Early Access - Doctor Who | Reaction & Review 9x2 "The Witch’s Familiar"
Added 2023-07-15 07:56:18 +0000 UTCComments
Overall I found both parts a bit mixed, and the second part didn't live up to the hype for me, but I'm always happy to see you enjoying Doctor Who. No complaints from me, only perspective. I love the cold open. Great use of exposition to explain the season finale, probably one of my favorites in the series. And as you said, Jenna Coleman really just has chemistry with everybody. [END of SEASON 9 ROT-13 SPOILER] V arire abgvprq gur gvr-va bs "nffhzr lbh'yy jva" abg whfg va gur svefg rcvfbqr, ohg gur frpbaq, NAQ nf jr xabj vg'f cvibgny va Urnira Frag. Nyfb, n zhpu fznyyre naq yrff gurzngvp yvar, ohg nabgure zragvba bs Gur Qbpgbe "cynlvat gur sbby". My favorite line deliveries: • The way Missy says "Get in". So suddenly serious, and it's like Clara/Audience already knows exactly what she's about to say before she does. • Clara's second "Ow" from the Dalek telepathic circuit is cute. • Missy's "Doctor~?" as she runs off is also funny. The Dalek controls... Yes, it's a bit of nerdy criticism that I unfortunately share. Dalek controls... A bit of retconning that I'm not a fan of. The idea Daleks are forced to exterminate because of emotion, and that the suits get rid of individuality. This is where I can relate to the idea that Moffat doesn't write the Daleks the best. The callback to Clara Oswin is cute, though. "Ah, well I'm inconsistent", a bit of metacommentary on The Doctor's characterization, especially S8-9?. Would be funny if it was an attempt at a lampshade, because that would end up being criticism of Twelve in S9. I love it though, I think the dark mannerisms of S8 Capaldi are still there, but Capaldi also feels wonderfully grown into the role. Clara looks so exhausted when she comes out of the Dalek, I feel the pain every time I see her face. Davros-Doctor: I don't know how I feel about the Death Note-esque "I knew you were manipulating me, I was manipulating YOU!". And I don't know if there's much thematic resonance to the Dalek sewers awakening and being what does them in to save the day. Don't... forget your roots? Remember where you came from? Don't store your immoral comrades in a sewer? Straining to find the moral here. I think if the first half didn't try so hard to end in a cliffhanger, and if the second half didn't try so hard to revert to the status quo, it would solve a lot. We could nullify the trickery of their genuine moment, and also build up to the moment itself, as I do see the potential but don't feel it's earned. With a bit of time to breathe I could see them laughing over a "You are not a good Doctor" joke as feeling natural, but to me it feels very cliché. Considering what a genocidal lunatic Davros is portrayed as, especially in his first NuWho S4 appearance, I find it hard to believe they would share such a moment. The Doctor may be alien, intellectual, compassionate... but he has strict morals too and Davros is Space Hitler, but worse. I like your optimism about Davros and the Doctor being genuine in their exchange, despite both scheming and putting on an act. Personally I wish Davros' performance was different then, when the reveal happened. It wouldn't surprise me if Moffat was afraid of touching such a classic character by imbuing too much nuance into him. I think Attack on Titan handles these moments really well: Reiner's transformation in "Warrior", Eren's transformation in "Declaration of War" and Zeke's scream in "Older brother, younger brother" are examples of having a remorseful antagonist "betrayal" that is both nuanced and spine-chilling. Davros could have betrayed the Doctor without maniacally laughing and reverting to a generic villain. BUT I honestly can't complain about your reading, because I selfishly just want you to enjoy my favorite series. I'll take this praise for a series opener I'm not the fondest of, just in case I don't get it for the finale that I *am* very fond of.
tom
2023-09-09 16:33:12 +0000 UTCAwesome, I’d lost track. Thanks for letting me know!
George Greenacre
2023-07-17 13:58:10 +0000 UTCHey mate, Doctor Who is on Thursdays ✌🏼
FILMBuFF
2023-07-17 13:42:47 +0000 UTCHey man, no worries at all if not but are we getting Under the Lake (Ep3) today?
George Greenacre
2023-07-16 16:04:11 +0000 UTCIt’s just a masterfully written story. I couldn’t agree more about the doctor and davros’s conversation being a wonderfully complex mix of deception and honesty. It is fascinating on every watch to see them toy with each other and try and ascertain the truth within the lies. When the Davros says compassion will kill the doc one day it’s his reply “I wouldn’t die of anything else” that stays with me. Something will could all live by.
Carys Barnes
2023-07-16 13:39:04 +0000 UTC
