(no subject)
It was good. It was okay. It was average. Any word that means it wasn't bad but it wasn't spectacular either is basically my opinion of it. I had no squee moments, no WTF moments, no cheering moments... I guess series 4 has largely been meh for me, and even Moffat's eps and the usually cracky finales haven't changed my feeling. Despite, this is really did enjoy it. I liked it being chock full of companions. It was fun, there was a lot to look at, a lot going on... a lot that really didn't make sense to, but this IS Russell T Davies.
- The cliffhanger resolution was a huge disappointment to me. Especially since it follows straight on from Ten going "I'm regenerating", cue cliffhanger, then immediately he directs the energy to the hand and everything's over with. Plus, the way he said, paraphrasing, "Why would I want to change this body?" annoyed me. Regeneration is what makes the show able to continue and the emphasis they are putting on Ten is pointless, because he will leave someday and they'll be left with dealing with a public way too attached to him and totally unable to move on.
- The TARDIS trapping Donna was cool... though unexplained if I recall rightly. Her touching Ten's hand / regeneration energy and becoming imbued with Time Lord DNA was great. I really liked that Dalek Caan's prediction about a threefold man was really Brown Ten, the body, Blue Ten, the soul, and Donna, the mind.
- Speaking of, Blue Ten was interesting to see. I was taken aback to hear Brown Ten describe him as being a lot like Nine at the beginning of the series. It was a nice comparison, because Blue is really the one who went gung ho to kill all the Daleks, when Brown had been slowly buidling up more compassion the last few years and trying to save, rather than destroy his enemies
- Martha basically holding the Earth hostage with the Osterhagen Key was shocking. My boyfriend, usually silent and incommunicado during DW eps shouted suddenly that Martha Jones would never do that. But I think she was using it as bargaining more than anything. Jack, Sarah and co did the same thing with Sarah's explosive necklace thingy. I think the Doctor was shocked to see that his companions were capable of this because of him.
- Also, Rose chiming in to say how good Martha was was 1) really really excellent to see, because it showed her jealousy was nonexistant, 2) Martha was so happy that Ten had found Rose showing no jealousy too and 3) it also showed that ALL of the Doctor's companions were agreeing on the blowing up Earth / the Vault plan.
- Donna's impersonation of Ten's mannerisms and speech was brilliant and funny to see and Catherine was excellent. I was tearing up at the end when she started to malfunction and her brain couldn't handle the Time Lord info in her head. Her panic at being turned back to pre-Runaway Bride Donna was heartbreaking and I found it even more heartbreaking at the end when Ten is saying goodbye to her for the final time and she barely registers him as she's babbling away about something innane to her pal on the phone. I hate that Donna's doesn't remember the wonderful, brilliant world saving things she's done. It's so sad.
- Okay. The big thing. I read spoilers that Blue Ten would leave with Rose at the end and I had a conniption. I hated it. But in reality, as I watched it, I sat on edge, anticipating what Brown Ten would say, Rose's reactions etc. I enjoyed the scene and I liked the ending. I don't really get WHY Ten was pushing Rose back into the Alt Earth and why Blue Ten had to go with her though. But honestly, I can't hate what happened. Blue Ten whispering 'I love you' to Rose and bloody smacking that huge kiss on her was an awesome moment and I really felt happy for Rose. I can't believe it, but I did. I know it's a cop out, I know it's RTD giving Rose basically a false life with a false Ten... and yet it makes me smile. When Blue Ten kissed her, and told her he could grow old with her, I felt so delighted on Rose's behalf. She gets an awesome life with the Doctor, with no murderous aliens, no danger, no universe-on-his-shoulders, and he's still Ten in mind and body. There's a beautiful concept there and I liked it. I really did. I feel sorry for our Ten, desperately so... but elated for Rose.
- Martha and Jack holding hands when they walked away from saying goodbye to Ten was awesome. It harkened back to the s3 finale with Ten and Martha saying goodbye to Jack. Mickey joining them was great too. The both of them joining TW seems certain now, given what Jack was saying to Martha about quitting UNIT.
- I feel that instead of ending on Ten's sad look and empty TARDIS, there should've been a flashback to all the companions driving the TARDIS, and he should've had a wistful, nostalgic smile on his face at the end instead.
- Comapanions driving the TARDIS and dragging Earth home? BEST MOMENT EVER.