Review of World War Three (Doctor Who 1.5)

[unfeathered]

Hmmm. Seriously lacking a Ninth Doctor icon here (and no, I don't want one, because he's not pretty enough to make me get rid of a Ten or Jack one), so using my beautiful Ten-on-the-phone one because I never seem to have a suitable opportunity to use it and it's far too pretty to just sit there being unused.

I found the first half of this episode rather slow, which is unusual for the second part of a two-parter. It was also rather light-hearted and silly, which annoyed me because the first part had built up quite a lot of tension and here we were getting daft chases through 10 Downing Street! Not what I'd been looking forward to.

The CGI was really bad too. I hold onto my opinion that actors in costumes would have been better. Actors pretending to be alien 'skins' in fact. They were perfectly eerie without any extra costumes/make-up/effects. (And I loved the General's comment to the not-exactly-prepossessing PM: "Your body is… magnificent!")

Harriet Jones was brilliant. Spunky and quick-witted and just what this country needs :-) I love her so much. I loved the way she held her own against the Doctor and Rose and fitted in with them.

One observation about her, though. At the end, the Doctor says: "I thought I knew the name Harriet Jones. Future Prime Minister. Elected for three successive terms. The architect of Britain's golden age." Um, so how does that fit in with Harold Saxon? Or was the Master changing history? I'm never quite sure how futures work in Doctor Who – whether they're relatively 'set' or can be changed.

Mickey came out well in this episode. Saving Jackie from the Slitheen, and photographing it – which was funny at the time but came in useful later. Loved Rose knowing where his vinegary food was (and the Doctor's reaction to all those pickled foods: "You kiss this man???"). And the explosion of the Slitheen was just hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing for ages. And Mickey hacking into UNIT and sending missiles – wow!

And poor Jackie. All she wanted was for the Doctor to promise her daughter would be safe. And he couldn't. I couldn't help sympathising with Jackie. And God, his "I could save the world but lose you", and Rose's blind faith that he would keep her safe. I loved the fact that Harriet actually made the decision.

I'm still torn about Christopher Eccleston. When he's being serious, I adore him. He's got such amazing intensity in his acting, it gets me in my gut. Like when he was facing off against the Slitheen. Really scary. But that grin. I hate it. It's just so false and so annoying. And I know it's meant to be false, that the Doctor's pretending to be fine when he's not, but… I can't stand it.

Loved the venom in the newscaster's voice as he said the British public were "waiting at home as the future's decided in New York." This show does like to get in its little digs at the Americans, doesn't it!

The sergeant was a lovely character too. Loved him setting off the fire alarm to get everyone out of No. 10 before the missile hit – and rushing into the PM's office and backing straight out again when he saw the Slitheen all in there. (And I loved their "Oh, boll-----" cut off by the explosion!)

I thought the Doctor was a complete bastard by seducing Rose away from her mother with a nebula. Poor Jackie. And waiting 10 seconds, and the TARDIS not reappearing. I did like the fact that the Doctor made peace with Mickey, though – even invited him along, and that it was Mickey who refused because it was just too much for him – and that the Doctor played along with the charade of hating him so he wouldn't have to admit that to Rose.

7.5/10

Comments

[travels-in-time.livejournal.com]

(and no, I don't want one, because he's not pretty enough to make me get rid of a Ten or Jack one)

WHAT? *defrenz you*

No, he wasn't pretty, but that's missing the whole POINT of the Ninth Doctor! And at least he's got more meat on him than DT. When you hug him, you've got something to wrap your arms around.

DON'T MAKE ME BREAK OUT THE NAKED!TENNANT PIC. COZ I WILL.

(Yes, I know that wasn't the point of your post. I HAVE THE ATTENTION SPAN OF CHEESE.)

[unfeathered]

I know you're only joking, but a serious reply:

1. I don't dislike him because he's not pretty. I dislike him because of the grinning. I love him when he's not grinning.

2. Sexually, I'd have Nine any day rather than Ten, because of the 'got more meat on him' thing, coupled with the intensity. He's bloody sexy when he's being scary.

3. The 'pretty' comment related only to icons. I'm sorry, but if I'm going to be staring at an icon a lot, I want it to be pretty. Yes, I'm shallow :-)

4. NO, NOT THE NAKED TENNANT PIC!!!!!!

5. Cheese doesn't have a long attention span? *g*

[travels-in-time.livejournal.com]

I was joking, glad you caught that. You'll notice I only have one Nine icon, because, as you say, I like pretty. I don't have too many of Ten, either, as I don't think he's nearly as pretty as Jack.

2--YES.

4. I will hold it in reserve for the next time someone displeases me. MWAHAHAHA!

5. What? *wanders off*

[unfeathered]

Well, I guess now I have space for an extra 17 icons, I might be able to find room for one of Nine.

Which will probably be that picture you're using there, because he actually looks quite nice in that one. But I'm going to go slowly and carefully about this. No rushing into filling up all my slots and then wanting even more! *g*

I don't have too many of Ten, either, as I don't think he's nearly as pretty as Jack.

I agree with you but, bizarrely, I currently have more of Ten (6) than of Jack (5). Though three of the Ten ones are Becky's 'words' ones so they're more for the words than the pictures, iyswim. And 'Lick here' Jack is worth 20 icons anyway *g*

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

And 'Lick here' Jack is worth 20 icons anyway *g*

Amen to that!

[unfeathered]

Thought I'd get some agreement there ;-)

I am sooo glad I asked Becky to make me an icon of that picture!