Doctor Who: The Time of Angels

[eve11]

Oh, I quite enjoyed this one. River Song is very enigmatic and Femme-y James Bond, isn't she? Loved the opening, very well done visually. And I love the link between the museum and the ship, and that River knows how to write "Hello Sweetie" in Old High Gallifreyan. (D asked me, "How does he know the message is for him?" at that point, and I couldn't explain it well, but really, how could it not be!?) And she was in prison... I'm thinking that when we see her next (she shows up in later eps this season, right?) that it will be earlier in her time line and we will probably see the events that lead to her being put in prison.

I guess some folks have not been liking Matt Smith so far as the Doctor, but I think he's quite good. He is a lot more understated than Tennant, and does come off as a bit aloof but I like that because it also makes him seem more like the professorial type: a little of Two, a little of Five, but with a little more of a modern twist. I don't know; I like the fact that when the emotion does come out, it's that much more intense. I still love the "nobody human has anything to say to me today!" line from The Beast Below, and I thought his last lines in the end of this episode were brilliant. (but also wtf-ing at the Graham Norton banner though, bad bad form, BBC). He seems less confident in his body but he is quite confident in his brain; he is always thinking. If River takes the mickey out of him for a bit (lol with the strap thing on the drop ship), we know he's going to redeem himself; that he is still cool, that he still makes that bow tie cool.

Anyway, as I said, I'm liking Matt Smith more than a bit. I think they might be trying just a teensy bit too hard with Amy; too many "Oh you're brilliant" lines for my liking. But she definitely has more of a Companion-y role in this one. And looks like she doesn't have a very good time of it next week, in a very Sarah Jane in Brain of Morbius type way. (though, where the heck does the forest come from?)

Okay, so the Angels turn images of themselves into Angels. creepy, very Ringu. don't know how scientific that is, but *handwaves*. Love the creepy maze of Angel statues. Less thrilled about them snapping necks now, why? And why now is it not okay to look at the Blink Angels in the eye? Sally Sparrow and her boyfriend looked a ton of them in the eye and none of them turned into angels. But now poor Amy's been infected with Angelitis and (rather than turning into a brooding Whedon vampire) she's turning to stone. Unless apparently, she keeps her eyes closed. Maybe if a person is infected with angelitis, then the rules are reversed.

ETA: Oh I should also say that I wasn't scared, but then I'm never scared by this show. Blink was creepy and cool, but less so really scary. Same with this ep. Creepy and cool, but not really spine-tingling. Maybe for kids I guess; hell, I was scared of Don Music on Sesame street as a kid, and I was terrified of Scooby Doo. EATA: though I did have some nebulously scary dreams when I tried to go to sleep last night. Was it from the Angels? Weird. I should also say that I am much more scared by "real life" situations in the movies, or by abject gore and horror-- visuals and horrible decisions and psychopath axe murderers, that kind of thing.

Oh, my favorite lines:

"You lot, you're everywhere, you're like rabbits! I'll never get done saving you."

"Blimey, your teeth! Have you got Space teeth?"

Next week looks intriguing!

Comments

[quean-of-swords.livejournal.com]

"You lot, you're like rabbits! I'll never get done saving you."

That was a very good line. Eleven has some good lines. I like him, he's growing on me. I agree that they seem to be pressing Amy's "brilliance" down our throats a bit. I mean, I agree that she has some awesome within her, but it doesn't need to be pointed out constantly. I think Amy knows she's brilliant, at least a little. She's got better self-esteem than Donna.

... I miss Donna.

[eve11]

I think in some ways she might need a wake-up call; something that reminds her that yeah, the Doctor is her imaginary friend and they have adventures, but that he also has some depths that she will never ever understand. I'm not saying she needs to be punished for being smart or anything like that, but she is quite glib and I'm afraid it's going to get her into trouble one day. Donna could pull off the spikiness a bit better because she was a bit older and more experienced.

I do keep wondering what Amy's secret is. Seems it's gotta be more than just that she's getting married.

Also, yeah, I am liking Eleven an awful lot. And this episode is back to the first one that they filmed. He is still finding his character but I think it's coming along quite well.

[livii.livejournal.com]

but she is quite glib

Yes, this exactly! It got rather grating during the episode. I like that she's smart and confident and brave, but she also doesn't seem to be taking anything at all seriously, doesn't treat anything like it could hurt her. After meeting the Daleks last week (and while they weren't as menacing as they have been, they did murder two soldiers in cold blood right in front of her), you think she'd have started to realize that travelling with the Doctor wasn't all happyfuntiems, you know?

[eve11]

It really makes me wonder what her story it. I mean, I'm not getting "sociopath" but you are right, there were people killed right in front of her. History is still like a movie, like something that happens to other people who are already dead and gone. The first thing she says (almost) when stepping out of the TARDIS is "I've been dead for centuries."

(Speaking of the importance of lives lived in short spans, or nearly lived and then erased, you should check out the most recent Seven audios with Elizabeth Klein. They are way cool. Also I am stuck on an idea that is about 3/4 formed for your auction story, but hope to come unstuck soon.)

[livii.livejournal.com]

I'd love to, but I never seem to get around to audios anymore! I *still* haven't listened to Angel of Scutari! :(

No worries on the story! I'm in no rush. I just like knowing it's out there...I'm good with the anticipation!

[nicocoer.livejournal.com]

I am liking 11 more and more. I've hit my episode dividing line on deciding on Doctors and he seems fun enough.

I shrieked pretty loud when I realized this is a two parter. My cat actually attacked me for it, as she was asleep when I shrieked.

I totally think there is something about Amy we don't know. Too brilliant for there not to be.

This show. . .

[eve11]

Oh no, I have when I don't realize episodes are two-parters when I watch them! *hugs you*

The way Amy talked to Bracewell last week when he was set on offing himself after becoming an android: "Believe me... I understand" what's up with that? I wonder if she's an Auton or something but then why would she start off as a little kid? maybe she's an alien, banished to Earth like Turlough was in the original series.

[nicocoer.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling that there's something about her parents that we haven't been told.

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

Good point about Blink, and not being frightened. I'm the viewer who is the most easily scared on the planet...seriously, I can't even watch Supernatural. But for some reason Dr. Who never frightens me as much as astounds.

Anyway, that loud squeeing sound you may have heard yesterday afternoon was me.

Next week looks very cool. And word to what you've said about Eleven. Who I'm really really liking just that very much. :::bounces:::

[eve11]

Astounds is the right word. I love the adventure, the visuals, new planets and new aliens and plots and intrigue and danger and working your way out of traps because you are always much cleverer than your adversaries. Big old love stories and romance are like a grace note, but it's always the settings and the catalysts that make them interesting. JMHO of course.

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

And an opinion I quite agree with. :)

There are really surprises in this show, which is a good thing. And even when I know what's going to happen, it's still amazing.

[infiniteviking]

and that River knows how to write "Hello Sweetie" in Old High Gallifreyan. (D asked me, "How does he know the message is for him?"

Maybe it's in the OHG alphabet but the words are transliterated English? Does Gallifreyan even have a word for 'sweetie'?~

The strap thing made me lol forever, given the rumors that Smith is constantly breaking things on the set. :DDDD

The bit with the bite both harks back to Amy saying she bit her psychiatrists for saying he wasn't real and reminds me of Tom Baker, as being something he'd do instead of just hitting her hand with his fist or a rock or turning up a bogus reason to smooch her as happened with Rose and Martha. And some of his wide-eyed terrified-yet-delighted bits, including the rabbits line, reminded me of McGann. And kicking the light globe into the air reminded me of Pertwee -- even if he's less confident in his body, he doesn't hesitate to use it without thinking of the consequences (like in VotD when he knocked out Bracewell but then got that OW OW OW OW expression).~

And Amy's brilliance, well, I can handwave it as being part of living near the rift crack in her wall for a time, and/or having something odd about her: maybe being from a future Old Earth recreation colony or something (but I don't think she's an android, because wouldn't the Doctor know from mind-melding with her?) or having some secret in her past which can't fail to shake things up, whichever one it's being hidden from.

Also, SPACE TEETH.

*loved this ep so much*