Doctor Who - Not a Hugging Type of Thread

[TheCorpulent1]

There's nothing to say the Doctor didn't teach Clara a thing or two about the sonic screwdriver off-camera, too. We never see 100% of the interaction between the Doctor and his companions.

Anyway, this was a great episode. I look forward to Danny catching Clara in her lies next episode, since that was the one rule he had for their relationship. Clara redeemed herself considerably in this episode too; she'd been such an emotionally inconsistent rollercoaster for the past two episodes that she was starting to get on my nerves, but she regained a lot of her cleverness and flair from earlier episodes here.

What do you guys think was going on toward the end, when Clara desperately wanted the Doctor to tell her she'd done well but he refused? I think it was a weird self-loathing sort of thing. The Doctor gave the impression with a few of his lines that he hated having to be the sort of cold, calculating leader he plays himself up as, so when Clara tries that persona on and does a good job with it, he can't congratulate her for it because that would be validating his corruption of her with his own loathsome personality. The last thing he wants for his companions is for them to be like him.

 

[Nemi]

There's nothing to say the Doctor didn't teach Clara a thing or two about the sonic screwdriver off-camera, too. We never see 100% of the interaction between the Doctor and his companions.

Anyway, this was a great episode. I look forward to Danny catching Clara in her lies next episode, since that was the one rule he had for their relationship. Clara redeemed herself considerably in this episode too; she'd been such an emotionally inconsistent rollercoaster for the past two episodes that she was starting to get on my nerves, but she regained a lot of her cleverness and flair from earlier episodes here.

What do you guys think was going on toward the end, when Clara desperately wanted the Doctor to tell her she'd done well but he refused? I think it was a weird self-loathing sort of thing. The Doctor gave the impression with a few of his lines that he hated having to be the sort of cold, calculating leader he plays himself up as, so when Clara tries that persona on and does a good job with it, he can't congratulate her for it because that would be validating his corruption of her with his own loathsome personality. The last thing he wants for his companions is for them to be like him.

I really hope this is what it was. Especially if that is why her character ends up leaving the show. Even with the previous lighter doctors it was shown that he needs companions to keep him in check and make sure he doesn't go off the deep end. But it looks like this time he's just making her more like him. Maybe he'll have to get over his soldier b.s and realize that she's better off with Danny than with him.

 

[Lilbaz]

There's nothing to say the Doctor didn't teach Clara a thing or two about the sonic screwdriver off-camera, too. We never see 100% of the interaction between the Doctor and his companions.

Anyway, this was a great episode. I look forward to Danny catching Clara in her lies next episode, since that was the one rule he had for their relationship. Clara redeemed herself considerably in this episode too; she'd been such an emotionally inconsistent rollercoaster for the past two episodes that she was starting to get on my nerves, but she regained a lot of her cleverness and flair from earlier episodes here.

What do you guys think was going on toward the end, when Clara desperately wanted the Doctor to tell her she'd done well but he refused? I think it was a weird self-loathing sort of thing. The Doctor gave the impression with a few of his lines that he hated having to be the sort of cold, calculating leader he plays himself up as, so when Clara tries that persona on and does a good job with it, he can't congratulate her for it because that would be validating his corruption of her with his own loathsome personality. The last thing he wants for his companions is for them to be like him.

I think it was partly the fact that he ended up killing (at least some) of the aliens. As he said she did exceptionally as the Doctor but goodness had nothing to do with it.

As I said this is a different Doctor who has accepted the War Doctor as part of himself. He is prepared to kill unlike the last few Doctors. He is darker. As you say he doesn't want Clara to be like him.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Every Doctor's been prepared to kill. Even when he was at his recent zaniest (arguably Smith or Tennant), he was ready to dabble in a bit of genocide if he felt it was necessary. I think Capaldi's Doctor is paradoxically more honest about his use of murder but also more hateful of it. He really would prefer to never kill anyone, but unlike Smith and Tennant, he's not willing to paint himself as the kind of hero who might be able to.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

I thought the last two episodes were fantastic. Capaldi has really honed in on his Doctor and I am loving it.

 

[AnneFan]

The Doctor gave the impression with a few of his lines that he hated having to be the sort of cold, calculating leader he plays himself up as, so when Clara tries that persona on and does a good job with it, he can't congratulate her for it because that would be validating his corruption of her with his own loathsome personality. The last thing he wants for his companions is for them to be like him.

Exactly. I think that's what could happen. The Doctor realises he can't allow her to keep travelling with him. She's gone from seriously questioning his conduct and personality to using this behaviour herself. She just can't let the addiciton go, so he may make the decision for her.

 

[RetroNaz]

I hope the new companion they select provides a really fresh new dynamic. Really, I think we need to see a male companion this time around.

 

[Lilbaz]

Anyone else hate Dan? He's just so boring.

 

[regwec]

Yes he is boring, but that probably can't be helped when his only purpose is to drag like an anchor on Clara, who has herself run her course.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Exactly. I think that's what could happen. The Doctor realises he can't allow her to keep travelling with him. She's gone from seriously questioning his conduct and personality to using this behaviour herself. She just can't let the addiciton go, so he may make the decision for her.

You think he would pull a 4/Sarah Jane on her?

What do you guys think was going on toward the end, when Clara desperately wanted the Doctor to tell her she'd done well but he refused? I think it was a weird self-loathing sort of thing. The Doctor gave the impression with a few of his lines that he hated having to be the sort of cold, calculating leader he plays himself up as, so when Clara tries that persona on and does a good job with it, he can't congratulate her for it because that would be validating his corruption of her with his own loathsome personality. The last thing he wants for his companions is for them to be like him.

The season starts with him asking her if he was a good man and now she's asking essentially the same question, or at least for the same reason. I'm guessing the Doctor knows that this is how it starts. Wondering what makes you a good person based on your actions as good or bad.

 

[AnneFan]

You think he would pull a 4/Sarah Jane on her?

Ultimately, yes. But perhaps not as cruel. Maybe he tells her his thoughts, drops her off and says "live your life with PE." Clara is set to appear in the Christmas special and apparently that episode is to be more on the jolly side. I could see him 'coming around for dinner', ala how Clara suggested during Mummy on the Orient Express. Something happens, which becomes another adventure, and it becomes their true last hurrah. Leaving on a more positive note.

 

[Pink Ranger]

My theory is that the Doctor is aware, via Orson Pink and his legacy of time explorers, of the future importance of Clara and her bloodline. He is imposing more responsibilities, more risk and more independence on her because he knows that one day he has to cut her off, and she and Danny have to become their own kind of time guardians/explorers without the Doctor to be there as their safety net.

 

[Manic]

I hope the new companion they select provides a really fresh new dynamic. Really, I think we need to see a male companion this time around.

Only having a male companion would never fly. Doctor Who kind of prides itself on being a show with strong female main characters, stretching all the way back to Barbara Wright. If anything, the Doctor could use another male/female team of companions. With the amount of money this show is raking in internationally, they've got to have the budget for two companions again.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Maybe he can have both. Like a mother/son but when the mother is younger and then when the son is grown. The are only in the Tardis together a few times.

 

[Manic]

I think you just described a reverse-gender Rory and River.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

I think you just described a reverse-gender Rory and River.

Yeah, without the meeting in reverse order stuff.

Just letting the mother and son met when they wouldn't have otherwise cause she died (not because of the Doctor) before he grew up.
A son getting to rewrite history a bit.

Ultimately, yes. But perhaps not as cruel. Maybe he tells her his thoughts, drops her off and says "live your life with PE." Clara is set to appear in the Christmas special and apparently that episode is to be more on the jolly side. I could see him 'coming around for dinner', ala how Clara suggested during Mummy on the Orient Express. Something happens, which becomes another adventure, and it becomes their true last hurrah. Leaving on a more positive note.

Consider how much more distant 12 is than 4 or 11, I figured he'd just lie and never come back.

But that might be too much of a repeat of 11 trying to ditch Clara in Time of the Doctor.

 

[Manic]

Speaking of new companions, the 6th Doctor is getting a new companion on audio named Constance Clarke, played by Miranda Raison (Tallulah [three L's and an H] from "Daleks in Manhattan"). Constance is a Wren in the Women's Royal Navy Service during WWII.

"She's a fantastic asset for the Sixth Doctor – capable, practical and reliable; in many ways, everything he's not! But she's a fantastic asset for Britain, too, in the darkest days of the War. One day, she'll have to choose between them – or between the Doctor and Mr Clarke, a Lieutenant Commander in Naval Intelligence, currently AWOL for reasons unknown. But not just yet..."

 

[Lilbaz]

Speaking of new companions, the 6th Doctor is getting a new companion on audio named Constance Clarke, played by Miranda Raison (Tallulah [three L's and an H] from "Daleks in Manhattan"). Constance is a Wren in the Women's Royal Navy Service during WWII.

"She's a fantastic asset for the Sixth Doctor – capable, practical and reliable; in many ways, everything he's not! But she's a fantastic asset for Britain, too, in the darkest days of the War. One day, she'll have to choose between them – or between the Doctor and Mr Clarke, a Lieutenant Commander in Naval Intelligence, currently AWOL for reasons unknown. But not just yet..."

I'd take her in the box, any day of the week.

 

[Jason Kane]

Also in Big Finish news, the cover for The Highest Science:

Oh and for those who missed the last two:

 

[Manic]

I wonder if they really got Tom and Lalla to record their audios together, or if they scheduled separate days for them to record their own lines.

 

[Jason Kane]

I wonder if they really got Tom and Lalla to record their audios together, or if they scheduled separate days for them to record their own lines.

Seeing how Ward enjoys holding grudges, I'd say the latter

 

[AnneFan]

Consider how much more distant 12 is than 4 or 11, I figured he'd just lie and never come back.

But that might be too much of a repeat of 11 trying to ditch Clara in Time of the Doctor.

I think 12 is growing as a character. He may be a black and white dude at times but I think Clara's hissy fits had an affect on him, just as he has had an affect on her.

 

[Breogan]

So now it all makes sense, Thing is another Time-Lord living in a mini-Tardis.....

And in an alternate reality Time-Lord ^ hands psychic paper to Companion.

 

[regwec]

I'd take her in the box, any day of the week.

I think 12 is growing as a character. He may be a black and white dude at times but I think Clara's hissy fits had an affect on him, just as he has had an affect on her.

12, as written and as played so masterfully by Capaldi, is the reason I am still watching the show. With the qualification that the deification of 10 went further than I would have liked, the process behind the casting and characterisation of the Doctors in "New Who" has been impeccable.

 

[AnneFan]

12, as written and as played so masterfully by Capaldi, is the reason I am still watching the show. With the qualification that the deification of 10 went further than I would have liked, the process behind the casting and characterisation of the Doctors in "New Who" has been impeccable.

Smith and Capaldi are the best in New Who, in my view, because of the direct contrast. 11 had pain and sadness inside, but projected himself as an affable young lad. Upon regeneration, this seemingly inverted. With the pained, grumpier side being more prominent, and silly little dances, ala that one in Flatline, being fewer. Plus with his older appearance. But indeed, all of the Doctor castings have been spot on, even though I felt 10's characterisation near the end went way too soppy.

And I must say, The Doctor using his hand to move the shrunken TARDIS is one of the most surreal things I've ever seen on the show. Hilarious. We'll probably never see anything like it again. It's a one-off.