skyler10fic: waltzing-with-my-inner-geek: much-adoabouteverything: I laugh everyday that Nine tho

skyler10fic:

waltzing-with-my-inner-geek:

much-adoabouteverything:

I laugh everyday that Nine thought this was a good idea

I feel like Nine did this for two reasons. 

First, he wanted to impress Rose. And she’s pretty hard to impress! Remember this part at the beginning of the episode?

DOCTOR: Right then, Rose Tyler, you tell me. Where do you want to go? Backwards or forwards in time. It’s your choice. What’s it going to be?
ROSE: Forwards.
DOCTOR: How far?
ROSE: One hundred years.
(A few seconds of travel.)
DOCTOR: There you go. Step outside those doors, it’s the twenty second century.
ROSE: You’re kidding.
DOCTOR: That’s a bit boring, though. Do you want to go further?
ROSE: Fine by me.
DOCTOR: Ten thousand years in the future. Step outside, it’s the year 12005, the new Roman Empire.
ROSE: You think you’re so impressive.
DOCTOR: I am so impressive.
ROSE: You wish.
DOCTOR: Right then, you asked for it. I know exactly where to go. Hold on!

Second, and perhaps more importantly, there was probably at least a part of him that wanted to scare Rose off. Remember, in this episode Nine is still fresh from the Time War. He’s still pretty danged screwed up, mentally and emotionally. He still feels that he does not deserve a companion. So, when Rose starts traveling with him, of course he takes her to the day that the Earth burned up. He wants to show her some of the worst parts about traveling with him, so that (he only half-hopes) she might reconsider. But of course Rose decides to stay anyway.

Agree to all of the above and would add: I think he needs an “equal” in a way. Not just an assistant to show off to, but a true companion. He’s testing her, but not to see how she reacts in danger. He already knows that. He’s looking for someone to understand what he’s been through, to have that visual in their minds of what it’s like, to be able to not only handle it, but “get” him and why he is the way he is. I think this extends so much of Rose’s natural empathy/strength to even times when he’s not all that easy to be patient with or loyal to. I mean, yes, that’s in her anyway, but knowing what it’s like to watch your own planet burn isn’t something she has to imagine after this. It’s not the same as what he went through, of course, but gives her a little more to go on when trying to get to know him, like REALLY understand him. It’s raw and it’s selfish of him and it’s harsh to throw her into this right off, but it pays off so well in that she proves herself right back, that she isn’t going to run away scared of him.