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kv09252:50pm on a Saturday being an unusual time for us to sit down and watch television, I downloaded the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary show for us to start watching Saturday night, and we finished it last night. The short-short version is that I thought it was fantastic, but I thought I'd jot down some thoughts here as well, what the heck.
So yeah, I expected it to be good, and I was not disappointed. I'll get the bad stuff out of the way first: the story struck me as fantastical nonsense, more or less just a way to get Ten and Eleven on screen at the same time, and the Zygons felt rather bolted on, like they wanted to toss a bone to a monster that hasn't made an appearance for a while. But kudos to Steven Moffat, whose mind continues to amaze me. The threads he chooses to grab onto and what he weaves from them are always a wonder to behold. And (spoiler ahead) I really did like his intention, which was to sort of undo the Doctor's darkest day, his actions to end the Time War by destroying billions of his own kind. The way he managed that while still retaining the continuity of the Doctor believing up to now that he did the deed was impressive. Convoluted and unbelievable, but impressive. :)
Anyway, the good stuff was plenty. It was just a good ride of a show, fast-paced, clever, and a lot of fun, and that's just how I like my Doctor Who. Everyone involved was clearly having a blast with the material, and Smith and Tennant were clearly very much enjoying their own interplay. That was all an utter joy to watch, and there were so many chuckles from quick comments and little references and whatnot. The special effects were generally top-notch, but the strength was in the characters. I wondered how they'd fit Billie Piper's Rose into the thing since she was banished to an alternate reality and all, so having her appear as the conscience of the weapon that could destroy a planet was brilliant, and I thought she did a better job in that role than she ever did as Rose herself. And Clara.. I have to admit a big crush on Clara. Just as Eleven was my first Doctor, Amy was my first companion, and I feel that attachment. But Clara just has this blend of playfulness and confidence that I find completely adorable. So much so, after the gleeful promise of her first couple appearances, I was a bit disappointed in her as a companion through the rest of the season, and I think that was because of the tension required between her and the Doctor for the whole who-is-Clara-really story arc. But I'm hoping the 50th special was a good example of how she can and will be now that the tension is resolved and she can finally be just a companion, because I thought she was pretty awesome in this one, not just holding her own but serving a crucial role in the plot. It makes me a little sad that she only has one more romp with Eleven in the Christmas special before Capaldi takes over, but I'm also hopeful that he'll do a good job as Twelve and keep up the momentum. Speaking of, it was nice to see Twelve make an appearance in the 50th, even if it was a short partial-face shot.
So anyway, yeah, loved it. Since I've only been watching Who for a couple years I can't judge the 50th special from the perspective of a true long-time fan (I didn't even realize the curator was Tom Baker until I found out afterwards), but I thought it was great for what it was, and I can vaguely appreciate the nods it did make to the old series. I also think it was a great way to sort of reboot the Doctor's story with the Gallifrey Falls No More angle, and I'm very curious to see where Moffat might go with that. Very pleased overall, and excited for the next season--even if I sort of dread the Christmas special for the ending it will represent. You never forget your first Doctor, after all.
I'm big on quotes, let me see if I can find some favorites..
Tenth Doctor: Whatever you've got planned, forget it! I'm the Doctor. I'm 904 years old; I'm from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Kasterborous; I am the oncoming storm, the bringer of darkness, and you... are basically just a rabbit, aren't you? OK. Carry on. Just a general... warning.
The War Doctor: Oh, the pointing again! They're screwdrivers! What are you going to do? Assemble a cabinet at them?
Eleventh Doctor: Shall we ask for a better quality of door so we can escape?
Tenth Doctor: Oh, you've redecorated! I don't like it.
Tenth Doctor: [pulling out a device] Ding!
Elizabeth I: What's that?
Tenth Doctor: It's a machine that goes... ding! Made it myself. Lights up in the presence of shapeshifting DNA. Also, it can microwave frozen dinners from up to 20 feet and download comics from the future. I never know when to stop.
The War Doctor: Good afternoon. I'm looking for the Doctor.
Tenth Doctor: Well. You've certainly come to the right place.
The War Doctor: Are you capable of speaking without flapping your hands about?
Eleventh Doctor: Yes. No. I demand to be incarcerated in the Tower immediately with my co-conspirators Sandshoes and Granddad.
The War Doctor: Granddad?
Tenth Doctor: They're not sand shoes.
The War Doctor: Yes they are.
The War Doctor: Great men are forged in fire. It is the privilege of lesser men to light the flame.
Clara: You told me the name you chose was a promise. What was that promise?
The Doctors: Never cruel or cowardly. Never give up. Never give in.
And of course:
Eleventh Doctor: I have a new destination. The same as anyone's. At last I know where I'm going. Where I've always been going. Home. The long way 'round.
So yeah, I expected it to be good, and I was not disappointed. I'll get the bad stuff out of the way first: the story struck me as fantastical nonsense, more or less just a way to get Ten and Eleven on screen at the same time, and the Zygons felt rather bolted on, like they wanted to toss a bone to a monster that hasn't made an appearance for a while. But kudos to Steven Moffat, whose mind continues to amaze me. The threads he chooses to grab onto and what he weaves from them are always a wonder to behold. And (spoiler ahead) I really did like his intention, which was to sort of undo the Doctor's darkest day, his actions to end the Time War by destroying billions of his own kind. The way he managed that while still retaining the continuity of the Doctor believing up to now that he did the deed was impressive. Convoluted and unbelievable, but impressive. :)
Anyway, the good stuff was plenty. It was just a good ride of a show, fast-paced, clever, and a lot of fun, and that's just how I like my Doctor Who. Everyone involved was clearly having a blast with the material, and Smith and Tennant were clearly very much enjoying their own interplay. That was all an utter joy to watch, and there were so many chuckles from quick comments and little references and whatnot. The special effects were generally top-notch, but the strength was in the characters. I wondered how they'd fit Billie Piper's Rose into the thing since she was banished to an alternate reality and all, so having her appear as the conscience of the weapon that could destroy a planet was brilliant, and I thought she did a better job in that role than she ever did as Rose herself. And Clara.. I have to admit a big crush on Clara. Just as Eleven was my first Doctor, Amy was my first companion, and I feel that attachment. But Clara just has this blend of playfulness and confidence that I find completely adorable. So much so, after the gleeful promise of her first couple appearances, I was a bit disappointed in her as a companion through the rest of the season, and I think that was because of the tension required between her and the Doctor for the whole who-is-Clara-really story arc. But I'm hoping the 50th special was a good example of how she can and will be now that the tension is resolved and she can finally be just a companion, because I thought she was pretty awesome in this one, not just holding her own but serving a crucial role in the plot. It makes me a little sad that she only has one more romp with Eleven in the Christmas special before Capaldi takes over, but I'm also hopeful that he'll do a good job as Twelve and keep up the momentum. Speaking of, it was nice to see Twelve make an appearance in the 50th, even if it was a short partial-face shot.
So anyway, yeah, loved it. Since I've only been watching Who for a couple years I can't judge the 50th special from the perspective of a true long-time fan (I didn't even realize the curator was Tom Baker until I found out afterwards), but I thought it was great for what it was, and I can vaguely appreciate the nods it did make to the old series. I also think it was a great way to sort of reboot the Doctor's story with the Gallifrey Falls No More angle, and I'm very curious to see where Moffat might go with that. Very pleased overall, and excited for the next season--even if I sort of dread the Christmas special for the ending it will represent. You never forget your first Doctor, after all.
I'm big on quotes, let me see if I can find some favorites..
Tenth Doctor: Whatever you've got planned, forget it! I'm the Doctor. I'm 904 years old; I'm from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Kasterborous; I am the oncoming storm, the bringer of darkness, and you... are basically just a rabbit, aren't you? OK. Carry on. Just a general... warning.
The War Doctor: Oh, the pointing again! They're screwdrivers! What are you going to do? Assemble a cabinet at them?
Eleventh Doctor: Shall we ask for a better quality of door so we can escape?
Tenth Doctor: Oh, you've redecorated! I don't like it.
Tenth Doctor: [pulling out a device] Ding!
Elizabeth I: What's that?
Tenth Doctor: It's a machine that goes... ding! Made it myself. Lights up in the presence of shapeshifting DNA. Also, it can microwave frozen dinners from up to 20 feet and download comics from the future. I never know when to stop.
The War Doctor: Good afternoon. I'm looking for the Doctor.
Tenth Doctor: Well. You've certainly come to the right place.
The War Doctor: Are you capable of speaking without flapping your hands about?
Eleventh Doctor: Yes. No. I demand to be incarcerated in the Tower immediately with my co-conspirators Sandshoes and Granddad.
The War Doctor: Granddad?
Tenth Doctor: They're not sand shoes.
The War Doctor: Yes they are.
The War Doctor: Great men are forged in fire. It is the privilege of lesser men to light the flame.
Clara: You told me the name you chose was a promise. What was that promise?
The Doctors: Never cruel or cowardly. Never give up. Never give in.
And of course:
Eleventh Doctor: I have a new destination. The same as anyone's. At last I know where I'm going. Where I've always been going. Home. The long way 'round.
