New Who Review for Kill the Moon

[puppetmaker]

This episode seems to be one of those polarizing ones. I have not found anyone in the middle ground, which is where I am standing. I liked it but I did not love it. There were some brilliant parts and some seriously Oh Come ON sections.

I thought all the actors did brilliantly. Special kudos to Ellis George (Courtney Woods) for giving us such a nuanced performance. Bringing a kid along to make a point was a bit daring.

I did love the Doctor’s speech on the beach. Thought Capaldi knocked that one of the park. A little less for Jenna Coleman and the speech in the TARDIS at the end. She did well enough and I honestly don’t know if it was her, the direction or the script but it rang a little hollow for me.

The decision to be made was interesting and set up some of those lovely moral dilemmas that we have on this show. Also that the Doctor basically said, “Not my monkeys, not my circus” was a bit different than previous incarnations.

I am grateful that most of the episodes have given me something to think about afterwards.



It has been pointed out that the major part of the plot in this one was done by Peter in his New Frontier Novel: End Game. We are putting it down to great minds think a like or the writer read the book and didn’t remember where the idea came from which does happen. Nothing malicious at all.

That the Doctor stepped back for the decision to be made by the inhabitants of the planet is a bit unusual for the character but in this case it worked for me. Clara’s reaction to the Doctor bowing out didn’t work for me.

I think my biggest problem with this episode was Clara. I don’t think it was the acting but more the script and the direction. She was written as a shrill shrew and that’s not who she is. This is an angry Clara who seems to be angry at nothing that makes any sense. Makes me wonder if we are missing a scene or two from the script. Her not even considering what the Doctor said to her about respect doesn’t feel right at all considering what they have had the character done previously.

Having Courtney as an occasional passenger works for me. Her character brings a different point of view to the situation.

OK we get it, the Doctor is thoughtless and doesn’t pay attention to any social niceties when talking to others. This incarnation is missing a filter. But do we really to be beaten over the head with it? It was funny two episodes ago now it feels a little mean spirited and tired.

Also if the Doctor knew that the moon was going to just be replaced, why couldn’t he impart that small piece of information? I don’t think it was a fixed point in time.

Comments

[tristam.livejournal.com]

It might have been the reuse of the space suits, but I saw this episode as The Doctor deliberately deciding not to be the "Time Lord Victorious" that he was on Bowie Base Five in Waters of Mars. Like many people trying not to make the same mistake twice, he over corrected and stepped back too far.

[jeff kirshner (from livejournal.com)]

The science was very stupid this episode for many reasons, and when someone thinks that it is okay because it is a fantasy show... and rules don't apply... the writer is making stupid decisions.

Clara's character is supposed to be on a rebound from 11 because 12 looks too old for her (never mind 11 was over 1000 years old when they met) and is in a very forced relationship with Danny Pink (who besides being able to leap into the air as if he has super powers, has no other qualities I like and is actually in the process of controlling her with threats of leaving) her responses to 12 are probably clouded by this relationship, at least, that is what the writing staff are probably told to write. I am not liking this... the only thing I do like is 12's character is close to some of the classic Doctors - even a little like 9 - and I like this personality BUT being over 2000 years old shouldn't be making mistakes about emotional relationships nor not understanding behavior of humans. In fact, he should be pretty wise by this time, not confused by the age of a student.

[sharon marie antoinette palmer (from livejournal.com)]

Although I thought the acting was fine, I agree that the script was weak and I was most annoyed with the lack of science. Their belief that "the moon's ONLY influence on Earth is the tides and we can live without those" drove me nuts! And, oh, how CONVENIENT, the departing, newly-born moon creature laid an egg that was the same size and mass as itself moments after hatching. Augh! And I don't even want to think about anaerobic bacteria with legs and teeth.

So far, I do NOT like the schoolgirl. Oh, pity, she's upset that the Doctor told her she isn't special. Guess what! She's NOT special; she's a spoiled brat so desperate for attention that she interferes with other students' learning. And for that poor behavior she's being rewarded with a trip in the TARDIS?! WTH?! I can only hope that she will learn from the experience and become a decent human being.

I can't wait for the writers and Capaldi to settle on what his Doctor will be. So far, he's been arrogant, self-centered, and over-competitive. I'm hoping these get moderated. I can deal with aloof. I can deal with an alien viewpoint. I can even deal with him being manipulative. (Let's face it, Matt Smith's Doctor was very manipulative, he was just much more subtle about it.) But so far, this isn't a Doctor I'd like to travel with.

Sorry for the rant; this episode pushed a lot of my buttons. - SMAP

[lyssie.livejournal.com]

hatching moons was a discworld thing, too