butterfly: (After You -- Doctor)
butterfly ([personal profile] butterfly) wrote2007-04-29 07:38 am
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Doctor Who: favorite things

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.

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2007-04-29 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
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

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2007-04-29 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
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*
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[identity profile] butterfly.livejournal.com 2007-04-29 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
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.

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2007-04-29 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
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. :(