Asylum of the Daleks Belated Proper Review

[dweomeroflight]

I am so mad. I wrote an entire review and then lj borked and deleted it all. Fail. So anyway, attempt at incisive meta Take Two begins...

Comments

[elisi]

In one 45 minute episode, all of Moffat Who was summed up; the power of memory, of remembering, the importance of naming, the confusion of identity, the power of hate and love.
*nods* So much there - I need to re-watch it properly and delve into this more, although I have a feeling a lot of it will make more sense once we see where the Season is heading. As you say, it seems to be trying to explore what the Doctor is now and what he might become.

[dweomeroflight]

I feel like, even with what I wrote here, I haven't even scratched the surface of what's going on with Moffat era Who. I mean, I didn't even mention the library episodes!

I have said from s5, and the more I see the more I think I am right, that Moffat Who will culminate in Eleven's regeneration- that Moff has planned this massive, complex story arc out, and it's like a mosaic- it's only going to make sense when we can see the puzzle all put together.

I feel like people will be talking about his show run for years for that reason.

[elisi]

I feel like, even with what I wrote here, I haven't even scratched the surface of what's going on with Moffat era Who. I mean, I didn't even mention the library episodes!
I know just what you mean. (Which is why I end up writing essay 10,000 words long...) There is just so much there. But it's a v. good look into this particular layer! :)

I have said from s5, and the more I see the more I think I am right, that Moffat Who will culminate in Eleven's regeneration- that Moff has planned this massive, complex story arc out, and it's like a mosaic- it's only going to make sense when we can see the puzzle all put together.
I think you may be right.

[dweomeroflight]

Thanks for the friend add :)

[a_phoenixdragon]

Ahhh, beautiful review and a fantastic meta, lovie!! So much introspection on Who/What the Doctor truly is and he can't answer because of that reason right there - is so so much to so many.

I am afraid though, that he is very much a childhood dream realized. Even Amy and Rory must grow up...and in the next ep, the erasure of his name is brought into question. All things are a two-sided sword. He seems to be losing himself, even as he is finding those things he has needed all these years.

*HUGS*

[dweomeroflight]

Just letting you know, I am a week behind everyone- my family chose to watch the episodes on their official ABC1 airdate rather than on iview to try and prolong to episodes :P So, the most recent episode I have seen is Dinosaurs on a Spaceship :) I should put that in my next review so as to avoid accidental spoilers!

But so much YES- he is a 2 sided sword. He is a blank slate, a reflecting mirror, all things to all people. Liberating yet very, very dangerous.

[ladymercury_10]

Lots of really great points here! I'd say more, but I'm on my way out the door for the day. But this is really interesting.

[dweomeroflight]

Come back and say more later :)

[ladymercury_10]

The Doctor is all manner of things to all manner of people and planets, the way it should be and always will be.

Have you seen this interview where Moffat talks in general terms about the role the new companion will play and how the companion always shapes the Doctor? It's pretty interesting. elisi wrote some meta about it, too.

in a story about hope and love and the power it has in a vast, big, terrifying universeThis is, I think, the part of Doctor Who that means the most to me. Because such a big part of the show is how the universe is terrifying, but also magical. And the way the show tells you that you survive isn't by having the biggest gun or being the cleverest person in the room, although it acknowledges that those can be advantages--when it comes right down to it, what's most important is holding on to the things that make us human. And that's why the companions are so magnificent and so ordinary at the same time, and why the Doctor can be so amazing even when he can barely drive his own spaceship half the time

[dweomeroflight]

I did indeed. Read and commented :) Lovely meta!

This is what I love most about Doctor Who too- its hopeful, humanist big heart. That's what I love so about Moffat Who too-he is really bringing that to the fore with his stories.

The thing is, I think Doctor Who is absolutely post modern atm, but post modern and full of joy and hope.

But yes, the show looks at why humanity- all of it- matters, and that's something I never tire of reading and watching about.

[lost_spook]

You've got some really interesting stuff in here, thanks. And, like you, I'm curious as to where we're going, this season and overall - I agree that with you that it will probably make a difference when we do.

(Also, you clearly really like Steven Moffat - have you ever watched Press Gang? I can't remember.)

[dweomeroflight]

I've been thinking about a lot of these things since the end of s6 but I never had the chance to meta till now :p

I haven't watched anything Moffat except Chalk BECAUSE NICOLA. Ahem. Yeah. I should remedy that. I haven't even watched Sherlock!

Do you reccomend Press Gang?

[lost_spook]

I've watched Sherlock now (but while I like it, that is from an established canon and also Mark Gatiss, so, you know...) I'd love to see Chalk too. Also for Nicola. That is completely a reason to watch anything! In fact, until he started writing for DW, I kind of avoided anything he did, simply because I didn't want to see him do something that wasn't as good as Press Gang.

Do you reccomend Press Gang?I'll just try and come up with something between "Yes" and an epic reply over 5 comments (because I saw it as a teenager, so I'm still tempted to bow down and worship Steven Moffat for writing it). So, yes. I think there's lots you might like, especially Julia Sawalha as Lynda Day. It is a teen comedy-drama from the 1990s, so it looks pretty old now, especially S1 (although it's aged better than many things, because they had a brilliant lead director who insisted on it being on film & location, which was unheard of for a children's show), and it does go occasionally to some quite bleak places (but I think in a good way). But

[lost_spook]

Sorry. Just staring at your icon of Oswin and mine of Lynda... Steven Moffat doesn't ever go for casting a particular type, does he? 0_o

[malicehaughton]

I love this review so much. Just thought you'd like to know.

(Also, it kind of goes with my Crazy Rory Theory that the Rory travelling right now is a memory of Rory.)

[dweomeroflight]

In a mirror of memory/ganger Amy? MIRROR THEME AGAIN.

[malicehaughton]

The whole series seems to be about memory. What is real and not real. What is true and not true. What is both and neither. Opposites, but the same. Mirrors, yes