Don't worry, it's not tl;dr. The original entry was rather lengthy, so an extended response is reasonable. You're not alone in your enjoyment of the eps, and I'm glad for your sake that liked them.
I do like the idea that the Doctor finds someone to love again. I just didn't think the episodes made me believe that someone could be River Song. I disliked how her knowledge of his name seemed to privilege her above all other companions. Plus, I would have liked it if she hadn't recognized this incarnation of the Doctor, because I do suspect Ten is too fully built around Rose to romantically love anyone else (except maybe Jack) until he regenerates, which we know is soon.
What bugged me about her was the "trying too hard" aspect of the story, trying to put all that backstory and emotional weight into a character we've just met, and kind of failing. Also, DT and AK, while both fine actors, just didn't have the screen chemistry that would make me believe in their relationship
Yes! I could have bought a character with extensive connections to the Doctor's future, but this was too much, too fast. DT has extensive chemistry with just about everybody that he's on screen with, so the lack of chemistry with River was especially jarring.
Was RTD keeping Moffat way more in the dark than the other series writers, who all manage to do a much better job with companions and continuity? If he was, it wouldn't decrease my ire, but it would transfer some of it to RTD. That's just a dumb way to operate on a TV series that normally maintains strong character arcs.
I really liked the Moffster's episodes before this (The Doctor Dances remains my favorite DW ep ever), but SitL/FoD just emphasized all the aspects of his writing that I dislike and didn't succeed as well in the ways I do enjoy. Still, I am wiling to watch his season with an open mind. I want to like what he does with my show!
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regna
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-07 06:54 pm (UTC)I do like the idea that the Doctor finds someone to love again. I just didn't think the episodes made me believe that someone could be River Song. I disliked how her knowledge of his name seemed to privilege her above all other companions. Plus, I would have liked it if she hadn't recognized this incarnation of the Doctor, because I do suspect Ten is too fully built around Rose to romantically love anyone else (except maybe Jack) until he regenerates, which we know is soon.
What bugged me about her was the "trying too hard" aspect of the story, trying to put all that backstory and emotional weight into a character we've just met, and kind of failing. Also, DT and AK, while both fine actors, just didn't have the screen chemistry that would make me believe in their relationship
Yes! I could have bought a character with extensive connections to the Doctor's future, but this was too much, too fast. DT has extensive chemistry with just about everybody that he's on screen with, so the lack of chemistry with River was especially jarring.
Was RTD keeping Moffat way more in the dark than the other series writers, who all manage to do a much better job with companions and continuity? If he was, it wouldn't decrease my ire, but it would transfer some of it to RTD. That's just a dumb way to operate on a TV series that normally maintains strong character arcs.
I really liked the Moffster's episodes before this (The Doctor Dances remains my favorite DW ep ever), but SitL/FoD just emphasized all the aspects of his writing that I dislike and didn't succeed as well in the ways I do enjoy. Still, I am wiling to watch his season with an open mind. I want to like what he does with my show!
Now that's tl;dr. :) (Edited for typo)