Abridged Thoughts on "Tooth and Claw"
Before we move on to Sarah Jane and K-9, I'd like to post some brief thoughts on the episode. Since saiyako pretty much covered everything I wanted to say, I figured I'd stick to the two points that seem to be the most aggravating for haters of this episode and series two in general: Rose and the Doctor's excitement and awe over dangerous beasties and Rose Tyler's "regression" from series one.
1. I've seen several fans of the show grumble about Rose and the Doctor's hyper and giggly behaviour during the season. Like Queen Victoria, they are not amused that these two seem to not take the dangerous aliens they encounter seriously. Let me point out that whenever an alien does become a threat to humanity, the Doctor and Rose are always quick to defend the humans, even if that means the death of said alien.
Personally, I find the awe and wonder Rose and the other companions of New Who display for time and space travel refreshing. I haven't seen much of Old Who (I'm at the end of series two), but from what I have seen, the companions are oftentimes dismayed that they've landed on another alien planet. Barbara and Ian (whom I love dearly and ship like mad) just want to go home. So whenever the TARDIS plops them in the wrong timezone on Earth or on a far distant planet, they are generally annoyed at the Doctor and are reluctant to explore the new environment. Usually, after almost being killed half a dozen times, they end up enjoying the experience and make new alien friends, but not before their initial balking. Contrast this to New Who, where Rose exclaims in "New Earth:" I'll never get used to this . . . Travelling with you, I love it." Or Martha's first encounter with space travel: they're on the moon, not sure how they're able to breathe. The Doctor says, "We might die." Exhibiting bravery and curiosity, Martha replies, "We might not." Or Donna, who in season four purposefully went looking for the Doctor so she could travel with him. The New Who companions want to see new planets. They want to travel to the past and the future. Their unadulterated joy is one of the reasons the Doctor loves them and takes them along.
So when we see the Doctor and Rose excitedly exclaim, "Werewolves" or make a bet on Queen Victoria, I can't help smiling along with them despite the situation being so dire. After all, these are a new time and a new species for them. And the Doctor always has respect for alien life and the period of history he's in.... unless they start to destroy the world.
Moving on to point number two.... I don't know if we have any Rose haters in this comm. Since it's run by two insanely supportive Rose fans, I kinda doubt it, but here goes. I know one of the main reasons Rose-haters give for--well, hating Rose is her apparent "regression" from badass girl with uber-chemistry with Chris Eccleston to a ditzy damsel in distress with an unrequited thing for Ten. I'm not sure what show they're watching. IMHO, Rose is more badass in season two, and the Doctor and Rose's relationship evolves from Unresolved Sexual Tension to "We just started dating *gigglegiggle*.
I'd like to list the cool, competent things Rose did in this episode alone:
1. Rose doesn't let the Doctor get away with being rude. IMO, if the Rose had such a massive crush on Ten, she wouldn't be pointing out his flaws. I know when I've had schoolgirl crushes in the past, I tended to overlook the guy's imperfections, regardless how blatant it was. Rose doesn't bat her eyelashes at the Doctor and say, "Nah, you're not being rude. You could never be rude." She let's him know, "You've gone over the line, love."
2. Rose calms the servant down, showing once again how compassionate she is. <3
3. She talks calmly and rationally to a big scary alien thing whilst the rest of her companions tremble in terror. She then has enough levelheadedness to lead the household into breaking out of their chains.
4. She gives the Doctor some lip. "Where the hell have you been?" she screams at him as the werewolf charges at them. She doesn't say, "Doctor, you saved me, you're my hero." The Doctor failed to deliver, and she lets him know.
Of course, I haven't listed the moments where both the Doctor and Rose turn into giggly school-children around each other. That would take too long, and besides, this isn't a shipping community. ;-) But suffice to say, I think Rose still holds her own against the Doctor. Their relationship has just taken a different turn. (For the better)
1. I've seen several fans of the show grumble about Rose and the Doctor's hyper and giggly behaviour during the season. Like Queen Victoria, they are not amused that these two seem to not take the dangerous aliens they encounter seriously. Let me point out that whenever an alien does become a threat to humanity, the Doctor and Rose are always quick to defend the humans, even if that means the death of said alien.
Personally, I find the awe and wonder Rose and the other companions of New Who display for time and space travel refreshing. I haven't seen much of Old Who (I'm at the end of series two), but from what I have seen, the companions are oftentimes dismayed that they've landed on another alien planet. Barbara and Ian (whom I love dearly and ship like mad) just want to go home. So whenever the TARDIS plops them in the wrong timezone on Earth or on a far distant planet, they are generally annoyed at the Doctor and are reluctant to explore the new environment. Usually, after almost being killed half a dozen times, they end up enjoying the experience and make new alien friends, but not before their initial balking. Contrast this to New Who, where Rose exclaims in "New Earth:" I'll never get used to this . . . Travelling with you, I love it." Or Martha's first encounter with space travel: they're on the moon, not sure how they're able to breathe. The Doctor says, "We might die." Exhibiting bravery and curiosity, Martha replies, "We might not." Or Donna, who in season four purposefully went looking for the Doctor so she could travel with him. The New Who companions want to see new planets. They want to travel to the past and the future. Their unadulterated joy is one of the reasons the Doctor loves them and takes them along.
So when we see the Doctor and Rose excitedly exclaim, "Werewolves" or make a bet on Queen Victoria, I can't help smiling along with them despite the situation being so dire. After all, these are a new time and a new species for them. And the Doctor always has respect for alien life and the period of history he's in.... unless they start to destroy the world.
Moving on to point number two.... I don't know if we have any Rose haters in this comm. Since it's run by two insanely supportive Rose fans, I kinda doubt it, but here goes. I know one of the main reasons Rose-haters give for--well, hating Rose is her apparent "regression" from badass girl with uber-chemistry with Chris Eccleston to a ditzy damsel in distress with an unrequited thing for Ten. I'm not sure what show they're watching. IMHO, Rose is more badass in season two, and the Doctor and Rose's relationship evolves from Unresolved Sexual Tension to "We just started dating *gigglegiggle*.
I'd like to list the cool, competent things Rose did in this episode alone:
1. Rose doesn't let the Doctor get away with being rude. IMO, if the Rose had such a massive crush on Ten, she wouldn't be pointing out his flaws. I know when I've had schoolgirl crushes in the past, I tended to overlook the guy's imperfections, regardless how blatant it was. Rose doesn't bat her eyelashes at the Doctor and say, "Nah, you're not being rude. You could never be rude." She let's him know, "You've gone over the line, love."
2. Rose calms the servant down, showing once again how compassionate she is. <3
3. She talks calmly and rationally to a big scary alien thing whilst the rest of her companions tremble in terror. She then has enough levelheadedness to lead the household into breaking out of their chains.
4. She gives the Doctor some lip. "Where the hell have you been?" she screams at him as the werewolf charges at them. She doesn't say, "Doctor, you saved me, you're my hero." The Doctor failed to deliver, and she lets him know.
Of course, I haven't listed the moments where both the Doctor and Rose turn into giggly school-children around each other. That would take too long, and besides, this isn't a shipping community. ;-) But suffice to say, I think Rose still holds her own against the Doctor. Their relationship has just taken a different turn. (For the better)