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Jun. 18th, 2007 06:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
retro_eidasOk, this won't be much of a spec unless I find that passage in Hero with a Thousand Faces I'm looking for and I've been nosing through it for the past 10 min and can't find what I'm looking for. In any case, there has been plenty of spec around OG and elsewhere that the explosion we see in the midseason and "The Sound of Drums" promos....
....Is Martha's flat getting blown up.
An explosion in an apartment with a bay window and orange curtains. Considering the danger likely in store for the Doctor and Martha in the finale? I'd probably say it is a fairly safe bet that is indeed Martha's flat going boom.
Why am I bringing up Campbellian metaphor attached to that? In many stories that follow the Hero's Journey, a catalyst is sometimes needed to push the Hero into his/her Departure (usually when the call is rejected or possibly about to be if the Hero is facing a choice) and stepping through the First Threshold. Sometimes painful or symbolic and often in the literal destruction of the home. Luke Skywalker's aunt and uncle were murdered and his home was burned down. In Full Metal Alchemist, the Elric brothers burn down their home before they set off to find the Philosopher's Stone. Harry Potter's parents are murdered and his home demolished. Arthur Dent's home and planet are demolished before he heads off with Ford. Of course, the difference seemingly being between these Heroes and Martha Jones, instead of the destruction of her home happening at the beginning, it's seemingly in the finale of this season, or as some speculate, the end of her travels with the Doctor. However, if Martha's story does follow along the Campbellian archetypes, the destruction of her flat would make me think Martha's journey has only just begun (also tied to what I'm going to assume is an imminent catharsis for the Doctor and his issues, namely with Bad Wolf). Symbolized by the destruction of her flat. That she has yet to actually step through the Threshold and something has been holding her (and possibly the Doctor as well) back.
Now this might mean Martha may go on - due to being forever altered by her time with the Doctor - setting off on a new, perhaps drastically different path in life but not one that necessarily ties directly with the Doctor. However, Martha is something of a late bloomer where her companionship has been concerned. She didn't become "official" companion until "The Lazarus Experiment" and since then she's still often been undermined by the Doctor via the shadow of the companion that came before her. It's like she hasn't yet been able to completely become a proper companion with the Doctor unable to move on from his various issues. Kind of like Martha being Jonah and the Doctor is (or his issues are) the whale or perhaps for Who, Martha is Red Ridinghood and the Doctor is the [bad?] wolf. The Doctor himself consumed by memories of the companion (aka, "Bad Wolf") who came before Martha and thus keeping Martha unintentionally at arm's length. IOW, the Doctor also as Red Ridinghood trapped in the belly of the [Bad] Wolf.
That although the Doctor gave her a key and says she was never really just a passenger, at the same time she has been made to feel not entirely full-fledged either. Like this whole season has basically been the Doctor and Martha at the cusp of the Threshold, while Martha has desperately been trying to push him through... but he's been (again, unknowingly) extremely stubborn and resistant. Like he's terrified to take that final step, but until he does, the journey and their lives (and relationship) remain stagnant. They're both trapped in the belly of the beast. One way or another, the Doctor is going to have to breach that Threshold and most likely with Martha's direct assistance/guidance. It's interesting to note that in that same chapter of The Hero with a Thousand Faces, it mentions the Osiris myth (being trapped in a sarcophagus by his brother Set = belly of the whale). Upon return - rescued by Isis - his brother Set tears him into fourteen pieces. We're reminded of the Doctor's loss of his hand in "Utopia" from all the way back in "The Christmas Invasion". Of course, if there is any similar symbolism being used here via the Osiris myth, this would seem to indicate the Doctor possibly not being quite right - "torn to pieces" - all the way back in "The Christmas Invasion" (possibly indicative of the regeneration going not very smoothly at all). Since having the vortex within him in "The Parting of the Ways"? He has - perhaps literally - been consumed by Bad Wolf and he's been in it's belly for almost two whole seasons. A(n emotional and physical) sarcophagus - literal in the case of "The Last of the Time Lords" (as according to the press release he's being held prisoner by Saxon) - from where he's waiting to be released. Who holds the key in releasing him? Probably the one the Doctor gave the TARDIS key to back in "42". Also the one who liberated him from the Sun possession. Who brought him back to life not once (restarted his hearts), but several times. Not unlike how Isis brought Osiris back to life from being sealed in the sarcophagus and put him back together after being torn to pieces by Set.
It does make me think Martha kind of must still be in season 4 and the Doctor's companion and her real Hero's Journey (as his companion) won't start until either "The Last of the Time Lords" or the season 4 premiere. After the Doctor can be liberated of those issues holding him - and his relationship with Martha - back. Then the relationship, the Hero's Journey, can truly start for the both of them.
....Is Martha's flat getting blown up.
An explosion in an apartment with a bay window and orange curtains. Considering the danger likely in store for the Doctor and Martha in the finale? I'd probably say it is a fairly safe bet that is indeed Martha's flat going boom.
Why am I bringing up Campbellian metaphor attached to that? In many stories that follow the Hero's Journey, a catalyst is sometimes needed to push the Hero into his/her Departure (usually when the call is rejected or possibly about to be if the Hero is facing a choice) and stepping through the First Threshold. Sometimes painful or symbolic and often in the literal destruction of the home. Luke Skywalker's aunt and uncle were murdered and his home was burned down. In Full Metal Alchemist, the Elric brothers burn down their home before they set off to find the Philosopher's Stone. Harry Potter's parents are murdered and his home demolished. Arthur Dent's home and planet are demolished before he heads off with Ford. Of course, the difference seemingly being between these Heroes and Martha Jones, instead of the destruction of her home happening at the beginning, it's seemingly in the finale of this season, or as some speculate, the end of her travels with the Doctor. However, if Martha's story does follow along the Campbellian archetypes, the destruction of her flat would make me think Martha's journey has only just begun (also tied to what I'm going to assume is an imminent catharsis for the Doctor and his issues, namely with Bad Wolf). Symbolized by the destruction of her flat. That she has yet to actually step through the Threshold and something has been holding her (and possibly the Doctor as well) back.
Now this might mean Martha may go on - due to being forever altered by her time with the Doctor - setting off on a new, perhaps drastically different path in life but not one that necessarily ties directly with the Doctor. However, Martha is something of a late bloomer where her companionship has been concerned. She didn't become "official" companion until "The Lazarus Experiment" and since then she's still often been undermined by the Doctor via the shadow of the companion that came before her. It's like she hasn't yet been able to completely become a proper companion with the Doctor unable to move on from his various issues. Kind of like Martha being Jonah and the Doctor is (or his issues are) the whale or perhaps for Who, Martha is Red Ridinghood and the Doctor is the [bad?] wolf. The Doctor himself consumed by memories of the companion (aka, "Bad Wolf") who came before Martha and thus keeping Martha unintentionally at arm's length. IOW, the Doctor also as Red Ridinghood trapped in the belly of the [Bad] Wolf.
The idea that the passage of the magical threshold is a transit into a sphere of rebirth is symbolized in the worldwide womb image of the belly of the whale. The hero, instead of conquering or conciliating the power of the threshold, is swallowed into the
unknown, and would appear to have died.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces, pg90 (The Belly of the Whale), Joseph Campbell
Allegorically, then, the passage into a temple and the hero-dive through the jaws of the whale are identical adventures, both denoting, in picture language, the life-centering, life-renewing act.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces, pg92 (The Belly of the Whale), Joseph Campbell
That although the Doctor gave her a key and says she was never really just a passenger, at the same time she has been made to feel not entirely full-fledged either. Like this whole season has basically been the Doctor and Martha at the cusp of the Threshold, while Martha has desperately been trying to push him through... but he's been (again, unknowingly) extremely stubborn and resistant. Like he's terrified to take that final step, but until he does, the journey and their lives (and relationship) remain stagnant. They're both trapped in the belly of the beast. One way or another, the Doctor is going to have to breach that Threshold and most likely with Martha's direct assistance/guidance. It's interesting to note that in that same chapter of The Hero with a Thousand Faces, it mentions the Osiris myth (being trapped in a sarcophagus by his brother Set = belly of the whale). Upon return - rescued by Isis - his brother Set tears him into fourteen pieces. We're reminded of the Doctor's loss of his hand in "Utopia" from all the way back in "The Christmas Invasion". Of course, if there is any similar symbolism being used here via the Osiris myth, this would seem to indicate the Doctor possibly not being quite right - "torn to pieces" - all the way back in "The Christmas Invasion" (possibly indicative of the regeneration going not very smoothly at all). Since having the vortex within him in "The Parting of the Ways"? He has - perhaps literally - been consumed by Bad Wolf and he's been in it's belly for almost two whole seasons. A(n emotional and physical) sarcophagus - literal in the case of "The Last of the Time Lords" (as according to the press release he's being held prisoner by Saxon) - from where he's waiting to be released. Who holds the key in releasing him? Probably the one the Doctor gave the TARDIS key to back in "42". Also the one who liberated him from the Sun possession. Who brought him back to life not once (restarted his hearts), but several times. Not unlike how Isis brought Osiris back to life from being sealed in the sarcophagus and put him back together after being torn to pieces by Set.
It does make me think Martha kind of must still be in season 4 and the Doctor's companion and her real Hero's Journey (as his companion) won't start until either "The Last of the Time Lords" or the season 4 premiere. After the Doctor can be liberated of those issues holding him - and his relationship with Martha - back. Then the relationship, the Hero's Journey, can truly start for the both of them.
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Date: 2007-06-20 12:59 am (UTC)Definitely. From the very first episode even and in a huge way, you've got the whole CPR and the Doctor carrying Martha (into a bright white light which takes her home... Bright white light is usually synonymous with a Heaven metaphor on film). You also have the prevalence of the Sun and Moon (mythic / symbolic connotations as regenerative).
(BTW, am I the only one who noticed the Master sounding exactly like Lazarus in that "reborn" speech?)
Not only that, but didn't Yana's device (after the Doctor fixed it and powered it up) sound remarkably a lot like Lazarus' machine? Vaguely TARDIS sounding. I'd be hard-pressed not to see a parallel between the Master and Lazarus. Lazarus already has a Saxon connection as it was apparenty Saxon who commissioned Lazarus' work with that machine. I suppose the regenerations he has left weren't enough on his quest for immortal godly status? And/or it all goes back to some sort diabolic plan to reconstruct Gallifrey via Earth/humans. Wouldn't be much of a Gallifrey if your loyal minions - scientists, doctors, soldiers, etc - die on you after 60/70 years tops. The promise of eternal life - a utopia (or a Garden of Eden, going back to the potential Christian symbology) - would also be one hell of a campaign slogan.
and we just saw the catalyst for the Doctor -- he lost the Tardis! (Well, ok, he does that a lot, but still...)
And hear I go thinking about dismemberment and Osiris again... but the guy has been separated from the TARDIS more times this season than he has previously IIRC. He's also lost the sonic several times (usually restored by Martha).
One more mythology needs to be brought in -- one which I think is even more germane than other ancient cultures -- Christianity.
Oh certainly, Rusty's Christianity symbolism hasn't gone amiss (although I'm not sure how anyone could miss it after "Gridlock", then HN/FOB is the whole none-too-subtle Last Temptation of the John Smith storyline).
Speaking of Gnostic themes, haven't there been an awful lot of occassions this season where the Doctor either admits to not seeing something (that anvilicious TSC line while they were in bed, to name one), not getting something (pretty much the whole Doctor/Martha relationship in S3 right there), John Smith's whole character as a false identity / dream-like life and even literally blinded (couldn't open his eyes in "42" in fear of letting the vengeful Sun out). Then we have the blind Weeping Angel assassins who only "see" when you're not looking at them. The bliss - or Bliss drug - of ignorance that helped lead to the death of New Earth, a bunch of people would rather be drugged out of their minds like a proper Orwellian dystopia than face the reality of every day life (and they all died for it) thus ignorant of the danger of the Virus that destroyed the society, a true wasteland as Eliot might say. Blindness and ignorance vs Seeing and Gnosis, a very big theme right there in Gnosticism (and, apparently, in Who).
I love the fact that your approach echoes what I was saying in LifeOnMartha about the Doctor being in some sense altered by the vortex experience going all the way back to PotW
You see, I always thought it was more a figurative mutation inside him. Like how his Rose-emo is hurting him and his relationship with Martha, keeping him from moving on with his life. Metaphorically swallowed by the Bad Wolf. However, you also made me think the mutation might be a literal, physical one as well. Not an angle I'd considered but it's definitely an intriguing one and one that would make a lot of sense. It should be fic'd even if it doesn't make it into canon.
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Date: 2007-06-20 01:53 am (UTC)Anyway, now that you've got me going along this line, here's something I ran across in Wikipedia that just SCREAMS Doctor Who. (For the full article, click here.)
"In many Gnostic systems, the various emanations of the God, who is also known by such names as the One, the Monad...are called aeons....The aeons often came in male/female pairs called syzygies, and were numerous (20-30). Two of the most commonly listed æons were Jesus and Sophia. The aeons constitute the pleroma, the "region of light". The lowest regions of the pleroma are closest to the darkness; that is, the physical world.
When an æon named Sophia emanated without her partner aeon, the result was the Demiurge, or half-creator (Occasionally referred to as Ialdaboth in Gnostic texts), a creature that should never have come into existence. This creature does not belong to the pleroma, and the One emanates two savior æons, Christ and the Holy Spirit to save man from the Demiurge. Christ then took the form of the man, Jesus, in order to be able to teach man how to achieve gnosis; that is, return to the pleroma."
OK, read the above with the following in mind:
Monad = time vortex embodied in Tardis
Sophia = Rose
Demiurge = Jack
Christ = Doctor
Holy Spirit = Martha
Cuz after all, Rose created the immortal Jack, a being who should never come into existence, as the Doctor just told us straight up in Utopia.
The only trouble with this is where the Master fits in, because he's really the one Martha and the Doctor must save humanity from. Which brings up a really troubling prospect -- the rumors that Jack is somehow in league with the Master... I absolutely adore Jack and I dread hearing any evil of him! But the parallels here are so unbelievably clear...
Thank you SO MUCH for opening this whole vein of thought, Eido. I just love all this mental masturbation.
So, whaddayathink?
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Date: 2007-06-20 03:34 am (UTC)If it helps at all, here's a some of the Gnostic and Buddhist themes in The Matrix (http://www.unomaha.edu/jrf/gnostic.htm) in essay form. You'll probably be sitting there like I was picking out all the similarities to this season of Who like big fat juicy grapes of nerdgasm.
OK, read the above with the following in mind:
Monad = time vortex embodied in Tardis
Sophia = Rose
Demiurge = Jack
Christ = Doctor
Holy Spirit = Martha
....The only trouble with this is where the Master fits in, because he's really the one Martha and the Doctor must save humanity from.....
The system you mention above is still in play (although I go back and forth whether I'd think the TARDIS herself falls into the Holy Spirit role in this case, she is sentient after all) as that is the system still effecting the story now (illustrated in the Doctor's Rose emo that's etted him alive and the return of Jack). However, this may be a system on the verge of death or at least overtaken by a newly emerging system.
Monad = Lazarus machine (which I believe will play a crucial role in the finale)
Sophia = Martha (or Martha Reborn)
Demiurge = The Master (he'd been emerging gradually the whole ep by aide of various sources, but one could say the final catalyst was Martha pointing out and questioning the watch. It's what the newly awakened Master gripes at Chantho - Martha's parallel - for not doing. Martha as the force that awakens the sleeper as she did John Smith and thus also Professor Yana)
Christ = The Doctor
Holy Spirit = Face of Boe
Which brings up a really troubling prospect -- the rumors that Jack is somehow in league with the Master... I absolutely adore Jack and I dread hearing any evil of him! But the parallels here are so unbelievably clear...
I have been worried Jack may have had some dealings in the Time War in some way which the Doctor erased from his mind. Jack is apparently the only other one in Bad Wolf/POTW - and since - that knows what the Dalek ships look like apart from the Doctor and the Daleks themselves.
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Date: 2007-06-20 11:15 am (UTC)There must be two parallel emergences going on -- maybe the whole watch emergence is another vein of the same thing, producing the Master as demiurge and Martha as Sophia thing. Except that the Doctor also emerged from a watch and...
Oh, now my brain hurts.
FoB as Holy Spirit is good, but I've been thinking of him as God the father and/or Old Testament god since Gridlock.
I guess it's time to stop looking for crystal clear parallels...
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Date: 2007-06-20 09:05 pm (UTC)Unless that was diversionary somehow. The Doctor does seem to have made some kind of peace with Jack's state, but yeah, I totally see what you mean about how in your face
But then one could also make a pretty good argument of how Bad Wolf herself may be the Demiurge with that "I create myself" line. Fixing the world in the image she saw fit, like the Demiurge (despite it's evil connotation, it's also a creator being that attempted to make it's own Heaven on Earth believing, wrongly, it was the only true god. The Bad Wolf as a false god... one that Doctor can't seem to stop worshipping). However, also planting that Divine Spark inherited from Sophia (TARDIS?) in it's creations, thus giving those creations the capacity for divinity depending on their path in life (the capacity to embrace that Divine Spark).
I've also sometimes wondered (back since TLE and the Eliot refs) (http://eido.livejournal.com/83930.html#cutid1) if the Rose mentions aren't so much about the character herself, but the general symbolism of the rose. Roses - especially in Eliot's work - symbolize divine love and mercy. Something the Doctor lacks, which Martha may have to compensate for and "stop him" (with love and mercy). It may seem like a more orthodox Christian concept (Eliot himself was a Christian, which showed up frequently in his work), but as Rusty leans more heavily to Gnostic overall themes? Between Eliot and The Last Temptation of Christ? It's like Rusty is using these Christian works (and hymns) from Christian authors, reshaping them to tell his own (heavily Gnostic-leaning) storyline. I'm almost counting down the minutes before we get some Narnia (C.S. Lewis) homage told by way of the Nag Hammadi Library.
There must be two parallel emergences going on -- maybe the whole watch emergence is another vein of the same thing, producing the Master as demiurge and Martha as Sophia thing. Except that the Doctor also emerged from a watch and...
Oh, now my brain hurts.
If you want to get really brain-twisty with it, I posted once (can't remember where unfortunately, someone's private LJ I think?) that as John Smith was a none-too-subtle homage to Jesus Christ from The Last Temptation of Christ (a novel which, despite appearances, is about the typical Christian, orthodox, ascetic image of Jesus Christ. The one who would forego an Earthly life including marriage & children with Mary Magdalene to sacrifice himself to save the world). Then you have the Doctor who seems to be Rusty's equivalent of Gnostic Christ (the one who has had many a female & male companion - allbeit tends not to cross certain lines. However Rusty's Who is more romantic/sexually overt than anything from old skool. His Doctor also has openly admitted to having children and been married. So it's a Christ image, but one that doesn't shrug off the romantic/sexually suggestive counterpart or things that would normally be constituted to "Earthly" or "human" life). So John Smith vs. the Doctor = Orthodox Christian Christ vs Gnostic Christ.
By Martha - the Doctor's current (hot, sexually overt, female) human companion - waking up John Smith? It's almost an affirmation of those Gnostic symbols Rusty loves everso much (and an affirmation of those symbols over those of the more orthodox views in the death of John Smith). However, the Doctor is also currently an image of Gnostic Christ who has lost his way... who's been blinded and left to wander in the Wilderness as you mentioned before (trapped in the belly of the Bad Wolf, a false god?). He can't move on, he can't wake up.... thus enter Martha Jones, the one designated to awaken the sleeper(s) and hasn't only done it once, but twice now.