Doctor Who, 4x12 - "Stolen Earth" thoughts

[arabian]

So yeah, baby, Doctor Who finally aired. Phew!! The wait was torture. I so should not be this invested and care this much, but I do. Oh I do. Ahem, so ...

Where to start? I should at the beginning, right? Yeah, but, yeah no. Totally doing the Rose/Doctor stuff first!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I got one of the things on my wishlist (I'm not saying what any of them were/are until they happen!) ... The Doctor ran to Rose. (And boy, did he RUN!!). We've seen them separated and then find their way back to each other in so many episodes, but it's always been Rose who ran to him, while he just stands there smiling and waiting for her to launch herself in his arms ... which of course, she always does. This time, I really, REALLY wanted to see him run to her. And, again, BOY DID HE!! It was fabulous, awesome, glorious. The swelling music (has "Rose's Theme" ever sounded so romantic?), the smiles on their faces ... wait, wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start from the moment when we knew indubitably what was coming ...

It was so obvious as soon as Donna saw Rose by the subtle change on Catherine Tate's face (Catherine Tate really rocks, have I mentioned that yet? If not, Catherine Tate REALLY rocks!) and then I mouthed the line before she did because I so knew what she was going to say, but it was the best kind of predictable. You know, the kind where you really want the character to say or do something because that is how it should be. And so she did. And the Doctor was confused and then Donna just got the most, well, let's just that she totally ships the Doctor and Rose. TOTALLY! which equals me=loves!!! And then, and then, he turned and the smile on Rose's face -- really, Billie Piper just shone, she looked so beautiful in that shot ... LOOK:



And they ran towards each other, him, smiling, running so fast, the swelling music, her smiling, her running, him, her, music swelling, romantic chords filling the air and then the stupid Dalek!!! Rose notices. Stupid Dalek! Then "EX-TER-MI-NATE." The Doctor notices. And then blast! goes the Doctor and THEN Jack shows up.

I've rewatched that scene about six times since I finished watching the episode about five minutes ago, and every time I rewatch I invariably do and say four specific things:

1. When they are running, I wave my hands in the air in excited joy like a stupid girly-girl.
2. I tell Rose to take the gun off.
3. I yell "Stupid DALEK!!"
4. I yell, "Too late, Jack!!!"

Seriously. Every time thus far, I've done all of the above. Sigh. Anyhoo, back to the reunion (such as it was). She finally takes the gun off, she holds him, they exchange pleasantries. She begs him not to die as he starts to die. STUPID DALEK!!! Then there's the whole bit in the TARDIS. And I have two thoughts on that ...

1. After what happened with Rose and his 10th regeneration, you'd think, just maybe, that the Doctor might realize it's a bloody good idea to tell his companions what could happen. But did he do that? Obviously not based on Donna's confusion.

2. Speaking of his 10th regeneration, I was a bit, well, I don't want to say peeved, let's just say edging towards there that Rose was so upset about him changing because it could be construed that she loves Ten more than Nine, and I don't like to think that. The Doctor is the Doctor, Nine or Ten. Then I thought, well, she was messed up after it happened the first time (for her), and she did grow closer to the Doctor in his 10th regeneration simply by the nature of all that happened, them knowing each other longer, etc. So I came back from the edge. (Okay, okay, I admit, we all know a small part of her was genuinely upset at losing this specific Doctor because of the "great hair. Some really great hair.")

Back to the reunion (such as it was). I have read no other thoughts yet, but I kinda expect to read some disappointment because we didn't actually get a full-on reunion, no hug, not even a hand-hold. However, I wasn't disappointed. At all. I got the Doctor running, the joy on both of their faces, the swelling, romantic music (can ya tell I REALLY loved that?), all of that making it neon-bright that the Doctor and Rose? LOVE EACH OTHER. That there was enough for me because as much as I love the Doctor and Rose, Doctor Who is not a romantic drama and so the focal point is not going to be a happy, happy, joy, joy reunion. It should be science-fiction, darkness, drama, conflict and danger. And that's what we got ... Rusty was just nice enough to give us a good dose of the happy, happy, joy, joy reunion as well. I mean, come on ...

-- Faces beaming - Check
-- Joyfully running toward one another at full speed - Check
-- Multiple shots of them joyfully running toward one another at full speed - Check
-- Swelling, romantic music filling the air - Check

I'm damn happy with what we got.

Hmm, other Doctor/Rose moments ...

- What we saw in the trailer, but still nice: His genuine smile and "Yeah," amidst all of the worry when Donna asked "But, Rose is coming back, isn't that good?"

- I loved how Rose held her phone up and said, "Find me, Doctor. Find me." And THEN it went to the Doctor finding the signal. Awwwww. Oh, RTD, you shipper, you!!!!

- Rose's face as she saw the Doctor on the screen. Ah, just was so, ahhh ... take a look yourself:





And then her face falling when he said "Everyone except Rose," because he couldn't see her. Sniff, sniff.

Okay, about the rest of the episode now. First of all, let me just say that I loved it, as much as I loved "Turn Left," which is a nice sign of things to come. I adored "Utopia" last season, but was disappointed with "The Sound of the Drums," so already -- adoring these two equally -- we're doing much better than season three in my book. Alrighty then, scattered thoughts presented in bullet form because it's easier that way (brain overload otherwise!!!) ...

- Hmm, we got a shot of the Doctor's hand in the jar in the opener. Why?

- I knew from spoilers (vague, vague ones ... I've actually been keeping myself fairly free of them, go me!) that Davros was the big bad, but I really didn't know who he was. I looked him up on Wiki and have a better idea now, but it does sorta suck that I haven't watched any earlier Who, because I'm sure it had a helluva lot more impact for long-time Who viewers. Still, it was cool. He was ooky and scary. And when he pulled his tunic aside to show his flesh removed to create his Dalek children. Ewwww.

- The opening bit was AWESOME!! I don't know Ianto, Gwen or Luke as I haven't watched Torchwood or The Sarah Jane Adventures yet, but I know Jack, and Sarah Jane and Martha and that enveloped the other characters enough for it to work. I gotta say when they were all looking up, I was thinking, 'okay, so the stars are out. So? We have pitch-black skies all the time.' And then we saw Rose appear with her big, bad-ass gun and then she looked up and we finally saw it and I admit it, my jaw dropped a tad. Coolness. Overload of planets. Damn. Seriously imagine if you stepped outside one night and looked up and saw a multitude of planets just hovering overhead. Would be freaky as all get-out!!

- I was right about the credits, the Doctor, his companions and Jack. I love that Billie Piper got the "and." They were fun credits!!! They actually didn't go by as quickly as I thought they would; I'm almost tempted to check if they were a bit longer than normal, but nah, I don't care that much.

- Speaking of (sorta) I laughed out loud, literally, at the over-the-top TO. BE. CONTINUED. presented in that hard tablet form. Cracked me up. Oh, Rusty!

- But, but, but ... no previews for next week!!! WAAAAHHHHH!!!!

- I thought they did a great job balancing all of the characters with the Doctor and Donna still being at the center of it all. Regardless of what happens after this season, and despite the return of Billie Piper, Catherine Tate is still the companion this season, so I love that all of those fears that many had that she would be overshadowed or backgrounded have been proven wrong.

- Speaking of Catherine Tate on a very shallow level. I think she's awesome, an AMAZING actress -- as stated elsewhere, I think she's the best thing that's happened to new Who, but looks-wise, I tend to not think the most flattering of thoughts when I do think of it. However, I thought she looked really, really good in this episode. Great make-up job, great hairstyle. She looked really lovely.

- Oh, and speaking of hairstyles ... sooooooooo glad that Rose's hair did not have that middle front part pulled back again. I HATE that style on anybody, and it really sucked having the return of Rose hampered the tiniest bit by an icky hairstyle (yes, her return was hampered a tiny bit by a hairstyle for me ... I'm very, very, very big on good hair. Hee, no wonder I like Ten so much now.). So, loved her hair this time, much nicer and I was quite happy that we got a much nicer hairstyle for the (interrupted! STUPID DALEK!!!) reunion.

- Cool that we went to the Shadow Proclamation, and a couple of notes on that:

a) So, we're still getting some vibe about how special Donna is. What the hell?! Tell us!!! Though, I must say that rabid1st has some doozy-licious theories. And her Time-Lady theory of sorts could be born out by the sound of the heartbeats. Yeah, I said "beat(s)" because it sure sounded like two going a thunka-thunk there.

b) I LOVED Doctor's response to the Shadow Proclamation's leader (?) saying he was going to lead them in war: "Right. Yes. Course we will. Just, uhm, getting the key." And then he runs in, smiles madly at Donna and gets the TARDIS going. Hah! Quick backtrack, so, I love the delivery of the line, but also, there's an emotion behind it all on his face that I got before he spoke that he'd already been in a great war, and nuh uhn, wasn't happening again. Heartbreaking moment there.

c) The bees. We got an explanation for the bees. I admit, it was actually kinda disappointing. Ah well. When the explanation for the bees disappearing is the only disappointing part of the episode, well, I'm okay with that.

- I loved Sarah Jane's "I'm sorry" about her car to the Dalek's and their response: "Daleks do not accept apologies." I know they're evil, and horrible and the biggest scourge in Who history, but I love the Daleks, they crack me up. One of my favorite Who moments ever is the robotic insult-fest between the Daleks and the Cybermen and how other than naming themselves, the Daleks totally kicked the Cybermans' ass verbally.

- Speaking of cool moments, and this is from a character we're supposed to love: Wilf and his paint gun. Bless his heart, he was wrong, but loved his thinking on his feet and logical rationale: They got one eye, I'll cover it with paint. And then the Dalek response (I'm sorry, they crack me up): "My vision is not impaired." And then "EX-TER-MI-NATE." And then Rose -- I KNEW it was Rose! -- blew its head off. I actually sat up and yelled, "GO ROSE!!" even before we saw it was her.

- Other cool characters: Harriet Jones, former prime minister. Oh, I LOVED seeing her again. And I hope we DON'T see her again in the next episode because I'm a tad worried at how it was left, and what she did. Yes, she allowed them to reach the Doctor, but she did so by exposing the Doctor TO the Daleks, and then they said ""EX-TER-MI-NATE" but we didn't see or hear them blast. The screen just went bye-bye. And her actions, attitude and words during the conversation, there were just things, moments off where it seemed like she was hiding something. I just have a bad feeling, because the Doctor DID destroy her career, and ... oh, oh, I hope I'm wrong because I love her so much. I love that we still had her introducing herself with her badge, and, yup, gotta go there again, the Dalek (of all creatures!) response to the last time we heard her say it: "We know who you are." Funny, haha, right? But, yeah, it just added to my fear that, I don't know. I just know that I wished I'd seen her die onscreen doing the totally awesome Harriet Jones thing she does so well. Being Harriet Jones.

On the plus side, though, her final words were SO Harriet Jones and certainly gave off a vibe of being the Harriet Jones I've loved all along: "You know nothing of any human, and that will be your downfall."

ETA: On the negative side, several people have commented that when we first see Harriet or something, you hear the drumming sound of the sound of the drums. Oy, bad vibe GO. AWAY. I want Harriet to say Harriet Jones, former prime minister!!!!!!!!! Don't ruin her, Rusty!!!

- Alrighty, then, small character flirting moments (so loved that we had time for those ...): Donna noticing Jack, and the Doctor shutting her down before she could start. Hah!! You so know that she'd think Jack was hot. Gwen finding the Doctor yummy, HAH! Cute little moment there. And, of course, Jack flirting with Sarah Jane before Harriet shut him down. Sex may not rampant in the Who verse, but they get their little moments of fun in.

- Finally, my absolute favorite part of the episode (aside from the Doctor's beaming face, running to Rose, Rose's beaming face, Rose running to the Doctor, swelling, romantic music cued, and all of the other Doctor/Rose moments) was the fact that Rose was jealous of Martha. I. LOVED. IT. And I'm a Rose fan, and while I like Martha, I wouldn't call myself a fan. But I freaking loved that we got all of these little asides and comments from Rose about Martha ...

-- When Martha shows up on the fourth screen and not Rose: "Who's she? I wanna get through."
-- Re: Martha's introduction as the Doctor's companion: "Oi, so was I!"
-- About the Doctor having Martha's phone, but no contact made: "Nor me. And I was there first."

I just thought it was such a lovely, perfect little boon to the fact that poor Martha had to endure being jealous of Rose and the Doctor's memory all season, and so here we have Rose seeing Martha -- beautiful, classy, intelligent Dr. Martha Jones -- and her automatic response is jealousy. I don't know why, but I just loved it. For the above reason, but also because it was sooooooo Rose, and this hardened, battle-worn Rose is different enough from the Rose we knew that it was nice seeing shopgirl from London still alive and kicking.

Phew! So overall, I loved the episode. Love this show. Will miss Russell T. Davies so much. But, hey one more, right? One more for this season. I just really, really did love this as I loved the last two weeks.

Sigh, okay, just for fun, here's the Rose/Doctor running to each other bit to rewatch up to her begging him not to die (over and over and over again for those so inclined.)

Download for better quality and computer-save-age at mediafire, or watch it here via youtube embed:

ETA: I just realized reading other comments that I didn't talk about the regeneration bit at all. I guess it's because I just don't think we're going to see a new Doctor because, well, we already know that the Tennant filmed the next special. And even if we didn't, I still wouldn't expect him to just go and regenerate into someone else with only one episode left. The last episode of the season? Yes. (Hello, "The Parting of the Ways.") But, not with one full episode to go, and a big, honkin' cliffhanger at that. Would make NO sense whatsoever. So, uhm, yeah, not sure how it's gonna work -- I assume the hand in the jar, thus seeing it so clearly in the beginning -- has something to do with it, but it honestly never crossed my mind that we wouldn't still see the Tennant as the Doctor come next week.

Comments

[longlostblue.livejournal.com]

Great write-up! Very enjoyable.

I wasn't disappointed by their reunion, either. I mean, yeah, a great big swinging-her-around hug would've been amazing, but what we got was so beautiful and epic! In fact, it was better than what I was expecting. Loved it.

The haters are whining about it, of course, but inside I'm just going "mwahaha, we all told you he loved her..."

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Ahh, beautiful and epic, perfect way to describe it. That it was, that it was, indeed.

Eh, stick it haters!!! He TOTALLY loves her.

[chalcidice.livejournal.com]

Lovely response to the episode. I can assure you I was not as eloquent upon finishing this episode. I can't wait to see where next weeks episode is taken, by a plot standpoint.

And can I say, I can't wait until Martha and Rose finally meet each other - it is going to be interesting to say the least :D

[kespernorth.livejournal.com]

I look forward to that too. I suspect Martha will sulk a bit. After all, the whole time she was the Doctor's companion, all he did was talk about Rose.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

You know, I don't think Martha will sulk. She's engaged to Tom Milligan (would have been nice to at least hear his name -- I loved their spark in "The Last of the Time Lords"), and she's all over the Doctor. Of course, it wouldn't be about the Doctor at this point, but more her wounded feelings of feeling second place to Rose constantly. So, yeah, we might get a moment or two of sulkiness -- from both -- which I hope leads to laughter as they realize how ridiculous it is now.

We'll see. I mean, it can't quite be like Rose and Sarah Jane, because at the time you could sorta say that the relationship that they each had with the Doctor was similar, but you just can't stretch that at all to say the same of Rose and Martha. So, yeah, we'll see.

[chalcidice.livejournal.com]

I am hoping Martha will have a better response than that, but who knows. Martha has gone on with her life -- wait, just thought of it, it's the end of the universe and she goes home to mum, what about Tom? Sorry, it was completely OT. And I've completely lost my train of thought :D

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't expect that to be her response, but for there to be a hint of it in there somewhere. And I don't think that would reflect badly on her in any way. After all she spent what's supposed to be a year of her life living in the shadow (in her mind) of the great Rose.

Yes, what about Tom?!?! I loved Martha and Tom. I wish we'd see the actor again. They had chemistry; I could totally ship them. (I actually looked him up to see if he was in any future episodes when I first saw them, but as of 4x08, his name hadn't shown up. (I haven't looked since then.)

[chalcidice.livejournal.com]

It just doesn't seem right that Martha wouldn't go to the man she loves, wouldn't she be concerned for his safety?!? I know it was a plot device to get Martha to England and be close to the Doctor, but I was just so disappointed by the way they phrased her return to her mother.

I have a feeling the Rose/Martha meeting is going to be along the lines of Martha/Donna. Will be expecting something very eventful and in the end we get giggles.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Oh, I wasn't eloquent when it first ended. I was flailing about like a crazy fangirl. So bad. So bad. LOL! It seriously took me a few rewatch of, erm, certain parts, and two hours to write this all down. Then I had to re-read it, organize it into a semblance of making-sense-ness.

Oh, I can't WAIT until Martha and Rose meet up. I think it will be awesome.

[chalcidice.livejournal.com]

Still it was an amazing job, and many points I didn't pick up on, so when I rewatch now I can at least look for these moments :D

I completely agree when Martha and Rose meet it's going to be amazing, also can't wait for Jack and Rose to have a proper hello!

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Why, thank you. It's how I make sense of it all in my brain, writing it down. I don't know if you've looked through my journal, but I did write-ups like this of the last three episodes, as well as the first episode, "Rose." I'm going to go through all of season 1, 2 (minus GitF) and certain season 4 episodes and do full-write ups like these for my "her name was Rose" collection. (See one of my tags.)

I can't WAIT to see Rose and Martha meet. Jack and Rose? Eh, I've never really cared; of course, I've never been a big Jack fan. I know. In this fandom? But there it is.

[chalcidice.livejournal.com]

I am going to check it out. I need something to take up the time until Saturday, and I can't continue to rewatch this episode.

I understand about Jack, it feels like you either love him or not. But I'm just excited to see Rose reunite with all Who cast. So I'm a complete Rose fan!

[midnightzstorm.livejournal.com]

I loved jealous Rose too, it reminded me of old Rose. She seems so grown up but then she can still be envious. Plus all that time Martha was jealous of her, its nice to see it works both ways.

I love HJ. LOL, even the Daleks know who she is.

Were you cracking up when the Daleks and Cybermen met? Good to know I wasn't the only that found that extremely funny. :)

I hope we don't see a new Doctor. I love DT.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

So glad to know I wasn't the only one who loved Jealous Rose. Cracked me up EVERY TIME, even in the midst of the AHHHH! of what was going on. Every line from Rose about Martha was so perfect. And I also think it will totally help ease some of the resentment that some Martha-fans may feel about Martha's feelings in regards to Rose. Rose isn't thinking she's better than Martha from the get-go, like Martha, they'll meet each other BOTH feeling that a part of them didn't/doesn't measure up to the other. I mean it would suck to have them meet and have Martha be all, "So, you're Rose." And Rose be all, "And you are?" This way, it's "So, you're Rose." And then, "So, you're Doctor Martha Jones."

Much more even.

Oh, Harriet Jones, former prime minister, I love her so. This is only her third appearance, but I just love her so much. I think the reason that I didn't like TCI as much as I could have is because I was disappointed at the turn of events at the end of it in regards to Harriet.

Were you cracking up when the Daleks and Cybermen met? Good to know I wasn't the only that found that extremely funny. :)

Oh, my gosh, every time I watch that scene, I'm just a-giggling away. How can you not love this exchange:

DALEK SEK: Establish visual contact. Lower communications barrier. (He meets with the two Cybermen. )

DALEK THAY: Identify yourselves.

CYBERMEN: You will identify first.

DALEK THAY: State your identity.

CYBERMEN: You will identify first.

DALEK THAY: Identify!

CYBERMEN: ... illogical, you will modify.

DALEK THAY: Daleks do not take orders.

CYBERMEN: You have identified as Daleks.

DALEK SEK: Outline resembles the inferior species known as 'Cybermen'.

CYBERMAN: Our species our similar, though your design is inelegant.

DALEK THAY: Daleks have no concept of elegance.

CYBERMEN: This is obvious. But consider - our technologies are compatible. Cybermen plus Daleks - together, we could upgrade the Universe.

DALEK THAY: You propose an alliance?

CYBERMEN: This is correct.

DALEK THAY: Request denied. (The Cybermen immediately thrust their fists out, ready to shoot. )

CYBERMEN: Hostile elements will be deleted. (They shoot; they don't score.)

DALEK THAY: Exterminate! (The Dalek shoot, the Daleks score. Down go the Cybermen. From the projection screen, the Cyberman address the Daleks.)

CYBERMAN: Daleks, be warned; you have declared war upon the Cybermen.

DALEK SEK: This is not war. This is pest control.

CYBERMAN: We have five million Cybermen. How many are you?

DALEK SEK: Four.

CYBERMAN: You would destroy the Cybermen with four Daleks??

DALEK SEK: We would destroy the Cybermen with one Dalek. You are superior in only one respect.

CYBERMAN: What is that?

DALEK SEK: You are better at dying.

Great scene, intercut with horror from the Doctor and Jackie, and near-amusement from Mickey just makes it all the better.
I hope we don't see a new Doctor. I love DT.

I just can't see how it won't be The Tennant with only one episode to go. Now mind you, I'm prepared and actually want a new Doctor for Season five. Simply because, well, I can easier deal with the lack of Rose -- as I'm sure will follow with Moffat in charge -- if it's the Doctor in a different form. Yes, I LOVE The Tennant, but I adored Christopher Eccleston and stopped watching the show for two years when he was replaced, but when I finally took it back up, well, I LOVE The Tennant now. So, I have faith that I'll love a new Doctor; I trust the casting director of this show.

[midnightzstorm.livejournal.com]

Those were the best lines in the series. :D

I think DT has at least a series left.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but having the year off with just the four specials would help in the mourning process I think, so that's why I kinda want a new Doctor for season five. I just ... I mean, it may not matter after next week, but I do NOT trust Moffat in the Doctor/Rose area and I just know he'll run roughshod all over it like he did with GitF and the recent two-parter. And that will hurt and it WILL make me resent the show and I don't want to have another show destroyed in my heart because of a stupid, stupid showrunner who does. not. get. it.

Anyhoo, we'll see, I guess.

[myalltheworld.livejournal.com]

Speaking of his 10th regeneration, I was a bit, well, I don't want to say peeved, let's just say edging towards there that Rose was so upset about him changing because it could be construed that she loves Ten more than Nine, and I don't like to think that.

I think there was also more of the worry she had that the same thing would happen again - last time the Doctor regenerated he was out of control for a long while, and out of commission for a bit, too. And considering that this is the end of the world (again)... Also, I think it's difficult for Rose to see the Doctor at all. She's clearly in love with him, and regardless of which face he wears or the fact that he's coming back to her, he's still in pain, and he's still changing, and it's not only his face that'll change - his personality does too.
But no worries, cause I theorise a problem with the regen and he'll remain as Ten. Because .. I said so. Otherwise the Beeb are better at keeping secrets than I surmised!

In other news I pretty much agree with everything else you said. And the reunion was beautiful - the stuff of bedtime stories!

I think I'm still a bit flaily over the whole thing, but mostly because I'm trying to work out who doesn't make it. Clearly there's something big with Donna, and we know she's going to have a loss but I don't think she'll die. I think she might end up joining the Shadow Proclamation or similar because of her specialness. Either that or she'll be the resurrection of Galifrey.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Ooh, good points to add to her anxiety about the upcoming change. Although, yeah, I think I'm sticking with the hair theory now. :p

Yeah, he so doesn't change. There's interesting theories floating out there about how the Doctor regenerated into looking like Ten FOR Rose since RTD suggested that he has the London accent -- though, watching DWConfidential, waaah, I want The Tennant's delicious natural, Scottish accent!!! -- because of Rose. So, it's possible he simply doesn't change because, well, his conscious/subconscious mind still wants to be what Rose would want. Cuz, you know, he loves her.

But, if that's the case, would he still be Ten? Or would he be Eleven now? Even looking the same. Hmmm.

I think I'm still a bit flaily over the whole thing, but mostly because I'm trying to work out who doesn't make it. Clearly there's something big with Donna, and we know she's going to have a loss but I don't think she'll die. I think she might end up joining the Shadow Proclamation or similar because of her specialness. Either that or she'll be the resurrection of Galifrey.

I just can NOT accept that Donna dies. I refuse to. I will sob like there is no tomorrow if Donna dies. I. will. not. accept that. It's as simple as that. No, no, no, no. So, she won't die which leaves ... well, I wrote about this in a spec post, I'm just not sure.

[chalcidice.livejournal.com]

Yeah, he so doesn't change. There's interesting theories floating out there about how the Doctor regenerated into looking like Ten FOR Rose since RTD suggested that he has the London accent -- though, watching DWConfidential, waaah, I want The Tennant's delicious natural, Scottish accent!!! -- because of Rose. So, it's possible he simply doesn't change because, well, his conscious/subconscious mind still wants to be what Rose would want. Cuz, you know, he loves her.

I was thinking the same thing. Supposidly in The Christmas Invasion episode, there was suppose to be a dialogue between Rose and Ten that explains that the result of his regeneration was suppose to be pleasing to Rose. That is, he is who he is (appearence wise) because it was what Rose would want. Since Rose doesn't want to lose Ten his regeneration will create Ten again, for Rose and maybe even Donna. Donna doesn't understand what is happening to the Doctor and she wouldn't want to fight the end of the universe without Ten.
^ okay re-read that, and sounds like complete randomness, swear I was trying to make a point :D

But, if that's the case, would he still be Ten? Or would he be Eleven now? Even looking the same. Hmmm.

I was wondering the same thing. Even if he comes back with Ten's face does it mean we are on Eleven? I don't want to lose a regeneration, so that would suck as a DW fan.

I just can NOT accept that Donna dies. I refuse to. I will sob like there is no tomorrow if Donna dies. I. will. not. accept that. It's as simple as that. No, no, no, no. So, she won't die which leaves ... well, I wrote about this in a spec post, I'm just not sure.

AMEN!


Speculation post? Will have to find.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Well, it's not happy spec (and something I REALLY don't want to happen), but here's the link (http://arabian.livejournal.com/216564.html). Oh, and feel free to look around and check out my Who posts, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Just click the 'doctor who' tag at the top of this posts and all of them about Who are there.

ETA: Never mind, here's the direct link to the Who posts so you don't have to scroll up through my massive post, LOL!

Doctor Who posts (http://arabian.livejournal.com/tag/doctor+who)

[chalcidice.livejournal.com]

Okay going to have definately look at that.

Aw, I don't know if I'm ready to read sad speculation. I have major fears about Donna, and I can't bear to think about them right now.

[outforawalk.livejournal.com]

Man, I just commented on another post that I have a bad feeling about Harriet Jones. Part of that comment is that no one else seems bothered by her, but now I find you also have a niggle of unease. I really, really don't want her to be out for revenge or something, but the thought just won't go away. Argh! This show is turning me into a pirate.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've read no where else that anyone is worried or has that niggle of doubt. It's just, I don't know there were moments, there were small things that worried me. I hope I'm wrong, I really do, because I LOVE Harriet Jones.

[chalcidice.livejournal.com]

I have massive fears about Harriet Jones, I have read speculation that states The Stolen Earth will not be the end of Harriet Jones. I just don't think it's right for them to re-introduce her so she can be this human martyr, there HAS to be something more. But really, it's one episode, how much can they possibly squeeze in one episode?!?

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Based on the vague, unconfirmed spoilers I've read ... well, let's just say that I really, really hope that WAS the only reason for her return, because otherwise, those niggling fears are going to be brought to light ... AND I DON'T WANT!!!!!!!!!!!!