So I've come up with something to talk about here besides Doctor Who: my newest obsession, Questionable Content. One of my friends had sent me the link to these strips a long time ago due to my love of giraffes, but I kind of just looked at them and moved on. I recently actually had a look at the strip, and decided it was worth reading and, well, I might have sort of read through the entire archive of almost 1900 comics in a matter of a few days. Um. Oops.
I guess I don't have a whole lot to say about it at the moment. It frustrates me a whole bunch that it moves along so slowly. That wasn't such a big deal when I was reading through the archives, but now that I'm down to regular speed of one strip per day, it upsets me that I have to read about Dora looking at apartments when I would really rather know what was going on with characters I actually care about (for the record, that is "every main character except Dora.")
At the moment, I would really like to post my theory so that if it turns out to be true, I can say that I called it, and if it turns out to be wrong, it won't matter because no one reads this anyway. This comic introduces a new character named Elliot and this one talks about a previously-unmentioned character named Elliot. They were only published 18 strips apart. I am suspicious. My guess is that they turn out to be the same person. Especially given that the Elliot we actually see is a big guy, which fits the bouncer profile nicely. I do question my theory somewhat on the grounds that surely if he worked at the bar that the group frequents, wouldn't they at least recognize him already? I guess maybe he's newly hired or something. This is another story line that I would like to get back to rather than following Dora around on her apartment hunt. Silly Dora.
I suppose that's really all I have to say about QC for now, but I'll probably bring it up whenever anything exciting happens on the strip.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Thoughts on Season Three
Since I'm somehow already almost halfway through season four, I guess I should finish saying all the other things I wanted to say about season three. Maybe I should just officially turn this into a Doctor Who blog. I really do have things to say about other things, it's just that... well, Glee is on hiatus and I'm not sure what else to write about here. Oooh actually I just had an idea. More on that soon, maybe tomorrow.
Anyway, so I think my approach to season three is just going to be to comment on the episodes that stood out the most to me.
The only episode this season that I didn't particularly enjoy was "42." It was basically the same as "The Impossible Planet"/"The Satan Pit" except you didn't get to know the ship's crew as well (and they were therefore less interesting), and the monster was also significantly less interesting. It was kind of bland, really.
"Human Nature" and "The Family of Blood" were incredibly good. Seeing the Doctor as a human was an amazingly different perspective. I also loved Martha being the responsible one in charge. I think one of the most interesting aspects of these episodes was seeing the difference between the Doctor's interactions with Joan as a human and as himself. Also his reaction to finding out the truth and having to turn back was just, gah. This whole episode was incredibly well done. And the supporting actors were brilliant, especially Harry Lloyd as Baines.
I loved "Blink." This was an episode I had seen before, but of course I appreciated it all the more now that I understood everything better. I think I also appreciated it more in contrast to the similarly-conceived "Love and Monsters" from season two. I spent the first few minutes of that one thinking it was an interesting concept and being intrigued to seeing where it went... and the rest of the episode being bored out of my tree by the bland characters and predicatable plot. Really its only redeeming feature was the presence of Jackie Tyler. On the other hand, "Blink" had a compelling plot, characters I actually cared about, and a creepy creepy monster. And the scenes with Billy, the police officer, were just so touching. Also, it had some of the funniest lines in the whole series ("a big ball of wibbly wobbly timey-wimey stuff" and "It goes ding when there's stuff" being the ones that come to mind immediately. Overall, a good episode, although in a completely different way from "Human Nature"/"The Family of Blood."
Then there was the season finale three-parter. As I've mentioned before, this was when Martha really earned her stripes in my eyes - kind of a shame it had to happen right at the end of her run. To be honest, I felt a little bit lost throughout these episodes. I feel like they could have done a better job of explaining who the Master was for those of us who are unfamiliar with the classic series. I mean, I got the gist of it, but I feel like a little more exposition would have gone a long way. I did enjoy them overall, though. Seeing the Doctor's reaction to/interactions with another Time Lord was very interesting. I think the thing that impressed me the most about these episodes was how they brought together so many things from earlier in the season - "You are not alone," Harold Saxton, Lazarus, a Time Lord masquerading as human/the pocket watch, the power of words... and so much more subtly than 'Bad Wolf' or 'Torchwood' were handled in the first two seasons. And yay for Captain Jack! And his little Face of Boe line at the end, that was just too good. I know Davies has denied it being 'concrete evidence,' but I don't see why he would write it in otherwise.
Anyway, so I think my approach to season three is just going to be to comment on the episodes that stood out the most to me.
The only episode this season that I didn't particularly enjoy was "42." It was basically the same as "The Impossible Planet"/"The Satan Pit" except you didn't get to know the ship's crew as well (and they were therefore less interesting), and the monster was also significantly less interesting. It was kind of bland, really.
"Human Nature" and "The Family of Blood" were incredibly good. Seeing the Doctor as a human was an amazingly different perspective. I also loved Martha being the responsible one in charge. I think one of the most interesting aspects of these episodes was seeing the difference between the Doctor's interactions with Joan as a human and as himself. Also his reaction to finding out the truth and having to turn back was just, gah. This whole episode was incredibly well done. And the supporting actors were brilliant, especially Harry Lloyd as Baines.
I loved "Blink." This was an episode I had seen before, but of course I appreciated it all the more now that I understood everything better. I think I also appreciated it more in contrast to the similarly-conceived "Love and Monsters" from season two. I spent the first few minutes of that one thinking it was an interesting concept and being intrigued to seeing where it went... and the rest of the episode being bored out of my tree by the bland characters and predicatable plot. Really its only redeeming feature was the presence of Jackie Tyler. On the other hand, "Blink" had a compelling plot, characters I actually cared about, and a creepy creepy monster. And the scenes with Billy, the police officer, were just so touching. Also, it had some of the funniest lines in the whole series ("a big ball of wibbly wobbly timey-wimey stuff" and "It goes ding when there's stuff" being the ones that come to mind immediately. Overall, a good episode, although in a completely different way from "Human Nature"/"The Family of Blood."
Then there was the season finale three-parter. As I've mentioned before, this was when Martha really earned her stripes in my eyes - kind of a shame it had to happen right at the end of her run. To be honest, I felt a little bit lost throughout these episodes. I feel like they could have done a better job of explaining who the Master was for those of us who are unfamiliar with the classic series. I mean, I got the gist of it, but I feel like a little more exposition would have gone a long way. I did enjoy them overall, though. Seeing the Doctor's reaction to/interactions with another Time Lord was very interesting. I think the thing that impressed me the most about these episodes was how they brought together so many things from earlier in the season - "You are not alone," Harold Saxton, Lazarus, a Time Lord masquerading as human/the pocket watch, the power of words... and so much more subtly than 'Bad Wolf' or 'Torchwood' were handled in the first two seasons. And yay for Captain Jack! And his little Face of Boe line at the end, that was just too good. I know Davies has denied it being 'concrete evidence,' but I don't see why he would write it in otherwise.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Partners in Crime
I love Donna. So glad to see her. I was worried after rewatching "The Runaway Bride" that maybe she was less good than I had been remembering, but no, she just needed a year or so to smarten up a bit.
Mostly though: ENDING. ROSE. AGGHH.
Mostly though: ENDING. ROSE. AGGHH.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Martha Jones
Oooh boys. So I watched the entirety of season three in, I believe, less than two weeks (after taking about a month each for the first two). I wish I had had the presence of mind to blog it as I went, because I feel like there is a lot that I want to say about this season. I suspect that I will probably end up doing a huge mind dump over the next few days, the way I have been sort of doing with Rose, I guess.
So. First and foremost: Martha. I really really liked Martha at first. She was smart and sensible and capable, and maybe some of that had to do with how good she looked in comparison to Donna in "The Runaway Bride", but she had me hooked in "Smith and Jones" immediately.
Actually, if I can go on an aside just for a moment, she had me hooked in "Army of Ghosts". Given that I had already seen a few episodes with Martha in them ("Gridlock", "Blink", "The Stolen Earth", and "Journey's End"), I was so confused by that episode. "Oh cool, I didn't know the doctor met Martha even before Rose was gone... why do they keep calling her that name, does she have a secret identity or something... but if she gets cyberfied, the how does... gosh she looks awfully dead... Hmm. I think maybe this isn't Martha." It was mildly hilarious, really.
Anyway. I liked her right away, but then pretty soon I sort of stopped liking her. It was because she fell in love with the Doctor. I think that's what did it for me. I suspect that at least partly I was mad at her for being jealous of Rose, and not understanding how hurt the Doctor was, because I hadn't gotten over Rose yet myself. Partly, though, I think it was also because we had just had a companion-in-love-with-the-Doctor thing the season before and I wanted something different. Either way, I wasn't happy about it.
She did, however, continue to be smart and capable, and that much, at least, I still approved of. In the season finale(s) she won me back. Hard. A year. A whole year, she spent. Travelling by herself, through danger, to save the entire world from something they wouldn't even remember happening. Oh sure, she was a hero to those who knew her for much of that year, but after that, it was just gone. I feel like she almost didn't get enough recognition in the show, from the writers, for how difficult that year must have been, and the hardships she must have gone through.
That strength is what won me back to her. I feel as though her quote at the end was very appropriate.
Because I spent a lot of time thinking she was second best too (maybe even third... I do love Donna). But she was good.
So. First and foremost: Martha. I really really liked Martha at first. She was smart and sensible and capable, and maybe some of that had to do with how good she looked in comparison to Donna in "The Runaway Bride", but she had me hooked in "Smith and Jones" immediately.
Actually, if I can go on an aside just for a moment, she had me hooked in "Army of Ghosts". Given that I had already seen a few episodes with Martha in them ("Gridlock", "Blink", "The Stolen Earth", and "Journey's End"), I was so confused by that episode. "Oh cool, I didn't know the doctor met Martha even before Rose was gone... why do they keep calling her that name, does she have a secret identity or something... but if she gets cyberfied, the how does... gosh she looks awfully dead... Hmm. I think maybe this isn't Martha." It was mildly hilarious, really.
Anyway. I liked her right away, but then pretty soon I sort of stopped liking her. It was because she fell in love with the Doctor. I think that's what did it for me. I suspect that at least partly I was mad at her for being jealous of Rose, and not understanding how hurt the Doctor was, because I hadn't gotten over Rose yet myself. Partly, though, I think it was also because we had just had a companion-in-love-with-the-Doctor thing the season before and I wanted something different. Either way, I wasn't happy about it.
She did, however, continue to be smart and capable, and that much, at least, I still approved of. In the season finale(s) she won me back. Hard. A year. A whole year, she spent. Travelling by herself, through danger, to save the entire world from something they wouldn't even remember happening. Oh sure, she was a hero to those who knew her for much of that year, but after that, it was just gone. I feel like she almost didn't get enough recognition in the show, from the writers, for how difficult that year must have been, and the hardships she must have gone through.
That strength is what won me back to her. I feel as though her quote at the end was very appropriate.
I spent a lot of time with you thinking I was second best, but you know what? I am good.
Because I spent a lot of time thinking she was second best too (maybe even third... I do love Donna). But she was good.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
MORE Thoughts on Rose
The other day I read the quote from Russel T. Davies where he points out that the Doctor and Rose indirectly bring their separation on themselves, because it's their arrogance in "Tooth and Claw" which prompts Queen Victoria to found Torchwood, which messes with the Void which leads to the end. I hadn't really considered that before he pointed it out, and it makes me sad and kind of angry. I don't think it's fair to construe it as their fault. It's not like they were that bad - I think Queen Victoria totally overreacted to their behaviour in that episode. Besides which, it's not as though they had any control over the activities of Torchwood, or the Cyberman or the Daleks, which were /really/ what caused their separation. You could also blame it on the stupid levers. Also, I'm pretty sure, given the timing of events at the end, that Pete could have let go of Rose and teleported himself back just in time for him to get out before the Void closed but before it could suck Rose into it. I know he couldn't have really because the reason it had to happen was real life-related and not necessarily plot-related, but I'm just saying that it wasn't necessarily their fault. You could blame it on anything. I don't like it being their fault.
On a totally unrelated note, why the heck did Pete teleport back to that exact spot at that exact moment? It's not like they had any way of knowing, in the alternate world, what was happening to Rose. I'm very confused by that one. I'm guessing Jackie freaked out and made him go back for her or something. I don't know.
The other thought that I had, which I actually meant to write last time and forgot, was about why the Doctor fell in love with Rose. Perhaps it had something to do with her looking into the time vortex?
Rose: I can see everything... all that is... all that was... all that ever could be.
The Doctor: But that's what /I/ see. All the time. And doesn't it drive you mad?
I feel like maybe it was that moment. I remember thinking it at the time. That she somehow can connect with him, in a way no one else ever could, because of that. What makes me question this, though, is that she doesn't seem to remember ("It's like there was singing" ... "That's right! I sang a song and the Daleks ran away!" (Such a great line)). I'm sure Rose didn't truly believe that and he eventually explained to her, but did anything of the time vortex remain with her? I'm guessing it couldn't, or else he'd have had to erase her memory like he does later with Donna, but maybe in some way, subconsciously or something, she still retained a little bit of that knowledge. I don't know. Just theorizing here.
On a totally unrelated note, why the heck did Pete teleport back to that exact spot at that exact moment? It's not like they had any way of knowing, in the alternate world, what was happening to Rose. I'm very confused by that one. I'm guessing Jackie freaked out and made him go back for her or something. I don't know.
The other thought that I had, which I actually meant to write last time and forgot, was about why the Doctor fell in love with Rose. Perhaps it had something to do with her looking into the time vortex?
Rose: I can see everything... all that is... all that was... all that ever could be.
The Doctor: But that's what /I/ see. All the time. And doesn't it drive you mad?
I feel like maybe it was that moment. I remember thinking it at the time. That she somehow can connect with him, in a way no one else ever could, because of that. What makes me question this, though, is that she doesn't seem to remember ("It's like there was singing" ... "That's right! I sang a song and the Daleks ran away!" (Such a great line)). I'm sure Rose didn't truly believe that and he eventually explained to her, but did anything of the time vortex remain with her? I'm guessing it couldn't, or else he'd have had to erase her memory like he does later with Donna, but maybe in some way, subconsciously or something, she still retained a little bit of that knowledge. I don't know. Just theorizing here.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Things I'm excited about finding out as I catch up on Doctor Who
IMDb cites Rose as appearing in 34 episodes. From what I've seen, I know there are 13 in each of the first two seasons + "The Christmas Invasion" + "The Stolen Planet" + "Journey's End" + they count the brief flashback in "The Runaway Bride". So she shows up in four episodes that I don't know about... what? I hope it's actually her and not just more flashbacks.
When/How do they meet back up with Captain Jack? I know it's in season 3 and I know it must be soon (because I'm already halfway through, somehow), but I wanna knowwww!
What makes Martha leave the Doctor? I just finished "The Lazarus Experiment", when she becomes official full-time companion and not just a one-trip passenger, and right now I can't imagine her ever choosing to leave, and I don't see the Doctor kicking her out, either. I know from "The Stolen Planet:"/"Journey's End" that she doesn't die or get trapped in a parallel universe or have to have her memory wiped or anything, so she must just... choose to leave, or something. Why?
Does the Doctor ever get over Rose? Does he still bring her up sometimes when he's with Donna, the way he does, so far, with Martha? I mean he's obviously not over her by "Journey's End". Perhaps knowing that at least she gets the happy ending, even if he doesn't, will help? What about Eleven? Does he still love her? I'm still not sure exactly how this regeneration thing works, maybe he would change enough? I mean I guess he can't just never get over her... by the time I get caught up to the end it will be three seasons since he's lost her, and it would probably be kind of weird to keep dragging up characters that haven't really been on the show for four years. And the ending of "Journey's End" seemed kind of final, although so did "Doomsday", and we see how that turned out. But they can't just keep bringing her back a million times. And I guess when you're that old you get used to moving on and he'll cope somehow. But right now it just seems wrong.
Speaking of Eleven, does anything stay the same with him, other than River Song? Does he still occasionally see Martha and Jack and Sarah Jane Smith and all the gang?
And speaking of River Song, I also want to be caught up so I can join in on the speculation about her!
And speaking of 'all the gang,' what about Mickey? Do we ever see him again? What sort of adventures did he have after his return to the proper universe? Funny how he has now chosen to stay in the opposite universe from Rose twice. I mean I guess it would be hard for him. I never really liked him as character that much, but I did feel sorry for him, and I think he definitely became more interesting after some time being a real person on his own (in "Army of Ghosts" + "Doomsday"). It would be interesting for him to come back to the show at some point, although I suppose he would be sort of irrelevant without Rose to tie him in? I don't know.
I've heard mentions of The Master through my occasional cautious excursions into forums, wikipedia, IMDb, etc., but I don't know who he is yet. Who is he? What's his deal?
What happens to make Ten regenerate? How does Eleven meet Amy? Season 5 is the one that I know the least about, so I'm kind of excited to get there because it will be the least-spoiled and therefore most exciting one.
Mostly, I'm just excited to get caught up so I can geek out about it with getting spoiler'd every time I try to look something up.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Some Musing on Rose
I actually didn't like Rose that much to start out with. She was kind of, I don't know, whiny. But she certainly grew on me. You could really see how she grew, in general, throughout the show - from an ordinary shop girl who was angry that the TARDIS got inside her head without her permission, to someone who would look into the heart of the TARDIS with no idea what would happen, because she knew she needed to go back and help, and likewise with transporting back from the parallel world in Doomsday. She was fantastic by the end of season two. I think the only thing that really bothered me about her was that they insisted on her being 19, which is absurd. She was clearly older than 19.
I understand why Rose fell in love with the Doctor. I mean, really. I'm not entirely sure I see why the Doctor fell in love with Rose. I mean, I know I fell in love with her, but I'm not a Time Lord. I just... it never made sense to me. Although I guess the Doctor does seem to give his heart away rather easily... Rose, Madame de Pompadour, I would argue at least a little bit to Jabe... I guess Rose was just around long enough for it to turn into something. I guess maybe when you're that alone you have to love someone. Maybe you don't have a choice in the matter. Maybe that's the only way to make it bearable.
I understand why Rose fell in love with the Doctor. I mean, really. I'm not entirely sure I see why the Doctor fell in love with Rose. I mean, I know I fell in love with her, but I'm not a Time Lord. I just... it never made sense to me. Although I guess the Doctor does seem to give his heart away rather easily... Rose, Madame de Pompadour, I would argue at least a little bit to Jabe... I guess Rose was just around long enough for it to turn into something. I guess maybe when you're that alone you have to love someone. Maybe you don't have a choice in the matter. Maybe that's the only way to make it bearable.
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