Originally Posted by SeeingI
I liked this episode, though certain things bothered me, like the hitherto unseen TARDIS bluetooth. Lucky he had that bit of brand-new kit on him right when he needed it, eh? I also could gag over the "love saves the day" ending, which, like the Bracewell deactivation, proves that RTD did not corner the market on mawkish non-endings to his plots. Worth noting that both authors came to Who under RTD's reign.
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Hooray! This is why I no longer expend the effort writing reviews myself; I always remain hopeful that someone will come along and sum up my thoughts for me.
(Well, that and I worry about being shot down for disliking an episode…)
Fully agreed on the convenience of the TARDIS Bluetooth and
especially the ending. "Victory of the Daleks" is my least favorite episode of the season by far up to this point, but this episode now takes second for me. It was quite enjoyable (mostly because of Matt Smith) but the ending really let it down, in my opinion. (Also note the RTD-era-style lack of compelling explanation for exactly WTF was going on.) Though I would consider giving it a point higher than I voted in the poll.
I consider the turning point of the episode from "generally good" to "oh dear" to be Craig's "I want you out" bit, followed by the Doctor conveniently explaining everything to him telepathically (where's some good old classic-style Doctor verbal wit weaseling his way out of the situation?), followed by the rather contrived and soapy ending. Sad face.
I too take strong note of the fact that what I consider to be the weakest writers of this series wrote for the show first under RTD. I think that's very telling.
Originally Posted by SeeingI
BUT...the rest of it was very enjoyable and quite, quite funny. It's great seeing the Doctor at loose ends in the everyday world. He's fine on an alien planet or chairing an impromptu peace summit, but stick him in a living room and he's utterly lost. If the TARDIS is a device for hopping between genres, the "will-they-or-won't-they flatmates" and the "whacky friend turns loveable schlub's life upside down" domestic comedies are definitely new ones, and as alien to the Doctor as Vortis was to Ian and Barbara.
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Most certainly.
Originally Posted by SeeingI
Oh, and that totally leaves out the flat-mate upstairs. These sequences were very, very effective and creepy. If this thread of the program hadn't been wrapped in sitcom antics, I think it would have been very scary. Alas!
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Agreed once again. What little we got was very effective and I would have liked more. On second viewing, I especially appreciated the "Thank you, Craig, but I do not require your help" line.
Originally Posted by SeeingI
I agree, Danny. The "Next Time" trailers this season have been WAY too long, and this was the longest yet. At least RTD kept them short and sweet.
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I think it would have been quite awesome to
just do the montage of clips from previous episodes, then cut to credits. (Maybe one or two brief flashes from the next episode.) That would have given a real "holy shit, something big is coming" sense. Ah well. Wasted opportunity.
Originally Posted by SeeingI
Still, it looks like a fantastic finale. River Song mentioned the Drahvins (from Galaxy 4) among the alien baddies lined up for a shot at the Pandorica. That makes me smile. |
Agreed.