butterfly | Doctor Who: Forest of the Dead (Reply)

I mean that, by the way. If you like Moffat's writing, there's nothing of interest here for you.

The most disappointing thing about last week to me was how poorly written it felt. There were some good ideas, but none of it felt thought through and filled out. While I expected a twisted worldview from Moffat, I'd at least expected it to be wrapped up in some good writing. Luckily, the writing was quite a bit better this half, though it still felt... unfinished, like this was his rough draft.

Particularly River. I mean, they played the whole 'closed loop' card at the end of the episode (which means that her introducing herself to the Doctor at the beginning still makes no sense), but it does give the sense that their entire relationship is based on him pitying her and feeling guilty for her killing herself for his sake (and the sake of their 'future') and then him trapping her for all eternity in the library (especially with the way David played it). No wonder he always looks older with her -- their entire relationship is a lie, from his perspective. Which, hey, there's a bit of good writing going on with the parallel between this relationship and the one with Donna and Lee -- also a complete and utter lie that skipped the actual 'getting to know you' bits between two people who didn't actually know each other, complete with actual skipping (could it be more obvious that Moffat thinks that men and women should skip dating to find out if you like each other and go right to wedding bells and sex?).

So, Evangelista died last episode and it was cliché and horrid and sexist. But at least it was over. But no! She is brought back so that yet more sexism can be shown through her. Hey, girls -- you can be pretty and dumb (in which case, people will mock you) or smart and ugly (in which case, you're doomed to be unloved). It's a lose-lose world out there! Enjoy! Also, get married or you're worthless! Have a nice day! And all women secretly long to be domestic, even if they were previously explorers.

How sad is it that the Doctor took that long to make the connection between trees and actual, real books? I mourn the loss of his brain that has occurred in this two-parter (River mentions needing to pull him out when he's being an idiot -- with Moffat writing him, that'll be a weekly consideration).

Moffat must bring in weddings (with Donna and Lee). Because a woman isn't complete until she gives up her name for a man's. Also, Moffat must bring the sexual innuendo. I'm not sure he can help himself. It's like a disease. Also, I can't believe that he reused both "I'm always all right," and "Everybody lives." Talk about taking recycling to the next level.

And now it's over and I get to joyously celebrate the fact that I am never going to watch another bloody fucking thing written by Steven Moffat for the rest of my life. Thank god.