caz963: (hotlips omg)
caz963 ([personal profile] caz963) wrote2010-04-24 09:29 pm
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DW 5x04 - The Time of Angels

Well, that was... the best episode of the new series (so far).



I need to watch it again to string some more coherent thoughts together, because the kids kept asking questions and hiding from the angels, but my initial reaction was "YAY!" I liked the humour and it was tightly paced and really well played by everyone.

That pre-credits sequence has to be one of the best ever.

Alex Kingston was great (as she always is) and obviously had a great time. The interaction between the Doctor and River was fantastic and from this episode, I really got a sense of there being a 'proper' relationship between them (even if it hasn't happened for him yet). Or the potential for there being a proper relationship... whatever.
I didn't get that from her earlier episodes with Ten - the atmosphere between them was very different and there was a lot more hostility towards her on his part. Which I suppose is understandable, given that the Doctor is a control freak and would not at all have liked being suddenly faced with someone really pushy who knew more than he did.

I like the idea of the "Spotters Guide". *g*

Anyway, I liked the way they pushed each others' buttons and sniped at each other. And - even more of a shock - I began to like Amy a bit. I hope that continues because I'd hate to go through a whole series (or two) watching the show whilst disliking the Doctor's companion.

Also - I think that the Moff may have confirmed my theory that River only ever met Ten that one time, in the Library. In the Confidential, he starts off a section which talks about the Library episodes by saying (of the Doctor) he's been dreading this, he's been dreading his next encounter with River. I know that mine is rather a minority theory, and that those who think otherwise will find a different interpretations for that comment, but I don't see how it can mean anything else.

Obviously, she knows her way around this version of the TARDIS.

Interesting - the Doctor is sure that River is his wife sometime in the future, but River is more cagey about it when Amy asks her. All is clearly not as it seems as far as she's concerned, but I can handle that element of mystery with a recurring character.

Spoilers (hightlight to read) - I'm sure I've read somewhere that River is in the series finale, too, so I imagine we'll find out more about her as and when she pops up, even if it's in the wrong order. I wonder if we'll find out what she was in prison for this time around?

The scene where the angel is materialising out of the television screen was inspired (my eldest was (and still is) terrified! - Moffat unquestionably knows how to pinpoint the scary, and surely that's the stuff of every kids nightmares - a monster coming out of the TV. Amy's solution to the "don't blink" instruction was amusing - winking with alternate eyes!

I thought the thing with the voices on the radios was very reminiscent of "who turned out the lights?" - and that's not a criticism, because I don't mind the odd bit of recycling here and there.

It's unusual for the Doctor not to object to being called "sir" by military types (even though they're priests) - and then asking for a gun (even though it's not to shoot anyone!)

Great cliffhanger ;-)

No crack this time (or not that I noticed), although it was in the trailer for next week.

Can't wait for next week!

[identity profile] caz963.livejournal.com 2010-04-24 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't mind "by the numbers" if it's done well, and this really was.

Also, I was quite disappointed by TBB and although I enjoyed last week's, neither of them lived up to the promise of TEH, so maybe the bar has slipped a bit.

Elinor is still scared, btw!
hooloovoo_42: (Donna)

[personal profile] hooloovoo_42 2010-04-24 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Course she's scared. Your telly contained an image of an Angel, so it has become an Angel. She can't turn her back on it now, or it'll get her!