Altered History: Time Trials (5/11)

[tkel_paris]

Title: Time Trials
Series: Altered History
Genre: Doctor Who
Rating: T/M (dark Doctor, character death, extreme danger)
Summary: Eight does not want to answer a mysterious - and diverted - call to come to The Library, but Donna won't let him shirk his duty. Yet the dangers there echo ones from the past, and the Doctor has never been so close to

Comments

[bas_math_girl]

I never felt that the book flying business was properly explained in the episode. Nor the unnecessary amount of cruelty shown by the crew (“I don't fancy you” was said to the person for them all to be there, for goodness sake); although it sort of explains some of the arrogance River displayed.

And I was in the dark about why 'Big Dipper' was the Doctor's nickname here, or what it's meaning was (my brain frantically wondered what the astronomy connection was). Having found out... EW! No wonder the Doctor was miffed.

[tkel_paris]

You know what? You're right. I suppose the next time any of us (you, me or Moley) tackles The Library in a story we must come up with an explanation. And yes, there was a lot of meanness that didn't have to be there. I wonder at the story behind how that crew was formed.

All I knew when I got to that scene in my first draft was that "Pretty Boy" would not be River's nickname for Eight. What it would be, I had no idea. So I asked Moley for ideas. The two presented were "Sweet Cheeks" and "Big Dipper". I, not knowing, asked whether "Big Dipper" was insulting to Eight's size as a man. Nope. When Moley clarified we both quickly agreed that "Big Dipper" would anger Eight more. Besides, I could see River giving one of the Doctors that nickname. (And no wonder Donna blushed, right?)

[docdonna]

Part01 of review

“I lied, I'm always lying. Bound to be others,” she said with a smirk.

“If that is the truth, then even that statement is a lie,” Donna said, drawing a startled look from the woman. “How can we trust someone who says that? How can we know what's a lie and what isn't? You're not putting yourself forward well, are you?”

Love that Donna got one over on River so fast that River was actually startled…River might think that she’s all that but the person that she’s trying to ingratiate herself with probably rates her on a worse level than a Dalek…at least with a Dalek they are honest on their objectives…River not even close…

Plus, I also see Donna getting one over on River as her subtly asserting her own dominance in this situation…

The blonde's amusement radiated like a sun. “Got a problem with archaeologists

[tkel_paris]

I always wanted to get River for that line. It boggles my mind that more people didn't outright dislike her just for that. And yes, a Dalek is more trustworthy in what they say.

Possibly influenced by Donna. And here he's on edge because he's figured out she's been following him.

[docdonna]

Part02 of review:

He started, face pinched. “Oh, I'm 'Big Dipper

[tkel_paris]

As I mentioned somewhere else (maybe in my reply to BMG), I knew that "Pretty Boy" wasn't going to be what she called Eight. I chose "Big Dipper" because I knew it would P.O. Eight even more. Here I think Donna's blushing was what first got his attention, and then the possibilities of why River would call him that took over his thinking. How well he registered the implications of Donna blushing is another matter.

River, like many in this ficverse, is still caught between this and the old time-line. Any being associated with time or foresight would KNOW that things have changed drastically.

[docdonna]

Part03 of review:

That news made her pale and shake her head. “You're doing a very good job, acting like you don't believe me. I'm assuming there's a reason.”

He was convinced that it was not what she wanted to say, but she held back for whatever reason. “A fairly good one, actually. And although we did not meet the last time I'm suddenly certain that we have met before. Now why can't I recall the details?”

She looked at her book. “Okay, if it weren't so soon I would ask if we should do diaries, then. But I don't recall what I could talk about given which you I'm dealing with.”Does this mean that she knows more information about Eight, but that she’s not sure what she can safely talk to him about? Or does this mean that the Doctor and TARDIS that she knows/knew locked down whatever information that they could so that she couldn’t negatively effect his building relationship with Donna? Or is she just lying

[tkel_paris]

River was expecting Capaldi-Doctor (Twelve in Canon, Thirteen here), but in Canon got Tennant-Doctor, with whom - according to both Steven Moffat and Big Finish - she had a few more adventures later in Canon Ten's time-line. Here she's run into a Doctor far further back than she expected, and her usual tricks won't work. (More in a later chapter.)

Again... read on. :)