(Untitled)

[solitary_summer]

I don't really want to write about MD before I've rewatched the whole of it, but this isn't going to happen for a few weeks since I'm busy learning for the ECDL exam and really don't have the time to spend 10 hrs+ (very much + probably, taking notes and everything) watching

Comments

[solitary_summer]

I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I didn't immediately think of this, but when I replied to elisi's entry it occurred to me that this is exactly what you said in the discussion about RTD vs. SM's DW: the universe is and should be bigger than the Doctor.

[topaz_eyes]

This is "slapdash?" I am in utter awe of your brain.

I'm going to have to find a copy of The Second Coming now, if it marks the start of the mortality arc, and if MD marks its end. Interestingly, RTD's said in interviews that he thinks he has only one more Torchwood story to tell, based around Gwen. So perhaps he's subconsciously admitting he's finished his discourse on mortality.

(It's interesting to note that it's always the women that play this crucial part, although Jack is certainly the most willing participant of the three male characters.)

Judith, Adelaide, Gwen... just out of curiosity, was Judith a mother or grandmother too? Because Adelaide sacrificed herself to ensure her granddaughter would reach the stars, and Gwen stated she'd kill Jack in a heartbeat for Anwen's sake (and she kinda did do just that). As green_maia says, it's all about the next generation--perhaps RTD believes that's where humanity finds its true immortality. Passing it forward, as it were. So perhaps these women symbolize the keepers of immortality.

[sensiblecat]

When humans (or indeed the Doctor) decide who gets to live and die, they take the place of God - they control rather than submit. The Family could represent many things - the Church militant, or fascist ideology, or just capitalism at its most brutal. One huge plot point was that the Blessing had been hidden for so long, but as with so much of RTD's work, it's worth doing a bit of handwaving for the richness of the symbolism

[solitary_summer]

Thank you! My problem is mainly that I'm completely paranoid that I missed things and might fundamentally change my mind upon rewatching, and generally speaking I like to think my arguments through a bit more... But I'm glad you like it!

just out of curiosity, was Judith a mother or grandmother too?

IIRC (it's been a while), no. She's certainly single, older than Gwen, but younger than Adelaide, and I don't remember any children. There is a mother in the story, but she's not the driving force.

Re. Rex's immortality... I'll need to look at this in the context of the whole story; I might change my mind. You've already half-convinced me. :)

I know a lot of people compared the physical appearance of the Blessing to a giant vagina, but oddly, the symbolism makes sense. The Blessing perhaps represents Mother Earth, a natural and ancient phenomenon normally in balance.

The thought crossed my mind, too. I wonder if that was intentional, or just somehow happened? Someone in the production team surely must have noticed that?

Otherwise

[sensiblecat]

The imagery around Jack's death (and indeed Rex's) was absolutely, unmistakably Christlike, so much so that I was tempted to quote Marlowe's "Dr Faustus"

See, see where Christ's blood streams in the firmament!
One drop would save my soul-half a drop! ah, my Christ!-
Ah, rend not my heart for naming of my Christ!-
Yet will I call on him!-O, spare me, Lucifer!-
Where is it now? 'T is gone; and see where God
Stretcheth out his arm, and bends his ireful brows!-
Mountains and hills, come, come and fall on me,
And hide me from the heavy wrath of God!
But there are some important differences. Jack becomes mortal, as Christ did, and then goes through an ordeal (I see the Angelo episode as his Passion) before regaining eternal life - but his act of mercy is not to give humanity eternal life, as in the Gospels, but to give mortality back to them. And he does not act alone. I think it's very significant that he has to be helped and would have been unable to bring about a resolution alone. There was tremendous symbolism in the Blessing, its

[solitary_summer]

I'd say that the point of the Gospels isn't eternal life (especially not in the sense of manufactured immortality that the Miracle brought about), but salvation. So there isn't a difference, Jack's blood brings salvation - the freeing breath that goes around the world - just as much as Christ's blood does, through death. Christ's death, but also the transformation of death in itself is a big point in Christianity, and necessary for the real life.

I really like that, because the absence of death in MD can hardly be called 'real' life. Somehow it always comes back to mortality defining what it means to be human...

[solitary_summer]

Now you really make me want to rewatch the whole story because I feel there's so much symbolism I've missed...

I think it's very significant that he has to be helped and would have been unable to bring about a resolution alone.

I haven't really considered that - I'll definitely have to give Rex's place in the story more thought.

its appearance resembling the hell mouth of a morality play (or indeed Dr Faustus) and also the gates to the Underworld, complete with the voices of the dead.

Interesting, because so many people compared it to a giant vagina, and admittedly that's the thought that crossed my mind, too.

What RTD seems to be saying is that the answer isn't out there - it is deep within us, in the bowels of our own planet.

I really like that thought.

[sensiblecat]

Very well put!

[promethia_tenk]

I'd been really enjoying your MD thoughts in elisi's posts and wandered over here to see what else you had. I'm afraid I've nothing to add or comment to, but just wanted to say that I'm very happy to have read this : )

[solitary_summer]

I'm so sorry - I saw your comment and was going to reply, but life is a bit hectic at the moment and I complete forgot.

I'm glad you liked it! I really hope to find the time to write something a bit more ordered eventually...