So, (re)watched "Tooth and Claw"...
...and holy sweet Jesus and ice cream potatoes, it was awesome! :D
I will admit, "Tooth and Claw" is one of those episodes that has special meaning for me because...let's say I watched it while I was really down about something, and it cheered me up quite well. Mostly because I was having a falling out with someone close to me and everything...so yeah. But honestly, rewatching the episode reminds me why I love it. I mean, for starters, you've got the teaser, with the *Scottish ninja monks*. Plus, the way it's shot and filmed -- it almost feels more cinematic, at least in a way, not necessarily like a TV episode. Second, the Doctor/Rose interactions. I can't just pick one because they're all so very cute and awesome. For example, their sort of chasing each other around the TARDIS control room before collapsing on the floor giggling, not to mention, apparently, in addition to what's almost like a television, the TARDIS has a fucking stereo! :D Awesomeness or complete awesomeness? Plus, the Doctor excitedly rattling off what they might see in 1979 -- especially his mentioning of THE MUPPET MOVIE. It's really one of those little touches for the Doctor that makes him so endearing.
Not to mention when they're cornered by Scottish soldiers, and they have to think of a cover story. I especially love the Doctor slipping into a Scottish accent (just...whew, that accent. *Fans self* *Ahem*) and Rose's hilariously bad attempt at a Scottish accent. ("Och aye, I've been oot and aboot..." *Snortgigglesnort*) Especially the Doctor briefly breaking his accent (and kudos to Tennant for being able to slip out of his natural Scottish and Estuary like that; that has to be difficult. One of many reasons that man's a pro, really. :) to say, "No, no, don't do that." Not to mention Rose's constant attempts to make Queen Victoria say, "I am not amused". I guess when you land in certain historical periods, some jokes are just obligatory. :) Not to mention the "A werewolf!" "I know!" exchange, and the hugging, as well as their laughing on the way to the TARDIS at the end. I swear, in between the adorable fluffiness of the Doctor and Rose and the people plotting against Victoria...yeah, ow. *Rubs neck, which is still sore from Mood Whiplash*
While we're on the subject of Queen Victoria, how awesome was she? :D I mean, strong, clever, but also very vulnerable. And even being funny (e.g. some of the dinner conversation). I loved how nonplussed she was with Rose showing up (especially considering that an outfit like Rose's, while not awful per se, would kind of stick out like a sore thumb in a setting like that. Sort of like showing up to the Middle Ages wearing eighties hair. Yeah, kind of a crap analogy, I know), as well as her Pre-Mortem One Liner to that one guy before shooting him. She had a lot of great moments in that episode, but those were two of my favorites. And oh my Lord, Isobel and the others -- I love how they started off scared shitless of the wolf (and who would *not* be? That would have been a great time for a Special Effects Failure, but nooooo, you BBC bastards had to have standards...) before Taking a Level In Badass. They don't become straight up Action Girls, but they start realizing, "Hey, wait a minute, if the mistletoe warned the wolf away..." And then they take it from there. Rose also got her chance to really shine in this episode, especially with stuff like talking to the imprisoned wolf and getting information from him, and freeing the prisoners. Not to mention trying earlier to comfort and reassure the one frightened woman she found hiding in one of the closets. Just...d'awww, Rose. It's one of those many moments you're made of win, if not Win Incarnate.
While we're on the subject of it, Sir Robert! ;.; (Ahem, sorry) But I really loved that character in the episode; he's one of my favorites. I love how Davies gave him a good motivation for helping the other soldiers, just to protect his wife, Isabel. I know it might seem weak to some, but honestly, if you were in that position...well, it's between two horrible outcomes: either be complicit in betraying the queen or have your wife fed to the wolf. I also loved also Isobel deciding to go upstairs if only to help her husband, and their just-reunited kiss. Freaking adorable. Which really only makes it sadder when Robert dies. Still, it makes it no less badass when he pulls a You Shall Not Pass on the wolf. I'm going to quote it right there because it's that awesome (thank you, IMDB):
"I committed treason for you. But now my wife will remember me with honour!"
Just...Manly Tears, Sir Robert. Manly Tears.
Speaking of the wolf, I already said that the special effects are *brilliant*, but I love, in a way, how Davies gave it a backstory as well. Basically, that the current host for the werewolf didn't choose to become the host as much as he had it forced on him. I also loved his conversation with Rose, the sort of callback to "Parting of the Ways", and Rose saying to the others that he's as much a prisoner as they are. Did I mention Rose is Win Incarnate? :) But yeah, I liked the Tragic Monster aspect of the wolf, and how it ultimately is vanquished, as well as it asking for a little more light. And it briefly changing into human form, then back to wolf form, and that howl...it's a very haunting exit. It's not as overt in it's pathos as, say, "Dalek", but I say it's there nonetheless. I also loved everyone using their wits to try and outsmart the wolf. And a bit of backstory to how the Torchwood Institute came to be. Also some nifty little foreshadowing as well.
Honestly, there were so many great parts in the episode. Only complaint? It was so much fun I didn't want it to end.
Overall? Loved it, absolutely loved it. Highly recommended. :)
I will admit, "Tooth and Claw" is one of those episodes that has special meaning for me because...let's say I watched it while I was really down about something, and it cheered me up quite well. Mostly because I was having a falling out with someone close to me and everything...so yeah. But honestly, rewatching the episode reminds me why I love it. I mean, for starters, you've got the teaser, with the *Scottish ninja monks*. Plus, the way it's shot and filmed -- it almost feels more cinematic, at least in a way, not necessarily like a TV episode. Second, the Doctor/Rose interactions. I can't just pick one because they're all so very cute and awesome. For example, their sort of chasing each other around the TARDIS control room before collapsing on the floor giggling, not to mention, apparently, in addition to what's almost like a television, the TARDIS has a fucking stereo! :D Awesomeness or complete awesomeness? Plus, the Doctor excitedly rattling off what they might see in 1979 -- especially his mentioning of THE MUPPET MOVIE. It's really one of those little touches for the Doctor that makes him so endearing.
Not to mention when they're cornered by Scottish soldiers, and they have to think of a cover story. I especially love the Doctor slipping into a Scottish accent (just...whew, that accent. *Fans self* *Ahem*) and Rose's hilariously bad attempt at a Scottish accent. ("Och aye, I've been oot and aboot..." *Snortgigglesnort*) Especially the Doctor briefly breaking his accent (and kudos to Tennant for being able to slip out of his natural Scottish and Estuary like that; that has to be difficult. One of many reasons that man's a pro, really. :) to say, "No, no, don't do that." Not to mention Rose's constant attempts to make Queen Victoria say, "I am not amused". I guess when you land in certain historical periods, some jokes are just obligatory. :) Not to mention the "A werewolf!" "I know!" exchange, and the hugging, as well as their laughing on the way to the TARDIS at the end. I swear, in between the adorable fluffiness of the Doctor and Rose and the people plotting against Victoria...yeah, ow. *Rubs neck, which is still sore from Mood Whiplash*
While we're on the subject of Queen Victoria, how awesome was she? :D I mean, strong, clever, but also very vulnerable. And even being funny (e.g. some of the dinner conversation). I loved how nonplussed she was with Rose showing up (especially considering that an outfit like Rose's, while not awful per se, would kind of stick out like a sore thumb in a setting like that. Sort of like showing up to the Middle Ages wearing eighties hair. Yeah, kind of a crap analogy, I know), as well as her Pre-Mortem One Liner to that one guy before shooting him. She had a lot of great moments in that episode, but those were two of my favorites. And oh my Lord, Isobel and the others -- I love how they started off scared shitless of the wolf (and who would *not* be? That would have been a great time for a Special Effects Failure, but nooooo, you BBC bastards had to have standards...) before Taking a Level In Badass. They don't become straight up Action Girls, but they start realizing, "Hey, wait a minute, if the mistletoe warned the wolf away..." And then they take it from there. Rose also got her chance to really shine in this episode, especially with stuff like talking to the imprisoned wolf and getting information from him, and freeing the prisoners. Not to mention trying earlier to comfort and reassure the one frightened woman she found hiding in one of the closets. Just...d'awww, Rose. It's one of those many moments you're made of win, if not Win Incarnate.
While we're on the subject of it, Sir Robert! ;.; (Ahem, sorry) But I really loved that character in the episode; he's one of my favorites. I love how Davies gave him a good motivation for helping the other soldiers, just to protect his wife, Isabel. I know it might seem weak to some, but honestly, if you were in that position...well, it's between two horrible outcomes: either be complicit in betraying the queen or have your wife fed to the wolf. I also loved also Isobel deciding to go upstairs if only to help her husband, and their just-reunited kiss. Freaking adorable. Which really only makes it sadder when Robert dies. Still, it makes it no less badass when he pulls a You Shall Not Pass on the wolf. I'm going to quote it right there because it's that awesome (thank you, IMDB):
"I committed treason for you. But now my wife will remember me with honour!"
Just...Manly Tears, Sir Robert. Manly Tears.
Speaking of the wolf, I already said that the special effects are *brilliant*, but I love, in a way, how Davies gave it a backstory as well. Basically, that the current host for the werewolf didn't choose to become the host as much as he had it forced on him. I also loved his conversation with Rose, the sort of callback to "Parting of the Ways", and Rose saying to the others that he's as much a prisoner as they are. Did I mention Rose is Win Incarnate? :) But yeah, I liked the Tragic Monster aspect of the wolf, and how it ultimately is vanquished, as well as it asking for a little more light. And it briefly changing into human form, then back to wolf form, and that howl...it's a very haunting exit. It's not as overt in it's pathos as, say, "Dalek", but I say it's there nonetheless. I also loved everyone using their wits to try and outsmart the wolf. And a bit of backstory to how the Torchwood Institute came to be. Also some nifty little foreshadowing as well.
Honestly, there were so many great parts in the episode. Only complaint? It was so much fun I didn't want it to end.
Overall? Loved it, absolutely loved it. Highly recommended. :)