Quotes from Doctor Who Confidential 4x08 and 4x09

[pluckyyounggirl]

Plus my snarky comments for free!

There will obviously be spoilers for Doctor Who 4x08 - Silence in the Library and 4x09 - Forest of the Dead behind these cuts. Since I am unspoiled about the rest of series 4 and wish to remain so, please don't discuss any future spoilers in the comments. Thanks

Comments

[a_white_rain]

David's comments add something to his performance. The lack of connection had to do with his wtf/fear towards River Song. Which, well, I don't like it, but I enjoy things making sense.

[pluckyyounggirl]

Yeah, I know. I just think that he really could have played that connection/attraction/chemistry/whatever up far more than he did (as he did with Reinette and Astrid, for example), and I'm glad that he didn't. I mean, seriously - how can you not have chemistry with David Tennant? Honestly, how?

[a_white_rain]

Ask Freema!

[pluckyyounggirl]

Actually, this is one department I have absolutely no qualms with Freema - I thought she and David worked nicely together, and since they weren't supposed to have both-sided romantic chemistry, I didn't find it an issue that there wasn't any. Plus the Doctor was sort of detached in S3, so it all kind of worked.

[goldy_dollar]

You know, in some ways I find this oddly reassuring. They don't really come out and say that River is *definitely* the Doctor's wife. Even Moffat says it's up to our interpretation. Which is enough to drive me a bit nutty, but whatever. I can deal with it for now.

David Tennant describing the relationship as "peculiar" amuses me, though. :D

[a_white_rain]

David Tennant describing the relationship as "peculiar" amuses me, though. :D
Probably because of the implications that the Doctor has kinky sex.

[goldy_dollar]

Yeah, I'm thinking he probably handled that the same way I did. Fingers in ears and going: "LALALALALALA.

[a_white_rain]

I don't think David was acting when the Doctor was all WTF. That was him. With a bit of MY CHILDHOOD!111

[butterfly]

I admire you for having the stomach to do this. I know that I wouldn't.

It seems the future is already written for the Doctor and his adventurous companion to come.

Oh, dear. I very much hope that this doesn't imply what it could imply.

Of course, the problem with bringing her in later is that the audience would know the entire time how she died and also the important points of the relationship. Spoilers. We know that he cries the last time he sees her and gives her his screwdriver and tells her his name and sends her off to get trapped in the library.

Unless they brought her in to negate this story but they'd better hope that, by then, either David Tennant will have chemistry with her or they'll need to have a new Doctor who does have chemistry with her.

You don’t know anything until the script arrives. I mean, that is what I love about him. He’d said there’s a library, and that there were scary shadows… and then you get the script, and it’s actually about this woman who is maybe, possibly, perhaps the Doctor’s wife.Honestly, I

[pluckyyounggirl]

I admire you for having the stomach to do this. I know that I wouldn't.

Thank you. I do have the advantage of having a very small readership, and I'm basically preaching to the choir anyway. So I don't really think too many strangers will pop up here. I have no desire for flame wars, but I do have fire-proof armour just in case, and you know what? I am tired of shutting up and locking my posts in paranoia. I don't blame anybody who does, I certainly will keep doing it myself. But I have an opinion, and I am going to voice that opinion.

Of course, the problem with bringing her in later is that the audience would know the entire time how she died and also the important points of the relationship. Spoilers.

Yep. That's the thing about this story - he totally wrote himself into a corner that he really can't back out of anymore. If he leaves it as it is, it really has no impact and no meaning beyond ruining it for some of us; if he goes back to it, it's really kind of boring and doomed from the start. I mean, what kind of message is

[dracosmaitai]

Honestly, I am kinda curious about how he says this, because the man is an admitted control freak everywhere else. Why does Moffat get a bye?

See, that's exactly what I don't understand. Why does Moffat get this free pass? Sometimes, I wonder if there's some higher authority Rusty has to answer to and humor about Moffat, because it just doesn't make any sense.

Have you listened to the podcast that goes with this episode? It has DT, Rusty and Moffat giving their commentary (though admittedly Rusty and Moffat babble so much poor DT doesn't get much of a word in for the most part). In it they reveal that Rusty and many other production insiders had already known before the start of season 4 that Moffat would be taking over as Exec Producer from Season 5 on, so that probably explains (or partly explains) why he's been given such free reign. It was the same in DD where a word from Moffat got Rusty to change his plans about killing off Jenny.

So, wait. Let me get this straight: not only are you saying that yes, River Song clearly is an

[pluckyyounggirl]

I haven't listened to the podcast yet - I wasn't sure I wanted to face it just yet! But now I'm starting to think that maybe I should just get it over with now, even though it sounds like even DT won't be able to make up for the crappier parts, eh?

In it they reveal that Rusty and many other production insiders had already known before the start of season 4 that Moffat would be taking over as Exec Producer from Season 5 on, so that probably explains (or partly explains) why he's been given such free reign.Yeah, I read an interview with Moffat the other day where he said Rusty e-mailed him about the job last summer, so I guess it makes some sort of sense that Rusty's trying to accommodate him a bit. Still, I would have thought that while he's still in control, he would be a bit more protective of his story. I can only speculate that he might want to avoid damaging the show, or help Moffat to make a smooth transition. And I didn't know that it was Moffat who asked to keep Jenny alive. Interesting. He seems terribly attached to insta!

[debs7]

The fact that River Song stole Jack's gun kind of makes me hate her just a little bit more.

You do not just go around taking previous companions things. It's wrong.

[pluckyyounggirl]

I know! I was watching his lips move, and I'm sure I heard him say the words, and all I could think was "What? What?!" I mean, I'm pretty sure the Doctor isn't in the business of handing guns to his companions, much less belongings of previous companions. And you don't just go and steal stuff. I mean... WHAT? Does she go walking around in Rose's sweaters, as well? You're not really making the woman any more likable when you say she goes around the TARDIS nicking things, Moffat. You're really, really not.

[mizufae]

I agree with everything you say and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

Seriously though, I watch the Confidentials and LOVE them, normally. I even said, after "Beeees,er,Waaasps!" that I was going to try to get up and running a discussion on my lj about that week's Confidential and its various good and interesting bits. I was going to link it around like crazy and be really good about keeping up with it and make my own little "hurrah for the Crew of DW!" corner with everyone who cares about the plight of the dudes in Makeup. But these last two episodes have enraged and annoyed me SO MUCH, I've given up on it. Each time I thought, oh, I'll watch the Confidentials and they'll make me feel better, like they always do. And then I watched them and basically *everything* you've pointed out here drives me up the wall and I can't bring myself to discuss even the nice parts about interns throwing books at DT.
So, thank you.

[pluckyyounggirl]

Yay! I'm happy I'm not the only one to feel that way. Welcome to the group. ;D