Midnight

[mrv3000]

I typed up this post this morning and then started responding to comments, but I'm completely worn out at the moment – the medication's killing my energy, so I've got to go back to bed. But I'm doing a bit better this morning. *HUGS FLIST*



This was the first episode since Partners in Crime that I watched twice, if that's saying anything. Wait. Did I watch the Sontaran eps again? I can't remember.

Anyway, while it got creepy I still wasn't scared, but the tension was FANTASTIC. (I have no idea what's wrong with me. Maybe the pills. :D Really the only three I can say ever truly freaked me out are The Empty Child, The Impossible Planet and Blink.) The episode was the classic "ensemble in a pressure cooker" and done really really well, in my opinion.

• How much do I love that the Doctor and Donna went to some spa? LOVE IT. :D And it's just so THEM that the Doctor would want to do the dorky educational outing while Donna wanted to sit pool-side.
  
  Oh, so that's what those transports looked like? For some reason I pictured it hovering for some reason. (Why didn't they just have flying transports to get them there quicker if the surface is that toxic?) Anyway, what do you want to bet that right after the Doctor got off the phone, half those gumballs there wound up in his pocket? You know, for later.
  
  
  I think Donna just edged everyone else out for Coolest Companion Ever. This reminds me of when Mel insisted on going to a spa, while Seven was thoroughly bored at the thought. However, Donna's cool levels > Mel's cool levels.
  
  
  
• We get to see the Doctor on his own again and the trouble he can run into by being alone. Without backup it's a hell of a lot easier for people to turn on him. Because if you were in a crisis situation, would you trust the random stranger who spazzes and wants to help the thing that you think is threatening you? It's asking a lot to put your life in someone's hands.
  
  Things would have gone quite a bit differently if Donna had been with him. Or any companion, really. This shows there are times when he's not instantly accepted as the "highest authority" simply because he's smart.
  
  
  
• Man, I loved the chaos and people flopping back and forth on opinions. Some people obviously motivated purely by fear and others trying to reason things out but still have fear creeping in. And the Doctor having very little patience for the fear, which probably didn't help the situation at all. Yes he can problem-solve his way out of a crisis, but he doesn't make a very good diplomat or counselor sometimes.
  
  
  
• It was interesting to see the Doctor get in over his head. Double-teamed by an entity that was stronger than him and humans at their worst, and he was no match. He thought he could contain the entity – he was wrong. He promised to save everyone – he was wrong. In the end he became a victim and needed saving himself. I don't really need to see this every week, but I really like seeing this every once in a while. Times when the Doctor isn't in control.
  
  Completely powerless against things stronger than him – the entity and fear.
  
  
  
• Another instance of Rose popping up on the monitor, and...HUH. The TARDIS I could begin to understand, but this was directed at the Doctor, way out in the middle of nowhere in who knows what century. How's she doing this? Is it still being funnelled through by the TARDIS or something?
  
  They're finally in the same frame!! *FLAILS* (Shudup.)
  
  
  
• Something I didn't understand – at the end the entity has the Doctor's voice. Does this mean it was still the Doctor talking at the end? Like with that allons-y? Then why would the Doctor be telling them to throw him out? Or was that allons-y simply the Doctor getting slight control back, like with being able to hook his foot on the chair?

Next week – ROSE! Donna and Rose! Rose and Donna!! Now when Rose said "you're going to die" I'm guessing that's a bit out of context. I'm thinking it'll probably be "you" in the general sense, rather than Donna specifically. They luuuurve doing promos out of context to try and create drama. (Anyone remember the tagline for Army of Ghosts? It was something like "Rose Tyler. She's not human. Not any more." Well, that turned out to mean something else in context, as opposed to my flailing thinking that she'd be cyberized by the end.)

Comments

[makesometime.livejournal.com]

They're finally in the same frame!! *FLAILS* (Shudup.)

This clicked with me about 2 hours after watching the episode. I had a massive geek-out :D 2 years since that last happened!

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I KNOW! *GRABBY HANDS* I'm afraid when there's actual screen time there will be much pausing and rewinding. :D

[shinyopals.livejournal.com]

Anyway, what do you want to bet that right after the Doctor got off the phone, half those gumballs there wound up in his pocket? You know, for later.

BWAH! XD YES. I love the little details…

I don't really need to see this every week, but I really like seeing this every once in a while. Times when the Doctor isn't in control.

Definitely. It's scary as hell and I really want to hug him, but sometimes it's good when he's not the ruler of the universe.

Anyone remember the tagline for Army of Ghosts? It was something like "Rose Tyler. She's not human. Not any more."

Don't forget the whole “this is the day that I died” thing. While I wasn't in the fandom at the time, I imagine that probably caused some flailing. The trailers love the drama, don't they?

*Flaps hands about next week anyway*

*More hugs* Hope all is feeling better for you soon.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Definitely. It's scary as hell and I really want to hug him, but sometimes it's good when he's not the ruler of the universe.

Very much so. While he is one of the more powerful beings around, he's still not a god.

Don't forget the whole “this is the day that I died” thing. While I wasn't in the fandom at the time, I imagine that probably caused some flailing. The trailers love the drama, don't they?

I've blocked that. :D

Yes, that was deeply traumatic. Part of why I'm sort of bracing myself again for some cruel ending.

*Flaps hands about next week anyway*

And the week after! \o/

*More hugs* Hope all is feeling better for you soon.

Thanks! I'm starting to feel better.

[pluckyyounggirl.livejournal.com]

Donna is pretty much The Best Thing Ever, isn't she?

Something I didn't understand – at the end the entity has the Doctor's voice. Does this mean it was still the Doctor talking at the end? Like with that allons-y?

I think, though I am by no means sure, that basically it used the Doctor's repertoire of words, so to speak; maybe his intelligence, too. Like, it accessed his knowledge, this speaking 'in his voice'. And that would also explain why the Doctor was so afraid of it getting to him specifically, because of all the knowledge he has and the power he holds with it.

Now when Rose said "you're going to die" I'm guessing that's a bit out of context.

I hope it is! I'm not panicking about it yet, because I assume that that all relates to the bit where Rose says "None of this should have happened." I.e. the Doctor shouldn't have died, other stuff that's happening shouldn't be, and so when she says that, maybe that is what will set things right again, without Donna actually dying.

Also, a question! When Donna asks Rose "Who are you, anyway?!", what does Rose say? I just can't seem to make it out. Anybody? :-)

[javabreeze.livejournal.com]

Also, a question! When Donna asks Rose "Who are you, anyway?!", what does Rose say? I just can't seem to make it out. Anybody? :-)

I think she said, "I used to be like you."

[syokhan.livejournal.com]

Or was that allons-y simply the Doctor getting slight control back, like with being able to hook his foot on the chair?

I'm wavering between this, and the idea that when the entity stole his voice, it also stole his way of speaking ('the emptiness', 'the midnight sky', and so on). I'm guessing the Doctor was right in thinking that it would eventually become him (in a manner of speaking), and some of his odd... verbal quirks slipped through. Or the entity was just mocking and taunting him.

I don't know. *scratches head*

[fakymcfakerson.livejournal.com]

I agree- I think it was speaking with his "voice"- it didn't take his intelligence or will, just kind of locked-up his system while it stole his communication methods/synapses/whatever. Thus, he couldn't really do anything, couldn't react, and because his way of speaking is terribly distinct and unique, became a dead giveaway to those who were paying attention. Hooray hostess! (also, I'm terribly glad of the "what was her name?" bit- it made me think that perhaps the Doctor has a list somewhere of those he feels he's killed. Kind of deepens him, throws his melancholy into relief. I wonder if he did find out her name, offscreen. I like to think he would've, but at the same time- without his companion there, he might've been a bit worried about pushing the humans/seeming unhuman, and thus let it drop, just remembering her as "the hostess.")

[greenpear.livejournal.com]

I haven't read the entry yet cause I haven't seen the episode yet. I fee so lame and behind the times. Your last entry about the episode showed 53 comments. I hate reading them before I see it and by the time I see it everyone else has moved on.

*groan*

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Get with it!

[javabreeze.livejournal.com]

I think the episode was simply fantastic. The ensemble cast just worked. The characters really popped on screen. This is how to do an episode where you have so many characters together with a lot going on. Moffat needs to take notes.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

The ensemble worked for me as well. Very distinctive characters with their own motivations and reactions. It gives me confidence that RTD will be able to write what looks to be a large cast in the finale.

[janetmaca.livejournal.com]

Haha, you're so cute flailing over the Doctor and Rose being in the same frame. I was so focused on yelling at the Doctor to "turn around" that that didn't occur to me. And yes, I do believe Donna is the coolest companion ever.

Now you go feel better. *hugs*

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

It's like...the first shot that you could *possibly* make an icon from! I need NEW D/R icons! :D

And thanks. :)

[fakymcfakerson.livejournal.com]

Donna- I loved the Doctor/Donna interaction here. I love Donna, period. They've got this bff sort of thing going on- they're each others' rocks. They've both gone through some shit this season. I'm not sure that they're doin' it- to me, they've got the same sort of vibe that I've had with extraordinarily good straight male friends I'm not sleeping with. That last scene, for instance- they didn't touch, did they? And Donna is still making a point of "not a date!"... but now following it up with "you know what I mean," which means to me that they've accepted their relationship is at that weird, high level of intimacy that doesn't involve sex, but that sex is still an elephant in the room, what with everyone assuming they're married.

The Rose-in-the-viewscreen thing: she was also on one of the screens in a UNIT installation in one of the Sontaran eps- which means *she* is tracking down the Doctor using her own tech, IMO. It also looks like it's exactly the same plea each time- perhaps she's simultaneously broadcasting it? And I wonder, if this wrongness in the universe is going to be a combination of back-flash from the paradox machine (ripping a hole in space and time, then magically healing it) and the whole Daleks and Cybermen being thrown into a hole in space and time. Perhaps the hole didn't magically heal as well as it should have, here, or let loose some supposedly well-and-gone Daleks and Cybermen into another universe. And it'll probably set up the Master possibly not being really dead.

I think that this ep also showed, to some degree, *why* he chooses bright, attractive, assertive women as his companions- they're excellent "translators." When they speak for him in a situation like they had on Midnight, they're defenders, champions of him- they're inherently trustworthy, to the casual acquaintance. They make him seem less threatening- after all, if he were threatening, why would they be with him? They play to the stereotypes of the people the Doctor encounters. They add veracity to what he says. He can't defend himself worth a crap, anymore, when they're not around. The best he can come up with is "I'm clever." The girl- they can be a smokescreen- "He's the Doctor! He's the smartest man in the universe, he saved this that and the other thing, etc etc" and while she's saying all that, the Doctor can go quietly back and quickly get a start on saving the universe. Jethro didn't work well as his smokescreen. Males don't, either, because two males together presents a threat to some people- especially two attractive, bright, assertive males. This also probably plays into his rundown of companions when the mimicking was going on- the ones mentioned were his champions- Mickey and Jack were the tin dogs. Useful in a fight and when analyzing something, perhaps, but not good human-world interfaces. They couldn't do anything the Doctor couldn't do himself.

[honorh.livejournal.com]

Totally agree with why he chooses the women he does. Donna, Martha or Rose would've been the perfect buffer between the Doctor and the other passengers. Rose would've stopped him being rude and challenged the other passengers to look at what they were doing. Martha would've been able to explain things in a way the others would've understood. Donna would have smacked 'em all down proper and made it clear that anyone who wanted to airlock the Doctor would've had to go through her--and not even the big guy could've done that. He's just not as good on his own. For all his experience with humans, he's not one, and he needs someone who can make that transition for him.

[xbriyeon.livejournal.com]

ARGHHH it irked me so much he didn't TURN AROUND. And no one bothered tell him, "Hey there was a blonde behind you on the screen shouting your name!" or something like that. Aghhh.

T__T I don't want Donna to die.. and on another note, Rose still looks badass in that preview, but so sad and really hardened..

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

ARGHHH it irked me so much he didn't TURN AROUND. And no one bothered tell him, "Hey there was a blonde behind you on the screen shouting your name!" or something like that. Aghhh.

I pretty much figured. In Partners in Crime it seemed like they were going to set up a few near misses for them.

T__T I don't want Donna to die.. and on another note, Rose still looks badass in that preview, but so sad and really hardened..

I just can't believe they'd ever permanently kill off a companion. Yeah, I know they killed off Adric but...at this point in the Doctor's life, PLEASE do not be killing off a companion. I swear he'd finally break into a thousand tiny pieces.

Also, think of the kiddies! :D

[sunnytyler001.livejournal.com]

I hope you're feeling better. And Yay! Next week is gonna be FANTASTIC!

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I am a bit. *looks forward to next week*

[honorh.livejournal.com]

This won't go down as my favorite ep of the season, but it was enjoyable as a disaster-flick pastiche. If Donna had been along, she'd have smacked down the others in short order, so it really wouldn't have worked with her. Still, I adore that she was lounging about enjoying being pampered while he did the proverbial Grand Canyon tour. Adore more the hug she gave him when he came back looking like a kicked puppy. I just love their friendship.

*sobs in anticipation of disaster* Don't take the Doctor's BFF away, RTD! You took his sweetheart, you took his evil ex-boyfriend--don't take Donna away!

As for Rose--I can't imagine what she's gone through to make her seem so hardened in the preview. What's she done? What's been done to her?

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I totally love their friendship as well. And I love the hug she gave him at the end, full of comfort and support.

I just can't imagine that they'd kill off Donna. Really, really can't imagine. I'm expecting it to be along the lines of "this is the story of how I died - the last story I'll ever tell." Well...that wasn't really what it turned out to be by quite a long shot.

And as far as Rose goes - she does seem a lot different. That happy spark is gone. Although I'll hope that part of it is because of the gravity of the current situation. Her running up with a "what'd they find" seemed a bit more like the Rose of old. Rose in a crisis, at least.

But it would seem that it hasn't been puppydogs and rainbows over in the AU.

[shaela]

Why didn’t they just have flying transports to get them there quicker if the surface is that toxic?

Well, most flying transports don’t work without air, and I don’t think Midnight had any.

It was interesting to see the Doctor get in over his head.

I think that’s one of the things I miss about season one. The Nestene Consciousness is “Rose.” The Gelth in “The Unquiet Dead.” The Reapers in “Father’s Day.”

When he’s always right (or when there’s no price attached to him being wrong), I think he starts to buy into his own myth. That he can handle anything. That he can save everyone.

And, y’know, fear isn’t always a bad thing. Granted, the other passengers were letting their fear control them. But the Doctor wasn’t nearly as afraid as he should’ve been. What would’ve happened if that monster had gotten loose?

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Well, most flying transports don’t work without air, and I don’t think Midnight had any.

You're very very smart. :)

When he’s always right (or when there’s no price attached to him being wrong), I think he starts to buy into his own myth. That he can handle anything. That he can save everyone.

I think you're right. Not that I want him to be taught a lesson ever, but I prefer to see him grounded in reality.

And, y’know, fear isn’t always a bad thing. Granted, the other passengers were letting their fear control them. But the Doctor wasn’t nearly as afraid as he should’ve been. What would’ve happened if that monster had gotten loose?

There was definitely some conceit going on there. And I think we and he got an idea of what that would have been like - the Doctor couldn't control it in the end, and he learned that the hard way.

[principia-coh.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if he'd had any sort of backup (well, any sort of sufficiently 'don't-eff-with-me' backup like Donna, Rose, Jack or even Sarah Jane, he'd have undoubtedly fared better.

He definitely looked just destroyed at the end of this episode. He was possessed in 42 by an entity capable of just as much if not more damage, but say what you will about those crew members, their first instinct wasn't to start chucking people out the airlock - not even the Doctor.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Good point. The 42 people definitely weren't as ruthless as the Midnight people. Another "humanity sucks" moment there.

[t-a-n-g-o.livejournal.com]

I think Donna is my favourite companion now. She is the coolest of the cool. And she was really sweet and understanding at the end.

It was interesting to see everyone turn on him. I suppose that's what can happen in stressful situations, you turn on each other. And yeah he was a weird guy to them not giving his name and trying to communicate with the thing.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I think Donna is my favourite companion now. She is the coolest of the cool. And she was really sweet and understanding at the end.

I don't know. I've still got a soft spot for Rose. Would have been interesting to see this scenario play out with her, because I'm completely convinced she would have gone with the Doctor on the trip.

It was interesting to see everyone turn on him. I suppose that's what can happen in stressful situations, you turn on each other. And yeah he was a weird guy to them not giving his name and trying to communicate with the thing.

Mob mentality. It's a killer.

[starrynights24.livejournal.com]

They're finally in the same frame!! *FLAILS* (Shudup.)

Ya know, that did not dawn on me until I read your review. I was too busy yelling at the screen for him to turn around. *facepalm*

*joins in the FLAILING*

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

*snickers*

*flails*

[zoecorkhill.livejournal.com]

I love love love your episode recaps. Will read it in more detail @ work tomorrow instead of just skimming it tonight :D

I'm watching PS I Love You and getting a touch weepy oops, but the wine helps!

Hope you're feeling better :)

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks. :)

[hyari.livejournal.com]

ext week – ROSE! Donna and Rose! Rose and Donna!!

Awwwh... *pinches your cheeks and feels happy for your fandom*

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Oh, stick around. There will be much more glee in the weeks to come. And then probably pain. Again.

[nicachick007.livejournal.com]

Anyway, what do you want to bet that right after the Doctor got off the phone, half those gumballs there wound up in his pocket? You know, for later.

Oh heck yes. I'm betting that gumball machine isn't even there anymore. Such is the beauty of the pockets that have Time Lord technology.

Completely powerless against things stronger than him – the entity and fear.

God, it made me cry. Because you can see him, the Doctor, in his eyes, fighting back, and for once, he's not strong enough. *cries again*

They're finally in the same frame!! *FLAILS* (Shudup.)

I know!!! SQUEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone who tries to tell you to shudup for that obviously doesn't have a heart.

Next week – ROSE! Donna and Rose! Rose and Donna!! Now when Rose said "you're going to die" I'm guessing that's a bit out of context. I'm thinking it'll probably be "you" in the general sense, rather than Donna specifically.

OMG ROSE!!!!!!!!!! And I really hope so. Donna is too awesome; death doesn't stand a chance against the awesomeness that is Donna Noble.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Oh heck yes. I'm betting that gumball machine isn't even there anymore. Such is the beauty of the pockets that have Time Lord technology.

MWAH.

God, it made me cry. Because you can see him, the Doctor, in his eyes, fighting back, and for once, he's not strong enough. *cries again*

It's something you don't see very often, but it really brings home just how much he's NOT a god.

OMG ROSE!!!!!!!!!! And I really hope so. Donna is too awesome; death doesn't stand a chance against the awesomeness that is Donna Noble.

You wouldn't think so. :D

[katesutton.livejournal.com]

Aieee! This was SKURRY. And proof, if we ever needed it, that the Doctor needs someone along with him really badly. If nothing else, they keep him from being the lone outsider, the different one. I saw-somewhere, can't remember-someone make the point that, you know, this is the reason that it's not entirely silly for the majority of companions to be attractive females. They're good at being the buffer between him and the crowd. They're less threatening than a man(can you imagine if Jack had been here? He's still got con-man tattooed on his forehead sometimes). Rule #1, Doctor: don't wander off(alone).

[katesutton.livejournal.com]

OH, and I'm glad you're feeling better. :)

[countrygirl-914.livejournal.com]

It was interesting to see the Doctor get in over his head. Double-teamed by an entity that was stronger than him and humans at their worst, and he was no match. He thought he could contain the entity – he was wrong. He promised to save everyone – he was wrong. In the end he became a victim and needed saving himself. I don't really need to see this every week, but I really like seeing this every once in a while. Times when the Doctor isn't in control.

My sentiments EXACTLY. The Doctor's always so in control, I loved seeing him paralyzed and needing to be saved.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

As painful as it was to watch, yeah. I liked seeing this side of things too.

[jai-23.livejournal.com]

Adored this episode! RTD rocks my Dalek socks! ♥ ;)

Now this episode did freak me out! (as opposed to Moffat's two-parter, but I'm not mentioning that. LALALALALALALA)

They're finally in the same frame!!

HEE!!! I noticed this the second time I watched it and had to pause and just remember how to breathe. ;)

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I really did enjoy this one if for nothing more than it gave us something we so rarely see.

Rooooooooooooooose! :D

[cws-eat-chs.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have to agree definitely with Rose appearing behind him (upon which instance, I'm afraid I shouted "For god's sake, turn around!" at the screen). I can understand reaching the TARDIS, especially as she still has her key, doesn't she? But the Doctor ANYWHERE? Magic?
Yeah, 'you' as in the collective 'you', definitely.
Didn't get the 'stealing voice' thing at all. I just let it slide because I start to get a headache when I try to understand.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure Rose would still have her key. Just look at Jack when they met up. But...I'm still going to be betting the TARDIS has something to do with it. To follow him around like that - that's pretty powerful.

And yeah. The voice stealing thing is the only thing I wish had been the tiniest bit clearer.

[debs7.livejournal.com]

When Rose popped up on the video. I fully admit to sqeualing and grabbing my boyfriend arm and jumping up and down.

I didn't even know you could do that while sitting on a lounge!!!!

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

That was great, wasn't it??