So, just got back from watching the DOCTOR WHO episode "Fear Her".
More like rewatching, really, considering that I actually watched the episode last year. It's always been one of my favorite episodes, and I must say, it still holds up!
I will say that the selling point of "Fear Her" for me was the alien in question, the Isolus. Basically, for those who haven't seen the episode, it's more part of a group -- an entire family, really. Really large family, really, and typically, after they leave the mother, they travel through space until they reach adulthood. During this time, they spend time playing games, including making up sort of make-believe worlds, and, because they're empathic beings, rely on love to survive. Which...yeah, remind you of anyone?
Granted, the Doctor isn't quite the same as an Isolus, but this Isolus...well, he and said Isolus share some similarities. Very alone, very kind, desperately in need of companionship, can sometimes be oblivious to the destruction they cause...there are similarities. I think it might be one of many reasons why the Doctor pities the Isolus (besides the fact that it's just in his nature. See also the Master and Cassandra, to name a few) -- it may be a stretch, but I think it's likely. And yes, I will admit I did start crying when the Isolus revealed its backstory. I don't like what it did (even the Doctor makes it clear that he doesn't condone what the Isolus did, even in the midst of pitying it. I think it is possible to pity someone and believe that what they're doing is wrong), but the circumstances...it wasn't actively malicious like the Wire, the Beast, or the Abzorbaloff. It was more lonely, and seeking companionship. And considering how big Isolus families tend to get...well, it's really why it tries to trap the entire planet in its drawing. And another scary part of it is that, in a way, it thinks that it's doing the people it traps a favor because...well, they won't have to be lonely. And it has a very childlike mindset, the sort of "I want my family" and "it isn't fair." Like in "The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances", the Isolus is more of a small, scared child, except while the Empty Child was searching for his mummy, the Isolus was searching for its siblings. There's something about it having a more childlike mentality (I think if it's not just part of its nature, it may be just a baby. Or a toddler. Or at least a very small child. But that's merely speculation on my part) that makes it all the more frightening -- and in a way, heartbreaking. Because it's small and it's scared and very alone -- and it doesn't want to leave Chloe either, not out of any malice, but out of genuine affection for her. Add the fact that Isoluses need love to survive, and it clicks into place.
That and I love the atmosphere of the episode. I love how it begins -- one old lady trying to warn the adults to get their kids back inside before they vanished, before...you know. Although I will admit I do get annoyed with the Cassandra Truth trope. Just once I want to see someone go, for example, "Jesus Christ, guys, listen to Annie * and get your kids inside the house!" I mean, granted, something like that might be hard to believe but all things considered...yeah. Not to mention when Rose is investigating and comes across the drawing of Chloe's father. *Shivers* And when it comes *alive* later -- yeah, terrifying. Although Chloe singing the Kookaburra song to ward him off...yeah, awesome. Seriously, awesome. :) Honestly, "Fear Her" did an amazing job with atmosphere and building tension.
I also loved Rose in this episode. Seriously. Especially her putting the pieces together, and when, while the Doctor's imprisoned in one of Chloe's drawings (I don't think it would be a stretch if the Isolus decided to draw him because it thought...well, someone like him? We could use him. That and I have to wonder...did the Isolus sense anything off him? Did the Isolus think he needed a friend as well? I could be wrong, but considering how the Isolus is overall presented...yeah), she takes action. Not to mention the little things, like her freaking out when the Doctor is suddenly trapped in Chloe's drawings, her early interactions with Mrs. Webber, and her ultimately helping to save the world. And when she collapses outside the door of the Webber family house, looking completely and utterly vulnerable, and asks, regarding the Doctor, "Who's going to hold his hand now?" It's so understated, and yet it says so much. And it's one of many moments where Billie Piper is absolutely amazing.
I also love a lot of Doctor and Rose moments in the episode. For example, first arriving at the Olympics (I love the Doctor's line about "Club Med"...oh, Doctor, you are so funny. :3), and the hug after Rose is attacked by the scribble creature, and when they're talking in the TARDIS about Chloe. Especially Rose's reaction when the Doctor says, "I was a dad once." Because he was -- that and a granddad. Basically, he had a granddaughter named Susan, who he left back on Earth after she fell in love with a human (from what I can remember). It's unclear what happened to her, whether or not she survived the Time War, but... *Sighs* Yeah, this is getting depressing quickly. Here's the Picard song: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RnPbAf3WGbI.
Anyway...
I also really liked the "copper's hunch" thing (that was cute. :3), and the Doctor's speech about a hand to hold -- because I think it's very true. Because sometimes you need someone, and that's okay. That and...well, it does become a Funny Aneurysm Moment come stuff like "Turn Left" and "The Waters of Mars" -- basically, in the alternate timeline when Donna wasn't there to save him, the Doctor died along with the Racnoss, and in "The Waters of Mars"...well, Time Lord Victorious. Need I say more?
*Sighs*
This is getting depressing again. Here's a Lolcat: http://bios.weddingbee.com/pics/148769/Lolcat7.jpg. *Sighs* And now back to the review. I also loved the Doctor and Rose's reunion at the end; just the huge hug he gives her: http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll374/capttish/Doctor%20Who/normal_Fear_Her_939.jpg. And Rose's "We'll always be all right, you and me". Though... *Sighs* This is getting depressing again. Here's a picture of Spock: http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1iflyfLkz1qz86d0o1_500.jpg. But yeah, a lot of great Doctor/Rose moments. :)
I also really loved the side-characters. From the pavement guy to Chloe's mother, they were all really well done. And I liked the bits of humor with, say, the "fingers on lips!" line (yeah, I can relate, Doc. *Makes note to use more of that phrase just in case*). That line actually made my mom laugh as well, as it apparently reminded her of her school days. (Also a pretty good callback to the "Logopolis" audiobook ** with Adric doing something similar) Other bits I loved were Rose's reaction to the Doctor taste-testing some of the Webbers' jam, and Rose cooing over that one cat, and the Doctor briefly thinking she's referring to him before getting all disappointed. XD And his "I'm not really a cat person" line. XD (I can see where Rose is coming from, really; it's a very pretty cat. I think I might have had a cat just like it -- and another, his sister; she was a calico. But I digress)
Honestly, this episode was really good. I can see some of the complaints with it, but overall? Loved it. Definitely recommend.
* Hypothetical name, BTW. :)
** I say "audiobook" because while iTunes is great for episodes and all, it's not thorough.
That and it's a pretty cool audiobook. :)
And I better get to sleep. See you guys in the morning. :)
I will say that the selling point of "Fear Her" for me was the alien in question, the Isolus. Basically, for those who haven't seen the episode, it's more part of a group -- an entire family, really. Really large family, really, and typically, after they leave the mother, they travel through space until they reach adulthood. During this time, they spend time playing games, including making up sort of make-believe worlds, and, because they're empathic beings, rely on love to survive. Which...yeah, remind you of anyone?
Granted, the Doctor isn't quite the same as an Isolus, but this Isolus...well, he and said Isolus share some similarities. Very alone, very kind, desperately in need of companionship, can sometimes be oblivious to the destruction they cause...there are similarities. I think it might be one of many reasons why the Doctor pities the Isolus (besides the fact that it's just in his nature. See also the Master and Cassandra, to name a few) -- it may be a stretch, but I think it's likely. And yes, I will admit I did start crying when the Isolus revealed its backstory. I don't like what it did (even the Doctor makes it clear that he doesn't condone what the Isolus did, even in the midst of pitying it. I think it is possible to pity someone and believe that what they're doing is wrong), but the circumstances...it wasn't actively malicious like the Wire, the Beast, or the Abzorbaloff. It was more lonely, and seeking companionship. And considering how big Isolus families tend to get...well, it's really why it tries to trap the entire planet in its drawing. And another scary part of it is that, in a way, it thinks that it's doing the people it traps a favor because...well, they won't have to be lonely. And it has a very childlike mindset, the sort of "I want my family" and "it isn't fair." Like in "The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances", the Isolus is more of a small, scared child, except while the Empty Child was searching for his mummy, the Isolus was searching for its siblings. There's something about it having a more childlike mentality (I think if it's not just part of its nature, it may be just a baby. Or a toddler. Or at least a very small child. But that's merely speculation on my part) that makes it all the more frightening -- and in a way, heartbreaking. Because it's small and it's scared and very alone -- and it doesn't want to leave Chloe either, not out of any malice, but out of genuine affection for her. Add the fact that Isoluses need love to survive, and it clicks into place.
That and I love the atmosphere of the episode. I love how it begins -- one old lady trying to warn the adults to get their kids back inside before they vanished, before...you know. Although I will admit I do get annoyed with the Cassandra Truth trope. Just once I want to see someone go, for example, "Jesus Christ, guys, listen to Annie * and get your kids inside the house!" I mean, granted, something like that might be hard to believe but all things considered...yeah. Not to mention when Rose is investigating and comes across the drawing of Chloe's father. *Shivers* And when it comes *alive* later -- yeah, terrifying. Although Chloe singing the Kookaburra song to ward him off...yeah, awesome. Seriously, awesome. :) Honestly, "Fear Her" did an amazing job with atmosphere and building tension.
I also loved Rose in this episode. Seriously. Especially her putting the pieces together, and when, while the Doctor's imprisoned in one of Chloe's drawings (I don't think it would be a stretch if the Isolus decided to draw him because it thought...well, someone like him? We could use him. That and I have to wonder...did the Isolus sense anything off him? Did the Isolus think he needed a friend as well? I could be wrong, but considering how the Isolus is overall presented...yeah), she takes action. Not to mention the little things, like her freaking out when the Doctor is suddenly trapped in Chloe's drawings, her early interactions with Mrs. Webber, and her ultimately helping to save the world. And when she collapses outside the door of the Webber family house, looking completely and utterly vulnerable, and asks, regarding the Doctor, "Who's going to hold his hand now?" It's so understated, and yet it says so much. And it's one of many moments where Billie Piper is absolutely amazing.
I also love a lot of Doctor and Rose moments in the episode. For example, first arriving at the Olympics (I love the Doctor's line about "Club Med"...oh, Doctor, you are so funny. :3), and the hug after Rose is attacked by the scribble creature, and when they're talking in the TARDIS about Chloe. Especially Rose's reaction when the Doctor says, "I was a dad once." Because he was -- that and a granddad. Basically, he had a granddaughter named Susan, who he left back on Earth after she fell in love with a human (from what I can remember). It's unclear what happened to her, whether or not she survived the Time War, but... *Sighs* Yeah, this is getting depressing quickly. Here's the Picard song: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RnPbAf3WGbI.
Anyway...
I also really liked the "copper's hunch" thing (that was cute. :3), and the Doctor's speech about a hand to hold -- because I think it's very true. Because sometimes you need someone, and that's okay. That and...well, it does become a Funny Aneurysm Moment come stuff like "Turn Left" and "The Waters of Mars" -- basically, in the alternate timeline when Donna wasn't there to save him, the Doctor died along with the Racnoss, and in "The Waters of Mars"...well, Time Lord Victorious. Need I say more?
*Sighs*
This is getting depressing again. Here's a Lolcat: http://bios.weddingbee.com/pics/148769/Lolcat7.jpg. *Sighs* And now back to the review. I also loved the Doctor and Rose's reunion at the end; just the huge hug he gives her: http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll374/capttish/Doctor%20Who/normal_Fear_Her_939.jpg. And Rose's "We'll always be all right, you and me". Though... *Sighs* This is getting depressing again. Here's a picture of Spock: http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1iflyfLkz1qz86d0o1_500.jpg. But yeah, a lot of great Doctor/Rose moments. :)
I also really loved the side-characters. From the pavement guy to Chloe's mother, they were all really well done. And I liked the bits of humor with, say, the "fingers on lips!" line (yeah, I can relate, Doc. *Makes note to use more of that phrase just in case*). That line actually made my mom laugh as well, as it apparently reminded her of her school days. (Also a pretty good callback to the "Logopolis" audiobook ** with Adric doing something similar) Other bits I loved were Rose's reaction to the Doctor taste-testing some of the Webbers' jam, and Rose cooing over that one cat, and the Doctor briefly thinking she's referring to him before getting all disappointed. XD And his "I'm not really a cat person" line. XD (I can see where Rose is coming from, really; it's a very pretty cat. I think I might have had a cat just like it -- and another, his sister; she was a calico. But I digress)
Honestly, this episode was really good. I can see some of the complaints with it, but overall? Loved it. Definitely recommend.
* Hypothetical name, BTW. :)
** I say "audiobook" because while iTunes is great for episodes and all, it's not thorough.
That and it's a pretty cool audiobook. :)
And I better get to sleep. See you guys in the morning. :)