Dr. Who 3/29.13 Last of the Time Lords

[selenak]

You know what this reminds me of? Tanith Lee's Blake's 7 episode Sarcophagus and to a lesser degree her episode Sand. She only wrote these two scripts for B7, and they are very much a love or hate case in the fandom, especially Sarcophagus. Me, I'm on board for the psychedelic ride.



The moment we saw "One year later" I knew for sure we'd get a reset at the end, because very obviously, this is Dr. Who, BBC show orginally intended for children, not new Battlestar Galactica, and Earth permanently occupied or even recovering from brutal occupation is just not on. However, having Martha and her family, Jack, the Doctor, the Master and Lucy remember removed what problems I otherwise have with reset buttons. The one year that never was also was necessary in terms of logistics (in as much as DW has same), because there was no way Martha could have become a legend and spread another legend in a few days or a week or however much an episode usually takes.

I am bursting with Martha love right now and must remember to keep this short, because I'll go into more details in my Post of Martha Praise yet to come and don't want to repeat too much, so suffice to say: the finale showcased what has been her character throughout the season - her intelligence, quiet strength and ability to build and have trust. Her patience. Her being a healer. I think my post will be called "Becoming a Doctor", because that was her arc, "doctor" both in the medical sense and in the DW "hero" sense. The Martha who had the ability to listen to stupid racist school boys sneer at her without either getting broken or jumping up in anger, thus endangering her mission, that's the Martha who allows herself to be captured by the Master, kneels in front of him, listens to his taunts and then delivers her blow. She's not flamboyant; she is subtle, and she has patience. The Martha who figured out how to buy precious time by remembering movies and submarines in Gridlock, the Martha who is a Harry Potter reader and uses Expelleriamus in The Shakespeare Code? That's the Martha who knew the Master would go for a story like the weapon with four different components spread across the continents. (Undoubtedly, she remembered HBP and the hocruxes.) Martha who uses her knowledge, trivia and medical alike, to save the world. And she did.

So did the rest of humanity. Say what you want about the cheesiness (and yes, of course it was, but in a very DW way), but I loved the fact that the episode presented both the worst and the best of what humans can be, and allowed humanity to become its own saviour, yes, channelled by the Doctor, but he was their instrument; he was literary empowered by them. It also ties very well with the season themes - the power of faith - again, see Gridlock and the people on the motorway there, and the Face of Boe, about whom more in a moment, giving his last energy to save them, with the Doctor acting as transferer and enabler (and he himself pointed out it was the Face of Boe who saved them), not as origin of the power. It was a great balance to the very grim revelation that was one of last week's guesses proven true: that the Toclafane were the humans the Doctor and Yana thought they had saved in Utopia. I said to honorh that if they were indeed the Utopia humans, Creet (the boy who bonded with Martha) would recognize her as a Toclafane, and was delighted in a grim way when this turned out to be true. So yes, humanity, in the end, will become the futurekind, devouring itself, will become what the Doctor always tried to save them from, the Daleks (Terry Nation would be thrilled, and so would Davros who made the Khaled into the Daleks in the show), i.e. with just the worst instincts left, encapsuled in machines. But those same humans are also capable of every virtue the Doctor has ever praised them for, and they save the day.

Lucy Saxon as a Dark Companion, if you like: even more obvious this week. Rose and Martha saw the end of earth and the end of the universe respectively, but it only made them more determined to help in the present; Lucy saw the end of humanity, and it made her crack, if her one scene with lines is any indication. "What's the point?" (Lucy clearly hasn't watched Angel.) I can't make up my mind about whether her shooting the Master was part of the Master's back-up plan or her own idea, and if the later, whether she did so because she didn't want him to be a prisoner, because she didn't want him to be with the Doctor, or because of disillusionment (the last I think the least likely), but I actually like this ambiguity (fodder for fanfic). No matter the reason, though, her gleefulness from the previous episode is gone throughout (including occasions when the Master kisses her), and I guess it's not just because the Master has other women massage him in front of her. Which is why I didn't see Lucy joining in to the "Doctor" chorus as ooc - it was one flicker of species solidarity after a year of watching the overlord plan that had sounded so exciting to her actually in place.

(We're clearly meant to think it's Lucy who grabs the ring at the end, which is why I doubt it; I know my Dracula movies from the Hammer studios, of which this scene is a direct rip-off, and it's never the most obvious candidate who does that.)

Anyway, Lucy mirrors Chantho in shooting the Master, and also Martha in changing seeming defeat into victory (of a sort). It's an epitome of how utterly and completely fucked up their relationship is that the Master refuses to be with the Doctor on the Doctor's terms (as opposed to his own, see the previous year), and risks final death if it allows him to win. I say "risk final death" as opposed to "rather finally dies than" because come on. This is the Master. Returning from the deader than dead is his trademark; he came back from being burned utterly and completely before (the burning happened with the Fifth Doctor, the return with the Sixth). Also, giving the ring the echoing laughter previously housed by the fob watch (btw, is that still Ainsley's voice, or Simm's?), should cue you in even if you never watched the English Draculas from the 50s and 60s. As the Master tried to goad Francine into shooting him even before the Doctor made his "come spend eternity with me" offer, I'm assuming he had his emergy transfer into the ring planned out just in case, though I'm not yet sure whether or not Lucy was part of the plan.

This being said, I think he was aware there was the possibility that nobody would bring him back this time, ring or no ring, and he still went through it rather than accept the Doctor's terms, because he's crazy and they're screwed up like that. Also, it allowed him to hear the Doctor beg, and die in his arms. And I shall be very sad that we won't see Simm! Master again because JS was so great in the role and had mad chemistry with David Tennant. (Though then again, maybe we will. The Master has a history of bodysnatching and keeping his old look anyway.)

There was no way this storyline was going to end happily for the Doctor. Obviously, the day would be won, humanity would be saved, but no matter whether the Master lived or died, it would be tragedy for the Doctor. And observe the irony: Mr. "No Second Chances", he who scared the hell out of Donna at Christmas Eve when committing on screen genocide on the Raccnoss (when said Raccnoss were about to eat the human race, admittedly) and used immortality as a punishment for the Family of Blood (and eternal imprisonment for the witches, and oh, the Angels) really truly goes out of his way to save one of the most merciless villains around. I think the Master would have loved it if the Doctor had gone all Oncoming Storm on him, because he could have flattered himself that at last he got the Doctor to unleash his dark side, that he truly broke the Doctor and had him on his terms; but "I forgive you" was the line he really really did not want to hear. It's not all he got to hear from the Doctor. I must quote astrogirl2 here, because she said it perfectly:

I must admit, given how rife this fandom has been with shipwars, and how much bad fanfic I know is out there about the Doctor and Rose realizing their soulmateyness and settling down to have Time Babies, I'm currently finding myself chuckling madly over the fact that we actually get to hear him say, with all apparently sincerity, "Maybe I've been wandering too long. Maybe it's time to settle down, now that I've found someone to care for," and he's talking about the freaking MASTER. I'm doubly amused, because I would have filed that under the heading of "lines I'd never, ever expect to hear on Doctor Who and which would make me gag on my own vomit if I did," but given the twistedness of the context, I actually loved it. Definite points for taking a bad fanfic line and making it work.

Exactly. Because he means it. He means every word of it. He's willing to spend eternity - and they really have a lot of it - with a complete psychopath, and not just to make sure said psychopath doesn't get to set his next murderous scheme in motion at the expense of other people. Oh, Doctor. You're just this side of insane yourself, but we knew that.

Otoh, he didn't stop Francine from shooting the Master because of the Master. (At this point, he had no reason to believe the Master wouldn't just regenerate.) He stopped her because of Francine. He did not want Francine to become a killer, no matter how much the Master deserved it. The long silent look exchanged between Francine and the Doctor near the end, through the Jones' window, is one of my favourite things about the episode, because to me, it was about this most of all.

Martha saying goodbye: I hope Martha will become the New Who version of the Brigadier, i.e. an UberCompanion who stays on Earth most of the time but is the one the Doctor comes back to for several incarnations, steadying him. It makes sense, not just because RTD chose to give her the unrequited love thing and had to wrap that up, but because Martha, whose doctor-ness is such an essential part of herself, really would not leave her traumatized family after such a year (that happened for all of them). She originally went on adventure; then she fell for the man providing it; but she never made a life time commitment, or intended to make it. Not to the Doctor. To being a doctor. And that's who she is, and what she is.

Lastly: Titanic, huh? You know, this makes me wonder whether the infamously commitment shy Christopher Eccleston has been persuaded to grace the screen for the Christmas Special. Because among other things, from the moment the Doctor said "Gallifrey" out loud on screen in The Runaway Bride, this season has been a love declaration to Old Who, and Old Who every now and then did these Doctor-meets-Doctor(s) very special episodes, depending on how many of the older actors they still had available. Considering that in Rose, it's stated Nine was on the Titanic, this might be just the thing for Christmas. (Also, he was there before meeting Rose. Which means no Rose explanations will be necessary if Nine should meet Ten. Thank Rassilon.)

All in all: I loved this season. The finale itself, as an episode, was not as good as "The Sound of Drums", but it worked for me very well indeed. Bring on the Christmas special and the next season. And most of all, bring back Martha as the new Brigadier.

Comments

[lilacsigil.livejournal.com]

I can only agree with everything you say - the Master's speciality is returning from super-ultra-really-totally-final-death. I would *love* to see Martha as the Brigadier, what a fantastic way to put it!

Also, John Simm was a terrific Master, but I'm hoping that hand picking up the ring is a female regeneration. I'd really love some canon on that.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Female regeneration for the win! I love that idea.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

I think that everyone is agreeing that this wasn't as good as The Sound of Drums - basically, the story peaked a bit too early. I can't help thinking that Martha's "Get everyone in the world to love the Doctor" mission was bloody silly though - I would have more respect for a story in which the whole plan was for Martha to be the main agent of the "deactivate the Paradox Machine" thing, followed by an invasion of the time dragons and restoration of the status quo.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Ah, but to me the reason why Martha wandering the world resonated to me was because it tied with The Shakespeare Code, the power of words - I love that idea - and the power of storytelling versus the Master's "one weapon after another", as the Doctor puts it. Words and imagination winning over weapons of mass destruction, as it were. Maybe a fairy tale, but one I like.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Ahh, finally someone who enjoyed this episode! (I... did not really, but then again, it is a bit of a trend that I only like the last ten minutes or so of the New Who finales, thus I will as usual largely ignore the rest...[I even wrote down a reaction (http://wee-warrior.livejournal.com/21176.html#cutid1), if you're interested.])

I am bursting with Martha love right now

She was awesome, wasn't she? I am very disappointed at the ending - even though it was in character - but your Brigadeer idea gives me hope. Not least because he is so far my second-favourite Old School ... friend? Liasion? of the Doctor, and seeing my favourite New School friend/liasion as a possible parallel gives me joy.

I think he was aware there was the possibility that nobody would bring him back this time, ring or no ring, and he still went through it rather than accept the Doctor's terms, because he's crazy and they're screwed up like that.

I am still astonished that it can be so openly read as a romantic relationship, with the Master being the psycho ex who wants to play mindgames - but still needs the Doctor in an extremely twisted way - and Ten being the one who knows what the Master is like, but still has to try and "save" him. Of course them being the last Timelords plays into it for both, but I'm pretty sure the Doctor would have reacted differently if this had been Citadel Guard No. 206.

(We're clearly meant to think it's Lucy who grabs the ring at the end, which is why I doubt it; I know my Dracula movies from the Hammer studios, of which this scene is a direct rip-off, and it's never the most obvious candidate who does that.)

Oh. I have to admit I never really watched the Hammer Draculas, so I couldn't make the connection, but if this isn't Lucy, who should it be? Does the Master still have acquaintances on Earth who would come by and collect his One Ring/horcrux?
As for when he returns - and as who - RTD claimed that they put the scene in for later writers to take advantage off, and that they weren't planning to elaborate on it for now. (Which, aside from being further confirmation that the next season might be RTD's last, could be about as true as them not wanting to bring back the Master in the first place.)

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I am very disappointed at the ending - even though it was in character - but your Brigadeer idea gives me hope. Not least because he is so far my second-favourite Old School ... friend? Liasion? of the Doctor, and seeing my favourite New School friend/liasion as a possible parallel gives me joy.

Until the new season starts, I'm making this my fanon. And I think given Martha gave the Doctor her cell phone and said "I've not seen the last of you, Mister", we have a sort of set up for this. The Brigadier proved you can be an important character on the show without leaving Earth all the time with the Doctor, and the Pertwee era has been mentioned in the confidentials quite a lot.

Of course them being the last Timelords plays into it for both, but I'm pretty sure the Doctor would have reacted differently if this had been Citadel Guard No. 206.

Oh, same here. "Oh, aren't you... what was your name again, oh, yes - The Guard! The Guard, it's great to have you back! We're the last two!"

Awkward pause.

"So, tea?"

And yes, subtext, what subtext? That was main text.

Does the Master still have acquaintances on Earth who would come by and collect his One Ring/horcrux?

The problem is that his aquaintances don't exactly remember him fondly, if they're still alive... but you know, it could be a new character, whom we don't know.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

The Brigadier proved you can be an important character on the show without leaving Earth all the time with the Doctor, and the Pertwee era has been mentioned in the confidentials quite a lot.

Well, it is the one where the Master first shows up - as an aside, Pertwee and Delgado also had fabulous chemistry, if of a slightly different slant than Tennant and Simm (who just have to do something else together, preferably yesterday) - but then again, we also had UNIT playing a comparatively prominent role in the last few episodes, so it could certainly be on their minds. *keeps fingers crossed*

"So, tea?"

*g* Definitely more anticlimactic then "I'm begging you! Everything's changed! It's only the two of us, we're the only ones left! Just let me iiinnnn!!!"

And yes, subtext, what subtext? That was main text.

Indeed, although after I posted I remembered the other situation it reminded me of: Sam and Victor Tyler in the first series finale for LOM, which somehow had a similar feel to it (less slashy, obviously).

The problem is that his aquaintances don't exactly remember him fondly, if they're still alive... but you know, it could be a new character, whom we don't know.

It *would* be funny though if it had been an emergency escape plan, and then someone less benevolent picked him up before Lucy could get to him. Having an enemy trapped in a ring is after all not too bad either...

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Tennant and Simm (who just have to do something else together, preferably yesterday)

Quite. I vote for a play, in London, when I'm visiting. Shakespeare or modern is optional. Otoh, more selflessly so the rest of the world can also have fun, they could, you know, take over from Eccleston and guest star in Heroes.*veg*

Indeed, although after I posted I remembered the other situation it reminded me of: Sam and Victor Tyler in the first series finale for LOM, which somehow had a similar feel to it (less slashy, obviously).

Well, Sam was just as desperate for Victor to be the good father he remembered, to be innocent, and finally to not die, true (and I always wonder what Gene made of that situation, given he doesn't know Victor was Sam's father).

It *would* be funny though if it had been an emergency escape plan, and then someone less benevolent picked him up before Lucy could get to him. Having an enemy trapped in a ring is after all not too bad either...

YES! That would be nicely unexpected. Lucy shows up, as agreed, to pick up the ring from the ashes, and then someone from the Valiant who made an educated guess and really wants the Master to suffer through eternity in that ring is there first - maybe Tonya the massage woman? And/or the ring gets kidnapped by someone else, New Alien With Dubious Intentions. And then Lucy has to a) track down the Doctor, and b)'fess up if she wants the ring and the Master back. Cue lots of backstabbing intrigue during rescue mission...

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

I vote for a play, in London, when I'm visiting.

In case you're visiting before October, you can get at least half of the pair, as Simm is currently doing an adaptation of Elling at the West End (from July 6 to October 6 I believe). It is supposedly very good, but the tickets also looked quite expensive (it's at the Trafalgar Studios, if that rings a bell).

And the Heroes option would be fantastic, of course. We could have them as superpowered con men or something of that ilk.

(and I always wonder what Gene made of that situation, given he doesn't know Victor was Sam's father)

I'm not sure, but I guess Gene thought that Sam was pretty much off his rocker anyway, so he probably saw his behaviour as something you shouldn't ponder on too deeply.

And then Lucy has to a) track down the Doctor, and b)'fess up if she wants the ring and the Master back. Cue lots of backstabbing intrigue during rescue mission...

That would be fabulous!

Of course, now that I've read spec about the Master bodysnatching Lucy, I kind of want that to happen instead, mostly because he was whining about girls killing him so much. I think he could do with being female for a while.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

And the Heroes option would be fantastic, of course. We could have them as superpowered con men or something of that ilk.

That would be so much fun. What powers should they have?

Of course, now that I've read spec about the Master bodysnatching Lucy, I kind of want that to happen instead, mostly because he was whining about girls killing him so much. I think he could do with being female for a while.

He so could. And in the grand tradition of female characters on genre tv, he would have to wear high heels (as Lucy did when wearing that red dress at least) when running through a quarry. Otoh, you know, the Master on PMS is a frightening thought.

Speaking of the Master and Lucy, though, I just posted fanfic!

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

That would be so much fun. What powers should they have?

Hmm... they do both have extended experience with time travel... on the other hand that might be a bit cutesy. I think Tennant should get something in the direction of persuasion (only that he has to talk people into it, as opposed to just ordering them to do it, but they will find themselves listening to him despite themselves) and Simm should have something like people instinctively liking and trusting him as soon as he smiles at them, to the point where they give him their paychecks, their weapons, their children and spouses...

And in the grand tradition of female characters on genre tv, he would have to wear high heels (as Lucy did when wearing that red dress at least) when running through a quarry. Otoh, you know, the Master on PMS is a frightening thought.

I'm wondering if it can be any worse than the Cheetah virus. At the very least it can't be worse than Roberts!Master...
(aside: running in heels: I was so impressed with Freema Agyeman and the woman who plays Tish when they did that in The Lazarus Experiment, especially on the stairs... they should have been paid extra for that.)

[watervole.livejournal.com]

"I hope Martha will become the New Who version of the Brigadier, i.e. an UberCompanion who stays on Earth most of the time but is the one the Doctor comes back to for several incarnations, steadying him."

Oh yes! I was talking about this with a friend this morning. Rose brought out the worst in Ten (look at the episode with Queen Victoria!). Martha brings out the best in him. She steadies him, makes him more mature.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

It seems Martha as New Who's Brigadier is a winner.*g*

Martha brings out the best in him. She steadies him, makes him more mature.

She does, and I really like the quiet (and mutual - he never doubts her, either) trust they have, despite knowing each other's flaws.

[kernezelda]

I prefer to think Lucy was caught up in the worldwide telepathic web when she was murmuring, "Doctor," rather than giving up her allegiance to the Master. Did she love him more than she was put off by the manic hedonism? If shooting him allowed him to effect a plan for survival, and she knew it, I'd much more enjoy that than if she betrayed him.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

If shooting him allowed him to effect a plan for survival, and she knew it, I'd much more enjoy that than if she betrayed him.

I'm very sure that he did plan on the shooting at the very least, and not in a suicidal way(evidence: the goading of Francine), and Lucy being his way out in the way Martha was the Doctor's hope for humanity would be a perfect balance.

[kathyh]

I hope Martha will become the New Who version of the Brigadier, i.e. an UberCompanion who stays on Earth most of the time but is the one the Doctor comes back to for several incarnations, steadying him.

Yes, I was trying to think of a way to express what I think will happen to Martha and that's it *exactly*. I'm certain we haven't seen the last of her but I thought her leaving the Doctor was absolutely the right choice for the character at this point.

I can't make up my mind about whether her shooting the Master was part of the Master's back-up plan or her own idea

I can't either though I do think it was her picking up the ring as whoever took it was wearing exactly the same bright red nail varnish as Lucy.

this makes me wonder whether the infamously commitment shy Christopher Eccleston has been persuaded to grace the screen for the Christmas Special.

That thought occured to me too *g*. He's done a lot of work with RTD so I don't think it's impossible.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I'm certain we haven't seen the last of her but I thought her leaving the Doctor was absolutely the right choice for the character at this point.

Same here. And the phone she gave him is pretty obvious sign he'll be back in contact next season.

I do think it was her picking up the ring as whoever took it was wearing exactly the same bright red nail varnish as Lucy.

I was trying to remember whether there was red nail polish or not, but couldn't recall a close-up on Lucy's nails. However, as she wears red consistently during the episode, the colour associates her.

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

Yes: there was definitely a moment when we saw her red fingernails. Have forgotten when now - might even have been holding the gun.

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

Ah, the BBC website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/gallery/s3_12-13gallery/800/29.jpg) helps out...

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Yay BBC. And yes, the red nail polish is very visible there.

[cereswunderkind.livejournal.com]

The ring? Hammer, maybe, but I instantly thought of Flash Gordon :)

My, what a mess that episode was.

[mossymermaid.livejournal.com]

Yes!

*punches air*

Exactly, the whole Flash Gordon thing. Lots of interesting theories, and how nice if the canon was anything as inventive as what I've seen here but...

They're hedging their bets. They don't know what they're doing. End of.

I'd love to see Martha as the new brigadier. But you recon? Noo, she'll be back as the whipped puppy they tried to make her.

As for Lucy, they didn't know what to do with her. If she was rebelling against the master, as they tried to imply with the bruised eye etc at the beginning of the episode they did a bad job of it, because zombie!Lucy said nothing in the episode to express what she felt, believed or planned.

WTF???????????

As you say ceres, a complete mess.

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

because she said it perfectly

Well, except for the one typo. ;)

[srichard.livejournal.com]

Lucy Saxon as a Dark Companion, if you like: even more obvious this week. Rose and Martha saw the end of earth and the end of the universe respectively, but it only made them more determined to help in the present; Lucy saw the end of humanity, and it made her crack, if her one scene with lines is any indication. "What's the point?"

Rose and Martha, however, both had the Doctor with them to help them deal with this (Rose had a pretty hard time, at least). Lucy had the Master, and can you imagine the things he would have told her on showing her that? Context colors so much of our perception--the context of the Master could darken anything, I think. I like the idea of Lucy starting out bright-eyed and eager, only to be shown that and have it continually hammered into her that that's what humanity is and shall be.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Lucy had the Master, and can you imagine the things he would have told her on showing her that? Context colors so much of our perception--the context of the Master could darken anything, I think.

That's true, and the implication is that the humans were already busy cannibalizing themselves and becoming the Toclafane by the time the Master and Lucy arrived in Utopia ("we made ourselves pretty", says the sphere), which means that was what she saw, her first glimpse at the future.

[buffyannotater.livejournal.com]

Wonderful review. I completely agree. Love what you said about Martha's journey and the power of words. This episode really resonated with me, because I love the idea of the Doctor as a concept and the power of his own mythology being what resurrects him. I adore the scene at the end of The Once and Future King where Arthur sets the young Tom on a quest to pass on the story of Camelot to future generations. Here, the Doctor set Martha off on the same quest. The one thing I wasn't sure about early on was the idea of Martha as this warrior legend, which is what RTD seemed to be implying at the start. But the revelation that she has been travelling around as a storyteller made so much sense. And I do have to admit that, when everyone was saying The Doctor's name over and over, I cried. And then to tie that even further to the themes of Gridlock, in particular, by having the revelation about The Face of Boe was just one of those great Who finale moments where, whether or not it was planned out at the start, it feels like the entire series was leading up to. It feels full circleish and just perfect- the Face of Boe being a character who has not only moved past vanity, as Jack started to do here, and who has a connection with The Doctor and is able to prophesy about him.

Also, I love The Master's taste in music yet again, hehe!

[honorh.livejournal.com]

I still think the hand was Lucy Saxon's because either:

1.) the Master snatched her body; or

2.) he snatched the body of their as-yet-unborn timebebbie.

I can cling to my pet theories with the best of 'em!

I now have a mad Face of Boe & Novice Hame plot poodle chewing at my leg.

(How much would I love it if Nine & Ten got together on the Titanic to squabble and save people?)

[selenak.livejournal.com]

LOL on your icon. And hey, everyone loves their theories!

Face of Boe & Novice Hame: go for it!

And yes, that would be the perfect Christmas story, wouldn't it? (And in the best tradition of such Doctorly meetings, they'd bitch at each other the entire time while saving survivors.)

[owl]

Oh, yea, guest appearance by Nine for the win! Can we start bribing Eccleston now?

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

Eccleston is kinda ubiquitous these days, isn't he? So I'm quite optimistic.

[owl]

Oh, yea, guest appearance by Nine for the win! Can we start bribing Eccleston now?

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

Yes. Just -- yes. I'm amused we basically said the same thing about the Doctor As Tinkerbell scene, and of course, I love your Lucy Saxon musings.

What a wonderful season of television, grandiose and funny and uplifting. & :-)

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Looking back, I think this is my favourite New Who season so far. True, there was the not so great Dalek two-parter, but hey, the other seasons had weak eps, too, and there is just so much on the plus side that I loved to bits.