Today I encountered someone I know very slightly. I was pretty sure I had seen her at the theater last night, so I was asking her if I it had been indeed her I had seen. She informed me that she was, and then asked me what I thought of the episode. I told her how much I enjoyed it, and that overall the end was fantastic. Now, I was referring to seeing the return of Four. However, I don’t think she understood that. She proceeded to tell me that she was an old Who fan from way back, unlike those us of us who are new. When I tried to interject that I’m not new to Who, she blew me off, and took to talking to someone else.
Now, I know that I don’t look like a teenager anymore, but I also don’t look like I’m nearly 30. Plus, I was wearing my adorable new Who shirt that features Ten leaning against the TARDIS which bears the words “Bad Wolf.” These two things combined screamed “NEW TO WHO.” So, nothing about me said that I am a long time fan, or that I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know about Doctor Who.
I know that there’s quite a bit of frustration among Whovians over those who star watching just because “Matt Smith is, like, so totally hot.” However, it makes me sad that some people seem to assume this about their fellow Whovians, and they don’t take a minute to find out the truth.
These words turned me into a sobbing mess a few years ago. David Tennant was leaving Who, and as far as I was concerned there was no way anyone could ever equal his fantasticness (yes, that is totally a word). In case you have no clue what I’m talking about, here’s the clip:
So, yes, it was incredibly dramatic, and it took me quite a while before I would watch any of the new episodes with Matt Smith. However, my love of the story won out, and eventually I caved and got sucked into the Amy/Rory/River story. Honestly, I was never the biggest Amy fan, but I loved Rory and River, so it was okay. Then Clara came along, and I absolutely adore her. I’ve really enjoyed the stories in the last 3 seasons, but I’ve never turned into a huge Matt Smith fan. I think he’s done a good job, and has certainly gotten better as time has passed. However, I’ve been ready for the next regeneration since the end of season 5.
If you can’t guess, I’m in the minority on this one.
See, there’s a lot of people who are experiencing the emotions I felt when Tennant left. I’ve read everything from “NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” to “The show must be cancelled, because there’s no other reason Matt Smith would leave.” Well, all I can say is, “Welcome to Doctor Who.”
Up until a few years ago most people weren’t aware of the quirky little show. Sometime between season 1 and season 5 (Doctors 9-11), the majority of the world realized there was this fantastic, absurb, wonderful show made by the BBC.
thinkgeek.com
This is why everyone is so upset. For them, Matt Smith was the first Doctor. Sure, they know that there were loads of other Doctors. They may even be able to name them (number and corresponding actor). However, none of those other Doctors introduced them to the TARDIS, and Daleks, and Cybermen, and Weeping Angels, and Ice Warriors, and the Sonic Screwdriver, and well, you get the idea. Matt introduced so many to Who, and that’s absolutely fantastic.
However, for those that are about to experience the regeneration of “their” Doctor, this is going to be an incredibly difficult rest of the year. So, if you’re like me and this isn’t your first rodeo, sit back and enjoy the ride. If, however, this is your first time to experience this, let me tell you…It will be awful. It will actually be worse than you prepare yourself for. However, in August 2014 (I believe that’s when the season 8 is due to premiere), grit your teeth, tune in, and watch the episodes. Yes, the next Doctor will not be Eleven. It will be someone new with a completely different take and approach to our favorite Time Lord. It will be hard. Then, it will get a little easier. Eventually, you’ll either find yourself in the boat I’m in currently (enjoying the show, but anxiously awaiting the next regeneration), or you’ll come to love the new Doctor almost as much as you love Eleven.
Now, onto the super important question. Who’s my pick for the 12th Doctor? Well, I doubt that it would ever happen, but my pick would be Robert Carlyle.
abc.go.com
He’s currently doing a fantastic job as Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin on Once Upon A Time, and that seems like a gig that’s going to keep going for a while. True, he’s not as young as Matt Smith or David Tennant, but he’s got a charm and a darkness that would be perfect for Who.
I’m not dead, yet! It’s true. I’m not at 100% yet, but I’m feeling about 50% better than I did this time last night. I’m not sure what exactly I managed to come down with, but it’s been a real “treat” having it. I look forward to not blowing my nose anymore. On the flip side, I’m quite thankful that I have access to Kleenex and Nyquil. I just hope this week goes quickly so that I can have a fun filled weekend next weekend.
So, let’s see, what non-trying-to-die things have been going on in my mind lately…
-I really wanted to go to a movie this weekend. I haven’t been to one since I started working a month ago, and while that’s not really a long time, I just think it’d be fun to go now that I actually have a steady, reliable source of income.
-Speaking of, I still have a job! Granted, I missed a day and a half last week, but as far as I know they still like me and want me to continue working there! Oddly, the day I missed completely, I was so bored I found myself wishing I was at work. However, I was so sick, being at work would’ve been a bad thing.
-Finally watched the Doctor Who Christmas special. While it wasn’t bad, it just isn’t going to go down in history as one of my favorite Who episodes. However, I’m even more intrigued with the Clara Oswin Oswald character than I was before. I’m also hoping that she’s going to be a transition companion. While Matt Smith has grown on me (yikes, that makes him sound like some sort of medical condition), I just feel like it’s time to move on. He’s getting close to wearing out his welcome. Bring on Twelve I say!
-Going in the ditch in South Dakota has been on my mind, a lot, lately. I’m not sure why. I guess it’s the first time in my entire life that I truly felt utterly and completely helpless. Not 100% sure what to do with this, guess I’m still processing it.
-I’m finally getting around to writing the second draft of my NaNo story. The going is slow, especially since I’m pretty much only working on it during my break time at work. Guess it’s more a labor of love than anything else.
-Are there any good dating etiquette guides out there? I’m so confused and have no idea how one goes about dating. It was so much easier when you had gentlemen callers come call on you in the family parlor.
-Thinking I need to get my hands on season 2 of Downtonbecause I was utterly confused by the whole “Her Ladyship’s soap” bombshell that Thomas gave Bates. It has to be something from season 2, and since I missed most of season 2, if this is something from the show I would assume that’s where it’s from.
Angels Take Manhattan episode poster from nerdist.com
I promised myself that I wouldn’t cry. I think I made it about half-way through before I started tearing up. By the last ten minutes I was sobbing uncontrollably.
If you haven’t read one of the many recaps of this episode drifting around online, let me give you a quick (spoiler free-ish) summary:
The Doctor, Amy, & Rory are in modern day New York City. The weeping angels show up, and decide to time zap Rory (send him back in time). The remainder of the episode is all about getting to Rory and dealing with the angels. Also, there’s great use of the Statue of Liberty.
Would this episode have required as many tissues if we (the viewers) hadn’t known that this was the Pond’s final episode? I don’t think it would’ve. There were so many rumors circulating, “Amy & Rory die,” “Amy & Rory end up in a situation that prevents them from ever returning,” well, you get the idea. Normally, an episode like this, I’d be sitting there, waiting for the impossible, but logical solution. However, knowing the theories swirling around, I found myself expecting each turn of events to be the very sad solution.
This season has definitely made me a bigger fan of Matt Smith as the Doctor. It’s taken me awhile to really warm up to him, but this season has been excellent. Also, I think this is the first time that a companion has departed, and I’m actually excited to see the new companion. Of course, it helps that the new companion was absolutely adorable and charming in her first episode at the start of the season.
Any Second Now... 