![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
riverdresses& now, here we go, off on the second three recaps of the great & mighty Troughton rewatch-athon!
The Smugglers
- So this serial picks up from where we left off at the end of The War Machines, with Ben & Polly going into the TARDIS to return One's key to him, then him taking off with them inside. This could be a bit harder to recap, because it's a recon, but I'll do my best!
One seems quite angry to have uninvited guests in his ship this time, but actually, I don't think of him as being angry so much as just very surprised. He says himself he thought he would finally be alone after leaving 1966. I think if he were really angry, he would have made a point of throwing Ben & Polly off the TARDIS right then & there, if they hadn't already demateralised. Also, I doubt he would have explained certain aspects of the TARDIS to them like he did if he was so angry or he was planning on ditching them at some point.
- I love Ben's initial shock when he & Polly are inside the TARDIS for the first time. Polly seems to stay very level headed, even though she's just stepped into a huge room in what she thought was a mere police box. It's a good contrast to Ben's shock & general reactions, I think. She doesn't scream or panic, she just listens & asks questions. Very good on her!
- I am a bit surprised that Ben refuses to believe that he's in a time machine, considering what he just went through with One in The War Machines. But I suppose those were a bit of a different set of circumstances - Ben was in his own time, dealing with something dangerous on his territory, not in an alien land millions of years in the past or future. So his reactions are a bit surprising to me, but also a fair bit understandable.
- Teehee! Polly pinched Ben! Well, he did ask for it, so he can't complain now, eh? ::giggles::
- & of course the Doctor's off to follow them - did you really believe he wouldn't? Did anyone really believe he didn't want to keep Ben & Polly safe?
- Polly's enthusiasm is so cute! & any thoughts I may have had as to One's feelings toward them? All gone, save for that he does want them there!
- O dear . . . seventeenth century?
- Polly doesn't like being called Duchess & she doesn't like being called a lad. But Ben just said one of my favourite lines ever! 'Listen to our little dolly rocker Duchess!' LOVE YA, BEN!
- Polly's pragmatic side is showing & Ben's sarcastic, annoyed side is coming out. But still, v. awesome, the both of them! & I DO love how the first things on Ben's mind is some good beer. ::giggles:: Sailors! ::giggle::
- Ben ready to fight for One! GO BEN! ::waves pompoms:: Seriously, I ♥ Ben even more every minute.
- I quite like how Polly insists that Ben be seen to after somebody finally shows up to help her. & I'm glad Ben wasn't too severely injured!
- ARGH NOW I'M WORRIED FOR ONE DAMMIT. I know he can help himself, but still, I'm worried how he's going to get away from a band of pirates & their ship. ::chews fingers::
- WHAT THE HELL WHY ARE BEN & POLLY BEING ARRESTED. Another reason to worry now! & I am worried if they're going to find out Polly's no boy - that could be quite dangerous for her.
- One is quite brave (& a bit saucy!) when being threatened by pirates! & surprisingly, still dapper-looking even when a bit torn up.
- POLLY LOVES THEIR PREDICAMENT! & Ben's all whiny & sour about it - ha! Polly = the better adventuress of the two, perhaps? But seriously, I love how Polly's the one finding the adventure & excitement in their problem, even if she has been accused of murder & is currently sitting in gaol.
- Wait, Polly's excited one minute, then she's screaming about a rat? EXCUSE ME? Hello, inconsistant writing.
Or maybe not inconsistent, but that bit bugs me a fair bit.
- Ah, but Kickass!Polly returns just a bit later, with her plan of faking witchery! ::grins:: Go Polly, go Polly! But alas, for her good moment, we must have her irritating fear of rats - girl, you're in a seventeenth-century gaol - OF COURSE THERE'LL BE RATS! Don't tell me you expected it to be all nice & clean!
(but really, I blame the writers, not Polly. Silly writers.)
- One's got brains, gentility, & he knows how to work the right people in the write places - I'm jealous of Susan getting to be his granddaughter! I love One's manipulation of Captain Pike by playing to his apparent vanity & his flattery of him. One is a BADASS, I must reiterate!
- Polly's become 'Paul' now & GO GIRL, GO GIRL, PLAY ON SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY FEAR LIKE THAT! ::hugs her:: & Ben is a great accomplice in her plans, I must say. But Polly Wright FTMFW, BITCHES! & YAY, THEY'RE FREE! Thanks to Polly's snappy thinking, of course!
Seriously. I love this girl. She's as worthy a companion to the Doctor as any of her predecessors!
- Ben & Polly playing detective together is kind of cute, actually. & awww, Ben's worried about Polly's safety. ♥
- Ben, while not as sophisticated as One, is pretty good at getting information when he wants it, at least so far.
- Hmm. The Squire sounds a bit like One. Just a note!
- & quite an ending to leave off on - I'm rather worried for Ben & Polly now! Where is One, o, where IS he?!
- OMG, One's telling fortunes now! HOW DOES HE GET MORE AWESOME WITH EVERY SERIAL? & hmm . . . I wonder what One's up to . . . doesn't seem like him, telling fortunes - O! PLOY! V. good show Doctor, v. good show! ::shan't doubt One again::
(but I'd not be surprised if the Doctor knew how to tell fortunes in different ways - even if he's really more a man of science & exploration, that doesn't mean he wouldn't know how to perhaps read a tea leaf or two, or cut a Tarot deck.)
- Phew! At last, Ben & Polly have a partial believer! But a partial believer is better than what they had before - nothing!
- OMG ONE'S BACK!! ::hugs him:: Now, the three of them shall kick some pirate arse!
- Wow. One . . . damn, I haven't even got words, but the fact that he feels so morally obligated & responsible for protecting the village is . . . wow. I am . . . I mean, I know all of the Doctor is like that, but hearing him explain it in such solid terms just blows me away. Not that I didn't expect him to try & save the village, along with Ben & Polly, nor did I expect him to run off & leave the village to its own fate so the three of them could go elsewhere, but I don't think I'd expected him to be so open in explaining his feelings about it to Ben. I really can see Barbara's good influence shining through now & I can see that is something she left with him & that he'll not lose, ever.
(um, in short, One is love. & I totally love him even more now, if such a thing is possible.)
- & I love how Polly sides with One completely. She's full of strength & compassion & I love her so. & Ben! I'm a bit disappointed in him for wanting to run off & let the village die so easily, but I'm glad he came around somewhat.
Polly > Ben
- Ooo! Ben & Polly's lark in the graveyard helped One figure out the churchwarden's riddle! & they're getting all the pieces together at quite a pace!
- One's v. brave to make Ben & Polly leave him like that to keep them safe. & Ben's awesome for saying he'll be back for him. ::nods::
- One's so honourable, even when dealing with the likes of Captain Pike. ♥ WHY DO PEOPLE DISRESPECT HIM SO MUCH?!
- ::sighs:: I sort of find Ben rescuing Polly from pirates to be terribly romantic. ::blushes::
- & off they (& I!) go onto their next destination, which, sadly, will be One's final story. But it must be faced with a clear mind, & a brave heart.
The Tenth Planet
- Oooo, the opening titles are quite ominous for this serial - I love them! Immediately makes me think of Cybermen. (& yay, a Kit Pedler story!)
- This serial, if I remember right, is almost entirely intact, save for the final story, which is a recon. So it should be a bit easier for me to recap for the most part. (I'm thinking recapping a serial that's a recon is an art that must be learnt a bit slowly, if one means to pick it up properly!)
- 'Doctor, you have a fantastic wardrobe!' YES! Proof that the Doctor's always had one hell of a wardrobe, even if he was only travelling with Susan! & I LOVE Polly's choice - supercute & warm! & aww, how sweet is it that she gently fusses over One's warmth? 'Like toast, my dear!' LOVE.
- Random fashion note: Polly's carrying a muff! Stylish indeed!
- Sigh, men gawking at pretty, dolly, jolly Polly already? MEN.Ben's not going to like this. I think!
- Ha, One doesn't tolerate ANYONE speaking him in a rude tone! Respect the Doctor or get cut!
- 1986?! OMG. I was expecting them to land in the twenty-first century myself, but 1986?! That's three years before I was born! Wild, man.
- Hmm, so this tenth planet is between Mars & Venus? Why did I think it was near Pluto? (yes, this was the 1960s, Pluto was still a planet!)
- One's knowledge of what this planet means is sort of giving me the creeps. I don't really want to speculate as to what the planet is myself, but his knowing it is just creepy.
- LOLZ, THEY'RE GOING TO TRY & BREAK INTO THE TARDIS? LOLZ, I SAY AGAIN.
- UM. I think we just had our first - no, we HAVE just had our first sighting of Mondasian Cybermen! WHOA. & yes, they disturb me as well as the Telosian ones do. Right now, it's all in their faces.
- Okay, the Cybermen are in the base now. & they're scary, okay?! & their voices are kind of creeeepy.
- Mondasian Cybermen are an interesting breed & they are NOT like the Telosian breed, which is what most of us have seen in future serials - the Mondasian breed only had one serial, I think, & it was this one.![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
nentari & I have/are having quite an interesting talk about the differences between Mondasian, Telosian & Cybus Cybermen, the latter being the new series ones. The Mondasian ones seem, to me, just a slight bit more human than the Telosian ones, or even the Cybus ones. They're more willing to answer human queries about who & what they are, as well as how they became what they are now. They also seem more inclined to carry on a conversation, or something like one, with humans, whereas Telosian & Cybus Cybermen are more of the 'convert delete or kill' sort.
Also, their design is vastly different from their counterparts - more bulky & more tubed in the front, & far less of a metallic face. In fact, their faces remind me of clown faces - & I'm somewhat scared of clowns.
& also, the Mondasian Cybermen still have the stealth of the Telosian ones - which is something the Cybus Cybermen of the new series irritatingly lost - honestly, if the Mondasian Cybermen & the Telosian Cybermen went around stomping & clanking like ghosts with rusty chains attached, it would be far too easy for the Doctor to wipe them out before they even showed up!
- So now the Cybermen threw Ben in a projection room & yet, he's learnt from the Doctor already - never give up, no matter how bleak a situation looks. & his remorse at being forced to kill a Cybermen . . . o, Ben. ::hugs::
(& Polly's at his side already!)
- I was actually only planning to go to the second story tonight, but I'm on the third story & I just can't stop watching! Anyway, Cybermen are - O FUCK! One just collapsed! One just collapsed & the Cybermen are bringing in more & along with spaceships. This is not the best time for One to be taken ill!
- Polly says he just seems worn out. I'm pretty worried about the Doctor, my own self! But I rather liked how Ben insists that he & Polly get back to the others & that there's nothing they can do for him. Be that as it may, I'm worried about One.
- HA. Polly may appear to be making coffee, but that girl's working her ulterior motives in-between adding sugar & cream! To all the Polly haters - SHE'S NOT JUST THE MOTHERFUCKING TEA GIRL, BITCHES! She's got someone on her, Ben & One's side now. Not bad for someone everyone always calls a 'screamer' & 'a tea lady'. IN YOUR FACES, POLLY'S AWESOME.
- Oooo, v. James Bond there Ben, crawling through ventilation shafts like that! & he's got his pocket knife! He's ready, folks.
- Another random note - I LOVE Polly's dress! (or is it a jumper?) Overall, she really looks just fabulous! & her EYES! I WANT HER EYES, OR AT LEAST, HER EYE MAKEUP.
- JERK KNOCKED BEN OUT! ::growls:: But at least Polly's there to help him out a bit. (he looks so sweet whilst unconscious . . . but they both look quite sweet together.)
- Okay, we're in recon mode now - & it is a GREAT recon, seriously. An absolutely cracking recon.
- 'I guess this old body of mine is wearing a bit thin.'
O, One. I . . . I know what will come next . . . but I don't want you to leave!
- Wow, owing a Cyberman your life . . . not a concept I'm so readily familiar with. & saving a Cyberman as well . . . wow.
- Ben is going to cut a Cyberman if they touch Polly. Seriously.
- FUCKERS ARE NOT CONVERTING POLLY, FUCK THAT NOISE. & if they do, Ben & One will rip their heads right off.
- I'm sorry, but the Mondasian Cybermen have faces that are freaking me the fuck out - they look too fucking much like clowns! ::hides::
- WHOA, WHOA, GO BEN! He's caught on that Cybermen can't handle radiation! That would make him the first companion of the Doctor's to realise that Cybermen cannot face radiation without dying.
(incidentally, Polly's the one who kicked some Cybermen arse with nail varnish remover! Those two were damn good against Cybermen!)
- ::is scared for Polly & One::
- Ben is showing his snappy, hit-the-ground-fighting traits again, just like he showed us in The War Machines. ROCK ON, BEN! I just hope he'll be okay after being so close to radioactive materials!
- I love Ben. Sometimes, so far, he's bugged me a bit, but he's awesome & I do love him. He really is a great companion.
- WHOA. Mondas disintegrates, & so do the Cybermen? AWESOME!
- & now Ben's saving Polly & One! But One . . . he doesn't look good at all. He sounds awful & he looks so weak . . .
- Okay, this is . . . not good. He can barely even get Ben & Polly inside the TARDIS! & the TARDIS doesn't even sound like herself!
- & . . . . he's gone. Just like that. He collapsed & One . . . isn't One anymore.
(okay, going to have a bit of sap for a moment here.)
In the mix I made about the nine times the Doctor has regenerated, I used the song Airbag by Radiohead, because, based on the research I'd done on One's regeneration, I felt like it fit his moment of regeneration, particularly the line 'In an interstellar burst/I'm back to save the universe'.
& that's just what happens.
Still . . . I miss One already. ::sad sigh::
Also,nentari & I once had a bit of discussion on what it was that caused One to regenerate - was it because of the Cybermen, or was it simply because his original body was finally forced to regenerate, or he would have died? After watching, I'm pretty much solid on the idea of his regeneration coming about because his first body was just too old & had been through too much & if he hadn't regenerated when he did, he would have died altogether. Also, there is enough evidence throughout the story that his body was finally showing signs of age & that a regeneration would have to come soon.
(I should also say that I am one hundred percent sure that the first body we see the Doctor in is the body he was born with.)
The Power of the Daleks
- Picking up where we left off, One has just regenerated into his second body on the floor of the TARDIS, in front of Ben & Polly, who are lost as fuck as to what's just happened.
- & Patrick Troughton's off to a GREAT start as our second Doctor! I love his post-regeneration scene - v. well played & v. in-keeping with what I've seen the Doctor like after he's regenerated.
- Teehee! Now he's got to examine his new face. & his muscles are a bit tight, alas.
- Now everything's beginning to fall into place for all three of them - Two knows he's the Doctor now, or at least he seems to.
- THE RECORDER!! I LOVE IT! Aww! & he's got his five hundred year diary & knows who Ben is - okay, getting there now, I'd say.
- I love how Polly's the one with full faith in the Doctor; that it is the Doctor & he'll be okay, while Ben's insanely sceptical about everything that's going on around him. It's a good contrast both to each other & to Two's own confusion.
- HE'S PLAYING IT AGAIN. ♥ & Ben appears to be none too happy about it. He's even shouted at Polly. Yeah, he's not in the best of moods. & AWWW, STILL PLAYING IT. I think he's rather good, myself.
- O yeah, this is so the Doctor - plotty, cunning, sneaky & with just the right card up his sleeve. ::grins:: Loving him already, on his first serial! I do hope Ben cuts the 'OMG THIS AIN'T THE DOCTOR!' bollocks already. Preferably very soon.
- I have a really bad feeling about that capsule & the first serial's half over. Meep.
- Two is awesomely sneaky, I have GOT to say that.
- FUCK. Daleks. Well . . . they don't look as deadly as the ones I've seen, but WHAT is that thing on the floor?! & where's the fourth one?
- GAH THAT THING IS DISGUSTING! It looks like a bloody mutated jellyfish!
(I think I've also forgotten that this IS the first time Ben & Polly have ever seen a Dalek. They've met Cybermen, but not Daleks.)
- Christ on a cracker . . . I'm sorry, Cybermen may scare me more, but Daleks can do it pretty well too. & Two saying only one Dalek would be needed to wipe out the whole colony on Vulcan . . . I find it chilling.
- HA! Two's sauciness is sexy! ::blows kiss::
- He's only just regenerated, but he's got the spark & fire of his later time - ♥ Two ♥
- DUDE, WTF, ARE YOU AN IDIOT? WHY ARE TRYING TO REVIVE THE DALEKS? Why don't people just listen to the Doctor when he talks?! Melt the pepperpots down!
- Hee, reference to his meeting Marco Polo! & BEN, CUT THE BITCHING, PLEASE. Polly, however, gets a cupcake for believing him to be the real Doctor.
- 'I never talk nonsense. Well, hardly ever.'
- Wow. Two's actually giving me a bit of a spook in this serial - he's never done that before. It's his mysteriousness, his sense of confusion, the hint of darkness I keep feeling from him. I don't think I've ever known one to be like this - he's always been the Doctor I'd want to be best friends with, to go dancing with, & learn to play recorder from. I know there's more to him than his outward silliness & cheerful disposition, like how there's more to Eight than his giddiness & Romantic tendencies, but unlike with Eight, I've never seen Two's darker side - or maybe I have & don't remember it - prior to now. I've seen his cleverness, his wit, his capabilities, but not so much this . . . darkness I just feel from him in this story.
- EARTH PEOPLE ARE TWITS. WHY, WHY, WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO REVIVE A DAMN DALEK?! Okay, FINE, get your silly selves exterminated, so you don't pollute the rest of the human gene pool by procreating. ::sighs loudly::
- More recorder playing! & I love the discussion between Polly & Ben over the deputy governor's guilt or innocence. I think it's an interesting showcase of their personalities, as well as their emotions & of course, their feelings on the situation at hand.
- O, FUCK ME, WHY ARE EARTH PEOPLE SUCH FOOLS. & Two agrees with me, I see. ::glares:: (& maybe NOW Ben will quit the bitching about him being the Doctor or not.)
- The very last half of the second serial, when the Dalek begins to speak, & Two's desperately trying to explain a Dalek's true nature & both are sort of vocally (or should I say aurally?) overlaid is both haunting & chilling.
. . . Okay, it's just scary. To me, anyway. People, just melt down the Daleks before you get yourselves wiped out!
- Any time a Dalek claims to be 'helping' a human? It's time to bash the thing in the eyestalk with a baseball bat.
- GET YOUR GRUBBY HANDS OFF MY DUCHESS BASTARDS!
- More recorder playing! & when Ben finds out they've kidnapped Polly, he is going to blow a frakkin' fuse.
- O, sure, let's just hand over lots of shiny stuff to the Daleks all willy-nilly, why don't we? ::sighs even louder::
- O.fuck.me. The Daleks have all been reactivated. That colony is SCREWED.
- O no. Two's been discovered. Now HE'S screwed!
- & now people are leaving pseudo-ransom notes about Polly? ::glowers:: NOT ON.
- HALLELUJAH, SOMEONE'S SLOWLY BEGINNING TO AGREE WITH TWO.
- Dalek reproduction is . . . . well . . . . let's pretend I don't know about it, okay?
- 'You think you're very tough, don't you, pushing a girl around. I'd like to see you come up against a real man.'
'Like who?'
'Like Ben for instance!'
♥♥♥♥
Polly-girl, you are the awesome.
- . . . . Did Two just use his recorder to break out of a prison cell?
THAT RECORDER IS A WEAPON IN HIS HANDS! & he is made of some serious win, people.
- For some reason, I find Two telling Polly that Ben can take care of himself to be quite sweet.
- & yes, the ending of the fifth part gave me some massive chills. Dalek voices are v. scary when they layer over each other like that.
- My shippy little heart went all fluttery when Ben & Polly finally got to see each other again. Awww.
- Ben comforting Polly! O . . . ♥♥
- 'Why can't you just take all the plugs out and cut the power?'
'Because I prefer to do it my way!'
Hee! I love Two's stubbornness; it's one of my favourite things about him.
- Something I've not noted yet - the concept of one scientist 'giving' life to the Daleks - it feels very Frankenstein-esque, in my opinion. Not only were the Daleks brought to life by a human, they killed humans as well. Of course, all under very different circumstances. But it did put me in mind of the story.
- Ah, a sneaky escape, as the Doctor prefers. ::smiles:: & more recorder playing!!
- & away they go, off to new places & new faces! Bravo, bravo! ::claps::
Whew! This was the official beginning of the great & mighty Troughton rewatch-athon & alas, the ending point of the Hartnell era for now. (but I've a load of Hartnell-era serials to watch!) The next three serials will be The Highlanders (!!!), The Underwater Menace & The Moonbase, the last two I may supplement with my Lost in Time DVD collection.
Previous recaps
The Dalek Invasion of Earth
The Time Meddler
The War Machines
The Smugglers
- So this serial picks up from where we left off at the end of The War Machines, with Ben & Polly going into the TARDIS to return One's key to him, then him taking off with them inside. This could be a bit harder to recap, because it's a recon, but I'll do my best!
One seems quite angry to have uninvited guests in his ship this time, but actually, I don't think of him as being angry so much as just very surprised. He says himself he thought he would finally be alone after leaving 1966. I think if he were really angry, he would have made a point of throwing Ben & Polly off the TARDIS right then & there, if they hadn't already demateralised. Also, I doubt he would have explained certain aspects of the TARDIS to them like he did if he was so angry or he was planning on ditching them at some point.
- I love Ben's initial shock when he & Polly are inside the TARDIS for the first time. Polly seems to stay very level headed, even though she's just stepped into a huge room in what she thought was a mere police box. It's a good contrast to Ben's shock & general reactions, I think. She doesn't scream or panic, she just listens & asks questions. Very good on her!
- I am a bit surprised that Ben refuses to believe that he's in a time machine, considering what he just went through with One in The War Machines. But I suppose those were a bit of a different set of circumstances - Ben was in his own time, dealing with something dangerous on his territory, not in an alien land millions of years in the past or future. So his reactions are a bit surprising to me, but also a fair bit understandable.
- Teehee! Polly pinched Ben! Well, he did ask for it, so he can't complain now, eh? ::giggles::
- & of course the Doctor's off to follow them - did you really believe he wouldn't? Did anyone really believe he didn't want to keep Ben & Polly safe?
- Polly's enthusiasm is so cute! & any thoughts I may have had as to One's feelings toward them? All gone, save for that he does want them there!
- O dear . . . seventeenth century?
- Polly doesn't like being called Duchess & she doesn't like being called a lad. But Ben just said one of my favourite lines ever! 'Listen to our little dolly rocker Duchess!' LOVE YA, BEN!
- Polly's pragmatic side is showing & Ben's sarcastic, annoyed side is coming out. But still, v. awesome, the both of them! & I DO love how the first things on Ben's mind is some good beer. ::giggles:: Sailors! ::giggle::
- Ben ready to fight for One! GO BEN! ::waves pompoms:: Seriously, I ♥ Ben even more every minute.
- I quite like how Polly insists that Ben be seen to after somebody finally shows up to help her. & I'm glad Ben wasn't too severely injured!
- ARGH NOW I'M WORRIED FOR ONE DAMMIT. I know he can help himself, but still, I'm worried how he's going to get away from a band of pirates & their ship. ::chews fingers::
- WHAT THE HELL WHY ARE BEN & POLLY BEING ARRESTED. Another reason to worry now! & I am worried if they're going to find out Polly's no boy - that could be quite dangerous for her.
- One is quite brave (& a bit saucy!) when being threatened by pirates! & surprisingly, still dapper-looking even when a bit torn up.
- POLLY LOVES THEIR PREDICAMENT! & Ben's all whiny & sour about it - ha! Polly = the better adventuress of the two, perhaps? But seriously, I love how Polly's the one finding the adventure & excitement in their problem, even if she has been accused of murder & is currently sitting in gaol.
- Wait, Polly's excited one minute, then she's screaming about a rat? EXCUSE ME? Hello, inconsistant writing.
Or maybe not inconsistent, but that bit bugs me a fair bit.
- Ah, but Kickass!Polly returns just a bit later, with her plan of faking witchery! ::grins:: Go Polly, go Polly! But alas, for her good moment, we must have her irritating fear of rats - girl, you're in a seventeenth-century gaol - OF COURSE THERE'LL BE RATS! Don't tell me you expected it to be all nice & clean!
(but really, I blame the writers, not Polly. Silly writers.)
- One's got brains, gentility, & he knows how to work the right people in the write places - I'm jealous of Susan getting to be his granddaughter! I love One's manipulation of Captain Pike by playing to his apparent vanity & his flattery of him. One is a BADASS, I must reiterate!
- Polly's become 'Paul' now & GO GIRL, GO GIRL, PLAY ON SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY FEAR LIKE THAT! ::hugs her:: & Ben is a great accomplice in her plans, I must say. But Polly Wright FTMFW, BITCHES! & YAY, THEY'RE FREE! Thanks to Polly's snappy thinking, of course!
Seriously. I love this girl. She's as worthy a companion to the Doctor as any of her predecessors!
- Ben & Polly playing detective together is kind of cute, actually. & awww, Ben's worried about Polly's safety. ♥
- Ben, while not as sophisticated as One, is pretty good at getting information when he wants it, at least so far.
- Hmm. The Squire sounds a bit like One. Just a note!
- & quite an ending to leave off on - I'm rather worried for Ben & Polly now! Where is One, o, where IS he?!
- OMG, One's telling fortunes now! HOW DOES HE GET MORE AWESOME WITH EVERY SERIAL? & hmm . . . I wonder what One's up to . . . doesn't seem like him, telling fortunes - O! PLOY! V. good show Doctor, v. good show! ::shan't doubt One again::
(but I'd not be surprised if the Doctor knew how to tell fortunes in different ways - even if he's really more a man of science & exploration, that doesn't mean he wouldn't know how to perhaps read a tea leaf or two, or cut a Tarot deck.)
- Phew! At last, Ben & Polly have a partial believer! But a partial believer is better than what they had before - nothing!
- OMG ONE'S BACK!! ::hugs him:: Now, the three of them shall kick some pirate arse!
- Wow. One . . . damn, I haven't even got words, but the fact that he feels so morally obligated & responsible for protecting the village is . . . wow. I am . . . I mean, I know all of the Doctor is like that, but hearing him explain it in such solid terms just blows me away. Not that I didn't expect him to try & save the village, along with Ben & Polly, nor did I expect him to run off & leave the village to its own fate so the three of them could go elsewhere, but I don't think I'd expected him to be so open in explaining his feelings about it to Ben. I really can see Barbara's good influence shining through now & I can see that is something she left with him & that he'll not lose, ever.
(um, in short, One is love. & I totally love him even more now, if such a thing is possible.)
- & I love how Polly sides with One completely. She's full of strength & compassion & I love her so. & Ben! I'm a bit disappointed in him for wanting to run off & let the village die so easily, but I'm glad he came around somewhat.
- Ooo! Ben & Polly's lark in the graveyard helped One figure out the churchwarden's riddle! & they're getting all the pieces together at quite a pace!
- One's v. brave to make Ben & Polly leave him like that to keep them safe. & Ben's awesome for saying he'll be back for him. ::nods::
- One's so honourable, even when dealing with the likes of Captain Pike. ♥ WHY DO PEOPLE DISRESPECT HIM SO MUCH?!
- ::sighs:: I sort of find Ben rescuing Polly from pirates to be terribly romantic. ::blushes::
- & off they (& I!) go onto their next destination, which, sadly, will be One's final story. But it must be faced with a clear mind, & a brave heart.
The Tenth Planet
- Oooo, the opening titles are quite ominous for this serial - I love them! Immediately makes me think of Cybermen. (& yay, a Kit Pedler story!)
- This serial, if I remember right, is almost entirely intact, save for the final story, which is a recon. So it should be a bit easier for me to recap for the most part. (I'm thinking recapping a serial that's a recon is an art that must be learnt a bit slowly, if one means to pick it up properly!)
- 'Doctor, you have a fantastic wardrobe!' YES! Proof that the Doctor's always had one hell of a wardrobe, even if he was only travelling with Susan! & I LOVE Polly's choice - supercute & warm! & aww, how sweet is it that she gently fusses over One's warmth? 'Like toast, my dear!' LOVE.
- Random fashion note: Polly's carrying a muff! Stylish indeed!
- Sigh, men gawking at pretty, dolly, jolly Polly already? MEN.
- Ha, One doesn't tolerate ANYONE speaking him in a rude tone! Respect the Doctor or get cut!
- 1986?! OMG. I was expecting them to land in the twenty-first century myself, but 1986?! That's three years before I was born! Wild, man.
- Hmm, so this tenth planet is between Mars & Venus? Why did I think it was near Pluto? (yes, this was the 1960s, Pluto was still a planet!)
- One's knowledge of what this planet means is sort of giving me the creeps. I don't really want to speculate as to what the planet is myself, but his knowing it is just creepy.
- LOLZ, THEY'RE GOING TO TRY & BREAK INTO THE TARDIS? LOLZ, I SAY AGAIN.
- UM. I think we just had our first - no, we HAVE just had our first sighting of Mondasian Cybermen! WHOA. & yes, they disturb me as well as the Telosian ones do. Right now, it's all in their faces.
- Okay, the Cybermen are in the base now. & they're scary, okay?! & their voices are kind of creeeepy.
- Mondasian Cybermen are an interesting breed & they are NOT like the Telosian breed, which is what most of us have seen in future serials - the Mondasian breed only had one serial, I think, & it was this one.
nentari & I have/are having quite an interesting talk about the differences between Mondasian, Telosian & Cybus Cybermen, the latter being the new series ones. The Mondasian ones seem, to me, just a slight bit more human than the Telosian ones, or even the Cybus ones. They're more willing to answer human queries about who & what they are, as well as how they became what they are now. They also seem more inclined to carry on a conversation, or something like one, with humans, whereas Telosian & Cybus Cybermen are more of the 'convert Also, their design is vastly different from their counterparts - more bulky & more tubed in the front, & far less of a metallic face. In fact, their faces remind me of clown faces - & I'm somewhat scared of clowns.
& also, the Mondasian Cybermen still have the stealth of the Telosian ones - which is something the Cybus Cybermen of the new series irritatingly lost - honestly, if the Mondasian Cybermen & the Telosian Cybermen went around stomping & clanking like ghosts with rusty chains attached, it would be far too easy for the Doctor to wipe them out before they even showed up!
- So now the Cybermen threw Ben in a projection room & yet, he's learnt from the Doctor already - never give up, no matter how bleak a situation looks. & his remorse at being forced to kill a Cybermen . . . o, Ben. ::hugs::
(& Polly's at his side already!)
- I was actually only planning to go to the second story tonight, but I'm on the third story & I just can't stop watching! Anyway, Cybermen are - O FUCK! One just collapsed! One just collapsed & the Cybermen are bringing in more & along with spaceships. This is not the best time for One to be taken ill!
- Polly says he just seems worn out. I'm pretty worried about the Doctor, my own self! But I rather liked how Ben insists that he & Polly get back to the others & that there's nothing they can do for him. Be that as it may, I'm worried about One.
- HA. Polly may appear to be making coffee, but that girl's working her ulterior motives in-between adding sugar & cream! To all the Polly haters - SHE'S NOT JUST THE MOTHERFUCKING TEA GIRL, BITCHES! She's got someone on her, Ben & One's side now. Not bad for someone everyone always calls a 'screamer' & 'a tea lady'. IN YOUR FACES, POLLY'S AWESOME.
- Oooo, v. James Bond there Ben, crawling through ventilation shafts like that! & he's got his pocket knife! He's ready, folks.
- Another random note - I LOVE Polly's dress! (or is it a jumper?) Overall, she really looks just fabulous! & her EYES! I WANT HER EYES, OR AT LEAST, HER EYE MAKEUP.
- JERK KNOCKED BEN OUT! ::growls:: But at least Polly's there to help him out a bit. (he looks so sweet whilst unconscious . . . but they both look quite sweet together.)
- Okay, we're in recon mode now - & it is a GREAT recon, seriously. An absolutely cracking recon.
- 'I guess this old body of mine is wearing a bit thin.'
O, One. I . . . I know what will come next . . . but I don't want you to leave!
- Wow, owing a Cyberman your life . . . not a concept I'm so readily familiar with. & saving a Cyberman as well . . . wow.
- Ben is going to cut a Cyberman if they touch Polly. Seriously.
- FUCKERS ARE NOT CONVERTING POLLY, FUCK THAT NOISE. & if they do, Ben & One will rip their heads right off.
- I'm sorry, but the Mondasian Cybermen have faces that are freaking me the fuck out - they look too fucking much like clowns! ::hides::
- WHOA, WHOA, GO BEN! He's caught on that Cybermen can't handle radiation! That would make him the first companion of the Doctor's to realise that Cybermen cannot face radiation without dying.
(incidentally, Polly's the one who kicked some Cybermen arse with nail varnish remover! Those two were damn good against Cybermen!)
- ::is scared for Polly & One::
- Ben is showing his snappy, hit-the-ground-fighting traits again, just like he showed us in The War Machines. ROCK ON, BEN! I just hope he'll be okay after being so close to radioactive materials!
- I love Ben. Sometimes, so far, he's bugged me a bit, but he's awesome & I do love him. He really is a great companion.
- WHOA. Mondas disintegrates, & so do the Cybermen? AWESOME!
- & now Ben's saving Polly & One! But One . . . he doesn't look good at all. He sounds awful & he looks so weak . . .
- Okay, this is . . . not good. He can barely even get Ben & Polly inside the TARDIS! & the TARDIS doesn't even sound like herself!
- & . . . . he's gone. Just like that. He collapsed & One . . . isn't One anymore.
(okay, going to have a bit of sap for a moment here.)
In the mix I made about the nine times the Doctor has regenerated, I used the song Airbag by Radiohead, because, based on the research I'd done on One's regeneration, I felt like it fit his moment of regeneration, particularly the line 'In an interstellar burst/I'm back to save the universe'.
& that's just what happens.
Still . . . I miss One already. ::sad sigh::
Also,
nentari & I once had a bit of discussion on what it was that caused One to regenerate - was it because of the Cybermen, or was it simply because his original body was finally forced to regenerate, or he would have died? After watching, I'm pretty much solid on the idea of his regeneration coming about because his first body was just too old & had been through too much & if he hadn't regenerated when he did, he would have died altogether. Also, there is enough evidence throughout the story that his body was finally showing signs of age & that a regeneration would have to come soon.(I should also say that I am one hundred percent sure that the first body we see the Doctor in is the body he was born with.)
The Power of the Daleks
- Picking up where we left off, One has just regenerated into his second body on the floor of the TARDIS, in front of Ben & Polly, who are lost as fuck as to what's just happened.
- & Patrick Troughton's off to a GREAT start as our second Doctor! I love his post-regeneration scene - v. well played & v. in-keeping with what I've seen the Doctor like after he's regenerated.
- Teehee! Now he's got to examine his new face. & his muscles are a bit tight, alas.
- Now everything's beginning to fall into place for all three of them - Two knows he's the Doctor now, or at least he seems to.
- THE RECORDER!! I LOVE IT! Aww! & he's got his five hundred year diary & knows who Ben is - okay, getting there now, I'd say.
- I love how Polly's the one with full faith in the Doctor; that it is the Doctor & he'll be okay, while Ben's insanely sceptical about everything that's going on around him. It's a good contrast both to each other & to Two's own confusion.
- HE'S PLAYING IT AGAIN. ♥ & Ben appears to be none too happy about it. He's even shouted at Polly. Yeah, he's not in the best of moods. & AWWW, STILL PLAYING IT. I think he's rather good, myself.
- O yeah, this is so the Doctor - plotty, cunning, sneaky & with just the right card up his sleeve. ::grins:: Loving him already, on his first serial! I do hope Ben cuts the 'OMG THIS AIN'T THE DOCTOR!' bollocks already. Preferably very soon.
- I have a really bad feeling about that capsule & the first serial's half over. Meep.
- Two is awesomely sneaky, I have GOT to say that.
- FUCK. Daleks. Well . . . they don't look as deadly as the ones I've seen, but WHAT is that thing on the floor?! & where's the fourth one?
- GAH THAT THING IS DISGUSTING! It looks like a bloody mutated jellyfish!
(I think I've also forgotten that this IS the first time Ben & Polly have ever seen a Dalek. They've met Cybermen, but not Daleks.)
- Christ on a cracker . . . I'm sorry, Cybermen may scare me more, but Daleks can do it pretty well too. & Two saying only one Dalek would be needed to wipe out the whole colony on Vulcan . . . I find it chilling.
- HA! Two's sauciness is sexy! ::blows kiss::
- He's only just regenerated, but he's got the spark & fire of his later time - ♥ Two ♥
- DUDE, WTF, ARE YOU AN IDIOT? WHY ARE TRYING TO REVIVE THE DALEKS? Why don't people just listen to the Doctor when he talks?! Melt the pepperpots down!
- Hee, reference to his meeting Marco Polo! & BEN, CUT THE BITCHING, PLEASE. Polly, however, gets a cupcake for believing him to be the real Doctor.
- 'I never talk nonsense. Well, hardly ever.'
- Wow. Two's actually giving me a bit of a spook in this serial - he's never done that before. It's his mysteriousness, his sense of confusion, the hint of darkness I keep feeling from him. I don't think I've ever known one to be like this - he's always been the Doctor I'd want to be best friends with, to go dancing with, & learn to play recorder from. I know there's more to him than his outward silliness & cheerful disposition, like how there's more to Eight than his giddiness & Romantic tendencies, but unlike with Eight, I've never seen Two's darker side - or maybe I have & don't remember it - prior to now. I've seen his cleverness, his wit, his capabilities, but not so much this . . . darkness I just feel from him in this story.
- EARTH PEOPLE ARE TWITS. WHY, WHY, WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO REVIVE A DAMN DALEK?! Okay, FINE, get your silly selves exterminated, so you don't pollute the rest of the human gene pool by procreating. ::sighs loudly::
- More recorder playing! & I love the discussion between Polly & Ben over the deputy governor's guilt or innocence. I think it's an interesting showcase of their personalities, as well as their emotions & of course, their feelings on the situation at hand.
- O, FUCK ME, WHY ARE EARTH PEOPLE SUCH FOOLS. & Two agrees with me, I see. ::glares:: (& maybe NOW Ben will quit the bitching about him being the Doctor or not.)
- The very last half of the second serial, when the Dalek begins to speak, & Two's desperately trying to explain a Dalek's true nature & both are sort of vocally (or should I say aurally?) overlaid is both haunting & chilling.
. . . Okay, it's just scary. To me, anyway. People, just melt down the Daleks before you get yourselves wiped out!
- Any time a Dalek claims to be 'helping' a human? It's time to bash the thing in the eyestalk with a baseball bat.
- GET YOUR GRUBBY HANDS OFF MY DUCHESS BASTARDS!
- More recorder playing! & when Ben finds out they've kidnapped Polly, he is going to blow a frakkin' fuse.
- O, sure, let's just hand over lots of shiny stuff to the Daleks all willy-nilly, why don't we? ::sighs even louder::
- O.fuck.me. The Daleks have all been reactivated. That colony is SCREWED.
- O no. Two's been discovered. Now HE'S screwed!
- & now people are leaving pseudo-ransom notes about Polly? ::glowers:: NOT ON.
- HALLELUJAH, SOMEONE'S SLOWLY BEGINNING TO AGREE WITH TWO.
- Dalek reproduction is . . . . well . . . . let's pretend I don't know about it, okay?
- 'You think you're very tough, don't you, pushing a girl around. I'd like to see you come up against a real man.'
'Like who?'
'Like Ben for instance!'
♥♥♥♥
Polly-girl, you are the awesome.
- . . . . Did Two just use his recorder to break out of a prison cell?
THAT RECORDER IS A WEAPON IN HIS HANDS! & he is made of some serious win, people.
- For some reason, I find Two telling Polly that Ben can take care of himself to be quite sweet.
- & yes, the ending of the fifth part gave me some massive chills. Dalek voices are v. scary when they layer over each other like that.
- My shippy little heart went all fluttery when Ben & Polly finally got to see each other again. Awww.
- Ben comforting Polly! O . . . ♥♥
- 'Why can't you just take all the plugs out and cut the power?'
'Because I prefer to do it my way!'
Hee! I love Two's stubbornness; it's one of my favourite things about him.
- Something I've not noted yet - the concept of one scientist 'giving' life to the Daleks - it feels very Frankenstein-esque, in my opinion. Not only were the Daleks brought to life by a human, they killed humans as well. Of course, all under very different circumstances. But it did put me in mind of the story.
- Ah, a sneaky escape, as the Doctor prefers. ::smiles:: & more recorder playing!!
- & away they go, off to new places & new faces! Bravo, bravo! ::claps::
Whew! This was the official beginning of the great & mighty Troughton rewatch-athon & alas, the ending point of the Hartnell era for now. (but I've a load of Hartnell-era serials to watch!) The next three serials will be The Highlanders (!!!), The Underwater Menace & The Moonbase, the last two I may supplement with my Lost in Time DVD collection.
Previous recaps
The Dalek Invasion of Earth
The Time Meddler
The War Machines
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 09:05 am (UTC)& I RECAPPED IT TONIGHT! It, um . . . took a while because I had to transcribe some things & because um . . . I think Pat rolled his R's in one scene. (& almost started laughing in one take I think!) So it took a while for me to do. But it was quite fun! Onto The Great Space Elevator now!
(& if my calculations are correct, I SHOULD finish next week's recaps up with The Enemy of the World! O HOW I DO HOPE I'M RIGHT.)
Even I think he deserved that slap. Zoe, on the other hand, is just sniggering.
::giggles madly:: O, Jamie. We all love you, but no sympathy this time, alas!
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 09:25 am (UTC)YAY!
I think Pat rolled his R's in one scene.
You mean he was turning into Seven? :P
Laughing is not so uncommon in Sixties Who, because the way the show was filmed at the time left little chances for retakes when an actor fluffed. In The Seeds of Death, there's a scene in which Zoe laughed when the Doctor fell into the room, and in the commentaries Wendy Padbury spent that whole scene apologizing, with the director reassuring her that it was absolutely normal under the circumstances, and that nowadays she would have been given the chance to repeat the scene. (Said scene can be found in Babelcolour's tribute vid to Two, if you want to look for it - though with the file size it might be a bit difficult to see Zoe's face when she laughs.)
& if my calculations are correct, I SHOULD finish next week's recaps up with The Enemy of the World! O HOW I DO HOPE I'M RIGHT.
Actually, if my calculations are correct, you'll have one more recap after Enemy. For this week it's Tomb, The Great Space Elevator and The Abominable Snowmen, and for next week it will be The Ice Warriors, The Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear - which, of course, means that you'll be finishing Victoria's era next week, since we don't have Fury from the Deep, which was to follow Web. I hadn't realized how short her tenure was!
::giggles madly:: O, Jamie. We all love you, but no sympathy this time, alas!
Frazer might sympathize, though. :P
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 10:29 am (UTC)You mean he was turning into Seven? :P
LOLZ. Very possibly! IT WAS VERY . . . NICE TO HEAR. (I wish I had that audio cutter I downloaded once - I'd try & see if I could get it for everyone to hear!)
Laughing is not so uncommon in Sixties Who, because the way the show was filmed at the time left little chances for retakes when an actor fluffed. In The Seeds of Death, there's a scene in which Zoe laughed when the Doctor fell into the room, and in the commentaries Wendy Padbury spent that whole scene apologizing, with the director reassuring her that it was absolutely normal under the circumstances, and that nowadays she would have been given the chance to repeat the scene.
O, that reminds me of a moment in The Silurians, where Caroline John points out a little mistake she made in a scene with Jon & it was said that there just hadn't been time to do a retake of it, but it was natural enough that it could be excused. & on The Mind Robber commentary, Wendy also mentions that her fight with the Karkus wasn't able to be redone even though she'd slipped up a bit in it, if I remember right. (I miss that serial likewhoa. ;__;)
& I'm planning on converting that vid soon, so I shall look for it once it's in my iTunes! :D
Actually, if my calculations are correct, you'll have one more recap after Enemy. For this week it's Tomb, The Great Space Elevator and The Abominable Snowmen, and for next week it will be The Ice Warriors, The Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear - which, of course, means that you'll be finishing Victoria's era next week, since we don't have Fury from the Deep, which was to follow Web. I hadn't realized how short her tenure was!
O, YES, YOU'RE COMPLETELY RIGHT! I can't believe I got everything so scrambled - especially considering how
obsessedmuch I love Enemy of the World & I DO remember its ending (or what we see at the beginning of The Web of Fear, rather) leading into The Web of Fear. I'll miss Victoria when she goes, sadly. It feels like I just started her era!(& since I think we've collapsed our threads like . . . CRAZILY . . . I may be able to get my hands on the audio of The Space Pirates. I'll see about Fury of the Deep if I can.)
Frazer might sympathize, though. :P
I do think I'd have to agree with you there. ::giggle::
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 10:36 am (UTC)Yes, I remember that one quite clearly. :D
I'll miss Victoria when she goes, sadly. It feels like I just started her era!
It does, doesn't it? In a 3-seasons-a-week rate, time seems to go by so quickly!
& since I think we've collapsed our threads like . . . CRAZILY . . . I may be able to get my hands on the audio of The Space Pirates.
You mean The Wheel in Space, surely? Becuase you do have The Space Pirates - I sent you the audio. :P
I do think I'd have to agree with you there. ::giggle::
I'd love to see how the girls would react if he started to talk about bums and "assets". :P
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 11:36 am (UTC)It does, doesn't it? In a 3-seasons-a-week rate, time seems to go by so quickly!
SERIOUSLY! I already feel like I'll just be zooming through Zoe's era & then it'll all be half-over! I'll only have The Three Doctors, The Five Doctors, The Two Doctors, Helicon Prime & Midnight! Well, all the bonus!Pertwee stories, but officially, that's all I'll have! ::clings to Two:: I don't want it to end! :(
You mean The Wheel in Space, surely? Becuase you do have The Space Pirates - I sent you the audio. :P
ARGH, HOW COULD I MAKE SUCH A FUNDAMENTAL MISTAKE?! ::kicks self hard:: YES, I DO mean The Wheel in Space . . . & you saved me a wasted download - I had a link for The Space Pirates! Sigh. The world doesn't WANT me to have those, it seems. :(
I'd love to see how the girls would react if he started to talk about bums and "assets". :P
I would foresee . . . a lot of blushing, some possible quiet subject changes & at the end, more blushing. ::giggles::
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 11:58 am (UTC)It's always hard to keep track.
::clings to Two:: I don't want it to end! :(
Me neither. I want my fluffy, scruffy Time Lord!
Sigh. The world doesn't WANT me to have those, it seems. :(
Or me. It's really not fair. :/
I would foresee . . . a lot of blushing, some possible quiet subject changes & at the end, more blushing. ::giggles::
And two cute, hazel-eyed boys (one with grey hair, the other in a kilt) smiling naughtily. :P
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 12:36 pm (UTC)YES. Can I borrow Zoe's brain for a bit?
Me neither. I want my fluffy, scruffy Time Lord!
Two's too wonderful & far too under-appreciated to just be let go like this. I want to keep him! ::stuffs self into Two's coat::
Or me. It's really not fair. :/
We'll get them. One of us will. One day, I know it!
And two cute, hazel-eyed boys (one with grey hair, the other in a kilt) smiling naughtily. :P
. . . . am I invited to this party? ::bats eyelashes::
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 01:33 pm (UTC)You'll have to ask her. I'm sure there's enough brain to spare, though.
::stuffs self into Two's coat::
*stuffs Two into own pocket*
There. And now I have the two of you. :P
. . . . am I invited to this party? ::bats eyelashes::
Of course. Which one do you want? I'll take the other. :D
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 02:02 pm (UTC)::hops off to find Zoe & wonders what she could bribe her with::
*stuffs Two into own pocket*
There. And now I have the two of you. :P
Hee! ::nibbles jellybabies like the little pocket mouse she is:: We all win! (well, I'm not sure about Two, but he'll learn to like having a little pocket mouse in a skirt in the end!)
Of course. Which one do you want? I'll take the other. :D
Hmm . . . I do enjoy rumpled, academic types & frock coats so very much, so I think I'll take Two. ::smiles like a dear little lamb::
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 02:10 pm (UTC)Yes, we do! My pocket has chocolate chip cookies, so I think Two won't mind so much.
Hmm . . . I do enjoy rumpled, academic types & frock coats so very much, so I think I'll take Two. ::smiles like a dear little lamb::
Well, if you're taking Two, that means I get to have BOTH of the naughty hazel-eyed boys! *snuggles Jamie and Frazer*
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 03:00 pm (UTC)O, then Two WILL be most pleased! :D ::eats a few more jellybabies & reads Two's five-hundred-year diary::
Well, if you're taking Two, that means I get to have BOTH of the naughty hazel-eyed boys! *snuggles Jamie and Frazer*
YAY! Now we're all happy! ::dances off with Two merrily::