Here at Head Over Feels, we got a big old case of the Anglophilia. Shocking, I know. But I think I might even be understating it. Maybe we’re not Anglophiles. Maybe we’re Anglo….fanatics? Fiends? Anglopeoplewithtoomuchtimeontheirhands?
Call our disease what you will, the symptoms are obvious. 80% of our favorite things come from the UK – movies, television…men. And music! In this week’s playlist post, we’re paying tribute to artists who hail from our spiritual home, the United Kingdom. After all, who understands our favorite ship better than the people from our show’s motherland?
Robbie Williams – “Heaven From Here”
“I’ll shelter you, make it alright to cry
And you’ll help too, cause the faith in myself has run dry
We are love, and I just wanna hold you near
Know no fear, we will see heaven from here
My shelf life’s short
Wish they’d make it more easy to follow
And I’ve been caught with nothing but love on my mind
We are love. Don’t let it fall on deaf ears
Now it’s clear, we have seen heaven from here.”
I will never forgive the United States for not getting into Robbie Williams like I did, making it virtually impossible that he will ever tour here. Then again, he’s too snarky and tongue-in-cheek to be fully understood and appreciated by the country that made the “Party Rock” guys into superstars. Robbie IS capable of great sincerity though, and “Heaven From Here” is one of my favorite of his ballads.
The Doctor is constantly torn between his personal desires and his moral obligation to the greater good. In Series 2 in particular, you can see – courtesy of David Tennant’s superb performance – that he can FEEL himself prioritizing his relationship with Rose as he never has with any other companion. The line that makes this song so perfectly Rose/Doctor is, “And I’ve been caught with nothing but love on my mind.” He loves her too hard and without abandon, which leaves him completely exposed just in time for the eventual tragedy.
But, as a truly hideous needlepoint up for sale on Etsy for $17.99 once said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” The Doctor doesn’t have the luxury of dwelling on all his sads. He’s got work to do.
Finch: “Their lives are so fleeting. So many goodbyes. How lonely you must be, Doctor. Join us.”
The Doctor: “I could save everyone.”
Finch: “Yes.”
The Doctor: “I could stop the war.”
Sarah Jane: “No. The universe has to move forward. Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it’s a world or a relationship, everything has its time. And everything ends.”
As usual, Sarah Jane is right.
Ellie Goulding – “Guns and Horses”
“I left my house
Left my clothes
Door wide open
Heaven knows
You’re so worth it, you are.”
I texted Kim a warning about this video this morning, and I extend that warning to you, readers, if you also have serious Nine/Rose feelings.
http://youtu.be/BYuCfGHWl3g
Every companion holds a special place in my in cold, dead heart (even Martha, despite what you may have read on Twitter), but one of the reasons that Rose is my girl forever is that she has such empathy for the Doctor. Donna did too, while Martha and Amy, I think, see him as being beyond some human emotion. Martha, because she relates to him logically (thanks, Kim!) and Amy because he’s still her imaginary friend and retains some of that magical quality for her. But Rose feels it all, even when its at odds with her own self-interest. (Ahem, “Girl in the Fireplace.”)
“But I wish I could feel it all for you.
I wish I could be it all for you.”
The Script – “Science and Faith”
“Of all of the things that she’s ever said
She goes and says something that just knocks me dead.
You won’t find faith or hope down a telescope
You won’t find heart and soul in the stars
You can break everything down to chemicals
But you can’t explain a love like ours.”
I’ve been complaining a lot about River Song this week, and I do apologize. I like her, I do. She’s ballsy and funny and has fantastic hair. But when Entertainment Weekly calls her the Doctor’s “longtime paramour,” I have to throw up a giant stop sign.
Please correct me if I’ve missed something, but we’ve never had proof from the Doctor that he ROMANTICALLY loves River like she loves him. The flirting is wonderfully entertaining and Matt is brilliant at it, but what does it MEAN? I interpret their relationship as this: the Doctor is very fond of her, but he’s protecting her feelings, or, as Kim once said, “humoring” her. Is that too harsh?
Maybe I’m just biased. But has any scene with River ever had as devastating effect on the fandom as “Doomsday”? Basically, if this love is more epic than his love of Rose, I need to see the receipts.
To any piece by someone who has only watched the Eleven years and refers to River as “the love of his life”:
“You and me, face to face
And there’s so much I could say
On these words, and forever seem the silence
Can you hear, that box bre-brea-breaking
And the world starts sha-sha-shaking
They keep talking, talking, talking
But we’re walking, walking, to the light
Tonight, tonight
You’re like a laserlight, burning down
Burning down, on me
You’re like a laserlight, burning down
Burning down, on me
You make me feel good,
You make me feel safe,
You make me feel like I could live another day
You make me feel good,
You make me feel safe,
You know I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Rose: “You did it. Feels like I haven’t seen you in years.”
The Doctor: “I told you I’d come and get you.”
Rose: “I never doubted it.”
The Doctor: “I did.”
And isn’t that it in nutshell? Rose has complete faith in the Doctor and the Doctor is completely convinced that he will eventually fail her. Even Series 4 Rose doesn’t blame him for a thing. She’s tired and lonely and scared, but never, ever regretful. She was all in, right from the word “run.” Rose knew the danger in being with him and understood, on some level, the potential consequences. But that made no difference, as her trust in him was unwavering. And that’s what terrifies him.
David Gray – “This Year’s Love”
“So whose to worry
If our hearts get torn
When that hurt gets thrown
Don’t you know this life goes on
And won’t you kiss me
On that midnight street
Sweep me off my feet
Singing ain’t this life so sweet
This year’s love had better last.”
This is my alternate ending to “The Stolen Earth” and The Most Romantic Run Ever in Television History, and that’s all I’ve got to say on the matter.
In happier news, it’s March 27th and we only have THREE DAYS until the second half of Series 7 premieres! And you know what that means – a new Head Over Feels Doctor Who Gif-cap! Thanks for feeling the feels with me for another week, and see you on the other side of the new episode!
Whoof. If that first song/video isn’t the absolute embodiment of “I want you safe. My Doctor,” I don’t know what is. And I’m not particularly a Nine/Rose-er. Yet. The big gob is growing on me, though — more proof of the wisdom of Lynne Thomas’ tiger vs. Tigger (etc.) observation.
And ITA re River and the Doctor. As much as I adore Alex Kingston and the way she’s playing what she’s given (more so with what RTD did than with SM, because DOCTOR INDIANA SONG YAY pfft Moffat), she is the amazing woman he is glad and honored and often bumfuzzled to be with. But she ain’t Rose. (I also know where you got that gif and EWWW boy that movie … ) I want to see an ep where Eleven runs into Boudica (YAY AK wink nudge) and she’s Amy/River’s ancestor. Because she had those red-headed girls, y’see. (Moffat, if you are reading this, you will give me a story credit.)
Speaking of the new season, have you seen this yet?
Loving the playlist posts!! gives me some great music to listen to, and gives me a chance to subject myself to heart-crushing angst, or fluff, depending on my mental attitude for the day 😛
Was wondering though; maybe I just don’t remember seeing it, but is “All the Way for You” by Poets of the Falls on your playlist??
I don’t know that one! We’ll give it and listen and add it to the mix. Suggestions are awesome, thank you!
Making the playlist has introduced me to tons of new music! Those spotify rabbit holes don’t fall down themselves. 🙂 I’m glad you’re getting some new favorites out of it! –S