Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part 1

[tzikeh]

Since I've been posting my reaction as a comment in several other TEoT posts, I might as well post it here.



I think RTD has had a gigantic bag of crack that he's been dipping into since he brought the series back in '05, and for this finale, he ate ALL THE CRACK THAT WAS LEFT, and then ran his fingers around in the bottom of the bag for residue and MASTURBATED with it.

I don't understand how John Simm can be so hungry after he CHEWED UP ALL THE SCENERY. (I adore the guy, but *jeez Louise, dude!*)

If you haven't seen the Confidential for this one, I highly recommend it. Yeah, there's a lot of "blah blah how we faked the helicopter scene" tech talk, but just watching John Simm talk give his thoughts on the character and the work he did in this episode is freaking hilarious. He's so deadpan.

It's like RTD went into a crack hallucinatory state, and thought, "Heroes + Being John Malkovich + Silence of the Lambs + The Phantom Menace = MAAAAAHVELOUS!"

But. The cafe scene. Instant classic. Gorgeous acting. Easily makes the top five list of my favorite New Who scenes. *weeps*

I mean, it's kind of like the best parts of The West Wing (bear with me): put two marvelous actors together with nobody else, and set them free. I'll always be thankful for that scene.

In conclusion: I will be waiting for Part 2 with... wide eyes.

Comments

[mtgat]

I think RTD has had a gigantic bag of crack that he's been dipping into since he brought the series back in '05, and for this finale, he ate ALL THE CRACK THAT WAS LEFT, and then ran his fingers around in the bottom of the bag for residue and MASTURBATED with it.

I totally agree with this summary of Part 1.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

But. The cafe scene. Instant classic. Gorgeous acting. Easily makes the top five list of my favorite New Who scenes. *weeps*

Zackly. RTD can have all the crack he wants after this.

[aworldinside.livejournal.com]

The cafe scene was amazing, but on the whole the crack was strong with this one and I'm not quite sure if RTD is going to pull it off. I hope he does, but I remain a little worried.

Will have to watch the Confidential, deadpan!John Simm sounds awesome.

OMG your icon! <3

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

RTD almost never pulls off the second part of a 2-parter. Of course, this time, even the *first* part is ... *boggle*. So who knows.

[aworldinside.livejournal.com]

Yeah, some of them I've really liked (Journey's End) but some haven't worked so well (Last of the Time Lords, despite Martha's awesomeness and John Simm), and this seems to leaning towards the latter. Dude can write, but boy does he like the epic crazy plot lines.

[iko.livejournal.com]

There's a part of me that thinks, "You know, I'm going to wake up in a moment and not remember how crazy/insane that episode of Doctor Who was..."

[klia.livejournal.com]

I don't understand how John Simm can be so hungry after he CHEWED UP ALL THE SCENERY. (I adore the guy, but *jeez Louise, dude!*)

Ahahahahahahahaha! Yeah, totally. Not my favorite of his roles by a long shot.

The cafe scene was incredible, especially when Wilf tried to persuade the Doctor to take Donna with him again because she'd make him laugh.

[hubbit.livejournal.com]

Another good part of Confidential was the historic timeline of The Doctor and The Master. I was happy to see the clips of the Third Doctor with the original Master, Roger Delgado, because those two together are almost like watching Holmes and Watson. Down to almost finishing each other's sentences.

In The End Of Time, though, I thought it was very intense when The Master connects his forehead with The Doctor's, so the latter can actually hear the drums. It sort of underscores for me the connection between the two - which seems unbroken back to their childhoods, and which gives every indication of continuing forever.

[lorelaisquared.livejournal.com]

OMG Crackity, crack, crack, crack... A friend of mine summed it up best -it's like ever since Doomsday, RTD has been trying to outdo himself and it's SO not necessary and all that happens is that he goes overboard. I understand that he wants to try and go out with a bang, but seriously, I think he's trying to do too much all at once - it's the same issue I have with Journey's End... there's too much happening, no focus, and it just ends up frantic and unsettling.

That said, the diner scene was superb. As was the Doctor/Master moment in the trash yard. THIS is the kind of stuff that RTD does best and THIS is what he should be writing more of. Not crazy cloning of the master or insane eating and jumping and freaking lightning... but returning to the heart of these characters, of who they are, where they've come from, where they're going. Not everything has to be epic and crazy. We need more heart and less chaos.


I mean, it's kind of like the best parts of The West Wing (bear with me): put two marvelous actors together with nobody else, and set them free. I'll always be thankful for that scene.

YES! Exactly - this is what I mean - we need more of this. When RTD does this he creates some of the best moments on television ever... Someone needs to remind him that sometimes, less is more.

I hope that he comes back in the second part and shocks us all, but I'm not holding my breath...

[ramblinsuze.livejournal.com]

I think RTD has had a gigantic bag of crack that he's been dipping into since he brought the series back in '05, and for this finale, he ate ALL THE CRACK THAT WAS LEFT, and then ran his fingers around in the bottom of the bag for residue and MASTURBATED with it.

BWAH!!! So, so true. That was...something, that's for sure!

I haven't watched the Confidential yet, but I'm looking forward to it. John Simm. Hee.

And the cafe scene was just beautiful. RTD really can write amazing two-handers. Your comment reminded me of the end of "The Second Coming" with Steve and Judy in the kitchen. I flat out BAWLED through that.