Episode Review: Utopia
I know Wendy's waiting for this one so here goes. I did wait a few days before I wrote the review, because I was originally disappointed with the episode, much to my surprise. I suppose I'd set my expectations too high, because it was written by RTD, because it was with Jack, because there were going to be lines about Rose. I finally realised today that it was because the French version doesn't do it justice. Watched key-scenes on YouTube and in English it looks and sounds MUCH better. Chantho still drives me bonkers, though.
First, let me say I was totally excited when I saw John Barrowman's name during the theme tune thingy. :) Seeing Jack and the Doctor reunited was fun, especially with Ten. I loved the dynamic between the two of them throughout the episode. I loved the references to Rose of course, and the tenderness in the Doctor's voice when he tells Jack that she used the Time Vortex to do something very human, bringing life instead of death.
And there was so much underlying pain in the Doctor's voice and the way he turned his gaze away when he told Jack that Rose was stuck in a parallel universe for ever, that the walls had closed. :( I loved that scene, I truly did, when Jack's working hard (flexing his muscles... yummy... don't go there) and the Doctor and he are having that conversation.
At first, I was truly surprised with the Doctor's initial reaction to Jack, back in Cardiff. Once again he was deliberately running away. Then when he explained that Jack was 'wrong' somehow, a fixed point in time, I thought all right, that's a point. However, that doesn't truly explain why the Doctor wouldn't even talk to him. Having a conversation wouldn't disrupt time, would it? But then, there's that Time Lord guts thing, plus the Doctor seems to be sliding down into darkness as time goes, locking himself into a 'last of the Time Lords' character.
I adored Jack in this episode. I loved how he said 'hello' to Martha and then Chantho and was told off by the Doctor because Jack can't say hello without flirting. I also loved how he started taking off his clothes: "Well, I look good, though." You do, Jack. You definitely do. ;)
As for the Master, I'm not entirely sure I like that part of the plot. I guess it mostly depends on how the writers will deal with the Doctor's reaction to not being the last of the Time Lords.
Verdict next week, with the last two episodes of Season 3.
First, let me say I was totally excited when I saw John Barrowman's name during the theme tune thingy. :) Seeing Jack and the Doctor reunited was fun, especially with Ten. I loved the dynamic between the two of them throughout the episode. I loved the references to Rose of course, and the tenderness in the Doctor's voice when he tells Jack that she used the Time Vortex to do something very human, bringing life instead of death.
And there was so much underlying pain in the Doctor's voice and the way he turned his gaze away when he told Jack that Rose was stuck in a parallel universe for ever, that the walls had closed. :( I loved that scene, I truly did, when Jack's working hard (flexing his muscles... yummy... don't go there) and the Doctor and he are having that conversation.
At first, I was truly surprised with the Doctor's initial reaction to Jack, back in Cardiff. Once again he was deliberately running away. Then when he explained that Jack was 'wrong' somehow, a fixed point in time, I thought all right, that's a point. However, that doesn't truly explain why the Doctor wouldn't even talk to him. Having a conversation wouldn't disrupt time, would it? But then, there's that Time Lord guts thing, plus the Doctor seems to be sliding down into darkness as time goes, locking himself into a 'last of the Time Lords' character.
I adored Jack in this episode. I loved how he said 'hello' to Martha and then Chantho and was told off by the Doctor because Jack can't say hello without flirting. I also loved how he started taking off his clothes: "Well, I look good, though." You do, Jack. You definitely do. ;)
As for the Master, I'm not entirely sure I like that part of the plot. I guess it mostly depends on how the writers will deal with the Doctor's reaction to not being the last of the Time Lords.
Verdict next week, with the last two episodes of Season 3.