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llywelaHmm.
And then hmm again.
I enjoyed this episode. Jamie Mathieson has a nice, light, clean touch, for the most part, which for two episodes now has come as a relief after the heavy-handedness of the earlier portion of the season. I thought Capaldi's Doctor was just lovely here, given the freedom to breathe and express multiple nuances of character instead of being stifled by the restrictive narrative requirements of Clara's emotional journey - we're seeing more of who he really is, beneath the crust, allowed to understand where he is coming from, what he is thinking and feeling, rather than only being allowed Clara's limited (and warped) view of him, and that is a good thing. The concept of the story was intriguing, very inventive and atmospheric. The supporting cast were strong, if a bit male heavy - after two Mathieson episodes in a row it is clear that he is a) very aware of the Bechdel test, and b) not actually the slightest bit interested in writing female roles in his stories. Bit of a cop-out ending – yet again, one wave of the sonic screwdriver saves the day, by magic, no explanation of how – but I've grown accustomed to having to overlook that.
So it was a good episode, fun and enjoyable.
But.
But. I'm as bored of saying this now as I'm sure everyone else is of reading it, but Clara is really dragging the season down for me, and I've spent the whole season trying to put my finger on exactly why. I mean, on paper it seems reasonable enough. Explore the conflict and tension inherent in trying to combine TARDIS travel with holding down an everyday life - yeah, that sounds good and interesting. Explore the moral ambiguities the Doctor is often faced with in his efforts to save the day - yeah, okay. Explore what happens when a new Doctor and the holdover companion don't gel and the relationship breaks down - fair enough, that's a place new Who has never gone. So on paper it sounds reasonable. But on-screen...it just isn't working for me. Too heavy-handed, not enough balance or subtlety. The more we explore of Clara's smug, vain, arrogant, self-important, inflexible and controlling personality, the less I like her...but I get the strong sense we are supposed to find her cute and adorable still, which is where my problem lies because I don't; there's a disconnect between concept and execution. I find it really hard to root for her. She just doesn't have the temperament to be the Doctor's companion and is completely the wrong personality type to be with this Doctor.
And, you know, there have been failures in the show's past. Stories that misfired, ill-conceived character arcs that went down badly with the audience. But they have rarely eaten up so much screen-time. This is a big part of the reason I've grown to dislike 'arcs' the way they've developed in the current television industry: when well done they can be amazing, but few showrunners seem able to handle them well, and when ill-conceived and/or poorly executed they can stifle entire seasons of a show.
Clara's story this season has been both ill-conceived and poorly executed. She's taking all season to grasp a lesson most companions learn their first trip out, and still doesn't get it, while continuing to treat her adventures as an irritation rather than a privilege. The rare glimpses we've had of her actually enjoying herself and appreciating the Doctor's company this season have been sorely needed, but few and far between. She isn't the first companion to complain when the TARDIS lands in the wrong place, but it feels different coming from her, and I think what makes that difference is attitude. Jo Grant used to grumble too when she opened the TARDIS door and saw that she wasn't where she was supposed to be...but Clara really means it in a way that Jo didn't. Sarah Jane Smith had to be wheedled into the TARDIS on several occasions because she knew 'one quick trip' would turn out to be anything but and felt torn over the impact of those absences on her life at home, but whereas with Sarah it was a game that she and the Doctor liked to play, they both knew she was going to say yes in the end and were comfortable with the routine, with Clara there've been too many times where the Doctor was practically begging while she seemed to regard the prospect of another trip with all the reluctance usually reserved for a visit to the dentist, as if she was going along against her will just to do him a favour or because she felt responsible for him. That's the difference. It isn't a quick grumble and eye-roll set against genuine affection and interest in a new situation, it's a harsher, less flexible tone and attitude and really rubs me the wrong way. I really wish she'd make a choice already: in or out - and by in I mean all the way in, this part-time, 'get me home on time or else' gig really isn't working. I don't mind that she always wants to be home on time - she's not to know how unique her situation is, that she's been given an opportunity no one else has previously had - but I do resent how ungracious she is about it.
My tumblr dash is full of shippers cooing over Clara and the Doctor. They are clearly not watching the same show as me. The one in their heads sounds much better, but it isn't what we've seen on-screen!
I would go on, but I feel like a broken record. Bottom line: good episode, but Clara's story continues to drag the show down.
And then hmm again.
I enjoyed this episode. Jamie Mathieson has a nice, light, clean touch, for the most part, which for two episodes now has come as a relief after the heavy-handedness of the earlier portion of the season. I thought Capaldi's Doctor was just lovely here, given the freedom to breathe and express multiple nuances of character instead of being stifled by the restrictive narrative requirements of Clara's emotional journey - we're seeing more of who he really is, beneath the crust, allowed to understand where he is coming from, what he is thinking and feeling, rather than only being allowed Clara's limited (and warped) view of him, and that is a good thing. The concept of the story was intriguing, very inventive and atmospheric. The supporting cast were strong, if a bit male heavy - after two Mathieson episodes in a row it is clear that he is a) very aware of the Bechdel test, and b) not actually the slightest bit interested in writing female roles in his stories. Bit of a cop-out ending – yet again, one wave of the sonic screwdriver saves the day, by magic, no explanation of how – but I've grown accustomed to having to overlook that.
So it was a good episode, fun and enjoyable.
But.
But. I'm as bored of saying this now as I'm sure everyone else is of reading it, but Clara is really dragging the season down for me, and I've spent the whole season trying to put my finger on exactly why. I mean, on paper it seems reasonable enough. Explore the conflict and tension inherent in trying to combine TARDIS travel with holding down an everyday life - yeah, that sounds good and interesting. Explore the moral ambiguities the Doctor is often faced with in his efforts to save the day - yeah, okay. Explore what happens when a new Doctor and the holdover companion don't gel and the relationship breaks down - fair enough, that's a place new Who has never gone. So on paper it sounds reasonable. But on-screen...it just isn't working for me. Too heavy-handed, not enough balance or subtlety. The more we explore of Clara's smug, vain, arrogant, self-important, inflexible and controlling personality, the less I like her...but I get the strong sense we are supposed to find her cute and adorable still, which is where my problem lies because I don't; there's a disconnect between concept and execution. I find it really hard to root for her. She just doesn't have the temperament to be the Doctor's companion and is completely the wrong personality type to be with this Doctor.
And, you know, there have been failures in the show's past. Stories that misfired, ill-conceived character arcs that went down badly with the audience. But they have rarely eaten up so much screen-time. This is a big part of the reason I've grown to dislike 'arcs' the way they've developed in the current television industry: when well done they can be amazing, but few showrunners seem able to handle them well, and when ill-conceived and/or poorly executed they can stifle entire seasons of a show.
Clara's story this season has been both ill-conceived and poorly executed. She's taking all season to grasp a lesson most companions learn their first trip out, and still doesn't get it, while continuing to treat her adventures as an irritation rather than a privilege. The rare glimpses we've had of her actually enjoying herself and appreciating the Doctor's company this season have been sorely needed, but few and far between. She isn't the first companion to complain when the TARDIS lands in the wrong place, but it feels different coming from her, and I think what makes that difference is attitude. Jo Grant used to grumble too when she opened the TARDIS door and saw that she wasn't where she was supposed to be...but Clara really means it in a way that Jo didn't. Sarah Jane Smith had to be wheedled into the TARDIS on several occasions because she knew 'one quick trip' would turn out to be anything but and felt torn over the impact of those absences on her life at home, but whereas with Sarah it was a game that she and the Doctor liked to play, they both knew she was going to say yes in the end and were comfortable with the routine, with Clara there've been too many times where the Doctor was practically begging while she seemed to regard the prospect of another trip with all the reluctance usually reserved for a visit to the dentist, as if she was going along against her will just to do him a favour or because she felt responsible for him. That's the difference. It isn't a quick grumble and eye-roll set against genuine affection and interest in a new situation, it's a harsher, less flexible tone and attitude and really rubs me the wrong way. I really wish she'd make a choice already: in or out - and by in I mean all the way in, this part-time, 'get me home on time or else' gig really isn't working. I don't mind that she always wants to be home on time - she's not to know how unique her situation is, that she's been given an opportunity no one else has previously had - but I do resent how ungracious she is about it.
My tumblr dash is full of shippers cooing over Clara and the Doctor. They are clearly not watching the same show as me. The one in their heads sounds much better, but it isn't what we've seen on-screen!
I would go on, but I feel like a broken record. Bottom line: good episode, but Clara's story continues to drag the show down.
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Have I told you...
Date: 2014-10-19 08:18 pm (UTC)I assume you know who I am, though that may be just a conceit on my part, but really if not here's a clue... You are the woman from Whoville. ;-)
JS
Re: Have I told you...
Date: 2014-10-20 05:23 am (UTC)It isn't so much that Clara is ruining the show for me - I have really enjoyed the last two episodes. But she does drag it down. I'm certain her story is leading somewhere significant, but being sure of that doesn't make me enjoy the journey any better! Honestly, I'd rather a few simple, honest romps without any foreshadowing jammed into them. Call me old-fashioned!
But then I've just rewatched series 3, thoroughly enjoyed it, but been just as eye-rolly about some of the extraneous stuff jammed into those episodes. Can't win, nothing is perfect. All we can hope for is a balance that suits us - and the main trouble with this season has been lack of balance, on the whole.
no subject
Date: 2014-10-20 03:16 am (UTC)Nice to have a PROFESSIONALs guest actor in the episode.
no subject
Date: 2014-10-20 05:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-20 05:31 am (UTC)