"Doc-tor?"

[woodwardiocom]

-One of Bey/buxom_bey's Xmas gifts to me us was the first season of the new Doctor Who. Last night we watched (among others) the sixth episode. The one that starts with "D" . . .

. . . and ends with "alek".

-Migod, but that's good television. The early scene of the Doctor cheerfully talking to an anonymous blue light in the dark, telling it everything will be all right, he's here to help, he's the Doctor . . . and ten seconds later he's pounding on the door, yelling to be let out, as the Dalek screams at him . . . goosebumps.

-The Dalek's characterization was, I could tell, tricky to get right, but I mostly believed it. It was a lot more cunning than I expect Daleks to be, but that just made it scarier. And the Doctor's rapid descent into murderous glee was also a delight. "How many times do I have to wipe out your stupid, genocidal, ugly race before you just die?!?"

-Oh yeah. I'm liking the new Doctor Who.

Comments

[tcb.livejournal.com]

I loved the new first season, Eccleston is a great doctor. Unfortunately, I really just don't think the season 2 doctor, Tennant, is as good, and I can't get past wanting him to be..

[archangelbeth]

He doesn't do "dark torment under the surface of the goofiness" quite as well as Eccleston, I think. He's a lot more "surface" than that, most times.

(On the other hand, the Cat-nun-doctors episode... Wheeee! That was a bit of fun for all the actors involved, methinks.)

[notthebuddha.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, the Cat-nun-doctors episode...

I'm not sure I like the idea of the Doctor declaring himself the highest moral authority in creation. His long life and record of good behavior don't make him best qualified, but merely the least unqualified.

[kimberlogic.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is exactly how I feel about it. Tennant just doesn't grab me.

[trowa-barton.livejournal.com]

I have to disagree. Tennant is a great doctor in a sense that he shows the many layers of the Doctor. He's a man of mystery and wonder, but, in the end, he's a lonely man. This is evident in the Sarah Jane Smith episode.
Television Without Pity correctly assessed the Ninth Doctor as a being wrought with guilt over having to exterminate (in theory) two races to survive the war. The Tenth Doctor is what happened when that guilt was removed and you end up with just the last of the Time Lords.
"Dalek" was great in showing the Doctor's dark side. He desperately seeks justification for having all of the Time Lords wiped out. In the process, he fails to pay attention to the first rule of fanaticism: When you become obsessed with the enemy, you become the enemy (Thank you, JMS).

[unseelie23.livejournal.com]

The last two of Tennet's first season finally grabbed me to the point that I really like him now... but it took the entire season.

[ariesd.livejournal.com]

I think we need to have a Dr Who/Torchwood or BSG athon.

I liked Eccelston's portrayal of the Dr. A bit more hip but still goofy. I think Tennant is a return to the "One moment a fool the next the serious Dr. He captures that aloofness much better."

I have to say they did the Daleks up so well, I had nice goosebumps going when I heard the voice.

[badger.livejournal.com]

Nicely handled. I'm in general more pleased with Eccleston's run than Tennant's run: I'm ok with Tennant but I loved Eccleston in the role. I loved Eccleston's portrayal from the first scene in his first ep, and his monologue in that first ep about how he can sense the movement of planets through space just sealed it for me. (Although oddly that particular speech reminded me of the long freefall through the void in Danielewski's _House of Leaves_.)

OTOH, I like Eccleston in almost anything. If you've never seen Alex Cox's film _The Revenger's Tragedy_, I'll suggest it to you.

I was pleased with the "Dalek" episode, as I felt it managed to bring the Daleks into the new series with all of the murderous menace of the originals intact. It's easy to make fun of a saltshaker with a toilet plunger until it's trying to kill you.

[buxom-bey.livejournal.com]

It's easy to make fun of a saltshaker with a toilet plunger until it's trying to kill you.

Exactly! I love how that first guard sneered and asked "What are you going to do, sucker me to death?" right before the Dalek suckered him to death. *snigger*

[badger.livejournal.com]

Oh, indeed - said guard exemplifying Larry Niven's Puppeteer dictum that "Humor is an interrupted survival reflex".

"Shallow Grave" dude vs. Barty Crouch Jr.

[(Anonymous)]

As a non-aficionado (aficioNondo?) of Dr. Who, I like Eccleston a bit better for his general badassery. But my 3 favorite episodes of the new seasons are all with Tennant -- "The Satan Pit" two-parter and the Queen Victoria/werewolf one. My favorite with Eccleston is the Charles Dickens one -- "My books, do they last?" "Oh yes!" :) emily

[unseelie23.livejournal.com]

The Dalek itself was better than they often were... I mean, how can you top "You would make good Dalek."?

[aota.livejournal.com]

When I saw that episode it gave me such glee. The Daleks are the best Who villains. They are so marvelously creepy and evil. It was great to see them used as something more than the killing machines they are. They new show has used the Daleks very well in both seasons. It looks like they are going to be back for the next season.

[dana325.livejournal.com]

oh..we missed that epsiode! We've been watching the first two seasons on and off though and enjoying them!

[doctor-toc.livejournal.com]

There are so many good moments in that episode. The "old friend" in the exhibit case, the Daleks manipulation of Rose, the confrontation between the Doctor and Van Statten, the Daleks murder spree, "El-ev-ate"... Just great writing from Shearman, beautifully pulled off by the whole team.

I've been really enjoying David Tennant's turn in the spotlight in season 2. Though there've been a few clunkers, he's very much his own Doctor, perhaps a little more kid-friendly but still capable of darkness. There's a sense with his interpretation that he's a little less human, a little more manic, a little less merciful, and a little more likely to go off the rails. I think you'll enjoy him.