[inbhirnis]

Hmmm - definitely the weakest of what has been a good season so far. Almost felt like filler. The basics of the plot seemed pretty heavily telegraphed - e.g. when the Doctor said his daughter could come along in the TARDIS, you knew she wasn't going to survive the episode - but then, when they lingered on her body a bit too long, you knew she wasn't dead after all. It's inevitable that we'll be seeing her again - hopefully not as a spin-off.

Wasn't quite sure why they dragged Martha along for this one episode - maybe it was in her contract to do one more or something. I didn't see what she did that Donna couldn't have done on her own (other than resetting the fishy-guy's arm).

[SPT]

inbhirnis, on May 11 2008, 03:31 AM, said:

Hmmm - definitely the weakest of what has been a good season so far. Almost felt like filler. The basics of the plot seemed pretty heavily telegraphed - e.g. when the Doctor said his daughter could come along in the TARDIS, you knew she wasn't going to survive the episode - but then, when they lingered on her body a bit too long, you knew she wasn't dead after all. It's inevitable that we'll be seeing her again - hopefully not as a spin-off.

Wasn't quite sure why they dragged Martha along for this one episode - maybe it was in her contract to do one more or something. I didn't see what she did that Donna couldn't have done on her own (other than resetting the fishy-guy's arm).

Looks like a set up for a Doctors Daughter series to me, so Tennant can go do Shakespear and the franchise doesn't loose steam, or am I just being cynical?

[Glenn]

Well, it was a bit at odds with what I was expecting... I thought she'd be a real Time Lady and his real daughter. After all, Susan had to come from somewhere..! Would've been nice to take her off in the TARDIS for a few stories, though, and see how it changed her character - and his, too. I think having family around would affect him very differently to most companions.

Martha seemed pretty superfluous, but I guess they needed someone to show that the fish-people weren't actually evil invading aliens, and also to provide a reason that she was tired of travelling. Rather abrupt, but it worked for the character.
Donna, on the other hand, had to be where she was. The Doctor needed a foil, someone who could help illustrate to the audience what he was going through, and to challenge him. She's bolshie enough to do that, and Catherine Tate has really surprised me this year. I didn't think she'd be that good, and yet she's done some sterling performances. Between this and the Pompeii episode I'm impressed.

But yes. The writing was light... it did seem filler-ish in dramatic terms, though it was a good character piece. Jenny, I'm thinking, is a good bet for either a reappearance (season finale, anyone?) or a spin-off (to replace RTD's aborted idea for "Rose Tyler: Earth Defence"). Not sure how that will work, but Georgia Moffett gets the big thumbs up - I like her a lot more than Billie already!

[Alice]

Oh no, not as a spin off...I think that eventually we'll see her in the TARDIS. After all, The Doctor only has three regenerations left.

They have already made provisions for David Tennant being in Hamlet in Stratford Upon Avon this Summer. In 2009 there will not be a 13 episode series. Like Torchwood (John Barrowman's doing another tour), there will only be 4/5 episodes shown as specials throughout the year.

[Glenn]

Well that would explain why nobody's mentioned a third season of Torchwood being commissioned. (Although I have been rather out of the loop lately)
I dunno, no regular Doctor Who next year? I may have to get a life... or head down to Stratford.

[inbhirnis]

I just wanted to say, a little off topic, that I liked how they used each character's 'theme music' in the episode when the focus was on them. I also just like the music - in fact, I've downloaded from iTunes four or five pieces (the main theme, of course, the 'goodbye one' when the Doctor and Rose were separated, and one that you hear quite a bit that's called "the Doctor Forever" as well as one that's called something like "Gallifrey Our Home".) They make very good use of music in the show.

[SPT]

inbhirnis, on May 11 2008, 04:43 PM, said:

I just wanted to say, a little off topic, that I liked how they used each character's 'theme music' in the episode when the focus was on them. I also just like the music - in fact, I've downloaded from iTunes four or five pieces (the main theme, of course, the 'goodbye one' when the Doctor and Rose were separated, and one that you hear quite a bit that's called "the Doctor Forever" as well as one that's called something like "Gallifrey Our Home".) They make very good use of music in the show.

I have to concur. Rose's doomsday theme is my fave, but Martha's haunting melody is nice, and makes me miss her!! I love Donna's office busybody type music. She was excellent going around figuring out the numbers in the Doctors Daughter.
The Doctor's daughter as a spin off would be a bit tweeny I think. And as Glenn said...where did Susan spring from with William Hartnell. The Doctor did say he

Spoiler

had had a family before but he lost them

in this episode though

[Glenn]

It's not the first time he's talked about that, though. I think the first time was probably "Tomb of the Cybermen", though I don't recall any later mentions of them until "Rose".

[inbhirnis]

SPT, on May 11 2008, 12:24 PM, said:

I have to concur. Rose's doomsday theme is my fave, but Martha's haunting melody is nice, and makes me miss her!! I love Donna's office busybody type music. She was excellent going around figuring out the numbers in the Doctors Daughter.
The Doctor's daughter as a spin off would be a bit tweeny I think. And as Glenn said...where did Susan spring from with William Hartnell. The Doctor did say he

Spoiler

had had a family before but he lost them

in this episode though

I hope a spin-off isn't in the works - unless it's a short-lived one, to tide us over while Tennant does some Shakespeare. Interesting to learn when watching the Confidential show that the actress playing the daughter is none other than Peter Davison's real-life daughter....

[Glenn]

And cute, too.

[Angelus Lupus]

Glenn, on May 11 2008, 10:28 PM, said:

And cute, too.

I concur wholeheartedly.

A spin-off series would be tricky as she's so far in the future and with only a little pod to travel in, I think story options would be limited. On the other hand, I do think the writers will bring her back at some point, the emotional drama will be worth it.

[inbhirnis]

Angelus Lupus, on May 11 2008, 01:43 PM, said:

I concur wholeheartedly.

A spin-off series would be tricky as she's so far in the future and with only a little pod to travel in, I think story options would be limited. On the other hand, I do think the writers will bring her back at some point, the emotional drama will be worth it.

That's a good point - she won't have a TARDIS to toodle around in - unless, of course, there is some kind of temporary writing-out of Tennant next year that results in her getting the keys to the car for a little while. Hope not.