. If they're not going to make it, Rose would want to be right there with him. Billie Pyper did a great job with Rose's reactions when she returned to her own time. In many ways, it shows the growth in the character over the season. Episode one Rose went out there for the danger and excitement, thinking that she'd be able to return to her own time and pick up her life whenever she wanted to. Episode thirteen Rose has seen too much to be able to do that.
I loved the interaction between Rose, Mickey and Jackie. Ex-boyfriend and mom trying to persuade Rose that she shouldn't want more than what everyone else has, but finally realising that Rose can't be content with their lives anymore. I was particularly happy to see Jackie joining in with the plan because she was the character I really didn't expect to see grow like that.
And then there was the time vortex *shiver*
When the Dalek Emperor said that he wasn't responsible for Bad Wolf, I half expected to find out that the Doctor was wrong about being the last Time Lord. I was prepared for the idea that there was somehow another Time Lord out there manipulating everything for some other reason. Alternatively, this would be a mystery not solved until next season.
Rose as Bad Wolf? Last thing I expected. It all made sense though. And glowing-eyes Rose was quite scary and very sad, in an odd kind of way. All that power in a body that couldn't cope with it. Rose used it to save the people she loved, but it was using her, too.
And yes, I cheered when she revived Captain Jack :-)
But I wonder whether she'll ever be allowed to remember what she did - wipe out an entire race - and what kind of repercussions that could have.
Yes, I also cheered when the Doctor kissed Rose. Wonder whether she'll ever be allowed to remember that, too *g*
The regeneration was done just right. I loved it. I can imagine RTD and co sitting at their keyboards, chuckling evilly as they wrote that and anticipated the audience reaction to the unexpected regeneration. Of course, it didn't work out like that because the tabloids managed to find out about CE's departure. Curse them. But the regeneration still worked for me. Yup, still sitting there going "Oh, my, god!" Mainly because I didn't expect it to happen in this episode. Christmas special? Yup. Here? Well, once the Daleks were gone I assumed that the regeneration wasn't going to happen. And then the Doctor's hand glowed and I realised.
No real reaction yet to David Tennant. I'm waiting until we see what he does with his Doctor in the Christmas special - ten seconds isn't long enough to judge with *g*
In many ways, I'm glad they did the regeneration here because it absolutely worked. The Doctor sacrificed a life to save Rose because he can't do anything else. Definite Nine/Rose shipper over here *g*
I have only one quibble. Um, they left Captain Jack behind. That is just wrong *g* Thousands of fangirls must have been yelling at the screen as the TARDIS dematerialised without him. He's a resourceful Time Agent, though. I'm sure that he can put together something to track and follow the TARDIS. Or, even more hopefully, Rose or the Doctor will remember and go back for him. 'Cos I want Captain Jack to be in season two. And three. *g*
I only squeed very, very quietly when Captain Jack kissed the Doctor. Promise :-)
I think that one of the reasons why I like Captain Jack so much is because he fitted with the Doctor and Rose. Often a character like that, stepping into an established relationship that works so well, feels like a spare cog and doesn't work because he's interfering with an established relationship. But Captain Jack walked in and added to the relationship rather than interfering. He had chemistry with both the Doctor and ROse, there was a bond between all three of them. Hell, I'm not too far from becoming a Nine/Rose/Captain Jack shipper :-)
And so this was a brilliant episode. Things in it that I didn't expect, things that I half-expected but didn't realise they'd go *that* way, leaving me on a high despite the loss of Nine and the abandonment of Captain Jack. Now, how often can I say that about an episode? *g*
I suspect that, at some time over the next week, I'll be doing some kind of overview of the whole season and what I thought now that I know how it all fits together. Probably. Because I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this and the next six months are going to feel very, very long. Roll on the Christmas special!
In other news, it's horridly, stiflingly hot here. We're talking 30C in the shade (according to our thermometer) and I *hate* this kind of weather. I had all kinds of plans for this weekend and none of it is going to happen 'cos it's too damned hot. I may take a quick peek at the friends page before turning off the computer (which is sounding rather sorry for itself due to the heat) and then I'm veging out in front of the TV because that's the only thing I feel up to in this heat. Grrrr. Wonder whether it's too soon for a repeat viewing of Doctor Who?
I'm writing this without having checked my emails, looked at my friends page or discussed it much with anyone other than my father. So it's quite possible that I will find other things to whitter or squee about after more detailed discussion. But first impressions count most, right?
Brilliant, brilliant episode :-)))) I was completely absorbed, worried sick in many parts and loved every second. So glad that I went into it unspoiled *gg*
For a very brief moment, I was concerned that Rose's rescue was too easy. Shouldn't that be the main point in the episode? Except it quickly became obvious that there were other, much bigger, things going on and Rose was turning out to be central to them. I loved the idea of an insane Emperor Dalek. After all, the Daleks have never been on the saner side of the divide anyway and this just worked. It also made sense of the lethal quiz shows - who is going to question the disappearance of thousands of humans when they think they know what's happening? It also makes sense, to a degree, of the Dalek agenda. I'm not entirely convinced that all of the Daleks have died this time (damn, those buggers are persistent) but that's a thought for another season.
We finally had a fuller (although by no means complete) picture of what happened during the Time Wars. It makes many of the Doctor's reactions to things (particularly the Daleks) more understandable. The way that Christopher Eccleston has played the Doctor's behaviour around the Daleks, both here and in 'Dalek', had me completely convinced that he would see the destruction of the human race as a small sacrifice in the face of the larger destruction of the Daleks. I had no doubt that he'd do it. That made his inability to pull the trigger in the end more affecting, in a way. He remembered who he is and what he does - he just couldn't do it. I was reminded very much of Tom Baker's performance in sections of 'Genesis of the Daleks' - he knew that he had the power to wipe out a race that would bring misery and slaughter to billions, but he couldn't do it. This Doctor did the same thing, except this time he knows that the Daleks are going to wipe out the humans. He's faced with a choice that isn't a choice: mass genocide at his own hands or allow the Daleks to do it. Either way, it's the end.
The Doctor calls himself a coward for not being able to do it. Except he's not. He's just following a moral code that he's built over the centuries and he can't do anything else.
I gasped out loud when Captain Jack died. Never mind that I half expected it, I still didn't want it to happen.
The Doctor and Rose. Possibly the first het ship in years that I've cheered every inch of the way. I kind of expected the Doctor to send Rose away but I was still yelling in my head that he couldn't do it. If they're not going to make it, Rose would want to be right there with him. Billie Pyper did a great job with Rose's reactions when she returned to her own time. In many ways, it shows the growth in the character over the season. Episode one Rose went out there for the danger and excitement, thinking that she'd be able to return to her own time and pick up her life whenever she wanted to. Episode thirteen Rose has seen too much to be able to do that.
I loved the interaction between Rose, Mickey and Jackie. Ex-boyfriend and mom trying to persuade Rose that she shouldn't want more than what everyone else has, but finally realising that Rose can't be content with their lives anymore. I was particularly happy to see Jackie joining in with the plan because she was the character I really didn't expect to see grow like that.
And then there was the time vortex *shiver*
When the Dalek Emperor said that he wasn't responsible for Bad Wolf, I half expected to find out that the Doctor was wrong about being the last Time Lord. I was prepared for the idea that there was somehow another Time Lord out there manipulating everything for some other reason. Alternatively, this would be a mystery not solved until next season.
Rose as Bad Wolf? Last thing I expected. It all made sense though. And glowing-eyes Rose was quite scary and very sad, in an odd kind of way. All that power in a body that couldn't cope with it. Rose used it to save the people she loved, but it was using her, too.
And yes, I cheered when she revived Captain Jack :-)
But I wonder whether she'll ever be allowed to remember what she did - wipe out an entire race - and what kind of repercussions that could have.
Yes, I also cheered when the Doctor kissed Rose. Wonder whether she'll ever be allowed to remember that, too *g*
The regeneration was done just right. I loved it. I can imagine RTD and co sitting at their keyboards, chuckling evilly as they wrote that and anticipated the audience reaction to the unexpected regeneration. Of course, it didn't work out like that because the tabloids managed to find out about CE's departure. Curse them. But the regeneration still worked for me. Yup, still sitting there going "Oh, my, god!" Mainly because I didn't expect it to happen in this episode. Christmas special? Yup. Here? Well, once the Daleks were gone I assumed that the regeneration wasn't going to happen. And then the Doctor's hand glowed and I realised.
No real reaction yet to David Tennant. I'm waiting until we see what he does with his Doctor in the Christmas special - ten seconds isn't long enough to judge with *g*
In many ways, I'm glad they did the regeneration here because it absolutely worked. The Doctor sacrificed a life to save Rose because he can't do anything else. Definite Nine/Rose shipper over here *g*
I have only one quibble. Um, they left Captain Jack behind. That is just wrong *g* Thousands of fangirls must have been yelling at the screen as the TARDIS dematerialised without him. He's a resourceful Time Agent, though. I'm sure that he can put together something to track and follow the TARDIS. Or, even more hopefully, Rose or the Doctor will remember and go back for him. 'Cos I want Captain Jack to be in season two. And three. *g*
I only squeed very, very quietly when Captain Jack kissed the Doctor. Promise :-)
I think that one of the reasons why I like Captain Jack so much is because he fitted with the Doctor and Rose. Often a character like that, stepping into an established relationship that works so well, feels like a spare cog and doesn't work because he's interfering with an established relationship. But Captain Jack walked in and added to the relationship rather than interfering. He had chemistry with both the Doctor and ROse, there was a bond between all three of them. Hell, I'm not too far from becoming a Nine/Rose/Captain Jack shipper :-)
And so this was a brilliant episode. Things in it that I didn't expect, things that I half-expected but didn't realise they'd go *that* way, leaving me on a high despite the loss of Nine and the abandonment of Captain Jack. Now, how often can I say that about an episode? *g*
I suspect that, at some time over the next week, I'll be doing some kind of overview of the whole season and what I thought now that I know how it all fits together. Probably. Because I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this and the next six months are going to feel very, very long. Roll on the Christmas special!
In other news, it's horridly, stiflingly hot here. We're talking 30C in the shade (according to our thermometer) and I *hate* this kind of weather. I had all kinds of plans for this weekend and none of it is going to happen 'cos it's too damned hot. I may take a quick peek at the friends page before turning off the computer (which is sounding rather sorry for itself due to the heat) and then I'm veging out in front of the TV because that's the only thing I feel up to in this heat. Grrrr. Wonder whether it's too soon for a repeat viewing of Doctor Who?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-06-19 02:45 pm (UTC)I loved the ending. Billy Piper was a revelation. It was just perfect.
no subject
Date: 2005-06-19 03:02 pm (UTC)Personally, I think it was both of them. Kind of a gestalt entity (if that makes any sense). The Doctor does say that she has the Time Vortex running through her and nobody can survive that - implying, to me, that he knew that she was in there somewhere and they were both working together. She says that she can see everything in time, which for me was Rose speaking.
'I want you safe. My Doctor. Protected from the false god.'
The words might be the TARDIS (and it's possible to argue either way), and I'm quite happy to go along with the idea that they were, but I'm inclined to think that Rose was right there with the TARDIS, even if that wasn't the way she'd have expressed it.
I loved the ending. Billy Piper was a revelation. It was just perfect.
I've been impressed with Billy Piper (yay for the right spelling!) all season, but this was probably her best performace yet. She had me almost tearing up at a few points. I'm very impressed :-)
no subject
Date: 2005-06-19 08:48 pm (UTC)Yay!
no subject
Date: 2005-06-19 09:48 pm (UTC)I just watched the Dalek one (I'm a bit behind *cough*) and am thrilled in general with the show. And the slashy (sub)text I hear is coming up? Be still my heart...
no subject
Date: 2005-06-19 09:59 pm (UTC)I sort of was. I've just read a Doctor & Ace book where a similar thing happened - there's a big mystery at the beginning that the Doctor knows the answer to and Ace doesn't, and it turns out to be Ace all along. So I had that in the back of my mind at the time.
I'm actually quite glad that the Doctor died. Otherwise the solution would have been too simple, and what's to stop them using it again? The Doctor heard Captain Jack die and Rose didn't remember bringing him to life, so it makes sense that they'd leave him behind. I'm sure he'll find a way to send them a message though :)
When the Daleks went and killed the people on Floor 0 that was the first time they were actually scary to me. When we were younger me and my sister used to go 'ahhh' at seeing them because they were quite sweet :) From the episode Dalek I could see that they were nasty, but it didn't make them scary to me. It was them actually seeking these people out and killing them for no reason - bearing in mind that they were going to die anyway, had the dalek's plan succeeded - that was really horrible.
It was so sad that that was the last of Chris Eccleston that we'll see. But I'm really looking forward to seeing David Tennant's Doctor.
PS
Date: 2005-06-19 10:04 pm (UTC)Not one of mine - wish it was!
Date: 2005-06-19 10:51 pm (UTC)Have you seen this icon here:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/yonmei/472365.html
--
no subject
Date: 2005-06-20 03:25 pm (UTC)I may have to screencap :-)
no subject
Date: 2005-06-20 03:27 pm (UTC)Um, sub? Not so much. *Text* ::snicker::
Not doing well with the avoiding spoilers thing, huh?
The show in general is great - I'm so pleased. As a life-long DW fan, I had my concerns about what they'd do with it, but it's been really fabulous and I'm now an extremely happy, if very impatient, fan :-)
Re: PS
Date: 2005-06-20 03:37 pm (UTC)Not sure how people are using them to search with - I've added some links to them on my journal. Hmm.
Re: Not one of mine - wish it was!
Date: 2005-06-20 03:39 pm (UTC)::wanders off to stare at icon for a while::
It's been two days. I think that I can justify a re-watch now *ggg*
no subject
Date: 2005-06-20 03:49 pm (UTC)I haven't read that one. I'm not sure that I would have made the connection, either, because it needed me to put together about five thousand clues scattered throughout the run and...um...I'm just not that smart *g*
Otherwise the solution would have been too simple, and what's to stop them using it again?
::nods:: Very superb point. This can't be the get out of jail card used at the end of every season - I liked the fact that there were consequences to it. The Doctor knew what would happen if he used the TARDIS that way and he must have known that there would be serious consequences otherwise he would have tried it himself.
Makes me wonder whether we're going to be getting some kind of long-term repurcussions for Rose later. Hmm...
I'm sure he'll find a way to send them a message though :)
*gg* He's smart, resourceful and determined. There's no way that he'll not manage something. Not that I'm a Captain Jack fan or anything...
It was them actually seeking these people out and killing them for no reason - bearing in mind that they were going to die anyway, had the dalek's plan succeeded - that was really horrible.
Yeah, that was one of the most affecting moments. They didn't need to die but the Daleks did it anyway because they could. That's what makes the Daleks so scary ::shudder::
But I'm really looking forward to seeing David Tennant's Doctor.
*g* I'm going to miss CE's Doctor because he did a fabulous job with it. But I've grown up with a character who changes actors every few years and it's always cool to see what the new guy will do. I was a bit shocked (and slightly disappointed) that CE was only doing the one season, but I got over that after a couple of days. He's been fabulous, he's made sure that people sat up and took notice, took it seriously, and now he's moving on. So I'm going to wait impatiently to find out what David Tennant's Doctor is like.
Is it Christmas yet?
no subject
Date: 2005-06-20 07:50 pm (UTC)So, dvd, avi... possibilities are endless!