Unfeathered Notes

Aladdin (2019) and OMWF (once more)

2026-01-28T23:12:01Z

This evening I finally got round to watching the live action version of Disney's Aladdin, which I rather enjoyed despite the somewhat lacklustre performances. Will Smith as the Genie was as engaging as always but I wasn't impressed by his singing, and Mena Massoud as Aladdin was sweet but didn't blow me away, but I found myself captivated by Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine. I don't think I've ever seen her in anything but I thought she was lovely, and all the way through she kept reminding me of SMG as Buffy. That wide-eyed, shocked, almost-about-to-start-crying look. She was really, really lovely.

So afterwards I decided to watch OMWF, for the first time in forever. I've barely watched any Buffy or Angel in the last decade or so, except a couple of episodes when I was role-playing Giles. I found myself feeling too grown up (finally!) for the rather childish behaviour of all the characters, and hesitated over whether to watch OMWF again in case I'd finally fallen out of love with what used to be my absolute favourite episode of any television ever.

It still is. Still as perfect as ever. One hell of a piece of storytelling, with gorgeous music that carries the story along brilliantly, incredible performances from the whole cast and inspired direction and camera angles, and just something that it way, way more than the sum of its parts.

P.S. I posted about some of the things I love about OMWF here in 2018 (which may well have been the last time I watched it)

P.P.S. Yes, I know this icon isn't from OMWF. Turns out I don't actually have one that is.

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Vid rec: The Diary of River Song by The Confession Dial

2025-12-31T11:04:06Z

This is absolutely gorgeous. A 20 minute journey through River's story, told in the right order, making sense of it all and really beautifully done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPdWvhUQgHc

I don't have time to watch a lot of YouTube, but a friend linked me to something there and this was one of the suggestions YouTube threw up for me in the list on the right.

And as I'm currently rewatching Eleven's run, and my son and I just rewatched The Husbands of River Song as our Christmas Day Doctor Who (since the BBC didn't give us any), I got sucked in. And I'm so glad I did!

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Wicked and Wicked: For Good

2025-11-25T21:27:54Z

Wicked came out just in time for my birthday last year, and I've just been to see Wicked: For Good for this year's birthday (which isn't till Thursday but I went to see it today because I'll be working Thursday_. I don't seem to have written anything last year, but I was blown away by the first movie, and I was just as blown away by part two.

It suffered somewhat from padding in the early parts, because the second act of a musical is never as long as the first act, though I liked the new songs added for each of the girls. But as it went on, both girls and Fiyero got their chance to shine and I absolutely adored the chemistry between all three of them.

I thought Ariana Grande was absolutely incredible in both movies, not just vocally but as an actress. So many teeny tiny emotions flitting across her face, showing her inner conflict and her growth as a character. I'm not so in love with Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba - she doesn't quite feel right for the part, to me, though I can't say why - but she's certainly an extremely accomplished actress and a great singer. And I fell in love with Jonathan Bailey way back in Doctor Who Time Heist though I haven't seen him in anything else. (Well, apparently I saw him in Broadchurch and Hooten and the Lady but I don't remember!) Great acting from him too, and the few bits of singing he got in this one were great too.

I loved how much thought had gone into every tiny detail of both movies. Every shot, every beat, every glance, every note. I have never before seen a screen adaptation of a stage musical that was so very, very well done.

About the only thing I didn't love was the CGI animals, which looked okay singly but very bad en masse. Still, that was a very small part of the show so I'll let it go.

I've loved Wicked ever since I first bought the CD back in 2008 when I was rehearsing Godspell (also by Stephen Schwartz). I went to see the West End production for my 39th birthday in 2011 and loved it and have always meant to go and see it again but never got around to it. But this pair of movies take the whole thing to another level. Giving the rather frantic stage show room to breathe, and time to make clear the backstories and references, and just enjoy every tiny moment of the shifting relationships and characters that the whole story is about.

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West Side Story 2021 and a (very) belated OMWF revelation

2025-05-08T22:37:13Z

OMG, "Walk Through the Fire" is "Tonight" (the ensemble version) from West Side Story.

This revelation brought to you by me finally catching up with the 'new' (4 year old) movie of WSS tonight, and sitting there going "this feels really familiar, with everyone singing in counterpart and walking purposefully towards the camera - oh wow it's OMWF!

I mean, I probably made the connection way back when I originally saw OMWF but that was, what, 24 years ago (bloody hell) and I've obviously forgotten again in the intervening almost quarter century.

Other things about the new movie: ( Cut for length )

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Fic: A Little Help Between Champions

2025-01-19T18:31:41Z

Well, here's something new! I have committed snooker RPF!

For those in the US or wherever who don't know what snooker is, it's a gentleman's game a lot like pool except with a table four times the size, played by mostly men wearing (mostly but not always these days) smart waistcoat (vest in the US) suits. It's very relaxing to watch and knit along to, and I watch it a LOT!

This is not something I ever envisaged writing but I saw the prompt and it spoke to me, so here it is!

Title: A Little Help Between Champions
Fandom: Snooker RPF
Character(s): Ronnie O'Sullivan/Stephen Hendry
Rating: R
Warnings: Mild consensual D/s, mild breathplay
Word Count: 1,476
Spoilers: None (set at some indeterminate tournament in roughly the present time)
Disclaimer: Not mine
Summary: Stephen is probably the only person who can ever truly get Ronnie. The only person who's come anywhere near the same level of success, and the only person following the same never-ending quest for perfection. He's also the only person who can get Ronnie where he needs to be to get out there and win.
Author's Note: Written for fandomtrees as a gift for zimena's tree

Read it on AO3

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Ficlet: Nothing Lasts Forever (Doctor Who)

2024-12-28T17:35:21Z

I've been indulging myself with a post-Christmas break from real life, re-reading some of my old fics (beginning with Master Plan, because I got a comment that the summary was uninspiring, so I had to go and read it all again in order to come up with a more enticing summary!) and prodding at some old ones.

And I found this one almost ready to go, although of course I then re-wrote about half of it. It's... a little bitter-sweet.

Title: Nothing Lasts Forever
Fandom: Doctor Who
Character(s): Ninth Doctor, Rose, Jack Harkness
Rating: G
Word Count: 250
Spoilers: The Parting of the Ways
Disclaimer: Not mine
Summary: Nothing lasts forever. Of everyone in all time and space, the Doctor knows that best of all.
Author's Note: A little something I found in my unfinished fics folder, begun two years ago, a few weeks after my husband told me he was leaving. The phrase 'nothing lasts forever' was ringing through my brain, and it morphed into this.

Read it on AO3

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Joy to the World ((Doctor Who - Disney S2.0)

2024-12-25T22:54:57Z

Fairly enjoyable. I went in not expecting much except to enjoy Fifteen, and that was about what I got. ( Cut for spoilers )

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Still awesome after all these years

2024-12-17T20:48:02Z

Just rewatched Utopia for the 50 millionth time (I watched the 3 Master episodes a LOT when I was writing Master Plan!) on our latest voyage through Nu Who and it is still completely awesome. The pacing, the character interactions (Doctor/Master, Doctor/Jack, Martha/everyone), Derek Jacobi, the music, the feel... still one of the very best episodes ever, for me.

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Rogue (Doctor Who - Disney S1.6)

2024-06-09T08:28:08Z

I had trouble with this one and a large part of that was probably that ( Cut for spoilers )

Anyway. Here's to a rewatch, when I have time! And at some point I'll make some notes about 73 Yards and Dot and Bubble, both of which I very much enjoyed too…

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Boom (Doctor Who - Disney S1.3)

2024-05-20T10:22:13Z

I really, thoroughly enjoyed this episode. ( Cut for spoilers )

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Michael Sheen and Nye (National Theatre Live)

2024-05-16T21:52:37Z

Just watched this from the comfort of our local Everyman Cinema and wow, that was amazing.

( Cut for spoilers )

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Initial thoughts on Space Babies and The Devil's Chord (Doctor Who)

2024-05-12T21:14:55Z

Very brief thoughts tonight as I have only just seen these first two episodes due to a big Eurovision party last night and an all day rehearsal today, and I'm knackered and need my bed!

OMG I love Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson! He is just so very completely the Doctor and she is an incredible actress for her age, and their chemistry is just delightful. Both these episodes were completely bonkers, but I loved them, especially the space babies. A few niggles (such as how much blooming exposition can you stuff into the first episode – you'd get drunk really quickly if you were playing exposition bingo!) and I wasn't that keen on some of the second episode, but generally a great big sigh of relief. The Doctor Who I fell in love with in 2005 is back!

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The Christmas Invasion (Doctor Who 2:1 rewatch)

2024-04-11T20:46:44Z

My original review (on second viewing in 2007) here: https://unfeathered.dreamwidth.org/44258.html

OMG, Baby Tennant! Wasn't he adorable? And yet so unformed. <3

Except... ( Cut for length and personal stuff )

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More Doctor Who S1 rewatch: 1.11 Boom Town

2024-03-28T21:35:54Z

I've been thoroughly enjoying my foray through Nine's single season for the first time in what must be several years. I hoped to post more, but found I didn't actually have much to say, except how much I'm enjoying it. For the record, though, if anyone's interested, my original S1 reviews can be found here.

But Boom Town, tonight, made me really want to squee a little on how amazing it is, even after all this time.

( Cut for length )

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Back to the beginning: Rose and The End of the World (Doctor Who 1.1 and 1.2) rewatch

2024-01-23T21:25:40Z

After my son and I caught up with season 13 in time to watch the S14 specials in the right order, we decided to go right back to the beginning of New Who, because it's AGES since we did that. I don't actually know how long but at least several years, enough that we were really looking forward to it.

We've now watched the first two episodes and were not disappointed.

( Cut for length )

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Rewatch: Wild Blue Yonder and The Giggle (DW 14.2 & 14.3)

2023-12-29T12:06:49Z

A few more notes from my respective rewatches of these two episodes.

( Wild Blue Yonder rewatch )

( The Giggle rewatch )

As for The Church on Ruby Road, I absolutely loved it and the new Doctor and companion! Review to come when I've had a chance to sit and watch it again properly.

P.S. I need some Fifteen icons!!

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The Giggle (Doctor Who 14.3)

2023-12-10T10:07:11Z

Insta-reaction here: https://unfeathered.dreamwidth.org/378395.html

( Cut for spoilers )

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The Giggle insta-reaction

2023-12-09T23:34:54Z

Well.

( Cut for spoilers )

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Wild Blue Yonder (Doctor Who 14.2)

2023-12-08T18:20:38Z

Quick review because I didn't write much down and really need to rewatch to get my thoughts in order, but havn't had a chance yet!

( Cut for minor spoilers )

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The Star Beast (Doctor Who 14.1)

2023-12-01T16:35:07Z

I really enjoyed this. I wasn’t blown away, but I was happily satisfied, and mainly because ( Cut for length and spoilers )

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Doctor Who S13 rewatch (Flux + specials)

2023-11-23T21:58:19Z

Forgive me, a lot of this is very stream-of consciousness, but it’s all I’ve managed to put together while my son and I have rewatched the end of Thirteen’s run in an effort to actually remember what happened before we transition into the new series on Saturday!

( Cut for length )

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Good Omens S2

2023-09-12T20:30:02Z

Just finished watching this (yes I know it's taken ages - I've been watching with my son and we've been trying to fit it in between lots of Marvel series and Doctor Who rewatch and lots of am dram rehearsals) and OMG that was AMAZING! Every episode just carried me along, the cast and the characters and the story and everything so engaging, and perhaps it's just because the last few seasons of DW have been so dire but god I enjoyed that!

Just hope the new mini season of DW coming in November can match it...

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Looking back

2023-08-29T20:54:08Z

I just had a comment on Amazing Women, Saving the World" and I had to go back and read it because I couldn't even remember much about it, even though it was only three years ago. And you know what? It was damned good and I was really impressed that I wrote it. I don't even really remember the process of writing it, which is fair enough considering what else was going on in May/June 2020, not just Covid but my Dad being ill and eventually dying and all the upheaval and stress and awfulness.

Do you ever get that? Look back on something you've written and being unable to imagine being able to write something that good? I've hardly written anything this year, not even role-playing, what with recovering from surgery (hysterectomy, in January) and dealing with my getting divorced and trying to get the house ready to sell and trying to sell my mum's retirement flat so we can get a place together, and meanwhile trying to keep WombleKnits (my eco knits store) going and look after my son and cat and, occasionally, myself. I miss writing. I just don't have the brainspace these days. I hardly ever even go on Dreamwidth any more, though I guess I will once Doctor Who starts up again, eventually. And once I finish Good Omens. I'm really behind on all my viewing. There just aren't enough hours in the day.

But it's nice to be reminded that I have been a good writer. And may be again, one day when I have more space in my life. :-)

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Intoabar, She-Hulk, and Doctor Who: Invasion of the Dinosaurs

2023-05-21T20:30:25Z

Been feeling very 'meh' lately so haven't got round to posting, but here's some stuff!

1. For my Intoabar assignment, to meet Giles I was given Najia Khan (Doctor Who). My first reaction was 'Who???'. After a few moments, I realised I'd literally just rewatched Arachnids in the UK and that this was Yaz's mum. Wish I'd been paying more attention while I was watching! Will have to go back and watch it again. But an okay character. She's brave and up for an adventure, at least. At the moment, I'm picturing Giles rocking up to the hotel after the episode, having heard about the mutant spiders, or something. I did think briefly about some flashbacks to them having met in his Ripper days, but I think Najia's a bit young for that. Will see if anything comes to me!

2. She-Hulk. Jackster and I just finished watching this series and, whilst Tatiana Maslany has been very good in it, it's mostly bored me and all the fourth wall breaking annoyed me. Until the last pair of episodes, when the introduction of Matt Murdock and some actual chemistry finally had me sitting up, and then the mega-fourth-wall-breaking had me giggling like a schoolgirl (is that the right phrase?) and really loving it for going there.

3. Doctor Who: Invasion of the Dinosaurs. Got this on DVD for Christmas and finally got round to watching it. Really, really enjoyed it. Strong script, good story, amazing cast of actors, and even the dinosaurs didn't look as dodgy as I'd been led to expect. It was 1973 for goodness sake! I thought they were pretty amazing for the time, and the story more than made up for any failings in the special effects anyway. I'm not a huge Sarah Jane fan but thought she really shone in this, her second story, and I've decided that Jon Pertwee is quite possibly my favourite Doctor after Peter Capaldi. So suave and cool and funny. The UNIT guys had a lot of good stuff in this one too, including the surprise of Mike Yates turning traitor. A really interesting story, which I enjoyed re-watching with the commentary and informative captions.

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Intoabar signup

2023-05-11T09:51:07Z

Signup for intoabar completed! I haven't done much fic writing over the last year, and not a hell of a lot RP either as multiple health issues and personal issues have drained a lot of my energy. But the medical issues at least are mostly sorted now and I'm feeling an awful lot better, and anyway there's no way I could pass up Intoabar!

Signups are still open until Sunday if you want to join in!

After much deliberation, I decided to go with the easy option this year and plumped for Giles as my main character.

The four fandoms from which the character he'll meet will be drawn:
1. New Who
2. Sarah Jane Adventures
3. Fawlty Towers
4. WandaVision

A very eclectic mix, but all the more fun for it! Also, if I don't end up with Wanda (who's so incredibly similar to Willow that that pairing kind of HAS to be done!) or someone from Fawlty Towers (Ripper in 1970s Torquay, anyone?), I may just have to write those at some point anyway... (Well, I could use one or other for summer_of_giles instead)

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