my 10 favorite Tenth Doctor episodes: Christmas Invasion

[dbskyler]

Because I'm in a retrospective mood, I thought I'd start the countdown to Eleven by giving mini-reviews of my 10 favorite Tenth Doctor episodes (presented in order of broadcast since I have too much trouble rank-ordering them). Today, it's Christmas Invasion:



I think I like this one partly because it's well-written, and partly because I'm a secret hurt/comfort junkie (I love the scenes where the Doctor isn't doing so well). The situation with the Sycorax gets more and more dire, really ramping up the tension, and then when the Doctor finally wakes up and takes charge, it's glorious. I think my only quibble with the story is the swordfight at the end. I would've liked it much better if the Doctor had purposely allowed his hand to get cut off, with the regrowing of the hand then freaking the Sycorax out so much that the Doctor wins. In other words, I wanted the Doctor to win the fight more through the use of his brain ("I'll freak him out by using my regeneration energy") than his "fighting hand." But it's a quibble.

Favorite moments:
-- When the Doctor tells Jackie to shut up, and Jackie says "Ooh, he hasn't changed that much, has he?"
-- When the Doctor interrupts himself to comment on the apple in his dressing gown before suddenly collapsing in pain
-- The subtle reference to the Ice Warriors ("Martians look completely different")
-- The TARDIS starts translating, and the camera pans and then . . . the Doctor!!!
-- The Doctor pushes the big, red button
-- The Doctor chooses his new outfit in the wardrobe room (and wears a scarf at one point, too)

Next up: School Reunion (Yes, believe it or not, that's one of my ten favorites. You're all shocked, aren't you?)

Comments

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

This is my shocked face: :D :D

'cos no, I'm not! :D :D

I love the bit where he's got Four's scarf draped around his neck...

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

I love the bit where he's got Four's scarf draped around his neck...

There's a really cute comment from Phil Collinson somewhere -- maybe on the episode commentary? -- where he says that the scarf DT wears is actually his (Phil's) "Doctor Who" scarf that he had as a boy. Apparently Phil had asked if it could be sneaked into the scene somehow, like on a hanger or something,then was floored when he saw that David actually wore it!

I still think it's a shame that one of the original Four scarfs was really unraveled in "Castrovalva." Of course, there was more than one . . . wonder what happened to the other(s)?

This is my shocked face: :D :D

Sorry to shock you so badly . . . :D

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I knew it was actually Phil C's scarf, not the original Fourth Doctor scarf. I'm assuming the originals are with one or other of the exhibitions...

Sorry to shock you so badly . . . :D

*grins* I'll let you off!

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

I didn't think you actually thought that was Four's scarf, but I didn't know if you knew it was Phil's. It's one of my favorite behind-the-scene stories, actually - it's so simultaneously geeky and sweet!

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

It was indeed!

[pitry.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love the Christmas Invasion. I love some of the big, bombastic stories, but there's something something beautiful in the smaller stories.

And hee. I miss Jackie!

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling that most of what you call the "big, bombastic stories" didn't make my list, except for one. I tend to like the smaller stories, I think. Well, you can tell me if you see any patterns after I finish the list!

I miss Jackie!

Me too. As a character she wasn't always used well, but she had some truly great moments.

[pitry.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling that most of what you call the "big, bombastic stories" didn't make my list,

I would never have guessed :) (I'm actually quite surprised at the fact one did, and am having a hard time thinking which one. I guess I'll find out!)

Jackie... she's by far the best mum on the show. She gave DW some truly unforgettable moments.. and I generally adore her. :)