The Doctor's Daughter
May. 11th, 2008 02:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Well, you can’t judge an episode by its next time trailer. Although that really needed to be two or one and a half episodes; there was just too much happening at break neck speed. Everything was there to make it a great episode, but it was severely hindered by the fact you just didn’t get time to breathe.
I didn’t get what I wanted – a costume change before Martha was dropped off, but that’s not to say those three didn’t have a least one other adventure between the trio leaving Messaline and Martha being dropped off.
Poor Martha seems to get kidnapped more frequently than Sarah Jane used to get hypnotised back in the day. Though I loved her stuff – from the Hath petting her to her heartbreak at losing her friend. And that “I’m Doctor Martha Jones,” line completely made up for her being unconscious for most of the Sontaran two-parter. And Freema, she was excellent – I think we’re watching her growing as an actress and she’s going from strength to strength.
I really feel sorry for any companion that comes after Donna and any actress after Catherine Tate. Those are hell of big boots to fill. She’s just absolutely wonderful. Even when relegated to the role of just following around the Doctor, she still owns the show, from figuring out the numbers to sorting out the Doctor and Jenny. I want to see Donna’s wiles! If as subtle as her marriage proposal they promise to be bloody hilarious.
Not sure I liked the “forever” since 1. May as well put a sign saying “kill me or trap me in an alternate universe” on her back, and 2. Slipping a bit too much into infatuated Rose territory there. On the other hand Donna is a bit different from Rose. Whereas Rose was 19 and was leading a life with so much potential, Donna’s pushing 40 (presumably). I don’t think Torchwood or UNIT appeal to her as career options, and I think she’s given up on ever having family. Whereas Rose was blinded by the Doctor, Donna’s maybe decided travel with him is the best thing there is on offer for her. She’s much more Sarah Jane than Rose was.
David Tennant was fantastic. I swear there were bits where he actually reminded me of John Simm for similar mannerisms (as Sam Tyler, not the Master). I wasn’t such a big fan of the shouting at the end, and I think that was mostly the scripts fault – but the quiet emotional stuff of coming to terms with being a father – that was gold.
Jenny was…likeable. I really liked her. I was not expecting that based on the next time and the promo clip. While she may have inherited Five’s looks, but she’s certainly inherited Ten’s hyperactivity. I knew she wasn’t going to live, but wished she did. She, Donna and the Doctor made a great TARDIS team – and a strange family unit. Donna’s not part of the genetics, but she certainly took a maternal shine to Jenny. And I’m glad she lived.
Adored the Hath. There were some brilliant ideas in the plot – particularly the war that has so far lasted seven days. It never got a chance to be explored with the depth I think and idea like that deserved – again, a problem of trying to pack so much into one episode.
Anyway, another great episode. I love this season so freaking much.
Next week: 1920s murder mystery! And it’s the episode where the Doctor and Donna kiss which I am far more exited about then I feel I should be! (That cannot be a spoiler - we’ve known it’s going to happen since Christmas). Maybe I just have to admit it: I am powerless to the ship that is Ten/Donna.
I didn’t get what I wanted – a costume change before Martha was dropped off, but that’s not to say those three didn’t have a least one other adventure between the trio leaving Messaline and Martha being dropped off.
Poor Martha seems to get kidnapped more frequently than Sarah Jane used to get hypnotised back in the day. Though I loved her stuff – from the Hath petting her to her heartbreak at losing her friend. And that “I’m Doctor Martha Jones,” line completely made up for her being unconscious for most of the Sontaran two-parter. And Freema, she was excellent – I think we’re watching her growing as an actress and she’s going from strength to strength.
I really feel sorry for any companion that comes after Donna and any actress after Catherine Tate. Those are hell of big boots to fill. She’s just absolutely wonderful. Even when relegated to the role of just following around the Doctor, she still owns the show, from figuring out the numbers to sorting out the Doctor and Jenny. I want to see Donna’s wiles! If as subtle as her marriage proposal they promise to be bloody hilarious.
Not sure I liked the “forever” since 1. May as well put a sign saying “kill me or trap me in an alternate universe” on her back, and 2. Slipping a bit too much into infatuated Rose territory there. On the other hand Donna is a bit different from Rose. Whereas Rose was 19 and was leading a life with so much potential, Donna’s pushing 40 (presumably). I don’t think Torchwood or UNIT appeal to her as career options, and I think she’s given up on ever having family. Whereas Rose was blinded by the Doctor, Donna’s maybe decided travel with him is the best thing there is on offer for her. She’s much more Sarah Jane than Rose was.
David Tennant was fantastic. I swear there were bits where he actually reminded me of John Simm for similar mannerisms (as Sam Tyler, not the Master). I wasn’t such a big fan of the shouting at the end, and I think that was mostly the scripts fault – but the quiet emotional stuff of coming to terms with being a father – that was gold.
Jenny was…likeable. I really liked her. I was not expecting that based on the next time and the promo clip. While she may have inherited Five’s looks, but she’s certainly inherited Ten’s hyperactivity. I knew she wasn’t going to live, but wished she did. She, Donna and the Doctor made a great TARDIS team – and a strange family unit. Donna’s not part of the genetics, but she certainly took a maternal shine to Jenny. And I’m glad she lived.
Adored the Hath. There were some brilliant ideas in the plot – particularly the war that has so far lasted seven days. It never got a chance to be explored with the depth I think and idea like that deserved – again, a problem of trying to pack so much into one episode.
Anyway, another great episode. I love this season so freaking much.
Next week: 1920s murder mystery! And it’s the episode where the Doctor and Donna kiss which I am far more exited about then I feel I should be! (That cannot be a spoiler - we’ve known it’s going to happen since Christmas). Maybe I just have to admit it: I am powerless to the ship that is Ten/Donna.
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Date: 2008-05-11 02:33 am (UTC)Omg! I forgot about that! That means Giant Bees and kissing. It surely must be good and fun, yes.
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Date: 2008-05-11 02:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-11 03:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-11 03:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-11 04:09 am (UTC)Ten being daddy is like my favorite thing David has done, on the list with John in Family of Blood (not Human Nature, just Family of Blood) and the breakdown over the Master.
That kiss is going to be fun on any and every level, I expect. =D
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Date: 2008-05-11 04:52 am (UTC)And that kiss shall be excellent. I can't believe I used to be against the Doctor hooking up with another Companion. Ten/Donna is the ship I didn't want to ship on principle - but the cause was lost on me weeks ago.
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Date: 2008-05-11 06:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-11 07:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-12 01:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-12 04:57 am (UTC)And he has to show up on SJA and kiss Sarah at some point. Okay, I'd be happy if he did on DW, but it's be hilarious if Chrissie happened to get the wrong idea (particularly since Luke could so easily pass for the Doctor's son).
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Date: 2008-05-12 05:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-13 08:00 am (UTC)Maybe that's what Pompeii Prophet Girl could see. :)
I liked this too -- indeed the whole of S3 and S4 so far. It wasn't the best episode ever, but it cenrtainly worked.
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Date: 2008-05-13 09:11 am (UTC)And, if The Doctor's Daughter is the worst episode of this season, I will be a very happy Who fan indeed. Even with it's flaws, I still enjoyed it immensely.