That Christmas special eh?

[fogsblue]

Yes, I had to check it out.... And of course, like every other Who episode this year, my rambly thoughts as I watch go with it...


The Snowmen:

• Boy playing with snowman. And snowman talks back. Well, that was obvious. And Ian McKellan... I can hear you! And of course they're evil right? So is the boy.
• The Rose and Crown? Oh look, Clara. And she's curious. And there's grumpy Doctor. In a top hat. Actually, new clothes are interesting. Will decide later how I feel about 'em.
• Snow that can remember. Sure, why not. Yep, you can see the beginning of the interest. But he walks away. Of course walking away always works well. I mean sure, it's worked every other time. Oh wait.
• And there she is, head first into the top of the coach. And there's the question. Everyone asks, I know, but there's something about the way Moffat uses it that sort of ruins the fun of it.
• Why is a maid in the late 1800's in a catsuit? I mean, I know it's Jenny, but really... Catsuit? Oh look, the Silurain.
• And really Moffat? Saying that Doyle is basing Holmes and Watson on Vastra and Jenny. I just.... yeah.....
• Over confident bad guy. They always are. End of humankind. IT ALWAYS IS!
• Strax, asking permission to express an opinion. Is it wrong I half expected the Doctor to say no? Though I like Strax' direct approach. "Psychotic Potato Dwarf'? Well... Actually, can't argue with that.
• "The universe doesn't care" I have many things to say to that, but mostly just... Bah.
• Worm that causes people to lose their memories. Saw Strax' return coming. Was kind of obvious, but since I'm easily amused... Ahhh, Clara is playing the role of the amused audience. In this case, accurately.
• Yes, because telling someone to stop thinking about something always works and doesn't in any way make them think of that even more. Rightio. Over 1000 years old and the Doctor still hasn't figured that out?
• And again, telling someone to forget about something unusual works perfectly every time. Sure Doctor. They'll never follow you or anything like that.
• Latimer? Hmmph, never mind. But figured she had to do more than work at the pub. And governess at the house with the pond makes sense. Always easier if they're in the middle of the mess.
• Think the young girl needs a doctor. Welp, know where that's going.
• One word answers and kindness? And then Vastra goes of on a slight rant and Clara doesn't believe her. Saw that coming.
• Well, given this is written by Moffat, I'm actually surprised Vastra said 'losses' and not just 'loss'. Though knowing Moffat (and the fact the word Clara came up to gain his help was Pond) I'd bet the losses were Amy, Rory and River. I'm being rude huh?
• Dressing the Doctor as Sherlock Holmes... WHY DO I FEEL LIKE MOFFAT IS TRYING TO REFERENCE HIS OWN WORK?
• The Doctor is arguing with a sontaran about helping. That's going to end well. Mind you, nice argument with your own hand there. Everyone knows he'll help. I think even Clara knows.
• Born behind the face of Big Ben... Acute sense of time? Hmm, I'm going to ignore that. Ooo look, ice person. And there's the Doctor. Had to show up somewhere.
• Well, that's one way to introduce everyone. Lizard lady from the dawn of time and her wife, gentleman friend, potato (ok, that was just me) and living ice sculpture...
• Dramatic exposition, all well and good. And yes, the Doctor likes people who ask questions... BUT did she really have to kiss him. Really?
• Clara is quick, and rather argumentative. Kind of like her. Curious to see what happens though. Not sweet and innocent.
• Definitely not sure about the interior of the TARDIS nowdays, but hey... Could be worse.
• "Smaller on the outside" I read that in a fic once. I mean seriously, that's a line in one of my favourite fics. I'd say it's original but now all I can think about is that fic.
• Souffles? And the Doctor noticed that? And gave her a key. But there's the ice woman. Clara falls, but can't be dead. That's obvious.
• What's with all the flirting? Even as she wakes up. Maybe it's not meant to be... BUT really seems like a lot of flirting. And isn't the Doctor meant to be married?
• Awww, no more Ian Mckellan? But it does make sense (oh, never thought I'd say that) that the snow, being telepathic would pick up on a child's thoughts. And with something reinforcing his ideas, he becomes evil.
• Oh look, memory worm, wondered if it would be back. And there it is.
• Though, never that simple and there's the 'twist' the intelligence can now exist on it's own, in a borrowed body anyway.
• Clara is making the snow turn to rain right? Tears. Oh look, salty rain. Yep, sadness, tears of Clara and the family.
• So Clara is Oswin. And the Doctor knows that. Riiiiightio... Now I'm worried.

Overall....
It wasn't too bad. Kind of fun and more original than his previous specials. On a side note, not sure how I feel about the new opening credits...
Didn't mind Clara, though.... But since Clara is Oswin and the Doctor knows I'm more than worried actually. Why? Cause this is being written by Moffat and I'm more than a little concerned about how he'll 'explain' this. Oh and more than a little confused by the romantic overtones. Moffat married the Doctor off to his wet dream River and still seems to be trying to push another romance, sheesh, this is getting ridiculous. Though if he showed an actual romance, not just told us.... Though I wonder if Clara will have to get knocked up too?
Ok that was rude. But aside from that, this wasn't too bad. A bit of fun!

I will work on more logical thoughts another time.

Comments

[silverlunarstar.livejournal.com]

Confused, baffled, worried...

I LIKED Clara Fogs. Sure, I rolled my eyes when she snogged him and all, but then again Astrid did in VotD and it didn't bother me too much.

And was it just me or did MS actually have chemistry with JLC as opposed to AK??? Oh gods...

I just don't want to get attached to her because I'm afraid of what Moffat will do to her and her story line. The next half of the season LOOKS good, but I shall not get my hopes up.

Besides actually liking Clara, I was surprised how much I did not hate the story itself. It was all in all not the worse thing Moffat has ever done.

[fogsblue.livejournal.com]

I kind of like her too! But I'm nervous about it, so I don't want to get too enthusiastic... Yeah, I didn't even mind the snog too much, except it's MOFFAT so I'm automatically on guard. I know, I know...

IT'S HARD TO DEAL WITH THIS!

But as for the actual story, I didn't really mind it at all either. Definitely one of his best stories.

BUT I'M STILL NERVOUS! I mean... I'm half way to thinkg Clara is gonna be wonderful. BUT.......!

DO YOU SEE MY PROBLEM?

(I'm gonna watch it again in a bit, when it's on TV, and see how I feel after that.)

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

Definitely better than his other specials, but still not very impressed :/

[fogsblue.livejournal.com]

Yes, much better. Still not great and never going to be a favourite, but enjoyable enough. For me.

Though given it's Moffat, I give it 2, maybe 3, episodes before I realise I don't like it cause of what he's done next.

[country-who.livejournal.com]

I really liked Clara, but she's already died twice, so I'm extremely concerned where this is going to lead. (Perhaps an female version of Rory's character? ;) ) Still, I liked her quick wit and her unabashed personality where she sort of came up and said whatever she liked. I don't know. I kind of thought of Rose a lot when I was watching her--not to say that I really want another Rose-type character, nor do I want her to be written by Moffat--but there's just something intangible I like about her. She can keep the Doctor in line and she's bringing him back from loosing Amy and Rory and I suppose River (I'm still confused by that), like the Ninth Doctor and the Time War (and I'm sure that Moffat must think that loosing them would have the same impact on the Doctor as the Time War)

The episode itself, if not for the great acting by MS and JLC, was rather bland and a bit predictable, but it wasn't the worst special we've had yet. It was a nice fun romp around for Christmas.

[fogsblue.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know what you mean. Clara could be good, but I don't trust Moffat in the least about what he's going to do with her. I'm worried she's just going to end up a complete mess, like River.

The story wasn't great, but it was better than his Christmas Carol and Narnia rewrites of the previous years.

[mrs-tribble.livejournal.com]

I thought it was lots of fun - really enjoyed it! Clara was adorable, Strax made for some great comedy, Richard E Grant was at his evil best and I love Ian McKellan to pieces!

"Psychotic Potato Dwarf" and "I'm the clever one, you're the potato one. And you've got REALLY SHORT LEGS!" cracked me the hell up, as did Strax believing he'd been run over by a carriage.

Unlike Amy, Clara didn't have to slowly grow on me. I think she's adorkable.

[fogsblue.livejournal.com]

Strax was fun, kind of like the Gimli of the special. He had some of the most ridiculous, but most fun, comments. Ian McKellan as the evil was just brilliant! I think everything can be improved by more McKellan! ;)

I like Clara, but I'm absolutely terrified of liking her too much. She's fun and a bit odd, but kind of cute and sweet. But there's so much potential for her to be great. And sadly, all things considered, even more potential for her story to be a disaster. I'm hoping it goes well.

[mrs-tribble.livejournal.com]

Strax was hilarious; I need the psychotic potato dwarf to become a regular character please! I also need a "psychotic potato dwarf" animated icon from somebody lol!

Whoever Clara turns out to be, Jenna-Louise - unlike Karen - already has my Whovian heart. She's cute, sparky, stubborn and funny - and she's so lively that I was almost running out of breath just watching her move! This character is so alive!

[fogsblue.livejournal.com]

I would be ok with Strax being a permanent companion! ;D

I wish I could be as enthusiastic, but I've become rather paranoid! But YAY for you!! And I agree, she'd very lively, which is great! :)

[develish1]

I'm still undecided, as I often am with things since Moff took over.

sure, it had plot holes you could drive a bus through, and continuity errors galore, but it was fun.

It was rather nice to see the nod to classic Who with the name of the baddie and the lunch box etc, and I did like the idea of putting the face back in the opening titles, but talking out the vortex from most of it, and turning everything red, didn't sit well with me.

I also found myself horribly torn about Clara.

At first I found myself thinking "yeah, I can see her being a fun companion" because she seemed smart and curious and open to all the weirdness etc.

Then we got the ending, and I was left feeling like Moff is only using her as yet another plot device, and that worries me, since it doesn't bode well at all for her character development. But then this is Moff, so she probably wouldn't have gotten much of that anyway, lol

[fogsblue.livejournal.com]

Undecided is the normal state with Moffat. Or it is for a lot of us?

The plot holes are an example of things you kind of have to overlook with Moffat, luckily this wasn't as bad as some of his other efforts. And it was more fun than a lot of them.

Yeah, I'm still not sure about the new opening credits. I mean, I think I like 'em better than S5-7 but I still prefer the old S1-4 ones.

AND YES YES YES!
Clara could be a lot of fun as a companion and if she'd just been a normal person who was curious and smart and going along for the ride I might be less concerned.

Buuutttt.... Moffat had to throw in the whole mystery of her existence and now I'm still terrified what he's going to do. As you say, quite likely another plot device instead of character.

Mourn the days of character development.