Doctor Who: 2x02 - 2x09

[greatbriton]

Its time for Doctor Who recaps!



Doctor Who:
2x02 - Tooth and Claw: I thought this was a very entertaining episode. And again, something that I'm coming to really admire about this show is their attention to the supporting characters. Every little character seems to be so well fleshed out and though you don't always get the entire story behind a character you get the feeling that there is an entire story if only the show were about them.

Apparently The Doctor wants to take Rose to a 1979 concert but instead lands in 1879 Scotland. They are happened upon by Queen Victoria who brings them with her to the Torchwood Estates. ooooh. Get to see some crazy bald guys do some crazy jumps and kicks and swing sticks around to seize control of said Torchwood Estates. Their plot is to have their Werewolf alien bad guy take over the Queen and then have control over the throne.

I love that Rose keeps getting referred to as naked. And her attempt at a Scottish accent is probably what I would sound like if I tried one. Rose's bet with the Doctor to get the Queen to say "I am not amused" was...well...amusing.

They get trapped in a room that the Werewolf can't penetrate because the walls are laced with Mistletoe. They go into research mode to find out how to stop the Wolf. And then The Doctor goes into crazy think mode. Turns out the diamond the Queen has is meant to be used in the huge telescope the magnify the moon down so that they can defeat the Werewolf.

Sir Robert: It's all my fault. I should have sent you away. I tried to suggest something was wrong... I thought you might notice. Did you think there was nothing strange about my household staff?
The Doctor: Well, they were bald, athletic, your wife's away... I just thought you were happy!






2x03 - School Reunion: This is the first episode that has really made me wish I had watched old Doctor Who prior to these new ones. With the Sarah Jane Smith coming in, I wish I knew more of her story as the Doctor's companion. And GILES!!!! lolol

So, Mickey has informed Rose and The Doctor some weird stuff is going on in this school. The Doctor takes up a teaching job while Rose works in the kitchen. Then in comes Sarah Jane Smith investigating the school's Headmaster and school. She ends up stumbling up on the TARDIS and The Doctor is there. I would comment on what the baddies were doing but really, despite Anthony Head as the main villain, it all kind of took a back seat to what was going on between The Doctor / Sarah Jane / Rose. A little waste of Anthony Head, if I must say so.

This episode was very strong in revealing what happens to The Doctor's companions after they're left/stay behind. Sarah Jane was left heartbroken when The Doctor just left her and she was stuck on Earth to live a normal life again. What happens when you've gone through everything you've been through on these adventures with The Doctor just to be thrown back into your regular life again. Rose finds herself hurt as well at seeing Sarah Jane. First you can tell she's jealous, competing with Sarah Jane. Love their argument over what each one of them has seen in their adventures. But Rose begins to see what could end up happening to her down the line. It was pretty heartbreaking, really.

Rose Tyler: I've been to the year five million, but this, this is really seeing the future- you just leave us behind! Is that what you're going to do to me?
The Doctor: No. Not you.
Rose Tyler: But, Sarah Jane- you were that close to her once, and now... you never even mention her. Why not?
The Doctor: I don't age. I regenerate. But humans decay. You wither and you die. Imagine watching that happen to someone you...
Rose Tyler: What, Doctor?
The Doctor: You can spend the rest of your life with me. But I can't spend the rest of mine with you. I have to live on, alone. That's the curse of the Timelords.





2x04 - The Girl in the Fireplace: I was excited going into this episode. A few of you had mentioned it. I must say I freaking loved it! Though it did kind of make me question my Doctor/Rose-ness. The Doctor seemed pretty taken by Reinette as she with The Doctor.

The Doctor, Rose, and Mickey land on a ship in the future. But it seems there are openings to a past time, the time of Madame de Pompadour in the 18th Century. The Doctor first meets her as a child where a dressed up robot has been scanning her brain. I loved when The Doctor gets the robot back to the ship and sees its inner workings how excited and impressed he is. The Doctor goes back to Reinette's room but time has changed and she's older. And of course, they end up making out. "I'm the Doctor and I just snogged Madame de Pompadour!" lol My boyfriend had never heard the term "Snog"/"Snogged" before. 8/

Later The Doctor has apparently found a horse and named him Arthur. lol The Doctor has to jump in to save Reinette from a robot again and ends up going into Reinette's mind to find out why the robots are after her. Reinette finds a way to look into The Doctor's mind and is saddened by how lonely his life is. That scene was so lovely. And this is the crap I'm talking about with this show. I care for all these little supporting characters. A lot of shows I could care less what happens to them and I would definitely not get much emotional connection with them. But I loved her and this whole episode made me sad in the end. :(

The Doctor comes in and saves Rose and Mickey...along with a lovely Banana joke. :) :) :) Bananas are good. But the robots have found the time where Reinette is complete and The Doctor has to make a huge sacrifice to save her. I found this strange though. I know that time must be set right, in a way by not having the robots kill Reinette. But The Doctor would have not only sacrificed his ability to travel anymore but he also left Rose and Mickey to a life on that spaceship. This really made me wonder about this supposed love he has for Rose. He seemed pretty quick to leave her and strand her without any way of getting home.

But in the end, Reinette shows him the old fireplace where they first met and he finds a loose connection and way to get back to the ship. It was so sad, when he said "Wish me luck." and his face dropped when she said "No." And then when he comes back for her but in her time she's aged and has just died. He was too late to take her to see the stars. He goes back to the TARDIS and pretends not to be sad until Rose and Mickey leave him alone and he reads her letter to him. I found Tennant very entertaining in this episode. Up and down and all over the place.

Mickey Smith: What's a horse doing on a spaceship?
The Doctor: Mickey, what's pre-Revolutionary France doing on a spaceship? Get a little perspective!

Reinette Poisson: One may tolerate a world of demons for the sake of an angel.






2x05 - Rise of the Cybermen: This was a good episode or couple episodes. Not my favorite so far. The opening was pretty cheesy and the main bad guy kind of annoyed me with the way he spoke.

The TARDIS ends up landing in a parallel universe and isn't able to get power. But The Doctor finds one little piece of the TARDIS still holding on and he supplies it with some of his own energy to recharge it. Loved that little moment with him and Mickey. "Just took 10 years off my life. Worth every second." And it turns out Rose's dad is alive in this universe and she is hellbent on seeing him, despite The Doctor's protests. Mickey and Rose set off in opposite directions and The Doctor can't get either to stay, he ends up going after Rose. Love that in this universe Jackie has a little dog named Rose. ROFL.

The Badguy is sick and he wants his cybermen idea to be approved so he can "save lives". Its not and he uses drastic measures. He sends in his Cybermen to the party with the president and other important people and begins rounding them up/killing them.

Rose Tyler: They're people?
The Doctor: They were. Now they've had all their humanity taken away. That's a living brain jammed inside a cybernetic body, with a heart of steel. All emotions removed.
Rose Tyler: Why no emotion?
The Doctor: Because it hurts.





2x06 - The Age of Steel: The second episode to "Rise of the Cybermen". Rose and The Doctor escape with Rose's dad. They join up with Mickey and his angry twin, Rickey, and his group. They come up with a plan to try and stop the Cybermen. They go to the factory and split up to do their separate jobs. They end up having to allow the Cybermen to feel emotions again which brings them all to end up killing themselves. All thanks to Mickey's ability to work some computer magic which helps him feel validated.

At the end, Mickey decides to stay in this universe since his grandma is still alive here and he feels he can be worth something and do some good. :( MICKEY!!!! The Doctor brings Rose back to her time and home so she can see her mother. <3

The Doctor: You're a clever man. I'd call you a genius. Except that I'm in the room.

Rose Tyler: What's going on?
The Doctor: It's the earpods. Lumic's taken control.
Rose Tyler: Can't you just... I don't know, take them off?
The Doctor: Don't! You'll cause a brainstorm. Human race, you're such an intelligent lot. You aren't half susceptible. Give anyone a chance to take control and you submit. Sometimes I think you like it, easy life.





2x07 - The Idiot's Lantern: This was a fun episode. And Tennant's HAIR!! So big and ready for ruffling. *sigh* And Vespa time!! yeah! The Doctor wanted to go to 1950's New York but they end up in London instead. And things aren't right. Some alien in the TV is sucking people's faces off.

Again, the supporting characters were fantastic. The family was wonderful, especially with the abusive father/husband who just wanted to keep his family image intact and the son. The Doctor and Rose get split up and when Rose decides to do some investigating on her own she ends up with her face sucked off by the evil television. The Doctor is not too well pleased when she's brought in and he's told she was just left in the middle of the street. He goes a bit crazy and storms about the town. He's joined by the family's son and they find the way to stop the evil television monster.

Does Tennant feel the need to lick everything? hehehe. This is the second time I believe that he's licked objects he's trying to figure out. ;)

Rose, The Doctor: Hi!
Eddie: Who are you then?
The Doctor: Let's see then, judging by the look of you, family man, nice house, decent wage, fought in the war, therefore I represent Queen and country! Just doing a little check of her forthcoming Majesty's subjects before the great day. Don't mind if we come in? Nah, didn't think you did.




2x08 - The Impossible Planet: Another two parter. I loved this episode. And gamers out there, like me, will like the DOOM references/sounds. :) :) I thought The Ood were really well done, or that they make up/costumes were done well. I loved them.

The Doctor and Rose land on a space station thing that is on a planet that's right outside of a Black Hole. Some gravity field is holding it back and the station and crew is there to find out what is causing this gravity field. Ends up the planet isn't stable and the TARDIS ends up dropping into a huge chasm, leaving The Doctor and Rose no way of escaping. Their conversation about what they'd do with their lives now was lovely. That they'd have to settle down and having something of a normal life. Rose hinting that she'd like to spend that life with The Doctor and his silences and changes of the subject. Awwwww, <3.

The drill in the station hits the bottom and then things start to go badly. A crew member ends up dead and one is harboring something evil, that whole scene with the guy outside beckoning the woman was kind of creepy. And then he breaks the glass and opens the station to the vacuum. The Doctor and another member of the station decided to go down to the bottom. Rose kisses The Doctor's helmet. <3

Rose: I don't know, we could have the same one, we could both... I don't know, share... or not. Whatever. I don't know, all sorts of...
The Doctor: Anyway
Rose: We'll see
The Doctor: [pause] I promised Jackie I'd always take you back home
Rose: Everyone leaves home in the end.
The Doctor: Not to end up stuck here.
Rose: Yeah, but stuck with you - that's not so bad.
The Doctor: Yeah?
Rose: Yes.





2x09 - The Satan Pit: A beautiful end to this two parter. The Doctor and the woman from the station are stranded at the bottom of the pit with the "trap door" open. The Doctor decides to take the plunge into it. I love the questions this episode brings up for The Doctor. Challenging what he knows and believes about the universe/universes. That something might have been there BEFORE time. Something beyond even his comprehension. I also loved his talks with the woman about humans and their need/urge to take the jump into the unknown.

The Doctor: That's so human. Where angels fear to tread.

I did find Rose to be kind of...rude in these two episodes. I guess she's supposed to be getting more confident and able to take charge but she came off to me as just rude. She made snarky comments and was rather rude to everybody but The Doctor. :/ But I did find it sad as what she goes through knowing that the crew is leaving and they've left The Doctor for dead and they knock her out to take her with them, instead of letting her stay to wait for The Doctor.

In the end The Doctor has to sacrifice everything in order to stop this evil from escaping. He has to sacrifice himself but on top of that he has to sacrifice Rose. The evil doesn't believe he's capable of that, but the Doctor announces that he believes in Rose and chooses to go with that. Turns out the evil reveals himself in the escaping ship and Rose shoots out the protective glass and he's sucked out into space. The Doctor finds the TARDIS down in the pit and comes to their rescue before they're sucked into the black hole. And Rose was predicted by the evil that she was going to die...and yet she hasn't. Hmmmmm....

The Doctor: Except that implies - in this big grand scheme of Gods and Devils - that she's just a victim. But I've seen a lot of this universe. I've seen fake gods and bad gods and demi gods and would-be gods - out of all that - out of that whole pantheon - if I believe in one thing... just one thing... I believe in her.





In conclusion of these episodes. I'm loving this show even more. The characters are all so interesting. And I'm falling a bit in love with David Tennant. He's so adorable and intense. And he has crazy eyes and a strange ability to make his upper lip completely disappear. LOL


I have also decided to do something that I'm going to probably intensely regret. I am almost finished with this Cordy/Angel moodtheme. But now I'm thinking I want an animated moodtheme. Maybe that's a bad idea. But hmmmmm.. *ponders*

Comments

[tempertemper77.livejournal.com]

We seem to see eps in the same way - I loved Girl in the Fireplace but, like you, it hurt my 10/Rose heart!

Was also meh on the Cybermen eps...

I had forgotten how much I loved The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit! When he's dangling on that rope and he's all 'If you speak to Rose, tell her.. just tell her.. oh, she knows.'

Squee!

[greatbriton.livejournal.com]

I was kind of rooting for Ten and Reinette in Girl in the Fireplace. lol. Poor Rose. <3

When he's dangling on that rope and he's all 'If you speak to Rose, tell her.. just tell her.. oh, she knows.'

Such a beautiful scene. And Tennant was so fantastic there. *hugs that scene*

[sinkwriter.livejournal.com]

RE: Tooth and Claw. And then The Doctor goes into crazy think mode. And if I recall correctly, it's one of the classic moments where the Doctor runs his hands through his hair maniacally. Heee. I love when he does that.

I agree with you about School Reunion. I'd never really been interested in seeing the old DW episodes, until she came along. Watching the Doctor's surprise and joy and fondness for her, I was curious what she was like with the Doctor back then. Makes me want to watch and find out. Not sure if I ever will -- that's a large number of seasons -- but it definitely gave me pause, wondering. Actually, that whole episode rose interesting questions, what it means to choose to be his Companion, what happens when it comes to an end, how it changes your entire life and outlook. Fascinating stuff!

The Girl in the Fireplace is one of my favorite episodes. I think that scene where he looks into her mind and is surprised that she can see into his as well is probably one of my very favorite moments of the series. It just made me ache for him, the depth of his loneliness. And it made me pause, wondering what the Doctor was like when he was a little boy, and marveling that he ever WAS a little boy, you know? Anyway, so glad you liked that episode! It's a great one.

Didn't your heart just break for Mickey when he chose to stay behind? Oh, how he's grown from the first episode (when Chris Eccleston was on the show). Really grown up, making that hard choice. It made me cry.

With Idiot's Lantern, I just felt myself run cold, watching that moment when they tell him that they found Rose wandering in the streets like that. He was so intense, the look on his face so devastated and angry. Gives me chills. I really thought David did an excellent job with that scene. (And you gotta love how big his hair was in that ep! Major room for ruffling. heee.)

I think that Satan Pit 2-parter is really amazing. What you say about the secondary characters coming alive is really proven in those two episodes. Each of the crew members seemed so interesting and vital. Also, I love the questions the second episode raises about religion and faith (in a god, or in others and in oneself). Really made me contemplate things. And I love that moment when he's standing at the edge of the pit, talking about understanding the human urge to jump, go on, go on, just take a leap. I thought David played that very well. He had me glued to my seat, listening to his every word, he was so mesmerizing.

I'm so glad you're enjoying the season and David's Doctor. :)

[greatbriton.livejournal.com]

And if I recall correctly, it's one of the classic moments where the Doctor runs his hands through his hair maniacally.

Yes, it was. He was walking back and forth running his hands in his hair and shouting "My head!" He does that more in the future?! Awesome

Actually, that whole episode rose interesting questions, what it means to choose to be his Companion, what happens when it comes to an end, how it changes your entire life and outlook. Fascinating stuff!

Cannot agree more. I chose to go into new Doctor Who instead of old first because of the insane amount of it, so many seasons. It was intimidating. But its so interesting to have a look at a former companion of The Doctor's and see where she's at now. Very very interesting and heartbreaking.

I think that scene where he looks into her mind and is surprised that she can see into his as well is probably one of my very favorite moments of the series.

Such a beautiful scene. And for a few moments The Doctor thinks she's talking about her own lonely childhood but then realizes its him she's talking about. It is touching and does raise interesting thoughts of The Doctor as a little boy all those 900 years ago and wondering what it must have been like.

Mickey has definitely had some interesting growth. I love him so much and it made me sad that he chose to stay cause there was nothing for him in his world anymore. Rose was beyond him its just so sad to think that apparently she was all he had. But I was also very happy because he felt validated and important, instead of feeling like the metal dog. lol

And David Tennant has really impressed me in these episodes. I don't know at the moment if I prefer his Doctor to Eccleston's but its not worse, just different. And as an actor and what he's done with The Doctor has really impressed me. I've only ever seen one episode of Blackpool once, so I've never been exposed to much Tennant before and I'm finding him to be a very interesting actor to watch.

[ladysophiekitty.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen Dr. Who, though I plan to eventually.

When you finish your CA moodtheme you must let me know! I love anything C/A, and you're a really good graphic maker. <3

[nowgold.livejournal.com]

I am glad you're enjoying the second season!! :) I think Idiots Lantern is one of my favourite episodes, even if it's only for the dress up!
My favourite Episode ever is probably Blink in season three.

[besanamo.livejournal.com]

Hiya! Welcome to the crazyness that is the Doctor Who fandom. =D
Re: Snogging - I first read the expression in a Harry Potter book. But I've gotta say the Doctor/Reinette kiss was far more impressive than Ron snogging Lavender or whoever it was that got Hermione mad. hehe
Also re: The Doctor licking stuff, that seems to be a trademark of his or possibly DTs. There's a bunch of picspams out there proving it but I don't seem to have a link ready atm.
Oh well have to get back to essay writing but having a look over your recap was nice and I'll have a proper look at the other ones when I get some time off. =)
I love David Boreanez too btw although I haven't had a chance to watch Angel yet or Buffy. Would you say I should watch Buffy first or can I start with Angel right away?

[greatbriton.livejournal.com]

Heya! *waves*

That Doctor/Reinette kiss was more impressive then a lot of kisses I've seen on television and movies. It was enough to have me give a twinge of wishful thinking they could have more time with each other.

Would you say I should watch Buffy first or can I start with Angel right away?

Its not the end of the world if you don't watch Buffy first. I watched Angel first, but knew a bit of backstory of the Buffy show. You miss tiny bits of things because characters do cross over from time to time and then you miss some of the angst/loss of the Buffy/Angel relationship if you don't watch Buffy first. But all you have to think of is an immature first love of epic proportions and you get the idea of it.

The first 2 seasons of Buffy are pretty brilliant though, so I'd recommend giving those a watch. But Angel is a far better show and has a totally different vibe then Buffy, so if you don't like Buffy much don't give up on Angel before you give it a chance.