Okay, so now I've seen "The End of The World" (non-spoiler review)

[capri0mni]

(If anyone thinks what I have to say is spoilerish, please fwap me, and I'll come back and put this behind a cut.)

And I loved it. I was literally on the edge my seat the whole 45 minutes (and not because I'd gone spastic and was sliding to the floor, neither ;-)). The pacing was, to use the Doctor's phrase: "fantastic," and the look was gorgeous. After seeing two episodes by RTD, I can say, without reservation, he has this storytelling thing down -- pat.

Okay. I've done my pro-fun troll's duty and praised what I enjoyed, first. Can you tell what's coming next?

But:

Two episodes of thirteen down, and two secrets of the Doctor's past have been revealed. I sincerely hope this series won't end up being about the Doctor.

'Cause one of my favorite things about the Old School Who was that the stories were hardly ever about him. He was always the catalyst that set the story in motion, and he often provided the key that resolved the conflict at the crisis point. But the stories were never about his angst or secrets, or personal growth. I contend that even Gallifrey-based stories like "The Invasion of Time" were not about him -- they were about the clash of powers that only chanced to happen on the planet he called his home. "The Invasion of Time," was also about Leela and how she grew.

As much as I love the new series, I hope it doesn't change that. I want my Doctor to be always an engima on the perephery...

Comments

[rob-t-firefly.livejournal.com]

That's something they do seem to be getting right.. adding in just enough background to spark interest from newbies and fans alike, while keeping enough a mystery to keep newbies and fans pretty much equally mystified. That's why I think what was revealed in that ep pretty much *had* to be done, and kudos to RTD and company for doing it.

Without spoiling it for you, I can say that the rate of "OMG REVEAL!!!$#" moments have decreased as the series goes on.

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

Without spoiling it for you, I can say that the rate of "OMG REVEAL!!!$#" moments have decreased as the series goes on.

Okay. Good. I suppose I really shouldn't worry, seeing how well the stories have been told so far. I was just beginning to wonder exactly what story was was being told, here.

[rustyverse.livejournal.com]

The amount of big revelations do seem to be trailing off a bit. In ep 6 you'll learn more, though.

And there are strange cryptic references thruout the series to "Bad Wolf". We don't know what this means and RTD is dangling it in front of our faces in a truly David Lynch/Chris Carter kind of way.

As the series unfolds for you, Ann, see if you can spot all the references to "bad wolf".

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

And there are strange cryptic references thruout the series to "Bad Wolf".

Hmmm... Are they in Eps. 1 and 2, as well? If so, just say "yes," and I'll go back and watch for them... ;-)

[rustyverse.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure that the BW thing starts in ep 3.

[rob-t-firefly.livejournal.com]

It starts in ep 1, but it's almost impossible to spot in that one. It took me a while to find, and I knew precisely where o look.

There are a few spots online where people are keeping track so it's easy to Google if you like. Also, find an episode guide and check out the title of the 11 June episode...

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

hmmm... wouldn't be the scene with the mirror, would it? ;-) or is it more direct than that?

[rob-t-firefly.livejournal.com]

Nope. It's in fact far less direct than that. :-)

Bad Wolf in Ep 1

[rustyverse.livejournal.com]

Went back and found the BW ref in ep 2: The Moxx talking to the Face of Boe
But in ep one...I'm stumped. I give up, can't find it. Help? :-)

Re: Bad Wolf in Ep 1

[rob-t-firefly.livejournal.com]

So as not to spoil it for those who don't want the answer, I've encrypted it in ROT13. Some browsers can decode this with a menu option, others can use the online decoder here...

Jura gur GNEQVF vf erirnyrq va gur Arfgrar'f ynve, gur Arfgrar perngher zbhguf gur jbeqf "onq jbys." Fbzr fnl gur perngher nhqvoyl fnlf gur jbeqf, ohg vg'f qvfgbegrq. Snagnfgvp! *tbbsl teva*

Re: Bad Wolf in Ep 1

[rustyverse.livejournal.com]

Snagnfgvp, vaqrrq!

Re: Bad Wolf in Ep 1

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

It's "Where's Waldo?" for anaroaks!! heh.

Re: Bad Wolf in Ep 1

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

V sbhaq gur zbzrag -- gunaxf, Ebo! Naq, abj gung V jnf yvfgravat sbe vg, vg fbhaqrq yvxr n snveyl pyrne "Onq Jbys" gb zr; V unqa'g pnhtug vg gur svefg gvzr orpnhfr zl rnef naq zvaq jrer va "Guvf vf na nyvra ynathntr" zbqr, fb jung V "urneq" jnf na nyvra ynathntr (gung fnlf n ybg nobhg uhzna creprcgvba, evtug gurer, qbrfa'g vg?).

Naq, vs V nz abg zvfgnxra, gur Qbpgbe frrzrq gb xabj *rknpgyl* jung gur Arfgrar Pbafpvbhfarff jnf gnyxvat nobhg, gbb. Zl crefbany thrff, ng guvf cbvag, vf gung gurer jnf nabgure Gvzrybeq vaibyirq -- znlor gur bar gung fgnegrq gur "gvzr jne"... Jr funyy frr...

Abj, V jnag gb tb onpx naq frr vs V pna pngpgu gur ersrerapr va Rcvfbqr gjb...