dk323 | S4.12: The Stolen Earth

I've already posted here and there about this episode and read a number of reaction posts, but I might as well post my thoughts in my own LJ. :)

Anywho, so first I have to say that I absolutely loved the Jack and Martha interaction in this episode. I don't ship them, but I'm now tempted to. Though their close friendship (they are so BFF, no doubt!) completely does it for me. It's the type of relationship that suits them. The two of them almost made up for the things in this episode that were not so great (luckily I still love the episode overall despite the moments that were groanworthy).

I read a comment that Martha is better off on Torchwood - and after seeing Ianto, Gwen, & Jack (especially! :-() reacting to Martha being down, Martha would definitely be more appreciated on Torchwood (though not as a regular, another guest spot maybe? 'Cause I fear for her character if she stays on full-time on TW).

Okay, I loved the whole "outerspace facebook" comment by Donna. Too cute. And I have to admit, I was a bit gleeful when Rose was cut out of the computer conversation - particularly when she started those "lovely" comments. Not too surprised about that since Rose's jealous tendencies has been an established character flaw of hers. It's getting harder to keep my like of Rose intact. She was my first companion since Series 2 was the first season I watched. I still think she was awesome in Series 1, but her presence in Series 4 is not inspiring confidence from me. I wish Rose would have grown up and actually matured, and yet she's back to getting tetchy when she sees "the new girl" and gets defensive.

After what Martha went through in Series 3, the role reversal was a nice change of pace.

I was grateful that Martha had more of a part in this episode than I was expecting. She had more of a point to her being there as a representative of UNIT of sorts while Rose was just there....'cause yeah, she's part of alt!Torchwood, but this universe already has their own TW. So basically she was just there to wave her big gun around and tail the Doctor to see him again (which worked out so well! Really...not so much).

I'm really worried for Donna. I wondered what was the point of those beats - only thing I could think of is she has two hearts? Time Lady in hiding? Theory that probably won't come into fruition? Hopefully it'll be good at least. And Donna *better* not die, though she's first on my list considering she's the primary companion this series. Something unfortunate happening to her seems pretty likely. :-(

Martha must be sick of New York by now. First she goes to a future New New York, then she goes to 1930s New York and now 'cause of UNIT, she's in present day New York. I wonder if that was intentional to stick her in New York (writers: Oh, Martha's been to New York twice already, but not present day New York! Let's place her there!) Yay for her promotion though. She's moving on up. :-)

"Do you like my gun?" One of Rose's better moments. She showed them, lol.

Sarah Jane Smith & Luke! Yay and yay. It was great to see them again. Hopefully Luke will do something useful at home with Mr. Smith while Sarah Jane's out. But I'm keeping my expectations low. Sarah Jane's parenting skills does leave a lot to be desired (leaving Luke home alone like that - even though Mr. Smith was there - it's not the best thing to do), but she doesn't lead an exactly normal life.

The running scene at the end. I agree with persiflage_1's comment that the Dalek was punishing the Doctor for submitting himself to "a romantic cliche in a non-ironic way." I sorta like that Dalek now. Hee.

Though it wasn't nice to shoot the Doctor! That was very rude. And also this is strike two against Rose. She has already caused the Doctor to regenerate in Series 1. Now I wonder if the writers know this or not or didn't mean to have it be taken that way. But it definitely doesn't look good for my opinion of Rose.

The Doctor regenerating? I seriously hope he doesn't split in two so that Rose could have her very own Doctor in her parallel universe. Although the idea (brought up by another person) of a human!Doctor going with Rose and the TimeLord!Doctor staying behind with Martha, Donna, Jack and Sarah Jane sounds very appealing. *whistles*

I saw the trailer for next week, and I'm not sure what to think of it. It doesn't reveal much except the TARDIS on fire and Donna being alone (maybe?) on it. Unfortunately I won't be able to see the last episode since I'll be on vacation. So I'll have to watch it a few days later than everyone else. Hopefully, I don't spoil myself accidentally.