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Post by IMForeman on Oct 24, 2009 3:47:06 GMT
Spoilers for both parts:
*What did everyone think? I liked it, but it was kind of odd. Something just felt...off. Not sure what. But overall I enjoyed it.
It was nice to have an episode focusing on Rani, though all the stuff with her feeling left out seemed to be suddenly thrown in (also, am I being oversensitive, or am I the only one who could do without another someone in the Whoniverse being compared to her predecessor?).
The stuff between Clyde and Sarah Jane was amusing. I liked that we got a lot of scenes between her and Clyde and Rani without Luke. Not that I mind Luke, but Sarah Jane tends to focus on him more than the others, especially now that Maria's gone.
Old Rani was interesting at first but over time became just a distraction. Speaking of distraction, I was slightly distracted by how similar Luke, Sam, and that kid in the attic looked to each other. At least it made sense in the latter two cases (the pairing of Sam and Eve was a bit odd, but okay).
Parts that I enjoyed the most: Flashbacks to Old Who! K-9! And of course the preview for next week: "SARAAAAAAAAH!"*
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lostspook
Auton Daisy
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Posts: 503
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Post by lostspook on Oct 24, 2009 18:20:02 GMT
Spoilers for both parts: * Parts that I enjoyed the most: Flashbacks to Old Who! K-9! And of course the preview for next week: "SARAAAAAAAAH!"* Oh, yes, me too! Especially K9! The awwwness of his return made my day. And then Mr Smith went and got sneery and jealous of him and added computer snark into the mix and just... yes.
I thought Rani's left-outness was perfectly in keeping, and I liked her very teenage sulking in her room bit, playing with the cushions.
But flashbacks to genuine, old Who! And K9. ;D I grinned happily.
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Post by Abbyromana on Oct 24, 2009 22:20:31 GMT
I have to say that in some respects I agree with IM. The episode, at least at first, felt off. Of course, that could be more do to the fact that this story has a very different approach. Of course, I think it started to pick up once I started to get to know Eve. Interesting idea that the villian is someone who isn't really evil (speaking in both of Eve and her ship).
I loved the SJ and Clyde banter. Those two really do an excellent job working off each other. I have a feeling whether SJ likes it or not, Clyde is going to be around for sometime, protecting her 'no so young self'.
I also liked Luke relating to Sam. I think this episode showed a much more developed and mature Luke. In fact, in the last episode, he showed a significant change from the end of season 2. He's defiantely heading in the direction I thought he would. Fits perfectly with my fanon. Yeah! Speaking of which, I agree with lostspook that the young boy (Adam) did look an awful lot like both Sam and Luke. In fact, he sounded quite a bit like Luke (similiar accent, I think). When I first saw the preview for this episode, I thought he might be an older Luke (perhaps returned to save an old Rani. I'm happy with how it ended, even if I didn't understand it.
I especially loved SJ's flashback and flashforwards. Old and New Who love!
But now, I'm wondering what Luke saw. Compared to Rani and SJ, no much was shown beyond graduating high school or college. I wonder, if I cross my fingers very tightly, I might be able to get my wish (clocket knows what I'm rfering to). *crosses fingers and wishes*
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Post by johne on Oct 25, 2009 19:30:25 GMT
Speaking of which, I agree with lostspook that the young boy (Adam) did look an awful lot like both Sam and Luke. In fact, he sounded quite a bit like Luke (similiar accent, I think). Yes, I wondered if there was a production line somewhere that manufactured young lads with that sort of hairdo. Particularly since one of them was supposed to be from 50 years in the future and looked just like the 2009 ones.
And while I don't squee as such, I watched the flashbacks to genuine old-Who with a big stupid grin on my face.
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Post by timeywimeyding on Oct 26, 2009 12:18:13 GMT
I wasn't too happy about the fact that the central conceit of the episode *(Old Rani) didn't have anything to do with the episode until the very end. But, like most people here, I can more than forgive that for the classic Who flashbacks.
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Post by jjpor on Oct 26, 2009 21:45:32 GMT
* I sort of agree with you there, Timey, IM and Abby; the framing story, while very interesting, did seem kind of tacked on. It didn't really have anything to do with the main story until the very end, and was then all resolved too easily. On the other hand, I did like the very last scene of future Rani and her son and grandchildren; because I am a sap, I guess! I don't know why she was living in Sarah's old house though. Some people online have suggested she might have been married to future Luke, but I didn't really get that from my viewing of the story.
Who am I kidding, though? I loved this; I squeed over this. Yes, I'm just easy for oldschool Who flashbacks, I guess. And for K-9! I was literally cheering (sat here by myself watching it on my computer - you don't think cheering to yourself is, well, weird do you?? ) when he arrived on the scene, and immediately put Mr Smith's nose out of joint with his smug, K-9-y manner. Long may he reign! And Three and Four and young!Sarah too!
And next week!!!! I think I may need to take some valium or something before watching next week's!
But yeah, the main story with Eve and Harry and Sam and Rani feeling a bit left out was very nice. I enjoyed it a lot, and the nice way it was wrapped up. I especially liked, though, the interaction between Clyde and Sarah Jane. Clyde was even more amazing this episode than he usually is. People are almost certainly writing very ill-considered fanfic about the pair of them as we speak...
I have to agree, though; those lads did look very alike, didn't they? Are they cloning them now or something?*
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Post by Abbyromana on Oct 27, 2009 2:04:08 GMT
* I don't know why she was living in Sarah's old house though. Some people online have suggested she might have been married to future Luke, but I didn't really get that from my viewing of the story.
* You are right that it wouldn't make sense for Luke and Rani to be married, at least according to the show. Besides my obvious bias against it and the fact there's never been much hint of it in the show between the younger Rani and Luke, the dialogue would suggest differently.
First, she refers to look to her son and grandchild by his first name. Most parents have the habit of referring to their significant other as 'your dad' or 'your mum'. Second, there's nothing to suggest that they went together to the U.S. to visit Maria. It sounds more like they ran into each other and helped Maria out. I mean, it would be like a post-Doctor era Sarah Jane mentioning to someone that she and the Doctor helped out the Brig.*coughs and steps down from soapbox* Any way... you hit the point that made this story good. There were strong side characters. Speaking of which, did anyone else know that the actor playing Harry is real-life Elizabeth Sladen's husband? Wow! That's so cool, if it is true!
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Post by jjpor on Oct 27, 2009 23:04:17 GMT
you hit the point that made this story good. There were strong side characters. Speaking of which, did anyone else know that the actor playing Harry is real-life Elizabeth Sladen's husband? Wow! That's so cool, if it is true! * It was news to me as well; I've been having a conversation about it with lostspook on lj since about Saturday... ;D Apparently he did Dalek voices in the old series in a couple of stories and, lostspook informs me, was in Snakedance too.
And I'm in full agreement with you on the Luke/Rani issue. I just didn't get that vibe from the scene at all. Or indeed from the present day characters either, although I guess it is a kids' show!*
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Post by clocketpatch on Oct 28, 2009 16:47:43 GMT
My thoughts: Well, you know my initial thoughts, because they're everyone's thoughts: CLASSIC WHO FTW!! I just about had a squee-aneurysm (is that even possible?). I knew that there was going to be a Doctor flashback, but I didn't think it would have Three involved! Whoot! (however, and I know it's an extremely nerdy nit-pick, but am I the only wondering why there was a clip from the Five Doctors in between Three and Four? K-9 hadn't even shown up by that point... sorry... yeah... uber nerdy I know)
As for the episode itself, I think I might be unique among you in liking in the framing device. I thought it was well done and I was wondering right up until the end how they'd draw it in, or if it was going to be related to something later in the season. I do agree, however, that something seemed a bit ~off~ in the first episode. I think that was because the dialogue was just a touch too exposition-y and Old Rani wasn't really giving any gusto in the delivery.
I liked the plot, and the resolution - it definitely kept me guessing until the end. And the little space ship family was adorable (I''m waiting for the the SAm/Eve stories to start coming out on the spoon, and there child is named Adam... Adam... Eve... wow... lol) They managed to work in a Time War reference as well. And then in the old man's office there was that "The Doctor Recommends It" sign, that had me squeeing each time the camera panned over that way.
So yes, definitely a lot to like. And definitely a lot to look forward to next week. Oh, and K-9!!! I'd almost forgot, oh there was just so much awesome jam-packed in there. And Clyde! (I'm thinking he's getting more scenes because the the actor is 24... yeah, I know! ... while Luke as I understand it is still in school and can't afford as much time on set). Clyde's so my favourite though, so I don't care. Yeah Clyde!
One thing I didn't like was Sarah-Jane's reaction to the Doctor coming back. I don't like how the show likes to devolve her character development whenever they feel like it and make her all traumatised for no real reason. She's already got over the whole abandonment thing, there have been several episodes devoted to this, I'm kind of wishing they'd move on - also, that the if she were going to be upset over the Doctor coming back, it would be because bad things tend to follow him, and not because of their issues.
Also, why exactly does Rani live in Sarah-Jane's house in the future? This is confusing.
Possible Finale Spoiler:
SHIP said she saw the darkness was coming. She also said the Darkness was a black hole, and yes, she used that black hole to free K-9 (and how'd they get the rights for that? With that K-9 spin-off now on the air?) but maybe... ponders...
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Post by jjpor on Oct 28, 2009 21:14:15 GMT
*Good call on the Five Doctors thing, actually. Well, I guess it was the only thing they could find that has Sarah and K-9 in it. Apart from K-9 and Company, of course! Er...
I too think the idea of the little family in space was kind of sweet, and deserves fic. Mind you, I was thinking wouldn't it be great if they teamed up with Jenny and Lady Christine deSouza and bitter old post-CoE Captain Jack, and maybe even his former mate Spike as well, and pulled off some sort of epic interstellar heist caper, getting chased by Judoon spaceships with flashing blue lights and everything...but then I thought that was a bit silly...y'know, just a bit...and I don't even like Jenny...
Agreed on the whole Sarah/Doctor thing, and how little I want to see any of that creeping into next week's one, because it's gotten old by now, I'd say. If they want to make amends in some way by having them relate to each other in an adult, non-angsty way, of course, I wouldn't say no.*
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Post by clocketpatch on Oct 28, 2009 22:19:02 GMT
JJ, you simply must write that now. I won't let up until you do.
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Post by Abbyromana on Oct 29, 2009 0:56:15 GMT
My thoughts: As for the episode itself, I think I might be unique among you in liking in the framing device. I thought it was well done and I was wondering right up until the end how they'd draw it in, or if it was going to be related to something later in the season. I do agree, however, that something seemed a bit ~off~ in the first episode. I think that was because the dialogue was just a touch too exposition-y and Old Rani wasn't really giving any gusto in the delivery. Actually, I liked the concept. In some ways it reminded me of Left Turn. In fact, I was wondering if the same thing happened: a pocket universe formed around the Rani. It makes more sense, particularly if it is true that SHIP wiped Clyde, Luke, and SJ out of existence. Otherwise, how can the universe still be as it is without SJ ever existing to be a companion of the Doctor's. It could be a way for the unvierse to compensate for the interference of SHIP. They managed to work in a Time War reference as well. And then in the old man's office there was that "The Doctor Recommends It" sign, that had me squeeing each time the camera panned over that way. I agree I loved the subtle Time War reference, which finally connects it fully to new DW. I have to admit I missed the Doctor Recommends' sign. I'll have to rewatch to see it. Thanks for the notice! And Clyde! (I'm thinking he's getting more scenes because the the actor is 24... yeah, I know! ... while Luke as I understand it is still in school and can't afford as much time on set). Clyde's so my favourite though, so I don't care. Yeah Clyde! I didn't know he was that much older. He does a good job pretending to be younger. I suppose then it would make more likely he'd be a companion of the Doctor. :9 But if I give you that, CP, I hope you'll give me Luke being Jenny's compaion. One thing I didn't like was Sarah-Jane's reaction to the Doctor coming back. I don't like how the show likes to devolve her character development whenever they feel like it and make her all traumatised for no real reason. She's already got over the whole abandonment thing, there have been several episodes devoted to this, I'm kind of wishing they'd move on - also, that the if she were going to be upset over the Doctor coming back, it would be because bad things tend to follow him, and not because of their issues. I see what you mean about that CP, but I don't think it was as simple as you think. I'd say her reaction was more due to shock of what just happened to her. Her senses were probably still overwhelmed with the flashbacks and flashforwards. She was probably still feeling the emotions of all of them, piling on her at that very moment.
She also probably was shocked by why the Doctor would come to see her. As you said, she knows that wherever the Doctor goes, trouble doesn't seem to be far behind him. She wonders how bad it will soon be for him to show up in her home. In that case, it was probably more based around worry. Things will have to be bad enough that she and UNIT aren't enough to stop a new evil.
Also, why exactly does Rani live in Sarah-Jane's house in the future? This is confusing. I agree it is odd, but it could go towards one of my fanon plot bunnies (Luke won't need the house in the future), CP. You know the one I speaking about.
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