Doctor Who: "Asylum of the Daleks"
Series 7 premiered Saturday night! I don’t have BBC America, so I had to dig around the internet before I found a decent streaming site. Watched it with my brother and I had to keep strangling the sofa cushion so I wouldn’t squee too loudly.
Why am I coherent, you ask? Well, I wasn’t last night, which is why I waited ‘til today to organize my thoughts a little. I read some meta, released some feels in the form of squee-noises, and settled in for a nice re-watch.
So, Series 7’s first episode, “Asylum of the Daleks.”
I LOVED it.
I was a bit apprehensive when I first saw the trailer; previous Dalek episodes weren’t exactly the best and usually ended with the Doctor wringing his hands and not really getting anything done. I also didn’t really like the scene in the trailer where the Doctor carried Amy. It seemed to be there just for dramatic effect and kinda irked me because RORY IS STANDING RIGHT THERE DOCTOR SO PUT HER DOWN.
So I was a bit hesitant about a Dalek episode, even though I like the Daleks. Besides being classic villains in the show, there’s something scarily satisfyingly about hearing the word “EXTERMINATE!” and suddenly feeling very cold when one least expects it.
I shouldn’t have worried, because I really enjoyed the episode. Some parts were pretty unexpected and made even less sense, like the Daleks having a Parliament and a Prime Minister. What? I thought they only had an emperor, and after the emperor was disintegrated by Bad Wolf!Rose there was a Supreme Dalek. Where did this Prime Minister Dalek come from? But hey, at least the idea is kinda fun to think about.
I also think it’s very interesting how the Daleks go to the Doctor for help. The Doctor, the Oncoming Storm, their Predator. Sure, they‘re planning to blow him up as soon as the Doctor completes their mission for them, but still. Surely they know he’s smarter than that. They want his help anyways. Then again, given the Doctor’s track record at succeeding in destroying things, I guess the Daleks trust that he’d get the job done right.
The drama with the Ponds’ failing marriage is unneeded plot-wise (unless it foreshadows future eps?), but I really like it. I love Amy and Rory and the idea of a mini-family on the TARDIS to keep the Doctor grounded and I don't want them to go. I watched Pond Life last week with a silly grin on my face, then I saw Pond Life 5 and the first five minutes of this episode and I was staring. The Ponds can’t fall apart! Not after all they’ve been through---oh crap, what is Amy signing?! No, put that pen down! Rory, she's calling for you, don't just leave!
But in all seriousness, I like that Moffat shows that relationships (and marriages) aren’t just pretty pink ponies and rainbows. Every relationship has ups and downs. Although I have to say, all of that Pond drama could’ve been avoided if the two of them just SAT DOWN AND TALKED. Poor communication kills…happy marriages, among other things.
Also, Amy, stop slapping Rory.
I was as shocked as the next person when Jenna-Louise Coleman popped up on my screen. For half a second there, I wondered if Moffat lied and was going to introduce the new companion while Amy and Rory will still around, so that they can all go on mad adventures together with the Doctor. Obviously that wasn’t the case (I really wish it was, though!).
I adore Oswin Oswald. Love the name, love the character, love how she can sometimes out-talk the Doctor. First human to ever defy Dalek nature in a very heart-wrenching last stand, and oh, I did not see that plot-twist coming! Too busy fanning, I think, to notice all the clues. I really, really hope that the new companion will be Oswin, or a genetically identical relative. Because Oswin’s personality is needed on board the TARDIS. Two proper geniuses, off to see the universe. Yes.
I think I can almost stand the Ponds’ departure, if Oswin is what’s coming next.
There were a few facepalm moments too. Rory, you should KNOW that you don’t go poking at apparently sleeping Daleks to see if they’re awake. And Doctor, didn’t you learn from "The Time of Angels" and “The Hungry Earth” to not leave vulnerable people alone when you’re off doing clever things? Especially if said person is slowly losing her mind and being converted into a Dalek?
The ending was, in true Moffat fashion, very unexpected and twisty and threw the whole Who fandom into a loop. The Doctor’s oldest, deadliest enemies don’t know who he is! Isn’t that just fantastic! Here I was, afraid that the Daleks were going to blow the Doctor’s cover and that the universe would find out that he’s alive. Then the Silence would go after him all over again and we’d see a repeat of Season 6. But now the Daleks don’t even remember the Doctor! I still can’t quite believe that Moffat really pulled that.
I really liked how one meta-post put it: the Daleks forgetting the Doctor is giving the Doctor a second chance. A chance to put the Time War behind him and start over. The world thinks he’s dead, and now even the Daleks don’t know him. He’s never had a better opportunity to begin anew. Maybe he can start off by seeing the universe, just like he did so many lifetimes ago. The Doctor most definitely appreciates another chance. You could even say that he needs it.
All in all, the episode was a spectacular start to the new series and I really can’t wait to see where everything goes! I’m still dreading the Ponds’ departure, but Oswin’s appearance definitely makes me feel hopeful for the future. I just hope Moffat won’t do something too drastic to tear my heart into pieces in the episodes before the fall finale. That heart-stomping session is saved for “The Angels Take Manhattan.”