Doctor Who? The End of Rose Tyler

Eccleston and Piper

Apparently this is the longest running show in BBC history. It has been around since black and white television, and puts shows like Law and Order to shame. Who knew it would take me 25 years to find out about this show? Who knew that it had everything I love about time travel, science fiction and horror all wrapped into 45 minutes of British humor? The Doctor, that's who.

I started with Christopher Eccleston cast as The Doctor, and unlike a lot of people, I really liked him. He was mature and gritty. He seemed smart, experienced, and a little rough around the edges. For someone who has been through what The Doctor has been through, I think his demeanor and appearance are nothing short of appropriate. When he grabbed Rose's hand in the first episode and told her to run, I trusted him from the get-go.

The first season was wonderful. Even though I didn't like Rose very much, I could at least relate to her. I worked at Macy's part time when I was nineteen, and felt bored with everyday living. If I had met the doctor at that stage in my life, I would've run away with him in a heartbeat as well. But that is neither here nor there, and this show isn't about me.  It's about The Doctor, Rose, her mother Jackie, her boyfriend Mickey and evil monsters from across the galaxy. That is what I liked most about this show, I think; the family aspect of it all. You watch the first episode thinking that Rose will leave everything behind her, but some of her family members turn out to be extraordinarily helpful in the end. She even surprises herself sometimes. I once heard that the best leaders have leadership thrust upon them. I think that happens a lot to Rose in seasons 1 and 2, and she makes the best of situations when the Doctor is off doing something else.

However, this does not mean that Rose would make a good leader, or that she should make any important decisions by herself. Every time the Doctor told her not to wander off, she would run off and get herself captured. It was like I was watching Jack and Kate from LOST all over again! Ugh! And her 80 coats of mascara she kept piling on every episode? And those teeth? Close your mouth, woman, Jeez!

Anyways, the dynamic between Rose and the Doctor is sweet, but the age gap seems to throw a lot of people off. Maybe that is why the majority of people prefer Tennent over Eccleston. Maybe a lot of people forget that he claims to be over 900 years old in one episode. If he was dating an eighty year-old woman, it would still be an inappropriate age ratio. So, no matter what, I think the realtionship, in and of itself, is sweet. The two of them truly care for each other, and would do anything to save the other.

The dynamic duo travel in their ship, the TARDIS, through both space and time. That means that aliens, robots, zombies, and even the Devil himself are confronted, explored, and explained in a very scientific and logical way. Ethics and morality are discussed for all types of lifeforms including ghostly spirits and alien entities. The Doctor challenges your way of thinking of other races and species, and always delivers in a tight spot.


I was really sad at the end of Season 1 when I knew that The Doctor was going to die. Even though he was only changing faces, it was still really depressing. I had grown accustomed to the more mature Doctor, and then all of the sudden this anorexic guy who played Barty Crouch Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire takes his place? It didn't seem right, it seemed, so... silly.

 

It didn't take long for that silliness to warm my heart. Granted, Tennant is not as endearing as Eccleston was, but his goofiness and confidence drew me in. Everything is sing-songy fun until it can no longer be. He wears a three piece suit with Chuck Taylors, and 3-D sunglasses to see alien matter surrounding foreign objects. He's loud, he's jumpy, he's funny, he's adorable. The relationship between him and Rose is more noticable with this actor, and a lot more believable. They kiss each other's forehead and touch each other a lot more, and it's not as "icky" as it was with Eccleston.

Much more fun characters are introduced and revisited in Season 2 with Tennant. Daleks and Cybermen terrorize alternate universes where Rose was never born, and her father was never killed. Harriet Jones defeats the Slitheen and becomes Prime Minister. Torchwood is founded and Mickey ends up saving the day. Rose runs into Sarah Jane, who we find out is The Doctor's ex-companion, and jealousies rage. Jack Harkness wasn't in Season 2, but I just realized I forgot to mention him earlier. He shows up in the middle of Season 1 in an alternate World War II London. He's somewhat of a time-traveler himself and has his own ship. He has psychic paper like The Doctor, and helps the two of them fight off the Daleks in the season finale. I've heard that he plays a bigger role in the show later, and if not on this show, he is featured in the spin-off Torchwood. I can't wait.

The end of the second season was a tearjerker even though I knew I was going to lose Billie Piper as Rose. It was an exact flip of emotions from the Season One finale; but this show is so good, you can't help but be pulled in. You can't help but feel the abandonment Rose feels when The Doctor sends her into the alternate universe to save her life. Her anger and depression is well deserved, and the Doctor can do nothing to help her. He can only send his image in that final scene on the beach in Norway. He can't even touch her.

All I wanted throughout this whole season was for them to kiss, or to do something, and when it's all said and done, they can't even do that. What heartbreak! What disappointment! And when she finally tells him she loves him, he doesn't even have time to say it in return.  He just disappears because the TARDIS runs out of energy. Ugh, that poor, poor girl. She could have been with The Doctor and she is stuck in an alternate universe with Mickey. Oh well, at least she has both of her parents in this world, and she is still alive....

I don't know what the last few seconds of this season were about, or how any of it could have happened. How did a woman get aboard the TARDIS that The Doctor doesn't know? Who is this woman? Why is she wearing a wedding dress? Why are her teeth so bad? Why am I in love with David Tennant?

Basically I can't stop thinking about this show. Everything about it gets me geeked out beyond belief. I've finally filled the void in my life that LOST left me with last year. Only I don't have to think very hard, or wait three years for an answer to a question that turned out to be relatively unimportant............. But you get the idea, right?

Namaste

10 Favorite Musicals of All Time

10. Moulin Rouge!

 A musical within a musical, and who knew Ewan McGregor had those pipes? Even though this show is a compilation of pop-culture songs with added harmonies and dance numbers, who's to say that Mamma Mia!, Footloose!, or Movin' Out are any less of a musical? I mean, they all have the ridiculous Broadway exclamation point at the end of the title. Moulin Rouge!, Repo!, we get it. It's exciting... it's spectacular spectacular.

I have to admit I hated Nicole Kidman until I saw this movie. She just annoyed me and now I adore her. She looks so glamorous and her voice is like an angel. Jim Broadbent is awesome as usual, and the whole movie is an orgy of bright color, beautiful music, and compelling storytelling. I love, love, love this movie.

Favorite Song: "Roxanne"

Favorite Character: Teluse

Media Type: Film



9. The Producers

Who doesn't love a good play about a play about Hitler? Right? Anybody? No?


The Producers was created by Mel Brooks, a Jewish man, and takes the liberty of making light of Hitler and the Third Reich. The leads need to find a terrible play to produce so they can get rich quick and leave town. The soundtrack I have has the original cast of Broderick, Lane, and Huffman as the leads, and I can't imagine it any other way. They changed the role of Ula to Uma Thurman for the Hollywood film for some reason, but it is still just as I imagined it.

Favorite Song: "Springtime For Hitler"

Favorite Character: Leo

Media Type: Stage Show


8. RENT

 

The first Broadway musical I ever saw live, my mom took me to see this at the Embassy Theater when I was a freshman in high school. My life was changed forever. I cried at the end for almost ten minutes, and I knew that I was in love.  This play was loud and raunchy, and in your face. It was funny and colorblind. It was sad and romantic. It was everything. 

Sure it was controversial because it was about gays, lesbians, transvestites, people with AIDS, poor people, friends who sellout, and strippers. But none of that mattered when you watched it. All that mattered were these awesome people who grabbed your attention from the very beginning and never let go.

Favorite Song: "Halloween" was filmed for the movie version, but cut at the last minute,

Favorite Character: Mark, of course.

Media Type: Stage Show. Although the film was good, it just didn't work the same way. And why randomly have someone else play Mimi?

7. Beauty and the Beast

 Belle was my favorite Disney princess while growing up. She was smart, didn't take anyone's crap, and turned a beast into a hot-looking man. How could you not be inspired by her? All jokes aside, this is a great fairy tale that is even better when brought to life onstage. The costumes of the enchanted objects are enough to give anyone chills. The music is powerful enough to melt anyone's heart, and the dance numbers are out of this world. 

The Broadway show added a bunch of new songs on top of the Disney film, and all of them are fantastic. Songs like "No Matter What" and "How Long Can This Go On?" bring more depth to characters you didn't know much about. And "Gaston"? Forget about it! The best chorus number I've ever seen!

Favorite Song: "Home"

Favorite Character: Lumiere

Media Type: Stage show, hands down!

6. Little Shop of Horrors

 

 Another one of my dad's favorites; I think he has "Suddenly Seymour" downloaded on his phone. We watched the 1986 film together, and I went out and bought the revival Broadway cast soundtrack. Just like Beauty and the Beast, it has all of the songs featured in the film, with a few more added in between scenes. Also like Beauty and the Beast, the music was written by composer Alan Menken. Coincidence? I think not. Genius? I think so.

Favorite Song: "The Meek Shall Inherit"

Favorite Character: Audrey

Media Type: Stage show.

5. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Andrew Lloyd Webber returns to my countdown with Joseph. The classic Bible story is about a boy who interprets dreams and is sold as a slave by his eleven brothers. He gets thrown in jail and eventually climbs the corporate ladder of Egypt.  Throughout all of this, Egypt and Israel's history are cleverly sung by the Narrator and a choir full of school children. When the Civic Theater does Joseph in our town, they bring in the city Children's choir to sing with the cast, and it is the icing on the cake.

Every song is different. Every song is amazing. The end reprise is the most tear-jerking reunion ever. Everyone comes back onstage, and the exchange between Joseph and the Narrator is nothing short of spine-tingling. 

Favorite Song: "Potihpar"

Favorite Character: Narrator

Media Type: Donnie Osmond DVD

4. Jesus Christ Superstar

Even though I could improve my church-going habits and relationship with God, this play always brings me a little closer. When it came out there was an outrage about the title "Superstar" after Jesus' name. Christians everywhere stood outside of theaters with signs protesting Andrew Lloyd Webber's controversial new play. How dare he call Jesus a superstar... how dare he.... Settle down, Christians.

There is nothing crazy in this play; nothing controversial. They don't imply that Jesus was gay, or that he was sleeping with Mary Magdalene or anything ridiculous like that. All this play is guilty of is showing how human Jesus was, and how he struggled with the giant task he was destined to perform. I personally see nothing wrong with that. So suck it, crazy Christians, and enjoy the musical masterpiece that is Rock Opera "Jesus Christ Superstar".

Favorite Song: "Superstar"

Favorite Character: Judas

Media Type: Film

 

3. Wicked

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, this musical depicts the life of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. Elphaba struggles through problems with her parents, a sister's disability, and the desire to be popular in her new school. She meets Galinda, the Good Witch from the North, and the two form a strong friendship much like Clark Kent and Lex Luthor. Eventually the two form their different opinions and go their separate ways, leaving the story from The Wizard of Oz to unfold. Stephen Schwartz composed this modern gem, and every song is jam-packed with energy, and balanced by sweet and endearing lyrics.

Favorite Song: "Thank Goodness"

Favorite Character: Fiyero

Media Type: Stage show, obviously



2. Chicago

 I saw this movie a total of five times in the theater when it came out. I drug everyone I knew to see it with me, just so people wouldn't get tired of watching it. I remember buying the Broadway soundtrack after obsessing over the movie and loving every extra song. I know you can't fit everything into a movie that is in a stage show, so I wasn't too disappointed when Catherine Zeta Jones didn't sing "Class" or "I Know A Girl" on the silver screen.  What I didn't expect, was that A. Renee Zellwegger had talent, and that B. "Class" was on the DVD as a deleted scene!

Don't just watch this movie for the beautiful Zeta Jones, but go to see the amazing dance numbers, the cunning witty dialog, Richard Gere getting down to his skivvies, the costumes, the hair, the make-up, and John C.Reilly! 

Favorite Song: "I Can't Do It Alone" and "They Both Reached for the Gun"

Favorite Character: Velma Kelly

Media Type: Tie between film and stage show.

1. The Phantom of the Opera

Oh. My. Love. How can I even put into words how much I love this musical? Can my description of the orchestra do justice to the majestic and frightening music composed by Mr. Andrew Lloyd Webber? Do the chills down my spine describe Sarah Brightman's haunting and angelic voice as the lead role Christine? Can my gushing like a little baby on here about Michael Crawford make you all click on the iTunes store and buy the original Broadway soundtrack? No. But you should, anyways.

I saw the off-Broadway production of this show my sophomore year in Ohio. A bunch of my theater friends drove off to see it and ended up getting lost on the way back, but that is neither here nor there. What I saw that night was unlike any other stage show I had seen to date. It was better than RENT, Chicago, and every other musical I had seen up until that point. The stage was alive, the music still rang in my ears, the story was heart-breaking, and people of all walks of life enjoyed it in the theater with me.

The movie came out in 2004, the winter after I graduated high school. Although most of the casting was ideal (Patrick Wilson as Raoul, hello!), I think they could have done with someone different as the Phantom. Gerard Butler isn't known as a singer by any means, and he is about twenty years too young to play the middle-aged psychopath. Other than that, the film is very enjoyable and always makes me feel better when I am sick.

Favorite Song: "Twisted Every Way" and "Wandering Child"

Favorite Character: Madame Giry

Media Type: Stage Show

 

25 Favorite Musicals of All Time: 19-11

19. Jekyll and Hyde

 A lot of people might not like this one, but I think it is a diamond in the rough. Did you know Sebastian Bach from Skid Row played Jekyll at one point on Broadway? That probably isn't helping my case, is it? Anyways, this play has a strong ensemble and chorus bringing countless street scenes to life. The crowd almost seems to be its own character half of the time, while Jekyll plays both himself and Hyde. What a challenging role, and what a bold decision to put something this complex on the stage. I am glad they took the risk and made this dark and terrible tale a musical masterpiece.

Favorite Song: "Good N' Evil"

Favorite Character: Lucy

Media Type: Stage show. No movie has been made of the musical version, unless you count the opening scene of Van Helsing with Australian Broadway star Hugh Jackman...




18. Rocky Horror Picture Show

 I had no idea people were supposed to yell things out when I saw Rocky Horror Picture Show on stage for the first time. I had seen the movie countless times, but wasn't ready for this. I ran into my high school Spanish teacher doing the pelvic thrust and my virginal friend's parents yelling out swear words in lingerie. What had happened to the world? Was this show that awesome? Yes. Of course it is.

I love this show just as much as I love old British men who are just a little past their prime. It's weird, inappropriate, and a little embarrassing, but I love it nonetheless.  This show is pure controversy, no doubt having to do with the year it was released, and no doubt memorable. I watched it with my mom one Halloween and loved the songs. The characters who sing them are even more ridiculous, and anyone who knows anything about theater loves Rocky Horror. I was a prudish virginal Catholic school girl, and even I fell victim to its charms.

Favorite Song: "Don't Dream It, Be It"

Favorite Character: Franken Furter

Media Type: Tie between stage and film



17. Fiddler On The Roof

 What a sad, sad story. Tevye watches his daughters grow up, marry off, and move away. That's probably why this is my dad's favorite and least favorite movie. He cries every time they sing "Sunrise, Sunset", but still made me watch it with him when I was little. I always think about him when I watch the movie or listen to the soundtrack. I also had the luxury of seeing it on stage, and was blown away. The dream sequence puts every other musical to shame on set and props.

Favorite Song: "Chaveleh (Little Bird)"

Favorite Character: Tevye

Media Type: Stage Show


16. The Full Monty

I didn't think I would like this at all. I saw the preview for the movie when I was young and thought it looked really stupid. I had put it out of my mind completely until I found out who Patrick Wilson was, and someone had the soundtrack in their car. I listened to it, and couldn't take it out of my CD player (times have changed kids, this is before iPods). I had no idea there were such strong female supporting cast members, such humorous moments, such dark humor, and... oh yeah, a bunch of naked guys. But that is just an afterthought after you meet the characters and hear their story.

Favorite Song: Tie: "You Rule My World" and "Breeze Off The River"


Favorite Character: Jerry

Media: Stage Show


15. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

This is the most underrated Disney movie of all time. Maybe I like it because the lead girl has dark hair, or because it has to do with the Catholic church. Or maybe I like it because it is the classic revamping of the timeless story that never gets old: hideous creature falls in love with a beautiful girl even though she is with someone else, and sort of wins her over. Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera have the same general  storyline in the beginning, only this movie is a lot more realistic. The girl doesn't end up with our Quasimodo, but instead falls for the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Phoebus. I like that it doesn't end happily ever after like every other Disney movie. Maybe that's why no one else seems to like it.

Story line or not, the music in this film in undeniably fantastic. Latin choirs of monks chill your bones throughout the heartache of a deformed bell ringer you come to love. The bells he has to ring soar through the air of your living room as you watch it, and you can't help but to be moved.

Favorite Song: "Heaven's Light/Hell's Fire"

Favorite Character: Quasimodo

Media Type: Disney Film. There is a stage show somewhere but it is called something different, and is entirely in French. No thanks.



14. Hairspray

 For the fat girl in all of us, it is easy to relate to the lead Tracy. She is a simple girl who dreams of dancing on an American Bandstand-type show, and eventually gets her wish. She meets a bunch of new friends, and becomes an advocate for civil rights and "Negro Day" on the show she dances on. This show is gay and fabulous and show choir-ready. Tolerance and ignorance butt heads in the most beautiful and campy way, and everyone has a good time learning about it.

Favorite Song: "I Can Hear The Bells"

Favorite Character: Seaweed

Media Type: Film, because Christopher Walken plays her dad and John Travolta plays her mother. No one while in drag has ever made me cry before.



13. The Sound of Music

 Another classic from my dad. This is his other favorite movie, and of course, one of mine. Julie Andrews is such a wonderful performer, the opening scene of her running through the mountains is so uplifting. I could listen to her until I die and I'd always be smiling. The kids' songs are great too, and this is one of those musicals that everyone knows almost every song to, even if they aren't aware of it. That is timeless in my opinion. That is greatness.


Favorite Song: "I Have Confidence". I need to use this as an audition song once I get back in the game...

Favorite Character: Anyone but Rolff

Media Type: Film. I've never seen it live :(




12. The Boy From Oz

 The story of Peter Allen portrayed by the wonderful Hugh Jackman. This has so many different styles of songs as his life changes. Powerhouse solos, soft duets, sexy threesomes, and flamboyant chorus numbers. Jackman is flawless as Peter as he goes through his ups and downs, relationships with men and women, and says his goodbyes to each of them. There isn't a song on this soundtrack I skip over when I listen to it. I really want to see this live someday. So far I just listen to it on my computer and imagine how great it will look.

Favorite Song: "An Older Woman"

Favorite Character: Judy

Media Type: Stage Show, there is no movie.





11. Oklahoma!

 

Another Jackman gem, the London cast show was recorded and put on DVD. I thought only Les Miserables had a revolving stage/set, but it worked out beautifully for Oklahoma!. The process of Oklahoma becoming a state, and the conflict between farmers and cowboys sets the stage for the main characters in the show. Although it has a western theme to it, Oklahoma is no country musical. Rodgers and Hammerstein put their smooth, romantic touch on the love-stricken leads, and keep the other characters fun flirty. Judd Fry sticks out as the only character with deep, dark vocals, and brings the cast full circle.

Favorite Song: "Surrey With The Fringe On The Top"

Favorite Character: Ado Annie

Media Type: Stage Show

 

25 Favorite Musicals of All Time: 23-20

23. Repo! The Genetic Opera

My new-found friend! Why did I not find out about this sooner? This movie was eventually turned into a road show after fans demanded a tour, but now only lives on in my Netflix account. Anthony Stewart Head from Buffy the Vampire Slayer plays a tortured soul who has to repossess overdue organs. School-girl crush or not, this movie is brilliant. It's as if Phantom of the Opera had sex with My Chemical Romance's "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge" and this was their love child. Sarah Brightman plays Blind Mag, an enslaved opera singer, and that old guy from Law and Order runs GeneCo, the big bad company. I really want to watch this again.

Favorite Song: "I Didn't Know I'd Love You So Much".

Favorite Character: Nathan Wallace

Media: Film



22. Evita

  Another Andrew Lloyd Webber musical that whisked me away. I liked this musical so much that I did a school report on Eva Peron. Even though a lot of people find this musical boring and drawn out, I think it has more beautiful moments than not. The chorus numbers the Narrator leads are culturally rich, and the solos Eva sings are soft and heartbreaking.

Favorite Song: "And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)" is just one of the many beautiful chorus numbers. It sticks out among the pompous aristocratic songs that theme throughout the show.

Favorite Character: The Narrator

Media Type: Stage show, London Cast. Madonna wasn't too hot even though I like the film.




21. Footloose!

 Most movies are made after a broadway musical is successful, but the songs in this show were fleshed out from the radio soundtrack of the 1984 film. We get to see the psyche of the parents behind the initial dilemma, and see more dancing and singing than Kevin Bacon could stand.

Favorite Song: "I'm Free/Heaven Help Me".

Favorite Character: Reverend Shaw Moore

Media Type: Stage Show


20. You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown

Anthony Rapp plays Charlie Brown in the revival cast, and his unsure orange tambre is perfect for the role. The rest of the cast does a stellar job and brings the timeless cartoon to life.

Favorite Song: "Snoopy" is epic.

Favorite Character: Lucy

Media Type: Stage Show

24. Cats

My friend Brianne let me borrow her video cassette of Cats when we were in the seventh or eighth grade. I remember my dog chewed it up eventually, and I felt terrible, but I was glad I watched it. I had been doing Youtheatre stuff for a while at this point, and tried to watch as many musicals as possible. Andrew Lloyd Webber is by far my most favorite composer, and this is not the last time he will be mentioned in this blog.

Cats combined ballet and modern dancing with amazing vocals. Every character was amazing and beautiful in their own way, and in the end the show had a sense of spirituality which I loved. Webber brought personality to the feline race, and made them talented and beautiful. This classic will always be a favorite.

Favorite Song: "Macavity: The Mystery Cat". Basically every cat has their own song, and that takes up the entire show. It's genius if you think about it, really. No other show comes to mind where two hours of backstory is sung and then the main character goes to Heaven.... nope, none. Anyways, Macavity is my favorite song because it is sexy and scary without being too flamboyant like the above Rum Tum Tugger's song.

Favorite Character: Rum Tum Tugger. The Elvis character that Webber seems to sneek into all of his shows, Tugger is a ladies' man and sings the only rock and roll-themed songs.

Media Type: Stage show... I don't think this would work as a movie.

Top 25 Musicals of All Time

25. The Wizard of Oz

I almost forgot to put this musical on my list altogether. Even though it doesn't have many songs I can call my favorite, it has spawned several other musicals that do. The story is great, Judy Garland is great, and it is one of the first musicals I remember watching as a child. If you ask someone if they like the Wizard of Oz and they say "no"... they are lying. Or have no soul.

Favorite Song: "Optimistic Voices". Although it's common to love "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", I actually adore the Optimistic Voices as the team runs through the poppy field and into the Emerald City. It's peppy and harmonious, and very time-appropriate.

 

Favorite Character: Scarecrow

Media: 1939 Film