clocketpatch (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
clocketpatch) wrote2014-09-28 01:57 am
clocketpatch) wrote2014-09-28 01:57 am
Entry tags:
Time Heist
I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I didn't think I would; Listen left me thoroughly underwhelmed, and the writer of Time Heist's previous Who credentials (Journey into the Plothole aka, the episode so awful it redacted itself, and Curse of the Black Spot aka how can an episode with Pirates and shirtless Arthur Darvil be so underwhelming?) meant that I went into the episode with very low standards indeed.
Which were all blown away.
From the Doctor's whirling reflection in Clara's washing machine, things were off to a good start. And Clara has a goldfish now apparently. When did that happen? I wonder if the Doctor ever sneaks it strange, alien fish foods. Or if it is, in fact, an alien. Didn't Eleven have a goldfish companion for a bit? Or am I making that up?
"Got the words out, not in the right order, but hey! Math teacher."
Danny and Clara's fraught relationship continues with less awkwardness this week.
Twelve needs to get himself a full time companion. While Clara is coming along and enjoying the adventures, it's also plenty obvious that she's moving on with her life. She's always had a plan, and now she's fulfilling it on her own terms. Sad as I am that Clara's actress will be leaving after this series (because her and Twelve have some most excellent banter), it is a bit sad thinking of all the downtime Twelve is having to go slowly crazy (and come up with convoluted and not entirely scientific theories on evolution) when Clara isn't visiting.
"Hardly anyone has that number"
"I've got it."
"Yes, some women in a shop – we still don't know who that is."
Just subtly dropping a reminder of that plot point in there. It might come again later this series. Maybe. Or maybe not. You know. But just dropping it in there.
"It's just a phone Clara. Nothing happens when you answer the phone."
I think that qualifies as a "thing." Also, Twelve has a very funny scream.
"And change your shoes."
Heh, well, the voice of experience speaks.
"Please stand away from the door, we do not wish to harm you before you are incinerated."
The Bank of Karabraxos has a very polite and charming security team. I quite like how delighted they are by the worms after being wiped too.
And their incidental music sets the mood for a heist very nicely. Really, they should change it. I'm sure it's encouraging guilty thoughts. It's almost as bad as playing the Mission Impossible theme.
"OK. OK. OK. Stop. Stop. Stop. Far enough."
I enjoy how Twelve's reaction to running is very much, "running, why are we doing this? Do people enjoy this? Did I ever enjoy this? Enough!"
I also like Saibra's nail polish a lot, though I think it's actually a wrap. I wonder if it can be purchased online. It's probably obscenely expensive though. Most wraps seem to be.
"Question two: where is the TARDIS?"
"OK, that probably should be question one."
Twelve does ask a lot of questions, doesn't he? "Question – there is a dinosaur burning." "Question – We're alone at the end of the universe." It's taken five episodes, but I think I'm finally starting to get a handle on his character. I'm also starting to realize how much of his dialogue is very… Eleven-y… if that's even a descriptor? But Capaldi is so good at putting his own spin on it that it's hardly noticeable unless you're watching with subtitles.
But, I think I've basically got a hold on how to write dialogue that is purely Twelve now:
"Question: Is that a thing? Answer: It's my eyebrows!"
See? Completely Twelve! Well, I suppose there should be some kind of insult or blatant insensitivity in there as well to be completely accurate, or a direct order, and some flailing, or an odd dance/fencing pose.
Also, poor Teller in chains and a straight jacket. It's still an incredibly creepy monster of the week.
"Don't be so pessimistic, it'll affect team moral."
"And getting blown up doesn't?"
"Only very, very briefly."
Other people have said this, but this is such a hilariously Four moment. I also appreciate Twelve's bizarre ball room dancing with himself thing that he does. He does it lots in this episode!
"Still don't understand why you're in charge."
"Basically, it's the eyebrows."
Magic eyebrows! This is true, though I think that part of the reason Twelve's so obsessed with them because Eleven had none.
"Come on then! Team Not Dead."
Heh. I can imagine this line being said by Ten or Eleven, but I can't imagine either of them delivering it quite like this.
"I've got a few I wish I could lose."
And I wonder what they are, Clara. I really hope that her time as the Fragments is at some point address. What, if anything, does she remember from that time? And how did she get from there to Coal Hill School? It's such a big, bizarre blank.
Also, Psi's performance is amazing, both of the guest cast, actually. I was more than a bit hoping one of them would get pulled on as a new companion by the end.
I also enjoyed Twelve and Saibra crawling through no entry ducts. Always with the ducts. The conveniently, human-sized ducts.
"Could you trust someone who looked back at you out of your own eyes?"
I'm still frustrated that this angst is happening. I thought that particular plotline was resolved in the 50th when the Doctor redacted blowing up Gallifrey.
"Now this says: place to hide."
No it doesn't. xD
It really, really doesn't.
Don't think about pink elephants, Clara!
"Kill him."
"I hate him, but I can't make that promise."
So, this made it plenty obvious what the plot twist would be, even without the Doctor ringing a gong later on. Most of the episode was a bit obvious, really. Though it didn't impact on its enjoyability, which is the main thing.
The atomic shredders, for another example, I thought they would be something along the lines of the teleports in Bad Wolf. I would have been a bit horrified it they hadn't been, to be honest.
"I'm an amnesiac robbing a bank, why would I be okay?"
Heh.
"It's very obvious that you've been with him for a while."
"why?"
"because you're really good at the excuses."
This is good in-episode dialogue. It also feels like set-up for a later scene. There's no Missy in this episode, but there is still set-up and reminders. Who left the phone number? The suggestion that the Doctor's behaviour might eventually run out of excuses.
And, in the, "thoughts marked other" basket: I feel like we've seen this particular half-hexagon corridor before. I think it's a repainted TARDIS set, but I'm not certain. At least it isn't that same corridor beneath the Cardiff Millennium Centre Ten used to run down every second episode. (seriously, I worked that corridor into a drinking game once it turned up so often.)
"Every thief and villain in one in big cocktail. I am so guilty!"
Did anyone else have fun playing spot the villain?
"Oh, everything has a price tag I think you'll find."
This also feels like set-up, not just for the ending of this episode, but for the Doctor's future, since Moffat has hinted that there will be betrayal in his future…
"Director Karabraxos, excuse us but we've come to rob you."
That's also a Four line if I've ever heard one.
The reveal that the Head Security of is a clone of the Director was actually a surprise to me. I was wondering why the Security Director had started at the bank, and was actually feeling a bit sorry for her, since she clearly hated her job, but was terrified of the consequences of leaving it.
"Give me a call sometime."
Twelve's little, "call me" fingers are hilarious.
Though… shouldn't the Doctor care about all the people getting fried on the planet's surface? I know they're all the terrible people that think the bank of Karabraxos is a good place to make deposits, but still… I mean they can't all be, because the Doctor got one of them to voluntarily give up his banking information. And does it really matter if they're awful or not? No one deserves to be sun stormed to death.
Though I suppose one could make the argument that they all teleported away to safety. Though, I feel like if the planet's surface, with its atmospheric protections, is getting that badly burned, that a ship in orbit wouldn't be fairing terribly well either. And the Director's clones definitely had no way off planet, and were, more or less, innocent, since none of them choose to be cloned and put in charge various bank department.
"What do you think of the new look? I was hoping for minimalism, but I think I came out with magician."
Love that line.
"So much mental traffic in the universe. Solitude is the only piece."
Given that the Doctor is mildly telepathic, I do wonder about this line.
I'm also mildly amused that they all went out for take out on the way home.
"If you ever need help with another bank heist."
"Yeah, it's not really his area."
*Call me.* fingers
Heh.
"Don't worry, calories consume on the TARDIS have no lasting effect."
"Wha… Are you kidding?"
"Of course I'm kidding. It's a time machine, not a miracle worker."
Heh.
Yep. Definitely an enjoyable episode from start to stop.
Which were all blown away.
From the Doctor's whirling reflection in Clara's washing machine, things were off to a good start. And Clara has a goldfish now apparently. When did that happen? I wonder if the Doctor ever sneaks it strange, alien fish foods. Or if it is, in fact, an alien. Didn't Eleven have a goldfish companion for a bit? Or am I making that up?
"Got the words out, not in the right order, but hey! Math teacher."
Danny and Clara's fraught relationship continues with less awkwardness this week.
Twelve needs to get himself a full time companion. While Clara is coming along and enjoying the adventures, it's also plenty obvious that she's moving on with her life. She's always had a plan, and now she's fulfilling it on her own terms. Sad as I am that Clara's actress will be leaving after this series (because her and Twelve have some most excellent banter), it is a bit sad thinking of all the downtime Twelve is having to go slowly crazy (and come up with convoluted and not entirely scientific theories on evolution) when Clara isn't visiting.
"Hardly anyone has that number"
"I've got it."
"Yes, some women in a shop – we still don't know who that is."
Just subtly dropping a reminder of that plot point in there. It might come again later this series. Maybe. Or maybe not. You know. But just dropping it in there.
"It's just a phone Clara. Nothing happens when you answer the phone."
I think that qualifies as a "thing." Also, Twelve has a very funny scream.
"And change your shoes."
Heh, well, the voice of experience speaks.
"Please stand away from the door, we do not wish to harm you before you are incinerated."
The Bank of Karabraxos has a very polite and charming security team. I quite like how delighted they are by the worms after being wiped too.
And their incidental music sets the mood for a heist very nicely. Really, they should change it. I'm sure it's encouraging guilty thoughts. It's almost as bad as playing the Mission Impossible theme.
"OK. OK. OK. Stop. Stop. Stop. Far enough."
I enjoy how Twelve's reaction to running is very much, "running, why are we doing this? Do people enjoy this? Did I ever enjoy this? Enough!"
I also like Saibra's nail polish a lot, though I think it's actually a wrap. I wonder if it can be purchased online. It's probably obscenely expensive though. Most wraps seem to be.
"Question two: where is the TARDIS?"
"OK, that probably should be question one."
Twelve does ask a lot of questions, doesn't he? "Question – there is a dinosaur burning." "Question – We're alone at the end of the universe." It's taken five episodes, but I think I'm finally starting to get a handle on his character. I'm also starting to realize how much of his dialogue is very… Eleven-y… if that's even a descriptor? But Capaldi is so good at putting his own spin on it that it's hardly noticeable unless you're watching with subtitles.
But, I think I've basically got a hold on how to write dialogue that is purely Twelve now:
"Question: Is that a thing? Answer: It's my eyebrows!"
See? Completely Twelve! Well, I suppose there should be some kind of insult or blatant insensitivity in there as well to be completely accurate, or a direct order, and some flailing, or an odd dance/fencing pose.
Also, poor Teller in chains and a straight jacket. It's still an incredibly creepy monster of the week.
"Don't be so pessimistic, it'll affect team moral."
"And getting blown up doesn't?"
"Only very, very briefly."
Other people have said this, but this is such a hilariously Four moment. I also appreciate Twelve's bizarre ball room dancing with himself thing that he does. He does it lots in this episode!
"Still don't understand why you're in charge."
"Basically, it's the eyebrows."
Magic eyebrows! This is true, though I think that part of the reason Twelve's so obsessed with them because Eleven had none.
"Come on then! Team Not Dead."
Heh. I can imagine this line being said by Ten or Eleven, but I can't imagine either of them delivering it quite like this.
"I've got a few I wish I could lose."
And I wonder what they are, Clara. I really hope that her time as the Fragments is at some point address. What, if anything, does she remember from that time? And how did she get from there to Coal Hill School? It's such a big, bizarre blank.
Also, Psi's performance is amazing, both of the guest cast, actually. I was more than a bit hoping one of them would get pulled on as a new companion by the end.
I also enjoyed Twelve and Saibra crawling through no entry ducts. Always with the ducts. The conveniently, human-sized ducts.
"Could you trust someone who looked back at you out of your own eyes?"
I'm still frustrated that this angst is happening. I thought that particular plotline was resolved in the 50th when the Doctor redacted blowing up Gallifrey.
"Now this says: place to hide."
No it doesn't. xD
It really, really doesn't.
Don't think about pink elephants, Clara!
"Kill him."
"I hate him, but I can't make that promise."
So, this made it plenty obvious what the plot twist would be, even without the Doctor ringing a gong later on. Most of the episode was a bit obvious, really. Though it didn't impact on its enjoyability, which is the main thing.
The atomic shredders, for another example, I thought they would be something along the lines of the teleports in Bad Wolf. I would have been a bit horrified it they hadn't been, to be honest.
"I'm an amnesiac robbing a bank, why would I be okay?"
Heh.
"It's very obvious that you've been with him for a while."
"why?"
"because you're really good at the excuses."
This is good in-episode dialogue. It also feels like set-up for a later scene. There's no Missy in this episode, but there is still set-up and reminders. Who left the phone number? The suggestion that the Doctor's behaviour might eventually run out of excuses.
And, in the, "thoughts marked other" basket: I feel like we've seen this particular half-hexagon corridor before. I think it's a repainted TARDIS set, but I'm not certain. At least it isn't that same corridor beneath the Cardiff Millennium Centre Ten used to run down every second episode. (seriously, I worked that corridor into a drinking game once it turned up so often.)
"Every thief and villain in one in big cocktail. I am so guilty!"
Did anyone else have fun playing spot the villain?
"Oh, everything has a price tag I think you'll find."
This also feels like set-up, not just for the ending of this episode, but for the Doctor's future, since Moffat has hinted that there will be betrayal in his future…
"Director Karabraxos, excuse us but we've come to rob you."
That's also a Four line if I've ever heard one.
The reveal that the Head Security of is a clone of the Director was actually a surprise to me. I was wondering why the Security Director had started at the bank, and was actually feeling a bit sorry for her, since she clearly hated her job, but was terrified of the consequences of leaving it.
"Give me a call sometime."
Twelve's little, "call me" fingers are hilarious.
Though… shouldn't the Doctor care about all the people getting fried on the planet's surface? I know they're all the terrible people that think the bank of Karabraxos is a good place to make deposits, but still… I mean they can't all be, because the Doctor got one of them to voluntarily give up his banking information. And does it really matter if they're awful or not? No one deserves to be sun stormed to death.
Though I suppose one could make the argument that they all teleported away to safety. Though, I feel like if the planet's surface, with its atmospheric protections, is getting that badly burned, that a ship in orbit wouldn't be fairing terribly well either. And the Director's clones definitely had no way off planet, and were, more or less, innocent, since none of them choose to be cloned and put in charge various bank department.
"What do you think of the new look? I was hoping for minimalism, but I think I came out with magician."
Love that line.
"So much mental traffic in the universe. Solitude is the only piece."
Given that the Doctor is mildly telepathic, I do wonder about this line.
I'm also mildly amused that they all went out for take out on the way home.
"If you ever need help with another bank heist."
"Yeah, it's not really his area."
*Call me.* fingers
Heh.
"Don't worry, calories consume on the TARDIS have no lasting effect."
"Wha… Are you kidding?"
"Of course I'm kidding. It's a time machine, not a miracle worker."
Heh.
Yep. Definitely an enjoyable episode from start to stop.
no subject
I agree with you with regards to the angst. I'm sure not everyone would think that in the Universe, I'd say "Yes."! Call me Siabra. This series is chock full of potential call backs for new compnaions isn't it?
no subject
There was someone (and now I can't for the life of me recall who) who wrote a meta on how they think everything is gearing up to some kind of trial of the Doctor, and it was very convincing (to me, anyway). I feel like the characters being grabbed by Missy are for the prosecuting argument. I wonder if the characters in the episodes where we don't meet Missy will be forming the defence.
no subject
no subject
As for the angst...well, he had that before (in some small asides), but even with Gallifrey saved...everthing that happened since/during the Time War has seemed to leave him with an uber bad taste in his mouth concerning himself. And he was never a big fan of himself to begin with.
I know!! That leap was non-logical! Maybe Moffat wanted us to fill that in? The gaps seem to indicate that sometimes.
I rather liked Psi myself...and I HOPED those were teleports (and I was relieved when I was correct - though I still didn't expect Psi and Sabria to come back...think they're good guys who've had it rough and I want to know more about them!!)
I DID HAVE FUN WITH SPOT THE VILLIAN. Gunslinger from Mercy showed up twice!
And yes, another Four line delivered perfectly, lol!!
That 'call me' gesture was so, so ELEVEN and yet Twelve owned it, lol!!
I chose to think everyone got out. Special teleport. I mean, you don't wanna kill your customers by accident. Bad for business.
He definitely nailed magician, lol!! That was a perfect line.
Hear, hear!
*HUGS*
no subject
True... IDK, I was just hoping that he'd be able to start healing a bit. Eleven was a bit better than Ten who was a bit better than Nine, but now it feels like he's taken a giant step backwards. Oh Doctor...
I really feel like, when Moffat gets confused by his own plot twists and can't figure out how to write himself out of a corner, instead of admitting defeat, he just leaves a frustrating blank and hopes that the audience will fill it in for him. Mostly this works, because fandom is very good at filling in the blanks. But it's also frustrating, because it gives Moffat license to either 1. take those ideas and pass them off as his own, or 2. tell us that he's actually got it all figured out (when he doesn't) and say that we're dumb for not figuring it out, or 3. telling us that we're obsessed and over-thinking things if we happen to side with the fandom explanation which he doesn't chose.
I think he is a very smart man for doing this, and that he understands fandom better than most writers, but it still irks me.
Psi and Sabria are so awesome. I really, really, really hope they come back later.
Did he? I was too fixated on the Sensorite each time, lol.
"Call me, I'm a magician, and this is my magic box." :D
no subject
Yes, this must happen and you must write it.
Tis a very clever way of doing things. But is it what should be done? No. Bad Moffat.
Right?! Ohhhh, I would definitely love to see them again!!
LOL!!