DW Rewatch: Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead

[such_heights]

So, I'm doing an impromptu Doctor Who rewatch in advance of series 6 - this doesn't give me a lot of time! I will try to get through 5x01 and 5x02 before Vidukon, and then the rest when I get back.

But tonight, I watched 4x08/4x09, which are honorary episodes of s5 in many ways, most of them involving RIVER SONG AND HER AMAZINGNESS.

So, I don't think I've actually watched RTD-era Doctor Who since S5 started - not for any particular reason, I just haven't. And it was WEIRD to go back after so long! The theme music, the credits, everything was off and strange.

But then I got into it, and OH DONNA, OH RIVER, you are both magnificent. Ten -- I got used to him again over time, at first I was kind of cringing because he's so much louder and more abrasive in a lot of ways. But then that feeling faded and mostly I was reminded of all the ways in which he's still just the Doctor, if not my favourite version these days.

Perhaps the oddest aspect was the way in which this time around I found River acting as my POV character, the one who knows more about what's going on and who the Doctor's going to be. God bless time travel shows, you never really watch the same episode twice. The story was full of lines, themes and cadences that Moffat has continued to explore in series five - love stories distorted by time, little girls with immense imaginative power, the unstoppable force of memory. And River's monologue at the end remains the most gorgeous thing ever - it's still one of the first things that comes to mind when I think about how to sum up why I love this show so much.

Also, I miss Donna. A lot.

So now I'm watching my collection of Doctor Song vids and thinking about how CAN IT JUST BE TIME FOR NEW EPISODES ALREADY, JEEZ. The wait -- and all the spoilers TPTB and the media are putting out everywhere -- are making me more than a little twitchy.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I CAN HAS MOAR WHO NAO PLZ.

Heh, I've just spent the last hour or so rewatching vids too! Of the DW, SGA, Firefly and um Merlin variety (yes, I know I don't *actually* watch that show yet but the vids are pretty ok?!)

Basic conclusion: I LOVE EVERYBODY IN MY FANDOMS AND I WANT TO SMOOSH THEM ALL.

....was totally going to say something much more intelligent and River-orientated, but it slipped my mind in the love-induced haze that has taken over my brain. Will get back to you on that.

Phoebe xxx

[avendya]

....was totally going to say something much more intelligent and River-orientated, but it slipped my mind in the love-induced haze that has taken over my brain. Will get back to you on that.

Hello, Phoebe! Suddenly I understand why Amy thinks you're super awesome & I should meet you someday. (RIVER SONG OMG RIVER FUCKING SONG.)

[(Anonymous)]

:-D Hello (*must resist the urge to say 'sweetie' to someone I don't actually know*) !

We should definitely meet up and have fun flaily times! Someday, when one or other of us is on the other side of the world. Though we may need to provide handy earmuffs for anyone else in the vicinity, to protect them from the high-pitched levels of squee that we would surely emit. (RIVER SONG EEEEEEEEEEEE!)

I don't think I would describe myself as super awesome. Amy, on the other hand, now SHE is super awesome, and has very good taste in friends :-)

[such_heights]

Hee! *smooshes the two of you together*

Hopefully at some point avendya will be doing science in Europe and then obviously she will have to come visit us. :D

[copracat]

Isn't it time yet? Can't it be time?

[such_heights]

... STILL NOT TIME. GRUMP.

[out_there]

Also, I miss Donna. A lot.

I consider rewatching htose episodes, and then I think about how much more I'll miss Donna. I think I'll put it off for a while, until I have time to rewatch from the first new season and work through my Rose-Martha-Donna-Amy sequence.

[such_heights]

Ooh, rewatching the whole things sounds really great. All the awesome!

[sunnyrea.livejournal.com]

Perhaps the oddest aspect was the way in which this time around I found River acting as my POV character, the one who knows more about what's going on and who the Doctor's going to be.

Oh my, hadn't thought of that. Going back that's just how it would be. I haven't watched any 10 episdoes since 11 and wow, now I really want to!

[such_heights]

I recommend it for the cognitive dissonance if nothing else!

[zahrawithaz.livejournal.com]

I am so with you.

Since I only started watching DW with this last series, I saw the 1st two Amy episodes, followed by "Blink," the "River is Beyond Awesome in the Library" two-parter, and then the Angels + River two-parter in S5. In a very real sense, "Silence in the Library" and River Song herself are probably what made me a fan.

At some point I'll catch up and see the other Donna episodes...But I have to say I find Who more fun when watched out of order. (Or maybe just from River's perspective.)

And it's so fun to see the fandom waking up for the new episodes, too!

[such_heights]

But I have to say I find Who more fun when watched out of order.

Ha! I can definitely see the appeal. But I totally recommend going back and checking out the previous series when you have a chance - it seems criminal that you haven't been introduced to Martha Jones yet, for instance. I think you'd rather like her.

[elisi]

I am currently writing an essay, and - as always - have been reminded of the fact that the Library episodes are the key to EVERYTHING. *nods solemnly*

I rewatched them a few months ago, and yeah, I too was suddenly following River's POV. Also it's interesting how much she holds back throughout. At the beginning she thinks that he's playing a game, but when she realises that he doesn't know her... Oh the look on her face!

And her final speech is just incredible. *sniff*

(I could talk ALL DAY. Ooooh yes.)

[such_heights]

It's so awesome watching it this way! RIVERRRRR. I could talk about her FOREVER. <3