Doctor Who: "The Almost People"

[lizbee]

Unspoilery reaction: HOLY SHIT!



So I think, overall, I stand by my general feeling of last week, which is that this was solid and enjoyable, but no "Nightmare of Eden".

It did occasionally peak into AWESOME, mostly at any moment where the two Doctors were interacting. I'm just gonna put this out there: there should be a whole series of Matt Smith re-enacting William Hartnell scenes. In fact, I think we should be seriously exploring the possibility that Smith is in fact the reincarnation of Hartnell.

Overall, I liked the plot, and the way Miranda kept swinging -- realistically, I thought -- between monstrous and admirable, and the ongoing "Which Jennifer is that?" game. I wasn't so impressed by Jennifer -- the actress had very charming hips, but she fell into that old Classic Who trap of demonstrating villainy in the form of chewing the scenery. There was a moment where I thought she might give Graham Crowden a run for his money, though obviously just a moment, because such heights of hamminess are difficult to maintain unless you're a master.

And then there was the ending, which was a world of WHAT THE FUCK? and OMG! I should probably put my cards on the table here, and admit that, while many of my friends have right and proper feminist objections to pregnancy body horror sci-fi plots, it's a major narrative kink for me. So I was kind of clapping, even as I was going, HOLY SHIT, THAT'S WRONG.

I was kind of O_O!!! at the Doctor killing faux!Amy, but he had said earlier that the molecules could reconstitute, or maybe now an Amy-essence can be absorbed into the TARDIS, increasing both her sexiness and Scottishness. And also, real!Amy could not wake up until Flesh!Amy was neutralised. It was an impossible choice, but I think the right one.

ALSO, WHEN WAS AMY TAKEN? During the missing three months at the beginning of the season, I guess. Hold on, maybe I should go watch the trailer and prequel.

Okay, that tells us nothing! JOLLY GOOD! Is it next week yet? In the meantime, can people be writing lots of hilarious fic about the two Eleventies hanging out and having sex and being hilarious? That would be great, thanks.

Comments

[nonelvis]

In the meantime, can people be writing lots of hilarious fic about the two Eleventies hanging out and having sex and being hilarious?

I was going to watch another episode of Fringe and read China Miéville's new book tonight, but this new goal sounds awfully important, too.

[lizbee]

Well, those are all good options, but really, I think you should do what I want.

[dancing_moon]

I KNOW! The end of this blew me away!

ALSO, WHEN WAS AMY TAKEN? During the missing three months at the beginning of the season, I guess.

No, I think she was taken even earlier! She's semi-pregnant (or at least has stomach pains) when they're in the warehouse and she shoots the little girl, remember? So... before the start of the season?

[lizbee]

O_O

Dude.

[dancing_moon]

Yeeeah. It's kinda starting to blow my mind now that I try to recall the earlier episodes... omigod. Moffat. Did he plant the clues last season already? Or, no, can't be. After the honeymoon then

Also, I have to say re chewing the scenery, I actually found the monster she turned into very scary. Quite Silent Hill-ish in looks, which lemme tell you did not make the "surprise! PREGNANCY HORROR!" moment at the end any less freaky

[nonelvis]

*And* she's got an important question to ask the Doctor during the Red Nose Day specials, but we never find out what it is -- presumably that's the real Amy wanting to talk to him about her pregnancy.

[matgb]

Yup, and she sees Frances Barber woman in the orphanage, which is before the Silence capture her, and she's close to on screen all the time until that point, so it must be before this series starts, but presumably after the marriage at the end of the last series.

[matgb]

I thought it was awful TBH, I'd figured out the Amy/ganger thing (well, someone posted it and it made perfect sense), and really disliked the way he just killed her at the end--having established how she felt, he should have asked her at least.

It plays well into the arc plot, but as a stand alone two parter? Bad, just bad.

[copracat]

My thoughts: If the flesh replicates blood clots should it not also replicate a foetus? I think Amy was replicated before she was pregnant. When Amy tells the Doctor she's pregnant and then says she's mistaken, that's the ganger being run by captured Amy - trying to send a message or just confused?

I dearly love the way Matt Smith works his mojo, talking to captured Amy through ganger Amy: we will find you. And, of course, I just want to pet and hug Rory's reactions.

[sapote]

Hello! I am here from Latest again and I wanted to say word on the scenery-chewing. The actress was charming but by the end I was like YES YOU ARE EVIL GOOD JOB. She was awfully cute, though. And I did love Miranda a lot.

I also felt like they laid appropriate groundwork for the molecules to reconstitute, though I support this Scottish!TARDIS theory.

[trouble]

I am so very frowny about this episode, but I didn't enjoy the first part and I am sick to death of emotional scenes between fathers & sons.

Grumble.

[miss_s_b]

+1

Also disgusted that main female character has been robbed of her agency for the entire series.

Woe. I am a squee-harsher :(

[lizbee]

Yeah, you kind of are.

[miss_s_b]

Sorry :/

[fly_to_dawn]

I stand by my general feeling of last week, which is that this was solid and enjoyable

Me too. *clings to the squee*

[tree_and_leaf]

I am freaked out by the pregnancy thing, but in the way Moff wants us to be, I think. So I am focussing on your suggestion re Smith and Hartnell, instead...