So, watched THE WEDDING OF RIVER SONG...
Apr. 17th, 2013 10:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladyofleithian...and it was excellent! Loved it. :)
First of all, I just generally loved the premise of all of time being thrown together. Stuff like Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens (Charles fucking Dickens is back! How awesome is that? :D), the Silurian leader...plus the little details, such as the matter of "Area 52", the mentioning of the Doctor stopping Cleopatra from committing suicide...I know something like this really struck a chord with me.
Hell, a lot of the episode had a lot of honestly powerful moments, such as the matter of River in the astronaut suit pleading with the Doctor, saying that she's trying to fight the suit's effects, but she can't. And when Churchill asks the Doctor why he invited his friends to witness his own death, the Doctor's response; basically, just to remember the best while he's dying. And that his friends have always been the best of him. There was something about that line that really struck me because...well, if nothing else, it's true. Even from the beginning, really -- hell, at least from what I heard, Ian stopping the First Doctor from committing murder, anyone? And then there's the matter of Rose, and Donna, and so many others. So yes, I think from the very beginning, his friends have always been the best of the Doctor.
Another really powerful moment was the matter of the reveal of River sending out a transmission calling for help from every corner of the universe. And I mean every corner of the universe -- the beginning and the end of time. Everyone, no matter who they are, being called upon to help the Doctor. I think that in general, people are very compassionate and very driven to help, and I think that applies here also. And the man has saved so many people, made so many people better -- in contrast to what others may say (and even what the Doctor himself thinks) he's done a lot of good in the universe. To paraphrase Martha in "Last of the Time Lords", the Doctor's saved people's lives so many times even when they didn't know who he was. He made so many people better, saved so many -- and as Sarah Jane said, he has the biggest family on Earth. * Why wouldn't they come to save him, in the end? And there's something about River's line there:
I can't let you die without knowing you are loved. By so many and so much. And by no one more than me.
I think there's something about Alex Kingston's delivery there that really affects me. That and...well, considering after stuff like "Journey's End" ("How many more? Just think, how many have died in your name?"), after everything that happened to the Doctor, all he's done, I think he does need to know that he's not alone. That he is so very loved.
I also love how both are right and both are wrong. If nothing else, I think River was treated rather harshly by the narrative, but all things considered, considering time was at stake...she took a terrible risk. And yet at the same time, she is treated as very human -- a woman doing anything to prevent her husband's death. I can imagine that I were River, I don't think I'd be able to let my husband die like that. ** The Doctor, meanwhile, is coming at it at a very I-need-to-uphold-the-laws-of-time perspective -- reality is dying around him, and time is going wrong, so...really, he can't afford to have that happen. Neither can River, for that matter. And yet he's wrong because...well, number one, him basically calling River an embarrassment was really not okay. Yes, they were in a tight spot, but you don't call anyone an embarrassment. Unless they've bullied someone or murdered someone or done something particularly reprehensible (or said something really embarrassing), you just don't do that. And the matter of the arm-grabbing thing -- it makes sense in context (the Doctor's trying to get them to Lake Silencio and all so they can fix it), but it still scared me a bit; no wonder they had him handcuffed. And I really sort of hated the matter of the "I got too big" thing; seriously, Doctor, the universe needs you. You're a good man. I guess it really gets me that good men in fiction like the Doctor constantly beat themselves up over deaths they couldn't prevent, getting "too big", mistakes they made, and meanwhile, others can be unnecessarily cruel, prejudiced, manipulative, hypocritical or generally reprehensible and the narrative greets them with an "Attaboy/girl!" Or goes all "it's okay if a good guy does it". *** Actually, it's worse than that -- it crushes my goddamn soul. I guess on the one hand, it keeps the Doctor on his toes so he doesn't get too arrogant, but on the other hand, it can get depressing.
*Sighs*
Damn, this is getting sad. Here's Vader as a tax collector: http://cheezburger.com/7339479808.
I admit that another thing that bugged me was the matter of how the Doctor basically, sarcastically, said "Aren't you proud of your daughter?" to Rory and Amy. Although I liked Rory's response to Amy explaining everything to him -- just a sort of "okay".
I also loved the Doctor talking to River prior to her shooting him on Lake Silencio -- just telling her that everything would be all right. Something about "You are forgiven. Always and completely forgiven." Just...goddamn. ;.; The music playing definitely doesn't help. Also, the matter of the wedding ceremony, and time sort of revising itself to its proper place. And yet it doesn't feel like a cop-out, because...I remember a long while ago, in his "Thoughts on Year of Hell" video, SF Debris mentioned (basically) that the reset button can work when the previous events have an effect somehow. And Amy, because of her unusual way of thinking, did just that -- she remembered. Stuff like killing Kovarian -- I love that even after getting revenge on Kovarian, Amy still regrets it. Because she murdered someone. All things considered, considering revenge actually leaves a sort of open wound because you're thinking about it, I think Amy's reaction was a very natural, very human reaction. She didn't necessarily pardon or forgive Kovarian for what she had done (after all, Kovarian took away her baby and turned her into a soldier to kill the Doctor, amongst other crimes. Anger is completely justified, really), but she did regret it. Even River's reassurance that it didn't happen in actuality, is small comfort to Amy. If nothing else, from what I have read, revenge is not as easy as fiction can occasionally portray it: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/06/revenge.aspx. It has consequences, it can hurt, it can leave guilt, it can even shatter lives. In short, I definitely commend that scene. And it shows that the matter of good guys and bad guys isn't really easy -- Madame Kovarian was undoubtedly a Complete Monster (even if she may have been a Well-Intentioned Extremist also), but it doesn't always mean that vengeance is that easy. Kovarian may have been killed in an alternate timeline, but back in the present, Amy is still very much haunted by her. And considering the horrified looks of both Amy and River as the i-Drive turns against Kovarian...well, yeah. I can imagine that even getting vengeance against Kovarian, Amy would still be haunted by Kovarian screaming in agony.
And that took a right turn into depressing again. Here's the obligatory GAME OF THRONES: http://cheezburger.com/7332531456.
And back to our program.
I also loved the scene between Amy and River near the end in general, what with Amy admitting that she misses the Doctor, and River ultimately telling Amy that he's alive. And her rejoicing on hearing it. Just...Amy. <3 I also loved her utterly "oh sweet Jesus" reaction to learning that she's the Doctor's mother-in-law. I think the Doctor would be the best/worst son in law ever. XD
I also loved the matter of the Teselecta coming around to help the Doctor in the end, what with the Teselecta agreeing to help the Doctor. The matter of "we are just as much the upholders of justice as you are, Doctor" (basically) and asking if they can help him. And ultimately, the Teselecta saving the Doctor. (And loved his comment to Dorian about being nearly singed. XD Although it kind of ends up being a bit of Fridge Horror too -- imagine if the Doctor hadn't been able to get out of the Teselecta in time. *Shivers* And I just took a U-turn into "not okay" -- here's Avenue Q: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_q7Cy3qSwKI) I also loved the Doctor ranting to Dorian about the matter of what he could be doing (helping Rose Tyler with her homework, etc.) and "Time has never laid a glove on me!" And then getting the news of the Brigadier passing, and deciding that yes, it is time to die. I also loved the matter of Amy being such a badass in that alternate reality, and Rory also (Rory pulling a You Shall Not Pass on the Silence, and Amy saving Rory from the Silence when everyone's i-Drives go bonkers), and Dorium ultimately proposing the ultimate question regarding the Doctor and the matter of why the Silence actually wanted to kill him. And it makes me wonder (there's that matter of "the Other", what with someone besides Rassilon and Omega in terms of founding Time Lords, or being Merlin, but I suppose we'll never know until the 50th Anniversary) why the matter of The Question would terrify the Silence so much. I think one of the most terrifying parts about the Silence, besides the memory thing, is...well, they think they're righteous, in a way. And creatures who believe themselves to be righteous while doing awful things are probably one of the most terrifying monsters.
* And even elsewhere. In the entire damn universe too.
** Assuming I had a husband (but one can replace it with closest friend, parent, sibling, whatever. Anyone you care about). And really, I don't care what STAR WARS may say about attachment and whatnot. Because it's not a matter of selfishness or greed. It can vary depending on context, but most of the time, it's just a very natural, human reaction to the idea of someone you care about dying. After all, is death ever really easy to accept? Human reaction is not perfect. It's visceral and raw and messy and occasionally frightening, but it's human nonetheless. And being human is really nothing to shame anybody over. True, it can vary depending on context, but...well, I think we need to know how to uphold morality and compassion at the same time. Otherwise...well, what will we turn into?
*** And really, I don't have to name names; I'm sure you've got a shitload of examples. Or at least your own examples.
So overall? Amazing. Definitely recommended.
First of all, I just generally loved the premise of all of time being thrown together. Stuff like Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens (Charles fucking Dickens is back! How awesome is that? :D), the Silurian leader...plus the little details, such as the matter of "Area 52", the mentioning of the Doctor stopping Cleopatra from committing suicide...I know something like this really struck a chord with me.
Hell, a lot of the episode had a lot of honestly powerful moments, such as the matter of River in the astronaut suit pleading with the Doctor, saying that she's trying to fight the suit's effects, but she can't. And when Churchill asks the Doctor why he invited his friends to witness his own death, the Doctor's response; basically, just to remember the best while he's dying. And that his friends have always been the best of him. There was something about that line that really struck me because...well, if nothing else, it's true. Even from the beginning, really -- hell, at least from what I heard, Ian stopping the First Doctor from committing murder, anyone? And then there's the matter of Rose, and Donna, and so many others. So yes, I think from the very beginning, his friends have always been the best of the Doctor.
Another really powerful moment was the matter of the reveal of River sending out a transmission calling for help from every corner of the universe. And I mean every corner of the universe -- the beginning and the end of time. Everyone, no matter who they are, being called upon to help the Doctor. I think that in general, people are very compassionate and very driven to help, and I think that applies here also. And the man has saved so many people, made so many people better -- in contrast to what others may say (and even what the Doctor himself thinks) he's done a lot of good in the universe. To paraphrase Martha in "Last of the Time Lords", the Doctor's saved people's lives so many times even when they didn't know who he was. He made so many people better, saved so many -- and as Sarah Jane said, he has the biggest family on Earth. * Why wouldn't they come to save him, in the end? And there's something about River's line there:
I can't let you die without knowing you are loved. By so many and so much. And by no one more than me.
I think there's something about Alex Kingston's delivery there that really affects me. That and...well, considering after stuff like "Journey's End" ("How many more? Just think, how many have died in your name?"), after everything that happened to the Doctor, all he's done, I think he does need to know that he's not alone. That he is so very loved.
I also love how both are right and both are wrong. If nothing else, I think River was treated rather harshly by the narrative, but all things considered, considering time was at stake...she took a terrible risk. And yet at the same time, she is treated as very human -- a woman doing anything to prevent her husband's death. I can imagine that I were River, I don't think I'd be able to let my husband die like that. ** The Doctor, meanwhile, is coming at it at a very I-need-to-uphold-the-laws-of-time perspective -- reality is dying around him, and time is going wrong, so...really, he can't afford to have that happen. Neither can River, for that matter. And yet he's wrong because...well, number one, him basically calling River an embarrassment was really not okay. Yes, they were in a tight spot, but you don't call anyone an embarrassment. Unless they've bullied someone or murdered someone or done something particularly reprehensible (or said something really embarrassing), you just don't do that. And the matter of the arm-grabbing thing -- it makes sense in context (the Doctor's trying to get them to Lake Silencio and all so they can fix it), but it still scared me a bit; no wonder they had him handcuffed. And I really sort of hated the matter of the "I got too big" thing; seriously, Doctor, the universe needs you. You're a good man. I guess it really gets me that good men in fiction like the Doctor constantly beat themselves up over deaths they couldn't prevent, getting "too big", mistakes they made, and meanwhile, others can be unnecessarily cruel, prejudiced, manipulative, hypocritical or generally reprehensible and the narrative greets them with an "Attaboy/girl!" Or goes all "it's okay if a good guy does it". *** Actually, it's worse than that -- it crushes my goddamn soul. I guess on the one hand, it keeps the Doctor on his toes so he doesn't get too arrogant, but on the other hand, it can get depressing.
*Sighs*
Damn, this is getting sad. Here's Vader as a tax collector: http://cheezburger.com/7339479808.
I admit that another thing that bugged me was the matter of how the Doctor basically, sarcastically, said "Aren't you proud of your daughter?" to Rory and Amy. Although I liked Rory's response to Amy explaining everything to him -- just a sort of "okay".
I also loved the Doctor talking to River prior to her shooting him on Lake Silencio -- just telling her that everything would be all right. Something about "You are forgiven. Always and completely forgiven." Just...goddamn. ;.; The music playing definitely doesn't help. Also, the matter of the wedding ceremony, and time sort of revising itself to its proper place. And yet it doesn't feel like a cop-out, because...I remember a long while ago, in his "Thoughts on Year of Hell" video, SF Debris mentioned (basically) that the reset button can work when the previous events have an effect somehow. And Amy, because of her unusual way of thinking, did just that -- she remembered. Stuff like killing Kovarian -- I love that even after getting revenge on Kovarian, Amy still regrets it. Because she murdered someone. All things considered, considering revenge actually leaves a sort of open wound because you're thinking about it, I think Amy's reaction was a very natural, very human reaction. She didn't necessarily pardon or forgive Kovarian for what she had done (after all, Kovarian took away her baby and turned her into a soldier to kill the Doctor, amongst other crimes. Anger is completely justified, really), but she did regret it. Even River's reassurance that it didn't happen in actuality, is small comfort to Amy. If nothing else, from what I have read, revenge is not as easy as fiction can occasionally portray it: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/06/revenge.aspx. It has consequences, it can hurt, it can leave guilt, it can even shatter lives. In short, I definitely commend that scene. And it shows that the matter of good guys and bad guys isn't really easy -- Madame Kovarian was undoubtedly a Complete Monster (even if she may have been a Well-Intentioned Extremist also), but it doesn't always mean that vengeance is that easy. Kovarian may have been killed in an alternate timeline, but back in the present, Amy is still very much haunted by her. And considering the horrified looks of both Amy and River as the i-Drive turns against Kovarian...well, yeah. I can imagine that even getting vengeance against Kovarian, Amy would still be haunted by Kovarian screaming in agony.
And that took a right turn into depressing again. Here's the obligatory GAME OF THRONES: http://cheezburger.com/7332531456.
And back to our program.
I also loved the scene between Amy and River near the end in general, what with Amy admitting that she misses the Doctor, and River ultimately telling Amy that he's alive. And her rejoicing on hearing it. Just...Amy. <3 I also loved her utterly "oh sweet Jesus" reaction to learning that she's the Doctor's mother-in-law. I think the Doctor would be the best/worst son in law ever. XD
I also loved the matter of the Teselecta coming around to help the Doctor in the end, what with the Teselecta agreeing to help the Doctor. The matter of "we are just as much the upholders of justice as you are, Doctor" (basically) and asking if they can help him. And ultimately, the Teselecta saving the Doctor. (And loved his comment to Dorian about being nearly singed. XD Although it kind of ends up being a bit of Fridge Horror too -- imagine if the Doctor hadn't been able to get out of the Teselecta in time. *Shivers* And I just took a U-turn into "not okay" -- here's Avenue Q: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_q7Cy3qSwKI) I also loved the Doctor ranting to Dorian about the matter of what he could be doing (helping Rose Tyler with her homework, etc.) and "Time has never laid a glove on me!" And then getting the news of the Brigadier passing, and deciding that yes, it is time to die. I also loved the matter of Amy being such a badass in that alternate reality, and Rory also (Rory pulling a You Shall Not Pass on the Silence, and Amy saving Rory from the Silence when everyone's i-Drives go bonkers), and Dorium ultimately proposing the ultimate question regarding the Doctor and the matter of why the Silence actually wanted to kill him. And it makes me wonder (there's that matter of "the Other", what with someone besides Rassilon and Omega in terms of founding Time Lords, or being Merlin, but I suppose we'll never know until the 50th Anniversary) why the matter of The Question would terrify the Silence so much. I think one of the most terrifying parts about the Silence, besides the memory thing, is...well, they think they're righteous, in a way. And creatures who believe themselves to be righteous while doing awful things are probably one of the most terrifying monsters.
* And even elsewhere. In the entire damn universe too.
** Assuming I had a husband (but one can replace it with closest friend, parent, sibling, whatever. Anyone you care about). And really, I don't care what STAR WARS may say about attachment and whatnot. Because it's not a matter of selfishness or greed. It can vary depending on context, but most of the time, it's just a very natural, human reaction to the idea of someone you care about dying. After all, is death ever really easy to accept? Human reaction is not perfect. It's visceral and raw and messy and occasionally frightening, but it's human nonetheless. And being human is really nothing to shame anybody over. True, it can vary depending on context, but...well, I think we need to know how to uphold morality and compassion at the same time. Otherwise...well, what will we turn into?
*** And really, I don't have to name names; I'm sure you've got a shitload of examples. Or at least your own examples.
So overall? Amazing. Definitely recommended.
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no subject
Date: 2013-04-18 04:00 pm (UTC)"You are forgiven. Always and completely forgiven."
I can't actually remember, but I'm pretty sure I bawled my eyes out this episode. So much love
no subject
Date: 2013-04-18 09:58 pm (UTC)