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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2020 22:48:11 GMT 1
She later became an agent to Paul McGann... the eighth Doctor. When considering accepting the role, he asked her for guidance. Her description of the character of the Doctor was "two hearts, no dick." Well, perhaps Saward had to jump in to fill the gap left by the departure of Christopher Bidmead... who can tell? I'm sure there's a lot we don't know - or ever will - about what goes on "behind the scenes". Didn't you know? They don't have to learn any lessons, because they already know everything. I can see why that'd be her description when she was on the show at the same time as Davison's 5th Doctor. All I know is BBC had a proverbial game of thrones going on at the same and "Doctor Who" was their Ned Stark. Their investors probably think otherwise. Believe it or not - and I'm still undecided - there were questions asked in the British parliament after a short story emerged featuring Tegan after she left the Doctor, giving birth to a baby with two hearts... I've never seen GOT, but I like Sean Bean. You really think they've still got investors?!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2020 23:39:10 GMT 1
I can see why that'd be her description when she was on the show at the same time as Davison's 5th Doctor. All I know is BBC had a proverbial game of thrones going on at the same and "Doctor Who" was their Ned Stark. Their investors probably think otherwise. Believe it or not - and I'm still undecided - there were questions asked in the British parliament after a short story emerged featuring Tegan after she left the Doctor, giving birth to a baby with two hearts... I've never seen GOT, but I like Sean Bean. You really think they've still got investors?! LOL They won't for much longer if they keep riding the SJW boat.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2020 3:18:55 GMT 1
I can see why that'd be her description when she was on the show at the same time as Davison's 5th Doctor. All I know is BBC had a proverbial game of thrones going on at the same and "Doctor Who" was their Ned Stark. Their investors probably think otherwise. Believe it or not - and I'm still undecided - there were questions asked in the British parliament after a short story emerged featuring Tegan after she left the Doctor, giving birth to a baby with two hearts... I've never seen GOT, but I like Sean Bean. You really think they've still got investors?! Hey, who are your favorite and most hated Companions? My all-time favorites are a tie between Jamie McCrimmon, Amy Pond, and Rory Williams. My most hated Companion is Tegan, who I actually find more annoying than Adric.
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Nov 29, 2020 22:58:29 GMT 1
Doctor Who 'Revolution of the Daleks' Teaser Trailer.
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Jan 1, 2021 2:42:56 GMT 1
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Jan 2, 2021 13:07:51 GMT 1
Just finished watching Doctor Who - Season 12, Episode 11: 'Revolution of the Daleks'. {Spoiler}I thought it took a little while to get going. It seemed to be mostly focused on Chris Noth's Jack Robertson character at the beginning, but I was happy once we eventually saw the Doctor again...though it was sad that she'd been imprisoned for so long (if the chalk marks were any indication). Plus, she looked pretty bored without her 'fam'. Though she did make a habit out of saying a friendly hello to the security cameras each time she got to take a walk, and it was fun to see past characters such as the Weeping Angel, the feral Ood, the Pting and the Silence. Things got moving once the Doctor was finally reunited with Jack Harkness after so long. They were fun together. It's great that although the Doctor is played by different actors, all the ones who've interacted with John Barrowman's Jack have had chemistry with him and make the friendship between the two completely believable. Jodie Whittaker's Doctor was no different, as their characters' dynamic felt like it always had. I enjoyed their banter. Jodie just doesn't get enough credit for her Doctor's reaction shots - some are very funny, but others can be quite emotional, such as her reaction to realising just how much her disappearing from the 'fam' had upset Yaz. It was interesting how, of the three companions, Yaz was clearly the most upset. She was also the one most eager to find the Doctor and relieved to see her again (though I thought her shoving the Doctor was a bit rough. The Doctor was so happy to be reunited with her 'fam', and seeing her get shoved by one of her friends was like seeing someone shoving a puppy ). I like that they explored the friendship between these two a lot more in this episode. Also good was Ryan getting a decent one-on-one scene with the Doctor, as it oftentimes seemed they really did get much of that. I only wish that Graham could've had one with her as well. I thought the actors did a good job with their goodbye scene. I read Jodie was indeed quite upset to be losing two of her castmates from the show, and I thought she really sold the Doctor's feelings about it well/believably. Again, I think Jodie deserves kudos for her reactions. Because sometimes they're rather subtle, as it can just be a slight shift in her face, and I noticed it several times as she learned part of her 'fam' would be leaving. She says a lot with the looks she gives, I think, like her relief that at least Yaz would be staying. Some of Jodie's reactions as the Doctor can be missed, as they go by so quick - like the way her Doctor masks her true feelings by acting another way. She's good at that. I thought it was sad that Graham looked as excited as Yaz was to go traveling with the Doctor again, but then because Ryan decided to stay, Graham did too. I do think Bradley Walsh was the most 'successful' of the three companions and he made the most of his character, had some great one-liners and some good emotional beats/scenes with Yaz, Ryan and the Doctor. He will be missed. Ryan? Well...I never disliked him as such, but he never really left that much of an impression either. He was fine. Obviously both actors must've wanted to leave, as I can't imagine they'd be written out otherwise. On the plus side...at least they weren't stuck in the past or a parallel dimension (speaking of, nice shout-out to Rose from Jack earlier on about that universe she was now trapped in. We also got a reference to Gwen Cooper from Torchwood). I know some people had problems with there being three companions, but I was never one of them. I liked that we got to see different dynamics between them. I will miss the Doctor having a 'fam', but hey...she's still got Yaz, and I did think even from the beginning that Yaz was the one who the Doctor would become closest with. It was just something about the first time the Doctor met her on that train and pretty quickly established that they were friends. I do think with the other two now absent, the show will be able to explore more of the Doctor's and Yaz's relationship/friendship. It'll be an interesting new dynamic to explore. I won't pretend to have fully understood everything that was going on in the episode, but I think I got the gist of it. Chris Noth got some amusing lines as Robertson, especially the one about the PR disaster after having just heard that liquidized people were being fed to Daleks. I was also amused by his continued befuddlement with everything including the TARDIS. He was entertaining, but it was anger-inducing that his character was rewarded at the end. I did think this episode gave the Daleks back slightly more menace than they had in the past. I typically enjoy them most when it's just one really nasty Dalek rather than a ton of them, but the whole controlling people thing gave them at least a bit of a creepy factor. All in all, this was an enjoyable episode. I'm just annoyed we have to wait so long for more. I'm also a bit wary of them already adding a new companion, apparently. I didn't actually get this scene after the credits when I watched the episode on TV, I only know about it because I read about it online after. deadline.com/2021/01/doctor-who-john-bishop-joins-the-tardis-season-13-1234663916/I wish we could've gotten just Yaz and the Doctor for at least a little while before bringing this^ guy in, but as always, I won't pass judgement until I've actually watched some episodes with him. I always like to be fair, after all. Anyway, I missed this show (and especially Jodie Whittaker on my screen). I'm anxiously awaiting the next season (and also kind of hope Jodie stays on for another, since it'd be the first instance of that happening with 'NuWho', as all the others only stayed for three seasons). To the cast and crew - thank you and stay safe.
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Post by Jayman on Jan 2, 2021 19:43:23 GMT 1
Dr who is a woman now? I didn’t even know that 😁
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Jan 2, 2021 23:32:55 GMT 1
Dr who is a woman now? I didn’t even know that 😁 I'm not saying you're one of them, jayman...but for those people who do have a problem with the Doctor being played by a woman, call this helpline:
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2021 1:17:21 GMT 1
Dr who is a woman now? I didn’t even know that 😁 I'm not saying you're one of them, jayman...but for those people who do have a problem with the Doctor being played by a woman, call this helpline: I love Jodie as The Doctor. I was never into Dr.Who like other members of my family. I had seen an episode here and there with Tenent,Smith,or Capaldi only because someone else was watching it. I have watched Jodi since the beginning and I don't care what the haters say
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2021 3:16:54 GMT 1
Hey, AQUA JAR!™, you have any history with The Doctor?
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Post by AQUA JAR!™ on Feb 28, 2021 3:45:03 GMT 1
Hey, AQUA JAR!™ , you have any history with The Doctor? Not a ton, my older brother watched it at like 1100 pm sundays on our local PBS station. This would have been around 1979 or so ( that's how I know about K9 ) The doctor at the time had curly hair and a scarf, I believe the actor's name was Baker. That's about all I can remember ( I was only 9 )
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2021 3:57:40 GMT 1
Hey, AQUA JAR!™ , you have any history with The Doctor? Not a ton, my older brother watched it at like 1100 pm sundays on our local PBS station. This would have been around 1979 or so ( that's how I know about K9 ) The doctor at the time had curly hair and a scarf, I believe the actor's name was Baker. That's about all I can remember ( I was only 9 ) Fair enough.
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Jul 26, 2021 2:40:11 GMT 1
Doctor Who Series/Season 13 teaser trailer: And its cast:
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Nov 1, 2021 12:49:51 GMT 1
Doctor Who: Flux – ‘Chapter One: The Halloween Apocalypse'. {Spoiler}Well, I think this first episode of the six-part 'Flux' storyline this season had everything plus the kitchen sink thrown in. There was SO MUCH going on (what might say 'too much'), starting with this dog-looking alien called Karvanista having set up an elaborate trap for the Doctor and Yaz that would put the best Bond villains to shame, considering they were hanging upside down over a pit of acid among other things. One 'positive' of Graham and Ryan having left is that it's allowing the show to explore the dynamic between the Doctor and Yaz a bit more. Not only was there more banter between them, but also more conflict - as the Doctor's clearly keeping secrets, which Yaz is fully aware of. I do hope the Doctor starts to open up to Yaz and start telling her stuff (I'd hate to have to wait until the last episode for her to start sharing information since they're supposed to be friends). I did enjoy the joke with the handcuffs and the Doctor constantly shouting "Release!" at them, only for her expressing what a 'relief' it was that they survived to be the thing that finally did release the handcuffs. Was the effects used for the opening rather cheesy? Well, yes, but it didn't really bother me. The show's actually developed pretty impressive effects over the years and I think it must've been intentional for them to look the way they did, since it was supposed to be a fun, action-y opening to the episode. That isn't to say there weren't 'dark' moments. I was surprised to see several people get vaporized (the effects used for those deaths looked more 'polished' than the opening scene), plus we had the return of the Weeping Angels (well... one of them, anyway). Speaking of, I wondered what was the deal with the woman named Claire played by Annabel Scholey (who I think I first saw in the UK version of Being Human), but have seen in several others shows since). It seems they're doing another River/Jack Harkness type of thing where she knows the Doctor who a period in time but the Doctor doesn't. I'm not sure how it'd be possible, but she did make me think of Clara (plus there's the name similarity, obviously). Could she be an older Clara? Who knows! We also officially met new companion, Dan Lewis, who seems like an alright kind of guy (more preoccupied with making others happy than ensuring he's happy/has the bare essentials like food in his house - which wound up getting miniaturised). The one distracting thing about him is the teeth of the actor playing him (John Bishop). I don't know what it is, but they don't seem entirely natural. Anyway, we were introduced to him, he made a 'not date' with a woman and then got kidnapped by an alien dog. He seemed to adjust to all the craziness fairly well and already has a fun dynamic going with Yaz. I guess we'll get to see what his dynamic with the Doctor ends up being like as the season goes on (I did appreciate the callback to Christopher Eccleston's Doctor meeting Rose Tyler for the first time and saying, "Nice to meet you, Rose. Run for your life!" with Jodie Whittaker's Doctor saying pretty much the same thing to Dan upon first meeting him). Obviously the first episode had to set up a LOT of things, hence why it felt a bit 'scattered', I think. There are so many storylines already - we've got the Doctor/Yaz/Dan with Karvanista (I liked the reveal that his fellow dog people were there to save a human each, thus proving to indeed be 'man's best friend'...though I do wonder how cat people or those allergic to dogs would cope with being rescued by a race of dog people. Also...7 billion ships for 7 billion humans? I don't think every human would've been worthy of their own personal dog person savior - like the most scummy scum types). Then there were the funky-looking alien brother and sister vaporizing people. There was Claire and the Weeping Angel, the guy who played Grey Worm in Game of Thrones who was stationed on an outpost in space (seemingly named after Rose?), and on top of everything else...the Sontarans (looking more like their 'Classic Who' selves, it appeared). There were a LOT of characters introduced (not all of whom survived, it would seem). Hopefully they can flesh out all these new characters we've met and the show will be able to bring it all together by the end of the six episodes to tell a coherent story/have it all make sense. I guess that over the next five weeks we'll see whether one story told over multiple weeks ends up going well or not. I think why there was so much in this first episode is because there needs to be enough to sustain the story for weeks to come. I'm bummed that we're only get six episodes for the season (though there's apparently going to be three 'specials' to finish off Jodie's run as the Doctor), as I would've liked a full season. Naturally all the haters can't wait for Jodie's time as the Doctor to be over, but I myself am wanting to get as much of her as we can before she leaves. I thought it was kind of neat that this episode was set around Halloween and I still remember that random guy on the street throwing his salad at 'Tim Shaw' in Jodie's first episode of the show ('The Woman Who Fell to Earth') whilst telling him to "Eat my salad, Halloween!". On the whole, while there was a lot to take in this episode, I was just so happy to finally have the show back and Jodie's Doctor on my screen again. Whatever 'faults' the show may have, I think she's done a bang-up job and clearly made the most of the material she's been given. I just hope this final season does her justice and sends her Doctor out on a high. Looking forward to the rest of this season (and those three 'specials' next year). Welcome back, Doctor.
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Nov 8, 2021 22:54:16 GMT 1
Doctor Who: Flux - 'Chapter Two: War of the Sontarans'. {Spoiler}I wasn't expecting the opening scene to be in black & white and feature Howl's Moving Castle (though I wouldn't be opposed to an episode of DW entirely in B&W). Not sure what this was about, but then that's how I felt with the previous episode. There's a lot of moving parts and it's just a matter of waiting to see how they all fall into place, I guess. We got to see the Doctor being a bit more 'serious' this episode, which made sense since she was dealing with Sontarans - who were actually used to good effect in this episode (though they apparently went to the Stormtrooper School of Target Practice given how badly they shot at Dan). Previously, thanks to Strax, they'd been mostly presented as comedic for some time, but here they actually got to display their ruthlessness by not only shooting their own kind at point-blank range (I felt the slightest twinge of sympathy for the Sontaran who'd been injured. He was the usual type, hurling insults/making threats towards the Doctor, but when he asked for mercy from his leader and was blown away, I must admit I was the tiniest bit surprised they showed the impact of the shot) and then the firing squad taking out several people later on, which Dan witnessed (though this time they used silhouettes for the actual hits/deaths). I'm not how often we see characters executed on this show, but this felt a bit more impactful than usual. One thing this episode did a good job of was making the Sontarans more than just those aliens with funny-looking potato heads. Having said that, I was amused at the Doctor's reaction to the leader removing his helmet. Speaking of their resemblance to Mr. Potato Head, it was quite amusing that Dan managed to take out several of them with a frying pan (okay, technically a wok...but still, potatoes...frying pan - good joke) and then later when he was talking to the Doctor and thought they had been saying 'Tempura Command' when in fact they were saying 'Temporal Command'. I loved the Doctor's reactions to what Dan was saying and her patience with him whilst explaining things. He's actually doing quite well adjusting to all of this. His antagonistic relationship with Karvanista (who had a nice hero entrance this episode, as he came to Dan's rescue), his dog-alien protector, is also good (though it has me thinking that Karvanista may end up dying to protect Dan eventually. It'd be just like this show to have two characters not getting along at first, only for one to sacrifice themself for the other and they realise how much they cared about them). It was kind of freaky for the Doctor to not be able to find a door on the TARDIS, as well as seeing what was going on inside it. She met a couple of new people - Mary Seacote and General Logan - both of whom didn't know what to make of the Doctor to begin with, as there was the usual denying that she could possibly be a Doctor given her appearance, but I liked her reply. Mary was interesting, in how at first she was wary of the Doctor, but then was inviting towards her and her friends, then actually listened to what the Doctor was saying (even if she wasn't understanding/following it that much). The General, however, was another matter and I couldn't help but be reminded of David Tennant's first 'official' episode as the Doctor ('The Christmas Invasion') when this episode ended with the enemy retreating, only for someone (in this case the General, while in 'The Christmas Invasion' it was Torchwood) blasting them to kingdom come and the Doctor not being happy about that. I think Jodie has been doing a good job showing the Doctor trying to cope with everything going on. She's actually shown a different side of the Doctor so far this season, parts of which reminded me of the previous Doctors when they were all business and had no time for anyone's BS. I liked that Yaz has 'WWTDD' ('What Would The Doctor Do') written on her palm, and I immediately knew what the letters stood for as soon as we saw them. It's good that Grey Worm Vinder has now been brought into the story with Yaz and the Doctor...though it's not looking great for either of them. Those aliens, Swarm/Azure, are pretty nasty, still disintegrating people to dust and such. The actors who play them are doing a decent job of bringing the creepy. I'm still not sure where all this is headed/how it'll all come together, but it's certainly not boring (and what a ways the show has come with its effects/fight scenes - like the Sontarans vs. soldiers battle, which looked pretty epic). Last but not least, it's amusing to know that whilst Jodie's Doctor is an expert marksman with a slingshot, Jodie herself? Not so much (even more amusing is learning how competitive the cast are when it comes to games/challenges).
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Dec 6, 2021 22:38:22 GMT 1
Doctor Who: Flux'Chapter Four: Village of the Angels'. {Spoiler}I did like this episode more than the previous week's episode (at least this one I could half-understand what was going on). I thought it did a decent job of using the Weeping Angels effectively and making them creepy again after they'd lost a lot of their creep-factor from overuse (just like other villains in the show have done). There was a suitably creepy atmosphere throughout the episode and that helped. I enjoyed the Doctor doing her version of 'crossing the streams' at the start of the episode when she did that 'dimensional compression' thing she said (after mentioning it being two things - or rather three things, including her - that should never be put together). I was amused at her reassurance about there being a risky element (ie. the only element) and by Dan's introduction to the Angels with his wide-eyed look whilst remarking how his eyes were really dry. Jodie's Doctor seemed particularly 'Doctor-y' in this scene. I thought that might've been Kevin McNally (who I mainly know from the PotC movies) as Professor Eustacius Jericho - whose name the Doctor wished she'd gotten in Scrabble (even though it wouldn't be counted, unless playing by a certain person's rules). He was a pretty decent new character who managed to be interesting, not completely stupid and was actually pretty brave (it was funny thinking of the Weeping Angels ringing his 'very nice-sounding' doorbell). That old couple, however? Not so much. I guess they were written to be pretty unlikeable so when they bit the dust (quite literally), we weren't really broken up about it - though I was surprised at Peggy's non-reaction to the death of her elderly carers, since she just said, "He was never nice to me." - we'd gotten a whiff of that from what the old woman had been saying to the old dude about how he never had a nice word to say to Peggy, but still...were they suggesting something really dark had gone on with them? And sure, the death of the old guy wouldn't have been worth shedding any tears over, but what about the old woman who seemed somewhat less of an a-hole than him? I guess Peggy was on the road to becoming as stone cold as the Weeping Angels. She did bug me when she kept eating when Yaz and Dan were wanting answers out of her. I could've done without her character, but I guess the two of them needed a storyline and so they got saddled with this rather unnecessary character. It would've been interesting just seeing them go it alone and figuring out/coping with being stuck in the past. I also could've done without the Bel segments of this episode, which I felt were intrusive and took away from the creepiness of the Angel storyline. Honestly, everything with her felt like it should've been one of those 'extras' on the DVD set where they couldn't fit the story into the episode, so they had it be its own thing separate - that's really want they should've done, as I felt once again the episode was trying to cram too much story into a single episode. I don't mind Vinder, but could take or leave Bel as a character, and the two of them should really could've been focused on in a different episode (we got plenty of them last week and even the unusual occurrence of a mid-end credits scene in this episode was devoted to them. Isn't that enough?). Unless they're going to play a super-important role in this whole Flux storyline, it does feel like they're kind of wasting screentime that should be going to the main trio of the Doctor, Yaz and Dan. I mean, we've only got two episodes left for this whole storyline and it feels like too much time has been devoted to other characters when the focus should really be on the trio. I haven't even really seen the Doctor have some solid one-on-one time with Dan where he asks her a bunch of the typical companion questions. It feels as though she barely interacts with him and Yaz. I did appreciate Claire Brown's character having her reason for being in this season explained - ie. a rogue Angel hitched a ride in her head to escape the rest. I liked the callback to the episode with Amy Pond when she rubbed her eye and dust came out as it did here with Claire. We got glimpses of her turning into an Angel, but not fully. They also are really stretching the rules of where Angels can come from when it includes not just TVs, but also sketches on paper which reassemble themselves after being torn up. It was kind of nifty, though, when the Doctor attempted to burning the drawing and that just made the Angel manifestation all flamey until the Doctor threw water on the sketching. What I really liked was the scene with the Doctor and Claire (with the rouge Angel speaking through her) on the beach. The lightning was a cold grey and the Doctor's reaction to learning the rouge Angel could tell her about her missing memories was well-done by Jodie, I thought. She actually really took her Doctor in a different direction this episode. We saw her getting pretty desperate at times, but other times she was her confident self - like when she dared the Angels in the cave to a race, as she knew turning her back on them was required to get away. I just wished we could've gotten more time with the Doctor and Claire. If they'd been the focus of this episode, I wouldn't have minded (I guess my theory of Claire having something to do with Clara has been tossed out the window, however). There was a nifty effect this episode, with the split Earth that led straight to space. I have always imagined what that would be like, and we got to see it here. It was sad when the Doctor realised the Angels had lured her with Claire, knowing she'd want to help her when all they really wanted was the Doctor. I have no clue what this 'Division' thing is (if it's been in the show previously, I'd forgotten it), but the REALLY upsetting part was watching the Doctor get turned into a Weeping Angel. The effect used was neat (especially the part where she sprouted wings), but I felt very sorry for the Doctor (it was good to see Yaz upset by it, at least). That was certainly a cliff-hanger. I'm worried, though, that the next episode's just going to focus on side characters and guest characters and the poor Doctor's going to be left an Angel for the majority of it (like this is the DW version of Han Solo being stuck in carbonite). I hope that's not the case, as it's bad enough that we're only getting six episodes (plus just three 'Specials') and not even a regular amount of episodes for this thirteenth/final season for Jodie, but to waste one without her being in it much would be even more annoying. I want to see MORE of Jodie before her tenure as the Doctor is up, not less. Those three 'Specials' we're supposed to get better make up for it by featuring her a LOT before her time as the Doctor is over. On the whole, I thought this was a fairly decent episode and I certainly liked it more than the previous one. I'll still be amazed if everything comes together in the next two episodes to actually make sense. Here's hoping, anyway (oh, and also...it seemed like they were playing the 'Classic Who' version of the show's theme during the end credits for this episode - I wonder what the reason for/significance of that was?) 'Chapter Five: Survivors of the Flux'. {Spoiler}Well, I was glad to see the Doctor released from the carbonite being a Weeping Angel immediately, and I was amused when she was purposely blinking to force a reaction/response from the other Weeping Angels she was surrounded by. That was a good scene, and I was relieved that the episode featured the Doctor more than I thought it was going to. While I still would've liked to see more of the Doctor, we at least got to see her interact with the woman who was for all intents and purposes her 'mother'. Unfortunately, she was kind of jerking the Doctor around and only offering potential answers to all her questions and the Doctor's memories back (good to see that ol' pocket watch used for storing Time Lord memories/identities again) if the Doctor joined this 'Division' which was responsible for not only taking the Doctor's memories, but for the Flux as well. Anyway, the old woman got hers in the end thanks to Swarm (though it looks like the Doctor's next on his disintegrating-by-touch list). I really did feel that Jodie did a good job of conveying the Doctor's frustrations and anger, mixed with the need to find out answers. However, I think my favourite scene with the Doctor in this episode was the-Doctor-as-a-hologram which Yaz listened to at one point. It was just a right mix of emotion and humour as they both expressed their feelings of missing each other and the Doctor addressed those holograms you see in other shows/movies that seem to anticipate what the one viewing them will say despite the fact that there's really no way to know for sure. It was fun hearing her mention how certain responses from her wouldn't have worked unless Yaz said what the Doctor thought she would say. There's been far too little of these two characters' friendship this season. I sure hope it gets plenty of focus in the three 'Specials' we're supposed to get, as I doubt there'll be enough time in the final episode of this 'Flux' storyline to focus on the two of them much since it feels like there's SO MANY storylines to wrap up. While I didn't mind the trio of Yaz, Dan and Jericho (even if it did rely a little too heavily on the slapstick during their entrance), I wished the Doctor could've been with them. Still, they made a good team and I think if the episode had focused on just their storyline and the Doctor's, it would've felt less muddled. But as has been the case with pretty much every episode during this season, they had to add a bunch of other plotlines/characters to an already busy episode. There was just TOO MUCH going on. Honestly, I think for a story that had all these things happening, the season needed to be longer, not shorter, as it feels way to crammed. I was surprised by the use of a suicide pill being in the show (though I suppose they got away with it by not using the word 'suicide' and there was no foam on the guy's mouth) and Yaz being so casual about dumping a body (also quite nasty were those things that reminded me of the Goa'uld from Stargate SG-1 - how they'd bulge from the faces of the people they were inside and then slither out their mouths only to phase through the back of that 'Grand Serpent' guy). I was amused by the whole 'fetch your dog'/'fetch your human' message for Karvanista that the trio got from the guy on top of the mountain who reminded of that wise old dude Homer and Apu visited in The Simpsons episode where Apu lost his job at the Kwik-E-Mart (he even had the limited amount of responses thing going on). I found him amusing, but he really felt like he was from another show with his comedic act. All the other stuff going on, I didn't really care for. I honestly don't see how everything's going to be wrapped up in a coherent/non-rushed way in the final episode, but here's hoping they pull it off. What I'm really interested in, though, is knowing what the three 'Specials' will be about. Hopefully something different/separate to this whole 'Flux' storyline. 'Chapter Six: The Vanquishers'. {Spoiler}Well...this episode certainly brought everyone together. Did I fully understand everything going on? Much like with the rest of the 'Flux' storyline, my answer to that would be "Er...not really.", but I did appreciate that it attempted to tie all the different storylines together. It was good seeing all these characters we'd been introduced to over the six episodes interacting and their different dynamics. I was surprised Kavanista lived and didn't die protecting Dan like I thought he would, but actually he suffered a fate worse than death when he learned that the Sontarans had killed all of his people. I knew the howl of anguish was coming, but the actor who plays him did a good job acting through all those prosthetics when he first learned of this devastating news. Poor Dan didn't know at the time when he was attempting to have their usual banter that his protector had just lost everything. Though he did find out later, obviously. It was nice to see Vinder patting Kavanista on the back in what I chose to see as a sign of support (even as Kavanista was being his usual self and wanting to dump the humans at the nearest place ASAP). I know others loved Vinder and Bel, and I certainly didn't hate them, but I didn't feel that much came from their story to reunite. They did...and that was it. I liked seeing them interact with the Doctor, and it feels as though there could be a spin-off with them and Kavanista...but I can't say I'd be that interested. We also saw Jericho meet his demise, but he did so bravely. For me personally, the stand-out in this episode was Jodie, as she had to convey so much as her Doctor. First, there was the torture she underwent curtesy Swarm and Azure pulling her (and Howl's Moving Castle) apart and then reassembling them. Then there was that talk she had with Azure about how what she wants is people to live and build/create while Azure and Swarm wanted the opposite. It was a good serious scene between them. However, things REALLY got interesting once we had two Doctors (which was a nice surprise). I was amused by her crush she had...on herself and the mutual admiring going on between them. Jodie brought such energy to all these scenes with her dual Doctors. And then we got the third Doctor - the one undergoing all the punishment. I've seen comments from others who didn't like the multiple Doctor stuff in the episode, but I personally really enjoyed it and really got me more interested in the episode than I had been up until that point (whereas before I'd just been mostly confused). And to top things off, not only did we finally see the end of Swarm and Azure at the hands of 'Time' itself, but then it took on the form of the Doctor (with the coat of opposite colours we'd seen her sporting in a previous episode, I think) - which the Doctor remarked on - and Jodie got to play yet another character (which she did a really good job of, I thought). It was sad, though, that she gave the Doctor the warning that her time was coming to an end (it's gone by in a flash. I wish we'd had more episodes with Jodie's Doctor than what we got), but this business about 'no regeneration'...they've pulled that card before, and we know it's not actually going to be the end...so I wonder what's in store. I was almost kinda bummed when the three Doctors became one again, since I enjoyed their fun dynamic so much (but it was good to see the Doctor not in pain anymore). Apart from that^, another scene I really enjoyed in the episode was the Doctor reuniting with Yaz and Dan. She hasn't really seemed to interact with Dan during this season, and I felt bad for him towards the end when the woman he'd wanted to go on a date with turned him down, but the Doctor and Yaz inviting him back into the TARDIS hopefully means that the 'Specials' will have much more of the trio interacting. What I really appreciated was the Doctor/Yaz friendship being given some focus in this episode. Their reunion was a really good moment, I felt (especially with the Doctor just taking a moment to hug Yaz) and I appreciated the callback to the hologram the Doctor had left for Yaz (which we saw her watch in the previous episode). Both Jodie and Mandip really sell their characters' relationship and bring the emotion to their scenes. I don't feel they're given nearly enough appreciation, but I think they're great together. I also liked that the Doctor was finally willing to share with Yaz what she'd been keeping from her (too bad Dan had the worst timing, interrupting their emotional moment). The usual suspects are, of course, nitpicking/complaining about the episode...but at this point, it's to be expected. I, however, was willing to put aside what quibbles I had with this six-episode story arc and focus on the positive aspects. Clearly that pocket watch with the Doctor's missing memories will come back into play - I imagine in her final episode (but maybe they'll surprise us and have it happen before then?). Thankfully, we have three 'Specials' left to go (though that's still not enough for me). Jodie Whittaker, thank you for being your awesome self and getting me interested in DW once again when I was close to quitting during Series/Season 10. I, for one, will miss you when you're gone.
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Jan 3, 2022 0:04:55 GMT 1
Doctor Who - 'Eve of the Daleks'. {Spoiler}It might be a small thing, but I was glad to not have the word 'Flux' added to 'Doctor Who' during this episode's opening credits. Before that, though, the episode got off to a very slow start. We were introduced to two humans. While Nick was nice and self-sacrificing, he was kind of dull...but at least better than Sarah, who was pretty unlikeable for the majority of the episode, and I didn't find either of them particularly interesting - certainly not enough to be invested in them/their relationship - and they just made me impatient to get to the Doctor and her companions. When we finally did, and the TARDIS started cracking, I wondered if the Doctor was going to lose her TARDIS and be stranded on Earth (but, no, turns out it was just getting a revamp - though I can't say I noticed much difference to the interior at the end other than there being what looked like blue targets all over the walls). I did feel the episode took a while to get going. I've seen more 'time loop' episodes of shows than I can count, and I think I've seen just about every variation on the gimmick played out, so it didn't feel overly 'fresh' here and I would've thought if any show could do something different with the concept of a time loop, it'd be this show. I was amused that just as I was thinking, "Oh, it's a Groundhog Day episode." Dan basically said as much out loud whilst the Doctor and Yaz were just going to call it a 'time loop' (presumably) and then Dan was like, "Same difference." or whatever. Figures the ONE time Daleks are actually able to hit their targets...the victims of their exterminations don't stay dead. And, of course, despite the upgrading from plungers to machine gun lasers, they still couldn't hit anyone when they were running. Speaking of...there seemed to be SO MUCH RUNNING through corridors in this episode, it was like it was making up for a lack of that in previous episodes of the season. I think at one point Yaz even expressed exasperation at the Doctor turning around and running back in the direction they just came from. I imagine this episode must've given the actors quite a bit of exercise. There were a few mildly amusing lines/moments here and there, but nothing really stood out to me as overly 'funny'. Probably the parts I found the most amusing was Dan holding skis and an iron from the storage rooms as his weapons to go up against the Daleks and the Doctor's comment to the Dalek 'vanquishing' a door. Speaking of Dan, I know some people haven't been that fond of him, but I actually think he's been pretty decent. While he hasn't had the 'one-liners' that Graham used to get, he's shown that he's pretty brave/selfless (as evidenced when he volunteered to go keep the Daleks distracted so the Doctor could wo what she needed to do) and best of all...he didn't make a big 'thing' about it. It wasn't over-dramatized, it was just acknowledged that he was doing a selfless thing and that was it. It's too bad he's only had this one season (and a shortened one at that), as he's not been a bad addition to the show. I liked that moment when there was discussion of 'good-hearted weirdos' and Yaz looked at Dan. She also stood up for him when Sarah (I think) was insulting him, as clearly Yaz is protective of him and has that sort of 'sibling' thing going on where she'll poke fun at him, but God help anyone else who does so. One more thing about Dan was that he led to (what I felt was) the most significant part of this episode, which was when he called Yaz out on her true feelings for the Doctor. I'd seen fanart and whatnot depicting this couple, but I wasn't sure if the show was ever going to actually 'go there'. I had always thought the Doctor and Yaz had really nice chemistry, but it I'm glad that the show wasn't going to keep playing coy about whether there was more between them. At long last Yaz came right out and said it, Dan told the Doctor (hey, Dan, maybe you should've let Yaz be the one to tell the Doctor? Then again, Yaz probably never would've gotten around to it...so, good call after all), and although at first the Doctor claimed she didn't know what Dan was on about, it became clear that she *did* but naturally this was not the time to address 'feelings' given everything going on. Anyway, the Doctor/Yaz/Dan stuff was really the only part I really liked. I do wish we could just spend an episode mainly focused on the trio and not having so much time devoted to other side characters who I don't give two figs about. We've only got TWO more episodes left, and it feels like we've barely scratched the surface of what this new group dynamic is like and how it's different to the previous one. I'm still majorly bummed that Jodie Whittaker hasn't gotten to have as long a run as the previous three actors to play the Doctor and I do think she hasn't been given a fair go by a lot of people. It's a shame, since she's actually been a really good Doctor, I think, but the actual episodes haven't been the best-written. It would've been interesting to see how a different/new showrunner would've written her character, but I guess that's not going to happen. I do hope she can return for a future episode at some point, though. The teaser for the next 'Special' looked interesting. It's going to feel like quite the wait until we get to it, however.
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Apr 18, 2022 15:04:53 GMT 1
Doctor Who - 'Legend of the Sea Devils'. {Spoiler}I think I liked this episode more than most of the 'Flux' 6-parter and definitely more than the last 'Special'. This one felt like an old rollicking adventure type story that I don't feel the show's had for quite some time. Was it the best? Well, considering I didn't exactly follow everything that was happening, I'd have to admit 'no', but neither was it the travesty that the usual suspects are making it out to be. At least this episode felt like the Doctor, Yaz and Dan were more of the focus than the guest stars (can't say the same for the whole 'Flux' storyline, where it felt like the guest stars took over). Yes, this episode had some guest stars...but I never felt like they were taking away from the main trio. I also liked these guest stars more than the majority of the ones during 'Flux' and certainly preferred these to the ones in the last 'Special'. All I really wanted in this final season of Jodie's was her Doctor and her relationship with her two companions to be the central focus. Disappointingly, this didn't seem to be the case during the whole 'Flux' storyline. It's even *more* disappointing that only now, in her second-last episode, did it feel like I was finally getting what I'd wanted to see. I enjoy the dynamic of Jodie's Doctor with Yaz and Dan and it's a shame that hasn't been further explored in more depth. Dan himself hasn't even really had much one-on-one interaction with the Doctor, we haven't seen him learn anything about her really and it feels like he's been given short-shrift a bit. I was amused with his pirate getup, and he had some good moments in the episode, but I can't even really describe his dynamic with the Doctor since it's not really clearly-defined. Much more clear is the Doctor's dynamic with Yaz (mainly because they've had three seasons to develop it). Once again their one-on-one chats were the highlight of the episode for me. There was that first moment between them on under the water inside the TARDIS, looking out - which was a really nice visual. The Doctor kind of casually mentioned how she's 'not a bad date' and both Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill said SO much with just their looks they exchanged. They work so well together and I appreciate all the subtext going on, as they make it feel *real* and not just there for the sake of it (I also appreciated the humour sprinkled in between the more 'serious'/emotional moments between them. "No ship, Sherlock." was one I particularly liked). Honestly, I'd be perfectly content with just an episode with the two of them and their banter which I find is the best aspect of this season. Both actresses totally sell the feelings their characters have for each other and I I think it's such a shame that SO much screentime this season was devoted to other characters when it should've been focused on this pair (plus Dan). I've seen people complaining about the Doctor describing Yaz as 'one of the greatest people' she's ever known and how, in their opinion, Yaz hasn't done anything to 'earn' this...whereas I just saw it as her returning the compliment of how Yaz described the Doctor previously as being 'the best person' she's ever met. I also recall previous Doctors having given high praise to various characters who I personally didn't feel really 'earned it', so it's not like it would be the first time. It was good to hear the Doctor make reference to River Song being her wife, and I appreciated the 'Geronimo' callback to Matt Smith's Doctor. What I really enjoyed, though, was how the episode had these heartfelt moments between Yaz and the Doctor in between all the action that was going on. Speaking of, I had no real problem with the 'old-school' look of the Sea Devils (though I will admit it did bug me a bit that their mouths/beaks didn't really move...but whatever). I was surprised by how much chopping people with their swords there was (though, of course, we never even saw a drop of blood - which is to be expected in this show). What I was really impressed by was the effects for the ship, the giant monster and the scene underwater I mentioned above^. I read comments elsewhere that money was obviously being saved by not having many extras (after the opening scene), since there were wiped out villages and crews on the ships - clearly due to Covid restrictions, but I felt it was the better for it. More focus on the core group of characters. The best scene, I felt, was Yaz and the Doctor on the beach together, where the Doctor admitted to the reason why she couldn't give into her feelings - that she knew that eventually it'd lead to hurt. We've seen this many times before when the Doctor has had feelings for a companion of they have had feelings for the Doctor...or both. There's always tragedy that follows, so it makes sense why the Doctor would want to shield herself (and Yaz) from that. Naturally, there are those who this^ sort of talk makes very uncomfortable...and I'm amazed by how such genuine emotion from two characters can elicit such strong negative reactions from a certain type of person. Meanwhile, I was just enjoying the acting from both Jodie and Mandip during this^ scene. Whatever faults this season may have had, both these actresses always brought it and gave their performances their all. Like the Doctor, I wish this could last...but I'm sure all the negativity eventually got the higher-ups to cave and want to end this before it really got a chance to shine. I'm sure there are those celebrating Jodie's era coming to an end, but I will greatly miss her as I was finally able to ENJOY the Doctor again after not being able to 'connect' with Capaldi's Doctor even after three seasons. My biggest concern after watching the teaser for Jodie's final episode is that it's going to have SO much going on (Daleks! Cybermen! The Master! Return of old companions!) that the main trio are once again going to get sidelined for the majority of it. What this final episode *should* focus on is the Doctor, Yaz and Dan and what I really want to see is Jodie given moments to shine throughout. Others may not have appreciated her performance, but I always have. It saddens me that she's been met with such unwarranted hate from insecure people who act like children with their reactions to something they don't like. She deserved so much better than what she's been given and I hope she scores another regular gig worthy of her talents.
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