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locker_monsterThe latest Doctor Who episode is based on one of the books? That's either very cool or the writers are running out of ideas. ;-) No, actually, I was very impressed with this episode. It has an interesting premise obviously too irresistible not to put on screen. Apparently an e-book version of the book was up on the BBC's classic Doctor Who website long before this episode came to be but it's been taken down because of the plot details it shares with the episodes. It looks like it will be back up after the second part airs. I wouldn't mind reading it.
The idea of the Doctor pretending to be human is a rather neat idea I think. He has a chance not to be the Doctor and in turn, the weight of being a Time Lord is lifted from his shoulders. He doesn't have to worry about saving the world and he's even got time to fall in love. I'm sure fans will have lots to say about that. I think it's nice; it just shows that the life of the Time Lord doesn't allow the Doctor to make some attachments. But it also raises an interesting point I couldn't help but think. So the Doctor has that machine that changes DNA (a chameleon arch he called it?). Now why would he make such a machine? And why make it unless he had plans at some point to become human (Me thinks all the Doctor/Rose shippers are saying he made the machine so he could be human and live out the rest of his days with her)?
David plays the part so wonderfully. He's so cute in that tweed suit. And he's so cute and awkward around Nurse Joan. He fell for a blond woman; think what you may about that. ;-) The journal he loans Joan was an awesome inclusion; not important for the plot but a neat little item for the fans. One page had sketches of past Doctors! And they included Rose; that was nice. Even cooler was at the line, "She seems to disappear", the page flips to a drawing of Cybermen and you can hear the sound of waves in the background. Nice, perfect, subtle detail. Murray Gold even slipped in a bit of Rose's theme; I thought I heard a bit of it, or something like it, when the journal is introduced and when the Doctor kisses Joan in his room.
I think by setting up the story with the Doctor being human it gives the episode a different kind of tone. The only sci-fi bits are when Martha visits the TARDIS and the bits with the Family's ship. The sonic screwdriver doesn't save the day, which I'm sure will make some people happy, and the Doctor is just an ordinary guy. Who can throw cricket balls with perfect accuracy. :-D Ooh, and he can draw! I think that's why I really like this episode; it's something a little different.
And a thought about Martha visiting the TARDIS. So they've been there for two months? It feels like she visits the TARDIS whenever she gets the chance, just as a reminder that this isn't her life. The TARDIS looked so lonely hiding out in that barn. I wished they had shown Martha talking to the TARDIS. I could just see her giving the ship a running dialogue about her day-to-day life at the school and how much it sucks. Because I bet the TARDIS misses the Doctor, too. I just loved how the list the Doctor makes goes up to number 23. Oh, poor worried Doctor. :-)
And poor Martha, too, if I may say so. I think I'm finally starting to like her. I'm not ashamed to admit that. It took me 7 or 8 episodes before I really started to like Rose. See, Rose got an episode that delved into her past and gave her an emotional journey: Father's Day. Wait, now that I think about it, Father's Day and Human Nature are written by the same guy. Ha! Go Paul Cornell. Anyway, poor Martha, stuck in a time where no one respects her because of her ethnicity and the position she had to adopt for herself to stay close to the Doctor. She's probably spent the last two months keeping a really close eye on the Doctor. Hiding out is more of a stress for her because she actually knows why they're hiding. So I get she's resourceful enough to get through whatever situation she gets tossed into, I'm liking that. Her clingy-ness with the Doctor still bugs me. Her line about the Doctor not falling in love with her just felt weird. Just think about the time period; I don't think John Smith would have fallen for a maid. Maybe Martha thinks the Doctor's show of devotion last episode is a show of romantic feelings? Personally, I just think the Doctor doesn't want to lose another person. Eh, but that's just me.
Anyway, to wrap up: scary scarecrows, slightly annoying sub plot with the kid stealing the watch (though he has to steal it because you can't have the Doctor opening it when it's a two parter), wonderfully creepy actor playing possessed Baines, and a nice in media res start for the episode. The explanation doesn't come until later, getting the viewer time to ponder, and enjoy, John Smith.
It seems that the latter season two parter is always good. I really liked The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances and The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit. They should keep that tradition going. :-D
David plays the part so wonderfully. He's so cute in that tweed suit. And he's so cute and awkward around Nurse Joan. He fell for a blond woman; think what you may about that. ;-) The journal he loans Joan was an awesome inclusion; not important for the plot but a neat little item for the fans. One page had sketches of past Doctors! And they included Rose; that was nice. Even cooler was at the line, "She seems to disappear", the page flips to a drawing of Cybermen and you can hear the sound of waves in the background. Nice, perfect, subtle detail. Murray Gold even slipped in a bit of Rose's theme; I thought I heard a bit of it, or something like it, when the journal is introduced and when the Doctor kisses Joan in his room.
I think by setting up the story with the Doctor being human it gives the episode a different kind of tone. The only sci-fi bits are when Martha visits the TARDIS and the bits with the Family's ship. The sonic screwdriver doesn't save the day, which I'm sure will make some people happy, and the Doctor is just an ordinary guy. Who can throw cricket balls with perfect accuracy. :-D Ooh, and he can draw! I think that's why I really like this episode; it's something a little different.
And a thought about Martha visiting the TARDIS. So they've been there for two months? It feels like she visits the TARDIS whenever she gets the chance, just as a reminder that this isn't her life. The TARDIS looked so lonely hiding out in that barn. I wished they had shown Martha talking to the TARDIS. I could just see her giving the ship a running dialogue about her day-to-day life at the school and how much it sucks. Because I bet the TARDIS misses the Doctor, too. I just loved how the list the Doctor makes goes up to number 23. Oh, poor worried Doctor. :-)
And poor Martha, too, if I may say so. I think I'm finally starting to like her. I'm not ashamed to admit that. It took me 7 or 8 episodes before I really started to like Rose. See, Rose got an episode that delved into her past and gave her an emotional journey: Father's Day. Wait, now that I think about it, Father's Day and Human Nature are written by the same guy. Ha! Go Paul Cornell. Anyway, poor Martha, stuck in a time where no one respects her because of her ethnicity and the position she had to adopt for herself to stay close to the Doctor. She's probably spent the last two months keeping a really close eye on the Doctor. Hiding out is more of a stress for her because she actually knows why they're hiding. So I get she's resourceful enough to get through whatever situation she gets tossed into, I'm liking that. Her clingy-ness with the Doctor still bugs me. Her line about the Doctor not falling in love with her just felt weird. Just think about the time period; I don't think John Smith would have fallen for a maid. Maybe Martha thinks the Doctor's show of devotion last episode is a show of romantic feelings? Personally, I just think the Doctor doesn't want to lose another person. Eh, but that's just me.
Anyway, to wrap up: scary scarecrows, slightly annoying sub plot with the kid stealing the watch (though he has to steal it because you can't have the Doctor opening it when it's a two parter), wonderfully creepy actor playing possessed Baines, and a nice in media res start for the episode. The explanation doesn't come until later, getting the viewer time to ponder, and enjoy, John Smith.
It seems that the latter season two parter is always good. I really liked The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances and The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit. They should keep that tradition going. :-D
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no subject
Date: 2007-05-27 12:12 am (UTC)I would love to read the book/ebook anything this is based on at some point.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-27 01:06 am (UTC)I saw you bought some Doctor Who novels. Did you happen to see "Human Nature" among any of the selections? I do hope BBC has it back up after the second part. The book was written for the Seventh Doctor and I'm curious to see how it differs.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-27 02:12 am (UTC)I will probably look again when series 3 ends and see if I can find it used.
And yes, you had a lot to say. I rather liked that you said you were coming around to liking Martha. =) I will probably post something later tonight.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-27 03:38 am (UTC)Martha is steadfast, I'll give you that. She can accept the situation she's in and doesn't complain unless something doesn't feel right.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-27 02:55 am (UTC)I didn't not like Martha, but I hate how selfish her crush makes her seem. Something's after the Doctor and she's throwing tantrum about how he doesn't love her back. Eurgh.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-27 03:34 am (UTC)I'm beginning to think that's the reason I can't like Martha completely. Her character is fine, but her motivations need some clearing up. Give me a reason why Martha fell so hard for the Doctor right off the bat. I don't want to compare her to Rose, but Rose didn't show major interest in Nine until a few adventures into their relationship.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-27 03:46 am (UTC)Versus Martha... who's continued pining just makes her seem selfish and mean. Turning him back is going to HURT him, and she's whining about how he doesn't love her. Just - ahh! There MUST be a way to go the unrequited route without making Martha seem so self-centered. Or maybe there isn't. I don't know.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-27 04:01 am (UTC)I'm curious to see what Martha's reaction will be when she meets Jack. Jack's in love with the Doctor, too. Will she be jealous?