And I've reached it! Or I've reached them, I should say: Jo Grant, Mike Yates, and the Master :D The (new) cast pretty much made this episode. There is Jo, who is the adorablest little cutie. So different from Liz, enough that they just don't compete: Jo is the sweetest, Liz was epic and their brilliance just coexists. So yes, Jo makes quite the
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I love Jo. She often doesn't get the credit she deserves. She may not be a genius like Zoe and Liz, but she has her own genius, made from sheer determination and an ability to use what she has to the utmost effect. Whether it's jollying difficult men along, ignoring stupid orders, or simply doing what needs done while everyone else sits around and just talks about it, Jo is an amazing Companion and adds a great deal to this era. She is cute as a button, but she's so much more. And I agree, she and Liz stand side by side in both being awesome, but in completely different ways. (As Sarah is as well when she comes along.)
And the 3rd Doctor and the Master have the most amazing chemistry. I absolutely adore their relationship, part sibling rivalry, part nobby school chums, all elegant and hyper-intelligent and just reeking of charm and class.
They made it FUN to be enemies. And no one had to be raving bonkers.
And, yes, one of the things that really makes this story stand out is how such simple, normal, everyday things could be made objects of horror. An inflatable chair, a toy doll, a plastic daffodil, and yet completely chilling.
I think this is where the idea of "horror from the ordinary" originally comes from, not from Moffat. Doctor Who was making normal things terrifying long before gas masks.
And I really do love how the Master and Jo's encounters develop over time. They have their own odd relationship that you'd think wouldn't work between such a young ditzy airhead who isn't very smart, and an ancient and elegant old evil like the Master. You'd think Jo would be an easy mark for him. But Jo learns. And I think in her own way, she impresses the Master.
That whole crew, the 3rd Doctor, Jo, the Brigadier, Benton, Yates, and the Master are one of the best groups of characters in the show's history. They all are so different, yet have their own strengths and weaknesses. Contrasts and comparisons abound*, and it makes everything so much richer.
(*Look at the Doctor and Master's relationship, and compare it to the Doctor and Brigadier, both are friends/brother's relationships, yet each is so similar yet so completely different. Neither the Brig nor the Master will let the Doctor get away with anything, there's always arrogance and banter and disagreement, yet also respect in both relationships, and yet, they are so different. The same with Jo's relationships with the Brig, Yates, and Benton. She's a bit in awe of the Brigadier, dating Yates, and almost brotherly with Benton. Benton and Yates' comradeship, and their different ways of dealing with the Doctor or the Brigadier.
The interpersonal relationships of this whole group are fascinating and interesting to watch. They are all very much a family yet it's nothing domestic.
I love it.
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It really, really does! All Doctors had such wondrous snark, and they're not the only ones by far.
I love Jo. She often doesn't get the credit she deserves. She may not be a genius like Zoe and Liz, but she has her own genius, made from sheer determination and an ability to use what she has to the utmost effect. Whether it's jollying difficult men along, ignoring stupid orders, or simply doing what needs done while everyone else sits around and just talks about it, Jo is an amazing Companion and adds a great deal to this era. She is cute as a button, but she's so much more. And I agree, she and Liz stand side by side in both being awesome, but in completely different ways. (As Sarah is as well when she comes along.)
*nods along* This so much! The new show plays a lot on non-genius companions with their very own brand of intelligence or efficiency besides, so it'd be really unfair to deny classic companions the same credit. I love the super-brainy girls, but that doesn't mean only they are interesting-resourcefulness and character come in very various forms. From the little I've seen of her, Jo really charmed me and I can't wait to see her greatness develop and thrive in adventures :)
And the 3rd Doctor and the Master have the most amazing chemistry. I absolutely adore their relationship, part sibling rivalry, part nobby school chums, all elegant and hyper-intelligent and just reeking of charm and class.
I just really love that! They are classy ♥
And, yes, one of the things that really makes this story stand out is how such simple, normal, everyday things could be made objects of horror. An inflatable chair, a toy doll, a plastic daffodil, and yet completely chilling.
It's just pretty hilarious ^_^ And yet effective, yes, because just everything can be a threat! I was SO foreseeing that it would be the biggest mistake ever to sit on that chair. XD
I think this is where the idea of "horror from the ordinary" originally comes from, not from Moffat. Doctor Who was making normal things terrifying long before gas masks.
Our show has a history! ♥ (And lol… that is for sure, yes. Moffat didn't come up with it.)
And I really do love how the Master and Jo's encounters develop over time. They have their own odd relationship that you'd think wouldn't work between such a young ditzy airhead who isn't very smart, and an ancient and elegant old evil like the Master. You'd think Jo would be an easy mark for him. But Jo learns. And I think in her own way, she impresses the Master.
Oh, I'm quite looking forward to seeing that developed!
That whole crew, the 3rd Doctor, Jo, the Brigadier, Benton, Yates, and the Master are one of the best groups of characters in the show's history. They all are so different, yet have their own strengths and weaknesses. Contrasts and comparisons abound*, and it makes everything so much richer.
*nods again* I love big team TARDISes (although the term is technically inaccurate here, with a stranded TARDIS…), they are just so rich indeed, so full of potential, variety and epicness. Single companions can be wonderful in their dynamic with the Doctor, naturally, but groups are just amazing. The original team! Two, Jamie and the girls! UNIT! Nine, Jack and Rose! The Ponds with River on board! The energy just expands so much, there's a really strong feeling of cohesion and endless potential for cute interactions.
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The parallel is just wonderful, yes. The show certainly shows the friction between the Doctor and the Brigadier, and there is much potential in that as well.
She's a bit in awe of the Brigadier, dating Yates, and almost brotherly with Benton.
*roars joyfully* I could SO see that coming from their very first episode ♥ Oh, it will be too cute!
Benton and Yates' comradeship, and their different ways of dealing with the Doctor or the Brigadier.
I was hoping the boys would have more room, yes :D
The interpersonal relationships of this whole group are fascinating and interesting to watch. They are all very much a family yet it's nothing domestic.
*is thrilled*
It's a team. They watch each other's back… and annoy the living hell out of each other, very family-like indeed XD
Thanks for the detailed comments, it's great discussing this! ;)
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