Great Rewatches

Hey guys!

So I've been going back and forth with the idea of a rewatch. I did quite a bit of Doctor Who but as soon as I got to season 4 it got hard. The next episode is Turn Left and I can't get myself to press play. I love Donna and I love The Doctor, but I especially love them together and I absolutely believe that their friendship is the reason the ten became my Doctor despite meeting nine first.

So not ready to say goodbye again I turned to the other 2 fandoms I wanted to rewatch: Harry Potter and Smallville. I have the same problem with both that I did with Doctor Who: I'm not ready to say goodbye. Despite the fact that I had 10 wonderful years with both I still didn't want either of them to leave. I've only seen HP 7 1+2 only once each: midnight showings opening day, and Smallville Seasons 8,9, and 10 have been bought but still unwatched. I mean, I saw the episodes weekly but when the seasons were released on DVD I usually automatically do a rewatch but I hadn't for those seasons despite being absolutely fantastic. But since I had already marathoned How I Met Your Mother I needed to suck it up and watch something. So I ended up with smallville. Since I've rewatched season 1 so many times and my firend Ashlyn has my season 2 (also rewatched countless times) I decided to start on Season 3. It's fun to see Lex again, and the Magnificent Bastard the Lionel Luthor was back then. Lana isn't nearly as annoying as she later became, and seeing Pete "The Boss" Ross was just weird. And, of course, I love, absolutely Love Chloe, and seeing Jonathan and Martha again just brings a smile to my face even though I keep flashing forward to season 5, especially after Jonathan's heart attack.

I know eventually I'll have to suck it up and say goodbye to 10 and deal with all those deaths in Harry Potter. But right now, I'm just happy seeing Clark Kent, little by little, adventure after adventure, become the Man of Tomorrow again.

We're gonna rock around the clock

I'm heading to Vegas tomorrow. Driving 5 hours from LA to visit my BFF Cassandra! The interesting part for me will be the fact that I'll be making this trip solo, and to date, it'll be my longest solo trip yet. So I have my iPhone up to date with music and podcasts to keep me occupied. My parents are worried of course. They seem to imagine everything that can go wrong will go wrong, nevermind my oil was recently changed, dads gonna check the water and tires tonight, I'm driving in the day time, AND i have AAA. Honestly I'm excited about this, but I love road trips so I'm treating this like an adventure.

I'm not entirely sure whats the whole plan while I'm there, but we are going to go to a My Chemical Romance/Blink 182 concert Friday night, and most likely go dancing Saturday night. And I'm very excited about both of them! Outside of Wizard Rock shows, this will be my first concert since Green Day did their American Idiot tour. And it'll be my first time going dancing since LeakyCon and I'm so looking forward to that. And I already know I'll be drinking so there's that to look forward to. I probably shouldn't be so excited about getting drunk, but I am. No idea how I should feel about that...

But thats all tomorrow; today I'm finishing packing and cleaning, going to Robin's to watch some Doctor Who (she's just started season 6 so we're almost finished), and reading some Frankenstein critiques so I can pull some quotes for my essay. The essay which is due on Monday, which means I want to be back home Sunday night by 8 so I have time to write it. Normally I'd think "No problem" but its been so long since I've written a proper essay that I'm just a bit hesitant. But then, my best essays are usually the ones I do in the middle of the night, so the time crunch should be inspiration enough to get through it. I suppose my biggest worry is how to organize my essay, because I already know I'm going to be writing a Disability Studies Critical Essay and I know what questions I want to answer and I know what quotes I'll be using from the book, I just have no idea how my intro and thesis will look and so I don't know how the rest of my paper will follow.

I also got my hair cut today, and while lately, my hair has always been kept short, I finally went for an honest-to-God pixie cut, which I've always wanted, but never quite managed, so little by little I've been telling my... hair cutter? beautician? stylist? the same girl I go to everytime I want my hair cut, to go shorter and shorter, and now its all pixie-ed! Thankfully I can still pull off Fedoras so that a complete win! Headbands, on the other hand, are more of a case by case basis. But at least theres a few that i can still use.

Actually I've been listening to podcasts all day so I may just have good music on my drive to Vegas... oops.

DFTBA!

Tonight I'm going to need you all with me.

"I've been running. 

Faster then I've ever run, 

and I've been running my whole life. 

Now its time for me to stop."

-The Doctor

THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS TO THE FIRST EPISODE OF THE NEW SEASON OF DOCTOR WHO. DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE EPISODE.







Basically, I just rewatched the episode and took notes on what was happening. Sorry if its lengthy, theres's just a lot I wanted to mention. So this blog reads as part play by play commentary and my theories thrown in from time to time.

 First thing I want to point out is that we find out that 2 months ago that the Doctor left Rory and Amy behind telling them he'd be in touch. I'm so used to 10 needing to be with people that this strikes me as incredibly odd. Was the Doctor just giving Amy and Rory time to be newly weds or did he actually want to be alone. And why?

Also when River first comes into the scene and she and the Doctor sync their diaries I was a little pissed off that they had adventures that we didn't get to see. I mean, I know why that is now, but still I was a bit pissed...

And as for the Doctor's "running" quote, 10 has said the same too- he's been running ever since he was 8 years old and looked into time, eternity, whatever that was. So is his need to stop something to do with that? With Gallefrey and his past, or is this something new that's made the doctor see how much running he's done his life and now wants to stop. But what does that mean for the Doctor? What does "stop running" mean? No more adventures, no more TARDIS, a normal life? The one Adventure he can never have?

And then they move to their picnic near a lake. Which, I'm sorry, looks like no where on earth I've ever seen... seriously, that place looks more like a different planet then anything here. The water is too still and the moon too bright...

Then we find out that the Doctor is 1103 years old and mentions that Amy has put on a few pounds... Does he know what Amy will reveal to his past self? If he does then he's just following the timeline and wants to change something at a later point in time, but if he doesn't know then wouldn't that mean that he's completely changing everything in the past? I also can't tell if the Doctor knows that Amy has seen the alien or if he just thinks theres something weird that just happend. The expression on his face is way too subtle for me to figure out.

And I can't help but notice that River is surprisingly quiet throughout this scene. From what we later learn we know that she and the Doctor are travelling at opposite ends so right now River knows almost everything about the Doctor, while he knows so very little. Does she know that there is something wrong with what he's saying? That this is the calm before the storm?

And then that Astronaut shows up, and the Doctor sounds so sad when he tells them that they can't interfere no matter what, and of course to the Astronaut he says: "It's OK, I know it's you." And here's my theory that it might be River Song who kills him, as she of course, kills the best man she ever knew, and who could that be but the Doctor? We have so little info and the time doesn't seem to add up but this has been a theory ever since 5th season, one a friend of mine mentioned and made the most sense to me...
And then as the Doctor and the Astronaut are talking it looks as though the Doctor may be scolding the Astronaut with the pointing and the gesturing. And then he drops his head, like a kid in trouble. and again, he looks so sad.

And I know that Matt Smith was signed on for the whole season, and I've heard he was contracted for 3 total, but I still freaked out when he got shot and started to regenerate, and of course he got shot again and then River said he didn't get a chance to move to the next version and I almost began crying...

And then we find out he's not dead. And River's line: "This is cold. Even by your standards, this is cold." I would have slapped him more then once.

Poor River, trying to hold on to her Doctor and seeing their shared memories forgotten. It's The Silence in the Library all over again.

Later on the TARDIS when everyone leaves the Doctor cause they're cross with him, I think he looks a little scared. With Rory and Amy, and even River they wouldn't have much idea of what's going on, but this is the Doctor, and he's so very clever. He can put the universe together with just a few fragmented pieces. What does he think is going on, and why does he look scared, instead of confused about how everyone's acting or even a little distrusting of the whole situation. Why does he look scared? What has he figured out just by watching?

Did he spend those 200 years alone, only to contact them at the end? Or did they have this adventure with him already and he's just changing things to tweak the outcome? And what is the outcome? If it's not the Doctor's style to be avenged or saved then what is? The only thing I can think of is fixing something or saving the world. We saw the Doctor get killed, but that didn't destroy the world. Is it the Aliens and the "Revolution" mentioned in the trailer. Is he fixing History by getting rid of those aliens? Is that what needs to happen?

"He's interacted with his own past. He could rip a hole in the universe."
"He's done it before."
"And, in fairness, the universe did blow up."
Good ol' Rory :)
Why is he interacting with his past when he knows its so dangerous. It's like his whole "Time Lord Victorious" moment from before and we all know that didn't end too well. Does he still think that as the last Time Lord he's now above the rules, or has he just learned, through trial and error, how close to line he can get without screwing everything up?

Then we get that scene where the Doctor isn't going to 1969 because of some mysterious summons and River tries to get him to trust her but he won't. He flirts with her and jokes with her, but still doesn't trust her, and while I love River and really think she's one of the good guys. He's smart to want to know the answers. But if the writers turn around and have her be some enemy I'll have to hunt them down... But this scene. With what he says, with all his bitterness coming to light, and he is really bitter, he just hides it by being ridiculous, add Murray Gold's fantastic music and how the Doctor's voice gets all quiet... This scene gives me chills... I love it.

Of course followed up by one of the funniest moments in this episode with the Doctor trying to be all impressive about the TARDIS and River quietly fixing his mistakes :)

And a quick jump ahead since we've heard the phone call. The Space man the girl is scared of, its not the person in the spacesuit cause apparently thats her, so I think the Space man is either the Doctor, who's been called that before, or maybe the alien things. Its more likely to be the Doctor though, unless somehow that little girl is able to remember the Aliens even when they're not around, although that can be possible since that girl can't be what she seems to be. There's just too much weird around her.

"They're American!"
"Don't Shoot, dont shoot!"
yeah we're just crazy gun shooting cowboys, aren't we ;)

And then Amy sees the Alien again and forgets again, and shouldn't she be protected by that sort of thing since she's a time traveler?

And when she sees it in the restroom again and it kills Joy. That was way creepy, and did that security guard not hear Amy scream? What good is he then?

And then we get to Florida and Cantor is finding out more and more about the Doctor and the TARDIS, "Like your wheels." He's just so calm and cool about it, i love it!

"I'm quite the Screamer. Now there's a spoiler for you!" I LOVE RIVER SONG

Even though Rory didn't want to go in the tunnel, he seems a lot less useless then he used to be. Despite not having the big moments (and how could he with Amy and River there?) I really liked him in this episode. Before I kinda got the feeling that he was there because Amy is. He was just tagging along like Mickey did without being the tin dog. But then that scene with him and River and he's talking to her, it fleshes him out more, like he isn't just there, but wants to be and can be friends with the Doctor and River. Not just Amy's husband.

Of course talking to River, we get that heartbreaking line:

"The day is coming when I'll look into that man's eyes, my Doctor, and he won't have the faintest clue who I am.

"And I think it's going to kill me."

And then we get that lightening show and we have no clue if Rory's been hurt, and he better not have been. Although truth be told I don't think he has been, cause they already killed him last season, are they really going to do that again?

Meanwhile, with seconds left in the episode, Amy gives her grand reveal: She's Pregnant! And I freaked out again. In the very back of my mind, when Future Doctor mentioned that Amy gained some weight I thought "Maybe she's pregnant" But I didn't actually think that was true!!!

But here's something. Amy is pregnant. She's been feeling a little ill from time to time, but the first time it happened was after the alien. But the second time she's ill it wasn't from just seeing the Alien. So maybe those ill feelings were baby by nature and not the alien. Plus if it was from the alien wouldn't it make sense for their heads to be affected since its their brains that are getting tampered with? Plus wouldn't everyone be feeling ill? Joy didn't, but then she died really quickly. Rory didn't feel ill either. The only other person who had a sick to their stomach feeling was River. If the illness isn't because of the aliens, River might be pregnant too. Mind you this might be reaching, as clearly it wasn't the Doctor and since they're "together" I don't see River shacking up with whoever, plus she's been in jail... But still, imagine if she was?

Finally at the very end, we see the space suit and Amy reaches for the gun and in my head I'm going "Don't do it!!!" But its too late, we see the child in the suit and Amy doesn't stop herself in time and both she and the Doctor scream.... and that's it. Episode one is done.

There's still so many questions going on, and I can't believe that they're starting this season off with a 2 parter, jerks.

And next weekend I'll be at the LA Times Festival of Books at USC so I'll have to wait till like Monday to watch the episode... Oi.

aww crap...

I did forget to BEDA yesterday. I couldn't remember at all whether I did or not... So FREAKING close to actually blogging once a day for a whole month! that sucks.

In other news, I apparently take Lists waaay too seriously. I wanted to post a quick top 5 movies list but I only got to 1 and 2... maybe 3... after then I keep changing my mind and forgetting movies I've seen and wondering about the movies I haven't..

I know that Shawshank Redemption gets top billing, and Lion King probably comes right after*, but then I don't know if Casablanca is 3rd and I draw a complete blank after that... What do you think... whats in your top five and whats missing from mine?

Of course Doctor Who season 6 began yesterday! I've seen the episode twice now and I have no clue what to make of it. I know it's got me looking forward to next saturday, but there's so much I want to know. But I think I will wait till tomorrow to post for fear of spoiling those who do not watch.

I know, I know, we all wanna talk DW but think if you accidentally got spoiled on such a brilliant show, how sucky would that be? Although I will say this, I don't think I noticed it in S5 but does it seem that 11 has the same bitterness that 10 noted in 9? After losing Rose***, losing Donna, after his hold "Time Lord Victorious" moment of insanity, after regenerating when he didn't want to... I think he's bitter again... I only hope that River is somehow to fix that, like Rose first did... I am one of the millions who have decided that River and The Doctor are definitely married at some point...

Well In any case, Its Easter Sunday**** so I'm off, plus I'm a bit tired.

Ta!


DFTBA

* Don't laugh. Its an amazing film with wonderful art, intense drama**, and a fantastic score.

**yes drama. Don't tell me you don't get a little weepy when Mufasa dies...

***TWICE :(

**** HAPPY EASTER!!!!!

Somethings are worth getting your heart broken for

Sarah Jane Smith: No. The universe has to move forward. Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it's a world, or a relationship... Everything has its time. And everything ends.

So I had a great day yesterday and was all excited about blogging about it... And then I came home. And then I got to pissed to blog so I decided to opt out. My plan today was to post yesterday's blog today but I'm not going to. I'll probably get to it tomorrow.

I found out today that Elisabeth Sladen passed away. She's known to most people as Sarah Jane Smith, a companion to the 3rd and 4th doctor. I know her from when the 10th doctor met up with her again. And the new Whovians loved her so much she not only got a spinoff (that both 10 and 11 guest starred in) but she also made a reappearance on Doctor who in season 4 and as the Doctor was getting his reward before he regenerated.

When I first found out, I was shocked, of course, and a little sad. Sarah Jane Smith was a great character and Elisabeth Sladen a fantastic actress. But then it sunk in and "a little sad" turned into almost crying in the middle of the street. The stupid things people think about when confronted by death started to pop up:

"what's the doctor gonna say when he finds out?"
"who's gonna look after k-9 now?"

Even in the brief moments I knew her, Elisabeth Sladen WAS Sarah Jane Smith. And I'm sad that the Doctor and she will never meet up again.

A friend on Facebook noted that she only knew of SJS through the new DW series. She hasn't watched classic Who or the spinoff but she was still really sad and couldn't quite understand why. I myself am in the same boat so I wondered too.

I commented: she was connected to the Doctor's past. She was special to him, so she became special to us.

Sarah Jane Smith. Elisabeth Sladen you will be missed. So much. Goodbye.

I hope I don't jinx it by mentioning this...

But I'm a bit surprised I haven't skipped a day if BEDA yet. I think last year I lasted like 2 days before I forgot a day... And then I never quite recovered. Maybe it's a sign that I can also finally do NaNoWriMo and win. Shocking, right?

So tomorrow I'm hitting brunch with my friends Cassandra and Liz. Liz is coming down from Arizona before she leaves to work in FL w, I think, sea turtles again. I still get pretty jealous that she's gotten to work with sea turtles! I might also go to Robin's house to catch her up on some more Doctor Who. She finished season 1 last week and I convinced her to at least watch the Christmas special with Tennant so she can meet the new Doctor*. And just like I expected she likes him very much. Eccleson will always be my Doctor, but there's just no denying 10's amazing charisma...

Speaking of Doctor Who I went ahead and bought the ongoing Comic book series. I sadly missed the very first issue, which is now sold out, but I got 2 and 3 which are parts 1 and 2 of a three part Jack the Ripper storyline. I'm liking it so far, but I want to read a few more issues before deciding to add it to my pull list.

Ahhh pull lists... I finally cleaned mine out and that only took like 6 months to do... I'm really gonna make the effort to stick to going once a week and not letting all those comics accumulate... Especially cause I'm still a few months behind on my reading. Oy...

Well look at that! A proper post!

DFTBA

*Not that I had to try to hard to convince her...

Watchin Doctor Who

     So a short post tonight as I am in the middle of a very creepy episode of Doctor Who and I'm in the middle of dinner too.

     Ok, seriously, is that Satan in a planet next to a black hole in space? So Hell isn't below us after all but father away then we ever imagined? And I'm sorry but we better get the Tardis back soon, I miss it already!

     Anyways, what to blog about...
    
     Wait what? IDA YOU IDIOT! That thing, that Beast claims to be Satan and you want to get a closer look? Dude RUN LIKE HELL!!!

     Sorry, where was I? Oh yeah, blog...

     Ooh, I have an hour left to post this so I don't miss a day. Its kind of exciting being able to blog for consecutive days... Although I still find myself wishing this blog was more then my public diary...

     Ok I'm heading out cause Doctor Who is too good!!!

     DFTBA

     (And I've cried like 3 times already!)