Bad Wolf vs. the Impossible Girl

I've been getting an earful recently the arc this series and how it's meant there's no overarching story even though, y'know, there totally is, and it's the Doctor and the mystery of Clara.

And it keeps getting put up against Series 1 and "Bad Wolf" for some reason, even though that really wasn't much of a story arc. People happened to be using the words, it got pointed out to us in the penultimate episode, and then in the last episode we found out why and we pretended it made sense. Even when there were two-parters they really didn't elaborate or expand on the season plot.

And so it was with Series 2 and Series 3 and Series 4. "Torchwood Torchwood Torchwood OH HEY TORCHWOOD IS A GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION." "Saxon Saxon Saxon OH HEY SAXON IS THE MASTER AND ALSO MP." "Planets bees planets bees planets bees OH HEY THE PLANETS WERE SWIPED BY DALEKS AND THE BEES WERE A BEACON." No substance. Just repetition followed by elaboration.

It's very much the same thing here. Each episode the Doctor will allude to Clara's impossibility, and the rest of the episode will be wholly unrelated to that. I mean, it's slightly better here, because there's emotional stakes--at least, there are in "Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS" and "Nightmare in Silver", with the Doctor's secretive nature being brought to the forefront and Clara's mounting frustration with it, coupled with the Doctor's increasing fear that Clara is a deception of some sort.


I think the real problem here is that Moffat kind of raised our expectations with Series 5--which is probably the best continuous string of episodes any season of Who has ever managed. It, unlike other series of new Who, actually had progression in its arc. It wasn't just "crack crack crack OH HEY THE TARDIS BLEW UP AND TOOK REALITY WITH IT", we found out things in stages. It was gradually revealed to us that the cracks could alternatively serve as portals or memory saps, we found out midway through the series that the TARDIS had something to do with it all, and Rory's arrival and subsequent disappearance put things in flux and gave us serious, tangible emotional stakes.

Series 6 worked similarly, although it rushed things in places and cut a few corners. Rather than have important arc things happen in different one-offs, it made the conscious decision to put aside entire episodes for the arc.  It didn't quite work, but I admire the fact that they tried and the plot itself was actually pretty good. The action rise and fell and we found out things about River gradually rather than all at once in the finale.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Impossible Girl was compared favorably to Bad Wolf, but it's not, which is odd because they're neigh-identical in execution. This whole half-series has been a return to the Davies-era of arc plotting if I ever saw one.  Simply repeat the basic premise until the finale comes and the basic premise is explained in full.

So tell me, people--what's your beef? What makes Series 1 superior besides a mounting feeling of nostalgia (in which case, Season 9 clearly has the best story arc)? Answer in the comments section! I'm genuinely curious!

"Doomsday"

Original Air Date: 8 July 2006

Yes. We are called Daleks. Thank you, Rose Tyler. I didn't know that we were Daleks.
Random car fire!
Next time I video chat with someone, I'll be like "establishing visual link."

This is one of my favorite scenes:

DALEK 2: Identify yourselves.
CYBERMAN: You will identify first.
DALEK 2: State your identity.
CYBERMAN: You will identify first.
DALEK 2: Identify!
CYBERMAN: That answer is (??) and illogical. You will modify.
DALEK 2: Daleks do not take orders.
CYBERMAN: You have identified as Daleks.
BLACK DALEK: Outline resembles the inferior species known as Cybermen.
CYBERMAN: We followed in the wake of your sphere.
BLACK DALEK: Long range scans confirm the presence of crude cybernetic constructs on worldwide scale.
DALEK 3: We must protect the Genesis Ark.
CYBERMAN: Our species our similar, though your design is inelegant.
DALEK 2: Daleks have no concept of elegance.
CYBERMAN: This is obvious. But consider, our technologies are compatible.
CYBERMAN: Cybermen plus Daleks.
CYBERMAN: Together, we could upgrade the Universe.
DALEK 2: You propose an alliance?
CYBERMAN: This is correct.
DALEK: Request denied.
CYBERMAN Hostile elements will be deleted.
DALEK: Exterminate!
CYBERLEADER: Daleks, be warned. You have declared war upon the Cybermen.
BLACK DALEK: This is not war. This is pest control.
CYBERLEADER: We have five million Cybermen. How many are you?
BLACK DALEK: Four.
CYBERLEADER: You would destroy the Cybermen with four Daleks?
BLACK DALEK: We would destroy the Cybermen with one Dalek.
BLACK DALEK: You are superior in only one respect.
CYBERLEADER: What is that?
BLACK DALEK: You are better at dying.

Isn't that great?

The Cyberleader's head exploded, lol.

Does Pete's World not have its own Doctor??

Mickey, you dumb tin dog, you touched the Genesis Ark.

Pete and Jackie! Such a mushy scene. 

You know, in the 50th, there better be some follow up as to the new Tyler.

Rose! Hold on! No, Doctor I'm gonna let go on purpose.
Dårlig Ulv Stranden, of course it means bad wolf bay. I wonder if it's a real place...

Even when he's crying, David Tennant is so cute!

Aaaand, Donna Noble's sassyness!

"Army of Ghosts"

Original Air Date: 1 July 2006

So, I finally am getting my brother to watch this with me.

She said the title! SHE SAID THE TITLE!
You have no idea how excited I was when she first said that she died. I really thought she did!

Awp, Jackie's crazy.

Was that Martha working at Torchwood???? Googled it...yep! And Katheine Gillian was a soothesayer in "Fires of Pompeii" #HowToBecomeACompanion (Yes, I know they validate it by saying that she's Martha's cousin.)

Ever notice the music in this one sounds like the music from Torchwood?

Jackie, why can't you just be happy for your daughter?

Ooooh the Void Stuff glasses!

He said "allons-y!" for the first time!

Now, what do you make of that? Its a giant cookie.

Oh neowww teh grosts is cybermens.
And teh sphrere haz derlerks!

"The Idiot's Lantern"

Original Air Date: 27 May 2006

This episode is, yes, very, very creepy. Obviously, it has Ten's "when in doubt, lick it" moment, but otherwise its really extremely boring, I find.

How many of you tries to wrap your hand around your elbow and make your fingers meet? I did this time but I don't recal the first time. I guess I trusted the Doctor on that one!

Rose sans visage: she's never looked better!

"The Age of Steel"

Original Air Date: 20 May 2006

Ooh. Maximum Deletion. Not just ordinary deletion.

Aw man, Rickey got deleted! Now the City of London will never paid for those parking violations.

This is the age of steel and I am its creator. Oh! OOH!, they said the title!

I'd call you a genius, except I'm in the room.

LUMIC: You are proud of your emotions.
DOCTOR: Oh, yes.
LUMIC: Then tell me, Doctor. Have you known grief, and rage, and pain?
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes I have.
LUMIC: And they hurt?
DOCTOR: Oh, yes.
LUMIC: I could set you free. Would you not want that? A life without pain?
DOCTOR: You might as well kill me.

Hear that Rose? You CANNOT switch between realities! Understand? Nope, you never will.

"Rise of the Cybermen"

Original Air Date: 13 May 2006

This person who made the Cyberman, John Lumic, he looks a lot like Davros...with his wheelchair and such.

The TARDIS crashes and little air masks come down like an airplaine...

Here's a song about the episode.

Ha. Rose is a bitch. No, really, I'm not being vulgar, she's a female dog.

This is another episode I really don't care for. I'm not sure why. I didn't like it the first time Iwatched it, and I'm not quite fond of it this time, either.

Yea, Rose, they don't have a daughter now and they're rich. You're why they cant have nice things.

Maybe all the screaming and people slicing is why I don't like it.

Awp, they just deleted the President...

...and, it's David's birthday!

"New Earth"

Again, with these revisited episode posts, I'm not doing the ones I've seen for a second time already. Live with it. When I go and watch it a third time round I'll do it.

Original Air Date: 15 April 2006

Here is a fantasticly fun song about this episode.

Oh, how I love a young David Tennant!

They're both laying on his coat! (Officailly on the list of things I'm gonna do with my 10th Doctor coat when I
get it [hopefully for my 19th, which is in a few weeks], lay on it with my sig. other!) How cute.

New New New New New New New New New New New New New New York!

How does Cassandra recognize Rose? Didn't she, like, explode?

WET DAVID TENNANT.

Okay, fine. Cassandra's her back now.

The Doctors's all like: mah Rose just kissed me!

Wake up and smell the perfume.

I'm really not quite fond of this episode. Its creepy. Like, I feel like creating this human farm is something that people could and would actually do.

Get out of mah Rose!

"Oh, my. This is different. Goodness me, I'm a man. Yum. So many parts. And hardly used. Oh, oh, two hearts! Oh, baby, I'm beating out a samba! Oo, he's slim, and a little bit foxy. You've thought so too. I've been inside your head. You've been looking. You like it!"

-Cassandra in the Doctor's Tenth Body

Isn't feminine David Tennant fabulous? Yes, yes he is.

VERY WET DAVID TENNANT. Gawh, it's like Christmas.

Dying can wait. Oh, thank you Face of Boe.

Oh, sweet lord, I'm a walking doodle.

Its such a beautiful scene when Cassandra-Chip goes to visit herself in the past.

CASSANDRA [OC]: Oh no, don't. Stop it. Simply not true. Tiny. The beaches were so dismal, and the mosquitoes were
CASS-CHIP: Thank you.
DOCTOR: Just go. And don't look back.
ROSE: Good luck.
CASSANDRA: And if you actually see them, you're shocked. But don't quote me on that. Oh, naughty. A bientôt!
CASS-CHIP: Excuse me, Lady Cassandra.
CASSANDRA: I'm sorry, I don't need anything right now. I'm fine, thank you.
CASS-CHIP: No, I just wanted to say you look beautiful.
CASSANDRA: Well, that's very kind, you strange little thing. Thank you very much.
CASS-CHIP: I mean it. You look so beautiful.
CASSANDRA: Thank you.
(Chip's body collapses. Lady Cassandra cradles him.)
CASSANDRA: Oh, my Lord. Are you all right? What is it? What's wrong? Someone get some help! Call a medic or something, quickly!
WOMAN: Who is he?
CASSANDRA: I don't know. He just came up to me. I don't even know his name. He just collapsed. I think he's dying. Someone do something! I've got you, sweetheart. It's all right. There you are. There you are, I've got you. It'll be all right. There, there, you poor little thing.

That might just be one of my favourite scenes in all of DW.

The Doctor's Most Valuable Tool

Not counting the TARDIS and his intellect, there are three things that the Doctor just couldn't get by without. And I'm gonna be mean and hide the not-so-obvious one behind the pagebreak. It does contain spoilers.

Sonic Screwdriver

The Doctor with the Sonic Screwdriver in Doomsday

Fun fact: scientists have invented a device that can move objects with sound. First and most important is the sonic screwdriver. Although it doesn't work on wood and can be disabled by some hairdryers, it's been invaluable since it became more prominent in the revival series. It is "harmless... doesn't kill, doesn't wound, doesn't maim." It's simply successful at what the Doctor tries to be: something that helps and never hurts. But the Doctor does hurt and that is part of his most valuable tool.

Psychic Paper

The Doctor uses the Psychic Paper on Shakespeare

Making its twenty-sixth screen appearance in The Power of Three., psychic paper has been indispensable for the last three doctors, though far less reliable than ol' sonic. In Army of Ghosts, we see the psychic paper fail for the first time when Rose uses it on Rajesh, a Torchwood employee, who then tells us that he, like all members of Torchwood, has a basic level of psychic training. Very soon again we also see the paper fail when the Doctor uses it with William Shakespeare in The Shakespeare Code because Shakespeare is too intelligent for it to have worked. But it plays on the mind, which leads me to the Doctor's most valuable tool.