Doctor Who 7x01 - Asylum of the Daleks

[keep_counting]

Overall? A wee bit dissapointed and confused, with just a hint of irritation. Since Moffat's run of Doctor Who is an emotional roller coaster (mainly consisting of tears) for me, I will be having fun with a new system of posting the good and the bad things about each episode, giving and subtracting points and then in the end we will see how many points each episode has scored! Won't that be fun? Pointless, but fun.



THE GOOD:

- I like that we get to see Skaro, for however brief it might be. +5

- That Dalek-lady has ginger hair. +15. She is also wearing ridicolous heels and is part-Dalek. -10.

- 'What colour? Sorry, there weren't any good questions left.' Rory I've missed you so much I might start crying. +10 for that line

- +20 just for being on my screen

- *music playing* 'What is that?' 'Oh, that's me! That's me, playing the triangle'. +5 because this was kinda cute.

- Despite the absolute ridicolousness of the Daleks having an insane asylum/prison camp/whatever, they did make a good job of making the whole place sinister. +10 for succesfully creeping me out a few times. I watched The Grudge last night, it should take a lot.

- 'The Nose and the Chin'. That is their official title, yes? I mean, I would watch that show. +5

- 'I call him Nina'. CAN I CALL HIM NINA TOO? PLEASE??? +40

- BALLET-DALEKS. SORRY. THERE WAS A BALLET-DALEK. IT WAS SPINNING AROUND ITSELF AND LOOKING ADORABLE. +20!

- 'Tricycle with a roof'. Because that is an accurate description of a Dalek. +5

- Oswin was sassy and cute and smart. +10

(Points: 135)

THE BAD:

- Predator of the Daleks. Absolutely no part of me was able to take this seriously. WHY?? -10

- Also -30 for still dressing your females up like dolls, Moffat. Oswin had been alone for a year, just sitting about, why was she wearing a dress that can fit Tinkerbell? If that had been me, I would be lounging about in a sweatshirt and jeans. WHO WOULD BE THERE TO SEE ME?

- Why is no-one freezing to death? I'm not really going to subtract points for this, because they were out in the snow for such a short time, but then again, why would it be any warmer inside the buildings - it's not like the Daleks need it? Or are they going to have icing problems? (wouldn't that be fun though? Like rusty wheels.)

- Amy was all forceful and angry and prima-donna from the start. There was absolutely no change when the nano-genes started converting her. -10 for not really making that plotline convincing at all.

- I want Amy to slap the Doctor next time. Lord knows he deserves it more than Rory. Stop hitting Rory. -20

- WHY DO THE DALEKS HAVE A PRIME MINISTER?? I mean... what even... what?? Why? I thought they had an Emperor, which is somewhat consistent at least. Why would they have Prime Minister? Did they have an election and all voted for their favorites? Was there a campaign and Daleks standing on the streets of Skaro, handing out flyers to passer-bys? Not even I can tell if I'm crying or laughing. -15.

- Hmm, let me get this straight. Amy and Rory have survived so much together. They've been willing to die for each other. They HAVE died for each other, many times. They've waited for each other, in some cases for a veryveryveryveryveryvery long time. They love each other. And yet Moffat wants me to believe that Amy broke up with Rory, because he wants children and she can't have them? Not only is that a totally icky concept, that a woman can't make a man happy if she can't give him babies (and as fueschgast so rightly pointed out, hello, adoption??), but why would Amy be so cruel and heartless as to do that to Rory? Amy is his whole world. He loves her more than anything else - and then she thinks the right thing is to leave him? What, because he'll be happier without the love of his life, oh, but with children, sure, of course. And that's Amy's decision to make? Ugh, I'm sorry, not only is that just plain wrong, it is also out-of-character, even for these two who have been written more inconsistently than the Daleks. -100 for awful all around. Yes, I did that.

- I don't even want to comment on the Dalek's plans of conversion, which seems to be pretty random and about as well-thought out as the plan to send marmite to the Middle East to settle conflict (no, that's not a joke. that was suggested. for real!) -10

- No points for this one, but the Daleks forgetting the Doctor can go either two ways: a) it is not properly adressed again, or is adressed again in some sort of lame, timey-wimey, been-there-done-that kind of way, or b) it leads directly into the whole 'Eleventh Hour/Silence will Fall thing, which could be potentially awesome if done right, which it probably won't be. Can you tell how optimistic I am about this whole thing? Matt's laugh at the end did make me smile though. Eleven is growing on me, probably because - I think? - this will be his last season.

Points for this episode: -60. Good start! Or not...

Tell me your thoughts!

Comments

[the-silverdoe.livejournal.com]

Predator of the Daleks. Absolutely no part of me was able to take this seriously.
Lol, yes. If they were going to call him 'Predator', they'd have called him that already, right? I hate it when Moffat tries to add things when nothing needs to be added. It loved it when Eleven said 'Oncoming storm' though!

b) it leads directly into the whole 'Eleventh Hour/Silence will Fall thing, which could be potentially awesome if done right, which it probably won't be.
This exactly. Overall I liked the episode, but I'm still afraid the storyline will be fucked up in the end. I thought Moff wasn't trying to be as impressive as he was with S6, so that's a good thing so far. Eleven is growing on me as well... what? And I'm not ready to say goodbye to the Ponds, not in the least. Especially Rory. *cries* I liked Jenna-Louise Coleman though, so that's a good point :)

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

It was just... so random and kind of awful? I mean, at least 60% of all the fans are going to think 'Alien vs.' I think: plus 'predator' implies that he hunts them down and kills them, which he really doesn't. He crosses their paths, and then fights them when needed to, but it's not like a lion and a gazelle. And 'Oncoming Storm' sounds much more sinister, like the force of nature he truly can be. Predator sounds like he's a hawk (mind you, Ten's hair...)

Overall I liked the episode, but I'm still afraid the storyline will be fucked up in the end
This exactly. I was very scared that I was going to feel like I had just wasted an hour on something godawful, but despite my (many) complains, it was an enjoyable watch. And Coleman rocked my world, I have to say! I've never seen her in anything else, but her personality really shone through. I like the idea that we'll get a genius-companion, something that hasn't really been there since Old!Who (well, maybe Adam, but he was on one trip, and a complete tool, he doesn't count!)

(eta: i can't spell)

[the-silverdoe.livejournal.com]

mind you, Ten's hair...
Lol.

I think I've got a girl-crush on Coleman. *facepalm* And yeah, we'll see if Clara is really Oswin etc. but so far she was good and I think she and Matt Smith will have chemistry. :)

Re the Amy and Rory splitting up thing, I was thinking maybe it was about Amy not wanting to have a family after the River trauma, and Rory still wanting kids, which would explain Amy's 'sacrifice', and tbh I could understand that (sort of). Maybe I misunderstood that scene. If it's only about her being physically unable to have children, then it's really stupid...

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

I know I've got a crush on Coleman ;) she won me over in just 45 minutes. As long as she doesn't develop a huge crush on Eleven too - which I don't think she will, if her personality in AoD is anything to go by - then I think I'll enjoy her run.

That would have made so much sense! It would be a much more in-character problem, that even fit with the storyline. There is so much mess, but it was conveyed like it was just the inability to have kids that caused the rift. Which is so very stupid.

[the-silverdoe.livejournal.com]

A crush would be so cliché, I hope it will be more of a Ten/Donna dynamic and we'll avoid that.

Well I'm keeping the psychological problem as my head-canon, since it was my first interpretation of the scene :P I wish it had been developed over at least three or four episodes, to keep the angst going. Resolving it in just a couple of scenes was a bit disappointing...

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

Ten/Donna dynamic would be brilliant, especially if she can give him a run for his money in the genius-department as well.

I wish it had been developed over at least three or four episodes, to keep the angst going. Resolving it in just a couple of scenes was a bit disappointing...
Yes, and a bit unrealistic. Stuff like that doesn't just go away? I mean, I am very happy they're together, they belong together imo, but clearly they still have a lot of issues to work through.

[captaintish]

Rory was the best. I think we should all just call him Nina. It's so random, it appeals to me.

BALLET-DALEKS. :D

And yes, the whole place was very sinister -- I've never found the Daleks to be very scary, but this episode, they were creeping me out right and left.

Okay, I know couples in real life whose inability to have kids have caused major problems for them. It might seem like adoption is the easy, logical answer, but I think it's just not that simple in real life.

IDK, I know all of fandom has trouble with the Amy/Rory infertility thing. My opinion might be colored by real life circumstances that friends of mine are actually living through right now.

Did they have an election and all voted for their favorites? Was there a campaign and Daleks standing on the streets of Skaro, handing out flyers to passer-bys? Not even I can tell if I'm crying or laughing

Laughing. I'm definitely laughing. THANK YOU FOR THIS IMAGE. :D

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm not saying that inability to have kids doesn't cause problems: but the way the problem is handled here, and the fact that this is a repeating theme with Moffat and his written females, is what I have a problem with. There's not a conflict in that they talked about it and had disagreements, it is Amy making an assumption that is wildly incorrect and acting out on it. And it's written in a way that makes it so that its Amy's inability to make Rory 'completely happy' that is the driving point - there is no mention of Amy herself having to deal with the fact that she can't have kids, that she might want them, for herself as much as Rory. This wouldn't bug me so much if it weren't a recurring thing - I also find it annoying that they're on the subject of having kids, and Melody/River isn't pointed out. There's a whole heap of issues there that hasn't been adressed between them at all, and I find it odd that Moffat has to create a new problem like this.

Sorry for the rant, I just wanted to explain myself properly :) Infertility is a huge issue, one my parents went through when they tried for their second child as well, and it is more the nuances in this particular one that bugged me, not the idea that infertility can cause rifts.

BALLET-DALEKS. :D
That was the best part of the episode! :D I am now imagining the Dalek-lifestyle as much more mundane. They go to the theater. They have elections. They probably watch Glee too... (we already know they like gameshows, c'mon! ;D)

[captaintish]

No worries, there are definitely some problems in the way Moffat deals with characterization. I think if they had led up this particular issue more in the Pond Life, that might have helped. Also, in real life, it would take more than just one Dalek adventure to get over their problems. I just exercise my headcanon to make it work.

Totally! Daleks drink tea and vote for their prime minister and hold debates on the beauty of different types of hatred. They probably have art galleries, too -- "Now, look how well this painter conveys the hate this particular Dalek is feeling. Look at the use of this shading of bronze....."

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

Headcanons are what keeps us fans sane ;)

Totally! Daleks drink tea and vote for their prime minister and hold debates on the beauty of different types of hatred. They probably have art galleries, too -- "Now, look how well this painter conveys the hate this particular Dalek is feeling. Look at the use of this shading of bronze....."
OMG PLEASE YES THIS IS BRILLIANT I CAN'T BREATHE!!

[captaintish]

:D

[fueschgast]

- 'What colour? Sorry, there weren't any good questions left.' Rory I've missed you so much I might start crying. +10 for that line
- +20 just for being on my screen
Hehe, loved that line and having Rory back too.

There was a spinning Dalek? I don't think I noticed that. But I guess that would explain ballerina girl.

- Also -30 for still dressing your females up like dolls, Moffat. Oswin had been alone for a year, just sitting about, why was she wearing a dress that can fit Tinkerbell? If that had been me, I would be lounging about in a sweatshirt and jeans. WHO WOULD BE THERE TO SEE ME?
I KNOW, RIGHT?!

Interesting point about the not freezing to death.

While I did sort of wonder about the Dalek PM, I didn't give it much thought. But thanks to you, I'm wondering about Dalek elections now. How do they even tell the candidates apart??

Yes to all of what you wrote about the Amy & Rory's children issue. You wrote the rant that I couldn't be bothered to write (untangling a mass of angry thoughts is hard for me).

about as well-thought out as the plan to send marmite to the Middle East to settle conflict (no, that's not a joke. that was suggested. for real!)
Sounds legit. Come on, that plan totally would have worked.

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

Rory is one of the only reasons I'm watching this season, I have to admit. I am going to miss him so much :(

Interesting point about the not freezing to death.
It looks really goddamn cold...

I am here to put words to your thoughts in an insightful, yet eerie way ;) and of course they tell them apart by colour! Or heels, I dunno...

Sounds legit. Come on, that plan totally would have worked.
Or potentially started another war xD

[fueschgast]

Rory is a very good reason!

I am here to put words to your thoughts in an insightful, yet eerie way ;) and of course they tell them apart by colour! Or heels, I dunno...
I'm lucky to have you in my life. :oD
Hahaha, by heels! Color can be a bit difficult, since most of them seem to be bronze. Maybe they're Candidate 1, Candidate 2, .... Candidate 1 for Prime Minister 2012-2016! (they'll have to tell their PMs apart too)

The Marmite War! Hm, yeah, does a have a nice ring to it.

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

He's the best reason! ;)


Aw, I think that's the other way around :) lol, I'm now thinking of Stephen Fry: he was in an episode of Blackadder, and the whole time insisted on numbering the roman soldiers: I, II, III, IV, V etc. Must've been annoying for the directors.

Lol, it kind of does!

[emmymik.livejournal.com]

WHY DO THE DALEKS HAVE A PRIME MINISTER??

Right? YOUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT CONFUSES ME, DALEKS. EXPLAIN.

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

Lol. Your icon is glorious :D hey Ossy!

[fueschgast]

*butts in* Ossy! *snort* Sounds weird to a German. Since East and West Germany, we're all Ossis and and Wessis.

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, we studied that whole subject in German for what felt like years. Now it sounds funny to me as well! - I was mainly thinking of Ozzy Osbourne xD

[ravena-kade.livejournal.com]

I thought that Amy not having kids after all the things they did to her on Demon's Run was a cheap thing to write, especially after having her a pregnant captive in the first place. After all the things done to her you certainly don't see any scars after... or any physical difficulties.

Generally when people loose a child there are a ton of emotional issues, etc, never mind when they have been held captive for months and all we see is a comment about kids.

I still believe that Rory loves her more than she loves him.

Sadly I find that the character of Amy makes women out to be victims.

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

Exactly! Why did it have to be that? She could have freaked out over being held captive and having her baby stolen. That's a huge deal and it is glossed over completely - yes, River's 'safe' now but she's had a life filled with pain and torture. Rory and Amy should not be satisfied at all.

Sadly I find that the character of Amy makes women out to be victims.
Yes, and unfortunately it is all in the writing imo. Which is why I'm afraid it's going to become a pattern with Oswin as well

[uniquegrl7.livejournal.com]

This is exactly what I was thinking of when Amy said she couldn't have any children so they broke up: BUT YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER! HER NAME IS RIVER SONG/MELODY POND!

I agree with you about the a woman can't make a man happy if she can't give him babies thing, but I think that Moffat meant to show them as a typical married couple in spite of it all or something like that. He did a shit job of it (pardon my language), but I think that's what he was trying to do.

Also, I cannot understand for the life of me why Amy is a fashion model.

Another plot detail that got to me: If Amy was already turning Dalek, how would the bracelet turn her back into human? That wouldn't restore the love in her, and it was meant to protect against the nano-whatevers, not be a cure for them.
Oswin was brilliant though, and I did enjoy the episode. But I don't have high hopes for the dinosaurs on a spaceship episode, except seeing Lestrade in something that's not really his division.

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

It was just so weird that she didn't even get a mention! Can you please deal with this huge emotional issue now? Maybe Amy's brain is so damaged after all the alternate timelines that it just keeps slipping her mind(?) Looking for explanations that probably aren't there... They have so many, why did he have to make a whole new one?

If Amy was already turning Dalek, how would the bracelet turn her back into human?
I didn't even think of that. By the power of Rory's love maybe?? lol ;)

[iscariotjones.livejournal.com]

I realize these are your subjective points, but... Wasn't the fact that Oswin was so put together with her dress, hair, and makeup supposed to be another clue that things aren't what they seem? I don't think I would count that as a negative against the episode. There were plenty of things off about her situation (like the milk for her souffles) that in hindsight were there to clue us in about what was really going on.

[remiem.livejournal.com]

This.

Also, just because a girl actually enjoys being dressed up like a doll, doesn't automatically make it a negative thing. She definitely seemed the type who would have chosen to dress that way, it just seemed like her personality. I know if I were living in a dream world I'd probably want to wear my best clothes and they'd probably be damn comfortable too because well, it's a dream! I can MAKE them comfortable even if they're not in real life.

[iscariotjones.livejournal.com]

This too!

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

Perhaps Oswin's clothing wasn't the best example, and it wouldn't bug me if it wasn't something that happens a lot on this show (and in media in general): impractical clothes for women, to show a bit of skin. Why does the Dalek-lady have high heels for example? (not that the Daleks themselves have a 100% practical design ;) it took a while for them to conquer stairs!) I didn't mean to imply that dressing up = bad, but when you have heroines running around in short skirts constantly and the heroes all practically dressed, then I do have a problem with that. I wouldn't have taken points away for that if it wasn't something that had been happening for three seasons now (maybe even longer) :)

[monkeyprincess7.livejournal.com]

I am so glad I'm not alone in not liking the way they broke up. I could go into a long rant, but apparently I'm completely wrong in feeling what I feel so I won't. But everything you said up there is spot on in what I'm feeling. I mean, we had NOTHING to show us why Amy felt the need to just give up on the love of her life (though I still think she's head over heels in love with Eleven, but that's a different thing) Even in the Pond Life videos there was no indication that anything was wrong, but then BAM we get smacked in the face with the break up with no explanation and are expected to believe that THAT is the only reason? I want answers and I need them now!

BALLERINA DALEK!! that would make an awesome band name I think haha

While I'll be sad when the Ponds leave, I'll be more devastated that Rory is leaving. He has grown on me so much since series 5 when he finally began acting on his own instead of just doing what Amy told him. My boy has grown up!

I fell for Coleman from the second she appeared on screen.

Ok, I think I'm done now. Whoops lol

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

apparently I'm completely wrong in feeling what I feel so I won't.
Never let anyone tell you your feelings on a matter are wrong. Even if the majority of the fandom believe something else :) I want answers too - and its not like there isn't a heap of problems in their life already. Demon's Run, loss of their daughter, Rory's belief that he loves her more, the Doctor's precense in general... why create a new problem? It makes no sense.

BALLERINA DALEK!! that would make an awesome band name I think haha
Ohgod, if I could play music!! This needs to happen, they could be the new Chameleon Circuit! :D