Doctor Who Review: Let's Kill Hitler!
Sep. 6th, 2011 05:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dweomeroflightWell. It had to happen eventually I suppose. A Moff episode that was less than excellent. Still, RTD had a lot worse in his time, and I'm willing to cut the guy some slack for an episode... review under cut.
I loved the beginning with Amy and Rory in the car even if my brother told me right off they were writing a Doctor message. Actually, I just love Rory and Amy full stop! Anyway, I liked the cars and the cornfields.
My brother when Mels turned up, "I hate her. Get rid of her. I hate her."
Me: "LOOK SHE HAS A GUN LIKE RIVER SONG'S. I BET YOU SHE'S HER."
Him: "I still hate her. She is NOT River. River is cool."
Anyway, "Let's Kill Hitler." BAAAM. CREDITS. Nice one Moff.
Loved the flashback with Amy, Rory and Mels (even if Mels did appear in their lives out of nowhere grumble mumble). I like that this series Rory and Amy are a proper couple. It's an interesting dynamic on the TARDIS. I also loved the bit where Amy thinks Rory is gay and then he walks out and she runs after him. Sniff *cute* ALSO CAITLIN BLACKWOOD. I LOVE HER. MAY SHE BE AROUND IN MANY MORE EPISODES.
So Hitler is in fact a side show for River. Right. Why? But also why not? Also, Rory punching Hitler is win so yay for that!
Hitler's a terrible shot and YAY RIVER. REAL RIVER. I knew I was right about that. Hmmm, though this ep I think Moff got a bit too ficcy within his episode, and also a bit too self referential what with the whole reference to Doctor Who? again and also Alex' crazy hair of win. River kissing Doctor and then jumping out of the window was pretty cool.
Also, was I the only one who thought at "I'm all mature," of Big Town All Stars and Nicola saying "You're not mature!" and the boys rejoinding with "We are mature, we are mature, we are mature." No? Just me then ;)
I thought Alex was really amazing this episode, especially as she had to play at being someone younger than she really is. There was lots of comedy what with the clothes stealing and the quote about going off to visit a disabled, Jewish, gay camp or whatever it was (though something about the episode's flipness about this did bother me though I'm not sure why yet)
The people police was such a weird inclusion. It was interesting but weird. Also, I totally thought for a second that those guard aliens were about to take Rory and Amy away from me. It really will break me when they leave for real.
Uhoh more timey wimey. Doctor is back in his wedding outfit? Did he go back to The Big Bang? His and River's wedding? (PLEASE NO SANTA MOFF. I liked River/Doctor as a relationship with benefits and no ring). Somewhere else? I love that in the TARDIS he felt guilt over everyone but little Amelia Pond. That girl is adorable. I love her forever. And what was meant by "fish fingers and custard?" Is that going to somehow link back on to The Eleventh Hour? River flies the TARDIS because the TARDIS tells her how!!! Called it from the IDRIS death scene in The Doctor's Wife (still the best episode of this series imo) with the whole "the only water in the forest is the River." Also, in The Big Bang was River saying "I'm sorry my love" to the TARDIS or the Doctor? I was never so sure about that. BAHAHA THIS IS GREAT MOFF. EVERY SINGLE RIVER THEORY WAS CORRECT. I KNEW YOU WOULD PULL SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
And Doctor tells River something!!! His true name? And Alex breaks my heart for the eleventy billioneth time and then she's ill with those cat nurses (SQUEE REMEMBER THEM) and THE DOCTOR LEAVES HER THE TARDIS DIARY. I CALLED THIS. I SO CALLED THIS IN MY FIRST EVER RIVER/DOCTOR FIC THE WIZARD ONLY IN THAT SHE KILLED RORY. *IS EXCITED*
See here: The Wizard
And thats why River learns achaeology? To find The Doctor? I think I might actually be ok with that. River is still cool, with or without the Doctor's influence on her.
So what didn't I like about this? I felt like this episode was way rushed. It was like Moff was shouting at me "I AM GOING TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING ABOUT RIVER IN 45 MINUTES. CREDITS. GO!" I think maybe he just realised how much he had to explain and panicked a little.
I wish we could have seen more of orphaned River (though maybe thats later) and that Mels didn't feel so random, and the episode feel so expositionary (maybe it needed to be a three parter or something)
My other major problem with this episode is the same problem I've had with every single episode with the exception of The Doctor's Wife in series six. None of these episodes can stand alone. They all require that final episode which reveals everything that has been set up re the silence in s5 and 6. Still in Moff I trust and nothing can ever get worse than The End of Time.
Questions answered from my review of Day of The Moon
Who or what is The Silence?
A religous order thats out to get The Doctor because they fear him. The Silent's are a part of this as if everyone in AGMGTW and possibly The Pandorica affair.
Who or what is River Song?
Part Time Lord, part human daughter of River and Amy who is used as a weapon by The Silence. She later kills Eleven at Utah or possibly someone else and ends up in jail in time for previous River episodes that are later in her time stream. She has an affinity with the TARDIS, is a femme fatale, is a super hero and Mary Poppins and part fairy tale all at once. She is in love with The Doctor, he with her (if anyone still insists this is not canon lalalalalala I can't hear you)
Well, what has Doctor Who become these days? My Mum summed it up best imo, "If Life on Mars was the thinking man's Doctor Who, Moffat Doctor Who is now the thinking man's Doctor Who."
I loved the beginning with Amy and Rory in the car even if my brother told me right off they were writing a Doctor message. Actually, I just love Rory and Amy full stop! Anyway, I liked the cars and the cornfields.
My brother when Mels turned up, "I hate her. Get rid of her. I hate her."
Me: "LOOK SHE HAS A GUN LIKE RIVER SONG'S. I BET YOU SHE'S HER."
Him: "I still hate her. She is NOT River. River is cool."
Anyway, "Let's Kill Hitler." BAAAM. CREDITS. Nice one Moff.
Loved the flashback with Amy, Rory and Mels (even if Mels did appear in their lives out of nowhere grumble mumble). I like that this series Rory and Amy are a proper couple. It's an interesting dynamic on the TARDIS. I also loved the bit where Amy thinks Rory is gay and then he walks out and she runs after him. Sniff *cute* ALSO CAITLIN BLACKWOOD. I LOVE HER. MAY SHE BE AROUND IN MANY MORE EPISODES.
So Hitler is in fact a side show for River. Right. Why? But also why not? Also, Rory punching Hitler is win so yay for that!
Hitler's a terrible shot and YAY RIVER. REAL RIVER. I knew I was right about that. Hmmm, though this ep I think Moff got a bit too ficcy within his episode, and also a bit too self referential what with the whole reference to Doctor Who? again and also Alex' crazy hair of win. River kissing Doctor and then jumping out of the window was pretty cool.
Also, was I the only one who thought at "I'm all mature," of Big Town All Stars and Nicola saying "You're not mature!" and the boys rejoinding with "We are mature, we are mature, we are mature." No? Just me then ;)
I thought Alex was really amazing this episode, especially as she had to play at being someone younger than she really is. There was lots of comedy what with the clothes stealing and the quote about going off to visit a disabled, Jewish, gay camp or whatever it was (though something about the episode's flipness about this did bother me though I'm not sure why yet)
The people police was such a weird inclusion. It was interesting but weird. Also, I totally thought for a second that those guard aliens were about to take Rory and Amy away from me. It really will break me when they leave for real.
Uhoh more timey wimey. Doctor is back in his wedding outfit? Did he go back to The Big Bang? His and River's wedding? (PLEASE NO SANTA MOFF. I liked River/Doctor as a relationship with benefits and no ring). Somewhere else? I love that in the TARDIS he felt guilt over everyone but little Amelia Pond. That girl is adorable. I love her forever. And what was meant by "fish fingers and custard?" Is that going to somehow link back on to The Eleventh Hour? River flies the TARDIS because the TARDIS tells her how!!! Called it from the IDRIS death scene in The Doctor's Wife (still the best episode of this series imo) with the whole "the only water in the forest is the River." Also, in The Big Bang was River saying "I'm sorry my love" to the TARDIS or the Doctor? I was never so sure about that. BAHAHA THIS IS GREAT MOFF. EVERY SINGLE RIVER THEORY WAS CORRECT. I KNEW YOU WOULD PULL SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
And Doctor tells River something!!! His true name? And Alex breaks my heart for the eleventy billioneth time and then she's ill with those cat nurses (SQUEE REMEMBER THEM) and THE DOCTOR LEAVES HER THE TARDIS DIARY. I CALLED THIS. I SO CALLED THIS IN MY FIRST EVER RIVER/DOCTOR FIC THE WIZARD ONLY IN THAT SHE KILLED RORY. *IS EXCITED*
See here: The Wizard
And thats why River learns achaeology? To find The Doctor? I think I might actually be ok with that. River is still cool, with or without the Doctor's influence on her.
So what didn't I like about this? I felt like this episode was way rushed. It was like Moff was shouting at me "I AM GOING TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING ABOUT RIVER IN 45 MINUTES. CREDITS. GO!" I think maybe he just realised how much he had to explain and panicked a little.
I wish we could have seen more of orphaned River (though maybe thats later) and that Mels didn't feel so random, and the episode feel so expositionary (maybe it needed to be a three parter or something)
My other major problem with this episode is the same problem I've had with every single episode with the exception of The Doctor's Wife in series six. None of these episodes can stand alone. They all require that final episode which reveals everything that has been set up re the silence in s5 and 6. Still in Moff I trust and nothing can ever get worse than The End of Time.
Questions answered from my review of Day of The Moon
Who or what is The Silence?
A religous order thats out to get The Doctor because they fear him. The Silent's are a part of this as if everyone in AGMGTW and possibly The Pandorica affair.
Who or what is River Song?
Part Time Lord, part human daughter of River and Amy who is used as a weapon by The Silence. She later kills Eleven at Utah or possibly someone else and ends up in jail in time for previous River episodes that are later in her time stream. She has an affinity with the TARDIS, is a femme fatale, is a super hero and Mary Poppins and part fairy tale all at once. She is in love with The Doctor, he with her (if anyone still insists this is not canon lalalalalala I can't hear you)
Well, what has Doctor Who become these days? My Mum summed it up best imo, "If Life on Mars was the thinking man's Doctor Who, Moffat Doctor Who is now the thinking man's Doctor Who."
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no subject
Date: 2011-09-06 09:03 am (UTC)Right, first off, the girl playing Mels, Nina Toussaint-White, was in an episode of Primeval in s3. ^^ So she's had to work with dinosaurs before, which is cool. XD
Mels appearing out of nowhere - yeah, you're not the only one who's a bit, uhm, not quite happy about it I suppose. ^^ But I saw someone somewhere say how perhaps she's not been there before, how time has been rewritten since last time. Because actually, it's more than just never been heard of before - as even Eleven remarks on, so there's surely more to it than we know now - it's that she really doesn't fit with what we know from before. How Amy didn't have anyone who believed her, the psychiatrists and such. *shrug* So I'm sure we're supposed to be confused now, and it'll all be explained later. Hopefully. XD
I think Moff got a bit too ficcy within his episode
How so?
Omg I loved the moment with Mels!River being all up in the Doctor's space at that desk - did you see him when she left? Did you see the way he squirmed? :D Oh Doctor ^^ <3 *laughs*
And what was meant by "fish fingers and custard?"
That confused me at first aswell. I mean, I thought it was the Tardis breaking through to give him a message, but I never understood the message itself. But perusing the internets and reading reviews and people's thoughts, it seems it was supposed to make him think of his own regen? I think. Because he had that when he had just regenerated, and so it gave him an idea of somehow getting River to save him, and sort of save herself aswell.
The "my love" thing in TBB, I always thought that was to the Tardis. I suppose it could be interpreted either way, but I've never cared about what most others seem to believe - the Doctor - I always figured it was Sexy she spoke to. <3
And Doctor tells River something!!! His true name?
I thought so first, but now I'm not so sure. Could be that he forgives her, or that he loves her.
I'm fine with River going into archeology to "find a good man". Its a good way to find him for sure. Also, and I've got this from others, she's still young then. She's basically a teenager, seen from a part Timelord perspective, and I know what I was like (well, still am, I am only 21 afterall *laughs*) then. What she's doing is a bit like taking a class because a cute boy is in it. Or at least that's how I see it. Eventually she just realises she really likes the class she's taking, boy or not, but without him she wouldn't have taken it so thank you to him and all. Besides, they get to work on some assginments together, so win win. (I have so taken that metaphor far enough. stopping now) Also, we do know she gets to have adventures on her own, independant of the Doctor, and she can call for him when she needs help, yes, but she can handle herself just fine most of the time (that we've seen - but then, she's been older those times ^^ Wouldn't surprise me if it happened more frequently when she was younger XD)
Either way, it's not like it's a one way street. River influenced the Doctor, who influenced her. And she influenced Amy and Rory, who influenced her. And then it all goes round and round. ^^
As for the rushed part - I suppose it was, in hindsight. But, and again this is from others but I adopt theories so there you go, it could be because Moffat wanted to explain River's background but then move on, because it's not who she used to be that's important but who she became and is now. So he got that out of the way fairly quickly, just explained what needed to be explained, and on with the show we went. Besides, I'm sure there's lots more to her story, but this was just how she went from bad!River to good!River (in a black and white nutshell) and how she saved herself by saving the Doctor.
It's like, we needed to know this part right now, but we only needed the details that get us from part A to part B. Or something. I'm confusing myself, I think I need to stop rambling about this. If you got any of what I've said, then here, have some cookies, you deserve them. XD
no subject
Date: 2011-09-06 09:53 am (UTC)Thanks for the random Nina fact ;)
Some of the River comedy felt like he'd been reading fan fic for me, I just felt like it was put on a bit thick (but then I think this relates back to me feeling the episode was rushed)
That's what I mean though- the reason I am struggling a little with s6 (though still with much squee it must be said) is because I can't judge alot properly until I know how s6 resolves itself which makes reviews tough for me. Like depending on the outcome of s6, I could do a 360 and suddenly love this episode because now more makes sense etc
Thnaks for the fish fingers thing. Explains alot :) But still, he went somewhere in that time gap, did the Doctor. You mark my words!
Yeah I lean towards TARDIS too. Yay for us :P
"I forgive you" would be kind of sweet as a reason for a turn around. I think I wrote something like that either in my fic The Wizard or River's Diary.
Oh I don't argue with you re River and archeology and why she studies it. I only mentioned that because I know some people weren't happy with it and I was just saying it didn't bother me because River is already enough of a great character in her own right and we know that because we see it.
Wow- I never thought of the circle of influence! True! Timey, wimey!
I get that- I really do but I still wish we could have seen more just because I think there is so much potential there (but then Moffat love timey wimey so much he might come back to it later and then I'll be happy. It would be nice to see how they indoctrinated her though and with what reasoning.)
Off to read your review now and thanks for the cookies XD
no subject
Date: 2011-09-06 10:58 am (UTC)Ah, I see. Hmm. Suppose so. *shrug*
Yeah, I get that. It's a very connected season, and so how it all ends can make it all better, or leave people very annoyed. It's like a big puzzle, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing what the finished picture is gonna be like *grins*
Oh, he so did! He must've. The question is where, and also, why *bounces* There is so much that still confuses me in this season, and I doubt even the things we've been given answers to are actually fully answered. God, if I wasn't so lazy I'd go find that gif of Tennant shaking his fist - MOFFAT, GRRR indeed XD
I didn't argue with you either, I was just agreeing - I guess I'm not very good at making some things get across on the internets *laughs* I guess I also took the opportunity to ramble on about why, because I know of the opinion of some people and disagree XD River is just soooo amazing and I adore her and I liked the way we got to see how she began - how River started to become River in a way. The Doctor provided her with some tools, and then she got to make a choice on her own on what to do with them. It's not like she knew what the blue book was for, she chose to make it her diary - nevermind that she was always going to, it was still her choice. And oh now I'm rambling again ^^
Mhmm, yes. I would love to see more aswell (more River is ALWAYS welcome <3). Still, that explanation is one that works for more, so if we don't get all that much more, I'll be fairly okay with that. I get that it's not like that for others though. :)
no subject
Date: 2011-09-06 11:37 am (UTC)KEEP BEING POSITIVIST. IT MAKES ME HAPPY INSIDE. YOU NEVER KNOW. WHEN S6 ENDS I MIGHT BE BACK WITH YOU.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-06 10:32 am (UTC)Funny thing is I was pleased with this ep at first, and now I've watched it like three times I don't like it anymore. The exact same thing happened with AGMGTW.
I have this big criticism post prepared with lots of things to say but I'll wait until the series is over; I still hope things will be explained and it will all make sense and be brilliant, because I'm not happy with the way River's storyline is handled since AGMGTW.
Me: "LOOK SHE HAS A GUN LIKE RIVER SONG'S. I BET YOU SHE'S HER."
At first I thought River was going to get out of the car, but it was Mels and I was like "Oh, great. A new-annoying-appeared out of nowhere female character." And then she started regenerating and I was praying "Let it be Alex, let it be Alex, not another younger actress" and Alex it was squee! :D
even if Mels did appear in their lives out of nowhere grumble mumble
I hope he has a good explanation because I am not happy about this. At all.
Aw, I squeed like crazy when Little Amelia and her little music appeared. I just love her!
I liked River/Doctor as a relationship with benefits and no ring
River doing everything because of the Doctor is a much bigger problem for me than the idea of them being married...
I thought Alex was really amazing this episode, especially as she had to play at being someone younger than she really is.
I want to say she was amazing, and she mostly was, but I thought River was poorly written in this ep in comparison with her other eps and there were some moments in which Alex was... obviously acting, like "Everything changes" and "Oh, mummy, mummy, pay attention". I was a little bugged by that.
It really will break me when they leave for real.
You and me both. I'm really attached to them now. Whoever the next companion(s) is/are, they will have a hard time replacing Rory in my heart. And Amy as well. And wasn't Rory absolutely BAMF is this ep? =P
And what was meant by "fish fingers and custard?
I honestly didn't understand the whole fish fingers/change of clothes thing. =/
I think maybe he just realised how much he had to explain and panicked a little.
I wish this ep had been a direct continuation of AGMGTW, because neither of these episodes were long enough to be properly set before the real action begins, or the setting bit was too long and ended up being useless, and in each of them there were pretty useless sub-plots and characters. You want to do a two-parter about Melody/River? Then do a two-parter about Melody/River. But make it really about her then, don't add useless subplots and don't split it in two episodes that have nothing do to with each other. Just saying...
I wish we could have seen more of orphaned River (though maybe thats later) and that Mels didn't feel so random, and the episode feel so expositionary (maybe it needed to be a three parter or something)
Amen to that.
None of these episodes can stand alone
I'm with you on that. It was nice at first but now it's getting boring. Also if the conclusion ends up being disappointing it will ruin the pleasure of any future re-watches...
She is in love with The Doctor, he with her (if anyone still insists this is not canon lalalalalala I can't hear you)
WHO said it wasn't canon?!? They are ridiculously in love and we love it! ;D My favourite thing about this ep (apart from Amy and Rory) is the affirmation of that love!
(And I promised myself I wouldn't ramble about this... =P)
no subject
Date: 2011-09-06 11:05 am (UTC)I forgive Moff's mistakes for now because we don't know the whole story arc and its obviously whats going to make or break this series for me. Also, I still like Moff on a bad day better than RTD day on a bad day and I have never liked a TEAM TARDIS so much. All very good reasons for me to stay optimistic.
Look I'll be honest. I kind of hated Mels. I might have liked her if I knew more about her. Where was she in TEH I ask you? Or TBB at Amy's wedding?
River doing everything because of the Doctor is a much bigger problem for me than the idea of them being married.
This. As a feminist I have a huge problem with this but River is still her own woman, we know this from previous episodes. It's not always about The Doctor for her. She loves history for its own sake too.
OMG YES. THAT IS WHAT WAS KINDA BUGGING ME ABOUT ALEX. It felt forced. That's what I was trying to get at when I said ficcy.
I'm sure thats a timey wimey come back to it later thing re change of clothes and see above comment for fish fingers explanation.
I wish this ep had been a direct continuation of AGMGTW, because neither of these episodes were long enough to be properly set before the real action begins, or the setting bit was too long and ended up being useless, and in each of them there were pretty useless sub-plots and characters. You want to do a two-parter about Melody/River? Then do a two-parter about Melody/River. But make it really about her then, don't add useless subplots and don't split it in two episodes that have nothing do to with each other. Just saying...
THIS. ARGHHH THIS. IT WAS SO WEIRD NOT TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH AGMGTW. AND NOW IT MEANS THAT EPISODE IS UP IN THE AIR TOO. ARGHH MOFF. STOP MESSING WITH ME.
Also if the conclusion ends up being disappointing it will ruin the pleasure of any future re-watches...
This again! It always has been my biggest fear for s6. Still, even if it went to shit s5 was the bomb and The Doctor's Wife was AMAZING. AND I STILL DAMN WELL LIKE IT BETTER THAN RTD ERA WHO. *I say this like a mantra these days*
Who questions it? My good friend
no subject
Date: 2011-09-06 11:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-06 02:02 pm (UTC)LOL! True, we're close in the way we analyse things, even if we don't necessarily agree. ;)
I didn't like Mels either. Because she appeared OUT OF NOWHERE and I was angry about it. It's not Eastenders, or else I've missed an episode.
*I say this like a mantra these days*
Lol yeah, but imo s5 was better (in terms of plot because I prefer the actors/characters this year); I have the feeling that Moffat was a bit too ambitious this time. And even if the storyline ends up making sense etc I'm still disappointed by what the River storyline turned out to be. Guess it's what happens when you think too much about a show and end up having some sort of personal head canon about it. I hoped it would be something more...
no subject
Date: 2011-09-06 10:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-06 07:18 pm (UTC)As another of your commenters said, and I agree, I think Mels being there was something rewritten in time, which is the only really realistic way I could see it happening without any mention of her before. I LOVE the idea that both 'Melody' and 'River Song' are ontological paradoxes, and I had a feeling from the moment I saw Mels that the first would be. I was watching her actions and the way she moved and behaved and thinking "oh, that's SO River..."
I don't have too much of a problem with her adopting archaeology because of the Doctor - because I think that's another form of paradox. Their lives are so very like that in relation to each other. She had to die for him when he first met her because if he had died, Amy would have never been his companion and so River herself would never have been born... It's all twisty-turny (and timey-wimey :P) and I love that.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-06 10:29 pm (UTC)How was Mels rewritten in time though? At what episode? I guess Moff confuses me easier lol. I find it so hard to keep up :P
Wow! That is absolutely true! It's about survival too then now! Thanks for that!