Doctor Who "The Sound of Drums" non-spoilery reaction (may be spoilers in comments)

[amanuensis1]

I dunno, anyone else find the most recent episode of Doctor Who (The Sound of Drums) disappointing? I was good for about the first half, but the ending felt over-the-top gratuitious, piling on so many "Seen it" things one after another until they snapped the suspension wires on my disbelief. I had this vision of the writers jumping about saying, "...and, uh, ponies! EVIL ponies!" I'm left cold. Plus I just heard next week's episode is the season ender, which startles me, because it felt like the season was just beginning to hit its stride with the end of Utopia last week, as if we should have half a season left.

Comments

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

I expected this one to be disappointing, because I know my RTD, and he didn't fail me--if it weren't for John Simm mopping the floor with David Tennant, I think a lot more people would have felt a letdown as well. I'm a bit indifferent to the resolution, because it's all become a bit of a mess already, and then I can get back to writing up my idea of canon. Yes, I'm self-centered.

"I had this vision of the writers jumping about saying, '...and, uh, ponies! EVIL ponies!' "

Yes, that's it exactly! LOL. Well, the problem with Rusty isn't so much that he can't plot, it's that he can't and that he still tries to cram every possible plot twist and gimcrack and evil pony he can into an episode just to try and prove he can. And then characterization, his "strong" suit, suffers due to the distractions, and it never works out the way it should.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

"A mess" summarizes the end of this one for me. Another Earth invasion! And the Doctor's old! And Martha teleported away--where and why and to what purpose? (Oh, okay, I know the answer to that one--to regroup. I just thought it looked more like "so we can show her perspective of the invasion cos that's cooool." Eh.) The episode peaked, I say, when The Master offed his cabinet.

(Hey, why do I capitalize the "The" on The Master but not on the Doctor? Probably because I'd refuse to address him that way, "Listen, The Master, I've got a thing to tell you..." "Just, 'Master,' if you please." "Oh, you effing WISH."

[maddiec24.livejournal.com]

We haven't seen it yet(hubby's downloading it), and I *don't* mind spoilers. I actually get the "EVIL ponies" feeling, if not frequently, at least sometimes. As for the still feeling like we should have half a season left, always. *especially* this season. I grew up with the 23-26 episode TV season, and I miss it.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I'm anticipating (hoping!) that another season of this will feel like a more complete arc of stories. You think?

spoilery comment

[maelwaedd.livejournal.com]

I liked it, but I didn't understand a great deal. Like, the motivations of half of the characters. The Master's for the most part yes, but his wife's? Exactly why Martha's father was at her mother's house? What on earth she's going to do? Why she didn't take Jack with her since he's capable and she's quite honestly a wee bit useless? Why the Doctor was aged--did I miss a reason for that? And, despite how cute the grooving was and how it fit the song title, why do anything to the world with a, well, realy dodgy song? (I was also going to ask why they'd use such an old song, because 18 months ago was after the song was popular, but wiki was kind enough to tell me that it wasn't released in the UK until July last year so there you go.)

You're right, though: it does feel as if the series just started.

Re: spoilery comment

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I think Saxon's wife is drunk on the idea of being the consort of the leader of the world. In a romantic way and not in a "craving power" way. Martha's father was at her mother's house because Saxon's agents forced him to be, I'm pretty sure. As for why she didn't take Jack with her--I'm with you. Should have!

[annephoenix.livejournal.com]

Modern British series seem to have between 8 and 12 episodes, so I was chuffed to hear there would be 13. I see what you mean about a mess - a bit forced and sitcom-like in its development ... HOWever, Doctor/Master and Doctor/Captain were both hot enough to make me enjoy the episode, especially that first phone call between Doctor/Master ... like long-lost lovers ... beautiful! + I enjoyed the Gallifrey scenes.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I was worried about the Gallifrey scenes! Gallifrey is better if we don't get to see too much of it, these days. (Though I say that as someone whose favorite episode ever is The Deadly Assassin.)

[matociquala.livejournal.com]

By the end, I was muttering "wank wank wank" under my breath and checking my email.

Sad, because I was about to forgive them the first half of the season on the strength of the first half of this last ep. But they have demonstrated an amazing ability to snatch defeat from the very jaws of victory, time and again.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

The "aging the Doctor" thing wasn't even very profound when they did it in The Leisure Hive. You'd think they'd learn.

(By the way, I rewatched the episode in your icon just yesterday! It was my first rewatch of a Tom Baker ep since, God, years and years.)

[becky-h.livejournal.com]

I definitely got the 'there's too much happening here' thing going on with Sound of Drums. I also think my biggest problem with this season is the timeline is just too damn tight - and they didn't pull it off particularly well.

Though, to be very honest I don't much care. I got a ton of information and Jack and the Doctor on screen together and enough slash potential to keep me happily writing until Torchwood airs. And, as wrong as it may be, that's most of why I watch.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

The character bits are lovely. The Master going for his cell phone when he realizes the Doctor's on the line, with his "At last..." look, Jack assuring the Doctor Torchwood is different now, Martha's fierceness when she finds her family's in trouble, the Doctor juryrigging the computer and keys in that technogenius way of his, Jack and Martha sharing the "You, too?" moment over crushing unrequitedly on the Doctor. All of it, lovely. And then the plot gets in the way!

[sciencegeek.livejournal.com]

I dunno, anyone else find the most recent episode of Doctor Who (The Sound of Drums) disappointing?

Yes. Actually at first when I finished I thought it was ok - there were a few scenes I liked, but then I ate dinner and thought about it, and yeah, there were scenes I liked but overall? Not so much.

And I need someone to explain the Doctor aging bit. The guy's like 900 years old. What's another 100? I'M CONFUSED.

Plus I just heard next week's episode is the season ender, which startles me, because it felt like the season was just beginning to hit its stride with the end of Utopia last week, as if we should have half a season left.

Indeed. I forget sometimes forget that the season is short, sometimes, or wish it were longer. I also wish the RTD would let someone else write the finale. And I'll probably be stoned for saying this but I found some of The Master's antics juvenile, and had me disliking him...but not finding him that evil. Since I'm new to Who, when we first had the Daleks in S1? Scary. The Master? Not so much. So...in conclusion. Less Earth invasions they are getting dull (much like when people are told the nation's on red/orange/purple alert - it's happened so often, no one cares)

When Jack was all "We can't go, you have to!" or whatever when he handed her the transporter I was a bit 'O.o why can't you go again? So you can die (again)?' But hopefully Martha kicks ass next episode with the fighters she scrounges up (I, uh, assume that's what she's doing anyway).

[becky-h.livejournal.com]

I think Jack actually said 'we can't stop it - go, you have to." I think he didn't go because if you notice every time he transported or used that wrist band to move himself through time/space he came back damn near screaming and cracking things and generally much worse for wear than Martha and the Doctor (Because he's dead, because he's a fixed point, something) and that he'd wipe himself out if he tried it again. Also very possible that he's just not willing to leave the Doctor and is doing what the Doctor did for Rose in Parting of Ways - getting her to some point of 'semi-safety' and preparing to (still!) stick with the Doctor. Of course I ship Jack/Doctor, so. Bias big time there.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I found some of The Master's antics juvenile, and had me disliking him...but not finding him that evil.

I get the impression that this version of The Master is treating everything as one large joke until it has the Doctor in it, at which point he's ready to get Darkly Evil. I still would have liked to have seen Derek Jacobi's The Master stick around a bit longer!

[srichard.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I enjoyed it in a shiny, camp kind of way. Sadly, that's kind of the level of enjoyment that I have for Ten overall. It's just impossible for me to take DT seriously AT ALL--he's like a hyperactive whippet that barks too much. So my attitude towards seasons 2 and 3 is kind of the same as it would be for, say, a fan-made Doctor Who movie someone made: fun, but I don't consider it exactly canon.

And I agree about the earth invasion getting old. I was like, "Wow, that freaked me out...when it was the Daleks, last year." Though I was very happy to see the correct use of the word decimated. Because I am geek.

However, if this somehow is setting the stage for super-sekrit regeneration? I'm 100% behind it. Yes.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely not ready for Ten to regenerate! It was hard enough losing Eccleston at the end of one season; as I say, it feels like the season's just hitting its stride so I'd be really sad if the between-season break had to deal with that as well.

[goseaward.livejournal.com]

Though I was very happy to see the correct use of the word decimated. Because I am geek.

AHAHAHAHA! Yes, I did exactly the same thing!

[laughingacademy.livejournal.com]

Metaquoted! (http://community.livejournal.com/metaquotes/6158076.html)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Oh, my! Oh, I think this is the first time I've been metaquoted, thank you so much! *is gleeful* *hugs you*

[daybright.livejournal.com]

I am not ready for Ten to regenerate either, but I´m afraid that´s exactly what is happening they are setting the stage for a new regeneration - next ep being the last of the season and all.
I agree about the invasion it is getting a bit old, and the Who time line is getting to be less and less in our world with every episode. I have always liked the illusion of the doctor hanging about my world but it´s getting to be a bit AU if you know what I mean.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Goodness, I hope that's not it! You'd think we'd've heard some irrepressible buzz on Tennant leaving and who would be the new Doctor. I don't just mean on spoiler-ful web sites--I imagine it'd be all over television (British television, anyway).

[outdatedclocks.livejournal.com]

I don't think we're gonna get a regeneration, simply because I think DT signed on for 2008. Whatever they do in the finale, it better include de-aging the Doctor, because half the reason I watch Doctor Who is because David Tennant is pretty. So very very pretty. And because his Doctor also is you know, insane.
Though word on the Earth centric stories. Universe full of cool planets? And all they do is bounce around Earth. I like my planet, but come on!
_{Though the Doctor is at fault for this invasion. Every bit of it. Ha. That's what he gets for messing with timelines and stuff. It all blew up in his face. *giggles* Goes to prove, Time Lords might be mistaken for gods, but they aren't very good at it; unless you go fore the vengeful kind.}

[daybright.livejournal.com]

I hope you are right, I would really like to see more of DT and I have not heard any rumors it was just a horrible feeling I had after watching the show : )

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I haven't heard any rumors for that, but then I don't seek spoilers, either--kind of avoid 'em altogether. But you'd think we'd have heard casting rumors at the very least! Someone (Barrowman?) has said that the very last moment of the season will just be amazing, more so than any previous season, but that could potentially be hype (how many "on a very special episode"s have we lived through in television? Ho-hum). I agree it would be hard to top the way they split Rose and the Doctor apart without killing her, so, damn, I'm pretty eager for this weekend.

[christwise.livejournal.com]

This is really off topic but I had a question.

Do you take requests/offerings of plot bunnies? Because I have two ideas for fic that suit your writing style (non-con, erotica, and well written) much better than mine (fluffy, not so much, and bad). I think they're decent ideas but there's no way I can pull them off. Holler if you want 'em.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I am always thrilled to hear other's plot bunnies! That's how I wrote most of my favorite fics. ^_^ I cannot say which will take root with me, so if it would offend you to share your most intimate ideas with me and then have me do nothing with them because they just didn't seize me, then I apologize. If that's not the case, though, and you want to give it a shot, share away!