Doctor Who

[biglime]

Can't we keep anything spoilery out of the thread? I don't really trust Digital Spy's speculationy spoilery actions.

[Boyatsea]

That's what I want. More talking, less running down corridors.

Doctor Who was always about talking.

I really loved that one. It was End of the World standard. Which is high praise, because I loved End of The World.

Talking is fine, but this was more 'covering up the cracks' talking. The Doctor asked the right questions - virtually everything I thought at the moment I thought it, but the answers just felt a bit loose. A bit, last minute thinking. Like excuses. But still, it was good as it always is, and RTD always gets chatter bang on. No-one writes what appears as inane conversation but is actually deep and snappy convo like Mr. Davies.

[Exidor]

Even just recycling old badguys it would be preferable to this space zoo they've got at the moment.

Yeah, I wish they'd used one of the old monsters like, oh I don't know, the macra.

[CarloOos]

Yeah, I wish they'd used one of the old monsters like, oh I don't know, the macra.

Yeah I know the Macra are a really (really) old-skool foe, but isn't just daft that of all the bad guys they pick ones that are again based on Earth animals?

I loved this epsiode, don't get me wrong, I just think it's a bit silly. When the majority of your species are based on Earth creatures it just makes the universe they've created feel smaller.

[JoeK]

I thought it was a fantastic, fantastic episode (possibly my fave one so far)...As someone mentioned about, it was real good sci-fi.

The only thing I'd love to see in these new series is a longer running story going on. My lasting memories of the old Dr Whos was watching big old multi-part episodes run through (obviously the Dalek and Cybermen ones do stand out). As it stands, this was a near perfect 45 minutes for me, but going forward, it would be really good to have some longer stories.

[Boyatsea]

Phew.

I was worried I was on my own. From concept up, this episode was top fucking notch. It had everything. And I think Tennant really arrived tonight. Really arrived.

I actually thought Tennant's best moment tonight was the face he made when old Facey-face said "you are not alone." It was top notch, and you could really feel what he was feeling. It actually felt like all the Doctors rolled up into one look.

[SeanR]

giant enemy crabs and kittens that say "mama"

[biglime]

I had the wobbly lips happening a few times.

Nearly crying a few times in one episode isn't bad going for Saturday evening TV, really.

When the Doctor said "It's just the Face of Boe. Come on." Or words to that effect, to Martha.... Man.

But when he started properly reminiscing about Gallifrey at the end. Good grief. I'm welling up just remembering it.

[Boyatsea]

Also: must there be a fucking gay reference in every single bloody show?

Would it have made a big difference to the story if that old couple had been a man and a woman as opposed to two women?

Not really, YOU BIG FAT HOMOPHOBE.

[rllmuk]

I've never been massively into Doctor Who, too young and all that , but its just brilliant entertainment. Not much else on TV touches it at the moment, besides Heroes.

[JoeK]

I had the wobbly lips happening a few times.

Nearly crying a few times in one episode isn't bad going for Saturday evening TV, really.

When the Doctor said "It's just the Face of Boe. Come on." Or words to that effect, to Martha.... Man.

But when he started properly reminiscing about Gallifrey at the end. Good grief. I'm welling up just remembering it.

It was really well written that bit. It'd have made a wonderful episode with the Dr just talking to Martha about his old world really. Bung in a few lovely CGI shots of a couple of suns, a few snapshots of Daleks (just glimpses, mind) and a Time Lord by himself on his dead world.

Hmm.

In other news, I'm just watching Dr Who confidential, and I'm immensely impressed that he modelled that British chap in one of the cars on Max Normal from Judge Dredd...Lovely stuff.

[Mogster]

I had the wobbly lips happening a few times.

Nearly crying a few times in one episode isn't bad going for Saturday evening TV, really.

When the Doctor said "It's just the Face of Boe. Come on." Or words to that effect, to Martha.... Man.

But when he started properly reminiscing about Gallifrey at the end. Good grief. I'm welling up just remembering it.

There's something else I should have said. It was great sci-fi with a great heart. Few other shows of any genre can do sentimentality like that without descending into utter mush.

Ah what the heck, I think that's going to become my favourite Who episode ever after a couple more watches. Stephen Mophat has his work cut out for him.

[kensei]

Would it have made a big difference to the story if that old couple had been a man and a woman as opposed to two women?

Not really, YOU BIG FAT HOMOPHOBE.

No, it wouldn't have made any difference - which was my point. But it had to go in there, because the writer is gay and wants to make a point. The same one, in fact, over and over and over and over. The only thing that offends me about it is that it just so fucking crassly done, and is by this point completely tiresome.

Also - what hell am I missing with this ep? Boring stuck in a car bits, attempt to build tension and fear for the baddies that didn't really work for me, and giant crabs that made me laugh. And we haven't seen enough og the Face f Bo, or know enough about him, to really care. It was watchable, but no Girl in the Fireplace.

[JohnC]

Seems we will find out a bit more about Boe in the future.

[JohnC]

No, it wouldn't have made any difference - which was my point. But it had to go in there, because the writer is gay and wants to make a point. The same one, in fact, over and over and over and over. The only thing that offends me about it is that it just so fucking crassly done, and is by this point completely tiresome.

Were they gay? I thought they were just a couple of old spinster sisters.

[Boyatsea]

No, it wouldn't have made any difference - which was my point. But it had to go in there, because the writer is gay and wants to make a point. The same one, in fact, over and over and over and over. The only thing that offends me about it is that it just so fucking crassly done, and is by this point completely tiresome.

Two old women, married and in love. That's what you call 'crass'?

Jesus. Do you write for the Daily Mail, or are you always this easily offended?

The fact that, in the future (and certainly in Who's future, judging by Captain Jack) there are gays, lesbians and bis suggests to me it would be a bit odd if they didn't pop up every now and again. Was there any real reason for the couple that abducted Martha to be anything other than white? Not really. Any real reason for Ardal O'Hanlan to be a cat? Nope. Again, not really. So a couple of old woman in love with each other - one who happens to be a 'carspotter' - is fine by me.

[Alex W.]

Were they gay? I thought they were just a couple of old spinster sisters.

Nah, one of them said "You know fine we're not sisters, we're married." "Oh, you stop that modern nonsense, you know I'm an old fashioned cat."

I'm paraphrasing. Anyway it was about as far from crass as possible. It was just a nice little incidental bit of characterisation.

[kensei]

Two old women, married and in love. That's what you call 'crass'?

Jesus. Do you write for the Daily Mail, or are you always this easily offended?

No. What I find crass is the shoe horning of at least 1 gay reference into almost every single episode. Do pay attention.

[Alex W.]

No. What I find crass is the shoe horning of at least 1 gay reference into almost every single episode. Do pay attention.

Every single episode? Are you kidding me?

And do you not actually know what the word "crass" means?

[Lorfarius]

Was okay nothing special. The CGI effects were a bit dodgy at times but it was only to be expected with a bbc budget. The most funny/entertaining but cringworthy moment for me was the constant showing of those kittens as the couples cat children. Had me putting my head in my hands. Terrible.

I was hoping for a bit more from that Bo and his revelation, its been hinted at being such a great mystery for so long and it was just "oh yeah mate, forgot to say you aint the last" bang, hes dead. There wasnt any clue as to what that means, does he mean that evil master fella or more rebel timelords? Stupid.

[JohnC]

No. What I find crass is the shoe horning of at least 1 gay reference into almost every single episode. Do pay attention.

Do you find having straight people in every episode crass too?

[Boyatsea]

No. What I find crass is the shoe horning of at least 1 gay reference into almost every single episode. Do pay attention.

....

I'm paraphrasing. Anyway it was about as far from crass as possible. It was just a nice little incidental bit of characterisation.

Indeed. RTD's forte, really.

Do you find having straight people in every episode crass too?

Heh, indeed. That's what I was struggling to say myself. Didn't really matter to the story that they were two married women. They just were, just as the couple in Martha's car were two straight lovers. Vive le difference.

[biglime]

Was okay nothing special. The CGI effects were a bit dodgy at times but it was only to be expected with a bbc budget. The most funny/entertaining but cringworthy moment for me was the constant showing of those kittens as the couples cat children. Had me putting my head in my hands. Terrible.

I was hoping for a bit more from that Bo and his revelation, its been hinted at being such a great mystery for so long and it was just "oh yeah mate, forgot to say you aint the last" bang, hes dead. There wasnt any clue as to what that means, does he mean that evil master fella or more rebel timelords? Stupid.

Who is wasted on some people.

[Hexx]

I've had to register to post about this.

I'm with Kensei.

RTD needs to stop with the "It's ok to be gay" messages. It's like being hit over the head with the message/hammer every other week.

This week, was, unrequired.

Mention the "The [Name] Girls", not the "The [Name] Sisters" and the issue would have gone away.

We could assume they were sisters/lovers/friends whatever. It wouldn't matter.

By having Sisters RTD drew attention to the fact and then hammered it home. "An old fashion cat", who's in an INTER-SPECIES (never mind racial!) wedding? It didn't fit the character and was completly unrequired.

It's happened a lot in Who/T-wood, which is very annoying because Captain Jack (Season 1) was done so well.

[El Pibe]

I think his last words were supposed to be vague. It's all part of the fun!

[kensei]

Every single episode? Are you kidding me?

And do you not actually know what the word "crass" means?

crass

1. thoughtless and vulgar: so thoughtless, vulgar, and insensitive as to lack all refinement or delicacy

Insensitive is a little out, but otherwise yes, lacking all refinement or delicacy would do.

As you obviously don't know what it means, I hope I've enlightened you. I could equally have applied "crude". That word can be used a variety of contexts too.

Do you find having straight people in every episode crass too?

What a fucking stupid question. It's like the difference between a person telling you they are gay and then just acting normally, going about with their partner etc, and them reminding you "Oh, I'm gay by the way" every twenty minutes. It would grate. I have similar problems with straight people who are like, all over each other in social situations. Yeah you like each other, get a room.

When everyone has done with their hissy fits: I'm not offended. I just find it irritating that need to slip a reference in, much like they feel the need to solve everything with the Sonic. Apparently that makes me teh evil homophobic bastard. Right.

[El Pibe]

Mention the "The [Name] Girls", not the "The [Name] Sisters" and the issue would have gone away.

We could assume they were sisters/lovers/friends whatever. It wouldn't matter.

By having Sisters RTD drew attention to the fact and then hammered it home. "An old fashion cat", who's in an INTER-SPECIES (never mind racial!) wedding? It didn't fit the character and was completly unrequired.

It's happened a lot in Who/T-wood, which is very annoying because Captain Jack (Season 1) was done so well.

I thought the 'sisters' bit might be a nod to Father Ted. Maybe I was wrong!

[Mogster]

No. What I find crass is the shoe horning of at least 1 gay reference into almost every single episode. Do pay attention.

Evidently I haven't been paying attention either, as those two were the only reference to homosexuality I've noticed since good old Captain Jack. If you were talking about Torchwood and it's seemingly entirely bisexual cast, then you'd have a point, but Who?

Anyway, it wasn't at all crass. In fact it was sweet! How often do you see a happily married pair of gay OAPs?

EDIT: Oh never mind, you're clearly an idiot. I mean Christ, if you found the characters at all offensive then I think you need to take a good long look at yourself in the mirror.

[Hexx]

Evidently I haven't been paying attention either, as those two were the only reference to homosexuality I've noticed since good old Captain Jack. If you were talking about Torchwood and it's seemingly entirely bisexual cast, then you'd have a point, but Who?

Anyway, it wasn't at all crass. In fact it was sweet! How often do you see a happily married pair of gay OAPs?

EDIT: Oh never mind, you're clearly an idiot. I mean Christ, if you found the characters at all offensive then I think you need to take a good long look at yourself in the mirror.

Shakespear last week?

Maybe I'm just having a reaction to Twood.

Edit!: I didn't find the characters offensive, and neither has Kensie said that. I'm Gay FFS. I've also seen OAP loving before due to an Xtube blunder. I just find it poor story telling. There's a difference between showing you something, and telling you again and again. If they'd left out "sisters", but kept in the handholding in the end? Perfect.

[Boyatsea]

What a fucking stupid question. It's like the difference between a person telling you they are gay and then just acting normally, going about with their partner etc, and them reminding you "Oh, I'm gay by the way" every twenty minutes. It would grate. I have similar problems with straight people who are like, all over each other in social situations. Yeah you like each other, get a room.

When everyone has done with their hissy fits: I'm not offended. I just find it irritating that need to slip a reference in, much like they feel the need to solve everything with the Sonic. Apparently that makes me teh evil homophobic bastard. Right.

Their inclusion wasn't a 'reference' to homosexuality - it was simply a facet of two characters. If all the people in the cars had been white heterosexual humans, would that not have seemed a bit odd? The fact they were two married women was no more shoehorned in than the fact that one of the blokes in the cars had a completely red body. Given that you've admitted yourself that it didn't change the story at all, I'm not sure what problem you have with it.

If you honestly feel like RTD is trying to force something down your throat, then I'd suggest you have a few issues hidden away somewhere. This was merely a few side characters who happened to be in love, and happened to be women.