fogsblue | Right, 7x04 and 7x05...

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Right, 7x04 and 7x05...

Yep yep. I'm finally getting around to watch 'The Power of Three'. And then 'The Angels Take Manhattan'. Yes, both at once, cause I never got around to watching last weeks. Which probably says something. But nevermind that, the usual commentary has to happen...

Onwards to The Power of Three

2 month old milk? Maybe it's sentient? Amy's reaction suggests the yoghurt might be. Though real life and Doctor life fits. Choose though, cause that'll work... Though, why is Amy telling it as a story, is she telling it to someone?
Brian Williams! Ohhh, I like him! Yes, I'm excited we're seeing him again. He's fun. I mean look he's guessing all sorts of things. And then what, the Doctor tells him to watch them... Rude.
Who in their right mind would let the Doctor into the kitchen? And why is the Doctor surprised Rory has a job? Travel articles huh? Makes sense I guess.
Oh look, military people. After the Doctor of course. Kate Stewart? I kind of like her. Don't know why. Just seems kind of fun. Hostile though? They're doing nothing.
The Doctor can't sit still. He's a child with ADHD. That was obvious... Aww Brian, 4 days. Again, he's surprised by Rory considering his job important. If he's been picking them up on and off for years how has this never come up before?
Oh look, Amy and Rory are growing up. Would have been nice if we'd gotten to see a little bit of it.
Brian is emailing the results to UN IT? Really.... Yep, not saying anything.
Oh look shiny cubes, that are changing their faces. Why did I have sudden flashbacks to The Empty Child?
"No complications" Really? Why would the Doctor ever say that. It's like a guarantee something will go wrong.
AND they just saw Henry VIII which according to A Town Called Mercy, is where Rory apparently left his phone charger. So, does that mean this is sort of a frame for the episodes that we've already seen?
The other people that travelled with him, left him, left behind and some died. Not many. Well that would fit. Most are left behind aren't they? They don't die, but he's staying with them. Is this after he's misplaced them??
And they're noticing! Yes Doctor, something is happening. It's nice to know Earth is still important to you. Did it just start absorbing the internet?
The Tower of London. That has to be UNIT. Each cube behaves differently and I want that one playing the music to throw into the house of people who annoy me.
Ohhh, Kate Stewart, should have paid more attention, daughter of the Brigadier (my defense, only seen him in SJA and read in fics). It's actually interesting to see the Doctor giving weight to an old friend and memory.
The Doctor not running away? Seriously... That's a change. Anyone else remember "One of the ones that ran. I never stopped."
"First face this face saw." Not sure how I feel about that comment... I mean, I can kind of understand Eleven having a soft spot for Amy given she (and Rory) has been his only long term companion(s).
Cube disposal. And uh oh, Brian is in trouble. Not Brian! And there's Rory finding things out in true companion style, by stumbling into it without a thought.
One heart. Wonder if he remembers that. Though, there's a line about the way to kill humans is through the heart. It's a surprisingly apt statement there.
Now who hasn't wanted to shock the Doctor at least once? That;s a good way to do it.
It's the Emperor from Star Wars!!! Right, he's something from a Time Lord myth. Out to stop humans from spreading across the universe... Good luck with that. Mind you, he's got a point, our fairytales include crossdressing animals.
Rory misses the running. Gotta give Rory credit for that.
Brian is awesome. Just sayin'.

Overall? I didn't hate the episode. Didn't love it either. Thought it was kind of an interesting idea with Kate Stewart, bringing back the daughter of an old companion, especially a companion even someone who's never seen classic!Who will know about. The slow invasion was an interesting idea, something that hasn't been seen very often. The moments of choice for Amy and Rory weren't handled too badly. And yes, I still love Rory's dad. Possibly because he reminds me of Wilf, I've realised.

And who doesn't love Wilf??

Next up The Angels Take Manhattan...

The accent seems odd again. That just me?
But statues that move. Ok, so we knew the Weeping Angels were back... And was he going for that whole, whatsit, fhas a name, old style mystery movie?
Wouldn't the 2 angels in the corridor have been looking at each other?
Oh look, the Statue of Liberty. How'd the French (vague idea it was them) make a weeping angel, or did it just sneakily replace the original?
Side note, the opening credits, why and what is happening there? But then with Moffat could be absolutely nothing.
Is it wrong to be paranoid when the name Melody pops up? Cuse seriously... I don't know if I'm meant to have forgotten, but River = Melody. Yes different last name but still.
The Doctor doesn't like that Amy is getting older. Still, impressed he noticed. Least Rory has some sense. By the way Doctor doesn't like endings either. Well, there's a surpise. I am shocked! Really (am I abusing sarcasm at this point?)
Oh look, Rory has found moving statues. And now the book has turned into a story featuring River. And she called Rory dad? I mean I know he is, but wow that could be a first.
So the book was in the Doctor's jacket. Yep, fairly sure I can see where that's going.
Wait, time can't be rewritten if it's read? When did this rule come in, cause I'm pretty sure all those times that's never stopped ~~Moffat~~ the Doctor before. Least not in the past couple of seasons....
Rory's grave huh? Unless it says he died at the age of 30 or something *shrug*
Collector? Van Statten kind of thing?
How are the weeping angels deadly?? They never kill anyone exactly. Since most seem to be sent out of time to live their natural life. It's inconsiderate, sure, but not exactly deadly unless you end up in the middle of Pompeii on volcano day or something.
Husband? Really, the Doctor suddenly cares about how he looks for River... Riiiiiightio.
Suddenly the man she killed never existed. Erased from every database? Really, suddenly it's all of them now? Ah huh... And there's that Doctor Who? thing again.
Amelia's last Farewell. Saw that coming. And now the Doctor wants to change the future/time. Wasn't there rules about time?
Interesting trick there with River's wrist. How's that work and why was it never done before?
R. Williams. Ah look, there's old Rory. I imagine old Amy would be around somewhere. Or maybe died already. Though according to the Doctor, Amy wasn't around.
The noise is giant footsteps yes? Though what are the odds there would be no one looking at the Statue of Liberty...
Rory dies twice in one episode. I don't buy it. Though even Rory knows he's died more than once. That makes sense.
Back where they belong (graveyard)? There's a catch... Paradox was solved? Uh huh.
There it is. Rory, aged 82. Figured. Oh look, one more paradox (after numerous) would rip New York apart. And River is encouraging Amy. Hmmm.
The afterword. Well, makes sense really. Should have known the mention of the last page meant something.

So, the Ponds are gone. I want to say I'm sad and heartbroken. But, I'm just not. And how was their ending bad? They got to live otu their lives together. To a nice old age. That's not bad. And to be honest, I don't care much either way. New companion could be a nice change, but sadly I'm not sure I hold much hope there either....
I mean it wasn't the worst episode, but not exactly particularly memorable. Especially given it was the farewell to Rory and Amy. Also, crying Doctor, not as heartbreaking as it would seem, seeing Ten with a single tear or Nine's look of heartache, much more effective. Least for me.

Might have more thoughts, but brain is broke needing sleep.

Though, other note - Why can't Moffat STOP throwing in that whole "Doctor Who?" thing, seriously... Why? He seems to be the only writer who does it. Like he's the only writer who uses River.
There could be a relationship between these 2 factors and why I tend to dislike his episodes.

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to be fair, the 'Doctor Who?' thing has been used in RTD's stuff - for example in the first Christmas special,when Jackie was all 'What do you mean the Doctor? Doctor who??' after his regeneration and stumbling out of the tardis, but it was much more subtle and not shoved into our faces and not the lamest plotpoint there ever was (lol sorry, got carried a bit away there *glares at season 6*)

It wasn't half as emotional as I thought it would be, and I really like the Ponds and will miss them. I had tears in my eyes, but no uncontrollable sobbing or anything. The pacing just felt off to me a lot of the time, and there were a lot of things that broke me out of the 'moment'. It might also have something to do with the fact that I have a massive cold right now, and its hard getting worked up over anything when all I want to do is sleep.

Yeah RTD used the 'Doctor Who' thing too but it generally seemed to be more as a joke. Moffat keeps using it as some 'mysterious' plot point. And given the end of S6, it might mean nothing, but given Moffat and his ~~convoluted bs~~ complicated storylines...

Especially given the Doctor has been erased from nearly all records now ( and I want to know how that happened) the whole thing just makes me question it. And it's still stupid anyway.

I barely got emotional, which is annoying, because even if I didn't like the Ponds all that much, I still should have felt something. But to be honest, I'm yet to understand the tragedy of their exit. Yes they can't see the Doctor again, but they were together, lived a normal life... In the past sure but as endings go *shrug*

*HUgs* Hope you feel better soon.

(btw, I've been meaning to ask, who made your profile layout? it's just that I've been wanting to change mine forever, but I can't find anything I want, so I'm looking for custom-designers with styles I like)

I feel so odd about it, because on one hand I'm almost sure Moffat is going to ruin this plotline as well, but on the other I'll be just as annoyed if he doesn't pick it up at all. And we still haven't even been explained how the TARDIS exploded back in S5.

I think I'm more sad over the fact that for example Brian won't ever be able to see them again. As endings go, its not the most tragic, but the idea of me is still stressfull and sad: they're not in their own time, but at least they're together.

(I just found it in the ones they offer? So I'm not very helpful there I guess. All I remember is it's called Red Tage or something like that... Sorry)

Yeah I do understand you. I mean, I don't want him to destroy it, but if he leaves anymore loose ends the whole thing may unravel. And yeah, I'm still wondering about that exploding TARDIS issue. Would it kill Moffat to tie up some of those loose ends?

Yeah, I only just realised that. It's sad they won't see their family again, or more that their family, well Brian since he seems to be their only family, won't see them again. But still seems to work out ok for them.

(arg, darn it. I'll see if I can find it ;) thanks anyway (: )

~~(you mean the whole thing hasn't unraveled already...)~~ It bugs me, because I love 'The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances' but anything that Moffat has written from that point on in Doctor Who is just... eugh, tbh. I am able to enjoy certain episodes, like Eleventh Hour and such, but overall? Get a grip, Moffat. And be nicer to your fans.

I think on a scale from Martha to Donna, the Ponds end up somewhere in the middle. Because Martha ended up with all of her family and in her own time, alive and whole and happy, while the Ponds ended up happy together, but away from friends and family etc. So it's not tragic, not at all, but it is sad.

TEC/TDD are Moffat's best I think, then it all went down hill. Some aren't terrible, but none of them stand out as favourites, the episodes I want to rewatch again and again. Moffat seems to like trolling his fans a bit, or so it seems to me. I mean as you say be nicer. Fans are what keeps the show going.

I understand what you mean. Donna's ending is terrible, Marthha's was pretty damn good. Well aside from her being awesome, she chose to leave and live her life. The Ponds is, in some ways, similar to Rose's exit Doomsday. There's some good points, like they're together and appear to live decently but without there family. Rose is separated from the person she loves and wanted to stay with, but she does have her family.

Basically, I'm agreeing (after that ramble) sad but not so much tragic. And I don't get the reaction some people are having like it's 'THE SADDEST THING EVER!'

The only one I can actually think of is 'Blink', but I hardly even see that as a proper DW-episode - its more just a nicely packed, fine little adventure. You know, back when Moffat hadn't gotten so drunk on timey-wimeyness and whatnot.

Trolling is one thing, calling his fans stupid are another. We don't understand your storylines because they don't make sense, Moffat, not because our intelligence is below average.

The saddest thing ever was Donna losing her memory and never remembering again, all the wonderful things she'd seen and done. I mean, that's greek-tragedy sad. All goodbyes are sad, though some are filled with hope - like Martha's and Rose's final one, with Cloen - but tbh, the Ponds' departure doesn't even make the top 20 list of 'gone are beloved characters' for me.

Oh, agreed about Blink, it's kind of like a separate little offshoot.

I remember that now. He has no respect for his fans, which is asking for trouble really. But what's sad is it's not just Moffat who thinks that the reason some of us do not like his plots is because we're 'too stupid to understand them'. Understand them fine, doesn't make me like 'em.

Donna's exit is a tearjerker. And always will be. But yep, the Ponds exit is not going to stick out in my memory and I'm not going to miss them like Donna, Martha and Rose. They're gone and I'm pretty much just 'meh' about it.

Oh yes. Moffat-fans do tend to call the rest of the fandom 'ignorant'. I'm willing to extend disbelief and ignore plotholes for a lot of different things (good characterization, emotion I can really feel) but when it comes to the point where absolutely nothing in the plot makes sense, or the very BIGGEST plot-point doesn't make sense, then I am unable to feel the emotion and thus the show becomes pretty much just annoying for me to watch. Not that that is going to make me stop watching Doctor Who - there are too many things about it I love as well. Rather a show I can get worked up over like this, than a show I just sit and stare at, and don't really care about. But that is still no excuse to call us stupid - in fact, I think it could be considered more 'stupid' (and I use the term loosely, as I don't like it, but for lack of better) to simply sit and be impressed by the flashy storylines and timey-wimeyness, instead of going 'but why??' at things.

Wow, sorry for the mini-rant :) I've been harrassed a bit by certain Moffat-lovers, I can be a bit bitter. Sorry!

If there's good characterisation and allowing me to get emotionally attached means I'm less picky about small plotholes. Giant ones I still notice. Sadly Moffat has a combination of poor characterisation (meaning no emotional attachment) and giant plotholes. It means while still watching the show, I tend to notice those plot problems.

Yes, why is it the people who question the plot holes and character inconsistencies are the stupid ones? Isn't questioning things good?

Don't worry about the rant, been there, some Moffat fans get slightly, or highly, offended if you question his work.

Oh yes, definitely. I maybe wouldn't say it doesn't make me less picky, just more able to still enjoy the story. With TWoRS I was tempted to perform lobotomy on myself just to make it go away... (okay, maybe not that bad, but you get the point). If I could at least have believed that these characters would act like this, that River would do this for the Doctor, if they'd had proper chemistry, then I would have been able to watch it without screaming internally. I would have still been annoyed at the timey-wimeyness, I believe, but just... less??

Exactly! And then the argument: 'if you don't like it, then don't watch it' Uumm, what? Are we just supposed to take everything at face value then? When does that stop just applying to fiction and start applying to media about real life - of which you should always question twice imo. I know there are a lot of Rose-hate out there, for example, but I try to stay away from it as much as possible, because I know it only upsets me. Why can't they leave me alone with my opinion, if they won't even have a discussion about it, but just deems me stupid from the start? -.-

Think it's a case of, if you're invested in the characters, while the story and any plot holes are important, you tend to be able to enjoy it more anyway? (That makes sense in my head anyway)

But I understand what you mean about TWoRS. For example if it was Nine and Rose, I might have been able to watch without wanting to scream "What is happening??!!?" The plot holes would still bug me (and I would struggle to believe Rose holding the universe to ransom) but the characters had depth and I was very attached to them.

You are right though. If we stop questioning things such as fiction, how long til peple stop questioning anything?

The thing is, it's not that I dislike the show. Dislike some aspects. But why should I stop watching because of that? Honestly, if I didn't like the show I'd stop watching. At the very least it would fall into that pile of shows you watch but give absolutely no thought to. There's nothing wrong with people having different opinions. There is something wrong when people start assuming people are stupid, or insulting people who like/dislike different characters or writers.

Just because we don't agree, doesn't mean we're stupid.

Yes, EXACTLY, to all of the above :)

Is it bad that the only real remorse I feel is that we might never get to see Brain again now that the Ponds are gone?

Ohhhh, I hadn't thought of that!! Bugger, I wanted more Brian...

But maybe there'll be grandfather/granddaughter-bonding! I say wistfully, because damn how I want that to happen, but damn how I think I am going to be dissapointed....

That would actually be pretty damn cool, though it does raise the question, do Amy and Rory's family (well, Brian) know they had a kid? At all?

I think its one of the issues Moffat is keen to just forget all about :/

That'd make sense, I mean he was happy to forget Rory and Amy had any family at all, even after he brought Amy's back to life...

Lol, yes. We never saw them or even got a single mention of them, ever ever again.

Yep, they were bought back to life, but Amy (who had at least 3 sets of memories), must have just forgotten about them...

Well on tumblr, someone said the using the regeneration energy to heal someone is in Classic Who but I don't ever remember seeing it. Honestly, I'll probably steal it for a fic someday.

I read that Moffat won't let anyone else write River's character so she will only ever appear in stuff he writes.

I did tear up at the end but mainly for the romantic sacrifice and for Amy choosing Rory. I cried far more in Father's Day, Doomsday and End of Time so this would not be rated super high on the "makes me cry" scale.

It had some good points and some bad points and all the typical Moffat holes that I've come to expect. Nothing really unexpected here. River does encourage chaos doesn't she? First, in The Marriage of River Song and then in encouraging paradox in this ep. I did like it when River slapped him. I am so confused as to where we are in River's timeline. I thought we were going backwards but this sounds like it's not too far from where she goes to the library.

Curious for the Christmas special. Of course, I am also contemplating a rewatch of Series 1.

I'm willing to bet he doesn't want anyone else to write River because he doesn't want someone else to do to Doctor/River what he did to Doctor/Rose in GitF.

I admit, I snorted at that. And now would love to see something similar happen.

Mind you, might be a little hard to believe with Eleven.

Snort. I'm willing to take that risk.

I'd be willing as well, just to see what happens....

River shoots them?

If it's from classic!Who, then that's ok. It's just unless you count Ten using some life energy to help the TARDIS stay alive there's never been any such suggestion in nu!Who.

I keep wondering if that's cause he's worried other writers would give her actual depth!! That was rather rude? Oh well.

I agree that Amy choosing Rory was good, I mean anything else would have been wrong, but I have to admit the Doctor's reactions was a bit over the top for me which sort of ruined any effect. Sometimes quiet grief is much more effective.

It's sad when a writer is associated with plot holes. I admit, I always kind of dread Moffat's episodes because that's what you can expect and haven't been proven wrong yet. I'm with you about RIver, no idea where this is meant to be. Of course, I admit I don't care unless it gets rid of her sooner.

I'm curious about the Christmas special too, if still decidedly paranoid about it. And I should finish my rewatch...

WILF. ♥ Brian reminds me of him too!! Kate Stewart was made of win; would like to see more of her.

I found "The Power of Three" surprisingly enjoyable. I had flashbacks to "Army of Ghosts"! And yes the music cube could come in handy... muahaha.

GAH the Weeping Angels mythology is so inconsistent. I give up. And lol @ Rory admitting that he is the Kenny of Doctor Who.

Eleven ticked me off for acting like a selfish ass. Like AMY NO DON'T GO BACK TO YOUR HUSBAND STAY HERE WITH MEEEEE. Yuck. And WTF was up with River for getting pissed that Eleven healed her? Yeah that's right, it's wrong for your husband to care about you and try to make you feel better! Argh.

As for how their ending is bad, consider that they're in 1938 and have to live through WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, etc. Rory might have to serve in some of them. Also, he's a nurse and not a doctor - I like to think he's able to upgrade without too many problems though. And Amy's career options are much more limited and she will have to deal with far more sexism than ever.

At least they ended up somewhere with indoor plumbing, electricity, and decent medical care, lol.

I think it'd be great if we saw more Kate Stewart!!

'The Power of Three' was, for me, almost up there with Dinosaurs for S7. So you know, one of the better ones :P

As for the Weeping Angels... Well, I saw this and yeah - http://stfu-moffat.tumblr.com/post/32592709395/facts-about-angels

Through out TATM Eleven was annoying me, I admit. The selfish behaviour, the way he treated River (and I really dislike River) I mean the Doctor is an arse sometimes, but what the hell was this kind of behaviour?

And ok, I see what you mean about Amy and Rory, but still given the 'afterword' seems that it isn't exactly terrible for them. Besides, compared to say, Donna's ending... Well, you know...

Ahaha that STFU Moffat tumblr is vair entertaining. I haven't rewatched any of the Angel eps in a long time... I didn't realize just how badly Moffat screwed up his own continuity. XD

IA, it's far less tragic than losing your memories. So it could have been worse.

Oh my gods! I totally thought Emperor from Star Wars too!

Wilf is made of win and Brian is not too far behind.

*Urg* The Doctor suddenly caring what he looked like for River bothered me sooo much. And the whole husband/wife thing? What?

Yeah...River suddenly not being in prison didn't surprise me. Just Moffat rewriting his canon again.

River's wrist...annoying and wtf? moment. I'd love to think positive and say it's because she's part of the TARDIS or whatever, but her trying to hide it from the Doctor bothered me more, especially what she said.

Not the saddest ending by a long shot. Oh well. Here's hoping the next half will be better. Not. (I do wish, but hold no hope. How sad is that?)

There are soooooooooo many problems with the stuff River said about hiding it from the Doctor. And his behaviour before Amy made her choice wasn't exactly wonderful either. Like a spoilt child losing his favourite toy.

But yep, we're firmly in Moffanon now. Canon was last seen passing by New Year's Eve 2005 ;)

A world where Moffat rules until time is rewritten. Then it never existed. Ten wakes up from almost regenerating in JE with Donna, Jack, and Rose still with him.

Edited for appropriate icon.

Edited 2012-10-07 03:18 (UTC)

And realising what's about to happen gets off his arse and makes sure to do things right this time.

*is now imagining the emo mood he would go under having to destroy the Daleks and Davros - even with everyone's help* Ooooh, mental image. *goes to jot down on story ideas*

ETA: *keeps forgetting all these appropriate icons*

Edited 2012-10-07 20:31 (UTC)

You really sould watch out for those plot animals, they do hide everywhere :P

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Right, 7x04 and 7x05...

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