7x6 is actually 3x07

[upsticks]

My first Doctor Who reaction post, or at least the first one to be specifically just about DW.


I didn't know what to expect with this one, because while I was happy that DW was in it's rightful prime time place again, after being shoved off tv last week, I've read that a lot of people aren't too impressed with Chris Chibnall's stuff. Still, I tried to keep an open mind. I'm not too sure it worked though.

I missed the very first minute of it because we were talking about it, but I saw that he sonicked her phone so she could use it to called Mumsy. I liked that idea, I think it gives that home/still human aspect, although like the sonic screwdriver, I reckon it will be a bit of a get-out clause later on.

Straight away it seemed like the whole thing was just part three of TIP/TSP, and I'm a bit sad that the Doctor said nothing about it, even though he obviously liked the suit enough to wear it again! I'm glad there was no mention of Rose, but just a "ooh, I think I've been here before" would have been good.

In the Confidential, the design team were talking about how the ship was an industrial ship, it had a job, a function, and employees. It wasn't all new, shiny, uniforms, that sort of thing, which I liked, although the fact that this futuristic work force seemed a bit oppressed was not a good thought. Still, the whole ship looked like it had been taken straight from Red Dwarf! Clearly, the recycling bug is getting everywhere! (and Red Dwarf ftw!) They also mentioned that the scanner was the exactly the same scanner as you saw in Smith & Jones, just painted red. I wouldn't be surprised if it turned up again before the series is out, possibly as a new companion :P How resourceful.

The actual episode seemed overly plotty, with (I thought) too many plots to tie up, although I spose sorting it all out is what the Doctor does best. In that way, I thought there were parallels with Doomsday.

PETE: There's more important things at stake. (pleading) Doctor... help us.
THE DOCTOR: What? Close the breach? Stop the Cybermen? Defeat the Daleks? Do you believe I can do that?
PETE: Yes.
THE DOCTOR: Maybe that's all I need. (grins) Off we go, then!

I mean there was race-against-time meets trapped-with-a-killer-amongst-us meets humans-exploiting-creature-until-it-turns-and-bites-their-hands-off (thanks alocin42!) as well as oh-noes!-the-TARDIS-is-gone (we can never get back, thanks Doctor!) panic, and timed-drunken-pub-quiz stress. I thought it was all a bit to much TBH, especially as it seemed that the characters would forget they were hurtling towards the sun, the heat shields wouldn't last much longer, and it was such a small chance they were going to get through those 29 pub quiz questions. I know it showed why the Doctor loved the human race - for their hope and effort and strength together - but I think it needed more panic, and the Doctor to show that love. Although That would have just made it as a TIP/TSP sequel!

Recreational Mathematics - bringing back some of teaching days! I liked that bit, and if it hadn't been so fast I think I would have understood it :P How does the doctor know EVERYTHING? I know he's magical, but surely he can't know all of the knowledge from everywhere? I'd like to see a story where he doesn't. Is there such a thing?

I cringed at the Doctor's "I'LL SAVE YOU!" It sounded cheesy and far too much like Harry's "HAAAAAAAAAAGGRRRRIIIID!" in The Chamber of Secrets film. I laughed at that. Still, yelling "MARTHA!" might provoke something from the Rose fans and the Ten/Martha fic writers. The lighting in the pod was fantastic - get some good caps/icons out of that - and the fear was quite real. I knew the trailers showed Martha in currently unshown episodes but you never quite know with DW, which is one of the great things about it. I liked the wizardry of Riley (if that was his name) and the bit of Riley/Martha going on there.

The plot-pot was added to when the Doctor looked at the sun himself. (Remember kids: looking at the sun is dangerous! if you must do it, use special glasses (available from all good TARDIS wardrobe rooms) or become a Timelord/lady) Scary stuff! But everything was ok, because Martha was on hand with her I'm-almost-a-Doctor-too skillz. The vulnerability we saw in the Doctor and the panic I felt at the possibility that the Doctor could actually regenerate there and then was great. Scared!Doctor = scared!me. As before though, you never know with DW!

I liked how it was in real time though, there was real fear that things wouldn't happen, that the Doctor wouldn't save everyone, that everyone would get picked off one by one, that he'd end up being emo or angry and saying something like "I couldn't save them." The frequent views of the countdown got a bit boring though. Goes to show the continuing ingenuity of DW though :D

Anyway, it was a good enough episode, with no she-who-must-not-be-named and a Martha who I'm really starting to love (she totally deserves her own icon). I wished they would have taken the two people back with them (give the authorities something to really think about) but that's probably my inner shipper coming out and obviously the Doctor doesn't want anybody else to have Martha everything to be all happy and smiley, so in that way, everything worked out quite well, and Martha got a TARDIS key!! YAY!

This episode was a bit meh, but as I said up there, it might have just been my supposedly open-mind still giving me prejudices. Looking forward to the next ep though! Was that tea on a tray and back-in-time Doctor (in a dressing gown a la Fivey?) and Martha I spotted? *excited*
Yeah, that was, er.. extensive, and totally inconclusive. Anyway, it's some thoughts, which I don't have much of, so enjoy them for that.

Comments

[alocin42.livejournal.com]

Doctors in dressing gowns ftw!

I'm kind of surprised they had him staring at the sun and no comment was made about it not being a good thing to do. Okay he got infected by whatever-it-was, but small children might want glowy eyes to go with the "burn with me" chanting as they attack their friends...

[glitterfairy25.livejournal.com]

BBC, I am disappointed. Where was your safety talk? :P
but not so disappointed that I don't still love you.

I'm thinking there's gonna be a few comments about that. I hope there will be, anyway ;)

[purple_bug.livejournal.com]

I liked the countdown, if only to giggle at it. Those were the most randomly-chosen points to read out the remaining time ever.

It kinda scared me, for the most part. Why are almost-faceless masks so scary? :o) I'll put stuff up soon - more bullet points, really, like the first couple that I did. It's easier that way, and I don't have to try and explain opinions and theories in the main post :o)

And I have a Martha icon *grins*

[glitterfairy25.livejournal.com]

When he put the mask on, I turned to look at my dad, and he turned to look at me, and we both went "Luke, I am your father". :D

I didn't realise I'd write so much. Oops. Maybe I shudda bullet pointed.

I'm actually really warming to Martha, but I still reckon they should have taken Riley along because he was hot for Martha/Riley!