"Let's Kill Hitler" - This was a fun episode. The 'twist' was predictable, and I can see where people are coming from with their complaints about suddenly introducing a best friend we've never heard of before, but that's okay. It was just a silly fun episode and I enjoyed it for the humour even if the plot was somewhat questionable.
"Night Terrors" - It was okay. Not as scary as I had hoped from the glimpses of the dolls in the previews. A little weak on plot, again - it almost felt like they came up with the concept and wrote all the dollhouse parts first and then threw in a story to fit around it at the last second.
"The Girl Who Waited" - This was beautiful. Man. So many emotions. I think this was also a more important episode than people are giving it credit for. The really key thing that happens in this episode is that it shows that Amy doesn't need the Doctor any more. It's the way things go with the companions. They start out as a kissogram with no great ambitions or aspirations. Then they meet the Doctor and he makes them better. And then one day he lets them out of his sight for 36 years and they can fight robots and make their own sonic devices all on their own. Amy would never do those things staying with the Doctor. Sure, she'll have all of time and space open to her, but she'll just spend it following the Doctor around and tweeting pictures of the second nicest planet. It's time for her to go, because she's hit the point where the Doctor is holding her back.
"The God Complex" - I also really liked this episode. Again with the emotions! I just like emotional episodes, I guess. I would really love to know what was in the Doctor's room. Someone had posted a description of the cloister bell which mentioned it sounding when the TARDIS itself was in danger, which got me to thinking that maybe the TARDIS in danger was his greatest fear. But then I remembered that his reaction was "who else?" so I'm not entirely sure that reconciles. Who knows. Maybe some day we'll find out.
"Closing Time" - So much fun! I don't really have much to say about it. Lots of fun. Hilarious. Good.
"The Wedding of River Song" - Mixed feelings on this one. I'm kind of impressed by how much they packed into a single episode. As with "Let's Kill Hitler," I loved the funny bits. My only real complaint would be that it felt a little trite to bring Amy and Rory back for bit parts where they barely remembered the Doctor/each other. Other than that, it was fun. Not as serious as season finales generally are, but that's okay. We don't need to be serious all the time, right?
Looking forward to Christmas!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Torchwood: Miracle Day
It's almost been too long since I finished Miracle Day to really write about it properly, but luckily I made myself some point-form notes to work from, so I can at least give a few thoughts on it.
I thought Miracle Day was really good overall. It wasn't the best show on television ever or anything, but I enjoyed it. Especially in comparison to past seasons of Torchwood.
Oddly enough, if there's on thing that stood out about this season to make it better, it was that finally, finally, after three seasons of antipathy, the managed to make me care about Rhys. I actually like him now. I think he's a good character. I like the fact that he's married to Gwen. I used to always wish he wasn't part of the show because he was a big whiny jerk and really pretty boring and I just didn't like him. But now I do! So good job on that.
A lot of my commentary on this is similar to what I said about Children of Earth. The focused season arc on one main story really worked. I think Torchwood is just the sort of show that works better in that style as opposed to a bunch of stand-alone episodes. And again, good use of secondary characters. I mean, the subplot around Gwen's parents was great... and Jack's old lover... it was all just good.
I also thought the main concept of it was brilliant. Usually in 'disaster/crisis' type shows, the situation is that something is going to kill everyone, and this was just the perfect reversal and you sort of have to wonder why it hasn't been done before (I'm sure it has, but it's not a common thing, and I haven't ever heard of it being done, so it basically hasn't...)
Also I was really appreciating their use of the implied romance between Jack and Gwen. This has been an element of the show since the beginning, but it has never amounted to anything. Not that it was huge here, but there were definitely times when it was clearly important. Especially when Gwen took Jack hostage, it actually felt as though that romance was a factor into their decisions and behaviours during that scene. I liked that they finally given at least a minor payoff that little undercurrent that they've bothered to keep up for all these years.
Overall: So pleased!
I thought Miracle Day was really good overall. It wasn't the best show on television ever or anything, but I enjoyed it. Especially in comparison to past seasons of Torchwood.
Oddly enough, if there's on thing that stood out about this season to make it better, it was that finally, finally, after three seasons of antipathy, the managed to make me care about Rhys. I actually like him now. I think he's a good character. I like the fact that he's married to Gwen. I used to always wish he wasn't part of the show because he was a big whiny jerk and really pretty boring and I just didn't like him. But now I do! So good job on that.
A lot of my commentary on this is similar to what I said about Children of Earth. The focused season arc on one main story really worked. I think Torchwood is just the sort of show that works better in that style as opposed to a bunch of stand-alone episodes. And again, good use of secondary characters. I mean, the subplot around Gwen's parents was great... and Jack's old lover... it was all just good.
I also thought the main concept of it was brilliant. Usually in 'disaster/crisis' type shows, the situation is that something is going to kill everyone, and this was just the perfect reversal and you sort of have to wonder why it hasn't been done before (I'm sure it has, but it's not a common thing, and I haven't ever heard of it being done, so it basically hasn't...)
Also I was really appreciating their use of the implied romance between Jack and Gwen. This has been an element of the show since the beginning, but it has never amounted to anything. Not that it was huge here, but there were definitely times when it was clearly important. Especially when Gwen took Jack hostage, it actually felt as though that romance was a factor into their decisions and behaviours during that scene. I liked that they finally given at least a minor payoff that little undercurrent that they've bothered to keep up for all these years.
Overall: So pleased!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Every day I'm Hufflin'
So I got into Pottermore a while ago. Actually it was quite a while ago now... I am bad at blogging. Anyway. I would say I enjoyed the experience overall, and I may share some of my thoughts on it more generally later on, but for now I'm just going to talk about the most important part: sorting!
I didn't really go in with strong expectations about which house I would be placed in. It's been a long time since I was a big enough fan to actively identify with any of the houses. I didn't really have a house preference, either, aside from sharing Harry's request of not Slytherin. I really wasn't too worried about that, though, since I am neither cunning or ambitious.
I am also not brave. Like really really really not. So I guess I was pretty sure I wouldn't be a Gryffindor. I was okay with that.
Probably some of my friends would be shocked that I'm not a Ravenclaw. When I was actually 11, or heck, even 5 or 6 years ago, I would have been surprised by that too. I wouldn't have been too surprised if it had come out that way, because I'm still a nerd and an introvert and can often be found with my face in a book. But I don't crave wisdom the same way I used to. I don't value knowledge and intelligence above all else.
I was really not surprised when the yellow and badger appeared on my screen:
I spent a while thinking that introverts can't be Hufflepuffs because making friends is not our strong suit and we don't always like super-socializing but then I remembered that that's not really what Hufflepuffs are like. Hufflepuffs are loyal and true and hard working. That aligns most closely out of all the houses with my idea of what makes a good person and how we should interact with the world around us.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Doctor Who: Unanswered Questions
I will be blogging some thoughts on the back half of series 6 soon, but for now, here are as many unanswered questions as I can come up with. They are loosely grouped by topics that are somewhat related.
Why does River know the Doctor's name?
What is the one time that he can tell someone his name?
What happens at the fields of Trenzalore?
Does the fall of the Eleventh refer to the Eleventh Doctor, or is that a red herring?
Doctor who?
Why must that question never be answered?
Why does Amy remember the clerics from The Time of the Angels/Flesh and Stone after they stopped existing, but can't remember Rory after he stops existing?
In The Wedding of River Song, why does Amy remember the Doctor and their adventures, but barely remembers Rory?
Is Amy's extraordinary memory actually an important thing with a reason and stuff, or just a useful plot device?
Why does Rory keep dying?
Who blows up the TARDIS/why/why specifically on the Ponds' wedding day?
Why does River remember the Doctor after the universe resets in The Big Bang? And why don't her memories bring him back? Why does it have to be Amy?
How does old!Canton "know" that it definitely is the Doctor and he definitely is dead, and how did he know to be there without opening his letter?
Is flesh!Doctor still out there, and will we ever see him again?
Is there any significance to the clothing "clues" in the back half of series 6 (bow-tie colours, shoes, jackets, tuxedo)?
Who exactly is Madame Kovarian and what is her motivation for working with the Silence?
Why does Kovarian refer to the never-ending war with the Doctor? What makes her think they are at war?
Why did the Time Agents take two years of Jack's memories?
What ever happened to Jenny?
Does Eleven ever go help Rose Tyler with her homework?
(The theme for the last group is "questions that will probably never be answered")
Why does River know the Doctor's name?
What is the one time that he can tell someone his name?
What happens at the fields of Trenzalore?
Does the fall of the Eleventh refer to the Eleventh Doctor, or is that a red herring?
Doctor who?
Why must that question never be answered?
Why does Amy remember the clerics from The Time of the Angels/Flesh and Stone after they stopped existing, but can't remember Rory after he stops existing?
In The Wedding of River Song, why does Amy remember the Doctor and their adventures, but barely remembers Rory?
Is Amy's extraordinary memory actually an important thing with a reason and stuff, or just a useful plot device?
Why does Rory keep dying?
Who blows up the TARDIS/why/why specifically on the Ponds' wedding day?
Why does River remember the Doctor after the universe resets in The Big Bang? And why don't her memories bring him back? Why does it have to be Amy?
How does old!Canton "know" that it definitely is the Doctor and he definitely is dead, and how did he know to be there without opening his letter?
Is flesh!Doctor still out there, and will we ever see him again?
Is there any significance to the clothing "clues" in the back half of series 6 (bow-tie colours, shoes, jackets, tuxedo)?
Who exactly is Madame Kovarian and what is her motivation for working with the Silence?
Why does Kovarian refer to the never-ending war with the Doctor? What makes her think they are at war?
Why did the Time Agents take two years of Jack's memories?
What ever happened to Jenny?
Does Eleven ever go help Rose Tyler with her homework?
(The theme for the last group is "questions that will probably never be answered")
Monday, September 26, 2011
Torchwood: Children of Earth
I think that giving Torchwood a shortened season might be the best thing that could have happened to this show. Having a focused arc with one concentrated story resulted in huge improvements. The story-telling was much stronger and more compelling.
I also liked the addition of families for Jack and Ianto. There's an argument to be made that throwing in those characters now was an obvious ploy to get our emotional sides, but I don't care. I say better late than never. Seeing a character through the eyes of another character who has an emotional connection to them helps the audience make an emotional connection to them. Before now, we only got to make emotional connections to the characters based on their relationships with each other, and they didn't always have great emotional connections with each other. The addition of families just made everything so real, and took us outside of the isolated little Torchwood-world and showed us the real consequences of the things that were happening.
I also think they made excellent use of secondary characters. Usually these sorts of characters are only around for one episode, which makes sense in the format of the show, but I find they rarely have time for the secondary characters to get fleshed out properly. In Children of Earth, though, they did this really well. Lois Habiba was brilliant, and also John Frobisher's storyline was also incredible.
All of this introduction of families and good use of secondary characters really worked to give the whole series an emotional depth that it had previously lacked. The show become richer and more complex, and I found it was so much easier to immerse myself in the story and make a real connection with the characters once their world was fleshed out a little bit more.
Overall, I quite enjoyed Children of Earth. It was certainly a huge improvement over the first two seasons, and it was finally successful in making me really care about the characters and become invested in the story.
I also liked the addition of families for Jack and Ianto. There's an argument to be made that throwing in those characters now was an obvious ploy to get our emotional sides, but I don't care. I say better late than never. Seeing a character through the eyes of another character who has an emotional connection to them helps the audience make an emotional connection to them. Before now, we only got to make emotional connections to the characters based on their relationships with each other, and they didn't always have great emotional connections with each other. The addition of families just made everything so real, and took us outside of the isolated little Torchwood-world and showed us the real consequences of the things that were happening.
I also think they made excellent use of secondary characters. Usually these sorts of characters are only around for one episode, which makes sense in the format of the show, but I find they rarely have time for the secondary characters to get fleshed out properly. In Children of Earth, though, they did this really well. Lois Habiba was brilliant, and also John Frobisher's storyline was also incredible.
All of this introduction of families and good use of secondary characters really worked to give the whole series an emotional depth that it had previously lacked. The show become richer and more complex, and I found it was so much easier to immerse myself in the story and make a real connection with the characters once their world was fleshed out a little bit more.
Overall, I quite enjoyed Children of Earth. It was certainly a huge improvement over the first two seasons, and it was finally successful in making me really care about the characters and become invested in the story.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Torchwood: Season 2 Wrap-Up
The end of season 2 improved, I think. I loved having the focus on Owen for so many episodes in the later part of it; he was such a great character, and the finally did something interesting to him... even if that something was kind of weird. ALSO the episode where he couldn't save the old man because he didn't have breath for CPR was just ridiculous. If he was taking, he was clearly breathing. I mean. Come on.
"Fragments" was a lovely episode. I really enjoyed getting to see everyone's backstory (including the pterodactyl!), and I wish they hadn't waited until that late in the process to give us some of those nice details that helped make the characters feel more real. It almost felt like they stuck that one in at the end just to heighten the emotional connections in time for the deaths in the next episode.
The finale was a bit of a let-down, I found. Jack's backstory is not easy to connect to emotionally. The only time we really ever heard about his brother was in "Adam," and then at the end he shows up and it's supposed to be a big deal. I mean, as far as evil plots go, his was fine, but the fact that he was Jack's brother didn't add much to it, in my opinion.
"Fragments" was a lovely episode. I really enjoyed getting to see everyone's backstory (including the pterodactyl!), and I wish they hadn't waited until that late in the process to give us some of those nice details that helped make the characters feel more real. It almost felt like they stuck that one in at the end just to heighten the emotional connections in time for the deaths in the next episode.
The finale was a bit of a let-down, I found. Jack's backstory is not easy to connect to emotionally. The only time we really ever heard about his brother was in "Adam," and then at the end he shows up and it's supposed to be a big deal. I mean, as far as evil plots go, his was fine, but the fact that he was Jack's brother didn't add much to it, in my opinion.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Torchwood Again
So I'm now five episodes into season two and my impressions after the season premier have so far not been disappointed. This season is just so much better than the first one.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate Owen Harper? He is so good. I loved him in "Meat," and he is just the most adorable little dork in "Adam." So good.
I'm appreciating that we're getting more background story on Jack. He's such a complex and interesting character and you could have shows about him forever and still not know everything. I really hope we get to find out what happened in the two years that the Time Agency erased his memories.
I also like Gwen a lot more this season. She's really pulling together as a character that I can like.
Also Ianto! Now that he's actually an important character they had to give him a personality, and he's funny! I love it. Funny is good.
There are still some inconsistencies that bother me, like Ianto's wishy-washy love life. He went from being so depressed about Lisa and in constant distress about it, to being in love with Jack, to in "Adam" still being upset about Lisa. I mean. I know time passed and he moved on but still hasn't completely let go and that makes sense but I guess because we don't see a whole lot of that progression, it's a little jarring when it does come up. The same is also true of Tosh, who, one episode, is crazy about a soldier who gets unfrozen four times a year, and then in the next one she's falling all over herself to make Owen sandwich.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate Owen Harper? He is so good. I loved him in "Meat," and he is just the most adorable little dork in "Adam." So good.
I'm appreciating that we're getting more background story on Jack. He's such a complex and interesting character and you could have shows about him forever and still not know everything. I really hope we get to find out what happened in the two years that the Time Agency erased his memories.
I also like Gwen a lot more this season. She's really pulling together as a character that I can like.
Also Ianto! Now that he's actually an important character they had to give him a personality, and he's funny! I love it. Funny is good.
There are still some inconsistencies that bother me, like Ianto's wishy-washy love life. He went from being so depressed about Lisa and in constant distress about it, to being in love with Jack, to in "Adam" still being upset about Lisa. I mean. I know time passed and he moved on but still hasn't completely let go and that makes sense but I guess because we don't see a whole lot of that progression, it's a little jarring when it does come up. The same is also true of Tosh, who, one episode, is crazy about a soldier who gets unfrozen four times a year, and then in the next one she's falling all over herself to make Owen sandwich.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
I saw this movie with some friends about a week ago and I have been meaning to write about it ever since. As you can see from my discussion of... everything else I write about here, I'm not much for reviews, but I do like to share my thoughts.
This was kind of a strange movie, in my opinion. I've never seen Planet of the Apes or any of the other movies in the franchise, so for me it's kind of a standalone thing. It just didn't seem to flow quite right. Basically it was separated into three distinct parts.
The first part would be entitled "James Franco and His Adorable Pet Ape are Adorable," and was character development of motives on the part of Franco's character.
The second part is "Tom Felton is a Dick and Caesar Gets Pissed," which was character development on the part of Caesar and his motives.
The third part is "Apes Learn to Talk and Then Fuck Shit Up," which is exactly what it sounds like.
So the first part and the second part flowed together pretty logically, but then the third part came and I wasn't really sure quite way the apes were being so violent or what they were really trying to accomplish and it was all a little bit confusing.
That said, the first two thirds were a pretty good movie, and anything starring James Franco and Tom Felton can't be too bad, right?
This was kind of a strange movie, in my opinion. I've never seen Planet of the Apes or any of the other movies in the franchise, so for me it's kind of a standalone thing. It just didn't seem to flow quite right. Basically it was separated into three distinct parts.
The first part would be entitled "James Franco and His Adorable Pet Ape are Adorable," and was character development of motives on the part of Franco's character.
The second part is "Tom Felton is a Dick and Caesar Gets Pissed," which was character development on the part of Caesar and his motives.
The third part is "Apes Learn to Talk and Then Fuck Shit Up," which is exactly what it sounds like.
So the first part and the second part flowed together pretty logically, but then the third part came and I wasn't really sure quite way the apes were being so violent or what they were really trying to accomplish and it was all a little bit confusing.
That said, the first two thirds were a pretty good movie, and anything starring James Franco and Tom Felton can't be too bad, right?
Thursday, August 11, 2011
More Torchwood
I made it through to the end of season one. I have to say that the finale was pretty disappointing.
"Oh look, bad shit is happening and we can't stop it."
"Hey, we're having visions telling us to do this... it must be the right thing to do, even though it's what caused the problem in the first place."
"Oh look, that thing we did made things worse."
"Now that we've made things worse, though, we can easily stop it in about 5 seconds because Jack is immortal."
"Oh no, Jack's really dead."
"Oh no, actually he's not."
I don't know, I guess I was just looking for a little more suspense, and excitement. It was very... mundane. Predictable. I was not impressed.
I have, however, seen the premier of season two, and I was very impressed by it. I think it was the best episode of the show so far. Clever enemies! Fast-paced plot! More about Jack's past! I think I actually have hope for this show now.
"Oh look, bad shit is happening and we can't stop it."
"Hey, we're having visions telling us to do this... it must be the right thing to do, even though it's what caused the problem in the first place."
"Oh look, that thing we did made things worse."
"Now that we've made things worse, though, we can easily stop it in about 5 seconds because Jack is immortal."
"Oh no, Jack's really dead."
"Oh no, actually he's not."
I don't know, I guess I was just looking for a little more suspense, and excitement. It was very... mundane. Predictable. I was not impressed.
I have, however, seen the premier of season two, and I was very impressed by it. I think it was the best episode of the show so far. Clever enemies! Fast-paced plot! More about Jack's past! I think I actually have hope for this show now.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Torchwood Update
I'm almost finished season one of Torchwood. I'm up to "Combat," which means there are only two episodes left in the season. It feels like it's taken a really long time, but that's okay. I don't really feel like doing episode analyses, but here are some random thoughts:
I really liked the Gwen/Owen relationship, and I'm sad that it's over now. I think it was partly because Owen was so sweet toward Gwen compared with how he is toward everyone else, and that really won me over.
I'm never sure whether or not I like Gwen. She's kind of useless and has a tendency to do things wrong, but in a way that makes her more real. On the other hand, she does often disobey/challenge Jack, and as she showed in "Combat," she doesn't take shit from her boyfriend, either, so I do respect that about her.
I can't decide about Tosh either. In "Greeks Bearing Gifts," the only episode where we really learned anything about her, we discovered that she was always the one to feel left out and unliked by the others, and she is overwhelmed by work and sensitive and... basically a combination of Ianto and Gwen.
I'm excited to see what sort of crazy season finale RTD dreamed up for this show... will it compare to the Doctor Who tearjerkers? I guess I'll find out within the next few days!
I really liked the Gwen/Owen relationship, and I'm sad that it's over now. I think it was partly because Owen was so sweet toward Gwen compared with how he is toward everyone else, and that really won me over.
I'm never sure whether or not I like Gwen. She's kind of useless and has a tendency to do things wrong, but in a way that makes her more real. On the other hand, she does often disobey/challenge Jack, and as she showed in "Combat," she doesn't take shit from her boyfriend, either, so I do respect that about her.
I can't decide about Tosh either. In "Greeks Bearing Gifts," the only episode where we really learned anything about her, we discovered that she was always the one to feel left out and unliked by the others, and she is overwhelmed by work and sensitive and... basically a combination of Ianto and Gwen.
I'm excited to see what sort of crazy season finale RTD dreamed up for this show... will it compare to the Doctor Who tearjerkers? I guess I'll find out within the next few days!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Pottermore
Yesterday I managed to get into early entry of Pottermore. I was pretty excited about that because I was sure that all the crazy die-hard fans would be eager beavers and beat me to it by a million years, but apparently I lucked out.
I've had this strange relationship with Harry Potter I lately, by which I guess mostly that the movies never really did it for me. I never even got around to seeing part one of Deathly Hallows. I would have liked to have seen part two, but I didn't have anyone to go with, so that didn't happen. I consoled myself by rereading it, and it was as good as I remembered (I got through it in a day and a half, and I was at work one of those days, so obviously the books haven't lost their power to captivate me), but I just haven't really felt the magic since four years ago.
Pottermore excites me, though. It's book-based. It's things out of JK Rowling's head that we didn't know before. That's pretty amazing. I'm hoping that it lives up to all the hype.
My username is QueenWizard10, although I sort of regret that now. All of my other options were really shitty things where the two words didn't go together at all. This was the only one that read as an actual phrase and didn't sound like shit, and I was in a hurry because I didn't know if there was still a chance that they would run out of spots and I'd get rejected halfway through registration and also I was at work and I was trying to be quick about it. But now I have regrets because QueenWizard is just so so pretentious and everyone might think I'm a horrendous bitch and hate me forever.
Oh well. Nothing to do now but sit back and wait for my Welcome email.
I've had this strange relationship with Harry Potter I lately, by which I guess mostly that the movies never really did it for me. I never even got around to seeing part one of Deathly Hallows. I would have liked to have seen part two, but I didn't have anyone to go with, so that didn't happen. I consoled myself by rereading it, and it was as good as I remembered (I got through it in a day and a half, and I was at work one of those days, so obviously the books haven't lost their power to captivate me), but I just haven't really felt the magic since four years ago.
Pottermore excites me, though. It's book-based. It's things out of JK Rowling's head that we didn't know before. That's pretty amazing. I'm hoping that it lives up to all the hype.
My username is QueenWizard10, although I sort of regret that now. All of my other options were really shitty things where the two words didn't go together at all. This was the only one that read as an actual phrase and didn't sound like shit, and I was in a hurry because I didn't know if there was still a chance that they would run out of spots and I'd get rejected halfway through registration and also I was at work and I was trying to be quick about it. But now I have regrets because QueenWizard is just so so pretentious and everyone might think I'm a horrendous bitch and hate me forever.
Oh well. Nothing to do now but sit back and wait for my Welcome email.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Torchwood
I've just recently started watching Torchwood. There was a marathon on a few weeks ago in preparation for the start of Miracle Day, so my parents recorded it and we've been slowly watching through it. So far we're only four episodes in, but I've been really enjoying it.
Jack is so great. I'd almost forgotten how great he is. Just a fantastic character. I wish they would bring him back to Doctor Who, but hey, at least I have several seasons of Torchwood to appreciate him in.
I was surprised by Gwen. I expected her to be more bad-ass, because that was the impression I've always gotten from all the commercials and stuff. But she's actually quite timid and uncertain. I guess it would make sense for it to take her a while to really get comfortable and confident with being part of Torchwood.
Owen is possibly my favourite character. I'm not sure why, but I just enjoy him a lot.
The unfortunate thing about this show is that I've had a lot of things spoiled... not so much in terms of serious plot, but in terms of deaths and relationships, I don't think there are going to be too many surprises. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of it!
Jack is so great. I'd almost forgotten how great he is. Just a fantastic character. I wish they would bring him back to Doctor Who, but hey, at least I have several seasons of Torchwood to appreciate him in.
I was surprised by Gwen. I expected her to be more bad-ass, because that was the impression I've always gotten from all the commercials and stuff. But she's actually quite timid and uncertain. I guess it would make sense for it to take her a while to really get comfortable and confident with being part of Torchwood.
Owen is possibly my favourite character. I'm not sure why, but I just enjoy him a lot.
The unfortunate thing about this show is that I've had a lot of things spoiled... not so much in terms of serious plot, but in terms of deaths and relationships, I don't think there are going to be too many surprises. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of it!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Still Got Legs
Chameleon Circuit is a band which writes Trock songs. Trock means Time Lord Rock, so yes, all of their songs are about Doctor Who, which is probably the best idea ever. Last week they released their second album, Still Got Legs.
I only listened to parts of their first album, but from the few songs I've heard I would say that there are some songs which are really great ("Count the Shadows" comes to mind) and some which are a little less than great.
I have, however, listened to the entirety of Still Got Legs. Many many times over. It's just so good. The lyrics are like magic for fans, but the tone of the album and the quality of the music could be enjoyed by anyone.
Highlights of the album, in my opinion, include "Travelling Man," "Kiss the Girl," "Teenage Rebel," "The Sounds of Drums," and "Still Not Ginger."
You can listen to the album for free on Alex Day's blog, buy it electronically on iTunes, or get a physical copy from DFTBA Records.
I only listened to parts of their first album, but from the few songs I've heard I would say that there are some songs which are really great ("Count the Shadows" comes to mind) and some which are a little less than great.
I have, however, listened to the entirety of Still Got Legs. Many many times over. It's just so good. The lyrics are like magic for fans, but the tone of the album and the quality of the music could be enjoyed by anyone.
Highlights of the album, in my opinion, include "Travelling Man," "Kiss the Girl," "Teenage Rebel," "The Sounds of Drums," and "Still Not Ginger."
You can listen to the album for free on Alex Day's blog, buy it electronically on iTunes, or get a physical copy from DFTBA Records.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Doctor Who Companions
I have this theory about Doctor Who and companions and why I don't like Martha and Mickey as much as any of the other companions. Basically, every other companion (with a few exceptions, which are explained) has proved themselves to the Doctor by their second episode as companion, except for those two. This is why they just don't sit right with me. I also argue that the way the main companion proves themselves in the second episode shows that they are what the Doctor needs at that particular time.
Main Companions
Season 1, Episode 2, "The End of the World". At the end of the episode, Cassandra, the last human, is teleported back onto Platform One where, due to her lowering the platform's defenses, the temperature has risen. As Cassandra pleads to be moisturised and the Doctor looks on impassively, Rose pleads "help her." Rose shows mercy and compassion, proving herself worthy of travelling with the Doctor. This is also what the Doctor needs most right now. Nine is war-torn and battle-weary, hard-hearted, and he needs to relearn these emotions from someone.
Season 4, Episode 2, "The Fires of Pompeii". This is technically Donna's third episode, but only her second as full-on companion, so it's the one I'm going by. Donna proves herself the moment she puts her hand on the lever with the Doctor. She shares the responsibility with him, and she lets him know that she is not alone. As he told her in the previous episode, he just wants a mate. Donna shows that that's what she can be. A friend, a supporter, someone to help him through the rough times.
Season 5, Episode 2, "The Beast Below". In Amy's second episode as companion, she realizes that the star whale came to help the British, and that if they stop torturing it, it will continue to help them of its own accord. This allows her to save both the humans aboard Starship UK and the whale itself, something even the Doctor didn't think was possible. Amy's way of providing what the Doctor needs is not quite as obvious as it was with Rose and Donna, but I will argue that she does. What the Doctor needs most right now is an identity, and a reassurance. Ten really did not want to go. He said so. Several times. When Nine regenerated into Ten, he seemed almost happy to go, and he had Rose to anchor him, and he basically became everything she needed him to be. When Ten became Eleven, he did not want to go, and everything changed. His love had to return to an alternate universe (again), his best friend had to have her mind wiped of any memory of him, and he regained his home planet only to have to destroy it. Again. And he lost the Master - again - and whoever that gray-haired lady was. When he regenerated into Eleven, he was truly starting over completely. Amy helps him find his identity. He is very old, and very kind, and the last of his kind. He comes to help when children cry. I would also argue that he needed a reassurance that all this was worth it. That losing Gallifrey to save Earth was the right decision, that sacrificing himself for Wilf was really necessary, that humans are worthy of being saved. The events of "The Beast Below" almost tipped the scales in the opposite direction, but Amy Pond reminded and reassured him that humans are worthwhile, after all.
Minor Companions:
Season 1, Episode 10, "The Doctor Dances". Jack, in his second episode, takes that bomb and flies it away in order to save everyone else. Even though his ship calculates that there is a one hundred per cent possibility that he will die. He does it. Jack really seems to love life (even when he's a billion years old, you never hear him complain that everyone he knows is either dead or doesn't even realize who he actually is), so he's really making a sacrifice here. You can tell how rattled he is in that final scene in his ship, but he does it anyway, and that's when he proves himself worthy.
Season 4, Episode 8, "Silence in the Library". River Song, in her second episode, is also willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for her Doctor, as well as all those people saved in the library. Unlike Jack, she has to go through with it - although she does get saved, to an extent. But still, like the others, she proves herself worthy.
Exceptions:
Season 1, Episode 7, "The Long Game". Technically I guess this is only Adam's first episode as companion, since he wasn't really a companion in "Dalek," but still, it only takes him two episodes on the show to disprove himself as being worthy of a companion.
Season 6, Episode 6, "The Vampires of Venice". Depending on how you count "The Eleventh Hour", you could argue about whether this or "Amy's Choice" is his second episode as a true companion, and there are probably arguments to be made about him proving himself in both of those episodes, but nothing as concrete as any of the other examples I gave. I would argue that Rory is a special case, though. All of the other companions wanted to go with the Doctor, they wanted to fly off in the TARDIS and have grand adventures. Rory just wants his fiancée not to kiss other men. The fact that he didn't ask for any of this means that he doesn't have to do anything special to prove himself. He proves it just by being there.
Season 2, Episode 6, "The Age of Steel". This is the episode where I felt like Mickey finally proved himself, and no matter how you count it, it's definitely more than his second episode as companion. In every episode before this I couldn't imagine what Rose possibly saw in him and tried to forget he even existed. Even after he proved himself here, I never really could warm up to him - he had already spent too long making a bad impression to win me over.
Season 3, Episode 2, "The Shakespeare Code". This was Martha's second episode. In it she proves that... she's read Harry Potter. Oh good. Good job Martha. What a hero.
Season 3, Episode 13, "The Last of the Time Lords". Martha finally proves herself! ...in the season finale. Her journey across the earth is bigger and more impressive than anything the other companions did to prove themselves, but it just comes too late. Like Mickey, that bad impression she had already given just couldn't be undone. I was so annoyed with her when she came back in season 4 - pushing her way into precious Donna time! It was just so unnecessary of her.
Main Companions
Season 1, Episode 2, "The End of the World". At the end of the episode, Cassandra, the last human, is teleported back onto Platform One where, due to her lowering the platform's defenses, the temperature has risen. As Cassandra pleads to be moisturised and the Doctor looks on impassively, Rose pleads "help her." Rose shows mercy and compassion, proving herself worthy of travelling with the Doctor. This is also what the Doctor needs most right now. Nine is war-torn and battle-weary, hard-hearted, and he needs to relearn these emotions from someone.
Season 4, Episode 2, "The Fires of Pompeii". This is technically Donna's third episode, but only her second as full-on companion, so it's the one I'm going by. Donna proves herself the moment she puts her hand on the lever with the Doctor. She shares the responsibility with him, and she lets him know that she is not alone. As he told her in the previous episode, he just wants a mate. Donna shows that that's what she can be. A friend, a supporter, someone to help him through the rough times.
Season 5, Episode 2, "The Beast Below". In Amy's second episode as companion, she realizes that the star whale came to help the British, and that if they stop torturing it, it will continue to help them of its own accord. This allows her to save both the humans aboard Starship UK and the whale itself, something even the Doctor didn't think was possible. Amy's way of providing what the Doctor needs is not quite as obvious as it was with Rose and Donna, but I will argue that she does. What the Doctor needs most right now is an identity, and a reassurance. Ten really did not want to go. He said so. Several times. When Nine regenerated into Ten, he seemed almost happy to go, and he had Rose to anchor him, and he basically became everything she needed him to be. When Ten became Eleven, he did not want to go, and everything changed. His love had to return to an alternate universe (again), his best friend had to have her mind wiped of any memory of him, and he regained his home planet only to have to destroy it. Again. And he lost the Master - again - and whoever that gray-haired lady was. When he regenerated into Eleven, he was truly starting over completely. Amy helps him find his identity. He is very old, and very kind, and the last of his kind. He comes to help when children cry. I would also argue that he needed a reassurance that all this was worth it. That losing Gallifrey to save Earth was the right decision, that sacrificing himself for Wilf was really necessary, that humans are worthy of being saved. The events of "The Beast Below" almost tipped the scales in the opposite direction, but Amy Pond reminded and reassured him that humans are worthwhile, after all.
Minor Companions:
Season 1, Episode 10, "The Doctor Dances". Jack, in his second episode, takes that bomb and flies it away in order to save everyone else. Even though his ship calculates that there is a one hundred per cent possibility that he will die. He does it. Jack really seems to love life (even when he's a billion years old, you never hear him complain that everyone he knows is either dead or doesn't even realize who he actually is), so he's really making a sacrifice here. You can tell how rattled he is in that final scene in his ship, but he does it anyway, and that's when he proves himself worthy.
Season 4, Episode 8, "Silence in the Library". River Song, in her second episode, is also willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for her Doctor, as well as all those people saved in the library. Unlike Jack, she has to go through with it - although she does get saved, to an extent. But still, like the others, she proves herself worthy.
Exceptions:
Season 1, Episode 7, "The Long Game". Technically I guess this is only Adam's first episode as companion, since he wasn't really a companion in "Dalek," but still, it only takes him two episodes on the show to disprove himself as being worthy of a companion.
Season 6, Episode 6, "The Vampires of Venice". Depending on how you count "The Eleventh Hour", you could argue about whether this or "Amy's Choice" is his second episode as a true companion, and there are probably arguments to be made about him proving himself in both of those episodes, but nothing as concrete as any of the other examples I gave. I would argue that Rory is a special case, though. All of the other companions wanted to go with the Doctor, they wanted to fly off in the TARDIS and have grand adventures. Rory just wants his fiancée not to kiss other men. The fact that he didn't ask for any of this means that he doesn't have to do anything special to prove himself. He proves it just by being there.
Season 2, Episode 6, "The Age of Steel". This is the episode where I felt like Mickey finally proved himself, and no matter how you count it, it's definitely more than his second episode as companion. In every episode before this I couldn't imagine what Rose possibly saw in him and tried to forget he even existed. Even after he proved himself here, I never really could warm up to him - he had already spent too long making a bad impression to win me over.
Season 3, Episode 2, "The Shakespeare Code". This was Martha's second episode. In it she proves that... she's read Harry Potter. Oh good. Good job Martha. What a hero.
Season 3, Episode 13, "The Last of the Time Lords". Martha finally proves herself! ...in the season finale. Her journey across the earth is bigger and more impressive than anything the other companions did to prove themselves, but it just comes too late. Like Mickey, that bad impression she had already given just couldn't be undone. I was so annoyed with her when she came back in season 4 - pushing her way into precious Donna time! It was just so unnecessary of her.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Questionable Content: Thoughts on Recent Comics
Hey look, things are finally happening in this comic, holy smokes!
In the most recent comic, Marten and Dora finally talked and they might actually be friends again and then things could go back to normal. This is exciting.
I'm also glad we finally got off the Dora/Jim storyline for a little while. Not that I didn't enjoy that storyline, but it was very all-encompassing. I missed the other characters. Like Hannelore and Marigold! They are so cute here and here. Also we finally got to see Angus for the first time in a very long time. I love Angus! Even though he didn't even say anything, his mere presence was exciting to me.
Also, Raven came back, which is sort of interesting. I was never super fond of Raven, but I don't dislike her either. Mostly it feels like one more character in an already overly large cast, but oh well.
Anyway, it will be interesting to see where the renewed Marten/Dora friendship leads and how it affects the comic and whether Marten will realize that once he goes back to Coffee of Doom that he misses seeing Padma at The Secret Bakery.
Also, I feel like it's been a long time since we've seen Penelope, though I don't feel like looking back to find just where it was. Maybe she'll show up soon.
In the most recent comic, Marten and Dora finally talked and they might actually be friends again and then things could go back to normal. This is exciting.
I'm also glad we finally got off the Dora/Jim storyline for a little while. Not that I didn't enjoy that storyline, but it was very all-encompassing. I missed the other characters. Like Hannelore and Marigold! They are so cute here and here. Also we finally got to see Angus for the first time in a very long time. I love Angus! Even though he didn't even say anything, his mere presence was exciting to me.
Also, Raven came back, which is sort of interesting. I was never super fond of Raven, but I don't dislike her either. Mostly it feels like one more character in an already overly large cast, but oh well.
Anyway, it will be interesting to see where the renewed Marten/Dora friendship leads and how it affects the comic and whether Marten will realize that once he goes back to Coffee of Doom that he misses seeing Padma at The Secret Bakery.
Also, I feel like it's been a long time since we've seen Penelope, though I don't feel like looking back to find just where it was. Maybe she'll show up soon.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Unanswered Who-questions
What is River's relationship with the Doctor? Why does she know his real name?
Who is the good man that River kills?
If she can get out of the prison whenever she wants, why does she stay?
Why does Amy remember the clerics after they stopped existing, but not Rory?
Who blows up the TARDIS/why/why specifically on the Ponds' wedding day?
Why does River remember the Doctor after the universe resets? And why doesn't her memory bring him back?
Why was last year's "silence will fall" motif presented as so sinister, if it's actually supposed to be a good thing?
Who kills the Doctor? Is the Doctor really dead? Does it get undone? How does it get undone?
How does old!Canton know that it definitely is the Doctor and he definitely is dead, and how did he know to be there without opening his letter?
Why are the Silence (or at least one Silent) still around in 2011?
What happened to Amy in the orphanage? How did the girl get out of the space suit? Why did the Silence capture Amy?
Why did the Silence want the little girl, anyway? And what are they doing with the TARDIS-thing?
When was real!Amy replaced with flesh!Amy?
Who is the good man that River kills?
If she can get out of the prison whenever she wants, why does she stay?
Why does Amy remember the clerics after they stopped existing, but not Rory?
Who blows up the TARDIS/why/why specifically on the Ponds' wedding day?
Why does River remember the Doctor after the universe resets? And why doesn't her memory bring him back?
Why was last year's "silence will fall" motif presented as so sinister, if it's actually supposed to be a good thing?
Who kills the Doctor? Is the Doctor really dead? Does it get undone? How does it get undone?
How does old!Canton know that it definitely is the Doctor and he definitely is dead, and how did he know to be there without opening his letter?
Why are the Silence (or at least one Silent) still around in 2011?
What happened to Amy in the orphanage? How did the girl get out of the space suit? Why did the Silence capture Amy?
Why did the Silence want the little girl, anyway? And what are they doing with the TARDIS-thing?
When was real!Amy replaced with flesh!Amy?
Who is Madame Kovarian? Why does she seem to think she's at war with the Doctor?
What exactly does she plan to do with Melody/River?
Is the little girl from Astronaut/Day actually Melody/River? If so: why does River not seem to have any memory of this/act as if it never happened?
If River is a Time Lady, why hasn't the Doctor been able to sense her the way he should have been with the Master? If it's because she's only 'sort of' a Time Lady, which seems to be the implication of A Good Man, then what Time Lord characteristics does she have/not have?
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Doctor Who Season 6
I am way delayed on this business...whoops. Watched everything on time, just haven't gotten around to writing about it.
"The Curse of the Black Spot" - I really enjoyed this episode. It was nice to get away from the tension of the series arc for a little while and just have a good ol' romp. Also, I have a thing for pirates, so, you know. I was a little... concerned? confused? I'm not sure what... by the ending, though. Why was Amy so dead set against having to save Rory? It almost seemed like she would rather leave him behind than have to be responsible for saving him. And he said it was because he knew she wouldn't give up and then SHE GAVE UP but somehow he came back to life anyway. I feel like there was something fishy going on there. I don't know. It just didn't add up for me.
"The Doctor's Wife" - I don't even have anything to say about this. It was brilliant and perfect and I loved it. That is all.
"The Rebel Flesh"/The Almost People" - These episodes were alright. A little hard to follow, and a little tedious, but lovely. I loved the factory workers - Cleaves and Jimmy especially. Also Rory was great. Stupid, but great. And he didn't die! The two Doctors were hilarious together, although I called their shoe-switching antics partway through. I'm not sure why real Doctor was so angry/violent with Amy, though. That was sort of frightening. And the reveal about Amy at the end was brilliant - I never suspected it!
"A Good Man Goes to War" - Aghghahgljs. I'm not sure River being Melody counts as a twist, really, given that that theory has been the talk of the internet for ages now. I was less disappointed by it than I expected to be, though, so at least there's that. Rory was also great in this episode. Just for the record. Again. I'm still not sure what the Cybermen had to do with anything, but that's alright. I liked Lorna Bucket. I hope we get to see her earlier in her timestream/later in the Doctor's. I feel like the 'moral' of this episode was sort of a fall-flat though... oh look, the Doctor has a dark dangerous side and he sometimes has a bad effect on the lives of his companions. Hello, "Journey's End" and "The Waters of Mars" and "The End of Time." Eleven is not near so dark and dangerous as Ten could be at times.
I can't believe we have to wait until September. Ugh.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Hobbit Casting
I re-watched the 2005 movie of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy last night, which is the only thing I'd ever seen Martin Freeman in. I had seen it before, but couldn't remember anything about his performance when I was looking into it after he was cast. It happened to be showing on TV last week, and we recorded it and watched it last night. He was good. I think he's going to make a wonderful Bilbo. There were certain moments where his facial expression or his tone of voice struck me as very Bilbo-ish. He even bears a slight resemblance to Ian Holm, so there's a bit of continuity there.
In more recent casting news, Lee Pace will be playing Thranduil. After all the rumours about David Tennant getting that role, I couldn't imagine being content with anyone else playing that part, but, man. Lee Pace. Lee Pace is great. I think this will be okay, after all.
Also, Stephen Fry as the Master of Laketown. That's going to be fairly awesome as well.
I am just so excited for these movies. I can't believe I still have to wait another year and a half!
In more recent casting news, Lee Pace will be playing Thranduil. After all the rumours about David Tennant getting that role, I couldn't imagine being content with anyone else playing that part, but, man. Lee Pace. Lee Pace is great. I think this will be okay, after all.
Also, Stephen Fry as the Master of Laketown. That's going to be fairly awesome as well.
I am just so excited for these movies. I can't believe I still have to wait another year and a half!
Monday, May 2, 2011
River Song
River's Identity
Well, I'm guessing that kiss in "Day of the Moon" has finally quashed any theories about River being the Doctor's daughter/mother/sister/whatever else. It lends credence to theory that she's the Doctor's wife, but I'm pretty sure there has to be more to it than that. River basically said so herself in "Time of the Angels": "This is the Doctor we're talking about, do you really think it could be anything so simple?" And even more importantly, this is Moffat we're talking about. Do you really think it could be anything so simple? But yes, clearly some sort of romantic/physically intimate relationship.
This does not necessarily exclude the theories that River is Amy's daughter or Amy is River's daughter, which both seem to run rampant, but I have a hard time believing those. For one thing, it just ties everyone together too neatly, and I would much prefer that River be her own person with her own story. Furthermore, I don't know a whole lot about the TV-writing process, but that would mean they either had quite a lot of seasons 5 and 6 planned out when they were writing season 4, or they wrote in the character for fun without knowing what her story was, and I'm not sure how likely either of those scenarios are.
There are also the myriad theories about River being a regeneration of Donna, or a future Doctor, or the Master, or the child of Rose and fake Ten, or pretty much any character who has ever been on the show. I don't see how Donna would have gained the power of regeneration, so that seems unlikely. I don't think the Doctor loves himself quite as much as we've been shown (especially given that we've been shown a few times how much he loathes himself), and although the Master theories make me giggle, I don't think they're very likely, either. And I don't think she's the child of [insert couple here] either because that's really starting to push the boundaries of reason.
I'm also uncertain about her being someone from classic Who. I've never seen classic Who, so take anything I say here with a grain of salt, mind you. The revival has clearly made itself a different show. Yes, they've kept the same basic concept and brought back many classic monsters and a few characters like Sarah Jane and the Master, and yes, they've reinforced continuity with some references. That said, they've made it new. They've destroyed Gallifrey and killed off nearly all the Time Lords. If they keep bringing them back one at a time, they're basically going to undo all of that. Furthermore, Steven Moffat seems to be especially keen on moving ahead rather than looking back. He's introduced a ton of new monsters, and of all the episodes he's written, the only time he's included classic aliens, to my knowledge, is in "The Pandorica Opens"/"The Big Bang." This might just be my desire for River to be her own person speaking, but I really don't think she's going to be any of those old Time Lords that people keep saying she's going to be.
All that said, I really don't have any of my own theories about her identity. I just don't buy into any of the ones that I've heard so far.
The Best Man She's Ever Known
In "Time of the Angels"/"Flesh and Stone" we gather a lot of interesting tidbits about River's perhaps sketchy past. Octavian says the Doctor can't trust her, and that he doesn't know "who or what she is." We learn that she's in prison. That she killed a man. According to Octavian, "a good man. A hero to many." According to River, the best man she's ever known.
So the question we all ask ourselves is this: who is that man?
The obvious answer seems to be the Doctor. But... that seems too obvious. In real life, the simplest solution is usually true, but in Moffatland, that maxim holds no water. The other theory is Rory, which seems slightly more likely, but they have killed Rory how many times now? It's just getting old, at this point. That really doesn't leave us with a whole lot of options. It could be someone entirely new, but then why would there be a huge build up about it? This one intrigues me.
Can He Trust Her or Not?
In "Flesh and Stone" Octavian tells the Doctor that he can't trust River. But he knows, from the Library that he can. When she needs him to trust her, she whispers something in his ear which we later discover was his name. This turns out to be very effective, and he trusts her completely. So why does he let doubts creep in? He asks her if he can trust her at the end of "Flesh and Stone", and there's his little speech about not being able to trust her in the TARDIS toward the beginning of "The Impossible Astronaut." Why the doubts, if her knowing his name was enough before? I suppose this one could be explained by the fact that the River in "Silence in the Library" was older, and that he doesn't know if the younger River he's interacting with now is trustworthy, or if that's something that happens later in her time line.
Also, on the theme of the name thing... why doesn't the Doctor know who she is? In "Forest of the Dead" he says "There's only one reason I would ever tell anyone my name. There's only one time I could..." That sounds like he should have a pretty good idea of who she is, yet in "The Impossible Astronaut" he asks her who she is. So there's only one reason he would tell someone his name, only one time he could... but that reason and time could apply to anyone?
Amy Pond isn't the Only One with a Good Memory
In "The Big Bang," after the Doctor has flown the Pandorica, with himself inside, into the heart of the TARDIS explosion, he needs someone to remember him in order to bring him back into existence. He ensures this by telling Amy a story during his rewind, the night she waited for him, implanting a message into her memories so that when she wakes up on her wedding day, the saying "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" will trigger her memories of him and the TARDIS, bringing them back into existence. This process is helped along by the arrival of a wedding gift - River Song's Doctor Diary, hand-delivered by the lady herself. Its pages are blank, of course, because the Doctor never existed for River to have written anything about.
The problem with this is that in order for River to have delivered the journal, she had to have remembered the Doctor. Tons of people have pointed this out, and I'm pretty sure I remember reading somewhere that Steven Moffat said in some interview that it would all be explained. I imagine that when we get the big reveal about River's identity it will turn out that the Doctor is so integral to her life that when she wakes up where she ought to be after the reset, the holes left by the Doctor's non-existence are so large that she can't not remember. That's my theory, anyway. I'm sure it will all work out.
The question I haven't seen anyone ask about this situation is this: if River can remember the Doctor, why isn't he brought back by her memories? She shouldn't even need to take the diary to Amy because she should be able to bring the Doctor back on her own. Why doesn't it work that way?
Are They Really Living in Reverse?
If their time lines are actually exactly backwards... who gives her the sonic screwdriver before "Silence in the Library"? Is it something we were just never shown, and Ten went and did that? I don't think so, because how would he know where to find her? Besides, he didn't even know that their time streams were backward, he only knew that they met "in the wrong order," so he would probably assume he did that later in life, when he knew her better. I don't think Eleven has even figured the reverse thing out yet, otherwise he might have clued in about it being River's last kiss.
Furthermore, if they did meet in the wrong direction, why does River even have that diary? Given what she's said in these two most recent episodes, she should know that the Doctor hasn't shared any of her experiences, so there would be no need to sync up, because there would be no up to sync.
So, basically, I think that they probably don't meet in the wrong order. That might be the general trend, but there have to be some exceptions. Which means that it is a future Doctor who gives her the sonic screwdriver that lets Ten 'save' her in "Forest of the Dead." And, I mean, why would they meet in reverse? The Doctor has a time machine. He could just go to a time when River is older and be like "oh hey, we have shared all the same experiences, isn't that great?"
Or, alternatively, they were originally supposed to meet in just the "wrong" order, but then the writers decided it would be more interesting if they met in reverse, and now they're trying to retcon it to make sense. Or, it does all make sense, but we just haven't been enlightened yet. Or, they meet in reverse except for the last time. I don't know. I'm sure it will all make sense someday. Or not.
Consequences of Reverse Time Lines
If River is living in reverse to the Doctor then either:
1) She's already lived the events that prevent his death (or don't prevent it), and therefore she already knows the outcome of events in these episodes. This in turn would mean that either 1. she's really good at hiding her surprise or 2. when she said the Doctor's death couldn't be undone, she was speaking from experience and I don't really want to think about that.
or
2) Amy and Rory can't tell any younger version of River they meet in the future about the event of these episodes because, you know, spoilers! This in turn would mean that those two have to deal with it on their own, and also that River lives the whole rest of her life never knowing the outcome of the whole dead Doctor situation.
Also, River's reactions could give us clues about future events. I mean, there's things like her mention in "Flesh and Stone" about remembering the Pandorica well, and at the end of "The Big Bang" about how next time everything changes, but those are pretty minor things that are written in as teasers. I'm thinking of sadder, more serious things. Like in "Silence in the Library" when she's shocked to meet Donna and bam! we know that something happens to Donna, and probably sooner rather than later. In "Time of the Angels" the Doctor introduces Amy and River, but River just smiles and doesn't really say anything, because of course she already knows Amy (although when River was in Amy's room, why didn't she recognize Rory in the picture, given that she met him in Astronaut/Moon, and possibly other times we have yet to see?). But someday River might ask to be introduced to Amy/Rory, or be surprised to meet them the way she was with Donna, and then we would know that sad days were approaching.
Things We Know for Sure
She's an archaeologist. A doctor who eventually becomes a professor.
She meets the Doctor in the wrong order, probably in at least a general approximation to, if not exactly, reverse order.
She killed a man, the best man she's ever known.
She is in Stormcage prison for the aforementioned crime, although she is adept at escaping, and seems to be out for good by the time of "Silence in the Library" (perhaps she got the pardon mentioned in "Flesh and Stone").
She is physically intimate with the Doctor.
She first meets the Doctor when she's a young girl.
She last meets the Doctor in the Library, where she sacrifices herself to rescue those 'saved' by CAL.
In turn, she gets uploaded into the Library's database, along with the Daves, Anita, and Miss Evangelista, and becomes mother to two computer-kids and CAL.
Sometime before this (before in her time line, after in his), the Doctor shows up with a new haircut and a suit and takes her to Verilian to see the singing towers and he cries and gives her his sonic screwdriver.
She knows the Doctor's name.
She remembers the Doctor after the universe resets, but her memories don't bring him back.
She knows that the Doctor always dances at weddings.
She's a good shot, has no qualms about shooting things, she's a hell of a flirt, and she doesn't like funny hats.
BAMF.
Well, I'm guessing that kiss in "Day of the Moon" has finally quashed any theories about River being the Doctor's daughter/mother/sister/whatever else. It lends credence to theory that she's the Doctor's wife, but I'm pretty sure there has to be more to it than that. River basically said so herself in "Time of the Angels": "This is the Doctor we're talking about, do you really think it could be anything so simple?" And even more importantly, this is Moffat we're talking about. Do you really think it could be anything so simple? But yes, clearly some sort of romantic/physically intimate relationship.
This does not necessarily exclude the theories that River is Amy's daughter or Amy is River's daughter, which both seem to run rampant, but I have a hard time believing those. For one thing, it just ties everyone together too neatly, and I would much prefer that River be her own person with her own story. Furthermore, I don't know a whole lot about the TV-writing process, but that would mean they either had quite a lot of seasons 5 and 6 planned out when they were writing season 4, or they wrote in the character for fun without knowing what her story was, and I'm not sure how likely either of those scenarios are.
There are also the myriad theories about River being a regeneration of Donna, or a future Doctor, or the Master, or the child of Rose and fake Ten, or pretty much any character who has ever been on the show. I don't see how Donna would have gained the power of regeneration, so that seems unlikely. I don't think the Doctor loves himself quite as much as we've been shown (especially given that we've been shown a few times how much he loathes himself), and although the Master theories make me giggle, I don't think they're very likely, either. And I don't think she's the child of [insert couple here] either because that's really starting to push the boundaries of reason.
I'm also uncertain about her being someone from classic Who. I've never seen classic Who, so take anything I say here with a grain of salt, mind you. The revival has clearly made itself a different show. Yes, they've kept the same basic concept and brought back many classic monsters and a few characters like Sarah Jane and the Master, and yes, they've reinforced continuity with some references. That said, they've made it new. They've destroyed Gallifrey and killed off nearly all the Time Lords. If they keep bringing them back one at a time, they're basically going to undo all of that. Furthermore, Steven Moffat seems to be especially keen on moving ahead rather than looking back. He's introduced a ton of new monsters, and of all the episodes he's written, the only time he's included classic aliens, to my knowledge, is in "The Pandorica Opens"/"The Big Bang." This might just be my desire for River to be her own person speaking, but I really don't think she's going to be any of those old Time Lords that people keep saying she's going to be.
All that said, I really don't have any of my own theories about her identity. I just don't buy into any of the ones that I've heard so far.
The Best Man She's Ever Known
In "Time of the Angels"/"Flesh and Stone" we gather a lot of interesting tidbits about River's perhaps sketchy past. Octavian says the Doctor can't trust her, and that he doesn't know "who or what she is." We learn that she's in prison. That she killed a man. According to Octavian, "a good man. A hero to many." According to River, the best man she's ever known.
So the question we all ask ourselves is this: who is that man?
The obvious answer seems to be the Doctor. But... that seems too obvious. In real life, the simplest solution is usually true, but in Moffatland, that maxim holds no water. The other theory is Rory, which seems slightly more likely, but they have killed Rory how many times now? It's just getting old, at this point. That really doesn't leave us with a whole lot of options. It could be someone entirely new, but then why would there be a huge build up about it? This one intrigues me.
Can He Trust Her or Not?
In "Flesh and Stone" Octavian tells the Doctor that he can't trust River. But he knows, from the Library that he can. When she needs him to trust her, she whispers something in his ear which we later discover was his name. This turns out to be very effective, and he trusts her completely. So why does he let doubts creep in? He asks her if he can trust her at the end of "Flesh and Stone", and there's his little speech about not being able to trust her in the TARDIS toward the beginning of "The Impossible Astronaut." Why the doubts, if her knowing his name was enough before? I suppose this one could be explained by the fact that the River in "Silence in the Library" was older, and that he doesn't know if the younger River he's interacting with now is trustworthy, or if that's something that happens later in her time line.
Also, on the theme of the name thing... why doesn't the Doctor know who she is? In "Forest of the Dead" he says "There's only one reason I would ever tell anyone my name. There's only one time I could..." That sounds like he should have a pretty good idea of who she is, yet in "The Impossible Astronaut" he asks her who she is. So there's only one reason he would tell someone his name, only one time he could... but that reason and time could apply to anyone?
Amy Pond isn't the Only One with a Good Memory
In "The Big Bang," after the Doctor has flown the Pandorica, with himself inside, into the heart of the TARDIS explosion, he needs someone to remember him in order to bring him back into existence. He ensures this by telling Amy a story during his rewind, the night she waited for him, implanting a message into her memories so that when she wakes up on her wedding day, the saying "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" will trigger her memories of him and the TARDIS, bringing them back into existence. This process is helped along by the arrival of a wedding gift - River Song's Doctor Diary, hand-delivered by the lady herself. Its pages are blank, of course, because the Doctor never existed for River to have written anything about.
The problem with this is that in order for River to have delivered the journal, she had to have remembered the Doctor. Tons of people have pointed this out, and I'm pretty sure I remember reading somewhere that Steven Moffat said in some interview that it would all be explained. I imagine that when we get the big reveal about River's identity it will turn out that the Doctor is so integral to her life that when she wakes up where she ought to be after the reset, the holes left by the Doctor's non-existence are so large that she can't not remember. That's my theory, anyway. I'm sure it will all work out.
The question I haven't seen anyone ask about this situation is this: if River can remember the Doctor, why isn't he brought back by her memories? She shouldn't even need to take the diary to Amy because she should be able to bring the Doctor back on her own. Why doesn't it work that way?
Are They Really Living in Reverse?
If their time lines are actually exactly backwards... who gives her the sonic screwdriver before "Silence in the Library"? Is it something we were just never shown, and Ten went and did that? I don't think so, because how would he know where to find her? Besides, he didn't even know that their time streams were backward, he only knew that they met "in the wrong order," so he would probably assume he did that later in life, when he knew her better. I don't think Eleven has even figured the reverse thing out yet, otherwise he might have clued in about it being River's last kiss.
Furthermore, if they did meet in the wrong direction, why does River even have that diary? Given what she's said in these two most recent episodes, she should know that the Doctor hasn't shared any of her experiences, so there would be no need to sync up, because there would be no up to sync.
So, basically, I think that they probably don't meet in the wrong order. That might be the general trend, but there have to be some exceptions. Which means that it is a future Doctor who gives her the sonic screwdriver that lets Ten 'save' her in "Forest of the Dead." And, I mean, why would they meet in reverse? The Doctor has a time machine. He could just go to a time when River is older and be like "oh hey, we have shared all the same experiences, isn't that great?"
Or, alternatively, they were originally supposed to meet in just the "wrong" order, but then the writers decided it would be more interesting if they met in reverse, and now they're trying to retcon it to make sense. Or, it does all make sense, but we just haven't been enlightened yet. Or, they meet in reverse except for the last time. I don't know. I'm sure it will all make sense someday. Or not.
Consequences of Reverse Time Lines
If River is living in reverse to the Doctor then either:
1) She's already lived the events that prevent his death (or don't prevent it), and therefore she already knows the outcome of events in these episodes. This in turn would mean that either 1. she's really good at hiding her surprise or 2. when she said the Doctor's death couldn't be undone, she was speaking from experience and I don't really want to think about that.
or
2) Amy and Rory can't tell any younger version of River they meet in the future about the event of these episodes because, you know, spoilers! This in turn would mean that those two have to deal with it on their own, and also that River lives the whole rest of her life never knowing the outcome of the whole dead Doctor situation.
Also, River's reactions could give us clues about future events. I mean, there's things like her mention in "Flesh and Stone" about remembering the Pandorica well, and at the end of "The Big Bang" about how next time everything changes, but those are pretty minor things that are written in as teasers. I'm thinking of sadder, more serious things. Like in "Silence in the Library" when she's shocked to meet Donna and bam! we know that something happens to Donna, and probably sooner rather than later. In "Time of the Angels" the Doctor introduces Amy and River, but River just smiles and doesn't really say anything, because of course she already knows Amy (although when River was in Amy's room, why didn't she recognize Rory in the picture, given that she met him in Astronaut/Moon, and possibly other times we have yet to see?). But someday River might ask to be introduced to Amy/Rory, or be surprised to meet them the way she was with Donna, and then we would know that sad days were approaching.
Things We Know for Sure
She's an archaeologist. A doctor who eventually becomes a professor.
She meets the Doctor in the wrong order, probably in at least a general approximation to, if not exactly, reverse order.
She killed a man, the best man she's ever known.
She is in Stormcage prison for the aforementioned crime, although she is adept at escaping, and seems to be out for good by the time of "Silence in the Library" (perhaps she got the pardon mentioned in "Flesh and Stone").
She is physically intimate with the Doctor.
She first meets the Doctor when she's a young girl.
She last meets the Doctor in the Library, where she sacrifices herself to rescue those 'saved' by CAL.
In turn, she gets uploaded into the Library's database, along with the Daves, Anita, and Miss Evangelista, and becomes mother to two computer-kids and CAL.
Sometime before this (before in her time line, after in his), the Doctor shows up with a new haircut and a suit and takes her to Verilian to see the singing towers and he cries and gives her his sonic screwdriver.
She knows the Doctor's name.
She remembers the Doctor after the universe resets, but her memories don't bring him back.
She knows that the Doctor always dances at weddings.
She's a good shot, has no qualms about shooting things, she's a hell of a flirt, and she doesn't like funny hats.
BAMF.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Doctor Who 6x2 "Day of the Moon"
I'm not sure if blogging episode by episode is going to work out so well for me; I might go back to doing a bunch at a time like I did when I was getting caught up. I don't know. Last week it was alright, but I don't feel like I have a lot to say about this episode.
I mean... it was just a mindfuck. The list of things it left hanging would contain... gee, everything that happened in this episode, a lot of what happened last week, and some of what happened last season. There just isn't a whole lot to say about it unless you're one of those crazy theorists. I look forward to seeing how this all wraps up, though.
Okay, I've seen about a million of these today, but here's my version of 'the list of questions in need of answers.'
Who kills the Doctor? Is the Doctor really dead? Does it get undone? How does it get undone?
Who blows up the TARDIS/why/why specifically on the Ponds' wedding day?
Why does River remember the Doctor after the universe resets? And why doesn't her memory bring him back?
Why was last year's "silence will fall" motif presented as so... sinister, if it's actually supposed to be a good thing?
How does old!Canton know that it definitely is the Doctor and he definitely is dead, and how did he know to be there without opening his letter?
Is Amy pregnant? Why is the TARDIS unsure? Most importantly: Does her baby have a time head?
Why are the Silence (or at least one Silent) still around in 2011?
Who is the little girl? Why is she a Time Lord? There seem to be a few options: 1) she's somehow a future-doctor, 2) she's the master, 3) she's Jenny, 4) she's the child of Amy/Doctor or River/Doctor or Rose/Doctor (lolwhut) or some other female and the Doctor, or 5) she's someone we haven't met. I'm guessing 4 or 5, hoping for 5.
Who is the lady with the eye patch? Who was she talking about? Who was she talking to? Why did she disappear?
What happened after Amy went into that room? How did the girl get out of the space suit? Why did the Silence capture Amy?
Why did the Silence want the little girl, anyway? What are they doing with the TARDIS-thing?
And of course, the usual River Song mysteries, but I'm going to write a whole post about her soon, so I'll address those there.
Oooh and the one thing I want to say, because everyone on tumblr is all "awww the Doctor is Amy's best friend!" is that all that line did was remind me of Donna, which made me sad. I'm glad he didn't say it back to Amy. I like to think his best friend is still Donna. I don't even care.
Also: I like to think Amy does love Rory. I mean. How could anyone not love Rory? She has to love Rory.
I'm kind of glad that they decided to go have other adventures and not figure out the little girl right away. That seems like a totally illogical decision, but I suppose when you have a time machine and can come back to that exact instant, it doesn't matter. Even though it means it will be even longer before I get any answers, it will be easier to wait if I'm not expecting any answers... especially when they're giving us episodes like this one that don't give you any of the answers you're expecting.
I mean... it was just a mindfuck. The list of things it left hanging would contain... gee, everything that happened in this episode, a lot of what happened last week, and some of what happened last season. There just isn't a whole lot to say about it unless you're one of those crazy theorists. I look forward to seeing how this all wraps up, though.
Okay, I've seen about a million of these today, but here's my version of 'the list of questions in need of answers.'
Who kills the Doctor? Is the Doctor really dead? Does it get undone? How does it get undone?
Who blows up the TARDIS/why/why specifically on the Ponds' wedding day?
Why does River remember the Doctor after the universe resets? And why doesn't her memory bring him back?
Why was last year's "silence will fall" motif presented as so... sinister, if it's actually supposed to be a good thing?
How does old!Canton know that it definitely is the Doctor and he definitely is dead, and how did he know to be there without opening his letter?
Is Amy pregnant? Why is the TARDIS unsure? Most importantly: Does her baby have a time head?
Why are the Silence (or at least one Silent) still around in 2011?
Who is the little girl? Why is she a Time Lord? There seem to be a few options: 1) she's somehow a future-doctor, 2) she's the master, 3) she's Jenny, 4) she's the child of Amy/Doctor or River/Doctor or Rose/Doctor (lolwhut) or some other female and the Doctor, or 5) she's someone we haven't met. I'm guessing 4 or 5, hoping for 5.
Who is the lady with the eye patch? Who was she talking about? Who was she talking to? Why did she disappear?
What happened after Amy went into that room? How did the girl get out of the space suit? Why did the Silence capture Amy?
Why did the Silence want the little girl, anyway? What are they doing with the TARDIS-thing?
And of course, the usual River Song mysteries, but I'm going to write a whole post about her soon, so I'll address those there.
Oooh and the one thing I want to say, because everyone on tumblr is all "awww the Doctor is Amy's best friend!" is that all that line did was remind me of Donna, which made me sad. I'm glad he didn't say it back to Amy. I like to think his best friend is still Donna. I don't even care.
Also: I like to think Amy does love Rory. I mean. How could anyone not love Rory? She has to love Rory.
I'm kind of glad that they decided to go have other adventures and not figure out the little girl right away. That seems like a totally illogical decision, but I suppose when you have a time machine and can come back to that exact instant, it doesn't matter. Even though it means it will be even longer before I get any answers, it will be easier to wait if I'm not expecting any answers... especially when they're giving us episodes like this one that don't give you any of the answers you're expecting.
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