Parthenogenesis is an Athenian Prog Rock band
Back on the fandom front, I finished watching the Series 4 premiere of Doctor Who last night. I have to say I was enormously pleased. I have learned to stop worrying about the comic-book science of the new show, and was able to focus on the acting and writing, which satisfied me fine.
David Tennant’s mentioned that his favorite Doctor was the Fifth, and his version shares a certain tendency to be swept along helplessly by events. It’s no coincidence that his catch phrase is “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.” as he observes another loss he could not prevent. The Tenth Doctor rose above that in this story, and I hope he’ll continue to do so in this year’s plots.
The Doctor’s at his best when he’s facing down a villain and stating, sociably, “I’d advise you not to be fooled by your first impressions of me. You’re hurting innocent sentients here, and I’m going to ask you nicely, once, to stop.” Tennant nailed that note this episode. When the Doctor offered a ceasefire to an enemy who’d done her best to kill him, and refused to kill the creepycute alien children because they weren’t responsible for the evening’s mayhem, I wanted to cheer the return of the Doctor I know and love.
I will say that the pill necklaces were a bit of nonsense. Why exactly was Adipose giving them out – were they signal repeaters? Weren’t they worried that people would fiddle with the things? And no one on the program stays up until 3am watching movies or playing WoW?
On the other hand, the ability to spawn alien kids with (initially) no obvious harm to the host is impressive. If Adipose had been able to be open and aboveboard, I suspect they’d still have had willing customers lined up. “Painlessly, effortlessly lose a kilo a day in exchange for helping save alien children? … okay, sure, what the hell!”
I suspect I’m also going to like Donna Noble. The Ninth Doctor / Rose quasi-romance worked well because he was a wounded survivor needing someone to help him carry his load, and unwilling at first to ask anyone. But that story arc was nicely wrapped up at the end of the season, and the Tenth / Rose relationship always seemed slightly forced. On the other hand, Tenth treated Martha rather poorly; near the end he was nearly as demanding as the literary Seventh was with his companion-pawns.
There doesn’t appear to be any hint of budding romance here. The Doctor needs company, and Donna wants to see the Universe. I hope they stick with that. It could be the most mature relationship the Doctor’s had in a long time.
This year’s version of the theme tune is okay. I liked the references to the 1966 and 1980 compositions, but overall it’s a little flat.
Finally, while I was expecting the special guest star to appear this season, I didn’t expect the appearance so soon and in quite that manner. I’m looking forward to seeing where they’re going with this.
So, good start. I hope this series goes well, since I’m told that Series 5 won’t be released until 2010.
Tags: doctor who, fandom, tv
I really liked this episode. Catherine Tate brings a wonderful energy and I loved the way they met. I also like the “let’s not do a romance” angle right up front, as it tells me they’re not going to rehash that one again.
Foster was a great character, too. The necklaces were triggers that were bonded to the recipient on touch (there was a brief technobabbly scene) and set themselves according to that person (which is how they knew to only spawn when the host was asleep). Donna’s just latched on to the nearest Adiposian and gave the “go now” command because it wasn’t previously bonded. Anyway, that’s my take on the pseudoscience… 🙂
From what I understand (and I need to go back and verify) the opening theme was the same as that in Runaway Bride (which would make sense).