"Dinosaurs on a Spaceship" -- My Thoughts
Sep. 9th, 2012 01:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
earlgreytea68I loved this episode. Thank you, Chris Chibnall. My expectations were incredibly low, as I have never enjoyed any of Chibnall's other episodes, but this was tremendously fantastic. I love Doctor Who for two things: those moments when it breaks my heart, and those moments when it's so over-the-top and insane that you can only laugh and say "What is going on?". This episode managed to have both characteristics, which is a rare feat indeed.
What I Liked:
- The entire gang. I like what they're doing with the idea that the Doctor does go off and have other adventures without us watching. It's a different Doctor, this Doctor. He doesn't have one companion who sticks with him for a linear period of time, he flits in and out of people's lives, and I feel like they're getting that point across nicely. And I like that they've skipped us ten months in Amy and Rory's timeline, because it helps avoid what would undoubtedly be awkward working out of their divorce issues. The whole "gang" idea especially works here because I loved every single member of the gang, I would have all of them back as companions in a heartbeat. The best episodes of DW are the ones populated by a bunch of people you'd accept permanently on the TARDIS. The worst episodes are the ones where you can't even remember the secondary characters. This was definitely in the former category. And, even though I don't give her her own bullet point below, let it be known that I adored Nefertiti, especially in her last scene with Solomon. She was AWESOME.
- Lestrade. I know he had some kind of other name on this show, but whatever, he was totally just Lestrade the whole time to me and he was, like Nefertiti, AWESOME. And also incredibly hot. What was with all those layers?? (I have a thing for men in layers, it's clearly linked to my Puritan heritage.) And then there was the part where the Doctor asked him to watch out for dinosaurs ("I was rather hoping you'd say that." "No killing any.") and he hands Rory's dad his gun and TAKES OFF HIS COAT BECAUSE HE MEANS BUSINESS OH MY GOODNESS WHAT WOULD MYCROFT SAY. And that part at the beginning, when they first see the dinosaurs, and he flips his knife sexily and is like, "I could take one of them." LESTRADE, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. THEY ARE DINOSAURS, YOU ARE NOT TAKING THEM WITH A KNIFE, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, I LOVE YOU. There was seriously so much to love about him. His "I propose retreat. Perhaps forwards" in the T. Rex nest. His conversation with Amy about how she must have gaps in her education because she hasn't heard of him. The fact that he removes his hat when he finds out Nefertiti is who she is and again when the dinosaur is killed. I just loved him in all his walking innuendo-ness. I was SO SCARED he was going to die, you have no idea, I was, like, watching between my fingers by the end, I was so stressed out about it. But it all turned out okay. The only thing that gave me pause was that I was like, "Lestrade, what is your accent?"
- Rory's father. He, like everyone else, was AWESOME, but that makes total sense, because Rory is awesome, so he clearly has some good genes ("Spelling it out is hereditary, wonderful."). I love that he accepted all the craziness with such relative ease. Even his "I'm not entirely sure what's going on" at the beginning is so calm. And he's so quick-thinking, with the golf ball solution to the triceratops problem, and pointing out to the Doctor that he and Rory are the same gene chain. He won infinity points from me for calling the Doctor Arthur C. Clarke. Ha! AND THEN he got that moment where he sat with a sandwich and a cup of tea and watched the Earth, and I got all teary-eyed and sniffly and stayed that way through the shot of all the POSTCARDS of him seeing the world. Oh, my God. When DW gets emotion right, it really gets it right. Can we have Rory's father on the TARDIS forever and ever and ever? Because I loved him.
- Which I suppose brings us to Rory. I continue to adore Rory. Rory is just the best. I actually feel like he's the Watson to the Doctor's Sherlock ("Isn't it obvious?" "It's sort of the opposite of obvious."), and this show needs a Watson type character to be the practical one. I love that this episode gave me so much of just Rory and the Doctor, because they're kind of my favorite combination. The part where the Doctor frantically jumps up and down to shout that he has a Christmas list and Rory gives him that exasperated thumbs-up in response? OMG, I laughed so hard. And I love how capable Rory is, how much the Doctor clearly really likes him ("Awww, so clever! I missed you, Rory!"). I mean, Rory grasps that the waves are powering the spaceship immediately, I was so impressed by that. And the way the Doctor just kind of says "Be ready" to him during the whole Solomon thing. Like, he doesn't need to explain anything, he knows he can depend on Rory to just be ready, for anything. And then there's Rory tending to his father and threatening the machines. There was no way that Rory was not awesome in this episode but then, Rory's usually nothing but awesome.
- "Well, there's so much to discover. Think how much wiser we'll be by the end of all this." / "Are dinosaurs flying this spaceship?" "Don't be ridiculous, they're probably just passengers." / "Six hours is a lifetime. Well, not literally a lifetime, that's what we're trying to avoid. And we're all very clever!" / "Is that a kestrel?" "I do hope so!" / "That's the plan, amendments welcome!" / "I'm a Sagitarrius. Probably." / "Guys, come on, comedy gold!" I thought Matt Smith's line deliveries this episode were spot-on. He took lines that might not have even been intended to be hilarious (like the "I do hope so!" line) and made them that way.
- I actually really liked the plot of this episode. I loved the idea that, before whatever event killed the dinosaurs, the Silurians built them an ark to try to save them. Such a sweet idea, and in its own way so obvious, and I loved it. I thought the stuff with the transporting computer made enough sense to hang together, and I didn't see anything in the diagram Amy, Nefertiti, and Lestrade were looking at but I'm not a clever Doctor-companion so I was okay with that. And I even figured out that the only life signals the computer would pick up on were Silurian life signals. And I didn't even mind that the ship was Silurian, although I must confess that, when they first showed up, I was like, "Really, Chris Chibnall? I've so been enjoying this episode, and now you've got to go and remind me of the last time you wrote an episode and it was incredibly dull." But it turned out okay!
- I even liked Amy in this episode and she is usually what I dislike about an episode if there's something I'm going to dislike. But she was competent and fairly clever and not annoying. I liked the part where she told Nefertiti she was a queen, I thought that was a very endearing and understandable thing for her to do (although I wish Nefertiti had told Rory about it, because Rory needs some ammunition against Amy!). And I liked her conversation with the Doctor ("I can't not wait for you."). Amy has done nothing but wait for the Doctor her entire life, and I think as a consequence she, as she says, can't settle anywhere. She doesn't really want to go back to life full-time on the TARDIS, she asks to be taken home at the end...but only for a couple of months. Amy wants both worlds, she wants it both ways, and I think what we're learning here is that you can't do that. I think Sarah Jane said something to this effect long ago, in "School Reunion," that you have to have one life or the other, you can't live with one foot always out the door. I'm very interested to see where they go with Amy.
- Nefertiti and Lestrade. They were my total OTP of this episode from this exchange onward: "Any man who speaks to me that way I execute." "You're very welcome to try." I was like, "THOSE TWO. GET THEM TOGETHER. NOW." When Lestrade calls her a firecracker and then he gives her that delighted look and she kind of smiles back and I was like OMG TELL ME THEY END UP TOGETHER. I just adored the two of them. I giggled when Lestrade told her she needed a man with a very large weapon, because I'm sorry, it cracked me up, and then I was sad for him when he tried to save her from Solomon but couldn't. Anyway, I'm so happy he got both his girl and his dinosaur tooth in the end. And I'm even happier that Nefertiti apparently really does disappear from history, so I can believe that she ends up with a big-game hunting version of DI Lestrade. (Lestrade had chemistry with Amy, too, though. That weird bit where they're going after the dinosaurs together, and Amy's like, "Shut up and shoot," and then they're both pretty awesome? Yeah, that was oddly hot. Where did Amy learn how to shoot like that?)
- I loved the robots, I wish they could have saved them, I want them to be companions, too! When the Doctor says to Rory's father, "Why would we want to escape?" I thought he was going to continue with, "These robots are awesome!" And of course as with all things, Rory makes them better. That exchange about learning manners was hilariously adorable, and I totally respected them for being scared of Rory. If the Doctor could so easily disable them, I don't know why he didn't do it way earlier and take them along with him. They could have tended to the dinosaurs. I'm really sad they died.
- Someone on Twitter said the tone of this episode was weirdly split between childishly giddy and adult innuendo and it's true and it somehow seemed to work for me.
- Oh, I loved the bit of Doctor misdirection, making us think Solomon was looking for The Doctor when he was really looking for A Doctor. Oh, that was well done, Chibnall. And then having the Doctor being unidentified, so that it didn't fall into our expectations that the Doctor would be the most valuable thing aboard the ship. I liked that.
- Solomon was truly a vile, terrible being and to me it made total sense the Doctor left him to die. This Doctor always behaves like everything is puppies and kittens and rainbows but the Doctor *is* dark and I like those moments when we still see it. Solomon had pushed the Doctor several steps too far (INCLUDING BY KILLING THE TRICERATOPS, UNNECESSARY, SHOW) and I liked that the Doctor just walked away from him at the end.
- They seem to be developing a classical music sort of theme this series? I mean, this is the second straight episode where music has played a part, and where the Doctor has stated that he's one of the musicians on the piece being played. When did the Doctor become a musician? It's funny because in the Chaosverse there's that one fic (I think the one after the kids all leave the nest?) where there's a music room on the TARDIS and Rose is like, "I hope a future incarnation of the Doctor likes to play musical instruments!" Apparently, you've just got to wait for the next one, Rose.
- The Doctor doesn't seem to know that his gaps between visits to the Ponds are getting longer?
- The postcard from Siluria at the end: Is that a postcard from the Doctor? Because he went and established that planet?
- The credit font stuff. Eh, I see what they're going for. I liked the old one better.
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Date: 2012-09-09 06:16 pm (UTC)I am now picturing family outings when River shows up without the Doctor.... they go play laser tag. Obviously.
I'm losing my mind, obviously.
tumblr is pointing out how much Amy was like the Doctor in this episode. I don't know if I completely agree with that, but I'm going to withhold judgement for a bit.
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Date: 2012-09-09 06:44 pm (UTC)YES. I SO BELIEVE THIS. River would be big on "Hand-eye coordination - need to keep it in practice!"
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Date: 2012-09-11 03:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-10 03:55 am (UTC)I feel like Amy was more Doctor-ish than she normally is, in that she annoyed me less. Heh. I guess that's not really a helpful observation!
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Date: 2012-09-09 06:19 pm (UTC)It surprised me to like anything by Chris Chibnall this much! I love watching it. And I seem to be keep watching it over and over again.
Letting Solomon have the "valuable" missiles seems very Doctorish to me. It reminds me of Ten dealing with the Family of Blood. (and it reminded me a lot of Four, actually)
I want to think the Doctor established Siluria, and that somewhere/when lots of dinosaurs are stomping around there.
That angsty look that the Doctor gave the Pond's as they looked out at the Earth with Brian makes me nervous. He looks like he might know already how they end up?
And I completely love when he tells Brian that, yes, Brian IS a Pond. And especially after his earlier remark that Nefertiti and Riddell were "people, not Ponds." Brian is so much a Pond!
The Doctor as a matchmaker is kind of sweet. A coincidence that he picked up Riddell after Nefertiti decided come along on the TARDIS? I think not! I like to think he knew they would be perfect for each other, introduced them, and then let propinquity do the rest. Oh Lestrade-I WILL NEVER NOT LOVE YOU!
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Date: 2012-09-10 03:56 am (UTC)I agree, I was very much immediately reminded of the Family of Blood, too.
Awwww, I really like to think of the planet of Siluria with the dinosaurs!
I thought the same thing, that the Doctor seems to know things about their future that aren't good and aren't happy and I don't want them to happen!
I love, that to the Doctor, being a Pond has become the biggest compliment he can give. It's so cute!
OMG. THAT IS TOTALLY WHY HE WENT TO GET RIDDELL. HE WAS PLAYING MATCHMAKER. BRILLIANT!
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Date: 2012-09-09 06:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-10 03:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-09 06:33 pm (UTC)I want it so bad there aren't even words.
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Date: 2012-09-09 06:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-11 03:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-10 04:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-09 07:32 pm (UTC)Hee, I guess we know now where Rory got his laid-back-ness.
Someone on Twitter said the tone of this episode was weirdly split between childishly giddy and adult innuendo and it's true and it somehow seemed to work for me.
Heh. Yeah, it worked for me too.
Now, I think I need to go watch it again. (My third time)
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Date: 2012-09-11 03:42 am (UTC)I loved how much Rory seemed like his father, I felt like that was so well done.
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Date: 2012-09-09 10:49 pm (UTC)Yes. YES YES YES YES YES YES YES. All the yeses!
(also I agree about the credits. I was hoping for something cool made of bones or something, but it was the same small, dark, hard to read font with some reptilian pattern on it. Sorry, graphics person. Bring back the 2010 logo!)
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Date: 2012-09-11 03:43 am (UTC)And yeah, I feel like people on Tumblr could do a better job with the font stuff. Graphics person! What are you doing!
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Date: 2012-09-09 10:59 pm (UTC)Rory is made of so much win in this episode, I can't even. And I think he and the Doctor are an excellent duo too!
Rory's dad, at the end, looking down at the Earth, and then traveling it, that really moved me. Just look at how his life was made better by meeting the Doctor. There are times we're shown (usually by those who hate our Doctor) the downsides of meeting him, the way that an encounter with him can destroy you, or make your life worse somehow. It was nice to see the complete other side of that coin, wasn't it?
Matt Smith was hilarious and spot-on this episode. GO MATTY.
And I am with you, I don't think this episode was a WEIRD split between childish giddiness and adult innuendo. I think it achieved perfect balance, in the way that DW does when it really hits the mark.
This is my favorite ep we've had for awhile. SO HAPPY.
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Date: 2012-09-11 03:46 am (UTC)Rory is always made of win! And Rory + the Doctor = OFF THE CHARTS WIN.
I'm so glad you pointed out how much the Doctor improved Rory's dad's life. You're right that we see a lot of the Doctor ruining people's lives, especially recently. The fact that one chance encounter inspired Rory's dad to do so much...I'm getting teary-eyed again! So nice to see the other side of that coin, as you put it.
I love Matt Smith. He's grown on me so much, and I loved him from the beginning.
Such a great episode. I'm with you, I loved it so much.
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Date: 2012-09-09 11:06 pm (UTC)I agree with you that it is split between being childish and adult, but the "adult" part to me wasn't the innuendo (which was fairly mild, after all), but the entire enslavement/implied sexual assault against Nefertiti. Which I know has its place, because even in the Whoniverse, we need occasional doses of truly evil people. But...well, I could have skipped that particular part.
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Date: 2012-09-11 03:51 am (UTC)And yeah, the enslavement/implied sexual assault thing was extremely...horrible, but that's not a strong enough word. But you know what I mean.
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Date: 2012-09-11 04:15 am (UTC)Music: actually three episodes:
Date: 2012-09-10 12:03 am (UTC)I think you might be on to something here.
Re: Music: actually three episodes:
Date: 2012-09-11 03:52 am (UTC)And that's very interesting! We shall have to watch out for that!
Re: Music: actually three episodes:
Date: 2012-09-11 04:13 am (UTC)Re: Music: actually three episodes:
Date: 2012-09-12 03:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-10 03:11 am (UTC)But I loved the episode! Yeah, the plot was a little weak, but this didn't really need a complicated, well-defined plot. All it needed was an excuse for dinosaurs and the Doctor to have a gang!
I agree with all your points. Loved Rory. Loved Rory's dad. Loved Rory's facepalm when his dad said the only thing in his trousers were his balls. XD Loved that Amy wasn't annoying. Was super bummed out by the Silurian massacre. LOVED Nefertiti and Lestrade! Also: DINOSAURS OMFG. And raptors as the main threat, yaaay! Was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the dinosaurs as well. Given some of the other cg we've had (that turkey thing from Vincent and the Doctor? bleh) and having been a fan of Primeval, with it's absolutely atrocious cg, I was glad the dinosaurs actually looked pretty decent!
I loved the robots more after my friend pointed out they were Mitchell and Webb. :D
I think the thing I laughed hardest at, though, was the Doctor wiping the spider webs off on Rory's dad's shoulder. XD
Was pleasantly surprised at how casually dark Solomon was. He was really, REALLY freaking evil! Like, how evil I feel other villains are supposed to be (Davros, Daleks, the Master), but they never come close to that for me. He's just so nonchalant, maybe that's what gets me. All the other villains are pretty animated and excited/giddy about their evil shenanigans. Somehow his "eh, today I woke up, brushed my teeth, folded some laundry, massacred thousands of people, took a nap, had a sandwich for lunch" attitude is way creepier. Like, other villains KNOW what they're doing is wrong, but delight in it, but Solomon doesn't even know/care/acknowledge how awful his actions are.
Was it the best-written episode ever? No. Was it the most FUN I've had with the show in a long time? Heck yes! I had a big stupid grin the entire time. It'll definitely take a place in my Top [Number] Favorite Episodes list if I ever get around to making a new one.
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Date: 2012-09-11 03:55 am (UTC)All the things to love! Yay!
I feel like they blew the entire special effects budget on this one episode!
Hahahahaha, oh, Doctor, so rude! ;-)
Solomon was terrifying, and I think you're right, it was precisely his laidback low-keyness that made him so terrifying. He was the opposite of over the top. He was under the top.
I agree with you, this episode would be pretty high on my list. It was just so much *fun,* and sometimes this show needs that!
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Date: 2012-09-10 02:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-12 03:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-11 02:37 am (UTC)On the more thinking side, I was interested to see that they are continuing with the theme of the Doctor not existing, or being forgotten. Last time around the Daleks forgot him, and this time Solomon's computer said that he didn't exist. I wonder if that is going to be some sort of overarching theme this season- especially with all of the "Make them remember you" and "Remember me"s from the last ep. I also TOTALLY thought that the 'more valuable' thing Solomon's computer found was the TARDIS- it never crossed my mind that it would be Nefertiti!
I also love that Solomon was Filch and Rory's dad was Arthur Weasley. Rory should totally be an honorary Weasley :D
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Date: 2012-09-12 03:23 am (UTC)You're very right, about the whole forgetting / remembering thing persisting here. I wonder if that's going to be a season-long theme. And yes! The TARDIS! Does the TARDIS also not register, the same way the Doctor doesn't?
It was like little Harry Potter here. It makes me want all the Harry Potter actors to eventually make cameos. It could be like Bingo!
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Date: 2012-09-11 05:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-12 03:30 am (UTC)