mrv3000 | EoT II

The Time Lords

You know, it doesn't surprise me in the least that the Time Lords coming back would be VERY VERY BAD. They've always been complete dicks, and to be coming back would be something they shouldn't ever allow. The Doctor's guilt over the Time War still makes sense, in spite of the fact that we now know him killing the Time Lords was intentional. (Man, how many fics did that joss right there?)

The biggest surprise for me was Rassilon.

Hello, Rassilon, you crazy, crazy bastard. I seem to remember Rassilon being batshit and vengeful even back in "The Five Doctors." You know, when he was dead.
So the Time Lords freaked out and resurrected Rassilon, like they resurrected the Master. And then it all went to hell because Rassilon is Rassilon. (I wonder how many brains went boom by showing Rassilon being worse than the Master?)

And then there's the mystery Time Lady.

You just know RTD will giggle about this until the end of time (get it?) and will refuse to tell who she is. But I'm thinking she was someone important to the Doctor, so either family (mother or Susan), or Romana. I think you could make strong arguments for any of them.

The Master

I don't think I've ever been so sympathetic for the Master.

The man weary of the drumming peeking through.
He could have been brilliant if the Time Lords hadn't made him crazy. "What would I be without you," the Doctor mused. You do have to wonder what life would have been like with the Master as a friend instead of an enemy. We've seen glimpses of this in the classic series - times when they practically got along.

Master: Remember how we used to frolic on Gallifrey?
Doctor: That was awesome.

Get them working on some gadget together and they stop fighting. :D

But back to it...

The Master taking down Rassilon was pretty badass. :D And I don't doubt Doctor Who will see the Master again. Something about him not being part of the original time bubble and so something something something... You know how it goes.

Knock Four Times

There was something just so right about the knocking being Wilf.

Reality sinks in for the Doctor.
Ten's death wasn't part of some epic plot. No Bad Wolf. No blaze of glory in defeating Rassilon. Just the simple act of saving one old man. Of course he would save Wilf - there was no question. But he rages against the fact that the universe isn't being "fair" once again.

Ten's incarnation arc was all about pain and loss and things being not fair. He could never hold on to the things he wanted, no matter how hard he tried to hang on. Everything kept being taken away from him. The danger was over but he still had to die - that's kind of been the story of Ten's life.

Parade of Companions

Even though the universe continues to mock him, he demands his reward, which means going off to see "his" companions. And he brings presents.

MICKEY/MARTHA WTF??? XD
Yeah, it's still a "WUT?" moment. But look at them! They're totally Team Awesome! (Could we have them on Torchwood, please? *bats eyes*) Anyway, the Doctor saves their lives as their present.

Oh, Sarah Jane. She knew. Sarah Jane always knows. *HUGS HER* The Doctor saves Luke's life as Sarah's present.

Jack's off drinking hypervodka in Mos Eisley after Children of Earth. The Doctor gets Jack an Alonzo present. XD XD

It's a bit sad the Doctor didn't want to even look in on Joan, but understandable. Instead, he asks her great granddaughter if she was happy. That was good enough for him.

And the lottery ticket goes in the bra. XD For the Donna present, the Doctor went back and borrowed some money from her dad, then bought a winning lottery ticket for her. It seems sort of trivial giving her money when she had so much taken away from her, but the Doctor did what he thought would give her a happy and comfortable life. People having a happy life is important to him.

Also, it's interesting that we've come full circle on Donna. They met as she was trying to get married and he left her as she finally got married.

And speaking of full circle...

The last thing the Doctor does is go to see Rose. This time he can't change her life or even let her see him too clearly. He has to stay in the shadows and in a way, it reminds me a bit of the Doomsday "can't touch" moment. But the thing about Rose is he doesn't want to change anything in her life. He knows it's going to be brilliant for her and so doesn't touch a thing. He says a few words - probably as much as he dared.

And the Doctor gets his present of a million-watt Rose smile.

Regeneration

"I don't want to go."
OH, TEN. *SNIFFS* They're such non-epic words. Nothing like the speech that Nine got. But it seems to fit with Ten and what I mentioned above. This isn't an epic death, it's one that's not fair. He wants to hold on to himself so much, but the universe is even taking that away from him.

Which makes it a very violent regeneration. :(

And because I'm starting to get wibbly again, I MUST HAVE HAPPY. WAH.

LOOK! THERE'S ANOTHER TEN! AND RIGHT NOW HE'S IN HIS NEW TARDIS WITH ROSE AND THEY ARE BEING BRILLIANT! AND OFF TO GET ALIEN ICE CREAM!

Yes. Much better.