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Doctor Who
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In the spirit of starting more community building threads about things that are not directly about magic, I thought I'd start a thread on the new series of Dr Who that aired over the weekend. It is currently available to view on bbc iplayer here, and will probably be up until the next episode airs:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rs6t7/Doctor_Who_Series_5_The_Eleventh_Hour/
I liked it. I was apprehensive about the new doctor, as he looked like he might be a bit of a floppy-haired posh boy doctor, but I was actually sold as soon as he appeared out of the Tardis and asked for an apple. There's something of the previous pre-reboot doctors about him. Something weird and otherworldly.
The fact that he's the youngest actor to ever play the doctor (at 27) was not an issue. I'm also watching True Blood at the moment, and the same suspension of disbelief comes into play that allows me to accept a 2000 year old vampire who looks like he's in his 20s. By the end of the episode I was totally convinced that Smith was the Doctor. I wasn't sure if I liked his costume from the still images of it I saw, but I thought it worked really well on him. There was something of The Chap about him, and it tapped into a sort of mad professor/eccentric pulp adventurer archetype, which the last two incarnations distanced themselves from.
I loved the creepy fairy tale feel of the episode. Imaginary friends and anomalous things at the bottom of the garden that can't be real but which you see when you are little. It tapped into that really well I thought. I liked the crack in the wall, and the extra room in the house you can only see out of the corner of your eye. All of that reminded me of Sapphire and Steel quite a bit. It all had a very British feel to it, and not just because of the village green. The whole episode reminded me of British comics in a lot of ways. I'm not sure what I mean by that, or even which comics in particular I'm referring to, but there was a certain whimsical surreal Englishness to it, which was more pronounced than previous post relaunch episodes of the show. The Russell T Davies relaunch felt in places that it was drawing inspiration from US shows like Buffy, whereas this episode, no longer having to justify itself quite so much, felt free to stand on its own feet and be as weird and mentalist as UK sci-fi used to be.
Did anyone else watch it? Thoughts? -
I couldn't get on with Smith to be honest. I had the same reaction as I did with Tennant; that he was a boy and not a man (this may be a sign of ageing, when Doctor Whos appear to be getting younger, much like policemen).
As with Tennant, there seemed to me to be too much of a 'wacky' factor to his characterization of the Doctor. Ecclestone, I thought, had an otherworldly, somewhat 'dangerous' feel to him, that I felt was in keeping with a Time Lord.
That said, I enjoyed the crack-in-the-wall-from-where-things-emerge, and childrens'-imaginary-companion motifs, so will give it another go courtesy of the iPlayer. -
I was one of those obnoxious people who made all the jokes about Smith getting paid in Haribo and tickets to Alton Towers. Am now decently ashamed of self for this. I thought he made a lovely Doctor--no Chris Eccleston, perhaps, but who is? (Well, Eccleston, obvs.)
Totally agree re: the eerie fairy-tale vibe. The Raggedy Doctor, the things hiding at the edge of vision, fish-fingers and custard... and the door. The door! I had that nightmare about fifty times as a kid.
Got more to say on the "Englishness" angle, but need to order my thoughts. -
He's fit.
/clever analysis.
eta: Actually, I reaaallllly liked this. Of the modern doctors he is my favourite. There seems to be a certain overlap with the last doctor persona-wise. But I think that's going to be ironed out.
Am I the only one who harboured a longing for a female doctor? The eye-candy element of men is obviously lovely on a Saturday night, but I do wonder why someone who could potentially come back with "two heads, or none" never seems to come back with a vagina. -
I didn't really like Ecclestone as the Doctor myself, mostly because I always knew he was Ecclestone acting the role of the Doctor, so I never really believed he was the character in a convincing way. The briefness of his run probably didn't help with that. I really liked Tennant as he made the role his own much more, but the last couple of years of his run began to grate a bit. I'm glad to see the back of Russell T Davies as producer and chief writer. I think a lot of what I didn't like about New Who was the RTD influence. He did have some good ideas, and could turn in some good scripts; but he could also have some poor ideas and turn in some pretty weak scripts. Dr Who under Moffat so far seems a lot less big and showy, and a lot more odd and creepy, which is good.
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There was talk of going back to the earliest doctors with this one and it shines through. Very British; he's dapper and eccentric. It may be his youth but I feel that while there's potential Smith hasn't quite filled out the character yet. Early days.
I've actually started wearing braces recently - and been assuring my associates they're cool and due a renaissance - so its pretty funny to see the new doctor rocking some. We'll see if it starts a trend or if I can remain fashionably unfashionable. I don't agree about bow-ties though. If you wear a bow-tie you're most likely a prat, a zany prat, or a creepy prat and I don't see him changing that any time soon.
Princess, what about the new assistant? She seems like she could be a cool character and is certainly an improvement on Tate.
Amy Pond:
She's fit. Actually she's beautiful.
/clever analysis. -
mardol:She seems like she could be a cool character and is certainly an improvement on Tate.
Have a care, sir! Have a care! -
PS: I've got a bow tie, I'll have you know.
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I thought it was great. By far the best of the New Who series openers. Smith instantly made the role his own with huge confidence i'd say. I actually think i like him more than Tennant already and i really liked Tennant. I also didn't get on with Ecclestone much. I think perhaps thats because i only saw the first series after i'd seen 2 and 3 so was spoilt a bit by Tennant. Smith has got a great alienness about his look and it's easy to see from this first episode that he is a really good actor. The actor playing Amy Pond was fantastic as well. Up until now, Tate has been my favourite assistant (i know i know!).
The story was pretty good as well. Wonderful fairytale opening. Dipped a bit in the middle i thought with all the satellite link up guff but the ending was great. I am getting slightly tired of the rubbish drippy boyfriend syndrome really as it's been done a few times now. We'll see how this wedding thing turns out.
I also thought it looked great as well (apart from some really pretty bad CGI). Had more of a filmic feel to it. Loved the new Tardis and i couldn't help but think of a scene from Willy Wonka as the Doctor and Assistant talked to each other through the Heath Robinson-esqe machinery.
Great trailer for the series at the end as well! Wow! -
I'll basically rehash what I said in the Barb thread:
Smith won me over despite my natural prejudice towards men with a face shaped like a foot and bad hair. My only complaints aren't really complaints, only stuff I'm worried about--there's a two part River Song story coming up, and I'm worried they'll prematurely use up all the good ideas with that character and she'll lose all credibility. Also I don't like that the new companion is once again an attractive young woman who seems to be on her way to being infatuated with the Doctor (talented though the actress may be). I enjoyed the platonic companionship of Donna and earlier companions.
Someone on Barbelith commented that since Amy had a wedding dress and there were suggestions that she had a wedding to attend the next day that this was an obvious sign that her character was not going in that direction, and to this I say: Pffft. My ass she's not going in that direction, especially given the secrets her "sort-of boyfriend", who has every reason to not like the doctor and resent his intrusion on his life, may have. -
Princess:He's fit.
/clever analysis.
Am I the only one who harboured a longing for a female doctor?
Oh no. Not at all. I think there is hope in many a heart for a Tilda Swinton Doctor sometime in the future. (Aside- I've kind of got into the habit of calling my 9 day old daughter Matilda, 'Tilda'.)
One other thing i really liked about this episode is that it was filmed not far from me in Llandaff, Cardiff. Beautiful little village, set around a lovely cathedral, which is basically almost right in the middle of Cardiff. I've been making plans in my head to move there in a year or so. -
I sometimes think I'm the only person who really doesn't like the idea of Tilda Swinton as the Doctor, for much the same reasons that I didn't like Ecclestone as the Doctor.
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I fear we may be swinging slightly too far into Comic Relief territory here and thats never a good thing.
Back to this Doctor. I've read a lot of people saying they hated the score on this but i quite liked it. Again, it was pretty filmic and whilst bombastic at times, didn't seem to overpower as much as it often did in the last two series. I also quite liked the new theme music. Generally, i think the changes have done the programme the world of good. In retrospect much of the Tennant episodes don't hold up that well. This new Who is a world away from the sappy self indulgence of Tennants last 20 minutes. -
Lest we forget it was Moffat who wrote Curse of Fatal Death - and, yknow, even being a Comic Relief pisstake, Rowan Atkinson is amazing as the Doctor. There. I said it.
I was not the most thrilled with Eccleston. He was ok, don't get me wrong, but he seemed a bit too action-y, not to mention... gurny... Not intellectual enough maybe. The same criticisms have been levelled at Tennant of course, but with Tennant there's an easier suspension of disbelief given that he is a massive Who fan, and you know that excitement is genuine.
I liked Smith a lot. I like the foppish eccentric expert actually more than the cool action-hero Tennant did - which i was well happy with, but the new series so far does seem a real return to older pre-reboot DW. I'm sure it's a slightly facile comment to make, but i've been rewatching Davison era and there was certainly something of the Fifth Doctor about Smith. Not that i'm sure he won't make the part his own - but the "face no-one listens to... again" line really cracked me up. -
I can't wait for this season to start rolling on tv here, my tiny ten inch laptop screen doesn't do it justice.
I like Smith so far. I adored Tennant, but I may no be the best judge as I'm not a long term fan and *don't hurt me* haven't actually seen much of the old Dr Who episodes *Runs* -
It will make sense when she exhibits sufficient remorse, regret and sorrow for The Vicar of Dibley. And frankly, she can never be sorry enough.Princess:Dawn French. You know it makes sense. -
I used to be 100% behind Ms Swinton as a Dr., but since she went and signed that bloody pro-Polanski gitlist I've gone right off the idea.Gypsy Lantern:I sometimes think I'm the only person who really doesn't like the idea of Tilda Swinton as the Doctor, for much the same reasons that I didn't like Ecclestone as the Doctor. -
The season with Catherine Tate as companion was the last season with Tennant proper. After that you've got a bunch of one hour specials, none of which I thought were much cop. The last two parter was particularly disappointing, amounting to really bad Tennant/Simm slash fiction in places...
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....Aaaand now they give us a vision of a tiny, fragile UK, puppet-policed--whose engine-rooms are an empty subterfuge--which eats its young--which kills its memory in order to continue--silences and sacrifices---and which is built on the back of unimaginable suffering, tortured magnificence, an unheard screaming (that never ceases to break through the cracks and make itself inconveniently known)...
Don't know what to say... Holy CATS! Holy EVERYTHINGS!
So. Much. Magicx. -
Also--The Tower! Anyone else get V for Vendetta pings?
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Loved the new episode, loved the flash of anger at Amy--reminded me of Baker's sudden bursts of anger that would totally orient your attention--and loved the little bits of dialouge that are starting to flesh out Smith's doctor. I'm beginning to understand what they meant when the people who casted him spoke about his ability to look young and old at the same time. I wonder if that's a natural part of Smith, something to do with his oddly-shaped face or his general attitude or something, or if he's just an ace actor.
Even with all the plot holes, the episode was pretty great. Although I found the bit where Amy figures everything out before mr. I'm-the-smartest-man-in-the-universe-who-still-wears-a-bowtie a tad unbelievable and rather convenient, seeing as how it totally redeems her. But I'm willing to forgive. I like Smith as the doctor more and more, I like Amy, and I'm really hoping there will be no shenanigans between the two. -
I liked the way it invited comparison to all of Russell T Davies "new earth" episodes, where they go to the future earth in space. The second episode of all of his seasons, especially when there is a new companion, tends to involve the Doctor taking the new companion to that place in the future - and all those episodes tend to be a bit shit. I liked how Moffat took the same idea, but made it really weird and clever and interesting. It was like he was deliberately taking the piss.
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It made me so happy!
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I thought the bit about checking the glass of water for an escaped fish was very Tom Baker.
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Dr.Who came on after Sesame Street when I was a toddler, and used to give me horrific nightmares. They were airing alot of the darker 4th Doctor episodes here in the states at that time. Lots of psychic possession stuff, a 4 year old can only hanlde so much of that.
Later I grew up loving it of course. I was kind of resistant to the idea of a new show when I heard about it years ago, but since I don't watch much TV it was kind of "out of sight, out of mind." I've since seen a few episodes, all Tennant, and didn't hate them to my surprise. Looking forward to getting a chance to see the new ones in a chunk maybe eventually. -
Sesame Street segueing to Tom Baker Dr Who is a bit of a transition!
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Marry me.XK:I built a TARDIS in my 4th grade class out of fridge shipping box -
Ok I don't want to spoiler anyone, but HOW GOOD WAS THAT FINALE?
...I totally want to talk about the "cloning time" idea. -
Loved the fez. "It's a fez. I wear a fez now."
I thought there were some really nice understated funny bits throughout the whole series. I liked the Van Gogh episode where the Dutch Vincent, played by a Scottish actor, asked the Scottish Amy Pond if she was from Holland. Great solution to the problem in one line. Nicely done writing team!
As for the finale, it was great. -
Thread revive!
Anyone following the current series? The opening left me a little cold - seemed like a kind of pat setup played for emotional impact rather than the massive Wait a minute... moment it was probably supposed to be.
Apart from that... Last week's pirate shenanigans were fun but felt a little like filler, unless I'm being unkind.
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I'm enjoying the new series and I like Matt Smith's Doctor. I thought there was a touch of the slightly grating Russell T Davies campness about the Tardis being personified by a sort of eccentric Victorian lady, but Gaiman kept that reined in a bit. I loved the bits with Amy and Rory lost in the Tardis. It reminded me of The Avenger's episode "The house that Jack built", where Mrs Peel gets trapped in this mechanical psychedelic house designed to drive her mad.
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I'm still waiting for the Lovecraft estate to sue Davies over The Ood. I like Smith too, every now and then he has this expression that just oozes empathy and timeless wisdom. And he looks like Tommy Cooper, it was great when he wore the fez - bottle, Tardis; Tardis, bottle hur hur. To be honest I was expecting a bit more from Gaiman though.
I was really saddened by Liz Sladen's recent death. Jon Pertwee was my Doctor and I was so please when she reappeared, gave Tennant shit for leaving her high and dry and got her own show. The Doctor, The Master and The Brigadier. Those were the days (sighs wistfully).
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In this Discussion
- al gremlin September 2011
- Bones April 2010
- clive April 2010
- Epona December 2011
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- Gale September 2012
- Gef April 2010
- genlob August 2012
- grant September 2012
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- mardol June 2010
- Mordant Carnival April 2010
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