Wedding of SJS reaction post

[dbskyler]

And here we go:

I loved this episode. Seriously, seriously loved it. And the more I think it over, the more impressed I am with how well-written it was. Not to say that it was perfect, or that I wouldn't've written things a little differently (what, no Doctor/Sarah hug, Roberts?), but given what this story had to accomplish and the amount of time it had, I'm just really very impressed.

First, the Doctor. It was so great to see him, and so much fun to watch him interact with the SJA gang. The writing challenge here was to have the Doctor show up, and be the Doctor, while not letting him overshadow Sarah and the rest of the SJA regulars on what is their show, not his. Much as I yearned for more Doctor/Sarah screen time, I have to concede that the solution of separating them for much of the episode was the best way to go. I also liked how Clyde got to take on the Trickster -- go Clyde! -- and how the ultimate defeat of the Trickster was due to Sarah rather than the Doctor. On the other hand, the story still served the Doctor well, letting us re-visit some of our favorite catchphrases ("allons-y," "brilliant" and "I'm so sorry" all made their appearance) and behaviors (being self-congratulatory, making promises of getting everyone out, saying things like "no no no no no" and "Lukey-boy," scanning with the sonic screwdriver, being the stern Time Lord in a showdown with the villain and getting all angsty). We even got a little foreshadowing of the regeneration that we all know is coming soon. Apparently with a gate.

Plotwise, I was surprised that it turned out that Peter was not a villain and that Sarah had not been under any sort of mind control during the courtship or when she agreed to marry him. It feels a little like a stretch for the character, but on the other hand the ending of the episode was much more emotionally resonant because of it, so again I have to say that ultimately it was a great choice to have made. And I can make it work by remembering that Sarah is not that experienced with romantic relationships, so could well be swept off her feet, and that the Trickster went searching for Sarah's perfect match, so it's not so much of a coincidence that they met and fell in love so quickly. And Peter proved himself to be a great match for Sarah in the end by sharing her values and putting the fate of the world ahead of his own personal life and happiness. Even the Trickster was unsurprised that he wanted to make that choice; only surprised that he had the strength to do so.

There were so many wonderful moments throughout. In part one, the sound of the TARDIS trying to break through; the alien creature bought from eBay (how great was that?); everyone being so nosy about Sarah's boyfriend (loved Gita especially, but then I always love Gita); K-9 going after the alien while saying "all is normal" to Peter; and of course, the look on the Doctor's face as he rushed into the hall and yelled "Stop this wedding now!!!!" In part two I especially loved all the Doctor's interactions with the teens, the way he greeted K-9, and his confrontation with the Trickster; and my heart broke for Sarah, especially after the canceled wedding when she was sitting there in her non-wedding clothes looking so forlorn. The Doctor showing up to say goodbye was great, and so was the part where the teens got to see the inside of the TARDIS. And hey, was it my imagination, or did it look like the Doctor was willing to go along with their suggestion of a trip until Sarah shot it down? The look on his face when Sarah mentioned being grounded by the Judoon was priceless, though, and I also loved Sarah's "don't touch anything" admonition. Then the Doctor and Sarah's last interaction stabbed me through the heart, but I'll come to that in a minute.

Classic Who references: I'm not even sure if I got them all, but let's see what I can list. There was Sarah joking about sending the Doctor's wedding invitation to Metebelis 3. There was Rani saying how they were all Sarah's best friends. There was the Trickster mentioning the Key to Time. And there was the "don't forget me" moment at the end. (I'm a little embarrassed at how much that is still getting to me; what can I say, that original "don't forget me" exchange from the end of "Hand of Fear" is one of my top Doctor Who moments ever. Hell, it's one of my top television moments ever, and it stabbed my heart when I was an adolescent and it's never let me go since.)

Doctor/Sarah moments: We were a little short on these given the (justifiable) structure of the story, but there were still enough to make my inner Doctor/Sarah shipper go squee: "Any friend of Sarah Jane Smith is a friend of mine." The Doctor's fierce, Sarah-protective dialogue like "Stop this wedding now!" and "What do you want with her?" Sarah's "You came all that way. For me," and the Doctor's response of "You're so important. Not just to me." (Pardon me while I melt.) "Is this the last time I'm ever going to see you?" "I don't know. I hope not." (Melting some more.) "Don't forget me, Sarah Jane." (Stab to the heart, stab stab stab!!)

But I do have to say that there was one glaring omission, and that was Ten and Sarah's goodbye kiss hug. Because it did seem very strange for Sarah to just walk out like that without one. But other than that, I can't fault any of the story decisions that were made, and I really enjoyed it. A lot.

Comments

[box-in-the-box.livejournal.com]

And I can make it work by remembering that Sarah is not that experienced with romantic relationships [...]

See, I can buy off on Sarah Jane being out of practice with romantic relationships, but inexperienced? No, not the girl who turned heads at UNIT and teased the Brig about being a "swinger." I REALLY didn't like the implication that this was the ONLY time she'd fallen in love, either.

It's a shame, because there's a LOT of stuff to like here, but it hits my inner squick button when they basically hint that Sarah Jane is a virgin, emotionally if not physically.

[taiamu.livejournal.com]

I pretty much agree with everything you've said here. And you /know/ I think they should have kissed hugged! One hug. Was that too much to ask?? ;)

The ending was made of ouch, though. Although, despite the obviousness of the regeneration-foreshadowing, I tended to think SJ's "Will I ever see you again?" remark was referring to future incarnations as well. Ergo, she might not see Ten again, but she /will/ see the Doctor again. ::shrug::

Not to say that I won't miss DT like mad...::sniff::

And wasn't Clyde awesome??

[taiamu.livejournal.com]

Apparently, my LJ strikethrough-fu is not doing well tonight. Let's just say that read: "kissed /or/ hugged". Sheesh.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

I tended to think SJ's "Will I ever see you again?" remark was referring to future incarnations as well.

That's how I interpreted the line, too -- that she was asking about seeing the Doctor again, not specifically about seeing Ten again.

And wasn't Clyde awesome??

He was!

One hug. Was that too much to ask?? ;)

I know!!! I swear, if I had any video editing skills then I would stick a hug in myself and always watch it that way.

[cavgirl.livejournal.com]

I don't think she is completely inexperienced. From the hints we've had, it seems that she had a very lonely life for a good many years. She may well have dated superficially, but 'nothing compared'. However, that's not to say that she had any number of relationships pre-Doctor. OK, so moping for thirty years isn't really how I picture Sarah either, but I find this scenario a little more plausible for SJA's Sarah Jane than I do the never-ever version.

I so want to see Sarah Jane meet the Eleventh Doctor and pat him on the head and tell him and can run and play with his toys. 'Cos seriously, he looks younger than Clyde...

My housemate agrees with you on the hug issue, but it doesn't bother me. She hugged him when she thought she was saying goodbye in 'School Reunion' and from a combination of joy and comfort - for him - in 'Journey's End'. P'rhaps another hug from him then would have been the last straw...?

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

I do tend to see Sarah as not having had many serious romantic relationships, which is what I meant by "inexperienced" and what helped me reconcile the fast courtship. But I don't have strong feelings about it. If other people want to argue that she must have had plenty of experience / had lots of boyfriends / had lots of girlfriends / been secretly married to Harry in the '80s, that's all fine with me.

I so want to see Sarah Jane meet the Eleventh Doctor and pat him on the head and tell him and can run and play with his toys. 'Cos seriously, he looks younger than Clyde...

The actors are not that far apart in age in real life . . . ; ) But truthfully? I think that Sarah's seen enough of regeneration by now to very quickly look past the outward appearance and treat him as the Doctor.

P'rhaps another hug from him then would have been the last straw...?

Sorry, can't go along with you there. I can never get too many Doctor/Sarah hugs!

[shadowturquoise.livejournal.com]

Like everyone else, I really missed the hug. I was really hoping for a kiss as well since she is the only NewWho companion to not get a kiss from the Doctor (even Mickey and Jackie have gotten that!) A real kiss would have been tacky considering the story line and what SJ had just been through, but a tender peck on the forehead and a big hug and cuddle would have been really nice.

Like you I loved, loved, loved all the Old Who connections. I really don't understand why the main show can't do that. It would make the Old Who fans so happy and any New-Who-only fans probably wouldn't even notice many of them.

When the Doctor first showed up I felt like I had had the rug pulled out from under me at because DT was acting in "children's show" mode and it took me a minute to get used to that. Otherwise I squeed all the way through it.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Butting in to say, when doesn't DT act like he's in a children's show? I mean, Doctor Who IS and always has been a family show. And DT's enough of a geeky fanboy to act like a big kid on a regular basis.

[shadowturquoise.livejournal.com]

when doesn't DT act like he's in a children's show?

LOL! Agreed. But it just felt to me like the campiness (campyness?) was turned up a few notches to match the children's show atmosphere. I'm not sure how to describe what I mean. It comes across mainly in his tone of voice. And yes, I know most British fans refer to Doctor Who as a children's show. Every time I see that mentioned it just seems weird to me because it has never been advertised or referred to as a children's show here in the states.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Hmm, can't say that I noticed it, myself. He sounded just as excitable, manic and Ten-ish as ever to my ears...

By the way, I got nibbled by that plot bunny (seeing the story from Ten's PoV?) But I'm not sure how soon I'll get it written - writing anything depends on how crappy I feel 'cos of the constant pain that I'm in, so don't hold your breath...

[shadowturquoise.livejournal.com]

I really wasn't trying to add to the ever-increasing horde of bunnies that live under your bed already. I promise! And I know writing must be really hard for you right now with your shoulder.

I'm just really surprised that almost NO fic has sprouted from this SJ episode yet. I've only seen one drabble so far.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Well you didn't - not really. The thought was already in my head, watching the first part of the episode.

I wondered if the lack of fic was down to people gearing up for NaNo...

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Icon love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was really hoping for a kiss as well since she is the only NewWho companion to not get a kiss from the Doctor (even Mickey and Jackie have gotten that!)

I was really hoping for that too. And yes, the lack of a Doctor/Sarah kiss is completely unfair! Fortunately, there's a wonderful fic to help me feel better about it.

Like you I loved, loved, loved all the Old Who connections. I really don't understand why the main show can't do that. It would make the Old Who fans so happy and any New-Who-only fans probably wouldn't even notice many of them.

I think the script for this episode is the perfect example of how to do it -- all the references felt completely natural and must have passed over the heads of New-Who-only fans, with no detriment to their enjoyment of the story. For example, the Key to Time reference -- it sounds like a big and impressive thing, and everyone could get the full sense and meaning of it, but us Old Who fans got a little squee added in because we know he has held the Key to Time in his hands! I too don't understand why the main show can't do that.

[shadowturquoise.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Any icon I make is free for the taking if you want

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Oooooh! I shall run off to snag it right now -- thank you!!!!!!! I will credit, of course. : )

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

I think the Doctor LOVED the idea of taking the teenagers on a trip in the TARDIS, just as a thank you for being awesome.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

That's what I thought! Which doesn't really go with Ten's current "no companions" attitude in the specials, but maybe he would make an exception for this group . . . or maybe this episode takes place before he started feeling that way.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

I think he was prepared to make an exception for them, because he knew it'd be just one trip, or SJ would skin him alive! :D

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

:D :D :D :D :D