#rose novelization

[space-stone-rose]

From the novelization of Rose. I liked a lot, actually. It changed some things like Mickey’s background, I loved the fact that he has a band and friends we actually get to know. And I also really enjoyed the fact that the doctor is written to show how much he misses his past companions and that he loved them very much

[doverstar]

when you're reading the Rose novelization and suddenly elevenrose-

[badwolfdances]

[rassilon-imprimatur]

“Rose saw [...] a tall, bald black woman wielding a flaming sword...” 

Rose, the novelization, by Russel T. Davies

Danai Gurira as the mysterious future incarnation of the Doctor

[chocolatequeennk]

Unlopular opinion I know, but...

I really don’t care for the Rose novelisation.

Too many scenes are changed. Not just filled in a bit with character thoughts or even a line or two of dialogue, but changed in ways that change the actual story.

Rose being in the room when the Doctor is attacked by the hand means 1) she never thinks he’s just using the same gag Mickey did, and 2) that she isn’t attacked herself. This affects how she continues to see the Doctor.

Taking out the line from Mickey asking Rose to not check his email paints their relationship in a very different light, which is retconning I do not appreciate.

Rose seeing the Torchwood sign in one of Clive’s pics—why didn’t the name of Torchwood House ring a bell? Or any of the other times people said Torchwood in S2?

And speaking of Clive, I’m really not a fan of him understanding the Doctor is a shape changer and showing Rose all the pics of every Doctor. Because if I were Rose and found out later that day that he really was an alien who travels in time, I would immediately wonder if Clive was right about him shape shifting too.

I would ask, personally. But even if Rose didn’t, I cannot believe she would forget about this so thoroughly that she refused to believe him in Christmas Invasion.

Moving on—I’m currently at the scene in the pizzeria. Why was it necessary for Fake!Mickey to completely reveal himself before the Doctor showed up? I know some of these changes are because RTD felt he’d been too cheesy in Rose, but how is having his eyeball fall out less cheesy?

Mostly I feel like this novel is his opportunity to clean up perceived mistakes in the ep that have bothered him for years. But that’s not why I bought it. I didn’t want to read his “fixed” version. I wanted more insight into the story I already know and love.

The one change I liked? Jackie thinking Rose and the Doctor broke her coffee table during really rambunctious foreplay. It adds depth to her slapping him a year later.

Oh. And I love that he explicitly states that Rose is 19, and that it’s March 5, 2005. Because that confirms my personal take on her b-day and age, as a person who can actually do maths.

Rose Tyler turned 20 only weeks after meeting the Doctor. She was born in 1985—sod what canon sources say.

ETA, a few chapters later:

WHAT??? He changed it so Rose isn’t the one to suggest the Nestene Consciousness is hiding under the grating by the river??

If I’d been reading a paper book instead of on my Kindle, I would have thrown it at that point.

[turtleneckseve]

Reasons why you should buy RTD’s ‘Rose’ novelization

So I just finished reading it and Ahdgfhjdvdgv there are soo many amazing things about this novel that make it even better than the episode, that no one’s really talking about. Therefore, here is my list of highlights from the book. 

SPOILERS:

Wilson, AKA “chief electrician” (now diverted as a caretaker) has his own prologue and it’s honestly last thing you expected 

The outlook of her life and events in Rose’s mind is so sad. So real and relatable. You can really feel her perspective on her ordinary life more than you ever did in season 1 & 2

Rose remembers a certain stranger in the snow telling her she’ll have a great year, and the thought occurs more than once, need I say more??

RUSSELL ACKNOWLEDGED THE GRAHAM NORTON FUCK UP ON THE ORIGINAL AIR IN THE BASEMENT this is now perfectly canon

The characterization of nine is written perfectly, as you expect. You can visualize him doing the actions Russell describes so clearly

Jackie is continuously humorous and witty af 

Mentions of Pete occur throughout the novel :))

The descriptions of the look and sound of the TARDIS is the best thing you’ll ever read

MICKEY’S BEAUTIFULLY TRAGIC BACKSTORY as well as his band members/close friends: Mook, Sally and Patrice

Rose’s perception of her relationship, and observations of Mickey in his flat with their friends is really sweet

jhfhgd okay, I fucking HOWLED at this part where she’s emailing Clive on Mickey’s computer: 

But then, ping! Another email. She’d opened it, and a photograph had begun to download, slowly. Rose tensed up, thinking, If I see anything pink, I’m reporting him.

Bad Wolf references

Clive’s interactions with his wife and sons, and his backstory is so cute and sad when you know what ultimately happens to him in the episode :(

Descriptions of past and future doctors in photos in Clive’s shed, um, yes please??

Rose acknowledges that Mickey looks waxy af in the car and thank god for that because my biggest gripe with this episode is that she didn’t even notice his skin was fuckin squeaky and SHINY 

An extended pizza scene, yes thanks

Rose literally can sense and KNOWS that the doctor wants her to ask questions, and it makes her feel daft but fuck that - literally in the book “sod that.” And she does ask questions. But not only that, she works things out for herself! Makes perfectly simple assumptions about ‘how, what and why?’ and knows it doesn’t make any sense but she deals with it. In doing so, she impresses nine like fuck

The War Stories chapter djghjh I love it so much! They talk of the Time War and nine and Rose bounce off each other so well and it literally feels like it was in the episode

Honestly in the episode the Autons are creepy, but they’re far from terrifying. This book literally makes them horrifying. We have vast descriptions of the city in despair on a wide scope. Dummies are literally butchering and decapitating people??

THE LAST CHARACTERS YOU WOULD EVER EXPECT GETTING A CAMEO IN THE BOOK?!?

A further insight to Jimmy Stone and a fuckin PLOT TWIST

“And then Rose Tyler said no.” jhbgjhb this is honestly my favorite part of the novel, it’s so fucking good?

I lied. Her looking down on Britain, knowing her; an ordinary girl from a council estate helped save the Earth. Her thinking about everyone who ever doubted her and understanding what the doctor means about the turn of the planet. Gold. That’s my favorite bit.

Rose considering her life with Jackie and her life with Mickey and how she transitions to move onto her own choices. Her own story.

Seriously this book is fucking perfect, and it makes the episode even more enjoyable. I’m moving onto The Christmas Invasion next and I can’t wait.

[tenscupcake]

YOU TELL HIM, ROSE 🙌🏻

[tenscupcake]

okay, a) rose you are a rockstar and i literally stan you so hard right now b) i find this change VERY interesting... especially since russell wrote the episode. i always thought the conversation worked as-is, and found it perfectly understandable that rose couldn’t come up with an accurate explanation on the spot (especially given the stress she was under). i really wonder why he felt compelled to change it to this degree. 🤔very interesting.