Doctor Who - 304 - Daleks in Manhattan

[retro_eidas]

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 of kinky 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.

Comments

[eido.livejournal.com]

Series two seemed devoid of all these little "occurences", and the only time season one had "teh sexah" was in the episodes with Jack (and boy was "teh sexah" evident there) Series two was just a long drawn out tweener-hand-holding romp, with little suggestion of anything else.

A bit in "New Earth", but that seemed almost all via Cassandra consider as soon as she went bu-bye, so did any/all innuendo.

if the show is evolving from "kiddie" show into a strong adult contender

That could be, but at the same time I'm not sure I could see them pushing the bar anymore than, say, "Spider-Man" would. The family market is too lucrative to risk and they've got "Torchwood" for the more adult fanon (even if Who is the better show).

It is everywhere isn't it? Ten really did flirt his way into Martha's life didn't he? He used little tricks to impress her, a wink, a raised eyebrow; it did seem like he was looking for a date rather than looking for a traveling companion.

Srrsly, someone coming at Who for the first time with S&J and knew nothing about any of the prior story? What would they have thought? Probably that hot guy in the tight suit was picking up that hot woman in the tight jeans.

Procreation, sex, male, female, relationship, love...something is coming (I hope)

Not that I need (or, honestly, really want... as I've seen RTD's apparent Perfect Ship EVER in Ten/Rose and it didn't do anything for me) Teh Ship. I'm more than satisfied with the idea of Ten & Martha UST and their (crazy hot it should be on "Torchwood") chemistry making up for the rest. As Martha is being sold as a smarter companion, I'd really like to see some (UST-addled) banter, maybe some more hugpr0n or eyepr0n, even if it never actually goes there. Srrsly, they have tons of chemistry, it would be ashame to see it wasted. Especially with all the sex innuendo brimming around just about everywhere else. It really wouldn't take much to use that chemistry either, they could be just... standing together, really closely (maybe for little to no reason, so your mind starts wondering why they're so damn close when they don't have to be). They could be like the Steed & Peel for an all new gen.

[a-caged-heart.livejournal.com]

I'm not one for shippiness either, preferring to leave that for the fanfic realm, but I feel something is on the horizon. May not be much, but something is coming. A reveal of the past, a falling out of sorts...something. Will Martha move on? Will she move on to Jack perhaps? Or will she come to the realization that Ten just isn't the one who will light her fire the way she wants? Or a drunken one night stand only to be followed by "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry...." (A violation of the "No shagging in the TARDIS" rule) I could be wrong and nothing will arise.

As far as more adult content, there are ways to get there and still hit it over the kiddies heads. Trek managed it. Off screen and innuendo.

Is it Saturday yet? *grumble* I spent three and a half hours yesterday filling up on some old eps, catching up on some eps I only saw part of or completely forgot (damn my senile mind). I have to say that I loved School Reunion (only caught small parts of it before, never saw it all the way through) Touching episode really, although Rose was a bit of a snot.

[eido.livejournal.com]

I'm not one for shippiness either, preferring to leave that for the fanfic realm, but I feel something is on the horizon.

RTD has used "unrequited" in re: the Ten/Martha story this series, which is a shipping term if not one that immediately makes one think Happy Happy... and I am totally fine with that. Mostly because I do get a bit of an impression Ten/Martha is intended as an anti-Ten/Rose (hence anti-giggly/obnoxious/giddy/Tru LUV or sooooullmates!!). "Unrequited" with the obvious chemistry between DT & FA? That's drama and tension and conflict and trying to keep a relationship together despite these things. That's the stuff I like.

May not be much, but something is coming.

It's kind of in the nature of fictional "unrequited" storylines, isn't it? I do have my doubts it's going to end up some convenient purely platonic relationship with no hint or suggestiveness at all to it ... because in the words of Tallulah, "How dull is that?!" Not that I think there will really be any requitedness either, but I do think - as the trailers eluded before the season started - the will they / won't they will become a gradually more prominent fixture in their storyline as the season goes on. I could guess (with all this series' randy subtexts so far) more noticable between Ten & Martha, but at the same time they won't go into the melodrama or cutesy of The Ship (or at least not the giddy flouncing about like Ten/Rose essentially became).

As far as more adult content, there are ways to get there and still hit it over the kiddies heads. Trek managed it. Off screen and innuendo.

Which they already seem to be accomplishing. ;) Although that Dalek scene at the end of DiM is already pushing (well?) past innuendo imo, even if it's kind of repugnant to think too much about. LOL

I have to say that I loved School Reunion (only caught small parts of it before, never saw it all the way through) Touching episode really, although Rose was a bit of a snot.

"School Reunion" is some quality tv (Sarah Jane!!). I do remember the scene where it was Sarah - and rather noticably, not Rose - who spoke up as the Doctor's voice of reason in that critical moment with Finch. Although I'd raise your "a bit of a snot" to "deserving of an all out slap". Srrsly, I wanted to hit her at the end of the ep with her obvious disdain at Mickey tagging along.

[a-caged-heart.livejournal.com]

"School Reunion" is some quality tv (Sarah Jane!!). I do remember the scene where it was Sarah - and rather noticably, not Rose - who spoke up as the Doctor's voice of reason in that critical moment with Finch. Although I'd raise your "a bit of a snot" to "deserving of an all out slap". Srrsly, I wanted to hit her at the end of the ep with her obvious disdain at Mickey tagging along.

At least she got over her jealousy of Sarah Jane (um...yeah) During it's initial run I didn't find fault with Rose until the final few episodes where all her emotional blubbering was really getting on my nerves. Rewatching some of the episodes now, I am seeing some things that irk me to no end that I missed originally for whatever reason. All of that giggling, hand holding and general high school behavior (As in "Tooth and Claw" for example) set me off with a bad taste in my mouth. She is still good with Nine (on my revisiting the episodes now), but with Ten she...irked me. And I watched that whole final bit in "School Reunion" three times just to make sure I was seeeing the reaction I thought I was seeing in regards to Mickey. Cripes what a brat thing to do. I am now of a "Sh*t or get off the pot" state of mind with her. Do you love Mickey? Or are you simply too much of a wuss to tell him to bugger off because you "lurve" the Doctor? *sigh*. It was that whole playing both sides against the middle that got/gets to me.

Well, at least reports now seem to be saying that in this weeks episode Martha will be given some more meat, and will be doing a hell of a lot more. It's about time, and I can't wait to see what she will come up with.