Doctor Who Thoughts S7 Eps 1-5
Since I haven't written any of my thoughts on DW s7 yet, I figured I'd do them all in one. I'll do separate spoiler cuts for each episode so it will be easy to follow.
[07x01 - The Asylum of the Daleks]
07x01 - The Asylum of the Daleks
-I really enjoyed this episode. I thought it was a decent series opener and it brought us up to speed fairly quickly and set the tone for this first half of the series.
-I liked that there was a bit of new twist on the Daleks with them asking the Doctor to help them. I also thought it was clever to add a new dimension to them that actually made them really quite creepy - first with the ability to transform people into their vessels and then with the idea of a whole planet of insane Daleks. Um yeah, not a planet I'd like to visit, thank you very much.
- I was really sad about Amy and Rory's relationship falling apart but I kinda liked that the reasons tied to all the crap that happened last year (I would haven't liked even more than there was but hey, at this point I'll take even a mention) and I liked that Amy saw it as giving Rory up. That actually kind of broke my heart and I thought it was really sweet.
-Jenna Louise Coleman's appearance in this episode was a huge and delightful surprise. I'm really glad I wasn't spoiled for that.
-I *LOVED* Oswin. She was such a strong and likeable character and I sincerely hope that there's some sort of Moffatian twist to come that prevents her from actually becoming a Dalek because that would make me really sad.
[07x02 - Dinosaurs on a Spaceship]
07x02 - Dinosaurs on a Spaceship
-I did not have high expectations for this episode because, well, Chris Chibnall but I was pleasantly surprised to find myself loving it.
- The guest cast in this was pretty amazing! Lestrade! Arthur Weasley! Filch! It's not often you get three highly recognizable guest stars in one episode so I was pretty excited about that from the get go.
- Brian Williams turned out to be an awesome character whom I really enjoyed. Why oh why was he only introduced 4 episodes from the end? He would have been brilliant to have around last year no? Anyway I LOVED his rapport with Rory - I totally bought them as father and son, and I adored his scenes with the Doctor. I liked how easily he accepted what was going on, and OMG the scene where he basically played fetch with the Triceratops was pretty priceless. My favourite Brian scene though was near the end when he and Rory basically saved the day. That was brilliant. Loved him!
- I sadly was not as enamored with Rupert Grave's character. (I can't even remember the character's name!). There were a few moments that made me laugh but mostly he was pretty rude and chauvanistic. I liked that Queen Nephartiti set him in his place though (LOVED her) and I like to think that maybe she softened him a bit.
- Filch's character was pretty deplorable in my opinion. Which I guess was the point since he was the villain of the piece.
- I enjoyed the story in this one, mainly because it was mostly fun and light hearted. I thought the Silurian piece worked pretty well and I basically I loved that there were Dinosaurs on a Spaceship!
- I found myself really liking Amy in this episode, especially the scene where she was pushing all the buttons. I like that it showed some evolution in her character in terms of how she's grown as a time traveler.
- I liked that this episode wasn't all serious business. It was just pure, lighthearted fun and it reminded me a little bit of the way S2 felt.
[07x03 - A Town Called Mercy]
07x03 - A Town Called Mercy
- To be honest, I was pretty bored by this episode. The fact that it was western style put me off it immediately because I've never really been drawn to that and it's always kind of bored me so probably that's a large part of the reason why I felt that way. That being said, I think there were some interesting things about this episode.
-I liked that there were parallels drawn between the Doctor and the "alien" (for lack of a better word, and because I can't remember his name) and that the resolution/problem wasn't black and white. I also liked that he wasn't necessarily purely evil or purely good. The ambiguity of his character worked well with the storyline I thought and I think it made some interesting points about war and the ambiguity of enemy or evil or villainy during a war.
-By the same token, I liked that the thing hunting him was also not purely evil. I liked that there was a very clear reason behind what he was doing and I liked that in the end he channeled that into protecting this town.
-I liked seeing the Doctor so clearly trying to save everyone again. It harkens back to the days of Nine and "Everybody Lives"!
[07x04 - The Power of Three]
07x04 - The Power of Three
- Many people have already pointed out some of the flaws in this episode particularly in regards to the rushed (and fairly nonsensical) resolution and the pointlessness of the Ponds deciding they wanted to live a normal life only to go off with the Doctor again in the end so I won't rehash those points although I did notice them. I do think the latter makes more sense in light of 07x05 but I'll explain that in my thoughts on that episode.
- Anyway, for the most part I really did enjoy this episode. I liked seeing Amy and Rory trying to live normal lives, and I enjoyed the Doctor's attempts to join in although I thought he was a bit over the top with his childishness at times.
-I thought the cubes were clever and an interesting idea. Especially the way in which they took so long to do anything malicious. Sadly the resolution to it was lacking, but I did enjoy the build up and the mystery to them.
- Kate! I loved her! I liked the tribute to the Brigadier and I liked how strong of a character she was. She reminded me quite a bit of Harriet Jones. I hope we get to see her again down the road because I really enjoyed her.
- BRIAN! I loved that he was in this again and I loved how diligent he was in trying to follow the Doctor's instructions. I wish though that his log had played into the resolution or something. I think that would have been brilliant given how patient and determined he was. I'm sad it didn't get a pay off.
- The ending of the episode left me with a feeling of deep concern and dread.
Which brings me to....
[07x05 - The Angels Take Manhattan]
07x05 - The Angels Take Manhattan
- First, I was anxious about this episode. I quite enjoy Amy and Rory and it saddens me to know they're leaving. My biggest hope/concern going into this was that no matter how it happened, Amy and Rory would a) somehow be together and b) be happy. I'm delighted that the episode fullfilled both of those although it was still sad to watch.
- I thought that Karen, Arthur and Matt all gave some of their absolute best performances in this episode particularly near the end and I have to give them props for that. This episode made me quite emotional and a lot of that is down to how they all played it.
- Moving on to the episode itself, I quite liked the noir feel of it. I thought it was genuinely creepy in the way that Blink was really creepy, but it brought a new twist to it. Especially with the baby angels. Those freaked me out. There's nothing like taking something cute and twisting it into something scary. Thank you for giving me new nightmare fodder, Moffat!
- RIVER! I hadn't realized how much I'd missed her until she was there. She always brings such a delightful energy to the show and I thought it was fitting that she was there for Amy and Rory's last adventure. I liked too that there was at least some mention of the familial bond between them, and I was particularly touched by her final scene with Amy. It was the first time I really bought them as mother/daughter and it made me wish we'd been given more of that because I think it could have been amazing.
- That aside, I loved all the Eleven/River flirtyness. This is the first time we've seen them since they were married so it was kinda fun to see that. I think I would have enjoyed that even more if it hadn't been overshadowed by the knowledge that this was Amy and Rory's last episode.
- I thought that what River said to Amy about not showing the Doctor that you're aging or hurt was really interesting. There have been scattered references to Amy and Rory both aging a bit all throughout this series, and also lots of mentions of passage of time. I feel like this is all tied in with them leaving because I think the Doctor is becoming aware of them aging and to him it must feel like there's so little time left, which I'm sure terrifies him given the life he's lead and all the people he's lost or left behind in the past. Perhaps that's partly why he's been so clingy to them all season. I don't know. Either way I thought this was an interesting observation and I liked that it ties in so well to the overall character of the Doctor. In fact it reminded me of Ten's speech to Rose in "School Reunion" about humans withering and dying.
- I loved Rory and Amy both in this episode and I loved how strong they came off as a couple. I remember in S5 being so uncertain of how Amy felt about Rory, and then S6 was a hot mess for them in many ways, and then they'd split up just before S7 so it was nice to see how far they seem to have come. It's almost like, once Amy stopped pushing Rory away in 07x01 and let him back in, they came back stronger than ever and that the experience seemed to strengthen her bond to him. I especially think it was significant that it was Amy who climbed up on that wall with her husband and said "Together, or not at all", and that it was Amy, not Rory who had to make the choice in the end to either be with the person she loved in the past or remain in the life she already knew. S5 Amy may not have made that choice, but S7 Amy was certain. It made me feel like there has been an evolution here and Amy has grown as a character and I liked that. I really did.
- Tied to that, I feel like in hindsight, all of S7 has kind of been building to Amy making that final choice in the graveyard. In a way, S7 has been all about Amy choosing between the Doctor and Rory, but not in the way in which S5 was about that. As far as Romantic intentions go, Amy chose Rory a long time ago. No here it was deeper. It was about choosing having a "normal" life, a settled and very domestic life, over the life of adventure and danger she has with the Doctor. As the episodes have progressed we've seen Amy ask to be taken home. She's attached to her life with Rory, she wants to have friends, and be a bridesmaid and participate in human life. This was brought to the forefront of course in 07x04, and though I don't think this was executed very well - god knows it contradicted itself all over the place, but I think that it was setting the ground work for what happened in the graveyard in 07x05. The moment Rory was taken back in time and there was no way "saving" him, Amy's choice was clear. She didn't hesitate for a second, not even when the Doctor was begging her not to do it because she'd already gone through the decision making process in the previous episodes. As far as Amy was concerned, she would have that life with her husband regardless of where in time they were.
- As sad as I am that Amy and Rory have to leave, I'm so grateful that they have a happy ending. Really, I think it's the happiest ending that any of the New Who companions have had and I'm satisfied knowing that they're going to live a happy life together until they die of old age. I do feel bad for poor Brian Pond though, especially after he asked the Doctor to bring them back. I like to think that River went to him and delivered the news and maybe stayed with him for a bit while they both grieved.
[Looking forward]
Looking forward
- River's insistence that the Doctor not travel alone fascinated me and it makes me wonder if she's fully aware of the circumstances of his regeneration. Because this is going to be the first time the Doctor hasn't had a regular companion since then. And as we all know, he wasn't exactly in a healthy state of mind then. I'm wondering if this is going to be a parallel that's going to continue to be drawn and I'm wondering if at some point we will see Eleven reach his own crisis point the way Ten did. We've certainly seen elements of a darker side to Eleven more recently. I'm not sure if we will actually get this depth of continuity, but even the shadow of it that we've seen here is fascinating to me.
- Speaking of continuity, River mentioned in this episode that she's Professor Song now which is who she was when she met Ten in the library. It makes me wonder (and fear) how long it will be until we reach that point. I hope it's not for a while, but I fear that it will be sooner than I'd like. Still, it seems certain that we will see River again and that makes me happy.
- The whole thing about the Doctor being erased from existence and leading to River's freedom is interesting and I'm starting to suspect it'll play into the bigger picture of S7, particularly with the whole "The final question is Doctor Who?" thing from the end of S6.
- I'm very intrigued and curious about how they're going to introduce/reintroduce Jenna Lousie Coleman's companion. Will it actually be Oswin? Or will it be a related character? I can't help be think that Oswin's appearance in the first ep of the series is significant especially given that she'd the one who wiped the Doctor's identity from existence. That doesn't really strike me as coincidence. Meeting her in her timeline prior to "Asylum of the Daleks" is a possibility but then we have another River-like situation where the Doctor would already know her fate so that seems unlikely to me. My hope is that she wasn't actually fully converted into a Dalek. There was so much humanity in her at the end of that episode that I think it could be plausible that she's really just some sort of prisioner inside of a Dalek shell or something and that she finds a way out. She was extremely clever, which was one of the things I loved about her, and she managed to make the Daleks forget the Doctor so surely she'd be able to find a way to save herself? I suppose we have a few months to wait for those answers, but I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out as Doctor Who reinvents itself once more.
OMG! Just after I typed that last bit, I accidentally hit something on my browser and lost it all. Thank god "Restore from draft" worked or I'd probably be curled up in a ball and crying right about now.
[07x01 - The Asylum of the Daleks]
07x01 - The Asylum of the Daleks
-I really enjoyed this episode. I thought it was a decent series opener and it brought us up to speed fairly quickly and set the tone for this first half of the series.
-I liked that there was a bit of new twist on the Daleks with them asking the Doctor to help them. I also thought it was clever to add a new dimension to them that actually made them really quite creepy - first with the ability to transform people into their vessels and then with the idea of a whole planet of insane Daleks. Um yeah, not a planet I'd like to visit, thank you very much.
- I was really sad about Amy and Rory's relationship falling apart but I kinda liked that the reasons tied to all the crap that happened last year (I would haven't liked even more than there was but hey, at this point I'll take even a mention) and I liked that Amy saw it as giving Rory up. That actually kind of broke my heart and I thought it was really sweet.
-Jenna Louise Coleman's appearance in this episode was a huge and delightful surprise. I'm really glad I wasn't spoiled for that.
-I *LOVED* Oswin. She was such a strong and likeable character and I sincerely hope that there's some sort of Moffatian twist to come that prevents her from actually becoming a Dalek because that would make me really sad.
[07x02 - Dinosaurs on a Spaceship]
07x02 - Dinosaurs on a Spaceship
-I did not have high expectations for this episode because, well, Chris Chibnall but I was pleasantly surprised to find myself loving it.
- The guest cast in this was pretty amazing! Lestrade! Arthur Weasley! Filch! It's not often you get three highly recognizable guest stars in one episode so I was pretty excited about that from the get go.
- Brian Williams turned out to be an awesome character whom I really enjoyed. Why oh why was he only introduced 4 episodes from the end? He would have been brilliant to have around last year no? Anyway I LOVED his rapport with Rory - I totally bought them as father and son, and I adored his scenes with the Doctor. I liked how easily he accepted what was going on, and OMG the scene where he basically played fetch with the Triceratops was pretty priceless. My favourite Brian scene though was near the end when he and Rory basically saved the day. That was brilliant. Loved him!
- I sadly was not as enamored with Rupert Grave's character. (I can't even remember the character's name!). There were a few moments that made me laugh but mostly he was pretty rude and chauvanistic. I liked that Queen Nephartiti set him in his place though (LOVED her) and I like to think that maybe she softened him a bit.
- Filch's character was pretty deplorable in my opinion. Which I guess was the point since he was the villain of the piece.
- I enjoyed the story in this one, mainly because it was mostly fun and light hearted. I thought the Silurian piece worked pretty well and I basically I loved that there were Dinosaurs on a Spaceship!
- I found myself really liking Amy in this episode, especially the scene where she was pushing all the buttons. I like that it showed some evolution in her character in terms of how she's grown as a time traveler.
- I liked that this episode wasn't all serious business. It was just pure, lighthearted fun and it reminded me a little bit of the way S2 felt.
[07x03 - A Town Called Mercy]
07x03 - A Town Called Mercy
- To be honest, I was pretty bored by this episode. The fact that it was western style put me off it immediately because I've never really been drawn to that and it's always kind of bored me so probably that's a large part of the reason why I felt that way. That being said, I think there were some interesting things about this episode.
-I liked that there were parallels drawn between the Doctor and the "alien" (for lack of a better word, and because I can't remember his name) and that the resolution/problem wasn't black and white. I also liked that he wasn't necessarily purely evil or purely good. The ambiguity of his character worked well with the storyline I thought and I think it made some interesting points about war and the ambiguity of enemy or evil or villainy during a war.
-By the same token, I liked that the thing hunting him was also not purely evil. I liked that there was a very clear reason behind what he was doing and I liked that in the end he channeled that into protecting this town.
-I liked seeing the Doctor so clearly trying to save everyone again. It harkens back to the days of Nine and "Everybody Lives"!
[07x04 - The Power of Three]
07x04 - The Power of Three
- Many people have already pointed out some of the flaws in this episode particularly in regards to the rushed (and fairly nonsensical) resolution and the pointlessness of the Ponds deciding they wanted to live a normal life only to go off with the Doctor again in the end so I won't rehash those points although I did notice them. I do think the latter makes more sense in light of 07x05 but I'll explain that in my thoughts on that episode.
- Anyway, for the most part I really did enjoy this episode. I liked seeing Amy and Rory trying to live normal lives, and I enjoyed the Doctor's attempts to join in although I thought he was a bit over the top with his childishness at times.
-I thought the cubes were clever and an interesting idea. Especially the way in which they took so long to do anything malicious. Sadly the resolution to it was lacking, but I did enjoy the build up and the mystery to them.
- Kate! I loved her! I liked the tribute to the Brigadier and I liked how strong of a character she was. She reminded me quite a bit of Harriet Jones. I hope we get to see her again down the road because I really enjoyed her.
- BRIAN! I loved that he was in this again and I loved how diligent he was in trying to follow the Doctor's instructions. I wish though that his log had played into the resolution or something. I think that would have been brilliant given how patient and determined he was. I'm sad it didn't get a pay off.
- The ending of the episode left me with a feeling of deep concern and dread.
Which brings me to....
[07x05 - The Angels Take Manhattan]
07x05 - The Angels Take Manhattan
- First, I was anxious about this episode. I quite enjoy Amy and Rory and it saddens me to know they're leaving. My biggest hope/concern going into this was that no matter how it happened, Amy and Rory would a) somehow be together and b) be happy. I'm delighted that the episode fullfilled both of those although it was still sad to watch.
- I thought that Karen, Arthur and Matt all gave some of their absolute best performances in this episode particularly near the end and I have to give them props for that. This episode made me quite emotional and a lot of that is down to how they all played it.
- Moving on to the episode itself, I quite liked the noir feel of it. I thought it was genuinely creepy in the way that Blink was really creepy, but it brought a new twist to it. Especially with the baby angels. Those freaked me out. There's nothing like taking something cute and twisting it into something scary. Thank you for giving me new nightmare fodder, Moffat!
- RIVER! I hadn't realized how much I'd missed her until she was there. She always brings such a delightful energy to the show and I thought it was fitting that she was there for Amy and Rory's last adventure. I liked too that there was at least some mention of the familial bond between them, and I was particularly touched by her final scene with Amy. It was the first time I really bought them as mother/daughter and it made me wish we'd been given more of that because I think it could have been amazing.
- That aside, I loved all the Eleven/River flirtyness. This is the first time we've seen them since they were married so it was kinda fun to see that. I think I would have enjoyed that even more if it hadn't been overshadowed by the knowledge that this was Amy and Rory's last episode.
- I thought that what River said to Amy about not showing the Doctor that you're aging or hurt was really interesting. There have been scattered references to Amy and Rory both aging a bit all throughout this series, and also lots of mentions of passage of time. I feel like this is all tied in with them leaving because I think the Doctor is becoming aware of them aging and to him it must feel like there's so little time left, which I'm sure terrifies him given the life he's lead and all the people he's lost or left behind in the past. Perhaps that's partly why he's been so clingy to them all season. I don't know. Either way I thought this was an interesting observation and I liked that it ties in so well to the overall character of the Doctor. In fact it reminded me of Ten's speech to Rose in "School Reunion" about humans withering and dying.
- I loved Rory and Amy both in this episode and I loved how strong they came off as a couple. I remember in S5 being so uncertain of how Amy felt about Rory, and then S6 was a hot mess for them in many ways, and then they'd split up just before S7 so it was nice to see how far they seem to have come. It's almost like, once Amy stopped pushing Rory away in 07x01 and let him back in, they came back stronger than ever and that the experience seemed to strengthen her bond to him. I especially think it was significant that it was Amy who climbed up on that wall with her husband and said "Together, or not at all", and that it was Amy, not Rory who had to make the choice in the end to either be with the person she loved in the past or remain in the life she already knew. S5 Amy may not have made that choice, but S7 Amy was certain. It made me feel like there has been an evolution here and Amy has grown as a character and I liked that. I really did.
- Tied to that, I feel like in hindsight, all of S7 has kind of been building to Amy making that final choice in the graveyard. In a way, S7 has been all about Amy choosing between the Doctor and Rory, but not in the way in which S5 was about that. As far as Romantic intentions go, Amy chose Rory a long time ago. No here it was deeper. It was about choosing having a "normal" life, a settled and very domestic life, over the life of adventure and danger she has with the Doctor. As the episodes have progressed we've seen Amy ask to be taken home. She's attached to her life with Rory, she wants to have friends, and be a bridesmaid and participate in human life. This was brought to the forefront of course in 07x04, and though I don't think this was executed very well - god knows it contradicted itself all over the place, but I think that it was setting the ground work for what happened in the graveyard in 07x05. The moment Rory was taken back in time and there was no way "saving" him, Amy's choice was clear. She didn't hesitate for a second, not even when the Doctor was begging her not to do it because she'd already gone through the decision making process in the previous episodes. As far as Amy was concerned, she would have that life with her husband regardless of where in time they were.
- As sad as I am that Amy and Rory have to leave, I'm so grateful that they have a happy ending. Really, I think it's the happiest ending that any of the New Who companions have had and I'm satisfied knowing that they're going to live a happy life together until they die of old age. I do feel bad for poor Brian Pond though, especially after he asked the Doctor to bring them back. I like to think that River went to him and delivered the news and maybe stayed with him for a bit while they both grieved.
[Looking forward]
Looking forward
- River's insistence that the Doctor not travel alone fascinated me and it makes me wonder if she's fully aware of the circumstances of his regeneration. Because this is going to be the first time the Doctor hasn't had a regular companion since then. And as we all know, he wasn't exactly in a healthy state of mind then. I'm wondering if this is going to be a parallel that's going to continue to be drawn and I'm wondering if at some point we will see Eleven reach his own crisis point the way Ten did. We've certainly seen elements of a darker side to Eleven more recently. I'm not sure if we will actually get this depth of continuity, but even the shadow of it that we've seen here is fascinating to me.
- Speaking of continuity, River mentioned in this episode that she's Professor Song now which is who she was when she met Ten in the library. It makes me wonder (and fear) how long it will be until we reach that point. I hope it's not for a while, but I fear that it will be sooner than I'd like. Still, it seems certain that we will see River again and that makes me happy.
- The whole thing about the Doctor being erased from existence and leading to River's freedom is interesting and I'm starting to suspect it'll play into the bigger picture of S7, particularly with the whole "The final question is Doctor Who?" thing from the end of S6.
- I'm very intrigued and curious about how they're going to introduce/reintroduce Jenna Lousie Coleman's companion. Will it actually be Oswin? Or will it be a related character? I can't help be think that Oswin's appearance in the first ep of the series is significant especially given that she'd the one who wiped the Doctor's identity from existence. That doesn't really strike me as coincidence. Meeting her in her timeline prior to "Asylum of the Daleks" is a possibility but then we have another River-like situation where the Doctor would already know her fate so that seems unlikely to me. My hope is that she wasn't actually fully converted into a Dalek. There was so much humanity in her at the end of that episode that I think it could be plausible that she's really just some sort of prisioner inside of a Dalek shell or something and that she finds a way out. She was extremely clever, which was one of the things I loved about her, and she managed to make the Daleks forget the Doctor so surely she'd be able to find a way to save herself? I suppose we have a few months to wait for those answers, but I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out as Doctor Who reinvents itself once more.
OMG! Just after I typed that last bit, I accidentally hit something on my browser and lost it all. Thank god "Restore from draft" worked or I'd probably be curled up in a ball and crying right about now.