Doctor Who

[Sidewaysbob]

It looks like the evolution of the Mini from cool little car to the countryman behemoth

[Zio]

Does Deep Breath have a 'picking out his clothes' scene? It better.

No.

More specifically...

He starts out wearing Matt Smith's costume, then a night robe, then some tramp's coat (including a comment about needing a really long scarf, before deciding he's past that now), then near the end he buggers off in the TARDIS for a bit and comes back wearing his new costume. So we never see him actually pick it out.

[Chadruharazzeb]

Full trailer:

Certainly looks a lot better without watermarks. Why do we have to wait untill august again? :/

Why is Garrus in it?

EDIT, shave, Chad. Shave.

[NEG]

No.

More specifically...

He starts out wearing Matt Smith's costume, then a night robe, then some tramp's coat (including a comment about needing a really long scarf, before deciding he's past that now), then near the end he buggers off in the TARDIS for a bit and comes back wearing his new costume. So we never see him actually pick it out.

Worst New Doctor Ever.

[Space Gibbon]

Y'all who've watched that rough cut should be ashamed of yourselves.

[HarMGM]

I have no regrets!

[SqueakyG]

I read the scripts for the first couple of episodes, but watching the leaked episode would be a step too far. At least with the scripts I could use my imagination and then look forward to seeing the real finished product. But a black and white version with unfinished effects and text written all over it? Fine, but your "reviews" aren't worth a damn.

[Sprite Machine]

The Time of Angels / Flesh and Stone

(Blog has pictures)

It was only a matter of time before Steven Moffat started filling his new series with his own characters and villains. This two-part story brings back both River Song and the Weeping Angels, each for their second appearance, and starts introducing facets of his ongoing story arc - headless monks, military clerics, the dimensional 'crack', a prophecy of an explosion that will cause it (coinciding with the original air date of the finale) and hints about River possibly killing the Doctor in the future. All very intriguing and, I dare say, rather baffling right now. Thankfully, the episodes have the good sense not to dwell on this, instead focusing on the threat of the Angels.

[Picture: The crack features prominently in part 2, explaining some of Amy's missing memories, but we still don't learn why it's specifically following her.]

This is only their second appearance, but already these perfect adversaries have been practically ruined. The bit I'm referring to is in Flesh and Stone, where we actually see the Angels moving. Yes, seeing them turn their heads like that is creepy, but the whole point of the Weeping Angels is that you can NEVER see them move. If you theoretically could, they wouldn't look like statues, because they only exist as statues when they are observed. Moreover, the idea that they would have to be consciously aware of somebody watching them is rather less satisfying a concept than observation itself determining their quantum state. It's as if "don't blink" wasn't scary enough, so now "don't look" had to be awkwardly added in. The scene is ultimately unnecessary to the plot, and if we absolutely had to see them move, they could have done so in between flashes of light like before rather than in full view.

[Picture: "Agh, not the coat, not the coat!"]

The other modification to the Angels is that their captured image holds their essence, which can come to life. This is a somewhat implausible concept, because what constitutes an "image"? Would a pencil sketch of an angel come to life? What about a painting? Or a polaroid? Would it contain the soul of the Angel that was copied? And, if so, what if you drew or painted a generic one rather than a specific one? However, the scene where Amy is watching the looped Angel video gradually change every time she looks away is, hands down, one of the creepiest things I've ever seen on Doctor Who. It's magnificent. There's something about these Weeping Angels that instills such a genuine fear and horror, even when they are humanised somewhat. In this two-parter, their powers are broader. They can absorb energy, get inside your head, regrow their bodies... they are unpredictable, thereby raising the tension.

[Picture: The fuzzy video makes it even better. Creep factor 10.]

Both episodes are have a cracking pace to them. It's more action-packed than Blink, but it's interspersed with quiet, tension-building moments. The direction is wonderful, making use of light and dark in innovative ways. The 'Aliens' inspiration is obvious. The sets and visuals are impressive, although the clerics' military garb is decidedly modern-day for what is supposed to be the far future. The plot has enough shocking twists to stay interesting and frightening all the way through. Grievances aside, it's a terrific double-bill.

[Picture: The sudden realisation that they're surrounded entirely by regenerating Angel statues, each and every one turning to face them, is masterfully done.]

River has changed, though. Perhaps that's to be expected, as she is younger and more impulsive, but this is where her irritating phase begins. From the opening scene, it's clear she's been turned into a sort of sexy secret agent type, with quips and one-liners and an abundance of confidence. "Hello, sweetie" was a nod back to her first appearance, but it's starting to grate already. River and the Doctor act like an old married couple, which Amy finds very amusing. Both of them like to talk, and talk very fast. More annoying, however, is the Doctor's "you shouldn't mess with me" posturing, while Murray Gold blasts out his bombastic Eleventh Doctor theme, which I find very tiresome. No offence to Matt Smith, who I think is fantastic, but I am looking forward to a more subdued Doctor taking over. Someone without verbal diarrhoea, preferably.

[Picture: Revelation - the Tardis only makes that fwooorrping noise because the Doctor has been leaving the brake on for the past 900 years.]

[Picture: #BAH BAH BAH, BAH BAH BA-BUH!!# Thinly veiled threat. Pause for drama. Bang.]

There's a curious scene in part 2 where the Doctor leaves Amy (with her eyes closed) and then appears to return to tell her something important. I can't remember at the time whether I twigged the relevance of this scene, but you can see he's wearing the jacket that he supposedly dropped earlier, and it turns out to be rather important and clever. Amidst all the other cleverness with the magic crack and vanishing clerics, it's easy to miss. Most likely, it just washed over me as another jarring tone shift that Doctor Who likes to throw in from time to time. Like, for instance, Amy kissing the Doctor on the night before her wedding. Yeah... awkward!

[Picture: The eleventh Doctor's response of "eurgh, but you're human" shows how different he is from the romantic tenth. Amy, however, ought to know better.]

[El Pibe]

I can't remember what the relevance of the Dr reappearing was? I remember it was debated on here lots after the episode aired.

[Bluejam]

Watching Horror of Fang Rock at the moment. Good old Horror channel!

[Mogster]

I can't remember what the relevance of the Dr reappearing was? I remember it was debated on here lots after the episode aired.

He travelled back through time in the last episode, where you saw the scene happen again. He was the Doctor from the future.

[kensei]

I wonder if you are a bit too close to the end of Smith's era yo be fully objective here. Tennant and RTDs plotting annoyed the hell out of me by the time he ended, but I quite enjoy repeats now.

I think the Imperial Doctor is something they had rondo; Moffatts argument that he couldn't continually beat all comers and then be the unknown space hobo is a fair point. To an extent Moff does this to take him down a peg or two later. If I remember correctly though, the Doctor only really blusters here at the end of each ep- when he already had the solution to the corner he was in.

Can we all just agree in the Rllmuk Official Who Canon the head turning bit never happened? Its that awful. The rest of it is pretty good, though.

[Lag]

canon

[Sprite Machine]

The Vampires of Venice

(Blog has pictures)

The Vampires of the Venice is one of those forgettable mid-season episodes that I often get confused with earlier episodes that are distinctly similar. Historical setting, aliens disguised as humans (fishy vampires, in this case) and, goodness, it even ends with the Doctor climbing up a tower in a storm to disable some sort of equipment at the last possible moment, which he's done at least twice since the revival.

[Picture: I don't know whether to be aroused or terrified.]

It has a certain old-school feel, like the classic serials, in places. The Venice setting looks a bit small and stage-like (though that's probably unintentional), and the Tardis Team works together as an ensemble, cooking up a plan together, with Amy getting herself captured on purpose and Rory getting into a swordfight (with a broomstick). But it's fairly breezy and handles dark themes with humour. Rory is an excellent addition to the cast, as Amy already takes this dangerous life for granted. Plus, his delivery is just perfect. I'm glad he's sticking around for a bit longer.

[Picture: Amy and Rory try to enjoy their romantic getaway to 1580 Venice, before the inevitable danger arises. Seriously, what are the odds?]

As Doctor Who likes to do, the mythical creatures are explained as being aliens, and all their quirks (lack of reflection, drinking blood) are explained away with "science". There are no surprises or twists and I was honestly getting bored by the final act, as tidal waves threaten to sink Venice and the special effects struggle to keep up. There is a cryptic reference made to the the Silence at the end, but it's meaningless at this point.

[Picture: With their perception filter switched off, the Saturnynians revert to their true form.]

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the episode is the brief injection of dramatic conflict as Rory confronts the Doctor about putting people in danger, or rather, making people want to impress him by putting themselves in danger. I like it when the Doctor's motives and actions are examined by others, as it helps us to learn what drives him. There's actually a much better exchange in 'Meanwhile in the Tardis - Part 2' (set immediately prior to the events of this episode) where the Doctor explains why he needs fresh eyes with him to see the Universe with wonder again. There's nothing quite that good in Vampires of Venice; it's rather... ordinary. Not bad, certainly funny in parts, but run-of-the-mill.

[Hexx]

Rory

[NEG]

Rory got annoying later on imo, but I wasn't a fan of the writing in general of most of the episodes past the first matt smith series.

[SeanR]

Peter Jackson up for Who episode directing gig?

[NEG]

Still waiting for the Steven Fry one.

[Flub]

I think Peter Jackson is on board to direct one when his schedule allows. All he wants as payment is a Dalek. I think It's just a matter of when they can fit it in now

[HarMGM]

Moffat recently confirmed that talks with Jackson have now progessed to the stage where it's going definately going to happen. My personal guess would be that the BBC would want him to direct the rumoured feature film that's going to round out Capaldi's tenure on the show and close the Moffat era of Doctor Who.

From what I know about the Stephen Fry written episode, they wanted to do it in series 2, but it was to expensive to make. Instead we got a hastily written script in order to fill-up the schedule which turned into 'Fear Her',

[Hexx]

[Sprite Machine]

Amy's Choice

(Blog has pictures)

Five years have passed since Amy and Rory travelled with the Doctor, and now they've settled down in the sleepy village of Leadworth. Amy is heavily pregnant, Rory has a ridiculous mullet, and life is good for them. But when the Doctor drops in on them again, they keep having dreams that they're back there with him in the Tardis.

[Picture: Anyone else think Amy looks good pregnant?]

Amy and Rory have recently joined the Doctor and are travelling with him in the Tardis. But when the power fails and the temperature starts dropping, they all start having dreams that they're five years in the future, settling down to start a family in the sleepy village of Leadworth.

[Picture: THIS one is reality, definitely. Or maybe the other one was.]

Naturally, they can't both be true, and from the audience's perspective, it seems obvious that the former is a dream. Perhaps if this was a later season (say, the seventh) and the supporting cast were being phased out, the village setting would be equally believable. We'd be as genuinely confused as the characters as to which is reality, but even the first time I watched it, it was obvious that five years weren't going to pass between episodes in the middle of the first season with a brand new companion. Nevertheless, it's entertaining to watch the mystery unravel.

[Picture: The Tardis falls into an impossible "cold star". Or does it?]

Amy's choice is between her fiancé Rory and the Doctor, but she doesn't really end up making such a choice. Since Rory is killed in the village, she is forced to pick the only reality where he's still alive, which is so easy a choice that it might as well not exist. The fact that the story then pulls a "it was ALL a dream" ending out of the bag could be seen as a massive waste of time anyway, but actually, I rather like it when an episode breaks out of the standard mould. It also reminded me a little of the very first "in the Tardis" type story, 'The Edge of Destruction'. Weirdness all round.

[Picture: Toby Jones as the Dream Lord. Or is he?]

That the Dream Lord is not some malicious fiend makes a refreshing change. It would have been too easy to bring back one of the many entities encountered over the course of the Doctor's adventures. It's more sinister to realise that he's part of the Doctor's mind, the darker part of his subconscious. The Dream Lord's apparent power to put them to sleep is frightening enough that you could do away with the alien-possessed elderly villagers plot, but I like how it almost turns into Hot Fuzz in the second half. Clearly, this was a budget-saving episode but, as I repeatedly like to point out, these are often the best.

[Picture: Invasion of the pension snatchers.]

It's low-key, it's creepy, it's different. It puts the characters into an interesting dilemma and it accurately captures the convincing illusion of dreams. The actual choice may not have been the defining moment I would have liked, but the episode's unique qualities make it a highlight of this season. And I never expected to see Rory whack an old lady with a piece of wood, so that's something.

[HarMGM]

Always loved Amy's choice, if only for the fact it makes wonderfull use of Toby Jones who's so creepy in it. Plus it really shows of the TARDIS interior I was always most fond of in Smith's run on the show.

[kensei]

I was alwaus hoping they were going to bring the Dream Lord back. He'd be even more of a danger of it meant the Doctor couldn't trust what he is seeing in real life, and he was so brilliant at puncturing the Doctor.

Still time I suppose, it'd be fun to see him in a 12 costume.

[JPickford]

Like a complete spazz I downloaded the scripts and read them all. Then I watched the first episode.

Not going to spoil it. I wasn't remotely disappointed. Four of the five I thought were ace. I have some reservations about the fifth.

Watching the first episode (after reading the script) I wasn't totally convinced for the first half but by the end I thought it was wonderful. Similar to 'Rose' the plot isn't the centre of the story. It's about The Doctor & Clara.

[Glasgowchivas]

Like a complete spazz I downloaded the scripts and read them all. Then I watched the first episode.

Not going to spoil it. I wasn't remotely disappointed. Four of the five I thought were ace. I have some reservations about the fifth.

Watching the first episode (after reading the script) I wasn't totally convinced for the first half but by the end I thought it was wonderful. Similar to 'Rose' the plot isn't the centre of the story. It's about The Doctor & Clara.

I read the scripts too but haven't watched the leaked episode.

I thought they all read fine and can imagine Capaldi making them work.

Of the five, I thought the Robin Hood one was terrible though and I wasn't a fan of 'Listen'; it just seemed to go on and on and nothing happened.

[BitterToad]

I honestly don't understand it... if someone offered you a beer mat with how the series ends on it would you take it?

[Glasgowchivas]

I honestly don't understand it... if someone offered you a beer mat with how the series ends on it would you take it?

For Dr. Who? Yeah, I would. It's not something I'm particularly into beyond watching the odd episode.

I like reading scripts though so when they leaked I was interested enough to grab them and to compare them against the previous shows.

[NEG]

Spoiler: The series ends with The Doctor winning.

[Flub]

I honestly don't understand it... if someone offered you a beer mat with how the series ends on it would you take it?

Yup. Spoilers have never bothered me in the slightest.

New book came out today. A story featuring the War Doctor.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Engines-George-Mann-ebook/dp/B00K7ED54C/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406832992&sr=1-1&keywords=doctor+who

"The death of billions is as nothing to us Doctor, if it helps defeat the Daleks."

The Great Time War has raged for centuries, ravaging the universe. Scores of human colony planets are now overrun by Dalek occupation forces. A weary, angry Doctor leads a flotilla of Battle TARDISes against the Dalek stronghold but in the midst of the carnage, the Doctor's TARDIS crashes to a planet below: Moldox.

As the Doctor is trapped in an apocalyptic landscape, Dalek patrols roam amongst the wreckage, rounding up the remaining civilians. But why haven't the Daleks simply killed the humans?

Searching for answers the Doctor meets 'Cinder', a young Dalek hunter. Their struggles to discover the Dalek plan take them from the ruins of Moldox to the halls of Gallifrey, and set in motion a chain of events that will change everything. And everyone.