Death of the Doctor!
Oct. 28th, 2010 06:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dbskylerYes, this is my Death of the Doctor REACTION POST which shall have SQUEE!
Where do I start? First off, it turns out that RTD and I have very similar views on Sarah. Her reaction to being told that the Doctor was dead was exactly right in my view, as was the way she recognized the Doctor right away, with just that small little "it is you, isn't it" moment to confirm (and I loved Matt's knowing little smile when he said "Hello, Sarah Jane.") In fact, both of those Sarah reactions are very similar to scenes I have written myself in my fanfic, which was a nice little bonus for me that makes up for getting jossed.
But really, though, I loved Sarah's reactions throughout the whole thing, and I also loved Jo -- it was wonderful to see her again in all her glorious Jo-ness! As for the Doctor, I have new appreciation for just how good Matt Smith is, because he hit exactly the right notes with both of them, and I don't think that even David Tennant with all his arcane fanboy knowledge could have done it better. I swear, there was even a moment there during the heart-to-heart with Jo on the planet that Matt's expression seemed to be channeling Jon Pertwee!
And speaking of Jon Pertwee, dear god, what a reference-fest this episode was! Peladon bonding! Flashbacks with David Tennant and Tom Baker and Jon Pertwee and Patrick Troughton and even a quick shot of William Hartnell up on the screen during "The Three Doctors!" And all of that was just the tip of the reference iceberg! If you've read my fanfic then you know that I love slipping in little references, but I have been well and truly outdone by RTD here. There were so many references, I couldn't even keep track of them all, and that's not even counting the numerous flashbacks. My absolute favorite reference though was when the Doctor said "Ventilation shaft! That takes me back," with a little poke at Sarah. I swear, I started laughing so hard, I missed what came next and had to pause and rewind! At least that shaft was a little bigger than the one she had to crawl through in "Ark in Space" . . . *g*
Other things that I particularly liked (besides, you know, the entire episode):
-- the Brig is still stuck in Peru! Or perhaps he's stuck in Peru again. I think we have a great running joke here, guys. From now on, every time UNIT is mentioned, I want the Brig to be stuck in Peru. Even if there is no particular reason to expect that he would be around and present, I want a throwaway line about Peru, Brig being in, stuck. We can haz?
-- All the companion mentions! Liz Shaw right off the bat (along with Brig-in-Peru), and then Sarah's list at the end. I did wonder about Mike Yates and Sergeant Benton being left off the why-they-can't-attend-the-funeral list, but I can't fault RTD for refraining from putting them in -- given everything else he managed to put in, I'm sure he at least thought about it. And then the Harry mention, oh so sweet and slightly sad because he was referred to in the past tense, which suggests that Harry is deceased in Whoniverse canon. Ian Marter, we still miss you.
-- All the lovely character moments with Sarah, and with Jo, and with Sarah and the Doctor, and with Jo and the Doctor, and with Sarah and Jo together. Lovely, lovely, lovely, and so well played all around.
-- And okay, speaking of character moments, I especially have to mention the moment when Sarah talked about the regeneration and asked if it had hurt. Matt and Lis, you were both fantastic in that scene.
-- During "End of Time," the Doctor went back and visited all his companions! That makes me ridiculously happy.
-- Clyde! He was wonderful yet again. When are we going to get that boy onto the TARDIS?
-- SJA flashbacks that weren't about the Doctor, including a Maria flashback! Well, once you've got the flashback train going, you've just got to slip in some SJA, right? Although by that point, I wouldn't have been surprised to get a line about Jo hanging out in Cardiff in order to justify a Torchwood flashback or two as well. ; )
-- Explicitly opening the door for a future non-white Doctor and/or a female Doctor. Nicely done, Russell.
-- 507 regenerations! What a marvelously exact and random number. I adore it.
Now, however, we come to the one thing that I really didn't like:
WHERE THE FREAKIN' HELL IS MY ELEVEN/SARAH HUG??? Russell, do NOT tell me that you wrote a hug between Eleven and Jo and didn't also write a hug between Eleven and Sarah! I mean, it's fine that Jo got a hug, really it is, I even liked it quite a lot, but WE NEED AN ELEVEN/SARAH HUG!!!!!!!!!
Obviously the Doctor did hug Sarah too and we just didn't get to see it (I absolutely refuse to believe anything else), but you know, I want to see it! Russell, you're just going to have to bring the Doctor back onto SJA and try again. Hug, Doctor, Sarah. You know how it goes.
But as for the rest, I really loved it, and I'm very happy that the episode managed to live up to its hype!
Where do I start? First off, it turns out that RTD and I have very similar views on Sarah. Her reaction to being told that the Doctor was dead was exactly right in my view, as was the way she recognized the Doctor right away, with just that small little "it is you, isn't it" moment to confirm (and I loved Matt's knowing little smile when he said "Hello, Sarah Jane.") In fact, both of those Sarah reactions are very similar to scenes I have written myself in my fanfic, which was a nice little bonus for me that makes up for getting jossed.
But really, though, I loved Sarah's reactions throughout the whole thing, and I also loved Jo -- it was wonderful to see her again in all her glorious Jo-ness! As for the Doctor, I have new appreciation for just how good Matt Smith is, because he hit exactly the right notes with both of them, and I don't think that even David Tennant with all his arcane fanboy knowledge could have done it better. I swear, there was even a moment there during the heart-to-heart with Jo on the planet that Matt's expression seemed to be channeling Jon Pertwee!
And speaking of Jon Pertwee, dear god, what a reference-fest this episode was! Peladon bonding! Flashbacks with David Tennant and Tom Baker and Jon Pertwee and Patrick Troughton and even a quick shot of William Hartnell up on the screen during "The Three Doctors!" And all of that was just the tip of the reference iceberg! If you've read my fanfic then you know that I love slipping in little references, but I have been well and truly outdone by RTD here. There were so many references, I couldn't even keep track of them all, and that's not even counting the numerous flashbacks. My absolute favorite reference though was when the Doctor said "Ventilation shaft! That takes me back," with a little poke at Sarah. I swear, I started laughing so hard, I missed what came next and had to pause and rewind! At least that shaft was a little bigger than the one she had to crawl through in "Ark in Space" . . . *g*
Other things that I particularly liked (besides, you know, the entire episode):
-- the Brig is still stuck in Peru! Or perhaps he's stuck in Peru again. I think we have a great running joke here, guys. From now on, every time UNIT is mentioned, I want the Brig to be stuck in Peru. Even if there is no particular reason to expect that he would be around and present, I want a throwaway line about Peru, Brig being in, stuck. We can haz?
-- All the companion mentions! Liz Shaw right off the bat (along with Brig-in-Peru), and then Sarah's list at the end. I did wonder about Mike Yates and Sergeant Benton being left off the why-they-can't-attend-the-funeral list, but I can't fault RTD for refraining from putting them in -- given everything else he managed to put in, I'm sure he at least thought about it. And then the Harry mention, oh so sweet and slightly sad because he was referred to in the past tense, which suggests that Harry is deceased in Whoniverse canon. Ian Marter, we still miss you.
-- All the lovely character moments with Sarah, and with Jo, and with Sarah and the Doctor, and with Jo and the Doctor, and with Sarah and Jo together. Lovely, lovely, lovely, and so well played all around.
-- And okay, speaking of character moments, I especially have to mention the moment when Sarah talked about the regeneration and asked if it had hurt. Matt and Lis, you were both fantastic in that scene.
-- During "End of Time," the Doctor went back and visited all his companions! That makes me ridiculously happy.
-- Clyde! He was wonderful yet again. When are we going to get that boy onto the TARDIS?
-- SJA flashbacks that weren't about the Doctor, including a Maria flashback! Well, once you've got the flashback train going, you've just got to slip in some SJA, right? Although by that point, I wouldn't have been surprised to get a line about Jo hanging out in Cardiff in order to justify a Torchwood flashback or two as well. ; )
-- Explicitly opening the door for a future non-white Doctor and/or a female Doctor. Nicely done, Russell.
-- 507 regenerations! What a marvelously exact and random number. I adore it.
Now, however, we come to the one thing that I really didn't like:
WHERE THE FREAKIN' HELL IS MY ELEVEN/SARAH HUG??? Russell, do NOT tell me that you wrote a hug between Eleven and Jo and didn't also write a hug between Eleven and Sarah! I mean, it's fine that Jo got a hug, really it is, I even liked it quite a lot, but WE NEED AN ELEVEN/SARAH HUG!!!!!!!!!
Obviously the Doctor did hug Sarah too and we just didn't get to see it (I absolutely refuse to believe anything else), but you know, I want to see it! Russell, you're just going to have to bring the Doctor back onto SJA and try again. Hug, Doctor, Sarah. You know how it goes.
But as for the rest, I really loved it, and I'm very happy that the episode managed to live up to its hype!
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(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-29 02:54 am (UTC)The one part I really hated was when he insulted Jo right off the bat with "you look like someone baked you." I love the indignant look on her face and rightly so. Even as rude as the Doctor can be that is uncalled for. I'm just glad he made up for it later.
Yes, obviously there was an Eleven/SJ hug. Sarah Jane always gets a hug. We just NEVER see it.
I have no problem with the 507 regenerations, as long as we get the explanation later in one of the shows. I would hate it if it was contradicted later or just left hanging out there. Hopefully Moff will tie up the details and loose ends.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-29 03:36 am (UTC)You were right; I really did! Although I do have to say that it was slightly scary to be watching an RTD-written episode and start thinking, "OMG, I could've written this. In fact, I kind of did." It would have been a lot less scary if RTD hadn't also written some of my most-hated episodes of all time (along with, to be fair, some of my favorites).
Yep, not much of a plot, but I didn't mind; the fanboying and the character moments were just what I wanted this time. I think it would be really interesting though to see an RTD-written episode edited by Moffat.
The one part I really hated was when he insulted Jo right off the bat
Yeah, I didn't like that either. I was glad Jo didn't just take it, though.
I'm okay with never getting an explanation about the 507 regenerations, but I confess that it would be nice to hear more on it.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-29 05:50 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-30 03:16 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-29 04:04 am (UTC)I WANTED MY HUUUUUGGGGGGGGGG. It totally happened though. It really did. It's just the fault of stuffing so much into an episode less than an hour long, that's all. Really. He couldn't have NOT given her a hug! RIGHT!? BUT I STILL WANTED ONE.
We got THIS though
which is essentially Doomsday done right. Melt my heart why don't you? Still, not enough though, hmph!
I really loved Sarah Jane's DENIAL. Especially considering she used to frequently cry over him thinking he was dead. She knows him better now. I also love her and Jo's contrasting reactions to the Doctor's new face; Jo makes the crack about him looking too young but Sarah fittingly no longer bats an eye.
Speaking of Sarah, I love how quickly she and the Doctor got into the groove of working together, no questions asked, they just immediately got to doing what needed to be done. Oh and yes, the ventilation shaft. I half expected her to quip something like "I'm not gonna pull you out if you get stuck!" I'm also glad they let the Doctor keep calling her "Sarah". in School Reunion it was always Sarah Jane. Oh and I loved "Come along Smith!" :D
On Matt in this episode, I agree, I don't think it would've worked quite as well with Tennant even if he was marvelous as Ten. This episode was about Pertwee's girls, and therefore needed a Pertwee-like Doctor, and Matt's strong point is being able to act so old and soft-spoken grandfatherly even with his young face. I did like the conversation with Jo, I'm glad she's had a fantastic life.
Amy/Rory name mention! Yay! And Liz, and Brig, and Ian, and Barbara, and Tegan, and Harry, and Ace....
Oh Ten, he visited EVERYONE. Makes his "reward" carry even more significance. And also gives an even better reason as to why his regeneration exploded like it did if he held it off that long.
Finally..... CLYYDDDEEEE You're so destined to be a companion! I loved his conversation with Eleven in the ventilation shaft! I laughed. I love that 507 was such a random number that you could easily take it as a joke, but also take it seriously if you want to.
And enough from me, sorry about that.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-29 04:50 am (UTC)Hey, compared to my post, your comment is the soul of brevity! *g*
Damn straight, the Eleven/Sarah hug happened! In fact, if you're going to force me to imagine it myself, I might just have to throw in a kiss as well. So there, Russell! :P (But you know, given Eleven, it was probably a sweet kiss on the forehead at the end of the hug. Ooh, that's totally in my head now.)
I also love her and Jo's contrasting reactions to the Doctor's new face
Yes, me too! Jo does know all about regeneration -- she met the Second Doctor, and saw the First Doctor on a view screen -- but that's not quite the same thing as watching a regeneration happen, and witnessing someone you know turn into someone else. I didn't think Sarah would bat an eye at Eleven, and I'm glad RTD agrees with me. :D
I'm also glad they let the Doctor keep calling her "Sarah". in School Reunion it was always Sarah Jane.
I loved the "Sarah" as well. But he did get to call her "Sarah" in School Reunion, too ("Everyone died, Sarah," and "Rose and Sarah, you go to the maths room," for example).
Oh and I loved "Come along Smith!"
Hee, yes! Also, good point on Matt's Doctor being a lot more similar to Jon Pertwee than David's Doctor. Going into it, I was wondering how familiar Matt was (or would become) with Jo and Sarah's canon, and I was a little sad it wasn't going to be David because David of course knows all those episodes and he would understand the meaning behind every single reference. But I have to say that even though RTD threw a ton of stuff at him, Matt handled it all perfectly.
I agree with everything else you said, too. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-29 05:02 am (UTC)WRITE THIS NAO.
No, I knew Jo knew about regeneration, hence why she said "I know" when Sarah commented on how he could change his face, but Jo's only seen *older* Doctors, Sarah had to experience Four and then Ten! Both of whom are quite younger than their predecessors. And as you said, Sarah actually witnessed regeneration. Actually, speaking of RTD, he wrote Eleven quite good.
ACK! I forgot! I'm a bad fan... and I claim School Reunion is my favorite episode..... dammit. Still, good to know they still only let the Doctor call her Sarah XD.
Mmm, yeah, actually, David would've had a ball doing an episode this jam-packed with trivia, being such a fanboy and all, that's quite a shame :(. Matt seems to be immersing himself in the Doctor Who culture though, did you know there's a picture floating around of him wearing a multicolored scarf?
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-29 05:34 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-29 05:47 am (UTC)Write it? But it seems to lend itself so much better to a drawing, don't you agree? If only I knew someone who could draw . . .
You're not a bad fan at all. I think I am a bit of a scary fan for having School Reunion so well memorized!
I didn't know about the Matt scarf picture -- I'll have to look for it! I'm really curious to know his reaction to this episode, too, so I hope there's an interview or video diary that will turn up eventually on it.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-29 06:04 am (UTC)Actually, I was planning on drawing a fix it comic for this anyway so be on the lookout.
This
http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/pop-candy/2010/04/15/dramyx-wide-community.jpg
is the image in question. curuchamion's right, Matt saw someone with a scarf that tardis_tara made and asked to try it on.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-29 09:18 pm (UTC)Actually, I was planning on drawing a fix it comic for this anyway so be on the lookout.
Ooooh, yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*on the lookout*
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-29 05:51 am (UTC)