Illistrated thoughts on Doctor Who (4x02 only)

[kaliha]

The Doctor is quietly impressed that he landed in the right place.

Yes, this is the Doctor, definitely in smug mode. And playing space tourist, which is nice for him.

Donna's happy that they've not ended up on some crazy alien world

Is is trying frantically to remember stuff from the Rome miniseries so she can impress the Doctor with her knowledge.

Donna becomes suspicious when she notices this

Hang on, that's not Latin. Donna is just about to (rightly) call shenanigans until the Doctor explains about how the TARDIS works. (And it saves the set designers hours on working out how to translate a BOGOF offer into Latin - because that can't be easy).

Suspicious figure is suspicious

Well, it's hard to be inconspicuous when dressed from head to toe in bright red.

Hang on, that's not in Rome

Donna proves that she's much quicker than the Doctor when it comes to recognising their surroundings. And spotting a volcano. (Donna probably had an i-Spy Volcano book when she was a kid)

What's luverly-jubbly in Latin then?

I feel the TARDIS is taking some liberties with its translation.

The TARDIS does changing rooms

It's not so much a talking point, then a great big bloody box that you stub your toe on when you walk past. Unless it's one of those that double up as a drinks cabinet. That would be a good addition to anyone's house.

Teenagers, they've not changed in 2000 years

Apparently.

Oh look, there's something stirring in the ground

I do like his centurion helmet. It's very fetching. The flamey eyes a bit less so.

Donna's been busy drawing up the escape plans

The Doctor is less enthused, but thankfully Donna is not stepping down. it's about time someone gave the Doctor a piece of their mind and Donna's right, he does change history at his own whim, all this "I see what is, what could be blah blah blah" although true, just feels like an excuse.

That little blue box really does get around doesn't it?

Lets face it, considering how often the Doctor changes his appearance, the little blue box is his only constant.

I recognise that floor!

They're back in the Temple of Peace again.

Oh my God. I've definitely watched too much Doctor Who, if I'm recognising the floors. Someone save me!

I'm Spartacus! No I am!

and so am I! Team TARDIS go undercover.

Hmm, that looks a little bit out of place

Now, if someone enterprising could turn those into tiles, I'd snap them up for my bathroom. I really would.

It's time for psychic face-off

Quick! Someone get Derek Acorah!!

Ah ha! I'll raise your prophecy and add a mention of Gallifrey and London!

Just to prove that he's got better psychic skillz he adds in bonus "she is returning" comments (and as pointed out may not mean Rose, although that is the more likely outcome) and the fact Donna has "something on her back". And I have a theory about that. Well it's more a hope than a theory (Warning Babylon 5 spoilers ahead) Back in the day, Londo was 'possessed' by a symbiotic alien on his back, that basically controlled him, and, if I'm remembering rightly, forced Londo to intrigue his people to war. I reckon the same is going to happen to Donna. I've not yet figured out why or how, but I hope the Master is involved FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE.

The Doctor get his "Don't talk about Gallifrey" face on

It's ever so grumpy.

It's the return of two old features this week

Glasses watch: check, glasses worn
Licking stuff watch: check, he makes himself slightly psychic on some glitter.

How does David Tennant make jumping up on that barrel so effortless

Do they fill him with helium just before they shout "action"? if that's the case maybe he should be waving that torch around so much. Health and safety and all that.

Twice in one episode

Oh Mr Director, you're really spoiling us. I like the expression on his face in this one.


Donna launches her new fashion range

Togas are definitely the thing for the summer. Trust her, she's a time traveller.

Let's give the Doctor a hand!

The Doctor comes to the realisation that he can't go ANYWHERE for a nice quite holiday. He's just too jeopardy-friendly.

Big banging footsteps

EEK! I'm scared! *goes to hide behind the sofa*

Why is there no running. Run AWAY!

(David Tennant really does pull the best faces). (It also looks like someone's pinched Catherine Tate's bum!)

It's a bit unfair to toast the servant

Even if he didn't seem to do anything around the villa.

The Mill really do know how to make good looking monsters

on a £2.50 budget. I think we really do get value for money off our licence fee from them.

The Doctor ponders what is going on

And it takes him quite a while to realise that Donna's vanished.

Donna is currently suffering from Classic Companion Calamity

Just her luck on her first time out, someone ties to sacrifice her.

Thankfully, the Doctor doesn't think that sacrifice suits Donna

or bondage for that matter. He is a fan of the toga though.

Taking the vapours are really not good for your health

She could do with a bit of moisturiser I think.

The Doctor wishes he was James Bond

Hand on, I thought the whole reason for Jack was so he could shoot the guns and not the Doctor. Or does a bright yellow water pistol not count. And where on earth did he get one of those from? And surely a Super Soaker would have been a better option?

Donna declares her love for the Doctor

But NOT in that way. She's just impressed that he uses a water pistol to get himself out of danger.

Could this be this series theme?

Not pretty girls crying (although I'm sure that'll feature heavily), but the fact someone (most likely the Doctor) will have to make some terrible choices. Choices which won't end well for an awful lot of innocent people.

Donna decides to try and distract everyone with her impressive cleavage.

I think it works too.

The Doctor's got rid of his little binoculars then?

The little telescope is a lot more piratey, I think I approve.

It's getting a bit hot in here, innit?

The Doctor knows how to trap himself between a rock and a hard place.

The Doctor has to make a terrible choice

If he can see the past, present and possible futures, then how did he not realise that this was a possibility? I wonder if he doesn't look down the depressing lines of probability because that way lies madness?

Donna takes his side

I thought this was such a brilliant little scene. Brilliantly acted and brilliantly directed. Brilliant stuff!

Oops, I seem to have caused a volcano



Just look at that CGI

Absolutely brilliant.

The Doctor has a bit of an OMG moment!



You can run fast, but not that fast

I don't think you'll be able to outrun a pyroclastic flow, not with Donna in those shoes.

Donna can't believe that the Doctor can be so heartless

But then again, she's not seen him in one of his Oncoming Storm moments.

Someone give Donna a hug

And maybe slap the Doctor for being so mean and unwilling to save anyone.

The Doctor actually listens to reason

There's a first time for everything, I suppose.

And seemingly still has some of his twinkly Tinkerbell powers

left over.

Watching the city burn

And inventing new words all at the same time. Volcanically angry. I likes it.

The Doctor and Donna reach an accord

The Doctor realises that he needs someone to put him in his place. This is a good thing, but is it too late a realisation?

That bas-relief really does the Doctor no favours

However, Donna looks great. I amused that they are now thought of as household gods.

In Conclusion
I really enjoyed this episode. I thought the balance between Donna in danger and Donna giving the Doctor a real piece of her mind was perfectly pitched.

8/10

Comments

[flipbfc.livejournal.com]

great minds think alike, the first thing I said when he pulled out the little dinky water pistol was that he really should have saved up for a super soaker!

[xwingace]

The Doctor's pockets may be bigger on the inside, but whatever he puts in them still has to go through a fairly small slit. I don't think you could fit a Super Soaker through that...

XWA

[livii.livejournal.com]

The Doctor's got rid of his little binoculars then?

I was thinking of those! They were so cute, and would have been cute to use in an episode that referenced One anyway. :)

[lanaya1980.livejournal.com]

Excellent CGI.

I found the running Celtic/Welsh jokes possibly more amusing than I should have.

[morbid-sparks.livejournal.com]

What I really loved is that they were Caecilius, Metella, Quintus and Evelina. If you watched the Confidential, you'll know that they used those names because they were actual people in Pompeii at the time of the volcano, and were used in the Cambridge Latin Textbooks. *raises hand* I used those! Have also been to Caecilius' house! There's this funky dog mosaic in the doorway.

Ahem. Latin geek over now.

[lm-jillybean.livejournal.com]

There's lovely!

Still in agreement about the thing on Donna's back.

I'm Spartacus too!

[aknockout.livejournal.com]

Those tiles in my bathroom = a very cool idea. Oh god. i'm going to be fixated on that for a bit now.

The "returning" and "on your back" lines made me flip out the first time I watched...I can't stop thinking about what might happen. This series is SO EPIC. Any slight mention of Rose and I begin to flail, my heartbeat gets quicker even though we already KNOW she's back. Pathetic!

"Don't talk about Gallifrey" face on
LMAO toooouchy.

The Doctor is too old school for supersoakers!

LOOOVED this episode.

[staceyuk.livejournal.com]

Great review. Are you ever going to do Torchwood 208 review that you missed out?

[--kali--.livejournal.com]

Yes and the 4x01 review for DW I missed. But I need some actual time in order to do it.

[staceyuk.livejournal.com]

Cool. You wanna take some of my free time? I'll gladly exchange... I'll try to persuade Jack to give up his 'How To Make A TARDIS' manual.

*big hugs*

[backinblackk.livejournal.com]

Love reading your reviews, adding you :)

[chicklet73.livejournal.com]

That Lucius reminds me (in an unsettling fashion) of Gary Busey.

If he can see the past, present and possible futures, then how did he not realise that this was a possibility?

I wondered that myself. Then I had to make myself not think about it too much because that way lies madness.

Oh, and I completely agree with you on that little scene being absolutely brilliant. Well-done, show!!

[--kali--.livejournal.com]

I wondered that myself. Then I had to make myself not think about it too much because that way lies madness.

I think that's what the Doctor does too.