Moffat is very good at writing creepy episodes, with great ambiance, and terrific dialog. But personally, I feel like his over-arcing plot-lines are needlessly complicated and too easily solved (How many times did he misuse the TARDIS, use some version of a clone, cross his own time-line, etc). It got redundant and ridiculous. Still, that's not even my biggest complaint. Frankly, for me, these seasons lacked emotional depth, because the only characters I connected with were Rory and the Doctor.
And that's not even considering the Doctor's little "I let you keep Mickey" comment. It's funny, yes, but it's also unfair, and very snarky. At the end of School Reunion, it's clear Rose didn't want Mickey to come along, and even mouthed "no" to the Doctor. But instead of exploring that fascinating angle (Rose's jealousy, Mickey's motives, the Doctor's reasoning for bringing him along) Moffat ignored it completely, and focused on an issue that had already been addressed.
Wonderful, powerful on paper... but we JUST addressed this very issue in School Reunion. And frankly, the argument is more powerful with Sarah Jane, a companion he had history with... than some courtesan he met and snogged briefly. Even the conversations Rose held with Sarah Jane were repeated through Reinette ("some things are worth getting your heart broken for"; "The Doctor is worth the monsters"). And after the Doctor told Rose he'd never "leave her behind"... he goes and does exactly that.
Consistency is my biggest gripe as well, especially since Moffat is guilty of some of the most inconsistent episodes in those early seasons. Like you, I had no issue with Reinette - my complaint is that the entire episode was basically School Reunion, just dressed in different clothes. I mean, consider the plot: The Doctor falls in love with a human, he sacrifices everything to save her, yet she still "withers and dies", leaving him alone (the time lord curse realized in the span of a day).
Re: Doctor Love: One thing not to forget is the doctor started out with a granddaughter. He also had a family at one point. and something terrible happened to them, where at best he can bring them back to life in his mind. The Doctor having multiple partners makes sense, not because hes a polgimous ass, but he because he travels all time and space and gets involved in many different ways. Sometimes in flirtations, sometimes in a deep romance. Sometimes in an accidental marriage.
Re:Consistency and the author: The problem I have with new DW isn't the new show or how the doctor is protrayed. Its confidential and the way the production is trying to make itself more available to the audience. In many ways, the author should be dead when doing criticism. Otherwise, we should watch confidential first to find out why everything is the way it is in the story, then watch the story. However, thats not the way the medium works. The doctor is still the doctor, no matter who he is.
Re: Girl in the Fireplace criticism. I agree with you partially that Moffett didn't have an idea for 10s character when he wrote that. However in the over all arch of Dr.Who, going back to the ye olden days, the Doctor is concerned with history not being messed with (The Time Meddler, Kings Deamon as prime examples). Therefore, yes kind of inconsistent having 10 leave Micky and Rose to save Ren, but makes enough sense that he doesn't want insane andriods destroying history.
I like exactly that in Moffat' episodes - that we're not told how we're supposed to feel. I think it adds depth in the sense that I'll watch an episode one and think "That's so badass!" and then when I rewatch it'll turn into "wwait... no... you aren't supposed to do that" I had a huge problem with the Doctor/Amy thing specifically because of the infidelity aspect, but I rather enjoy the inconsistensy in the characterrs (apart from the Doctor himself) ...
Moffat is very good at writing creepy episodes, with great ambiance, and terrific dialog. But personally, I feel like his over-arcing plot-lines are needlessly complicated and too easily solved (How many times did he misuse the TARDIS, use some version of a clone, cross his own time-line, etc). It got redundant and ridiculous. Still, that's not even my biggest complaint. Frankly, for me, these seasons lacked emotional depth, because the only characters I connected with were Rory and the Doctor.
ajewell82 2 months ago
And that's not even considering the Doctor's little "I let you keep Mickey" comment. It's funny, yes, but it's also unfair, and very snarky. At the end of School Reunion, it's clear Rose didn't want Mickey to come along, and even mouthed "no" to the Doctor. But instead of exploring that fascinating angle (Rose's jealousy, Mickey's motives, the Doctor's reasoning for bringing him along) Moffat ignored it completely, and focused on an issue that had already been addressed.
ajewell82 2 months ago
Wonderful, powerful on paper... but we JUST addressed this very issue in School Reunion. And frankly, the argument is more powerful with Sarah Jane, a companion he had history with... than some courtesan he met and snogged briefly. Even the conversations Rose held with Sarah Jane were repeated through Reinette ("some things are worth getting your heart broken for"; "The Doctor is worth the monsters"). And after the Doctor told Rose he'd never "leave her behind"... he goes and does exactly that.
ajewell82 2 months ago
Consistency is my biggest gripe as well, especially since Moffat is guilty of some of the most inconsistent episodes in those early seasons. Like you, I had no issue with Reinette - my complaint is that the entire episode was basically School Reunion, just dressed in different clothes. I mean, consider the plot: The Doctor falls in love with a human, he sacrifices everything to save her, yet she still "withers and dies", leaving him alone (the time lord curse realized in the span of a day).
ajewell82 2 months ago
Re: Doctor Love: One thing not to forget is the doctor started out with a granddaughter. He also had a family at one point. and something terrible happened to them, where at best he can bring them back to life in his mind. The Doctor having multiple partners makes sense, not because hes a polgimous ass, but he because he travels all time and space and gets involved in many different ways. Sometimes in flirtations, sometimes in a deep romance. Sometimes in an accidental marriage.
LilRonin01 1 year ago
Re:Consistency and the author: The problem I have with new DW isn't the new show or how the doctor is protrayed. Its confidential and the way the production is trying to make itself more available to the audience. In many ways, the author should be dead when doing criticism. Otherwise, we should watch confidential first to find out why everything is the way it is in the story, then watch the story. However, thats not the way the medium works. The doctor is still the doctor, no matter who he is.
LilRonin01 1 year ago
Re: Girl in the Fireplace criticism. I agree with you partially that Moffett didn't have an idea for 10s character when he wrote that. However in the over all arch of Dr.Who, going back to the ye olden days, the Doctor is concerned with history not being messed with (The Time Meddler, Kings Deamon as prime examples). Therefore, yes kind of inconsistent having 10 leave Micky and Rose to save Ren, but makes enough sense that he doesn't want insane andriods destroying history.
LilRonin01 1 year ago
I agree completely but in terms of you last point i have one sentence for Moffat: The Doctor is not Jack!
beagletaylor01 1 year ago
It makes them seem more fleshed out to me, because real people don't always follow their assigned patterns like we see fictional characters do.
ThatBookGirl 1 year ago
I like exactly that in Moffat' episodes - that we're not told how we're supposed to feel. I think it adds depth in the sense that I'll watch an episode one and think "That's so badass!" and then when I rewatch it'll turn into "wwait... no... you aren't supposed to do that" I had a huge problem with the Doctor/Amy thing specifically because of the infidelity aspect, but I rather enjoy the inconsistensy in the characterrs (apart from the Doctor himself) ...
ThatBookGirl 1 year ago
I love river for her mysteriousness.
ExeptionallyOrdinary 1 year ago