The Zygon Inversion

[daibhidc]

Excellent.

The opening scenes in Clara's mind was nicely done, especially how rapidly she figured out "dreamworld" - she has experience of them, after all. And the scenes of the unfortunate Zygon who just wanted to be left alone were well handled. (Especially that at first it looks like he's a human who's worried he's surrounded by aliens.)

Several neat kisses to the past: "Five rounds rapid", the Doctor calling Harry an imbecile, the First Doctor portrait, of course. In fact, for a moment I almost wondered if the Skarasen was going to at least get namechecked.

I figured out the Osgood Box was a bluff shortly before Bonnie did, when I just thought "Why does this all even exist?" Answer: in the event the peace treaty breaks down, the Doctor knows where everyone's going and why. But that doesn't mean he wants them to actually be able to do anything once they're there[1]. And comparing it to the Moment was neat. (In fact, that whole speech about forgiveness and ending the cycle was awesome). I wasn't sure about the implication this has happened fifteen times, but I suppose it hammers home the message that peace is something you have to keep working at.

Somebody online was speculating that being turned to electrified wool was reversable, and when Second Osgood reappeared, I thought we might get that but no. The real explanation was logical, but I was sad it didn't allow for the return of Jac or the suicidal Zygon.

And I loved the Doctor telling Osgood he's a big fan. Perfect.

[1] Vaguely reminded of the prison guards in Going Postal who let Moist chip away at the walls of his cell with a spoon because it's very important a prisoner should have the prospect of freedom. But there's another wall (and a new spoon!) on the other side because "It's not actual freedom, that would be a bit silly."

Comments

[pedanther]

It wasn't the kind of ending I wanted, but I knew we weren't going to get that. And it's a lot better than the kind of ending I was afraid we'd get. I'll take it.

I had a feeling we'd end up with one of the Zygons deciding to carry on Osgood's work, but I thought we'd have to lose both of the original Osgoods first. (I was basically assuming a lot more people would die than actually did.)

I did manage to figure out why the Osgood Box is stored where it is before it was spelled out.

I still don't think it makes any sense that Kate was able to impersonate a Zygon, but I'm glad she's not dead.

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

Now that I'm caught up... What was the ending you wanted?

[pedanther]

Nothing specific, but I would have liked an ending where the two million other Zygons got a say in their future, or at least some kind of onscreen presence to offset the fact that all the Zygons we were actually getting to see were the bad kind.

And I knew we weren't going to get it because this isn't the kind of show where the day is saved by mass action, it's the kind of show where the day is saved by a few exceptional people without most of the population even being aware the day needed saving.

And, having said that, I suppose we did get some kind of onscreen presence for the average Zygon on the street, in the form of the frightened one the Doctor and Osgood meet.