retro_eidas (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
retro_eidas) wrote2007-04-21 09:20 pm
retro_eidas) wrote2007-04-21 09:20 pm
Doctor Who - 304 - Daleks in Manhattan
Or is that Daleks in Metropolis (the poor huddled masses vs the machine with the hero/middleman and his lady trying to save the city before it crumbles from bottom-up) perhaps with a side of "King Kong" (but with pigs/Daleks instead of giant apes)? Although I'm glad I have ultimately disagreed with the BBC Newsround review of this ep. I liked it. More than I thought I would (even with the Daleks channeling the Borg with a detour at Cthulu) ... and I'm one of those people that wouldn't really mind the Daleks buying a nice condo in Florida, settle down and play some shuffleboard or something (or maybe swan off over to "Torchwood" and let Jack, Ianto and posse chase/get chased around by the exterminating pepperpots for awhile). It still did feel like set-up a bit for it's second part, but not obnoxiously so. I definitely liked it better than "Rise of the Cybermen" last year and so I call it a win.
And another ep taking place mostly underground. "Spire to Heaven"? "You put the devil in me"? (Damien?) Is the Heaven and Hell theme more gratuitous this season or is it just me? And last season had "The Satan Pit"... but this season it feels just more more.
Although "1+1+1=3... you put the devil in me"? Three?? What kind ofkinky stuff is that foreshadowing? [Ten/Martha/Jack OT3 FTW!!!]
So the human race to the (emo)Daleks are the Daleks to the Doctor? "My planet is gone, destroyed in a great war. Yet versions of this city are stamped throughout history. The human race always continues." "They survive. They survive when I lose everything." Obvious parallel there, but an interesting one nonetheless. Humans are the Daleks' Daleks!
Diagoras+Sec=OTP cuz they make teh babiez!! With a face only a mommy could love.
Speaking of "Skaro", is this going to be the season of the name dropping? We got "Gallifrey" (finally!!) in "The Runaway Bride", now we get "Skaro". Maybe some other names of more squee could be dropped? [In light of "You are not alone... "Romana" would be a nice one. A very nice one. WAY nicer than "The Master" in fact (although I'm sure John Simm will be amazing, but... The Master isn't Romana).]
"I'll kill you for this." Heeee! Martha turned me a little gay with that. Just a little. The "hot potato in the sharp suit" giving Diagoras the Evil Eye reminded me of my heterosexuality right quick. Although, like others, I was anticipating him licking the radioactive jellyfish then Martha, Solomon and Frank from Alabama (and the audience) dying from the squick. I also need to say I loved her taking up the Doctor's role (as he was prolonging being recognized by his old buddies for apparently as long as possible) in his stead even if she was terrified.Did better than Rose in TCI! The Sycorax just laughed at her. The Daleks, otoh, actually answered Martha. She did pick up that Dalek-speak very quickly, didn't she?
I have to say Murray Gold was like... channeling "The Omen" meets "Faust" or something with that end music (and I'm glad I didn't go nuts with the volume otherwise I'd probably still be ringing in my head now). Crazy and kind of thick with the melodrama but still a bit awesome.
I can't imagine the woman was based on the actual Tallulah Bankhead, if so it was only a passing similarity (both famous in the 30s and the moxie). Tallulah Bankhead? Not so much with the monogamy (even despite a raging STD and hysterectomy... yeah).
**Here be spoilers**["We've had wars. I was a soldier myself. I swore then I'd survive, no matter what" ...and this would make Diagoras a good Dalek? It incidentally doesn't make him a half-bad Master either from the sound of things (The Master being chummy with the Daleks in the past. The Master is also known for his survivalist tendencies. He also would have, in theory, been a survivor from that "great war"). Ok, so the Master stuff is still all technically spec as nothing has been outright confirmed (until Radio Times puts it on their fraking cover, of course. Gotta love that [in]famous [in]discretion). You know, I am hoping for just possibly something shocking coming out of the finale apart from the non-shock of The Master's return.
I wonder below if a possible truly shocking thing might have something (unpleasant) to do with Rose or maybe Bad Wolf (hence the reasons behind the consistent mentions of "Rose" not necessarily having to do with the Doctor's ex-gf angst of tediousness). If for any reason I can't imagine the godhood, however brief, on Rose's part had absolutely no unintended, less-than-benevolent consequences at all. Even if it might have seemed beneficial at the time... as often many of the Doctor's ideas seem great and often unavoidable even as he has a conscience, but then he has shown he can go too far. We already know at least one unfortunate side effect of the Bad Wolf in Jack's inability to die (Jack who is coming back near the end of this season in "Utopia") which go against one of the basic grains of Who's "everything has it's time" as we're reminded by Boe in "Gridlock". It's just not right in the greater scale of the universe. Rose made Jack immortal, which did save his life but garnered a wrong side effect, despite her good intentions. What else may she have done spreading her name across time and space? Again, the Doctor himself has done a fair few good intending things which had catastrophic consequences (Road to hell is paved with what?). From what I hear about Saxon being the new prime minister (and the Master), the deposing of Harriet Jones and her Golden Age could very well end up classified in that catastrophic consequences category).
Briefly about the fate of possibly multiple Time Lords... we have the de-evolved into beasts Macra (who once had a "Galactic empire") in "Gridlock". The exiled (and trapped) CarrioniteS in "The Shakespeare Code". Now we have the not-beast/not-human Pigmen (being used as slaves by Sec & co) in this ep. This is crack!spec of the purest order, but ... I'm still wondering of the possibiliy of Time Lords having turned / been transferred into humans for some reason (a Plan B or a failsafe in case of Dalek invasion / Gallifrey's destruction / Master-induced / Bad Wolf?), but with their memories wiped or repressed. Now they're possibly at the mercy of the Master... but they don't know they're imprisoned/enslaved? It will be up to the Doctor to release them... however, the conundrum lies in that if he were to release them? Would they be grateful and call bygones on the destruction of the home planet / their superior alieness or would they be desirous of a little revenge?
Although on the lines of Diagoras being a good candidate for Dalekhood and a decentobvious parallel with the Master... I actually think Dalek Sec = The Master and thus how and why the Master survived the Time War. Also probably explains how Sec got his hands on that Time Lord prison ship in "Doomsday". It also explains why Dalek Sec was so adamant on the Daleks embracing change and survive no matter the cost. Yes the Cult of Skaro are the free-thinking hippies of Dalekverse or whatever, but ... even the other cultmembers opposed Sec's ingenuity. As it does go against the grain of the Daleks entire modus operandi. Sec is a survivor not just because I think he has a unique Dalek mind, but I don't think his mind is truly Dalek at all... it's a Time Lord's mind. A Time Lord's mind that has been known for it's evasion skills and diabolic masterminding. I'd throw the (fairly anvilicious) "meet your new masters" (Sec being the leader of those "masters") as another clue-by-four. Also how/why the reason for the fug that is the hideous progeny of Sec's. Sec's Son... Secson....Saxon, anyone?]
However, I'm starting to wonder about all these "rose" references and I don't necessarily mean in the way of the Doctor's ex-gf angst. I know that Rusty claimed that "Saxon" would be this season's Bad Wolf and Torchwood of recurring foreshadowy finale references... but "rose" has gotten consistent episodic mentions, moreso than "Saxon", and not all directly involving the Doctor. If not Rose than just roses (there was also an "SS Rose" poster in "The Shakespeare Code", pictured here). We've got Tallulah and her daily "rosebuds" from boyfriend Lazslo. Now apart from my mind going straight to sleds and besides it being part of a saturine romantic relationship, the "rosebuds" seemed a bit much... and when that happens it makes me suspect this might Mean Something. BUT if it does Mean Something, I'm not thinking this will somehow lead to some ultra floofy nausea-inducing shipness (but then I was never much of a Ten/Rose shipper)... but something not so pleasant. Something on the lines of what Lilith attempted to do in "The Shakespeare Code", tempt the Doctor with "the distant Rose", but on a much bigger, and probably much more dramatically and suspense effective, scale. Since where finale nemeses are concerned, Lilith is small potatoes and didn't put up any real temptation for the Doc thus no thrill in that at all. Whatever strength the Doctor believes he gains from Rose, I would bet dollars to donuts it can and probably will be used against him as well. I also wouldn't be shocked too greatly if it might boil down to a choice for the Doctor.Martha or Rose? And I could easily suspect Rusty has pilfered off with a bit of JK Rowling's - the other of the genius of genius words even liek Shakespeare totally uses yo - EVOL and probably gets a bit of a sick thrill from the interwebs shipper wars.
I'm also not entirely sure what I'm supposed to "hope" for Rusty? "Hope" Ten & Martha turn into Ten/Rose(because I don't want that. At all.)? I am content with the Not Ship of much chemistry, denial and UST. I'm content with it because if I do fall for your "hope", I'll probably meander into this confusing and often unfortunate realm of canon Teh Ship and Rusty's Greatest Canon Ships EVAR are somewhat of a mixed bag for me. It could go well... or not so much.
And another ep taking place mostly underground. "Spire to Heaven"? "You put the devil in me"? (Damien?) Is the Heaven and Hell theme more gratuitous this season or is it just me? And last season had "The Satan Pit"... but this season it feels just more more.
Although "1+1+1=3... you put the devil in me"? Three?? What kind of
So the human race to the (emo)Daleks are the Daleks to the Doctor? "My planet is gone, destroyed in a great war. Yet versions of this city are stamped throughout history. The human race always continues." "They survive. They survive when I lose everything." Obvious parallel there, but an interesting one nonetheless. Humans are the Daleks' Daleks!
Diagoras+Sec=OTP cuz they make teh babiez!! With a face only a mommy could love.
Speaking of "Skaro", is this going to be the season of the name dropping? We got "Gallifrey" (finally!!) in "The Runaway Bride", now we get "Skaro". Maybe some other names of more squee could be dropped? [In light of "You are not alone... "Romana" would be a nice one. A very nice one. WAY nicer than "The Master" in fact (although I'm sure John Simm will be amazing, but... The Master isn't Romana).]
"I'll kill you for this." Heeee! Martha turned me a little gay with that. Just a little. The "hot potato in the sharp suit" giving Diagoras the Evil Eye reminded me of my heterosexuality right quick. Although, like others, I was anticipating him licking the radioactive jellyfish then Martha, Solomon and Frank from Alabama (and the audience) dying from the squick. I also need to say I loved her taking up the Doctor's role (as he was prolonging being recognized by his old buddies for apparently as long as possible) in his stead even if she was terrified.
I have to say Murray Gold was like... channeling "The Omen" meets "Faust" or something with that end music (and I'm glad I didn't go nuts with the volume otherwise I'd probably still be ringing in my head now). Crazy and kind of thick with the melodrama but still a bit awesome.
I can't imagine the woman was based on the actual Tallulah Bankhead, if so it was only a passing similarity (both famous in the 30s and the moxie). Tallulah Bankhead? Not so much with the monogamy (even despite a raging STD and hysterectomy... yeah).
**Here be spoilers**["We've had wars. I was a soldier myself. I swore then I'd survive, no matter what" ...and this would make Diagoras a good Dalek? It incidentally doesn't make him a half-bad Master either from the sound of things (The Master being chummy with the Daleks in the past. The Master is also known for his survivalist tendencies. He also would have, in theory, been a survivor from that "great war"). Ok, so the Master stuff is still all technically spec as nothing has been outright confirmed (until Radio Times puts it on their fraking cover, of course. Gotta love that [in]famous [in]discretion). You know, I am hoping for just possibly something shocking coming out of the finale apart from the non-shock of The Master's return.
I wonder below if a possible truly shocking thing might have something (unpleasant) to do with Rose or maybe Bad Wolf (hence the reasons behind the consistent mentions of "Rose" not necessarily having to do with the Doctor's ex-gf angst of tediousness). If for any reason I can't imagine the godhood, however brief, on Rose's part had absolutely no unintended, less-than-benevolent consequences at all. Even if it might have seemed beneficial at the time... as often many of the Doctor's ideas seem great and often unavoidable even as he has a conscience, but then he has shown he can go too far. We already know at least one unfortunate side effect of the Bad Wolf in Jack's inability to die (Jack who is coming back near the end of this season in "Utopia") which go against one of the basic grains of Who's "everything has it's time" as we're reminded by Boe in "Gridlock". It's just not right in the greater scale of the universe. Rose made Jack immortal, which did save his life but garnered a wrong side effect, despite her good intentions. What else may she have done spreading her name across time and space? Again, the Doctor himself has done a fair few good intending things which had catastrophic consequences (Road to hell is paved with what?). From what I hear about Saxon being the new prime minister (and the Master), the deposing of Harriet Jones and her Golden Age could very well end up classified in that catastrophic consequences category).
Briefly about the fate of possibly multiple Time Lords... we have the de-evolved into beasts Macra (who once had a "Galactic empire") in "Gridlock". The exiled (and trapped) CarrioniteS in "The Shakespeare Code". Now we have the not-beast/not-human Pigmen (being used as slaves by Sec & co) in this ep. This is crack!spec of the purest order, but ... I'm still wondering of the possibiliy of Time Lords having turned / been transferred into humans for some reason (a Plan B or a failsafe in case of Dalek invasion / Gallifrey's destruction / Master-induced / Bad Wolf?), but with their memories wiped or repressed. Now they're possibly at the mercy of the Master... but they don't know they're imprisoned/enslaved? It will be up to the Doctor to release them... however, the conundrum lies in that if he were to release them? Would they be grateful and call bygones on the destruction of the home planet / their superior alieness or would they be desirous of a little revenge?
Although on the lines of Diagoras being a good candidate for Dalekhood and a decent
However, I'm starting to wonder about all these "rose" references and I don't necessarily mean in the way of the Doctor's ex-gf angst. I know that Rusty claimed that "Saxon" would be this season's Bad Wolf and Torchwood of recurring foreshadowy finale references... but "rose" has gotten consistent episodic mentions, moreso than "Saxon", and not all directly involving the Doctor. If not Rose than just roses (there was also an "SS Rose" poster in "The Shakespeare Code", pictured here). We've got Tallulah and her daily "rosebuds" from boyfriend Lazslo. Now apart from my mind going straight to sleds and besides it being part of a saturine romantic relationship, the "rosebuds" seemed a bit much... and when that happens it makes me suspect this might Mean Something. BUT if it does Mean Something, I'm not thinking this will somehow lead to some ultra floofy nausea-inducing shipness (but then I was never much of a Ten/Rose shipper)... but something not so pleasant. Something on the lines of what Lilith attempted to do in "The Shakespeare Code", tempt the Doctor with "the distant Rose", but on a much bigger, and probably much more dramatically and suspense effective, scale. Since where finale nemeses are concerned, Lilith is small potatoes and didn't put up any real temptation for the Doc thus no thrill in that at all. Whatever strength the Doctor believes he gains from Rose, I would bet dollars to donuts it can and probably will be used against him as well. I also wouldn't be shocked too greatly if it might boil down to a choice for the Doctor.
I'm also not entirely sure what I'm supposed to "hope" for Rusty? "Hope" Ten & Martha turn into Ten/Rose
no subject
There was a vibe there, wasn't there? She literally threw herself on him then was so very relieved he was alive... and she just met this guy!
Funny I bought it in like 10 seconds compared to the entire Rose/Adam debacle I never bought in S1. Although poor Adam seemed to have "Designated Fuckwit" stamped on his forehead from the start.I see a lot of people want Ten to kidnap Tallulah and make her a third companion, but Frank gets my vote (despite the mildly unfortunate accent).I really hope you're wrong about Rose being a theme throughout the season, we need to move on.
If it's any consolation, I wasn't speculating it as something shippy at all (although there would be an unavoidable factor there if it was Rose related), but more a dramatic plot/finale revelation thing for some real shock. Because the big reveal now as it stands and to the magnitude it's been spec'd? It just wouldn't be all that shocking. I just hope there is a bit more there somehow. That and I am generally starting to get suspicious of these persistent Rose references. I mean, Ten's emo is one thing, but ... it's like it's anvilicious in this very specific way that makes me think it might Mean Something other than what it suggests on the surface of Ten's ex-gf emo.
This would be rather horribly frustrating considering the space between finales and premieres of Who (and this could be "Heroes" influencing my better judgement), but considering the intensity of the first four eps alone? This series might be most fitting of a cliffhanger end. So far each season had this relatively neat and tidy finale. The "OMFG!!" finale might be overdue.
no subject
Funny I bought it in like 10 seconds compared to the entire Rose/Adam debacle I never bought in S1. Although poor Adam seemed to have "Designated Fuckwit" stamped on his forehead from the start.Had the exact same thought while watching Frank, how this was so much more natural than that Adam guy, eventhough the chemistry between Frank/Marth was probably not even intentional. It's sad but I was also kinda hoping for a little jealousy from Ten, I totally agree that once Martha stop doting on her from afar and gets some genuine attention from someone he might stop this asinine selfpitying emocrap.
Actually it is a consolation cause it would be great if RTD would make this Rose referencing mean more than just pleasing rabid fans and have it actually have to do with the plot. Not that I like that much better though, it's just the lesser of two evils really. I'd like to let Rose lie, definitely wouldn't like her to be part of a massive finale cliffhanger cause that would elevate her above all the other companions and seriously for what reason?! BTW adore that you're into Heroes, I have 3 shiny new eps waiting for me so I can catch up.
no subject
Martha really does connect with people, I thoroughly enjoyed the Martha/Frank and Martha/Tallulah... Martha is so amazingly magnetic, she attracts fantastic companions of her own (of which she has varying degrees of sexual chemistry as that seems to be something of a requirement this season, yes? ;). heee
It's sad but I was also kinda hoping for a little jealousy from Ten
That's on my wishlist. The guy is just too arrogant for his own good, he really needs to be taken down a peg (or several). Yeah yeah, he's been getting his ass handed to him this season and I probably should have more empathy and we(finally!) have the good emo of dead planet/people back, but... I think a bit of a putdown from the lofty place he hovers over his companion's emotions is kind of needed. He needs to see how much he's unintentionally hurting Martha. Cuz as sensible as she is, if he doesn't open his eyes (and I am hoping that TSC line was foreshadowing of an awakening in the future) she will probably get fed up and leave his ass as she should. But I really want her to stick around. At least for a little while longer, despite the coming/going nature of Who. The chemistry between them is too good to be squandered. So srrsly, Ten needs to get his shit together.
Actually it is a consolation cause it would be great if RTD would make this Rose referencing mean more than just pleasing rabid fans and have it actually have to do with the plot.
I would love it if Princess Time Goddess had some unforeseen ramifications, besides Jack's immortality. I mean, that makes sense, doesn't it? How can someone just have the power of a god all of a sudden and it all just going hunky dory? We already know how Jack turned out, it would be very intriguing if that spilled to other, much bigger, things. Like Bad Wolf bringing the Time Lords (and, I'd guess, the Daleks too) back in some form obviously outside the Doctor's knowledge.
BTW adore that you're into Heroes, I have 3 shiny new eps waiting for me so I can catch up.
The show is CRACK! Did you watch last night? Dear god, I'm going to be clinging to reruns and the Sci-Fi Who schedule to tide me over in the summer. I'm about as obsessed with Heroes as I am Who, I'm just more inclined to be verbose with Who. ;)