Asylum of the Daleks

Just letting you know there will be SPOILERS in this post.

I was really excited for this new episode of Doctor Who. Eight long months without the Doctor was hard. I mean, I REALLY like this show so of course I really missed it. When the release date was finally announced, I was so excited. New Doctor Who...finally! I even woke up at 5am to watch it as soon as it was released on ABC iview in Australia (just after it aired in the UK) And then I actually watched it and, well, I was slightly underwhelmed.

First off, the Parliament of Daleks? Really? They hardly seem the type to have any sort of democracy. Besides, I can't imagine any sort of debate occurring. They have one opinion - EXTERMINATE. The Daleks could have been a lot scarier in a different setting. That said, the Asylum of the Daleks was pretty cool but again, it could have been pushed a bit more. I would have like to see more from the Daleks who had completely lost it.

Second, Oswin Oswald was fantastic! Maybe it's because I can imagine being just like her (more-so than Rose Tyler as well, I think), sitting around at a computer and making soufflés (aside from the fact that I can't cook) And then there was the kicker. Where DID she get the milk and eggs? Making Oswin a Dalek was a great idea, I must say, but there was one thing that bugged me...

Do you remember the two-part episode 'Daleks in Manhattan' and 'Evolution of the Daleks'? Excluding Dalek Sec, the others from the Cult of Skaro were horrified at the thought of a Dalek/human hybrid. Why then, would they change their minds about converting humans to Daleks? I had a discussion with someone about this. They said the point of the Daleks was to make us question how different we (and the Doctor) really are from them. I definitely agree with this. I love the 'what make us human?' question. However, I don't think we need these obvious comparisons to humanity (such as the Parliament) for us to make the connection. What do you think about all this?

Also, I can accept that Oswin was a genius and the Daleks have some really advanced technology but why did Oswin's voice still sound human over the PA when she was talking to the Doctor and Rory?

Oswin's storyline in this was really great and it reminded me of the Cybermen episodes of the 2nd season. Without the emotion inhibitors, the human would not be able to cope with what they had become, it would literally be too much for them to handle. Also Yvonne Hartman from Torchwood, though she was a Cyberman, was still able to do her "duty for queen and country" Those resonances of humanity in both Oswin and Yvonne make you really feel for them. It's really heart-wrenching.

Rory and Amy were great as usual. I thought it was very clever how Amy told the Doctor that he couldn't fix their marriage like he does his bow-tie and then it cuts to the Doctor straightening his bow-tie after Amy and Rory talk through their problems. There has been some argument over Rory bringing up the 2000 years thing, like how awful it is for him to be keeping score and for using it to measure his love for her, but I thought it gave us more insight into his character.

Rory never thought he would 'get the girl'. Amy thought he was gay, for goodness sake! But he finally did yet there is still this nagging at the back of his mind that he isn't good enough for her, that she might leave him at any second. (Coincidently, she sort of did in Pond Life) Therefore, it's no wonder he has this notion, however wrong it may be, that will always love Amy more than she loves him. Everyone has their little insecurities, right?

Well, that's all I can really remember to say about this episode. I'm very interested to see how they are going to bring back Jenna Louise Coleman's character (I've heard she's actually supposed to be called Clara, so there might be something going on with that) and I can't wait for the next episode! (A Harry Potter reunion as well as Lestrade from Sherlock? I think yes!)

I'm just going to end on this funny little quote:

Oswin: "Is there a word for total, screaming genius that sounds modest and a little bit sexy?"
Doctor: "Doctor. You can call me the Doctor."