Oh, And Speaking Of TV Shows I'm Never Going To Catch Up On...
Here's your Doctor Who discussion post for the season 4 opener, "Partners in Crime," since it aired on Sci Fi last night. Once again, say anything you like, only no spoilers for subsequent episodes, please!
I liked it. None of this season has quite amazed me yet -- that's as close as I'll get to a spoiler -- but it has an easy charm and silliness, and it's nice not to be completely annoyed by Catherine "Am I bovvered?" Tate.
I've just watched the next one after this -- definitely no spoilers here! -- and between this one and that one, far from simply not being annoyed by Tate, I am absolutely and utterly loving Donna.
I like her, and it's nice that they're actually trying for a different dynamic than the unrequited love angle they had with Rose and Martha, but I'm still not entirely sold on her as a character. She has displayed a lot more depth of character than in "The Runaway Bride" (and in Tate's sketch comedy show, which as near as I can tell is just a string of catchphrases repeated ad nauseum); and it was nice that, unlike past companions, in "Partners in Crime," she goes looking for the Doctor.
I dunno. Maybe it's just that I'm a big Freema Ageyman fan.
I also feel weird being more caught up on the series than you. It's like something is seriously wrong with the balance of the universe. :)
I like Martha, but as Donna Catherine Tate manages to generate an emotional intensity that Freema Ageyman didn't. I think it's that quality that makes Donna special.
Fred: Well, I watched "The Sontaran Stratagem" last night, so all is once again right with the universe. :) (And I'm really liking this season. I see what you mean about "easy charm and silliness," and wholeheartedly agree. It's just fun.)
I still love Martha -- Freema rocks -- but, hey, I'm a big-hearted person. I can love both characters. :)
John: You know, she does have that quality of emotional intensity, you're right. Which is very much a good thing. There's a comic side to her character which is very prominent, but I don't suppose that would work anywhere near as well if there weren't also a believable emotional core to the character.
Although I do think comparing Donna and Martha is a bit of an apples-and-oranges proposition. Freema brought an entirely different set of positive qualities to her role, IMO.
Not a whiff of a word. No news on Torchwoosd either. I have the feeling I'll be able to buy the DVDs before we get it here. No idea why. You'd think since they pitched in to make it they'd actually want to air it...
That is a good question which I suspect we won't actually have an answer for until the end of the season.
So are you getting a Fat baby when they come out?
You know, even while the episode was still running, all my friends and I were saying that we desperately wanted plushie Adipose. I think someone even came up with a vague plan for how to make one. :)
I have plenty of (lower case) adipose if you want it. :)
Actually, that wasn't such a bad idea, and, technically, it wasn't a crime, except for trying to repopulate a Level 5 planet (and how does he know it was Level 5?). Of course, then we could get into all sorts of biological debates about regenerating life forms out of fat rather than actual cells, but it could all be explained away by someone saying, "Just 'cause we can't do it doesn't mean aliens can't."
No thanks, I've got enough lower-case adipose of my own. :)
And, yeah, the biology was ridiculous, but this was one of those episodes -- not at all unusual for Who -- where the story was so much fun that I found it easy just not to think too hard about it.
I did like the fact that the alien plan wasn't actually evil. The execution was highly unethical, but that may have been mostly the nanny's fault, we don't really know. The general consensus among aforementioned friends was that we'd be willing to volunteer. (We tend to be a corpulent lot, alas.)
I liked it. None of this season has quite amazed me yet -- that's as close as I'll get to a spoiler -- but it has an easy charm and silliness, and it's nice not to be completely annoyed by Catherine "Am I bovvered?" Tate.
ReplyDeleteI've just watched the next one after this -- definitely no spoilers here! -- and between this one and that one, far from simply not being annoyed by Tate, I am absolutely and utterly loving Donna.
ReplyDeleteI like her, and it's nice that they're actually trying for a different dynamic than the unrequited love angle they had with Rose and Martha, but I'm still not entirely sold on her as a character. She has displayed a lot more depth of character than in "The Runaway Bride" (and in Tate's sketch comedy show, which as near as I can tell is just a string of catchphrases repeated ad nauseum); and it was nice that, unlike past companions, in "Partners in Crime," she goes looking for the Doctor.
ReplyDeleteI dunno. Maybe it's just that I'm a big Freema Ageyman fan.
I also feel weird being more caught up on the series than you. It's like something is seriously wrong with the balance of the universe. :)
I like Martha, but as Donna Catherine Tate manages to generate an emotional intensity that Freema Ageyman didn't. I think it's that quality that makes Donna special.
ReplyDeleteFred: Well, I watched "The Sontaran Stratagem" last night, so all is once again right with the universe. :) (And I'm really liking this season. I see what you mean about "easy charm and silliness," and wholeheartedly agree. It's just fun.)
ReplyDeleteI still love Martha -- Freema rocks -- but, hey, I'm a big-hearted person. I can love both characters. :)
John: You know, she does have that quality of emotional intensity, you're right. Which is very much a good thing. There's a comic side to her character which is very prominent, but I don't suppose that would work anywhere near as well if there weren't also a believable emotional core to the character.
Although I do think comparing Donna and Martha is a bit of an apples-and-oranges proposition. Freema brought an entirely different set of positive qualities to her role, IMO.
Oh sure...rub in the fact that we still don't have Doctor Who in Canada.
ReplyDelete*sniff*
Aww, that's so sad... :( Any idea when you might be getting it?
ReplyDeleteI liked that she wants to keep the Doctor at more than arm's length, and she might be the first companion to bring an entire set of luggage along.
ReplyDeleteNot a whiff of a word.
ReplyDeleteNo news on Torchwoosd either.
I have the feeling I'll be able to buy the DVDs before we get it here. No idea why. You'd think since they pitched in to make it they'd actually want to air it...
Whats with Rose at the end.
ReplyDeleteI like Donna too
The scene where the Doctor and Donna are spying on Adiposes` office was great fun.
So are you getting a Fat baby when they come out?
Whats with Rose at the end.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good question which I suspect we won't actually have an answer for until the end of the season.
So are you getting a Fat baby when they come out?
You know, even while the episode was still running, all my friends and I were saying that we desperately wanted plushie Adipose. I think someone even came up with a vague plan for how to make one. :)
Oh, and...
ReplyDeleteCaptain C: The luggage was possibly my favorite bit, and definitely one of my Top Reasons to Love Donna.
Geosomin: That really sucks. Well, if you do get desperate and want a fix, erm... *cough* :)
we desperately wanted plushie Adipose
ReplyDeleteI have plenty of (lower case) adipose if you want it. :)
Actually, that wasn't such a bad idea, and, technically, it wasn't a crime, except for trying to repopulate a Level 5 planet (and how does he know it was Level 5?). Of course, then we could get into all sorts of biological debates about regenerating life forms out of fat rather than actual cells, but it could all be explained away by someone saying, "Just 'cause we can't do it doesn't mean aliens can't."
No thanks, I've got enough lower-case adipose of my own. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd, yeah, the biology was ridiculous, but this was one of those episodes -- not at all unusual for Who -- where the story was so much fun that I found it easy just not to think too hard about it.
I did like the fact that the alien plan wasn't actually evil. The execution was highly unethical, but that may have been mostly the nanny's fault, we don't really know. The general consensus among aforementioned friends was that we'd be willing to volunteer. (We tend to be a corpulent lot, alas.)