stargater | DW: The Planet of the Ood (Reply)

Where to begin. I had been anticipating this episode since I first learned it's title and I certainly wasn't disappointed. I really liked it a lot and for several reasons. First off, yay alien planet! As much as I love some of the Earth-based episodes, I love alien worlds and space ships and things in space etc... so it was pretty awesome getting to see the Ood Sphere. Secondly, I was really curious about the Ood and their origins after seeing them in TIP/TSP, which happen to be among my favorite episodes so I enjoyed the references to them as well more background on the Ood.

I really enjoyed the Doctor/Donna dynamic in this episode and I like their friendly banter. Donna is definitely growing on me since TRB, she's witty, compassionate and has that wide-eyed enthusiasm about things. I absolutely loved the scene where the Doctor lets her hear the sad Ood song, it nearly brought me to tears. And after she asks him to take it away and says that he can still hear it and he replies "all the time" was especially powerful because I think sometimes it's easy to forget everything (both terrible and wonderful) that the Doctor is aware of at all times. And I thought the Ood song was beautiful, really nicely done and fit perfectly.

As for the Ood, the poor Ood! I mean really, I felt for them the first time I saw them but so much more now. I really like these guys a lot, I'd be a 'friend of the Ood'. And I get the parallel that they were showing and it was quite effective I think. The giant Ood brain was interesting, as were the un-processed Ood holding their little brains so protectively. When Halpen (I think that was his name) turned into an Ood was interesting if a little yucky, though I say it was his just desserts really, even though the Ood will probably take better care of him then he ever had/would one of them. Even though it was obvious this was meant for the dampening field surrounding the Ood brain, I can't help but think that "the circle must be broken" is going to pertain to something else later on.

As for continuing clues, no mention of the Shadow Proclamation this time nor a reference like "she is returning" from last week but that was definitely Rose's theme right after Ood Sigma told the Doctor "I think your song must end soon" and "every song must end" which causes me quite a bit of concern. I find it interesting that such a statement was made in this episode with the Ood because I can't help but think what the Beast told Rose in TSP about her dying in battle and I can't not think that it could be connected in some way. Whether or not something like that is going to happen to either Rose or the Doctor in the finale has me pulling my hair out especially given the few details that I've already been spoiled on. Also, and I did look this up because I noticed it and thought it might be important and it could possibly mean something. I noticed the Ood Sigma had the Sigma symbol on his uniform and was the only one sporting such a thing and it made me curious. So I read a few posts and browsed around and found a reference in classic Who that "Theta Sigma" was once a childhood nickname of the Doctor. Could this possibly be another name reference? Or it could just be among the many little things put into it to side track and throw those of us who are over analyzing it all off the trail :P

Random things:

I was nearly out of my seat when the crazy crane guy was chasing the Doctor with that giant claw thing. Oh, how I do love a good chase scene and it reminded me of those claw machine games where you maneuver the claw around and drop it to try and get a toy. Which was nearly impossible most the time the way they were always packed in there and those that weren't... I swear they did run away from the claw!

The disappearing bees reference was certainly interesting, especially given that it's fact. It really is strange about the bees and no one really has any concrete answers to what is happening with them. Here is further on it and what they are calling Colony Collapse Disorder. It's quite an interesting read.

I love the Doctor in his blue suit and maroon Chucks. And really, I don't think it's possible for me to love David Tennant's hair anymore than I already do. All spiky and messy, I love it! I just want to stick my hand in it and and leave it there permanently ;)

And next week looks good, seems that Martha will be back (It'll be interesting with Donna meeting Martha I think) and the Sontarans which I'm looking forward to even though I haven't seen any of them in classic Who but I've read about them. Also noticed ATMOS again, coincidence? Who knows ;P