Doctor Who: favorite things

[butterfly]

If I were going to pick a favorite two-parter of the New Who, it would definitely be The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit. If I could only pick one episode as my favorite, it would be Dalek (though Father's Day is close).

I'm not a big fan of believing that the author's always right, but I do love the DW Confidentials. The actors and crew members say such lovely things. As early as the Confidential for Aliens in London, we have Christopher Eccleston saying, "Rose is the Doctor's equal in every way apart from, possibly, his scientific knowledge."

This is a case where I really do feel that the creators' intentions flowed from the screen. The character things they mention in the Confidential are all things that I got from the show, but it's kinda neat that I do, for the most part, feel so in sync with the creators. They say something, and I say, "Yeah, exactly."

So, I love the way the makers of the show love the show.

I love the Doctor/Rose storyline. Bits of it absolutely kill me and break my heart, but I love that in a good bit of fiction. They had passion and respect and friendship and love. Equality. The Doctor looked at Rose Tyler and was astonished at how much like him she was -- her grins in the face of danger, her way of easing tensions, her compassion and her courage. I love seeing them fall in love in season one and love seeing them be in love in season two. And now the Doctor understands what everyone feels after meeting him. He's now the one who's experienced splendor and lost it. The Doctor is my emotional anchor in season three, when all through the first two seasons, it was Rose.

The Doctor found something, someone, that he believed in. He found a greater truth, in his love for Rose Tyler. He found that person worth breaking his hearts over, a million times over. And he lost her, and it did break his hearts and we're seeing the aftermath. The Doctor is vulnerable this season, vulnerable in a different way than he was when he had Rose.

If the places the TARDIS goes (in this New Who) are reflective of the Doctor's mindset (and from the evidence, I think that's a strong argument), then the Doctor is in bad shape. There's still hope, which gives me comfort, but he's downright suicidal at times, reminiscent of, "I could very well die in the process... but don't worry about me, go on, have your lovely beans on toast," and "Maybe it's about time," but so much angrier. He had his moments of coldness and anger in S2, but it's more than moments in this new season.

I love that he has such a depth of emotion, but I hate to see him in pain. It's a near impossible balance to walk, but David Tennant is more than pulling it off for me. He's breaking my heart and I'm loving him for it.

Comments

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

And now the Doctor understands what everyone feels after meeting him. He's now the one who's experienced splendor and lost it.

Oh, that's an interesting point. I rather like that.

The Doctor found something, someone, that he believed in. He found a greater truth, in his love for Rose Tyler. He found that person worth breaking his hearts over, a million times over. And he lost her, and it did break his hearts and we're seeing the aftermath.

And I'm just "oooh"ing again. Heh. Like how this ties to Sarah Jane's "some things are worth getting your heart broken over."

I love that he has such a depth of emotion, but I hate to see him in pain. It's a near impossible balance to walk, but David Tennant is more than pulling it off for me. He's breaking my heart and I'm loving him for it.

Here's where I'm starting to get tired. And I'm not arguing against *you* since this is just preference of the way we like to see things. For me I loved in new Who that while you had horrors, death and destruction going on, the main characters held onto each other in a way that got them through it. Like in TEotW - death, destruction and uncovering the pain of losing a planet. But Rose grabs his arm and while things aren't necessarily "okay," you know they'll be better. Or in Father's Day - what happened was horrible. But the Doctor takes Rose's hand in comfort. Again, not okay, but better.

But now during these moments, I'm seeing the Doctor alone (he's just not letting Martha get that close) and really despairing. Yeah, RTD said that the theme of Gridlock (or was it the whole series) is hope, but I haven't seen *the Doctor* being shown hope yet. The Doctor just doesn't believe the Face of Boe. And there was Tallulah's speech, but she said it to Martha. He's in this very dark place, which only seems to make the horrors of the show even darker for me.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

But now during these moments, I'm seeing the Doctor alone (he's just not letting Martha get that close) and really despairing. Yeah, RTD said that the theme of Gridlock (or was it the whole series) is hope, but I haven't seen *the Doctor* being shown hope yet.

I really do have more of a willingness to watch despair and anguish than most of the people that I know. The first season, I was watching the blossoming flower of new love, then we had the giddy adoration in season two, and now there's the fall. A lot of people really don't like watching the fall. Personal choice, personal feelings.

I know that (and I'm about to get personal here) a great of my willingness to watch that sort of thing is because I know misery and depression very intimately. I suffered from clinical depression in high school -- I almost didn't graduate and to this day, I haven't managed to finish a college course. And the year before it all happened, I got straight A's. And while there were many reasons for my crash, one of the major ones was the loss of someone that I loved very much. My aunt. The person that was my shelter and safe place -- the person who made me want to do well. Losing her permanently damaged my williness to be in a school setting. I just didn't care anymore.

Seeing fictional character go to that place helps me. Especially if they pull out of it (like in Buffy the Vampire Slayer), but even if they don't. Because I've had a lot of people in my life tell me that I should be able to just be happy. And it doesn't work that way, yeah? I've had to work really hard to be happy again. And I'm not happy in the same way I was back then. I'll never be that girl again. I can only be a new person, happy in a new way.

I can understand the Doctor not being ready to embrace hope just yet. Part of him doesn't want to be happy, because he knows how fleeting and painful it is. Everything he said in School Reunion, amplified by the loss of this person who managed to wriggle in and become his home. But I think that the show is showing us that hope exists -- in Martha, in the words of the Face of Boe, for Tallulah and Laszlo, in the way that Dalek Sec changed. The Doctor isn't ready yet, but the universe will be there for him when he is. The worlds will keep turning and people (human, aliens, etc) will keep on being brave and clever and lovely. He's shown sparks of seeing that already, he just doesn't want to admit it.

He's in this very dark place, which only seems to make the horrors of the show even darker for me.

*nods*

I agree completely. And darkness is very hard for a lot of people to watch (for good reason!). That's not a bad thing. Preferring life and joy to despair makes a great deal of sense.

Watching well-done grief is painful. There's a reason that Moulin Rouge was a film that most people either adored or completely hated, because that movie just wallows in quick shifts between blinding joy and terrible heartbreak (I adore it, my roommate hates it). Grief and despair are hard to watch.

But, and I'm going back to Sarah Jane again, she said, "Pain and loss - they define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it's a world, or a relationship... everything has its time. And everything ends."

Basically, when I look at the Doctor this season, I see something very familiar to me. I can identify with him this season, where it was always much more of an effort before.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

A lot of people really don't like watching the fall.

Yeah, that's me right there. I want my fun sci-fi show back!

I know that (and I'm about to get personal here) a great of my willingness to watch that sort of thing is because I know misery and depression very intimately.

I'm sorry that all happened to you. :(

Because I've had a lot of people in my life tell me that I should be able to just be happy. And it doesn't work that way, yeah?

Yeah, like you've just got some sort of switch you can flip. Oy.

But I think that the show is showing us that hope exists -- in Martha, in the words of the Face of Boe, for Tallulah and Laszlo, in the way that Dalek Sec changed. The Doctor isn't ready yet, but the universe will be there for him when he is.

I think for me, I'm going to need to see something more personal for him, instead of hope through other people. His pain and loss is so at the core of who he is - the Time War and Rose - that I really want to see hope that directly relates to him. And soon.

Basically, when I look at the Doctor this season, I see something very familiar to me. I can identify with him this season, where it was always much more of an effort before.

And for me, the more he goes down this path, the more distant he becomes to me.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's me right there. I want my fun sci-fi show back!

And, you know, completely valid. I have a friend who doesn't watch Battlestar Galactica simply because it's too bleak for her.

I'm sorry that all happened to you. :(

Thank you.

I think for me, I'm going to need to see something more personal for him, instead of hope through other people. His pain and loss is so at the core of who he is - the Time War and Rose - that I really want to see hope that directly relates to him. And soon.

If he'd managed to fix the Daleks, to heal them, that would have been that kind of personal hope. Sadly, they were the Daleks, so that one was kinda unwinnable.

And for me, the more he goes down this path, the more distant he becomes to me.

Understandable. BtVS lost a lot of people when it went dark in S6. Selfishly, I do hope that he heals quickly enough for you to keep loving the show. You point out some really nifty things.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

And, you know, completely valid. I have a friend who doesn't watch Battlestar Galactica simply because it's too bleak for her.

And it's strange, because I can *totally* watch BSG. You know, I think it might be because I'm not really emotionally invested in any of the characters on that show. It's more like watching a fish tank. Or something.

But with DW, I'm finding myself really caring about the characters. And so while I can somewhat understand the mindset of the Doctor in where he is in his head, it's painful to watch. I mean, actually painful.

Selfishly, I do hope that he heals quickly enough for you to keep loving the show. You point out some really nifty things.

Well, thanks. :) I'm kinda thinking that if it keeps going down this path, I might be better off just dropping it for a while. Just so I don't get into this bitter place with it. However, I'm not sure I'd be able to. I'm quite Pavlovian when it comes to Doctor Who. :D

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

However, I'm not sure I'd be able to.

Oh, who am I kidding? That will really never happen. *crosses fingers for some Doctor hope soon - Time Lords, Rose, long-lost son, ANYTHING*

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Well, thanks. :) I'm kinda thinking that if it keeps going down this path, I might be better off just dropping it for a while. Just so I don't get into this bitter place with it. However, I'm not sure I'd be able to. I'm quite Pavlovian when it comes to Doctor Who. :D

Bitterness is never fun (well, not for me. There's people who seem to enjoy it, but I can't quite understand that). I stopped watching Dawson's Creek after Joey and Pacey broke up, because I just couldn't stand the unhealthiness of Dawson and Joey (should I disclaimer that I was in high school when the show aired?). Luckily, that all turned for the best.

I'm hoping that DW will go the same way. Because the more S3 I see, the more it's clear just how much the Doctor misses and loves Rose. His ache isn't fading.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping that DW will go the same way. Because the more S3 I see, the more it's clear just how much the Doctor misses and loves Rose. His ache isn't fading.

Yeah. :(

[beck-liz.livejournal.com]

As I was just telling mrv3000, in some ways this series is easier for me to watch than I thought it would be, because it's very different from the previous two series. In others... like mrv3000, I'm not seeing the hope. I'm seeing a Doctor who seems very much like Jack was for awhile over in Torchwood: plodding on because he doesn't feel like he has a choice, not because he really wants to or has hope. It's worrisome. I think Jack came out of it near the end of TW's first series, and I hope that the Doctor will too, and soon. I love that he's missing Rose so much, but I think she'd whack him upside the head if she knew how he's acting.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

As I was just telling mrv3000, in some ways this series is easier for me to watch than I thought it would be, because it's very different from the previous two series.

As Christopher Eccleston said, it was a love story. And once that vital other half of a love story is gone, the story can't help but become about something very different.

In others... like mrv3000, I'm not seeing the hope. I'm seeing a Doctor who seems very much like Jack was for awhile over in Torchwood: plodding on because he doesn't feel like he has a choice, not because he really wants to or has hope. It's worrisome. I think Jack came out of it near the end of TW's first series, and I hope that the Doctor will too, and soon.

The Doctor is reminding me of Jack! Totally. Which really kinda helps my theory that Rose was to the Doctor what the Doctor is to most people.

I'm absolutely certain that RTD is going to handle the Doctor's storyline in an emotionally true way. I've gotten to a place where I trust him with that. But I do think that the Doctor is probably going to get darker before he starts healing. I don't think he's hit bottom yet.

I love that he's missing Rose so much, but I think she'd whack him upside the head if she knew how he's acting.

She really would. Or at least threaten to. She doesn't want him to be lonely or miserable or suicidal. She worries about him. But grieving lovers often do things that their beloved would hate (see: Willow attempting to destroy the world after Tara's death).

[katesutton.livejournal.com]

then the Doctor is in bad shape. There's still hope, which gives me comfort, but he's downright suicidal at times,

He really is in a dark place at the moment. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Part of me is hopping about, going 'see, see, see!'-a la Daniel Jackson-look how important Rose is to him! But then...how is he going to get out of this, though? So far, I'm not sure Martha is going to help him with that, given how he's resisting caring about her and she's still got her eye somewhat fixed on having him for a boyfriend.

I'm not a big fan of believing that the author's always right, but I do love the DW Confidentials. The actors and crew members say such lovely things.

I love it! Me, I'm more of a sucker for authorial intent, so it makes me veeery happy when RTD busts out with 'the love of his life' and 'he thought she was the most wonderful woman in the universe.' YAY.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

He really is in a dark place at the moment. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Part of me is hopping about, going 'see, see, see!'-a la Daniel Jackson-look how important Rose is to him! But then...how is he going to get out of this, though? So far, I'm not sure Martha is going to help him with that, given how he's resisting caring about her and she's still got her eye somewhat fixed on having him for a boyfriend.

Indeed! All through Daleks in Manhattan, I was saying, "Can't someone please give the Doctor a hug?" And then he hugged Martha in Evolution and regretted it afterward and my heart just ached. Because Martha's right -- he has moments when he sees a glimpse of something that reminds him of Rose and then the pain crashes back in when it isn't her.

My hope is Martha will give up on the crush and just be his friend, because that's what he really needs right now. He needs a friend. But I don't think she'll be able to do that until she really understands what Rose meant to him and why. Until he's in a place where he can do that, Martha simply doesn't have enough information.

I love it! Me, I'm more of a sucker for authorial intent, so it makes me veeery happy when RTD busts out with 'the love of his life' and 'he thought she was the most wonderful woman in the universe.' YAY.

RTD is so cute when it comes to the Doctor and Rose. So cute. He set out to tell a love story and damn well did it.

[goldy-dollar.livejournal.com]

Hi! Remember me? Stalking your journal again because you say pretty things and I've got this strange Doctor Who addiction.

The Doctor is my emotional anchor in season three, when all through the first two seasons, it was Rose.

I so agree. Martha's really not doing anything for me. But you know what? That's okay. I don't think I need her to. I'd like to sympathize a little more with her than I do, but I'm so enthralled with the Doctor's story this season that I don't mind.

Maybe it's all my years of watching the Jossverse, but I really like the darker, almost bleak sense to this season. Oh, it *hurts* because I adore the Doctor, but it feels very right at the same time. And I appreciate RTD for actually following through on those emotions. But he's lost the Time War, and then he lost Rose, whose importance to him hasn't been diminished at all. No wonder he's in a dark place. If he was bouncing from the walls and impossibly happy, it wouldn't be true to his character.

It's a near impossible balance to walk, but David Tennant is more than pulling it off for me. He's breaking my heart and I'm loving him for it.

Yeah. What you said.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Hi! Remember me? Stalking your journal again because you say pretty things and I've got this strange Doctor Who addiction.

Hi, again! I've friended you, by the by.

Doctor Who is really, really lovely.

I so agree. Martha's really not doing anything for me. But you know what? That's okay. I don't think I need her to. I'd like to sympathize a little more with her than I do, but I'm so enthralled with the Doctor's story this season that I don't mind.

That's it, exactly. Martha seems to be more of a Classic Companion, not anywhere near as filled out as Rose was, but that's all right, because the Doctor is completely filling the Epic space. Lost love can be a very beautiful story, when well-told.

Maybe it's all my years of watching the Jossverse, but I really like the darker, almost bleak sense to this season. Oh, it *hurts* because I adore the Doctor, but it feels very right at the same time. And I appreciate RTD for actually following through on those emotions. But he's lost the Time War, and then he lost Rose, whose importance to him hasn't been diminished at all. No wonder he's in a dark place. If he was bouncing from the walls and impossibly happy, it wouldn't be true to his character.

Yes. Even if RTD hadn't said that he was a fan of BtVS, it would still be clear that he follows the same emotional school as Joss -- make it real. Events and disasters cause emotional pain that doesn't just fade away. Certain lifestyles take a toll on the person living them. The Doctor fell in love. He lost his entire people and then he found this girl. Nineteen years old, but with an intuitive and bright mind. Someone who gave him a home again. In S2, the Doctor's talking about how when the Time Lords died, "the universe became that bit less kind," and this has to be that all over again. Without Rose, the universe is that bit less kind. There's not as much light, anymore.

I'm really loving this season so far. I keep saying to my roommate that I can't believe that the show is actually shippier for Doctor/Rose without Rose on the show. Seeing how the absence of her weighs on the Doctor shows just how much he loves her. His laughter and giddy joy in S2 looks much less like traits of this regeneration and more like the simple happiness of a man deeply in love with someone who loves him back just as much.

[goldy-dollar.livejournal.com]

Hi, again! I've friended you, by the by.

Hooray! Thank you. :)

Martha seems to be more of a Classic Companion, not anywhere near as filled out as Rose was, but that's all right, because the Doctor is completely filling the Epic space. Lost love can be a very beautiful story, when well-told.

I actually think it was a smart move, on their part. Given that I *am* a new series fan, I'm not certain I could just shift all the emotional investment I had in Rose into a new companion. The fact that I don't really have to makes her absence a little less jarring. And while it hurts, I like feeling for the Doctor.

Though I still wish I could relate more to Martha. I still don't feel like I really know *who* she is. I mean, I know the facts, but nothing really concrete. What motivated her to become a doctor? How serious is she about it? Would she be willing to chuck that for the Doctor and the TARDIS? Just... give me something here.

Martha seems to be more of a Classic Companion, not anywhere near as filled out as Rose was, but that's all right, because the Doctor is completely filling the Epic space. Lost love can be a very beautiful story, when well-told.

Exactly! I'm always a little shocked when I hear people saying he should be over it already. I know that might have been more in line with Old School Who, but New Who is *all* about the emotional continuity. And I'm so glad they haven't dropped the Rose/Doctor just because she's not there. He *did* love her. He *still* loves her. He's hurting that she's not there. And it's sad and heartbreaking, but it's all very real and natural.

His laughter and giddy joy in S2 looks much less like traits of this regeneration and more like the simple happiness of a man deeply in love with someone who loves him back just as much.

Yeah. Absolutely.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I actually think it was a smart move, on their part. Given that I *am* a new series fan, I'm not certain I could just shift all the emotional investment I had in Rose into a new companion. The fact that I don't really have to makes her absence a little less jarring. And while it hurts, I like feeling for the Doctor.

Exactly. I adored Rose so much. They completely succeeded in making her the heart of the story. And while I can transfer that love to the Doctor (because he loved and she loved him and DT won my heart in his heartbreak in Doomsday), I can't imagine just loving Martha with that kind of intensity. I need time to miss Rose. And the Doctor missing Rose so much gives me that time.

Though I still wish I could relate more to Martha. I still don't feel like I really know *who* she is. I mean, I know the facts, but nothing really concrete. What motivated her to become a doctor? How serious is she about it? Would she be willing to chuck that for the Doctor and the TARDIS? Just... give me something here.

I liked Martha in the most recent episode, but she doesn't feel anywhere near as complete a character as Rose did. I felt more strongly about Rose at the end of Rose than I do Martha at the end of Evolution of the Daleks.

On the plus side, wow, I do feel for the Doctor and feel like I understand his motivations.

I really do hope that next week's episode gives Martha a bit more depth.

Exactly! I'm always a little shocked when I hear people saying he should be over it already. I know that might have been more in line with Old School Who, but New Who is *all* about the emotional continuity. And I'm so glad they haven't dropped the Rose/Doctor just because she's not there. He *did* love her. He *still* loves her. He's hurting that she's not there. And it's sad and heartbreaking, but it's all very real and natural.

Right! I've been watching the older Confidentials and you have RTD on there saying that as far as they're concerned, it is a new show in many ways. They're going to respect what came before, but not be limited by it. RTD shows much more awareness for the fact that this 'always traveling' lifestyles has both drawbacks and a bit of tragedy living inside it.

They changed the rulebook when they gave the Ninth Doctor the backstory of the Time War and made him the last of the Time Lords. They changed it more when he fell in love. But they're the ones writing the rulebook. They're allowed to change it.

[katesutton.livejournal.com]

Without Rose, the universe is that bit less kind. There's not as much light, anymore.

Oh, I love that. And yes, the times he's been all giddy and manic this season(I'm thinking S&J here)...it's all seemed more desperate, less happy. Although I loved Doctor/Rose from the first, I must admit to surprise at how much he's taken a darker turn without her.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love that. And yes, the times he's been all giddy and manic this season(I'm thinking S&J here)...it's all seemed more desperate, less happy. Although I loved Doctor/Rose from the first, I must admit to surprise at how much he's taken a darker turn without her.

He really, really has. It's had a profound affect on him. Which is wonderful to see, because it means that RTD and Co. meant everything they (and the show) said about Rose. But it's also incredibly painful, because being emotionally true to this story means taking the Doctor to a very dark place. He's so tired, this tenth incarnation of the Doctor. He's tired of people not understanding he's an alien, he's tired of "bigger on the inside", he's tired of explaining things like psychic paper and sonic screwdrivers. He's tired of death following him around like it has nothing better to do. Rose gave him life -- Rose was so full of light and laughter and she willingly gave that joy to the Doctor.

Now, that light (the power of the day, the Carrionite tells us) is gone. The Doctor is lost, laughing at the darkness (as the Plasmavore said). And he stands in front of the Daleks and screams at them to just kill him. He can manage to scrape out happy ending for other people (for some of them), but not for himself (the one strand of personal hope that he's given by the Face of Boe, he finds impossible to believe).

[madame-parker.livejournal.com]

Um *waves* been stalking your journal on/off since Star Wars RotS, and now I find you love the Doctor.
Having just watched all the episodes in this season, I have to say I'm shocked by how much I'm enjoying it. This season really is David's show, he's doing an amazing job with the Doctor. And I agree, this is the Doctor falling deeply in a dark place, he's lost Rose and I think the level of pain he's feeling is the same as when the Time War killed everything he cared for leaving him alone. And I will follow him every step of the way this season, just so I can see the moment he and Rose meet again, I think you and I will cry like babies.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Um *waves* been stalking your journal on/off since Star Wars RotS, and now I find you love the Doctor.

The Doctor is such joy. He's a terrific character (has to be, I suppose, to have lasted for so long!) and David is doing such a wonderful job with him.

Having just watched all the episodes in this season, I have to say I'm shocked by how much I'm enjoying it. This season really is David's show, he's doing an amazing job with the Doctor.

It really is completely his show this year. The first year, it was very much about both him and Rose, which was wonderful, but seeing the breadth of David's talent is also lovely.

And I agree, this is the Doctor falling deeply in a dark place, he's lost Rose and I think the level of pain he's feeling is the same as when the Time War killed everything he cared for leaving him alone.

Yes. He managed to find a home, find a place to belong, and it was torn away from him. And he doesn't dare let himself open his inner doors now, not after Rose.

And I will follow him every step of the way this season, just so I can see the moment he and Rose meet again, I think you and I will cry like babies.

Yes. From where they're going, I don't think that the Doctor will find peace without finding Rose Tyler again. He needs her and I don't think he really knew how much until he lost her.

[shaela]

And now the Doctor understands what everyone feels after meeting him.

That’s an interesting point. I’d gotten as far as “Rose is to the Doctor what the Doctor is to Rose.” (And honestly, that was enough for me. I’m a sucker for symmetry.) But I think you’re right—Rose is to the Doctor what the Doctor is to everyone.

I love that he has such a depth of emotion, but I hate to see him in pain.

It’s been painful to watch, no question. But in a weird way, I find it reassuring. I was so afraid that the Doctor (and the story) would carry on as if nothing had happened. This way, I can believe that his journey’s not over yet (so there’s still a chance that it’ll have a happy ending).

<rabbit-hole>Plus, like I said, I’m a sucker for parallels. And right now, the Doctor’s going through the same thing Rose went through in “The Parting of the Ways.” He’s been sent back to his old life—the life he had before he met her. She had her moments of despair in that episode, but in the end, she did what it took to get back to the life he’d shown her. So I’m hoping the Doctor will do the same.</rabbit-hole>

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

That’s an interesting point. I’d gotten as far as “Rose is to the Doctor what the Doctor is to Rose.” (And honestly, that was enough for me. I’m a sucker for symmetry.) But I think you’re right—Rose is to the Doctor what the Doctor is to everyone.

It's something that's really been occuring to me this season. Because pretty much everyone falls in love with the Doctor -- his charisma is overwhelming. He gives people hope moments after they meet him. He's completely Epic.

And Rose was epic, too (so much so that it takes an entire separate universe to contain her, if she isn't sharing her story with the Doctor). More than that, she was epic to the Doctor. In the same way that other people often look to the Doctor for some kind of direction, he looked at Rose (and he looked at her so often, and so frequently took his own reactions from what he saw in her face).

It’s been painful to watch, no question. But in a weird way, I find it reassuring. I was so afraid that the Doctor (and the story) would carry on as if nothing had happened. This way, I can believe that his journey’s not over yet (so there’s still a chance that it’ll have a happy ending).

Oh, yes. I love seeing just how much he loves her and just how deeply her loss has marked him. It validates everything that I was feeling throughout their story -- that Rose Tyler was an epic character in her own right and that Rose and the Doctor were equal partners that, while strong on their own, found completion in each other.

Plus, like I said, I’m a sucker for parallels. And right now, the Doctor’s going through the same thing Rose went through in “The Parting of the Ways.” He’s been sent back to his old life—the life he had before he met her. She had her moments of despair in that episode, but in the end, she did what it took to get back to the life he’d shown her. So I’m hoping the Doctor will do the same.

Oh, I like that idea. The Doctor doing something utterly impossible because Rose showed him a better way to live -- a more joyful, more loving life -- and he wants it back, because nothing else can quite compare to what she gave him.

[parhelion-spark.livejournal.com]

Right, so, inexplicably shy as I am at the moment, I had to comment, because you've worded everything precisely as I could never manage to. Damn. Well done.

Particularly the appreciation for the darker elements the shows now found itself awash with, as so many really seem to hate on that. Myself, I find the honesty of it wonderful, if thoroughly agonizing.

Anyway, mind if I friend you? Given this lovely post, and the fact you're a fan of both the Doctor and Drizzt, I must ask. ^^;

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Right, so, inexplicably shy as I am at the moment, I had to comment, because you've worded everything precisely as I could never manage to. Damn. Well done.

Hello! It's nice to meet you. Thanks.

Particularly the appreciation for the darker elements the shows now found itself awash with, as so many really seem to hate on that. Myself, I find the honesty of it wonderful, if thoroughly agonizing.

Exactly. It's painful to watch the Doctor hurting so much, but it also makes him feel more true and honest as a character, so I have a lot of appreciation for it.

Anyway, mind if I friend you? Given this lovely post, and the fact you're a fan of both the Doctor and Drizzt, I must ask. ^^;

I never mind being friended. And you're a Drizzt fan as well? That's lovely. He's one of my favorite fictional characters -- I'm very fond of the ethical ones.

[parhelion-spark.livejournal.com]

HI ALSO :D

And it gives him DEPTH! With so many HELLO-IM-A-ONE-DIMENSIONAL-STEREOTYPE! sort of characters plaguing television, it's refreshing to have one act.. realistically! Like actual intelligent life! Shock! Gasp! Faint!
Besides, I rather like characters I can connect with emotionally, and to do so requires.. characters with genuine emotions. (That was deep!)

Yay, and seconded, and again, for depth-related reasons. Although I do have a few I adore who are decidedly unethical..*cough*Jarlaxle!*cough*. And I love that it's more than simply YAY!GOOD-GUY. He struggles with his ethics, and they evolve with him as a character, it's rarely simply right/wrong.
Out of curiousity, in the spirit of ethical character yays, are you perchance familiar with the work of L. E. Modesitt, jr.?