What's that about a Zygon containment field?
Wednesday, 25 November 2009 18:24![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
usuallyhats
Telly I have watched recently, from most newestest to most oldest:
Merlin - The Lady of the Lake
- I appear to have promoted Arthur to "probably my favourite, usually". He was lovely this week! What with the making sure Merlin was ok and everything, and worrying that Merlin might think he's putting on weight (I was not impressed with the fat jokes, it must be said, but Bradley James played his reactions v. nicely.) Also, he totally doesn't mind if Merlin likes to wear dresses in his off time. ♥
- Colin Morgan is such a charming actor, he makes me like Merlin even when I am a bit annoyed with the character.
- That being said, the Single Emo Tear was... strange. It didn't really seem to fit at that particular moment.
- Also, how did Merlin smuggle yer woman out of Camelot without anyone noticing? And why didn't he do that in the first place, if he could?
- Also also, why did Merlin think it was a good idea to drop MASONRY on Arthur? Good thing Arthur is all speedy with the dodging.
- Also also ALSO, where were the girls? Gwen was aces in her ONE SCENE (barely that, half a scene) and I wanted to see more of her. And MORGANA. Surely she would have opinions on and reactions to the situation. She didn't even get any reaction shots! >:( Maybe she was on a lovely minibreak this week. But in that case, why would she not take her Gwen with her?
- Oh hurray, the guest woman is all victimy and vulnerable. Great.
- Here I am moaning on again. I do like Merlin, honest guv! I like it and I want it to be better, which I think it could be if it had character progression and emotional continuity and MOAR FEMINISM. Everything needs MOAR FEMINISM.
- Next week: Georgia Moffett is pretty. I may have to spend most of the episode sticking my fingers in my ears and unfocussing my eyes due to THE EMBARRASSMENT.
SJA season three
I sort of didn't get round to doing reaction posts this season, but here are some brief thoughts on the episodes:
Prisoner of the Judoon: LOLS. So much fun! The Judoon antics were great. I am a little disappointed in retrospect that we didn't see more of the Chandras in the rest of the season though. I loved Haresh's little "I know what I saw" moment in response to Clyde's teasing; I was expecting something defensive, but it was wistful and hopeful and quite lovely.
The Madwoman in the Attic: Probably the best of the season. It was great to get a story focussed on Rani, and though the "jealous of Maria" aspect sort of came out of nowhere, it was well handled. Plus a non-evil alien and Sarah Jane and Clyde being lovely together, hurrah.
The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith: Oh, this one made me cry. I actually got a little misty in part one when the actress who played Ping-Cho in Marco Polo appeared, and part two really got to me. I liked that Peter really did love Sarah, and she loved him, without any trickery. (Though as![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
revolutionaren has already pointed out, Peter's fall down the stairs looked rather too much like the beginning of an injurylawyers4u advert.) I disliked Ten less than I usually do, despite his insistence on making emo faces (my mother's sole comment on Waters of Mars: "I don't like the faces he makes." Possibly it is genetic?). I really hated Sarah's "no one will ever forget you" line simply because it strongly implies that she doesn't know what happened to Donna. Which is a little dangerous; what if she runs into her and strikes up a conversation? I know London is a big place but it's not impossible. Harrumph. But on the other hand: Clyde and Rani and Luke inna TARDIS! Their joy as they explored it was brilliant.
The Eternity Trap: More funtimes! More excellent stuff for Clyde and Rani! Floella Benjamin! Callum Blue! Good times.
Mona Lisa's Revenge: Aw, Luke and Clyde love each other a lot. And I loved the ending, with Miss Trupp rejecting Mr Harding in no uncertain terms. Unexpected and awesome.
The Gift: You know, I thought I would mind the Slitheen/Blathereen more, but I really didn't. I wasn't keen on the "we're Slitheen-Blathereen" reveal, though. I loved Clyde's cooking skills and him smuggling K9 into school: all the Clyde-Rani-K9 bits were v. win. And the Warriors of the Deep reference was great too.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this season, I think it's my favourite so far.
Terror of the Zygons
- LOVELY TERROR OF THE ZYGONS. This is going on my list of stories I liked.
- Ian Marter was great as Zygon!Harry, yes.
- Possibly heretical opinion - I was a little disappointed with the Zygon design. Only a little, mind: the head-bit is superb, I just thought it was a shame that the rest of it was so humanoid, probably because I've read and heard about the Zygons before but never actually seen them in action, so anything was probably going to be a slight letdown.
- No Harry, don't take the train! Get back in the TARDIS! Please? (I may have also squeaked in distress when he got shot, even though I knew he was ok really.)
- Aw, a couple of nice character things: Sarah knowing it's really Harry when he calls her "old girl" and the Doctor hearing explosions and saying "that'll be the Brigadier". ♥
- Zygon!Duke didn't make much of an effort to stop Sarah finding the entrance to the Zygon ship, did he? But it was ok, because I was distracted by the niceness of his steps. When I am grown up I shall have some like that in my house.
- Stop motion Loch Ness Monster! Yay!
-I'm sure I had some more substantial things to say, but I appear to have forgotten what they were. Alas.
Merlin - The Lady of the Lake
- I appear to have promoted Arthur to "probably my favourite, usually". He was lovely this week! What with the making sure Merlin was ok and everything, and worrying that Merlin might think he's putting on weight (I was not impressed with the fat jokes, it must be said, but Bradley James played his reactions v. nicely.) Also, he totally doesn't mind if Merlin likes to wear dresses in his off time. ♥
- Colin Morgan is such a charming actor, he makes me like Merlin even when I am a bit annoyed with the character.
- That being said, the Single Emo Tear was... strange. It didn't really seem to fit at that particular moment.
- Also, how did Merlin smuggle yer woman out of Camelot without anyone noticing? And why didn't he do that in the first place, if he could?
- Also also, why did Merlin think it was a good idea to drop MASONRY on Arthur? Good thing Arthur is all speedy with the dodging.
- Also also ALSO, where were the girls? Gwen was aces in her ONE SCENE (barely that, half a scene) and I wanted to see more of her. And MORGANA. Surely she would have opinions on and reactions to the situation. She didn't even get any reaction shots! >:( Maybe she was on a lovely minibreak this week. But in that case, why would she not take her Gwen with her?
- Oh hurray, the guest woman is all victimy and vulnerable. Great.
- Here I am moaning on again. I do like Merlin, honest guv! I like it and I want it to be better, which I think it could be if it had character progression and emotional continuity and MOAR FEMINISM. Everything needs MOAR FEMINISM.
- Next week: Georgia Moffett is pretty. I may have to spend most of the episode sticking my fingers in my ears and unfocussing my eyes due to THE EMBARRASSMENT.
SJA season three
I sort of didn't get round to doing reaction posts this season, but here are some brief thoughts on the episodes:
Prisoner of the Judoon: LOLS. So much fun! The Judoon antics were great. I am a little disappointed in retrospect that we didn't see more of the Chandras in the rest of the season though. I loved Haresh's little "I know what I saw" moment in response to Clyde's teasing; I was expecting something defensive, but it was wistful and hopeful and quite lovely.
The Madwoman in the Attic: Probably the best of the season. It was great to get a story focussed on Rani, and though the "jealous of Maria" aspect sort of came out of nowhere, it was well handled. Plus a non-evil alien and Sarah Jane and Clyde being lovely together, hurrah.
The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith: Oh, this one made me cry. I actually got a little misty in part one when the actress who played Ping-Cho in Marco Polo appeared, and part two really got to me. I liked that Peter really did love Sarah, and she loved him, without any trickery. (Though as
revolutionaren has already pointed out, Peter's fall down the stairs looked rather too much like the beginning of an injurylawyers4u advert.) I disliked Ten less than I usually do, despite his insistence on making emo faces (my mother's sole comment on Waters of Mars: "I don't like the faces he makes." Possibly it is genetic?). I really hated Sarah's "no one will ever forget you" line simply because it strongly implies that she doesn't know what happened to Donna. Which is a little dangerous; what if she runs into her and strikes up a conversation? I know London is a big place but it's not impossible. Harrumph. But on the other hand: Clyde and Rani and Luke inna TARDIS! Their joy as they explored it was brilliant.The Eternity Trap: More funtimes! More excellent stuff for Clyde and Rani! Floella Benjamin! Callum Blue! Good times.
Mona Lisa's Revenge: Aw, Luke and Clyde love each other a lot. And I loved the ending, with Miss Trupp rejecting Mr Harding in no uncertain terms. Unexpected and awesome.
The Gift: You know, I thought I would mind the Slitheen/Blathereen more, but I really didn't. I wasn't keen on the "we're Slitheen-Blathereen" reveal, though. I loved Clyde's cooking skills and him smuggling K9 into school: all the Clyde-Rani-K9 bits were v. win. And the Warriors of the Deep reference was great too.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this season, I think it's my favourite so far.
Terror of the Zygons
- LOVELY TERROR OF THE ZYGONS. This is going on my list of stories I liked.
- Ian Marter was great as Zygon!Harry, yes.
- Possibly heretical opinion - I was a little disappointed with the Zygon design. Only a little, mind: the head-bit is superb, I just thought it was a shame that the rest of it was so humanoid, probably because I've read and heard about the Zygons before but never actually seen them in action, so anything was probably going to be a slight letdown.
- No Harry, don't take the train! Get back in the TARDIS! Please? (I may have also squeaked in distress when he got shot, even though I knew he was ok really.)
- Aw, a couple of nice character things: Sarah knowing it's really Harry when he calls her "old girl" and the Doctor hearing explosions and saying "that'll be the Brigadier". ♥
- Zygon!Duke didn't make much of an effort to stop Sarah finding the entrance to the Zygon ship, did he? But it was ok, because I was distracted by the niceness of his steps. When I am grown up I shall have some like that in my house.
- Stop motion Loch Ness Monster! Yay!
-I'm sure I had some more substantial things to say, but I appear to have forgotten what they were. Alas.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 25 Nov 2009 18:31 (UTC)I also wish they'd give the girls more to do in Merlin. Especially since both of them are both pretty and smart!
SJA S3 was definitely the strongest... I thought Rani's jealousy of Maria was quite fitting actually. Even adults are prone to sudden, random and somewhat irrational bouts of jealousy (well, this adult is, anyway!) - and since they were all dismissive of Rani and gleeful over Maria, it seemed to me to fit.
no subject
Date: 25 Nov 2009 18:50 (UTC)Terror of the Zygons is fab and I want it on DVD. The Zygon!Harry bit is really creepy and it's beautifully directed and it's such a classic sort of Doctor Who story through and through in the nicest possible way. I don't understand why the classic series never brought the Zygons back, to be honest - maybe the new series will at some point.
no subject
Date: 25 Nov 2009 20:14 (UTC)The actor who played the madwoman was Selma in Blake's 7 (Horizon) and it pleased me greatly. She also really looked like Rani might when she's old.
I should get a Sarah Jane icon. Or a Clyde one. How his expressions I adore.
As for Donna, isn't she in the next special. One can hope she's given a better resolution; I hated her losing everything she learned and the the self-esteem she gained.
no subject
Date: 25 Nov 2009 22:45 (UTC)I also wish they'd give the girls more to do in Merlin. Especially since both of them are both pretty and smart!
*nodnod* They're so fab, which just makes it worse that they've had so little screen time recently.
no subject
Date: 25 Nov 2009 22:48 (UTC)I feel like it was a bit better on the character growth front, especially towards the end. Or at least the reset button was less obvious - I feel like most of the series two episodes could've been shown in any old order without it making much of a difference.
I would love to see more Zygons too! Their ship would look great on a new series budget.
no subject
Date: 25 Nov 2009 22:52 (UTC)Me too! It's so warm and joyful.
She also really looked like Rani might when she's old.
She did, it was great casting. I know I've seen Horizon but I don't remember her in it - I'll have to look out for her when I rewatch it!
Clyde is ♥!
I hated her losing everything she learned and the the self-esteem she gained.
Me too. It's such a waste: she had such lovely character growth and then it was all taken away.
no subject
Date: 26 Nov 2009 00:37 (UTC)Clyde is adorable.
Exactly! I really hope they do something of a fix for Donna, but knowing RTD, he'll probably have her sacrifice herself for Ten. She's a woman after all. :-(
no subject
Date: 26 Nov 2009 05:24 (UTC)Well, they explained her friend not being in touch in the show - they had lost touch, and then he suddenly contacted her because he was working with alien!girl to get hold of Sarah Jane.
*nodnod* They're so fab, which just makes it worse that they've had so little screen time recently.
Yes! *pokes the Merlin writers to give them more to do*
no subject
Date: 26 Nov 2009 10:57 (UTC)Ah! Obviously I wasn't concentrating properly, I missed that! *headdesk*
no subject
Date: 26 Nov 2009 11:00 (UTC)no subject
Date: 27 Nov 2009 04:14 (UTC)Terror of the Zygons is on my list of stories-liked, too. It's been a while since I've watched that serial, but I remember I was very fond of Harry's involvement and the feeling that each companion got to use their strengths in the serial. And I loved the Loch Ness Monster. (And the Brigadier in a kilt!)
Also, with SJA, I'm so sad that the season is already over! I agree that The Madwoman in the Attic was probably the best of the season. I adored Mark of the Berserker last season and Joseph Lidster didn't let me down with this season's character-centric piece. Not only did I love getting more of Rani and a glimpse of SJA-future, but the Clyde-Sarah Jane moments were fantastic, and I'd happily watch/read adventures of Eve, Harry & Sam! I do so hope the fourth series will get the go-ahead!
I'm behind on Merlin, so I'm skipping over that bit for now!
no subject
Date: 27 Nov 2009 15:07 (UTC)the feeling that each companion got to use their strengths in the serial.
*nodnod* It's a really nicely balanced serial that way. And how could I forget to mention the Brigadier's kilt!