"The more beautiful it looks, the more likely it is to kill you"

[drakyndra]

I have to apologise in advance for any possible incoherency in the following review. I is rather tired, you see, on account of a certain someone forgetting her key when she went out on her date, and thus waking me up at a quarter to six in order to be let in.

The cookies, though they have done a good job on cheering my mood, aren't doing much to stop the tiredness.

Anyhoo, onto Doctor Who and 42.

Non-spoiler version: I've said this in a few places, though it isn't my favourite of the series, I really liked it - solid 4 out of 5 from me. Decent progression in the Doctor-Martha relationship, some good character stuff for the two of them both. Liked the concept of the episode a lot, despite the dodgy science. Also, being me, I utterly adored the Visual FX eyecandy moments. My main criticism would be under-use of the guest cast, really. (Most were little more than cannonfodder)


Well, I could hardly buck the trend and go for a different cut tag, could I? ;)

To start off with, kudos to The Mill, and whoever else was involved with the ship and sun FX. Because they were just love. As I said, I like my eyecandy, and there was eyecandy aplenty here.

Also, since we're on random production FX stuff: When the music cuts out as the pod is seperating from the ship. Wow. I'm rather fond of Murray Gold, for the most part - though I think he's improving from his earlier stuff - but this was a nice subversion that had a nice impact.

And final production thing: Chibnall's writing seemed rather more Life on Mars than Torchwood. Which was quite pleasant, really. I wonder if it's the whole thing of writing under someone else's overview that brings out his better qualities, or just not being allowed to shove in gratuitous sex, wearing and/or violence.

I've seen a bit of criticism for this episode's similarities to other things. Can't comment on Sunshine, since I haven't seen it, but the stuff about TIP/TSP? Erm, well though I can see some similarities, criticising the episode for having a visually similar look to them, when it's supposedly set in the same time period strikes me as a bit odd. I like time periods to seem somewhat consistant. And people getting possessed is hardly what one would call a concept unique to those episodes.

Besides, the tone and pacing was entirely different. Frantic, race against time versus creepy, slower build-up to a climax. (Well, the good bits of TIP/TSP were the spooky slower stuff)

I'm going to try not to assume that it's a certain section of fandom being overly possessive of ideas again. But the main names I've seen spout this aren't helping

My other criticism comment: Apart from Kath, the captain, Korwin (Corwin?) her hubby, and Riley (Martha's companion), the cannonfodder was rather generic and forgettable. Pity, really. Especially given the last two standing were two totally slashable guys, if I could just remember who the one who wasn't Riley was.

And onto the good stuff!

Martha gets not just her own Superphone (With "universal roaming", bless), but at the end gets a TARDIS key. Yep, definitely not just a passenger. According to types who've seen it, this was referred to in analogy as moving into his flat. (Does that mean that, metaphorically speaking, the end of Lazarus is when it stops being just dating and they start being a serious couple?) Makes me wonder how much time has passed in between, and how much has happened. Apart from the obvious post-Lazarus shagging I need to get those books, so I can try and figure where they fit in.

The Saxon arc stuff with Francine was interesting. There's a thread on the OG about this, debating whether Francine's willing sold the Doctor out,or is being pushed into it. Personally, I'm thinking it's a bit of both - she's entirely willing to get him out of her daughter's life, but is getting mildly creeped out by Pushy Ice Queen lady, and her MIB sidekicks. And is possibly starting to wonder if she's done the right thing. Well, wouldn't you, if people were bugging your daughter's phone and making you interrogate her?

Especially given Martha's having an emotional moment. Gosh, they must be some odd phone calls. Random pub quiz questions, people screaming, "Tell everyone I love them" stuff, and then all cheery and nothing's the matter.

Martha promising to be home for dinner on Election Day? Well, that's not forboding at all. (And is it just me, or am I starting to get the feeling that it means that Earth-time, only two or three days will have passed the entire series?)

Also, to completely rip off a comment I made to someone else's review, we're so getting a Martha = Doctor analogy going on.

I said pre-series that having the Doctor's companion be a medical student was a blatant Chekov's Gun, and the show isn't exactly doing much to dissuade me. She's been given the sonic and the psychic paper, she's had a plus one, she's saved the day a couple of time, she has randoms who put their faith in her, she collects pseudo-companions...

And next week, she's the futuristic, knowing one in charge of the TARDIS, while the humans are running around being human.

I say again: I call a big Martha as the Doctor moment in the finale.

...I mean seriously, this is verging on the "Rose is leaving" anvils of mid-S2. I can't be the only one who sees it, can I?

The Doctor's been put through the ringer this series, hasn't he? And this wasn't just more of the same, it was something of a whole new level - lose of control of his body, rather than just hurt or potential death. The possibility of killing people, even someone he cared about. That fear he had... an open admission of fear to Martha. That's a biggy. And he almost mentioned regeneration. Think there was a proper explanation post-ep, or it's being saved til Jack's back? No wonder he's all broody at the end. I don't expect this to directly be the reason for the... things which happen in Human Nature, but I could bet it's a factor in it, subconscious or not. 'Twas nice to see him desperate to keep Martha safe, though. Without the "I don't even know her" stuff of Gridlock, too, because he does know her now.

It's almost as if they heard the criticisms I saw from a few people about Tennant's Doctor getting things to easily, and decided to address that. Then, I think they've been addressing a lot of the issues with the character stuff last series. I mean, I sort of get why it was done - in order to make people certain of Tennant as the Doctor, he's had to start out with all guns blazing, at his best, heroic and saving the day. But it's nice the contrast. It feels... a bit less shallow, really.

(Completely random random thing: I hope Terry Pratchett's been watching. Because when I spoke to him at the Disccworld con, Doctor Who got brought up, and he was one of the people whose main criticism of Tennant's Doctor was that everything was too easy for him. I wonder what he'd say now...)

On the cannonfodder guest cast. Well, the not-entirely forgettable ones. Riley basically became the Martha to Martha's Doctor, didn't he? Down to getting a kiss that though there is atttraction, isn't hugely emotionally significant. And the belief in them for showing up in their workplace, and saving the day at the last minute.

Martha has seemed to be collecting companion types on a few occasions, doesn't she?

And Captain Kath, who fucked up with the illegal sun scooping, and was willing to pay the ultimate price for fucking up/to save the day. (More shiny visuals!)

A few random whatsits, half of which I've yoinked from other people's reviews, but I thought were worth mentioning:

Whoever it was that pointed out that Chibnall, after setting up the "doors get locked because of a single wrong answer" and then didn't pull that expected idea, my thankies. I remember thinking it was an obvious set-up line, and got swept up in happenings that I didn't even notice the expected thing didn't happen.

I loved the sheer random stupidity of the questions. Favourite colours, maths geekery (which naturally the Doctor was all over) and the Beatles vs Elvis. I liked Riley mispronouncing Beatles.

Oh, and when Martha asked the Doctor about the Beatles vs Elvis, and when he tried to remember what he'd been talking about, and his first though? "Here Comes The Sun". I laughed.

Another Ten and Martha hug. Bless. Ten's a huggy guy, isn't he?

Martha get's told to work the stasis thingy she's never used before. And she gets out the manual. Bless.

Random thought: This episode got rewritten to some extent after Chibnall saw some of Martha's early episodes (in rough cuts, anyway). I wonder what was changed. And if this explains why apparently he didn't get the unrequeited memo, either

Also: Sentient Suns are made of win. Particularly when they are pissy with humanity for using them as fuel. (Bit of a love/hate relationship for humanity in this show, ain't there?)



Final note - Re: That Utopia clip everyone's on about. I am declining to comment on the events and/or motivations therein until I have context. Because I think everyone's being a bit pre-emptive about judgement now.


I am looking forward to Human Nature so very much. And it just seems better and better the more I see of it. Little girl with a balloon! Synchronised creepy head tilts! Adorable!John Smith, Martha in charge! Timelordiness in a pocket watch which I called a week ago! Flashbackiness and dreams!

I so want screencaps of that trailer

Comments

[big-n-happy.livejournal.com]

See Sunshine. It's like 42, only prettier (many stark constrasts) and with more interesting crew characterisations; they're all incredibly simple, which works because it's all circumstantial ethics & whether God exists & stuff.

It was very, very clear on the point that Martha matters, wasn't it? Curious how Rosefen reacted, I haven't seen much from the weird OG "she doesn't matter" crowd.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to, I'm just lazy about going to movies as of late.

It was very, very clear on the point that Martha matters, wasn't it? Curious how Rosefen reacted, I haven't seen much from the weird OG "she doesn't matter" crowd.

I've seen some pleased that Martha is apparently over her crush, and thus is magically now likable (This from someone who declared Lazarus "the GitF of series three", mind), some angry at Martha for stealing Rose's... whatever it is. And the OG stuff you've probably seen bitching about Freema's acting.

Also, desperate fanwanking about how he was being scared/was distant at the end as evidence that he doesn't trust Martha like he did Rose, and something odd about how the Doctor didn't initiate the hug, so it's obvious he doesn't care for Martha. Or something.

[big-n-happy.livejournal.com]

"I don't trust you. Oh, btw, here's the TARDIS key!"

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

The logic, she is nonexistant!

[stickmarionette.livejournal.com]

I don't understand that whole thing about Ten having it too easy. Bwah? Even in s2 he got put through the wringer.

Love your observation about Martha as the Doctor. This episode really did push that theme.

Because I think everyone's being a bit pre-emptive about judgement now.
I just love how so many people are all 'grr the Doctor is such a bastard, I want to do something nasty to him for trying to leave poor old Jack'. (Or maybe that's just because I'm biased - even though I love Jack, when asked to take a side I'll almost always go with the Doctor.)

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

With S2, I think it was the fact that for the most part, the reset button got pressed after most of the serious emotional stuff. (That an absence of physical injury). S3 has both injuries, and a relationship that is showing progress after incidents, rather than just going back to square one.

Personally, I'm thinking, "Oh, conflict, that means interesting drama!" (Though I'd probably side with the Doctor over Jack. Unless he's been arse to Martha lately, which seems unlikely given that's fading off now)

[stickmarionette.livejournal.com]

I keep thinking it has something to do with the fact that Ten is less obviously broken than Nine, and so his emotional trauma doesn't register if it's not on constant display. The physical factor that you point out is probably a big one.

Personally, I'm thinking, "Oh, conflict, that means interesting drama!"
Definitely with you there, although I hope they spend an episode on the conflict and move on to the flirty rapport by the next one. (Admittedly, the fact that I hate it when people project their own rejection of Ten onto Jack may have something to do with this.)

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I think it's also the whole very la-di-dah, nothing matters to us Ten and Rose team. And the fact that the two episodes that really should have had long term emotional impact - School Reunion and GitF - got glossed over afterwards.

Conflict for a bit, and then flirtiness sounds good to me. And we know they'll end on good terms, because, well, this is Rusty's show. It's got that positive thing going. (And I agree with you on the rejection - I expect certain individuals to use any conflict as evidence that Jack Loves Ten Less Than Nine. Which ought to give an interesting ending, since I can't see RTD have them seperate on bad terms)

[stickmarionette.livejournal.com]

I think it's also the whole very la-di-dah, nothing matters to us Ten and Rose team.
*wince* Yeah. Although I'd argue that's more the feeling I got off them as a unit, not when the Doctor is by himself.

I expect certain individuals to use any conflict as evidence that Jack Loves Ten Less Than Nine.
You've expressed my concerns better than I could have. That's exactly it. And I hope to God that Rusty doesn't give them any ammo.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I'm not a fan of Rose, but both she and the Doctor were better when seperate.

The thing is, for all that Rusty's talk of how he doesn't write the two Doctor's differently is rubbish, he does still write people them as the same person - in that other people treat them the same. Jackie was nicer to Ten than Nine because the last thing Nine did (as far as she knew) was to send Rose to her out of danger. And any issues Jack is going to have when he is back will have nothing to do with Nine vs Ten, and everything to do with the Doctor. (Also: Ten mightn't have gone back for him, but Nine's the one who originally left Jack behind. TARDIS was in flight for a good few minutes before the regeneration showed it's first hints, and that's not considering how long Rose may have been unconscious for)

[doyle_sb4.livejournal.com]

And the OG stuff you've probably seen bitching about Freema's acting.

Wasn't it an *astonishing* coincidence that that person calling for Freema to be sacked was a huge Rose fan?

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I know, just amazing.

(I know, logically speaking, that not everyone who is really against Martha is a big Rose fan. But I've personally yet to see one who isn't)

[nostalgia-lj.livejournal.com]

"the GitF of series three"

My instant thought there was "but it's not that good... surely if any of them it'd be Gridlock so far?" And then I remembered that some people hate that one because Ten leaves Rose for another woman in it.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

Translation: "Ten is overtly shippy with someone who isn't Rose, and I don't like it!"

...Which is interesting, seeing as this was coming from people who manage to make every single episode all about the Doctor/Rose ship. When even they are thinking an episode is overtly Marthashipping... well, what you said about the only reason people are saying Doctor/Martha is non-canon is because of the unreqieted thing starts to seem very accurate.

[elen-ancalima.livejournal.com]

Yes yes YES to so many things you've said.

The Doctor's been put through the ringer this series, hasn't he?

Absolutely. And, judging by the trailer for next week, we haven't seen the end of it.

I think it's an interesting aspect of the Doctor/Martha relationship - the way in which the Doctor can be weak and Martha takes control. I thought the episode had an intersting symmetry to it - in the first half Martha's in jeopardy and the Doctor saves her, and in the second half it's the other way around. I also liked how they mirrored the "are you ready" - "no" bit from Smith and Jones.

I think we will see more of this explored in the upcoming double-episode (which I want to see now! ... Errr, sorry.)

The Here comes the sun line nearly killed me.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I also liked how they mirrored the "are you ready" - "no" bit from Smith and Jones.

You know, considering that role reversals and parallel moments are one of my current obsessions, I'm amazed I missed that one.

But yes, there was a bit of saving one another going on. Mirror of Smith and Jones, perhaps? Only this time the Doctor was the one who made a sacrifice and lay helpless while the other saved the day (with knowledge taken from the injured party enabling this)

And I am so very much looking forward to next week (and the one after). So very much.

[iko.livejournal.com]

I say again: I call a big Martha as the Doctor moment in the finale.

I can definitely get down with this. Martha is more LIKE the Doctor than Rose was, so you can explore the similarities that the two has within the series far more than with Rose. (It's like the relationship I have between my two parents. I've got a closer relationship with my mom BUT I behave and react and do nearly everything like my dad.)

That fear he had... an open admission of fear to Martha. That's a biggy.

I thought that was a huge moment too. HUGE. My jaw dropped at that bit. Totally dropped.

Martha/Riley was so cute! It's interesting to see the contrast with Rose. I think if it was Rose, she'd definitely be "Come and travel with us!". Martha isn't like that. She doesn't want anything to come between her and her goal for the Doctor.

..."Here Comes The Sun". I laughed.

Me too!

[elen-ancalima.livejournal.com]

And I am so very much looking forward to next week (and the one after). So very much.

I can hardly stand it. This it the one episode that I've been most eagerly anticipating ever since I heard what it would be about several months ago.

I'm almost glad I've got a really busy week and time will pass more quickly. *flails*

I'm really glad it's a two-parter - it'll give them a chance to really flesh out the story, the characters and the various relationships.

And didn't that little wink the Doctor did at the very end of the trailer just kill you? (I nearly puddle-fied when I saw it).

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

Martha is more LIKE the Doctor than Rose was, so you can explore the similarities that the two has within the series far more than with Rose.

I've seen a few people make a Seven and Ace apprenticeship analogy for Martha and Ten. Which is one reason I'm calling a Martha = Doctor moment. The apprentice learns all they know from the master... Not that sort of Master

Martha isn't like that. She doesn't want anything to come between her and her goal for the Doctor.

Depends when for Rose. She had no problems with it in S1, but then she got all huffy and jealous about Mickey in S2.

And I think, for Martha, it's more about the fact she only became a permanent companion the previous episode. She's still only just new, and asking someone into the Doctor's home might jeopardise their understanding which is just being worked out.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I've a fairly busy week, too - well, somewhat of a social life coming up, it seems. A trivia night, two screenings of POTC3 to go to...

And yes, it's a story I don't think could be done as a single-parter.

I is looking forward very, very much. Where are the trailer screencaps, dammit!

[darenothope.livejournal.com]

I totally loved it when Riley mispronounced Beatles ... so hilarious.

Loved Martha completely. Also loved when Martha and the Captain brought the doctor to that place to cool down. And Martha goes to start up the machine and the Doctor's all "Martha where are you??"

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

Bless those future people.

I just watched a fanvid that used the clip with Martha at the machine. And I wibbled like a mad thing when the Doctor said that.

[bonobochick.livejournal.com]

I just enjoy that every place they go to, Martha has a fan club as the men sure do seem to crush on her. A lot. Though The Doctor doesn't seem to truly appreciate her, at least others are seeing her awesomeness. =)

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

Bless. It is rather adorable.

[magic-lilybean.livejournal.com]

Martha get's told to work the stasis thingy she's never used before. And she gets out the manual.

She did the same in Smith & Jones when she had to figure out the X-ray, didn't she?

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

Yep. Which apparently the writer saw an early cut of, before he reworked the script for this.

Which is a cute bit of character consistancy, I think.

S3 pairs = Doctor/Martha

[eido.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of jumping in the middle here and I apologise, but...

You know, considering that role reversals and parallel moments are one of my current obsessions, I'm amazed I missed that one.

Re: parallels and you mentioning the "Rose is leaving" S2 anvils (looking back at several of last season's pairs you have half of several pairs getting killed off. A rather glaring foreshadowing for Rose "dying"). So I'd been wondering about pairs this season and their possible relevance to the Doctor/Martha relationship. The major pairs this season have been Tallulah/Lazslo, Lady Thaw/Lazarus, Tish/Lazarus and the pregnant kidnappers / the Brannigans / the old lesbian couple in Gridlock. If I took about 500 words more space in your LJ, I'd elaborate on possible parallels in the above, but I'm going to focus on the pair parallels in "42" (mostly because they're more gratuitous/interesting to me) and with the Captain, her husband Korwin and the Bitchy Engineer.

If you read the Erina prologue for "42" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2007/42-prologue.shtml) it implies there was A Thing between Captain/Bitchy Engineer (there were vague hints of it in the ep itself, moreso how Bitchy Engineer was bitchy to about everyone apart from the Captain. Also, how the Doctor - whose usually good at getting people to do what he needs them to - tried to order him around, but he was adamant on only taking orders from her, etc) ... so Korwin/Captain/Bitchy Engineer = Doctor/Martha/Riley. Two (pseudo)triangles, but one dysfunctional, morose & shadowed with death (Captain's side) vs the other full of trust, faith & salvation (Martha's side). Doctor and Korwin were both possessed, except instead of Martha "burning with" the Doctor as the Captain did with her husband Korwin, Martha saved the Doctor, herself and the remaining crew. Also The Third in both pseudo-triangles - Bitchy Engineer and Riley - were left alone by the end of the ep. The other two in both triangles were gone (by death for Captain/Korwin and by departure for Doctor/Martha). Also Bitchy Engineer's "only take orders from her" (re: the Captain) could be synonymous with Riley's "I found someone to believe in" (re: Martha).

Re: S3 pairs = Doctor/Martha

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that's an interesting one.