As
an effort to justify our somewhat obsessive T.V watching Meghan
(Of Coffee
and Wizards and @MegTao on
Twitter) and myself have decided to undertake a Doctor Who
Watch-a-long. We'll be starting with the beginning of the 2005
relaunch and will be posting about one episode each Friday, on our
respective blogs. We hope you'll join in – whether as a re-watch or
to discover the Doctor for the first time!
*just a heads up each post will contain spoilers for that episode and then ones before it*
Episode Summary
In the episode, The
Doctor takes Rose Tyler on her first trip through time
and space in the TARDIS to the year five billion where many
rich alien delegates have gathered on a space station called Platform
One to watch the Sun expand and destroy the Earth, but one of these
guests is plotting to profit from the event by killing them all.
Thoughts on the Episode
Right off the
bat, I love this episode because of how much it reminds me of the
BBC's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. It has a very Douglas
Adams feel to it, which I think many people can appreciate.
Beyond that I
hardcore love this episode because of how much deep we get into the
Doctor's character. At the beginning he's all laughs. Explaining
mind-blowing things like they're no big deal (“Oh it's just
slightly physic paper.” “Oh the Tardis just let's you understand
all languages”). But as the episode progresses we learn about his
history and his people. You also get to see a much colder side of the
Doctor. He let's Cassandra (The Last Human) die, even though Rose
asks him to help her. It's an interesting choice and I always find
myself wondering if it's the right one. The whole thing felt
very...human of him.
Speaking of
Cassandra, I think she is one of the most fascinating parts of this
whole episode. For one she's had so much plastic surgery she looks
like a tarp and for another she's transgendered. Interesting choice
Doctor Who writers, interesting choice. But most of all she is just
down right racist. She's got this whole Draco Malfoy thing going on,
where she can't stand that humans cross-bred with other aliens and it
breaks my heart a little to see that racism is still going strong 5
billion years from now.
Despite all the
serious things that are found in this episode there are still more
than a few hilarious moments. My personal favourite is when they
wheel out a Jukebox, call it an iPod and play such “classical”
hits as Tainted Love and Toxic. A must-watch for that alone.
Favourite Quotes
“I got a first
in jiggery pokery. How 'bout you?” - Doctor while fixing up Rose's
phone
“Better to die
than live like you. A bitchy trampoline.” - Rose to Cassandra
The Doctor basically killing Cassandra is a very human moment (revenge), but also a very Time Lord moment ("everything has it's time"), and I feel like that Time Lordness is something that changes and fluctuates throughout the series. (i.e. "I don't want to go." vs S6 finale).
ReplyDeleteMeghan you are so wise. I bow to your analysis :)
DeleteI was completely surprised when the Doctor let her die. It was not really something I expected from the doctor I knew. And my heart broke when Jade burst into flames. I liked her a lot.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right, the most hilarious moment was when they brought out the "iPod". Personally, though, it would have been a wonderful bit of Meta to have been playing one of Billie Piper's songs instead.
I totally forgot to mention Jade in this post but my heart broke for her as well. Such a fabulous character!
DeleteThis was a really great episode. One of my favs so far...of course I have only watched 3...
ReplyDeleteOveruse of mouthwash can disrupt oral bacteria. clear dental braces
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