In Memoriam

[annissamazing]

I heard the news of Elisabeth Sladen's passing late last night. As a general rule, I don't get worked up over the death of a person I don't know, but I wanted to take a moment and remember the work she did that I enjoyed so much, so I watched "School Reunion" last night.

One of the things that makes me uncomfortable about this episode is Rose's immediate, intense jealousy. On the other hand, Sarah Jane had the same, albeit more sophisticated, reaction. But I think that their initial reactions to each other made their reconciliation sweeter and funnier.

There were also some poignant lines in this episode.

SARAH JANE: The Universe has to move forward. Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it's a world or a relationship. Everything has its time and everything ends.

Goodbye, Liz.

Comments

[redknightalex.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty much with you on all points here. I'm not sure I actually shipped Doctor/Rose until Doomsday because, "omg, they are separated! SO SAD!!!" And then, after that, I pretty much wore the shipper glasses whenever I rewatch or continued the series. *shrug*

Like trying to use an off-brand Lego with the name brand ones and they don't *quite* fit together.

Love that analogy but, yes, exactly. I liked how someone, can't remember who or where, explained it as the Doctor just being really excited to be snogging a historical figure. I'd probably be excited too. It's like a celebrity crush for a Time Lord. Rose's reaction and the Doctor's almost desire to stay with Madame de Pompadour at the end is what gets more more than anything else (I believe he would have stayed if given the chance, at least for a while, what with the timey wimey bits).

Although, I don't like the horse through the mirror bit at all. Too much MythBusters for me. :D

(I did like that the ship was named after her.)

[ladyprydian.livejournal.com]

I close my eyes and put my fingers in my ears and go lalalalalala when GitF is brought up. In a more grown up world I would say that I just ignore that episode.

It's the character continuity that bother's me. Both Rose and the Doctor are off continuity wise that it's jarring. I think I read/heard somewhere else that Stephen Moffat wrote this episode thinking Nine would still be around. Which can account for Ten being so 'off'.

Like the lego analogy, I've always wondered if I would have liked this ep better if it hadn't come right after School Reunion.

[annissamazing]

"I think I read/heard somewhere else that Stephen Moffat wrote this episode thinking Nine would still be around. Which can account for Ten being so 'off'."

I read this, too, but it would be even more out of character for Nine. Ten's a little flighty, so I can kind of see it with him. That it came right after he promised he would never do that to Rose is what causes my continuity issues. If Nine had done it, I probably would not be watching the show now.

That might be hyperbole, but I can't be sure.

[redknightalex.livejournal.com]

Yup, heard that too, but, like Annissa said, it would be so bizarre for it to be a Nine story. Moffat can write really great stories, although they are usually of the creepier kind ala The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances. His other writing (aka most of Series 5) wasn't to my liking and had issues, sort of like GitF. I think the schedule, writing, and head-butting took place and we have this ep that falls a tad flat when compared to the others. You always need some of those in a series. Ugh.

I close my eyes and put my fingers in my ears and go lalalalalala when GitF is brought up. In a more grown up world I would say that I just ignore that episode.

LOL. I try to be mature about it but, inside, I usually fail and skip the ep on rewatches. I can talk politely about it though. ;)

Personally, if it had just been the Doctor got snogged and he was all giddy about it, I would have been fine, but everything after that was just...weird. Like Legos. Oh, I love Legos.

And I think: "I love Series 2, so many awesome moments, but so many fails. Just...how?"

[ladyprydian.livejournal.com]

try to be mature about it but, inside, I usually fail and skip the ep on rewatches. I can talk politely about it though. ;)
*pats hand*
You and me both darling, you and me both.

His other writing (aka most of Series 5) wasn't to my liking and had issues, sort of like GitF.
A lack of over all characterization I would say. That's my major sticking point with S5. I found I had little or no reason to care for the characters (except Rory, something good happens when Rory is around).

[redknightalex.livejournal.com]

A lack of over all characterization I would say. That's my major sticking point with S5. I found I had little or no reason to care for the characters (except Rory, something good happens when Rory is around).

This, so much. I loved Rory whenever he was around too. But, I'm a tad excited for Series 6 because the trailers give it a creepy, mysterious air (which could turn flat at any minute) and Moffat does those types of eps/arcs the best.

And, even if a Series sucks, you gotta stick with Doctor Who anyway because it's, well, Doctor Who! :)

[annissamazing]

I agree with you both about characterization and Rory. I recently read an article where Karen Gillan says her character gets some development in Series 6. My initial reaction was "Yay?" I felt sort of hopeful and annoyed at the same time because even though they're fixing the issue I had with Series 5, they should have done it in Series 5.

Still, the very few previews I've seen look very promising.

[redknightalex.livejournal.com]

Amy fights pirates. Does that count as more character development? lol

I'm hopeful. I'm trying to see each Series with fresh eyes and make my judgements after a Series has finished its run. As for Series 5, it felt like a set-up for everything that's going to come in Series 6, particularly the lightning hitting the TARDIS in the title sequence, more about the cracks, the darkness, River, etc. It's like Series 5 was Part 1 of a bigger story, imho, and Series 6 is where we get the conclusion.