planet of the ood

[usuallyhats]

Oooooood. I mostly enjoyed this one, just a few reservations...


...mostly that we end with the Doctor and Donna (at least they included her, I s'pose) being revered, again. Particularly annoying as I don't actually remember them doing anything terribly useful; the Ood pretty much saved themselves as far as I can tell. Am also a wee bit skeptical that all the humans heard the Oodsong and went "oh look they're all peaceful and stuffs, now we see the error of our ways, let's send 'em all home." But maybe I am too cynical. Though it would also have been nice for the humans to realise that slavery is just wrong without having to first find out that the Ood are all sensitive and stuff.

The Guardian was a little harsh on this one, I felt. Also they stuck a picture of Pushing Daisies with it by a snake.

"Who's batting average works out at about four classic episodes per season. We're still waiting for such a stormer this time, in fact this week is something of a step backwards. It's the non-awaited return of the Ood ina heavy-handed, forcibly sympathetic tale of their slavery by human hands. Nearly all the humans here are presented as absolute tossers, so it's too easy to be on the Ood's side. There's some incredible overacting, although that might be the only way for the performers to make themselves heard over the overbearing soundtrack. Still, the Sontarans return next week; that might be good."

I do agree with them about the soundtrack (particularly at the beginning with the WACKY MUSIC OF WACKINESS) and the unsympathetic humans, though.

ANYWAY GOOD THINGS NOW.

Donna was rather fabulous this episode, going back for a warm coat, trying to comfort the dying Ood, asking if they should bury him. And I also liked her admitting when things were too much for her, asking the Doctor to take her telepathy away. In fact by the middle of the episode I was thinking that not only do I not want Rose back... I almost don't want Martha back, either, I would rather just have more Donna time. Don't get me wrong, I still adore Martha (and am fond of Rose), but... I don't know.

Rather encouraging that they seem to be trying to fix some of their mistakes, however belatedly, even to the extent of the Doctor saying that he should have asked more questions last time. And bless Donna for asking them this time! And asking if humanity were explorers or a virus and actually getting an uncertain response... yeesssss. Still a universe where humanity dominates three whole galaxies (sigh) but it's a start. And yay, actual alien planet with actual aliens on it! Maybe one day we'll get a story with no humans at all *hopes*

The "I don't have slaves!"/"who made your clothes?" was excellent. More of that, please.

And then there was a GIANT BRAIN. Not great for making me take the story seriously but ideal for the lols. Those scenes were accompanied by a little voice in my head going "brains squishy squishsquidge mmmbrains squidge brainsquish brainbrainbrain squidgy brain and brain, what is brain?" And then they dropped that guy onto it! What happened to him? He can't have been eaten, it doesn't have teeth, it's a brain! Maybe he suffocated? Does this mean that the Oodbrain now has a decomposing human corpse stuck in it? That's not good for the psyche! I wish he had bounced. I need to stop thinking about this.

Further silliness: turning a guy into an Ood! mmmskience. The GIANT CLAW. I want to take that guy to the grabbing machines at Blackpool, we'd clean up.

Next week: Martha! UNIT! Not looking forward to this as much as I thought I would be, actually (see above). Also have fear that the UNIT retcon from Torchwood may become undeniable. Advance warning: if this happens I shall rant and I shall not listen to reason at all.

Comments

[stoplookingup.livejournal.com]

This is how low I have sunk: it makes me happy to see bad reviews even when I don't agree with them because it serves Rusty right for last year. But I have to admit, the review isn't all wrong, either. The sentimentality was a bit in-your-face; no subtlety, as usual. But still -- Donna and the Doctor were well above average this go-round, and that deserves a mention. And yet -- take that, Rusty. You're not everyone's TV Jesus.

[usuallyhats]

I think one of the most frustrating things about last year was feeling like there was no way to make our complaints felt and that the show would just keep sailing along on its wave of critical approval, so it's very satisfying to see that it isn't, that something has changed. Even if I don't entirely agree with the criticisms, just the fact that someone is saying them, in print, is worth something.

[stoplookingup.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Though I was so frustrated after S3 that I actually wrote a letter. The old-fashioned kind, on paper, with a stamp and everything. I'm sure it was filed straight to the circular bin, but still.

ETA: When a few articles came out that took the "companions catfight for Doctor's affections" angle, I was actually PLEASED because at least no one could say it was just bitter Martha fans saying so.

[usuallyhats]

Me too. It's good to get some recognition that someone outside of fandom is seeing what we're seeing.

I did think about writing a letter, but in the end I was too idle to get round to it!

[just-say-maybe.livejournal.com]

The bit at the ending felt a bit out of place, with the whole "We freed ourselves, but you were there too, so praise be to you" thing. I mean, they helped, but not by that much...
Anyway, Donna is still awesome, and I want her coat.

Also have fear that the UNIT retcon from Torchwood may become undeniable. Advance warning: if this happens I shall rant and I shall not listen to reason at all.
You wont be the only one ranting if this happens. *clings to OldSkool!UNIT*

[usuallyhats]

Yeah, they may have bought the Ood some time, and were generally well disposed towards them, but they weren't exactly Saviours of the Ood or anything. Oh well.

Anyway, Donna is still awesome, and I want her coat.
SECONDED.

*clings to oldskool UNIT likewise*

[runtling.livejournal.com]

...mostly that we end with the Doctor and Donna (at least they included her, I s'pose) being revered, again. Particularly annoying as I don't actually remember them doing anything terribly useful

Yeah, I know. :P The Ood basically did it all, and they would have gotten around to breaking the circle-thing. Oh well. It's Rusty's DW. Of course the Doctor is going to be revered.

[usuallyhats]

True. But they were doing so well at not deifying him up to that point!