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Doctor Who ~ Season 3
Well, it’s taken me forever, but I finally gotten around to watching Season 3 (or should I say Series 3?) of Doctor Who. “Blink” was by far my favorite episode, which isn’t all that surprising since I seem to love every episode that Steven Moffat has written. I should have known he wrote this one. The creepy vibe of "Blink" reminded me of "The Empty Child".
But the biggest surprise to me was Martha, because she sort of annoyed me way back when I saw her first few episodes on SciFi. (I stopped because trying to watch Season 3 every week while I was making my way through Season 1. It was way too weird.) This is in no way Freema Agyeman’s fault. She, as an actress, was completely amazing. The problem with Martha is that she had to be IN LOVE with the Doctor and therefore really resentful of all things Rose. It was an annoying trait in an otherwise kickass character.
First, thing I got to explain, because I known that some of my f-list are Rose/Doctor shippers, is that I do not ship the Doctor. If anything, I’m an anti-shipper. (Yes, ME an anti-shipper! Who ever could have guessed?!) There is just something about a creature that’s centuries old and astoundingly brilliant that can make almost any relationship to uneven. And the comparatively short lifespans gives the “love story” tragic undertones. Plus, I didn’t always like Rose.
There’s no denying that Rose is special. She was the Doctor’s first companion after the Time War. And she was the first person he lost after the Time War. But she’s not SPECIAL. He loved her, but the same way he loves all his companions. The same way he loved Sarah Jane. The same way that he loves Martha. The only difference is that Martha had the shadow of Rose to fight with and maybe that ultimately helped her see things for what they were.
Because here’s the thing that made me love Martha… she did something that Rose never could. She left. She left because she knew that being in love with the Doctor would slowly kill her. Rose never could do that. I know that Rose/Ten shippers will tell me that I’m crazy, but I honestly believe that that there was never anything deeper going on behind the scenes. No boinking in the Tardis. No plans for future Time Babies. Not even the promise that they could grow old together (or that the Doctor even expected them to). But Rose was okay with that because she got to be with her Doctor.
And Martha knew that there was more out there. You see, Martha only had a half-promise of her pediatrician, but that was enough for her to be able to walk away. Rose had someone as wonderful as Mickey just waiting for her and yet she kept chasing after the Doctor. (Actually, how Rose treated Mickey is one of the reasons I had trouble liking her.) Martha knew that if she could get over her crush, she could be able to enjoy her time with the Doctor. And the Doctor? Well, I think he knew that companions had to move on and Martha did it in such a classy way, he had to respect that. She wasn’t abandoning him. (She did, after all, keep the means of contacting him again.) She was just going out and becoming stronger. Learning to do more.
In fact, while I know this isn’t what Russell Davies intended (because the evidence seems to indicate that HE thinks Rose is SPECIAL), I would argue that the Doctor probably has more respect and maybe even more faith in Martha than he did with Rose. Because when bring up someone’s predecessor as much as the Doctor does in the beginning, it’s because you might be feeling a little guilty you found such a good replacement.
I think it’s summed up in why both became companions. When Rose was there to escape the monotony of her life. Martha was there to explore and see as much as she could (and maybe take a break from her responsibilities). Much like the Doctor, when you think about it.
And since we’re on the subject of shipping and since I just stated my love for Steven Moffat episodes, I should explain that I didn’t mind the romantic overtones “The Girl In The Fireplace”, because, well, frankly I always admired Madame Pompador as a historical figure and could totally buy that she would turn the Doctor’s head. But even then, I don’t ship the pairing. If I HAD to ship someone with the Doctor, it would probably be someone like Romana. First, because the idea of a female Time Lord is just awesome and second because the two are evenly matched. He has more experience, but she is probably smarter than he is. Hey, I watch The West Wing. I like it when my shows are about brilliant people working together and occasionally going toe to toe. But all in all, Doctor Who is a show where I’d rather ship the side characters. Jackie and Pete. Martha and her doctor (with a small d, thank you!) Jack and… well, whoever he wants really! He cracks me up!
So that’s where Season 3 left me. Season 4, here I come!
But the biggest surprise to me was Martha, because she sort of annoyed me way back when I saw her first few episodes on SciFi. (I stopped because trying to watch Season 3 every week while I was making my way through Season 1. It was way too weird.) This is in no way Freema Agyeman’s fault. She, as an actress, was completely amazing. The problem with Martha is that she had to be IN LOVE with the Doctor and therefore really resentful of all things Rose. It was an annoying trait in an otherwise kickass character.
First, thing I got to explain, because I known that some of my f-list are Rose/Doctor shippers, is that I do not ship the Doctor. If anything, I’m an anti-shipper. (Yes, ME an anti-shipper! Who ever could have guessed?!) There is just something about a creature that’s centuries old and astoundingly brilliant that can make almost any relationship to uneven. And the comparatively short lifespans gives the “love story” tragic undertones. Plus, I didn’t always like Rose.
There’s no denying that Rose is special. She was the Doctor’s first companion after the Time War. And she was the first person he lost after the Time War. But she’s not SPECIAL. He loved her, but the same way he loves all his companions. The same way he loved Sarah Jane. The same way that he loves Martha. The only difference is that Martha had the shadow of Rose to fight with and maybe that ultimately helped her see things for what they were.
Because here’s the thing that made me love Martha… she did something that Rose never could. She left. She left because she knew that being in love with the Doctor would slowly kill her. Rose never could do that. I know that Rose/Ten shippers will tell me that I’m crazy, but I honestly believe that that there was never anything deeper going on behind the scenes. No boinking in the Tardis. No plans for future Time Babies. Not even the promise that they could grow old together (or that the Doctor even expected them to). But Rose was okay with that because she got to be with her Doctor.
And Martha knew that there was more out there. You see, Martha only had a half-promise of her pediatrician, but that was enough for her to be able to walk away. Rose had someone as wonderful as Mickey just waiting for her and yet she kept chasing after the Doctor. (Actually, how Rose treated Mickey is one of the reasons I had trouble liking her.) Martha knew that if she could get over her crush, she could be able to enjoy her time with the Doctor. And the Doctor? Well, I think he knew that companions had to move on and Martha did it in such a classy way, he had to respect that. She wasn’t abandoning him. (She did, after all, keep the means of contacting him again.) She was just going out and becoming stronger. Learning to do more.
In fact, while I know this isn’t what Russell Davies intended (because the evidence seems to indicate that HE thinks Rose is SPECIAL), I would argue that the Doctor probably has more respect and maybe even more faith in Martha than he did with Rose. Because when bring up someone’s predecessor as much as the Doctor does in the beginning, it’s because you might be feeling a little guilty you found such a good replacement.
I think it’s summed up in why both became companions. When Rose was there to escape the monotony of her life. Martha was there to explore and see as much as she could (and maybe take a break from her responsibilities). Much like the Doctor, when you think about it.
And since we’re on the subject of shipping and since I just stated my love for Steven Moffat episodes, I should explain that I didn’t mind the romantic overtones “The Girl In The Fireplace”, because, well, frankly I always admired Madame Pompador as a historical figure and could totally buy that she would turn the Doctor’s head. But even then, I don’t ship the pairing. If I HAD to ship someone with the Doctor, it would probably be someone like Romana. First, because the idea of a female Time Lord is just awesome and second because the two are evenly matched. He has more experience, but she is probably smarter than he is. Hey, I watch The West Wing. I like it when my shows are about brilliant people working together and occasionally going toe to toe. But all in all, Doctor Who is a show where I’d rather ship the side characters. Jackie and Pete. Martha and her doctor (with a small d, thank you!) Jack and… well, whoever he wants really! He cracks me up!
So that’s where Season 3 left me. Season 4, here I come!
no subject
I DO ship Rose/Doctor (actually BECAUSE of the short lifespan thing, which I think makes the lovestory interesting)...but I don't feel entirely comfortable with it, or at least, not as it's presented in a lot of Tiem-babies! fic. Because you can't really reduce someone as vast and unending and all-encompassing as the Doctor...to his feelings for one person. It feels sort of...mean.
And Steven Moffat love :) He's brilliant (though I am sad that he's too busy with Doctor Who to do a Press Gang reunion film).
no subject
Yes, I always respected that about her. She just would annoy me sometimes. Which is a total shame because I adored Mickey and Jackie and even Pete. Martha, on the other hand, was totally might sort of character. And I loved that by the finale, she took her love for the Doctor and embraced it as a tool to help her defeat the Master. She managed to transform a weakness into a strength.
actually BECAUSE of the short lifespan thing, which I think makes the lovestory interesting
Oh that's fascinating! I think I mentioned that I'm always attracted to the same type of ships. The bickering/bantering partners and/or best friends for are devoted to one another just under the surface. I like the give and take of (mostly) equally matched partners.
I am sad that he's too busy with Doctor Who to do a Press Gang reunion film
I'm beginning to think I'm going to have to check out the Press Gang. I've got at least three friends who love it and now there's the Stephan Moffat connection!
no subject
I loved Rose, but I didn't ship them as in want time babies etc. I think the bit I loved about their relationship was that Rose was still so young and optimistic that she could spend the rest of her life with him, and the doctor is old and wise enough to know it wasn't possible. It reminded me a lot of two platonic relationships I had when I was only a bit older than Rose (and as naive); both were wonderful and bittersweet and I was completely devastated when they ended... I think I've been attracted to that kind of 'it's never going to happen because it would destroy everything' friendship/relationship ever since.
I don't much like Martha, I found her really irritating. I like Donna much better. And I think age also accounts for the big difference between Rose and Martha (and Donna for that matter). At 17 Rose is still so young and her life is so small... Martha had already seen so much more just going off to uni etc.
And Steven Moffat love :) He's brilliant (though I am sad that he's too busy with Doctor Who to do a Press Gang reunion film).
Another Press Gang fan!!! Love, love, love that show. Yes Quaggy, if you can (was it ever released in the US?) you must watch it. It's as awesome now as it was when I was 13 or 14 or whoever old I was then. My sister was just a baby when she was absorbing my Press Gang love, but she's a huge fan of Coupling, another of his shows.
edited because I was older than Rose, not younger *shakes head*
no subject
Have you watched Lost In Translation yet? Because if you haven't, you really really need to!
I don't much like Martha, I found her really irritating.
That was me in the beginning, but really her only annoying character trait was her obsessive love for the Doctor. If you disregard that, she became much cooler. The problem was they made her unrequited love central to her character. It was a really lousy thing to do, because it really did reduce her to a Rose replacement.
Another Press Gang fan!!! Love, love, love that show.
I know you do! You should introduce yourself. I think the two of you would get along. :-)