Please be aware that I'm writing about a show that hasn't yet aired. Don't read further if you have more patience than I and have chosen to wait until the episode is broadcast on Sci-Fi.
Well, that episode gave me some satisfaction after the despair of "Journey's End". I think I should always watch the second part of a two-parter before the first part.
1. I like Harriet Jones, former Prime Minister. I didn't like that they put in a small speech about why she was right and justified to destroy the...whoever it was. She seemed stubborn and it was written awkwardly. Especially given the story going on around her while she said it. 10 seconds can mean the difference between life and death, for goodness sake! But, I still like her.
2. Even though Rose only walked around with her big gun, at least she had more action in this episode. And I really thought she seemed capable - that was good.
3. It was a little obvious that in the last three episodes Donna reminded everyone, at every opportunity that she's "just a temp, I'm nobody". I knew why, but we already got it - we aren't as clueless as the Doctor apparently is ("Oh you really believe that!"). That was a little heavy-handed.
4. Every one sure did give up quickly and easily. They hardly investigated the problem and decided there was nothing they could do to solve it. Yes, we're all going to die. Weird.
That's all I can think of right now.
*****
I've been obsessing about Doctor Who for a while now, either rewatching the DVD's or sneaking a look at the last three episodes of the season, or searching the Internet for other people's opinions on the last episode, or writing about it here.
There are three things I'm still disappointed about...1) Donna, 2) Christopher Eccleston, and 3) Rose and the Doctor.
I have the funny feeling, all three things are affected by something outside the story; the story's integrity had to be compromised to satisfy other things. Its just a feeling I have.
I'm quite devastated - still - about Donna. Some reviewers and fans feel that was a perfect end because it illustrated how the Doctor's world is a thorny rose. (why didn't they use that metaphor somewhere in the series? Too obvious?) They thought it was truthful because its life; not all stories have happy endings.
I still don't think it was necessary to completely wipe out her memory. But, I'm feeling less emotional about it. I thought I was alone in my outrage for Donna's ending. Once I found out a lot of people agree with me, I could calm down.
I didn't know of Catherine Tate before Doctor Who, but apparently people had some preconceived notions about her. For the most part, even early detractors came around to enjoying and respecting Catherine's portrayal of Donna. I feel better about that as well.
There are a lot of Doctor Who fans out there who care about the show in a different way than I do. I wasn't (nor do I expect to be) a fan of the classic shows, I don't know all the villains and I listen to the technoblahblah only so I can get a vague understanding (that's why I think if I notice something doesn't make sense, it must be a pretty big hole in the plot).
I watched Doctor Who for the first time because I'd heard of it over the years and I wondered what it was - and really, I love Time Travel stuff and good science fiction.
I continued watching Doctor Who because I thought Christopher Eccleston was fantastic in the part, absolutely fantastic. Very good actor. I wouldn't be able to pick out separate episodes in the first season that I liked above all others - it was the total package.
I watched the second season because I watched season one. But, I had problems with it - the way Rose changed, and their newly overt, traditional relationship. I wasn't going to buy the DVDs. Until the final episode. Sad but satisfying end to their love story. I had to get the DVD's!
I watched Season Three because of how season two ended. It made me want to keep going. This season has more episodes that I specifically liked on their own. Even though the finale was a little goofy there too, I thought Martha was such a hero - I was proud of her.
And Season Four - Donna Noble is the reason to watch. She has done herself proud.
I write that because my criteria for a good show is more general than specific. As I've rewatched Seasons 1, 2, and 3 recently, I realize I actually like every episode. But, some of them touch me in a way. These are my particular favorites.
Dalek by Robert Shearman (No. 165)
Boom Town by Russell T Davies (No. 169)
The Girl in the Fireplace by Stephen Moffat (No. 175)
Rise of the Cybermen/The Age of Steel by Tom MacRae (No. 176)
The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit by Matt Jones (No. 178)
The Shakespeare Code by Gareth Roberts (No. 184)
Gridlock by Russell T Davies (No. 185)
Human Nature/The Family of Blood by Paul Cornell (No. 189)
Blink by Steven Moffat (No. 190)
Partners in Crime by Russell T Davies (No. 193)
Planet of the Ood by Keith Temple (No. 195)
The Unicorn and The Wasp by Gareth Roberts (No. 198)
Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead by Steven Moffat (No. 199)
Turn Left by Russell T Davies (No 201)
(I haven't seen 'Midnight' yet)
And to that list I'd add anything Christopher Eccleston is in, anything Jack Harkness is in, and anything that gives us a prophetic clue. I like the 'Love and Monsters' episode because I like Marc Warren and I thought it seemed like it could really be true. It had a sad end to its love story as well. Hmmm...and ALSO written by Russell T Davies. What gives with the sad love story endings, Russell?
*****
Can I be done obsessing over Doctor Who now? Please?
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