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Necessity

Wow.

That was--pretty fantastic. (And after watching the Ninth Doctor, I doubt I'll ever use that word again without thinking, heh.)

I'm a little weirded out by Daisy, but that's perhaps as it should be. And as an alternate to "Parting of the Ways," this plays out very well, straightforward and logical with smart!Rose instead of the TARDIS's deus ex machina (not that I minded that version, either).

I did love the link back to Dalek, because the thing that bugged me most about "Parting of the Ways" was that we'd been told only Van Statten's Dalek survived. And I dislike being played like that for the sake of "shock value."

puts story in memories

(from http://community.livejournal.com/multific/5897.html)

Comment by izhilzha —
Necessity

OK, I've taken down the election posters, so now is probably the best chance of getting back to Necessity before I do some proper work.

It's also a good time because I caught up with the second part of the latest Dalek story last night. That was one of the reasons why Necessity had been in my mind recently, though it's recurred several times since I first read it last summer. I'm afraid it can take me months to tackle things at the moment, particularly the things I want to do rather than have to.

But one of the reasons why I keep thinking about it is because, every time the current Who does Daleks, especially given RTD's fondness for Daleks-use-humans-to-renew-race, I keep muttering "this could all be done so much better, and kerravonsen did it much better."

And crikey, do I prefer this let's-get-on-and-work-something-out Rose to the drippy one we got last year. I don't suppose they'd ever have attempted to do the "seven years of study, hard work and planning" as an episode - not enough action - but it would have been so easy to devote a minute at the end of Doomsday to Rose getting on with her new life at AU Torchwood, enjoying her work and her family's company but hinting that her ultimate motive is to find a way back to the Doctor.

I was delighted by the way you, and Rose, and ultimately Daisy, managed to make such good use of your resources. Jackie's (different) truck, the Rift, the Slitheen teleport, van Statten's collection, the Chula first aid kit, Adam's download to the answerphone - and Mickey. I like Mickey suggesting Rose gets back to her A-levels, reminding her of the teleport and generally keeping her going. (Now we've had Torchwood, there's a certain irony in Mickey sitting in Cardiff asking whether that Jack guy will be turning up "anywhere around here", but I suppose he wouldn't if she didn't rescue him.) I also like the way Mickey drew her out on what she was doing at the Hoskins wedding and, as a result of the ensuing discussion on the dangers of changing history, challenged her on her later plan. It was sadly typical of Rose to abandon him at that point; since he probably had the resources to sabotage the plan (having contacted van Statten already) I presume he was finally too loyal to doubt her.

After Rose infiltrated van Statten's base, I particularly enjoyed the scene where she watched the events of Dalek on-screen, because of the parallels of the young Rose and the mature Rose learning different parts of the story of the Time War. (And by now, of course, I miss the Ninth Doctor as much as she does.) Rose's final realisation of precisely what and whom the Doctor sacrificed to end the war makes her later fears about his use of the Delta Wave the more acute, and provide her with an extra motive to succeed - it's not just the Doctor she has to save, but her own race from what he did to the Time Lords.

[It says this is too long for one comment, so I'm going to have to break it here...]

(from http://community.livejournal.com/multific/5897.html)

Comment by kalypso_v —
Reply to a comment...

[...continued]

That brings us to Daisy, whose gradual development creates a vivid new character. Her original horror and despair is close to that of the Dalek she used to be, but I like the fact that, even in her weakened form, she is trying to work out whether Rose could be used against the Doctor as a hostage. And her translation of Rose's demand into Dalek-thought: "It seemed that Rose Tyler required a different form of obedience, but it was still obedience."

Daisy taking to Heavy Metal and Bach (I wish there'd been a bit more of the latter, too) was an interesting touch, and when she later told the Daleks that "I will teach you how to rock and roll" I wondered whether that was a reference to Alexei Sayle in Revelation of the Daleks.

I was interested by the scene in which Rose discovers Daisy has discovered the Tardis and escaped; initially, it looks as if Daisy has betrayed her trust, but it turns out that Daisy has concluded the same of Rose. She's reached a level of maturity where Rose has to be straight with her. I like the fact that not only does she deduce Rose's plan as soon as she's witnessed the Doctor's message, but she's immediately ready to counter with her own deal. And her dry cynicism when they work out how to fly the Tardis: "Now we are one step closer to death."

Best of all, when Rose's plan fails, it's Daisy who comes up with her own Plan C by stealing the teleport and launching her direct attack on the Emperor. I was a little surprised that the Doctor and Rose went off for a drink while the civil war was waging - but evidently they were confident of Daisy's victory. I'd love to know what happened to the new Namu civilisation after that. I wouldn't count on their being sentimental about humans, but they might not wipe them out without a proper reason.

There are many other details I wanted to mention, such as the use of the cloister bell, Rose beginning to understand Welsh through the Tardis (a point picked up in The Christmas Invasion, the paint ball and her introducing shelves and beanbags to the console room. But the above is the broad gist of my response, and now I've got it down I'm going to read your own commentary.

[Nice birthday present it was, whenever it was opened.]

(from http://kerravonsen.livejournal.com/235160.html)

Comment by kalypso_v —
Reply to your comment...

I think I tried to blot that particular adventure out of my mind...

I never blot anything containing Trevor Cooper from my mind. Which reminds me, now that I have Star Cops DVDs and the capacity to screencap, I must get a non-fuzzy shot of Devis.

Incidentally, British parliamentary terms are up to five years (the prime minister can call an election whenever she or he likes inside that time, and has to if she/he loses a vote of confidence). In practice, they often do it after four, because things might deteriorate/it gives an illusion of control/waiting the full five years may suggest a fear of losing, but if Harriet Jones is presiding over a Golden Age I suppose she might keep going because there's no reason not to.

Oh, and there was one line that read very oddly - "Manchester lost by 4" - if the black and white ball was a football I'd expect that to be "United [or City] lost 4-0/5-1 [or are 4 down]." It's very unusual to refer to either club as "Manchester" (except perhaps when they're playing eg Sheffield United/Leicester City); Manchester United, Man United, Man U and United are all common, plus the City equivalents (not sure anyone would say Man C though). I've never heard anyone say "lost by X" of a football match, either. The Immortals seemed well up on the subject, the other week, though.

(from http://kerravonsen.livejournal.com/235160.html)

Comment by kalypso_v —
DVD Commentary

I really like the way you set this up, with the colored boxes of commentary interspersing the text. Lovely.

Despite the fact that I generally don't go for episode-fixes, this is one of the more fascinating AUs I've read, because I do think that Rose has learned enough persistence from the Doctor to figure out and do whatever it takes to figure out how to save him. And you give us the details to watch that further growth.

The base was a tomb where van Statten despoiled the corpses of dreams.

shiver That's a better description than most of the stuff in the actual fic. Wow. That's exactly what it was.

It's great that you have someone like your friend Jonathan to bounce ideas off of. Those sorts of people make our work the best it can become.

Thank you for putting this together; it's always a treat to get a peek inside another writer's creative process.

(from http://kerravonsen.livejournal.com/379206.html)

Comment by izhilzha —
comment 1

This was just amazing. The "Bad Wolf" device didn't bother me at all, but this alternate idea, where Rose has to do things, as you say "the hard way" (and my goodness, you weren't just whistling Dixie when you said "hard" were you?) was brilliant, esp. with regard to Daisy and the slow process of liberating her. How much do I love the fact that heavy metal and rock and roll were the things that really epitomized freedom to her? And the thing with the chocolate? And the fact that she and Rose first connect over one of my favorite Queen songs? I have no words!

Also the extreme lengths that Rose goes to in order to get back and save the day. Seven years of meticulous research and labor is a much greater sacrifice (imho) than one big show-stopping act of day-saving, just because you have to get up every single day of that seven years and keep grinding, whereas the big show-stopper only takes one moment of decision and action. Motivation and purpose are a lot harder to sustain in the face of seven year's worth of grinding. Very impressive.

Comment by kalquessa —
Necessity

I so loved this story when I first read it, that I actually talked to my best beloved about it, reading portions of it to him, because I was so impressed with the concept, the way the concept was developed, and the technical skills with the whole thing was written. And anything with rock and roll in it? Rocks. And rolls. A favorite on my list.

(from http://community.livejournal.com/calufrax/69601.html)

Comment by kaffyr —
Necessity

Hah! I suggested a few details. The spirit and the dynamic were all yours.

You've been working on it a bit, if I recall. Those hardnose aphorisms re necessity are new, I think. And all too apt.

The one thing that really stands out in summary for me, is the emergence of the woman Rose, combining the resourcefulness of a spacetime adventurer with a wry London humour. Which in one basic way is what Doctor Who is All About.

Very pleased to see the reception here.

(from http://community.livejournal.com/calufrax/69601.html)

Comment by aizain —
Necessity

Well, I did prefer Necessity to canon, so I think I saw it as indulging me, rather than yourself. But I don't think it would be necessary to dislike canon to enjoy the story; it's an interesting alternative, which gives Rose a great opportunity to shine, and that makes it a bonus if you didn't like the way she was handled in canon.

But then I am probably Necessity's No. 1 fan...

(from http://kerravonsen.livejournal.com/566751.html?thread=2670815#t2670815)

Comment by kalypso_v —
Necessity 1. Necessity Exists

Oh Bravo! This is an excellent story! What a great idea to make Rose have to get back to the Doctor as the Daleks are about to invade the station and Earth! And I like how you are going about it too! I'm looking forward to reading the next few chapters!

(from fanfiction.net)

Comment by Seiya's Star —
Necessity 2. Learning Not To Be Good

Wow! I truly am impressed! A great story and a great way to make all the ends meet, make everything happen in a logical way, or at least as logical as anything is when you deal with time travel, lol! Great story and great writing!

(from fanfiction.net)

Comment by Seiya's Star —
Necessity 3. The Argument of Tyrants

Fantastic! as the Doctor would say! Really quite Brilliant! as yet another Doctor would say! You have truly thought this story through and successfully managed to make everything make sense, and in the process you have made this a story with lots of depth and a study in perseverance despite adversity and much waiting and many obstacles to overcome!

(from fanfiction.net)

Comment by Seiya's Star —
Necessity 4. Bargaining

Oh Bravo! I love the way that you've incorporated Daisy's part of the story by giving us her view point, which is awesome to see a Dalek, or ex-Dalek's viewpoint of the world, and then how it changes some as she evolves! And again, how you go about making the story make sense, but still achieve the ultimate end of Rose getting back to the Doctor, is quite Brilliant! The Doctor would be proud of such writing brilliance! Keep up the great work!

(from fanfiction.net)

Comment by Seiya's Star —
Necessity 4. Bargaining

Begging for reviews rarely gets you any, you know. Lucky for you, I just started reading this fic for the first time, and so was perfectly inclined to review. :D This story is... Surprisingly fun. I didn't think I'd like it as much as I do. The plot's completely crazy. :D I like Daisy. This "slow path" version is just FUN. ^.^ Rose, Rose, Rose Tyler, brilliant.

(from fanfiction.net)

Comment by YamiNoTomoyo —
Necessity 5. Great Virtues

Ah, Daisy. /grins/ Well ended, though I was hoping for a bit more of Rose being all smart and A-levels and whatnot.

PS You take second place for fastest review-to-update time in my books. :D About one and a half minutes, I estimate. The first place is eight seconds.

(from fanfiction.net)

Comment by YamiNoTomoyo —
Necessity 5. Great Virtues

Oh Bravo! Excellent ending to an excellent story! It's always nice to read a good 9th Dr/Rose story, since I still love the 9th Doctor, and yet now people are all writing 10th/Rose stories. Thanks for a great read!

(from fanfiction.net)

Comment by Seiya's Star —
Necessity 5. Great Virtues

nicely written it is good to read a different way season one could have ended. Looking forward to reading the follow up

(from fanfiction.net)

Comment by flydye —
Necessity 5. Great Virtues 
Awe, I really liked this story! It was unique, cute, and interesting!

Wonderful job! =] Oh, and yay for Daisy! I'm so proud! lol ^.^

(from fanfiction.net)

Comment by Davi —
Necessity

It has to be the same scene for me as for the previous commenter, though the line that really sticks with me is "You will obey, until you learn not to," Daisy said. "I will teach you how to rock and roll." It's funny, but also really powerful and hopeful. So much love for "Necessity"!

(from http://kerravonsen.dreamwidth.org/695057.html)

Comment by tardis_stowaway —
Necessity 5. Great Virtues

Good god this was..completely awesome! Wasnt sure how you were going to get this to work without some sort of magic or something, yet you kept Rose human, you had her learn to be smarter, use those beautiful little nanogenes (good job she noticed them huh), turn a Dalek into a new species yet still somewhat Dalek - actually the whole of Daisy's captivity and bursts for freedom were really well done. The way their relationship evolved and Daisy herself learned how not to obey and how to be free was really a joy to read. Plus, I was a little unsure about the use of the personification of 'she' for Daisy (and the name itself just sounded silly at first) I never ever felt as though Daisy was anything but asexual in gender (which technically is as it should be) so well done on that too! - and the long journey back to the Doctor...all without getting into the time or some other alien 'magic'.

Doctor's reaction to Rose being there and using a Dalek to power the TARDIS was exactly like what I expected. The final part and the way it ended wasnt at all like i expected but then i wasnt sure how you were going to end it anyway...just glad that Daisy went for full freedom instead of betrayal. The line ""You will obey, until you learn not to," Daisy said. "I will teach you how to rock and roll."" just made me grin, and the chant of 'Liberate!' also. I can just picture the Doctor's face as all this occurs and it truly cracked me up :P

Also well done on how you fitted them in even when they were places they shouldnt be. Mickey, while he was there, was good too. In fact I love Daisy. Rose being the bad guy (essentially) and Daisy making the bid for escape (the scene where Daisy trundles along with Rose walking alongside and she tells her to negate...its one of my fav scenes. Its also sort of adorable and lifting). Just basically I love this one, there arent enough words to describe and I couldnt begin to relate all the best or most enjoyable parts as I'd be repeating a good portion of this lol!

Only one thing! What was Plan C?

Anymore in this universe?

(from fanfiction.net)

Comment by CosmicEssence —
Necessity 5. Great Virtues

This is fantastic! No Deus Ex Machina ending, no quick fix, just Rose being human, stubborn and loyal. Her relationship with Nine was always the best.

Daisy is a really well developed character, and her journey towards independence is very well-written.

LIB-ER-ATE! Daisy is the Roj Blake of the Daleks. And, of course, their new anthem will have to be, "We Built This Empire on Rock and Roll".

(from fanfiction.net)

Comment by Outasync —
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