Doctor Who (Matt Smith)
Wow!
What a wonderful opening episode. Love the new Doctor already, completely and utterly, and am a little bit in love with him. LOVE Amy - the hair!
And I see from the clips of forthcoming episodes that a number of familiar faces are along for the ride. In fact there were a surprising number of familiar faces in the first episode. Olivia Colman for one, who had the most frightening part of all (spoiler [COLOR="White"]when she ran down the corridor with her daughters and all their teeth I physically shuddered - that would have been me behind the sofa a few years ago!)[/COLOR]
Mark Gatiss' episode is in a fortnight's time. Unsurprisingly it's replete with period detail... Victory of the Daleks, set in WWII. Even the Daleks have a very austere look to them.
Stupidly, I kept watching the clips to see if Jack was in any one them. I know he isn't. I know I would know by now if he was. But childishly I keep hope.
The TARDIS materializes in the States on Saturday, April 17,2010 at 8pm CST on BBC America.
Loved it!
He is soooo The Doctor :)
Whoa! 2 praises. Now I'm really lookin' forward to it.
How does he compare to David...acting-wise?
Couldn't be worse, surely?
David Tennant is an excellent actor. His Hamlet was mesmerising.
But his Doctor was awful.
*smiles*
I disagree. Tennant is/was my favourite Doctor.
But this one didn't like bacon!
IMO, D.T. was the best Doctor since T.B.
*smiles*
I disagree. Tennant is/was my favourite Doctor.
*raises eyebrow and thinks dana is nuts*
I disagree with your disagreement. But I don't disagree that he's your favourite Doctor. :p:
I'm sure that as an American my opinion doesn't really count, but I too will boldly declare that Tennant is my favorite Doctor. But I'm giving Matt Smith a tentative approval based on his interviews; haven't seen his debut episode yet.
I have SUCH high hopes for the season to come. It wasn't until very near the end that I actually admitted that he is, in fact, the Doctor... but the Doctor, he is indeed.
And the budget! Blimey, they must have doubled it at least. SO much more polished and believable. I know part of what makes the show what it is comes from the camp absurdity of it but... I think they know that too, and will keep the perfect balance of knowing when to be silly and when to actually USE that effects budget.
Also, the new "desktop theme"? LOVE it. Retro-pinball-chic.
Actually, their budget has been sligthly tightened up.
They've come along way from the rubber monstr suits, and papier mache prison cells, but they still have to do a lot with a little :P
@ Clod: I think you'll like his portrayal of the Doctor.
This is one of the things I love most about Doctor Who: the renewal. I remember when I was a kid, seeing Peter Davison interviewed as he was about to take over the role (at the age of 29, he was the youngest ever to take the role, until Matt Smith came along). That was the first time the doctor changed, for me. Now here we are almost 30 years later, and my 11 year old niece has just tuned in to see the new, fresh-faced Doctor.
She loved it! i am so pleased. Their lot didn't watch the Tennant era. I think they may have watched one or two of the Eccleston episodes, at the start, but it wasn't a show they followed at all. I suggested to Soph that now it's a new Doctor and a new production/writing team, this would be a great time to give it a go: a completely fresh start, no need to have seen it before, no recurring characters from the past five years etc.
I've been so hoping she'd give it a go, because she has a real appreciation for stories and story telling. Moffat (the new show runner) is a superb story teller. He knows what is frightening and compelling: he was responsible for some of the best stories in the previous era; the ones that send a shiver down the spine.
Quick word about the new companion Amy: I think that was probably the best intro to a new companion I've ever seen. She's wonderful. Perfect for Smith's Doctor.
But his Doctor was awful.
IMO, D.T. was the best Doctor since T.B.
I agree with Data over Monnie? Well... yes I do. I pat my own back for being so open-minded :p:
The Ten was literally a marvellous Doctor. Because I marvelled at him.
And is a good actor.
At least the way I gauge it; whether something rings false, or whether he only ever plays one role. Neither were apparent to me.
I'm sure that as an American my opinion doesn't really count
We're a global community, my dear! At least as long as you love our output :)
I'm giving Matt Smith a tentative approval based on his interviews; haven't seen his debut episode yet.
As an arch-conservative with a small c I can ask no more. In fact it's what I did myself.
British reviews have applauded the new Doctor, but almost all (I've read) have bemoaned the low budget. How the show can't compare with American series, with movies. Man alive (Stephen Merchant ref for Dani) what do they expect out of the TV licence?! I can't remember ANY national paper campaigning for a rise in the licence fee; it would fill their mailbags with complaining letters. But the BBC are supposed to work in an arena where £4 million for 90 minutes is doing things on the cheap?!
Anyway, suspension of disbelief is part of what Doctor Who is good at. You don't look for strings and zippers. You don't even really look for plot holes. You just love it for what it is and go along for the ride.
Saying that, SPOILER: [COLOR="White"]I was annoyed at the idea a WPC would be wearing a short skirt and seamed stockings - WTF?! And she didn't use her call sign when using her radio, OR sign out with "Over." But such is the power of Dr Who I was too taken in to do more than tut. I certainly didn't guess she was a strippogram! Fool.[/COLOR]
why are they changing Doctors so often, do you know? Is it just a horrible job and the actors don't want to do it any longer?
I really liked the last two incarnations and wished they "served" longer.
It's a high-profile job that increases the other available opportunities for the actor in the short term, while carrying the risk of typecasting in the long term. Actors who don't want to be the Doctor for the rest of their life may feel the need to get out during that short term.
It also takes over the actor's life, pretty much, whilst they're in the role. One of the reasons Tennant's last year as the Doctor had some specials rather than a full series, was so that he could go and play Hamlet at the RSC, along with another play and a tv drama.
Most of the Doctors only did a few years. Tom Baker was very much the exception to that. Pertwee ( I think ... might have been Troughton) gave Davison the advice not to do more than three series; and then Davison passed that advice on to Tennant :P Any longer than that and there's a serious risk of screwing up your future career, I suspect. Tom Baker spent seven years (iirc) in the role and had huge difficulty finding a place for himself afterwards.
Eccleston was a slightly different situation. he wasn't particularly familiar with the programme (heard of it, obviously, but don't think he'd every really watched it) and they knew when they were making the series that he would only do one run. He was just treating it as an intriguing role with good scripts. They had no idea at that stage if the nu-Who would even succeed.
I'm kind of pleased by the length of Tennant's run as the Doctor. RTD put his Doc through the mill and then some. We saw him cope with loss, then love, then loss again. With the memory of his people's destruction, and his own role in that. Being alone, then finding the Master, his one time childhood friend and arch enemy; try to help him, then have him die in his arms. He's lost every person he's ever got close to, up to and including his best friend, who will never remember he exists.
Kind of hard to see, dramatically, where they could take him now. He's run the emotional gamut.
Add to that the fact that RTD and a couple of other key peeps all left at the end of the specials, and it seemed right (according to interviews I've seen) that he leave at the same time. Tennant was tempted briefly to change his mind and stay on for Moffat; but as he said, if he hadn;t left now, he;d have ended up staying until people made him leave :P Better to leave when people still love you.
It's the right time for a change :)
thank you; your response tells me what I wanted to know.
I wasn't sure about the second ep. I mean I loved the Doctor and Amy, but I had issues with the plot.
I had to watch it again before I worked it out. Truth is, I was texting my Mum AND bro (one in Benidorm, one in Tokyo!) so I'm pretty sure my lack of attention contributed to my unease.
I enjoyed it in the end though.
As JB said to the Bishop.
A non-specific SPOILER: [COLOR="White"]I think I was just bugged that the creepiest part of the show was a symptom and not the cause.[/COLOR] More specific SPOILER: [COLOR="white"]the Smilers TERRIFIED me!)[/COLOR]
I liked Amy's involvement.
I do want her hair.
I still can't break away from the fact that David Tennant is no longer the Doctor. This new guy is pretty good, but when you grow attached to someone, it's hard to break away from the image of that character.
It's like changing one character from a brawny guy in the @$$-kicking business to a refrigerator filter salesman. At least, that's how I view the change. O___o
I had an argument with j about this episode :p
He hated it. Didn't like the Doc in it and didn't think he carried off the gravitas.
Me? I liked it. Very fairytale; very quirky (British quirky) and I thought Matt did a fine job. The bit where he got angry was momentarily shocking, as it should be.
Looking forward to the rest :)
Saw a preview of the newb. OMFG. yes it can be worse. You can get a Tennant wannabe... ouch
Gotta say though, that the couple of Episodes wih tennant I watched recently, were actually OK -I enjoyed the script and the plot ---and I'm not a DW fan--- but I cringed everytime that asshole had a line.
I don't get the whole tennant hating thing. I love him, he's a brilliant actor. His Hamlet was awesome. He was brilliant in Secret Smile (playing a really creepy stalker guy). Casanova rocked. He's a complete sweetheart in interview.
I also don't see that the new guy's like Tennant. His portrayal is, if anything, more like Troughton's Doctor (2nd Doc - 1960s).
That's why she had to leave the country, Dani!
Anti-Tennant is anti-British and we won't stand for that.
hahahaha. That made me chortle.
Watched the first two episodes last night. What I delight to find out that I needn't have been worried.
Good humor, extra bravado, but more smug grandiosity than I've been used to in a Doctor, but quite well done overall. Except the bowtie. Can't abide bowties. Can't wait for the Daleks!
So far episode 4 (1st of a two parter) has been the best, I think.
The Daleks episode i really enjoyed; but it came in for a lot of stick :P It's basically a Boys Own adventure meets classic British war movie ... with Daleks. It's the most ... umm..camp of the series, I think. Good fun for it, though.
Ep 4 is the return of the Weeping Angels: in a word, gorgeous.
Dana, you're doing post-grad history research.
Once you've done your masters - what is it, 19th century military and social interactions, or some such - do your PhD on something you are really passionate about.
Dr Who studies.
Seriously. It has been a pillar of British culture for 50 years, reflecting social conventions, ethnicity, budget situation, societal fears, etc etc. Far less worthy things have been studied. Heck you could probably end up teaching a course in Dr-Whology.
Dana, you're doing post-grad history research.
Once you've done your masters - what is it, 19th century military and social interactions, or some such - do your PhD on something you are really passionate about.
Dr Who studies.
Seriously. It has been a pillar of British culture for 50 years, reflecting social conventions, ethnicity, budget situation, societal fears, etc etc. Far less worthy things have been studied. Heck you could probably end up teaching a course in Dr-Whology.
*Chuckles*
yeah. I don't think so ;P It is something that some academics are focussing on; but whilst i know a great deal about Doctor Who; I know very little about media studies more generally and cultural trends and developments that feed into Doctor Who. I've spent the last couple of years learning about and gaining an understanding of the surrounding issues and trends of 18th and early 19th century British culture. I'd have to teach myself a whole new field, before I even started on independent research.
Besides; I would hate to turn my leisure obsession into my work.
Also; I really, really like the area I'm looking at. And have already submitted my PhD research proposal and been offered a place at the Uni on that basis. Have also sent same proposal to the arts council in hopes of a scholarship.
Nice thought though :)
I quite liked the Daleks vs Churchill.
Camp? I should cocoa (have just introduced LJ to the phrase)
But none the worse for that; Dr Who is allowed to camp it up on occasion.
I was gobsmacked when the last episode ended.
For one I'd forgotten it was a two-parter.
For two I thought "That was never 45 minutes!"
For three, "Aaargh - how are they going to get out of that one?!"
I referenced Dr Who today in class. I was doing word lists (soul-destroying when you do one after another) and only one girl recognised Dr - written as the abbreviation. I pointed out to one of my faves that it was Doctor, as in Dr Who. She confidently responded that Dr Who was ALWAYS Doctor Who in the titles. She was right of course. I'm so used to writing the abbreviation that I'd forgotten.
She has two older sisters who are fans. At six she's still a little young for it. Certainly for the last episode. Gave me some shudders. Specially the bit with Amy in the Portacabin.
Oh my.
Just saw the final episode of the season.
Rather a lot went on. I like the cohesive story arc concept, made for a very exciting run.
Show of hands ... who thinks Doctor River Song is a future incarnation?
It did occur to me; I wouldn't quite say I think it's the case.
I just made a terrible, terrible mistake.
I downloaded Doctor Who: Nuclear Time to my Kindle.
This is a very, very bad novel. Awful. The plot is stretched so this and twisted so far that even the minor amount of credibility required by a Doctor Who story is missing.
Totally.
Bloody awful, if I may.
I don't know if it's as jarring to a British reader, but as an American, it it really, really weird when Americans speak British. I can get through descriptive stuff where Americans are wearing trainers and holding doors open with their bums and whatnot, but at least try to Yank-Up the dialog!!
I haven't read the book, but it jars me when ANYTHING is out of place re nationality. Sorry, amend that to when I notice things out of place. Screws up the whole willing suspension of disbelief.
I noticed recently in an American novel that the lady was removing her tights, not her pantyhose. A book set in America, written by an American author. So it looks like they are now tinkering with texts in the same way they've done over the pond for years. WHY?! We're used to pantyhose and sidewalks and vests and pants now. The buggers.
Of course it does jar even more when you are the same nationality as the person portrayed incorrectly. Even national stereotyping jerks you out of the story.
I will offer the lame excuse that Dr Who is primarily a British institution, but of course I don't stand by it. Editors should really sort these things out. Crikey, I'm sure there are countless people who would proof-read for free (me! me! me!) for the sheer kudos, in order to get local influences/ inflections correct.
Still. Rub dirt on it, Mary furriner.
Tights are different than panty-hose/nylons. Thicker. Sometimes footless. Not as thick as leggings.
I didn't know that!
In that case I take it back - it was a pretty good book and I was saddened to think that an over-zealous editor was "translating" for us.
Nuclear Time is a real stinker. I haven't actually finished it (left it halfway along).
The Forgotten Army is also a little silly. Night of the Humans and Apollo 23 are both excellent.
I was reading the description of Apollo 23 and wasn't sure. I might give it a try after I've chewed through my current to-read piles.
There are still odd bits in that which might irritate you. Don't kow if the American characters will jar. But it's a decent plot, and genuinely quite chilling in a few places.
Nuclear Time, was interesting in some ways but I think it was trying to be too clever. All that backwards conversing is a neat idea, but broke me out of the story. The plot seems a bit too convoluted. Don't know, just one of those that feels like it should have worked, but hasn't.
I just saw the first two episodes of the new Sherlock Holmes show from the BBC. I'm enjoying it, but I didn't feel the need to start a new thread, because it seems to be a slight variation on Doctor Who.
There is a British TV thread around here sometimes, but this does suit as you say.
Mycroft is played by Mark Gatiss, so it was always going to be a winner for me.
Is this running on BBCamerica or will I have to wait several years to see it?
PBS, actually, under "Masterpiece Mystery".
[YOUTUBEWIDE]M9P4SxtphJ4[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Cancelled intro to Matt Smith on Craig Ferguson. Cancelled because they didn't think to get the rights to the theme song.
Doctor Who at the Proms ... how wonderful is that! Lovely way to spend Christmas Day. Getting actual chills from the finale ... the Ron Grainer theme music. The bit Matt Smith did with the kid from the audience was priceless.
I am desperately hoping that the Christmas Carol will be available OnDemand since I won't be home tonight, and I'm not sure if I can convince my friend, her children, and all of her other (non-SF loving) relatives they need to watch it as part of a new Christmas Tradition.
I watched it when it went out (Christmas Carol that is). Best Christmas special since the series re-launched imo. A genuinely beautiful story. Michael Gambon was wonderful as the Scrooge-like character.
It's like...A Christnas Carol, meets Mary Poppins and The Snowman.
Did you catch the brilliant shark/dolphin bit?
Makes you wonder ... is the writer one of our lurkers, or a participant?
I did!!!!I did!!!
Mum didn't understand why I laughed heartily at that line :P
[eta] Oh, and I agree btw: Doctor Who at the proms is awesome. The last couple of them have been fantastic. I think my favourite was the one from the year before last. Murray Gold's score is pure class. The Doctor's theme from Tennant's era Season 3 is one of my favourite pieces of music, along with Gallifrey/Our Childhood Home.
Brilliant way of getting youngsters to listen to some orchestral music.
Am SO looking forward to the new series.
Moffat says it will be spooky. Yay. Spooky is very good.
[SIZE="5"]
NEIL GAIMAN WRITES AN EPISODE![/SIZE]
Excuse the shouting, but if any sentence deserves caps it's that one.
FTR, episode four.
In the mean time I am all excited about the Tate & Ten Much Ado performance.
We're going in August. I think. It's all booked anyway, and Ste has the tickets. I'm on school holiday at the time, so I'm hoping Mum & I can go down to London and have some fun before meeting Stevo from work and going to the theatre. He might even be considering having the day off too - Mum & I aren't girly together, we'll probably do a London Walk or a boat trip.
A lickle bit of T&T on Graham Norton
The focus is on them at the beginning.
I laughed at the whole clip... but then I love Graham Norton... if not, duck out after the initial exchange.
[youtube]4-rVzs-5Hos[/youtube]
I just saw the extended trailer from BBCAmerica. Looks amazing.
We also have the trailers on television.
It's just tricky to find them on YouTube.
This trailer works for now (is this what you saw?) below.
Not very spooky, but I trust the Moffat.
[youtube]qpe1Ywz8azM[/youtube]
Is that the Doctor in the Oval Office?
Maybe paving the way for Torchwood (my birthday, 1st July!)
This is spookier
[YOUTUBE]its9-oz_9cg[/YOUTUBE]
The Impossible Astronaut
I enjoyed it enormously.
I find it hard to get my head round River and the Doctor's relationship, but then I had trouble with it in The Time Traveller's Wife and putting things in order in the various backstories in Harry Potter. Not to mention Captain Jack's adventures, although I studied those until they made some sense. So I think it's just me and timelines.
I'm so looking forward to the next episode!
I hate being left dangling like that, and with confusions to sort out.
Couple of (perhaps spoilery) questions:
If Amy is [COLOR="White"]pregnant, [/COLOR]why was she [COLOR="white"]knocking back wine at the picnic?[/COLOR]
This is not an oversight. Somehow [COLOR="white"]The Silence made her sick (as it did River) is she making assumptions about pregnancy because of this? [/COLOR]
Also there was NO reason to announce it right there and then if she was.
Are the characters [COLOR="white"]in black suits [/COLOR]even [COLOR="white"]The Silence[/COLOR]?
[COLOR="white"]They can talk.
And if they wipe people's memories of them, [/COLOR]how come they told Amy [COLOR="white"]she would tell the Doctor something. Pretty poor instructions/ prophecy is they take away her means to do so.[/COLOR]
How can [COLOR="white"]a little girl fill a spacesuit?[/COLOR]Again, that can't be an oversight so must have a meaning.
Does [COLOR="white"]The Year of the Moon [/COLOR]mean something specific to the Doctor as opposed to just referring[COLOR="white"] to the moon landings[/COLOR]?
The [COLOR="white"]tunnels are really not [/COLOR]very far underground.
[COLOR="white"]And they run everywhere.[/COLOR]
I thought [COLOR="white"]Florida was quite a swampy place.[/COLOR]
Also - would this not compromise [COLOR="white"]takeoff for rockets?[/COLOR]
I'm willing to suspend my disbelief on that one though.
Roll on Saturday!
And the one after. And the one after etc etc.
Otherwise - roll on 1st July.
Just over two months.
My birthday and TORCHWOOD returns!!!!
Might have to start a countdown.
It was a good week. Game of Thrones on Sunday, Portal 2 on Tuesday, and Doctor Who on Saturday.
I don't pay enough attention to Doctor Who when it's not on the screens.
Have only just found out that there is another Mark Gatiss penned episode in series 6.
And that it features Daniel Mays (who was shattering in Funland - co-written by Jeremy Dyson) who we really don't see enough of these days.
AND it has creepy looking dolls in it.
Not really spoilers, but some extra information already circulating:
[COLOR="White"]It's set in a tower block in Bristol.
There is a little boy in it who has OCD and is always afraid.
The Doctor turns up and tells him he's right.
Shivers.
Reminds me of a story (Grandfather Moon?) about a girl afraid to go upstairs.[/COLOR]
Ohhhh! Didn't realise Daniel Mays was slated for the Gatiss ep. I frikkin love that actor!
I LIKED!
Sets up a good story arc, because of course sneaky Moffat does not give us
all the anwers. But if I hadn't written down my queries, like a tally mark on my skin, I wouldn't know that. He left me with a satisfied wrapped up feeling. Kinda like eating popcorn, except it isn't false - good writing, good acting and great cast.
If Amy is pregnant, why was she knocking back wine at the picnic?
This is not an oversight. Somehow The Silence made her sick (as it did River) is she making assumptions about pregnancy because of this?
Also there was NO reason to announce it right there and then if she was.
[COLOR="Blue"]So, no. She's not. And her desire to tell the Dr right then was probably more Silence misdirection. [/COLOR]
Are the characters in black suits even The Silence?
[COLOR="blue"]Yes they are.[/COLOR]
And if they wipe people's memories of them, how come they told Amy she would tell the Doctor something. Pretty poor instructions/ prophecy is they take away her means to do so.
[COLOR="blue"]I think this is still to come.[/COLOR]
How can a little girl fill a spacesuit?
Again, that can't be an oversight so must have a meaning.
[COLOR="blue"]It was powered with alien technology. We will see more of this chick.[/COLOR]
Does The Year of the Moon mean something specific to the Doctor as opposed to just referring to the moon landings?
[COLOR="blue"]No idea[/COLOR]
The tunnels are really not very far underground.
And they run everywhere.
I thought Florida was quite a swampy place.
Also - would this not compromise takeoff for rockets?
[COLOR="blue"]I'm willing to suspend my disbelief on that one though.[/COLOR]
Roll on Saturday!
And the one after. And the one after etc etc.
Otherwise - roll on 8th July.
Just over two months.
NOT my birthday but TORCHWOOD returns!!!!
Might have to start a countdown.
I know you've probably seen this - said without rancour.
But just in case.
Made me sigh in a big, gusty, sad way.
I'm keeping well abreast of all the latest theories and such for the season while avoiding spoilers the best i can (one of the few decent uses for 4chan, or at least /tv/)... but I hesitate to offer any predictions. Moffat is too brilliant for us to be on to him this early on.
also:
RORY WHY CAN'T YOU DRESS THIS WELL ALL THE TIME
seriously i am crushing on dapperrory so hard right now.
We now know what Amy knows, that he is the hotness when he suits up.
But in truth I think it's his presence in this scene (if not at this specific time) more than the clothes, that makes him hot.
Usually he's in thrall to Amy (who I adore) and that lessens his character.
I'd say the same about a submissive woman compared to River Song.
I want Moffat to bring Jack back. Of course.
But I know it won't happen this series
Hey, Ibs! Persuade your parents/ college that coming to see JB in Glasgow this December is an important part of your course/ development/ rehab/ coming to terms/ therapy (delete as appropriate - they're excuses in this instance). We'll look after you I promise. Or not, as you prefer.
I've watched the last episode 2-3 times to snag plotpoints and pick up nuances.
I stumbled upon a forum recently where it was suggested that anyone who didn't "get" a Dr Who episode first time was some sort of imbecile. With posters saying things like "My three year old got it!"
Personally, I wouldn't expose a three year old to this series of Who, but that's another point entirely. Torchwood worked far more logically, but I guess I wouldn't show that to a three year old either! Still, the row it caused gave me hope for this place - turns out people can call eachother stupid for just about any reason. And do.
Of course I don't want a facile understanding. I rewatch to see exactly how later plot points mesh (or don't) with what was assumed at the time.
I enjoyed the spectacle of Saturday's episode, but I did feel it jumped about a bit.
Still, what can you say about Amy as a pirate, except huzzah! She might be a model, but she she has more believability than Kiera "sneeze-and-you'll-break-me" Knightly.
And The Doctor seemed to be channelling Denholm Elliott (RIP) in Indiana Jones. Cute.
I was right, and I was right.
And I was right and I was right.
Well - I had about 100 theories in my head. And I still don't get a lot of it.
But about a big thing?
I was right, and I was right.
And I was right and I was right.
Okay - real post? My River thoeries were about as accurate as throwing darts blindfolded. I got something right. But randomly.
Still - I was right, and I was right.
And I was right and I was right...
etc etc
I was right about some of it :)
We're a week behind again, darn it.
I am trying very hard not to spoil anything...
I thought it was the lovely Mark Gatiss's episode when it returns from hiatus.But although the title sounds like something he would write, it doesn't match the skeleton of the story that has been given by Gatiss in an interview.
ETA a little poking about tells me that Moffat is the writer for the next episode. And in fact I already knew the title of the Gatiss episode. I won't put it in again though, for those who prefer to come to the episodes completely chaste.
September would seem an eternity away if I didn't have Torchwood to look forward to...
I was thinking about making a Strawberry Cloud Cake for my birthday.
For the staffroom I mean, I'm not sad enough to make a birthday cake just for myself.
Because I do love to do something new for an important occasion with no idea how it will turn out :)
I was slightly put off by the fact I'd have to keep it in the freezer until serving.... but it looks SO yummy and light! And we do have two working freezers. Just one is a little icebox on top of a fridge, and the other is where we keep the disposable miniature ice packs for treating injured children...
Anyway, the above is all moot.
I've found a Dalek cake!
There are probably really amazing professional ones out there, but this is from Blue Peter (very worthy British kids' show - probably been going as long as Dr Who!) so it's designed to be E*A*S*Y*
Linky.
Photo below.
I'd have to change the decoration though.
It's far to heavy on the liquorice to be associated with me. People might think I actually eat it :shudder:
And am also confused by the honeycomb balls. First thing that sprang to mind was a Malteaser with the chocolate sucked off!
Still, 25 days to work that out.
September would seem an eternity away if I didn't have Torchwood to look forward to...
Hearing the little hint of Torchwood theme song at the end of the ads makes me happy.
Plus, there's a Whedonverse actress playing one of the (it seems from the ad) villains!
Damn, I'd forgotten about the Dalek cake!
Will have to do it as a Welcome Back to School cake this week.
I have the majority of ingredients, even the Maltesers (which I decided not to suck the chocolate off - no-one would be pedantic enough to point out that Daleks don't have brown studs). And if they are, they don't get any bloody cake because this is my universe.
Sigh. I didn't like last night's Doctor Who half as much as I hoped to.
Perhaps it was just that my expectations were too high.
It wasn't the acting, or the budget. Just... well I wasn't scared. Unlike Blink for example - which gave me a real frisson.
I'll have to revisit it.
I'm willing to take up the burden of responsibility. But I'm a little bit sad.
I on the other hand enjoyed it immensely :p And I found it creepy. Not scary, but creepy. It'd have given me all out nightmares had I seen it as a nipper though. Dolls. And dollhouses urgh.
Monkeys with ceramic heads and hands would have been better.
And mirrors. Always mirrors.
Glad you enjoyed it - hope they get a lot of positive feedback and the lovely Mark Gatiss gets more work. And he works on giving me teh Fear.
If twitter is anything to go by then a fair few parents found themselves with extra small bodies in their beds :p
hello!!!
I've lightly skimmed this thread alert to the repeated occurrences of the word "spoiler"... We just watched the first episode of some Doctor Who series, though I don't know which era(?). It has a lot of pink in the beginning, a cute blond gal is attacked by mannequins, etc etc. no spoiler there. It was very entertaining! I'd welcome some more discussion but want no spoilers, please.
TIA!
I think you've just seen Rose Tyler :)
And her Doctor is Christopher Ecclestone. Intense man in a leather jacket?
He's the Ninth Doctor. Ideally I wouldn't tell you that he's not the current Doctor, but this thread and the David Tennant thread immediately give it away.
Dana liked him, I was wary.
The episodes are great fun though, and you will be introduced to characters who continue into the next series. In hindsight I loved Ecclestone's series - he brought the Doctor back with a real bang. The series is the longest running science fiction show in the world - going back to 1963. Dana and Wolf might tell you otherwise, but I think you'd be crazy to go back any further than you have already (obviously the very earliest are no longer accessible anyway).
And do NOT watch the Peter Cushing films - they are ridiculous. And worse than that, not even considered canon.
Even if you start with Rose (the episode I think you saw) it's a commitment - that was 2005! Personally, I think it's worth it, because there were long breaks between the series, and the majority are well worth watching. Chill out and enjoy weekly.
ETA. The spoilers here are only really spoilers for people about to watch the new series. Weeks or maybe months behind the UK. You'll not read anything that makes sense to you now. Me, personally, in my own personal opinion... I'd start exactly where you're starting and don't worry about how many you have to go. There are story arcs and stand alone episodes and you can join at any point. So start at the start of a season.
And you have some real treats ahead of you if you start with the Ninth Doctor. Personally speaking.
I've lightly skimmed this thread alert to the repeated occurrences of the word "spoiler"... We just watched the first episode of some Doctor Who series, though I don't know which era(?). It has a lot of pink in the beginning, a cute blond gal is attacked by mannequins, etc etc. no spoiler there. It was very entertaining! I'd welcome some more discussion but want no spoilers, please.
Yes, it sounds like you watched the first episode of the modern run of the series, with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor (short buzzed hair, leather jacket.) As an American fan who has watched all of the modern episodes (Doctors Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith, in that order,) I will tell you that Eccleston was my least favorite doctor... so it gets even better from here on out! :) Keep up with the episodes, you won't be disappointed. I had more typed out, but I'm not sure how non-spoilery you want me to keep it, so I'll refrain for now.
I think you've just seen Rose Tyler :)
And her Doctor is Christopher Ecclestone. Intense man in a leather jacket?
He's the Ninth Doctor. Ideally I wouldn't tell you that he's not the current Doctor, but this thread and the David Tennant thread immediately give it away.
Dana liked him, I was wary.
The episodes are great fun though, and you will be introduced to characters who continue into the next series. In hindsight I loved Ecclestone's series - he brought the Doctor back with a real bang. The series is the longest running science fiction show in the world - going back to 1963. Dana and Wolf might tell you otherwise, but I think you'd be crazy to go back any further than you have already (obviously the very earliest are no longer accessible anyway).
And do NOT watch the Peter Cushing films - they are ridiculous. And worse than that, not even considered canon.
Even if you start with Rose (the episode I think you saw) it's a commitment - that was 2005! Personally, I think it's worth it, because there were long breaks between the series, and the majority are well worth watching. Chill out and enjoy weekly.
ETA. The spoilers here are only really spoilers for people about to watch the new series. Weeks or maybe months behind the UK. You'll not read anything that makes sense to you now. Me, personally, in my own personal opinion... I'd start exactly where you're starting and don't worry about how many you have to go. There are story arcs and stand alone episodes and you can join at any point. So start at the start of a season.
And you have some real treats ahead of you if you start with the Ninth Doctor. Personally speaking.
*smiles*
Actually, the very, very earliest are available. The very first serial was 'An Unearthly Child' with William Hartnell as a strange Edwardian style figure, not entirely trustworthy and not exactly warm. Travelling with him was his granddaughter, Susan.
They'd parked the Tardis in an old junkyard, and the very first thing we see are the gates to Potter's Yard and a policeman walking the beat.
I watched it about two years ago and really enjoyed it. Very different show back then. And a very different character.
I think there's one more complete serial and a few half extant serials. Plus a few odd episodes, a single part of a serial sometimes survived.
@ V: Sounds like you watched 'Rose', which reintroduced the Doctor to TV. Just keep watching from there :p Hell of a journey, but not that much of a commitment when you consider the length of each season. With only 12-13 episodes a season and a Christmas special each year, plus one year where there was no season just four specials, the entire back catalogue of nu-Who equates to an average box set of most American series.
... not that much of a commitment when you consider the length of each season. With only 12-13 episodes a season and a Christmas special each year, plus one year where there was no season just four specials, the entire back catalogue of nu-Who equates to an average box set of most American series.
I see anything I can't catch up with over a weekend as a commitment, especially as I get burnout if I watch more than three episodes of something back to back. Even something I love like Torchwood or Queer as Folk.
I know YMMV ;)
lol
I on the other hand will quite happily obsess on something enough to munch through the entire back catalogue of a major sci-fi franchise in a matter of days, weeks or months. I think it took me about three or four months to watch all the Stargates...starting at the first episode of SG1, going right through the ten years' worth of that show, plus the five seasons of SG: Atlantis, two seasons of SGU, and two SG1 films. That's about 350 episodes plus two feature lengths.
About 50 of those episodes I watched more than once. Mum and I watched the first two seasons of SG1 together during that same few months.
*grins*
But then I was desparately avoiding working on my MA at the time :P
Check out this awesome (amd I mean awesome, my jaw's on the floor) set of videos, by a young violinist, doing his rendition of three of Murray Gold's Doctor Who tracks:
The Doctor Who Theme (11thDoc): [youtube]ozb1lLifBJY&feature=related[/youtube]
I am the Doctor (11th Doctor's theme): [youtube]maBRPmmO6h0[/youtube]
Vale Decem (Farewell to the Tenth):[youtube]tT1qXMnqucw[/youtube] .
A capella version (with amusing lyrics)
http://youtu.be/l2rfTR1PJkkDani, I hope you remember I am terrible with ALL faces, and not just racist...
But it took me a second viewing to realise they were all him.
To me, if you change your hairstyle and clothes then you are a stranger!
Sperlock, that was cute.
I couldn't watch it though.
I scrolled down and enjoyed the sound.
Loved the JB reference.
So what "Doctor Who" happened in my life today?
Turns out Mrs M doesn't use the sand-timers we did in Reception.
Oh no.
She plays the Doctor Who theme tune.
Everyone needs to be changed for PE by the time the theme finishes.
WOW!
It certainly inspired Alex (real name, because there are at least two in every class).
In Reception he vied with Ak & Al for being last every changing session.
He wasn't first today, but he was ready exactly as the music ended.
The Doctor has powers Moffat hasn't even explored yet.
Or Murray Gold does.
I cried until I had puffy eyes tonight.
I felt like I'd read a Kate Atkinson novel (excellent writer, she just hits nerves).
I could set myself off now if I thought it through again.
Anyway.
Shake head and blink.
Looks like the scariest episode is yet to come!
Yeah. That was a lovely one.
I'm so upset. Our DVR recorded the wrong channel (it's an occasional bug with our machine) for both "Let's Kill Hitler" and "Night Terrors." We were behind on watching the episodes, so we didn't notice it right away. Now all we can do is hope they get re-broadcast sometime soon. The series is just on pause for us until then. Gah!
Edit: Oh! OH! I was inspired to go check the schedule again and see when we might get our missing episodes replayed... and we just got them in the wee hours this morning! And that means we can catch up this evening and still be on schedule for the newest (American broadcast) episode tonight. Yay!
[slightly off-topic]
And can I just say, for the record, that I think it's utterly retarded that BBC America shows all these American movies all the time, with the apparent criteria that they each have a single UK actor in them? Hunt for Red October... The Shining... Superman 2 fer Chrissakes! There have got to be at least a handful of worthy British movies they could show. Hell, they could just show Trainspotting every night, I bet it would still get them better ratings than Superman 2.
[now back to your regularly scheduled Who discussions]
Michelle and I finally watched all the newer Doctor Who seasons and were ready to watch along with everyone else when Let's Kill Hitler came on 2 weeks ago.
Then we discovered that we don't get BBC America through Xfinity...FUCK!!!
So I bought it from iTunes and we get it 8 hours after it's shown on TV. But as of Monday, we'll have AT&T U-Verse, and we WILL have BBC America on our level of channels. So now we can watch along with everyone else...
It's the little things. :)
The new episode was pretty good...quite enjoyable. This season has been a real mindfuck so far.
It seems to me that Amy and Rory would be more interested in finding their baby while she's still a baby than in visiting the second best tourist spot in the universe.
Or have they given up on raising her now that they've met her?
But, outside of the placement of the episode in the overall plot, it was a very good one.
It's complicated.
They already know that they don't raise her.
And it's not like they had any chance to prepare for a birth.
It was literally wake up one day - oh, hello - baby!
Amy had no sense of carrying her and therefore Rory had even less connection.
They had more of a relationship with RS than they ever did with their baby - especially given that the one they cooed over was plastic.
blah blah blah blah blah
I CAN'T HEAR YOU CAUSE MY FINGERS ARE STUCK IN MY EARS!!!
----
And also cause I don't want to know... yet.
Yes, it was Rosie we met the other night. We have a copy of the box set and we're just gorging on it. Unfortunately, we've stalled at the end of disc 2. Because we don't have disc 3. The prospects of getting disc 3 in the immediate future are grim.
Eventually, we'l get it, but until then, I'm just frustrated.
V, you might want to post any reviews/ opinions in
this thread. It's a very short one about the return of the Doctor. No spoilers at all!
Whovians here will
always check out new threads with the Doctor in the title.
Then you can move onto the
Dr Who - David Tennant thread.
And then eventually this one.
Because although most of us are careful about spoilers, we might forget what comes where.
Oh and someone on here somewhere (not me sadly) might be able to help with a third disk? Which somehow slipped through the rift or something...
And you can always watch online.
Which I admit might not be practical if you're watching en masse.
If you haven't seen the last third you have missed out. Big Time.
You'll understand when you see them.
It seems to me that Amy and Rory would be more interested in finding their baby while she's still a baby than in visiting the second best tourist spot in the universe.
Amy already got to see her all throughout her childhood--she was Mel, Amy's childhood best friend. That's why Mel said, "See, you got to raise me after all."
I can deal with handwavey timey-wimey stuff with the science of Doctor Who, but not so much with handwavey human nature. I can't see Amy and Rory just accepting that.
Perhaps it could be fixed with some timey-wimey science, and have a scene where it is spelled out that due to their interaction with Mel and River, it is impossible to rescue the baby. Unless I missed that scene, it just seems odd for them to go galivanting off on new adventures.
...
You know what? I just found out that
I did miss a scene. Apparently it was only on BBC America! Though it apparently didn't have the Doctor telling her no, it did have Amy going through her grieving process. I'm mostly satisfied.
Do you mean the prequel? If so, that's a lovely scene and available on youtube.
The prospects of getting disc 3 in the immediate future are grim.
Eventually, we'l get it, but until then, I'm just frustrated.
Just checked...it's stream-able on Netflix :)
Did you know that Mark Gatiss's husband is Ian Hallard?
I knew he'd married a man called Ian, and he dedicates all his books to him, but I didn't realise it was Hallard the Big Finish actor.
There you go.
Did not know that!
They all seem to be from the same cultural pool.
i think if you're a Doctor Who fan of a certain age, working in the entertainment industry, you probably are acquainted with all the other Doctor Who fans of a certain age working within the entertainment industry.
Oh aye.
And other connections too.
I knew The League had worked with Andy Nyman, and threfore was not in the least surprised to see them with Derren Brown. In the same series as guest stars (I think) Pegg and Tennant.
Liked the last episode.
Goodly wrapped up the series.
I still refer back to my sad, sad cartoon of the Silence though.
(when I say "my" I didn't draw it of course).
Poor chicks. I'd give them kisses.
If'n they didn't play with ma heid.
Last night's ep was pretty good...looking forward to seeing how next year's specials play out.
I've had a crush on Alex Kingston since she was on ER...she's still hot...rrrawr!
I had no idea that Gantok in The Wedding of River Song was the lovely Mark Gatiss.
Rewatched it and still only knew because I knew.
Heavy prosthetics and a (foreign) accent means I can forgive myself.
Conversation between Mr. Clod and me last night:
Him: Oh hey, looks like Amy's not going to be the companion anymore.
Me: Who's the new one gonna be?
Him: Some hot chick.
Me: Well duh, it's always a hot chick.
Him: Not always...!
Me: Yes, because remember British people think Rose was attractive.
Him: ...Oh, right. They do, don't they?
I found Amy Pond to be the prettiest companion; but, Karen Gillan to be the least convincing actress.
Rose was supposed to be attractive in a girl next door kind of way. An ordinary lass from a council estate.
Exactly. Not a model, or someone who would aspire to be one.
Just a cute girl you might fancy if she served you in Woolworths (RIP).
I always found her attractive, and I'm not British.
She's certainly not ugly. Her features just seem... alien, I guess. The mouth and jaw seem drastically out of proportion to me. In all the promo shots for the show she looks fine. Great, even. It's when she's talking, when the jaw is moving... what's that called, the phenomenon where the more human an AI thing looks, the creepier it is? It's like that.
her insane overbite does make her speech a little uncanny-valley, i guess, yeah...
I wouldn't call it an insane overbite. Just unusual for a star.
I always liked her. I think she was really sweet as Rose. But then you see her in some other stuff and she looks pretty in a different way.
Went off to find an example of Billie in other roles and happened upon a promo for Secret Diary of a Call Girl, and guess who pops up (so to speak) about 50 seconds in?
Matt Smith!
[YOUTUBE]wj4E3j8d8PI&feature=relmfu[/YOUTUBE]
Don't know if it's true or not; but, I remember reading somewhere that Billie Piper had dental veneer work done in the time frame between when she was the regular companion and when she reprised the role in later episodes. Her speech was certainly different and it wasn't just her accent. All in all Billie Piper's Rose is my favorite companion to date, though I think some of the finest acting for a companion character came out of Catherine Tate at times.
as long as river song stays. in some ways she's more awesome then the doctor.
Alex Kingston really makes that character sing.
The chemistry between her and Matt Smith is great too.
Don't hate me for the music.
But this is probably the slickest clips compilation I have come across in a long time.
Whoverse Hoedown.
Inc Jack & Ianto for a start...
[YOUTUBE]2qyAwnjSkjI[/YOUTUBE]
*cough* Whoniverse *cough*
I know chick. But that was the title on the video.
(she might be American)
Ahhh. hadn't spotted that :p
So... NINE DAYS until the Doc comes back?!
UNBELIEVABLY excited.
Can't wait. I've been watching the BBC America specials leading up to it.
"
The X of Doctor Who", where "X" is, "Timey Wimey", "Women", "Destinations", or "Science".
Also some "Best of the Y", where "Y" is "Doctor", Monsters", or "Companions".
Basically, clipshows with random celebrity mini-interviews.
I will watch them. Cool!
But I think I know the answer to my most pertinent question. Do any of them feature Captain Jack?
Briefly.
He does show up a lot on "The Nerdist" though.
Briefly.
He does show up a lot on "The Nerdist" though.
www.nerdist.com FIFY
I JUST found the HD BBC America channel on FIOS! I've searched for it several times, and it wasn't there before, but last night, there it was, right next to Comedy Central! Just in time for the new Who!
I just caught up with all the Who on netflix and was hoping that the seasons were aligned enough for me to get new ones soon... looks like I'm not so lucky because the regular season is about to start?
I just turned in my cable box today :( terrible luck!!
I just caught up with all the Who on netflix and was hoping that the seasons were aligned enough for me to get new ones soon... looks like I'm not so lucky because the regular season is about to start?
I just turned in my cable box today :( terrible luck!!
cough thepiratebay[dot]se cough
I've never been a pirate-r ... I doubt I'll start now but we'll see
Can't believe I haven't posted about the new Doctor Who ep, given it's formed the backdrop to my thoughts pretty much since Saturday.
I'm liking Matt Smith more and more. And the Moff's intricate storytelling is so lovely. Oh, sure there were a few plotholes. Though also a possible plothole explanation for why the Daleks haven't just killed the Doc when face to face with him over the years rather than having to go to extraordinarily lengths to trick or trap him with varyingly disastrous results for the Dalek Empire.
It's a nice line, and twists the blade a little deeper after the Doctor's realisation across the last series of his own impact on others.
I'm liking the mix of dark and light, tragedy and humour and the occasional dairy foods joke.
This season we've been promised (at least for the first half before the break) individual stories, and less focus on the arc, but there are clearly some seeds being planted, and there is a definite continuation of the story from last season.
So yeah. That's all I'm gonna say so as to avoid massive spoilers, til others have caught up, but I'm very pleased.
* talking about the daleks isn't a spoiler, as the episode is entitled: Asylum of the Daleks.
David Bradley and Mark Williams.
Why Mr Moffat, you are really spoiling us.
Yes I know I'm a week behind, but it was deleted from Sky-plus because it clashed with Dad's Army or something.
Sad to watch it on a slightly out-of-synch iPlayer, but better than nothing.
It didn't clash this week, so I'll watch the new one tomorrow on a proper telly.
"Fall Season Finale" next week!?!?
yeah. They've split the season again.
Prof Cox!
I think the Moff has been listening to his female fans.
i'm really, really, really disappointed in this series so far. Maybe it'll be better in the spring.
Gotta say, I'm a bit tired of the "feel good at the alien" climaxes...
I've been lax watching this series. Need a catch-up.
But anything that makes me feel good right now is welcome.
[YOUTUBE]y7JWY_oYlps[/YOUTUBE]
I still haven't watched last week's episode...may do that today.
Who will win this epic battle???