Doctor Who 4x02: The Fires of Pompeii

[such_heights]

GUYS. OMG. THE EPIC AWESOME OF THE DOCTOR AND DONNA. a;dlkjasadl :D :D :D

There was plot in this, I think? But considering I was streaming it on iplayer with a connection that could barely stand it I probably lost some of the finer details, so. But Donna freaking Noble! So, so awesome! Their dynamic in this whole episode made me ridiculously happy and super psyched for what's to come in the rest of the series. The way she challenges him right to the bones, this early on, is so great to watch and I really think we're going to get right down to the heart of things this season. I'm excited!

Also, yes Donna, I bloody love him as well for fighting the aliens with a water pistol. ♥!

Really, I enjoyed this episode the most in terms of what it might be foreshadowing for the future. This is all my own speculation based on our grand total of two episodes so far. The themes that are sticking out at me that seem like they're going to be picked up on include the following:

-- the creation of new races. The Adipose, and the stone things the fire lot were making this time around. I suspect that at the very least episode six, 'The Doctor's Daughter', is also going to play into this.

-- the Doctor's own destructive nature. The Adipose would have worked out fine in 'Partners in Crime' were it not for the interference of him and Donna. In this episode, this is made even more explicit by the choice he must make, whereby he actively brings about the deaths of 20,000 people, in the name of the greater good. He is also acutely aware of the destruction he brings down on those who have travelled with him - he describes Rose as 'lost', and knows all too well what he did to Martha. He seems afraid of himself, hiding behind the rules of the Time Lords to escape the fact that he does bring bad luck in his wake, always. I think this is his particular angst of the season, and I rather like it.

-- Donna's readiness for self-sacrifice. This is a trait we see in all companions at some point or other, but with Donna it's made very explicit very quickly. She cares about others, deeply, and will lay down her life with no qualms if it means others will survive. The way we saw this played out in her second episode of the series makes me a bit worried for her eventual well-being, I have to say.

If you know more details than I, needless to say please do not be sharing. But speculate away by all means, I am intrigued!

Comments

[purplefringe.livejournal.com]

I was going to mention that! The whole 'lost planet' thing - I thought perhaps it had something to do with the Time War, as lots of planets, not just Gallifrey (which I;m too tired to spell properly atm) were lost in. You know, just something else to add to the Doctor's already astronomical guilt complex - "hey, remember that Time War that caused you to destroy your own planet and lots of other planets? Yeah, well all the species from the other planets seem to have made their way to earth and are killing people there! Way to go!" That sort of thing.

And OMG the AWESOMENESS of Donna! We had another 'I could save the world but lose you' moment, and she was wonderful!

[such_heights]

Ooooh yes, that would be great in a horribly tragic sort of a way! Gah, Doctor!

I KNOW. Eeeeee she is so great!

[daydreamweaver.livejournal.com]

My husband reckons that the lost planets thing is to do with the Sontarans, who are meant to be back this season from the archives.

Also, that's 2 episodes and 2 references to the Shadow Proclamation. We should be paying attention to that, IMO.

[such_heights]

Oooh, that'd be cool.

Yes! Considering we've only had it mentioned twice before, I think (Rose and Christmas Invasion?) it does seem to be appearing a lot. Generally there seem to be galactic shenanigans going on.

[sunnyrea.livejournal.com]

Oh yes yes, The Shadow Proclamation is very much 'HELLO, LOOK AT ME' already