The difficulty in picking favorites from a Doctor Who series
is that with only 13 episodes, they often all offer something significant and
move the story arc or characters along.
But I’ve given it the old college try.
Here’s Series 1 :
Ep. 1 – Rose
This inaugural episode is a nice set-up for all that is to
come. It introduces all the major
players in a natural way, and sets up the tone of the show (an outer layer of
silly and goofy but with a chewier , meatier interior). The show let us know that while in many
respects it’s a kids show, it won’t pull
punches with scenes showing kindly Clive being killed and conversations
revealing the Doctor’s more intense side like when he tells Rose he can feel
the Earth’s rotation. It gave me and
Rose the chills! Christopher Eccleston is, of course, awesome and inhabits the
Doctor immediately.
It has some good funny and classic lines: “Nice to meet you,
Rose. Run for your life!”; Rose: “If you’re an alien why do you sound like you’re
from the north?” The Doc: “Lots of
planets have a north.”
And do you think the Doctor comes back to tell Rose that
they could travel in time as well as space knowing that would clinch it for
her? Father’s Day suggests otherwise but I wonder…
Ep. 6 Dalek
This episode is significant because it introduces those of
us new to Who to a classic Who villain – the Dalek. It is also significant in establishing that
the Doctor, despite appearances, is pretty messed up inside. His losses during the Time War come rushing
to the surface with the first “Exterminate” and he wars with them throughout
the episode. Doctor #9 is a damaged soul
and Chris Eccleston plays him beautifully.
Rose also gets some development – we witness her bravery and
her innocent compassion. This episode
illustrates why Rose is important to the Doctor - he needs her youth and heart
to balance out the darkness by which he is being consumed.
Some other thoughts:
- Doctor Who is unapologetically “rah rah Brittania” and this is one of the first eps (but not the last)where American’s are portrayed in a less then flattering light – arrogant, greedy, presumptuous, morally bankrupt. Not that we yanks don’t deserve a some criticism but it makes me a little squirmy:)
- We get some pretty strong language about how the Doctor feels about Rose, in fact - Dalek: “What use are emotions if you won’t save the woman you love” this is probably the least coy this show ever gets on the subject. Of course the Doctor doesn’t confirm or deny this statement, just agrees to let the Dalek free in order to save Rose.
Favorite moments: The
Doctors response to the Dalek; Rose being trapped “Sorry I was a bit slow” and
her desperate plea to him that it wasn’t the Doctor’s fault and that she
wouldn’t change a thing; the Dalek’s
identity crisis, it’s realization that it is contaminated; the scene between Rose, the Dalek and the
Doctor as the Dalek feels the sun - Rose:
“It’s not the one pointing a gun at me” … “It’s changing. What about you
Doctor, what the hell are you changing into?” Doctor: “Oh Rose, they’re all
dead” – this scene is manipulative but great acting all around that truly sells
it Dalek: “Are you frightened Rose Tyler?” Rose: “Yeah” Dalek: “So..am...I.” ;
The exchange between Rose and the Doctor as she tries to convince him to take
Adam along.
Ep. 8 Father’s Day
I actually have mixed feelings about this episode because in
most ways it’s a very difficult episode for the character of Rose. Not just emotionally difficult for her but
difficult as a viewer not to want to shake some maturity into her. It’s difficult to watch. But it’s this central struggle that makes
this such a key episode: for establishing and helping Rose grow and for revealing
some truths about Rose and the Doctor’s relationship. It also introduces the character of Pete
Tyler and completes Rose’s little family circle. As mentioned above I really like Rose’s
family and the inclusion of them pretty heavily into the show so it’s good to
finally meet Pete.
By this point in the series, the Doctor is pretty smitten
with Rose. Not necessarily in a romantic
sense (though if you ask me…) but definitely wrapped up in her, dependent upon
her. And she shows her youth in a big and
very believable way. I’ve heard viewers
call Rose a Mary Sue but for me she doesn’t even come close. She’s a very believable 19 year old and while
the Doctor may treat Rose as if she were perfect that’s because for him, she is,
at this moment in his life.
So basically I love this ep because of all the juicy
emotional stuff and character development into which you can sink your
teeth. Some favorite moments: Rose
uncomfortably wheedling the doctor, trying to sound casual, about going to see
her dad; the scene in Pete’s apartment where Rose, again uncomfortably tries to
play like everything is cool while the Doctor glares at her and then the
conversation after; the scene in the church when Rose and the Doctor come back
together; the scene where Pete realizes who Rose is and the scene where he
realizes he’s dead in the future; the scene where Pete realizes what he must do
and reveals that the Doctor was trying very hard to avoid the ultimate
solution.
Ep. 9 The Empty Child
Doctor Who does “to be continued” episodes really, really
well. This is the first and one of the
best. It’s a great story set up with a
bit of alien tech falling in London during the World War II blitz and causing
all sorts of havoc. The child, Jamie,
stalking Nancy and the Doctor is seriously creepy and affecting. The character of Nancy and the actress
playing her are great. “And I want to
find a blond in a Union Jack. I mean a
specific one, I didn’t just wake up this morning with a craving.”
The real joy of this episode is the introduction of Captain
Jack. All the interactions between Rose
and he are 6 tons of fun. “Sorry there
was Hello twice there. Dull but you know thorough.” – an addlepated and
overwhelmed Rose.
Ep. 10 The Doctor Dances
“The world doesn’t end because the Doctor Dances.” The flirty banter between Rose and The Doctor
before and during their transport onto Jack’s ship; The Doctor and Jack’s… charged
…interactions. The denouement of this is
emotional and dramatic with an unexpected twist. The Doctor’s joy at being able to save
everyone “Give me a day like this, just one day” “All that weapons tech in the
hands of a hysterical 4 year old looking for its mummy” The final scene when the doctor remembers how
to dance. The healing continues. “Jack (about the Tardis) - Much bigger on the
inside – the Doctor (about Jack) You better be”
Ep. 13 The Parting of the Ways
Religious Daleks ! The Doctor is going through some pretty
heavy emotional stuff in this episode - he thought the sacrifice of his people
was worth it only to find out that the Daleks live on. As usual Christopher Eccleston is great
revealing the emotional weight underlying the Doctor’s usual wackadoodle demeanor. There’s a great moment in the TARDIS after
rescuing Rose that he just leans into the door motionless for moments as the
Daleks scream “exterminate” outside. He
thought he was done with that but it turns out he isn’t
The Doctor and his companions are always best when up
against impossible odds and this episode delivers. We have a lot of bravery and sacrifices being
made, and Rose convincing Mickey and Jackie that if she can’t help save the
Doctor and save future history then her life is meaningless. The Doctor has
shown her a better way to live life and she is distressed at not being able to
go down fighting. She ends up saving the
day and wiping out the Daleks so the Doctor doesn’t have to go through it
again.
The Doctor’s tenderness towards Rose is everywhere apparent
in this episode: his dramatic declaration that he will rescue her and the big
hug when they reunite, his affectionate appreciation that it never occurred to
her to run away. And of course his
sending her away so she’ll be safe, not being able to bear sacrificing her as
well as all the others. His dismay at what she has done, what he has
put her into a position to do. Rose
saves the Doctor here, in this instance, but it’s clear that she’s been saving
him all series.
This episode kind of encapsulates everything I love about
the series: the doctor’s wacky bravado
balanced by the damage he has taken over his eons -long life; the
relationships, complex and real; the big
questions; the action; the supporting characters being awesome and kicking
ass.
So many moments to love but a few that I especially like: the Doctor’s hologram turning to her “Have a
good life.”; Jackie bringing the big truck “What are you Doctor, Coward or Killer?”
“Coward, any day.”; Yay, Jack is saved; the kiss, the stroking; “That’s right, I sang a song and the Daleks
ran away.”
And finally “Before I go, Rose I just want to tell you that
you were fantastic. Absolutely
fantastic. And you know what? So was I.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Bring on David Tennant!
Whew! Series one was really stellar! What are your favorite episodes or moments from series one? Do you think Rose is a Mary Sue? Anybody have Chris Eccleston as their favorite Doctor?
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