Somewhere Different Now

Prior to watching 5x12, I was reflecting that I was not quite as jittery with anticipation and uncontrolled excitement as I used to be about finales in RTD's era.  I've more or less enjoyed every episode this season except the Dalek one.  However, Moffat just isn't as character driven as RTD, and it's characters who really get me to give my heart to a a show.  S5 has been a great ride, but it's left me just a little bit cold and removed (or, looked at another way, a little less fevered and crazy over a fictional show). 

(  So what did I think after watching 5x12? The Livejournal cut opens )

( Spoilers for Vampires of Venice! Excessive exclamation points!!!!  )

I thought The Beast Below was an excellent and thought-provoking episode. 

( SPOILERS BELOW. Some random reactions, plus some meta comparisons with other DW and TW:CoE )

I posted this story a few days ago at wintercompanion  for their "Identity" challenge (here), but I forgot to post a link from this journal.  Now that the challenge is closed, I'm reposting here for archival purposes and to give interested friends who don't read that community a chance to see it.

Title: Hijacked Regeneration (1/1)
Rating: Teen
Characters/Pairings: Eleven/Jack, Twelve (yes, Twelve)/Jack, Jack/surprise other recurring character
Spoilers:  Through "The End of Time"
Warnings: The Jack/surprise pairing may require brain bleach for the more sensitive.  Non-explicit sex and lots of innuendo. Crack. Regeneration in the name of crack.
Summary: When Eleven regenerates in Jack’s arms, Jack finds out the reason the Doctor has avoided him during regenerations. There’s something different about the Twelfth Doctor, or should that be something a little too familiar?
Author’s Notes: Many thanks and virtual cookies to wendymr  for the fantastic, speedy beta service.

Yes, I am killing Eleven before he has even two minutes onscreen. For that and much more, I am so, so sorry. Please assume that Eleven has had a long and mostly happy life. Jack, while he has not exactly lived on the slow path between the 21st century and the 94th, has experienced more than enough time to make the events of CoE no longer at the forefront of his mind.


( story under the cut )

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