Why Rose is of particular importance to the Doctor

[dreamer_easy]

Because she was his first companion post the destruction of his entire homeworld and family.

(I have a feeling this may be addressed next week.)

Discuss.

Damn, I was just about to post this in backinblue, then realised I'd be breaking my own mod rules. bleah

ETA: Beware SPOILERS in the comments.

Comments

[big-n-happy.livejournal.com]

I agree totally, and I've argued that position before, but the text hasn't clarified that. She's special in a general sense because of her love for adventure etc, making her a companion. She's special as a companion for largely circumstantial reasons; he needed a crux after the Time War, and Sarah Jane's return prompted his attempt at a proper goodbye in Doomsday.

But, there's stuff that seems to say otherwise, particularly since intentional shipping is new to DW. Why does that name keep him fighting? RTD's press burblings haven't helped, at times.

I keep saying this, but if it's handled right it'll become a non-issue by the time we're thinking about Martha's replacement. Human Nature and the probable Time Lord return keep me vaguely optimistic, particularly since The Master could be used to demonstrate why he's The Doctor.

Also. Icon. DW/Alanis OTP!

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

DW/Alanis OTP!

I like how, on that icon, the quote can be interpreted multiple ways. >:-)

I agree the text hasn't made it clear, and it *is* clear from the text (and RTD's comments) that they really were terrific mates, they really clicked. But it's also clear that Rose was only one of many: the Doctor's Rose-centredness has been constantly challenged, most recently by the sonic screwdriver gag and by his pissing off Martha. So I think it all has hugely to do with Gallifrey, and it seems pretty obvious we'll be getting a big dose of that this season. So fingers crossed.

[waterfall8484]

Just because I'm curious... what "sonic screwdriver gag"?

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

In Smith and Jones, the sonic screwdriver is wrecked, and the Doctor is distraught for about three seconds ("I love my sonic screwdriver!") before tossing it away. At the end of the story, he has a new one.

[(Anonymous)]

In Smith and Jones, the sonic screwdriver is wrecked, and ...... At the end of the story, he has a new one.

I definitely saw that (ie the second part) coming - and foolishly thought for a moment that the 'new' one may return to the "classic" design.

(Bit of throwaway dialogue to the effect that he acquired a more advanced model some time between the TVM and "Rose", and this one has been gathering dust in the toolbox ever since.)

[nostalgia-lj.livejournal.com]

So I think it all has hugely to do with Gallifrey

What's "Gallifrey"?

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

It means "They that walk in the shadows".

[nostalgia-lj.livejournal.com]

Oh, that thing the Doctor's mentioned once and only cried a single tear for? Bah, he doesn't care about that!

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

(I'd tabulate a list of Gallifrey mentions here, but can't be arsed, so take it as read.)

Ten'n'Martha Scene EXCLUSIVE

[nostalgia-lj.livejournal.com]

(INT. TARDIS, we join our heroes at the end of a long discussion that's too interesting to see all of.)

MARTHA: So anyway, I'm very sorry about your girlfriend leaving you.

DOCTOR: Thanks, that means a lot to me.

MARTHA: That's the angst dealt with then, yeah?

DOCTOR: Yeah. Well, other than the other stuff.

MARTHA: ..."other stuff"?

DOCTOR: I've never mentioned this to you, but all my people are dead, including my entire family. Kids, grandkids, siblings, spouse. I blew up my planet. That was kind of sad. Oh, and did I ever tell you about Madame de Pompadour?

(MARTHA smacks THE DOCTOR inna face)

DOCTOR: Stop flirting with me, woman!

MARTHA: Talk to the hand, it's got a degree in psychology.

[nostalgia-lj.livejournal.com]

but the text hasn't clarified that

Bingo. It's like everything else has been eaten.

[mousagetes.livejournal.com]

Why does that name keep him fighting?

Because she’s :so alive," and she’s with her whole family, a family that’s actually growing, not diminished or dead or lessened except by his absence, which was inevitable anyway.

I think he misses Rose and it really is bittersweet at times, but there’s joy there, too, because he restored something and made it more than complete. Now it’s Rose+Mikey+Jackie+Pete+NewTyler, where once there was just listless Rose and lonely Jackie, so in a sense he gets to be the god of creation rather than emo-destruction this time, and it must feel pretty damn good to know that he can fight the big fight knowing it won’t always wreck havoc on a small human scale.

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's lovely!

[big-n-happy.livejournal.com]

That's one interpretation. It fits perfectly, and I like it.

But I still think they're being thematically coy; overstating certain bits, ignoring others. It's an arc, so we'll see how it goes!