Do I think that the Doctor is 'in love' with Rose? Yes, as much as any fictional character can be in love with another. Every form of love is unique because it is defined by the people in the relationship. The Doctor's love for Rose and her love for him are not identical, either. My brother doesn't love me the same way that I love him.
I've seen this argument made before -- but in this case, the text is in your face with an answer about the kinds of love. Rose is constantly asked to choose between the Doctor and everyone else. In fact, so is Martha. There's this drumbeat about ultimately making a choice between family and Doctor. Rose pointedly and repeatedly chooses HIM, even after she's made her mother frantic with worry for a YEAR, indicating a difference in attachment levels.
You really do seem to be defining growth as 'moving towards the way that I (parrotfish) view the world', as though you are the only person who has a clear view of what love, life, and everything are all about and you are the only person who can define 'maturity' or 'love'.
I do hold the opinion that to look at Doctor Who and see "pair bonding" as growth in the Doctor is ... let's call it a re-imagining of the premise. And I'm defining growth not as coming to my world view, but within the text as producing positive change in the character. The thing is, I don't think that's what RTD gave us. I think he intentionally gave us a situation where the "pair bonding" sets BOTH characters (the Doctor and Rose) back. There are places where they seem to be "very much in love," and places where they seem to be "very much screwed up." Which is perhaps RTD's point -- though he doesn't seem to be able to make up his own mind, either.
Re: and two...
I've seen this argument made before -- but in this case, the text is in your face with an answer about the kinds of love. Rose is constantly asked to choose between the Doctor and everyone else. In fact, so is Martha. There's this drumbeat about ultimately making a choice between family and Doctor. Rose pointedly and repeatedly chooses HIM, even after she's made her mother frantic with worry for a YEAR, indicating a difference in attachment levels.
You really do seem to be defining growth as 'moving towards the way that I (parrotfish) view the world', as though you are the only person who has a clear view of what love, life, and everything are all about and you are the only person who can define 'maturity' or 'love'.
I do hold the opinion that to look at Doctor Who and see "pair bonding" as growth in the Doctor is ... let's call it a re-imagining of the premise. And I'm defining growth not as coming to my world view, but within the text as producing positive change in the character. The thing is, I don't think that's what RTD gave us. I think he intentionally gave us a situation where the "pair bonding" sets BOTH characters (the Doctor and Rose) back. There are places where they seem to be "very much in love," and places where they seem to be "very much screwed up." Which is perhaps RTD's point -- though he doesn't seem to be able to make up his own mind, either.