April 23, 2011
New Season of Doctor Who Starts Tonight
— Ace I think he's in America. He's been "in America" a lot, but it was always just a set in London or wherever or a CGI backdrop. They actually filmed here for the first time.
— Ace I think he's in America. He's been "in America" a lot, but it was always just a set in London or wherever or a CGI backdrop. They actually filmed here for the first time.
It's on BBCAmerica at 9. There's some kind of recap of the history of Doctor Who at 8. I imagine this means 38 minutes of Tennant, 3 minutes of Eccleston, 5 minutes for the current guy, and then a one minute montage of all the others (a fat 20 seconds for Tom Baker), and then some Daleks and, worse, commercials.
Hey, I love Tennant. Everyone loves him. But let's get into some new territory here. Show me some other flashbacks.
Here's a Dalek being funny, cracking wise to a Cyberman -- from 2:50 to the punchline at 3:25.
Posted by: Ace at
02:30 PM
| Comments (165)
Post contains 146 words, total size 1 kb.
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Actually found a couple of Tom Baker episodes on YouTube- City of Death and "Genesis of the Daleks" both very good ones.
Recorded this one tonight so I can catch the new series.
Posted by: CAC at April 23, 2011 02:34 PM (Gr1V1)
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Dang! I just opened up AoS, clicked on the new comments thingy and . . . no one was there. I'm thinkin' that there'll be at least 5 comments before I get this'n posted.
Posted by: Least at April 23, 2011 02:35 PM (0MXru)
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When Tennant was on "Top Gear," he said that when he was a kid, he wanted to be Doctor Who when he grew up. How cool is it that, out of tens of thousands of actors, he got the chance?
Posted by: Oschisms at April 23, 2011 02:35 PM (GqM5k)
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i like matt smith as the doctor. he reminds me of *the* doctor (tom baker).
yah, i'm a geek.
Posted by: hack at April 23, 2011 02:35 PM (dXa/D)
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All of you on this site have toilet mouth. President Obama saved us from the Bush "DEPRESSION" and now the economy is roaring back. Look at the Obama record and the Bush record you dimwits. I will take President Obama's economic record anyday !!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mary Clogginstein from Brattleboro, VT at April 23, 2011 02:39 PM (rWSsG)
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The Doctor is here! We must exterminate.
Posted by: Dalekinsantacruz at April 23, 2011 02:41 PM (GbCB1)
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Thanks for reminding me! Now that I finally have access to BBC America I can watch.
Doctor Who is about a time traveling alie, a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey, called The Doctor who can travel to any where any time in his time machine called a TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space). He is accompanied by assistants, known as Companions, usually just one but occasionally two or three. Companions are mostly humans from Earth, though not always from the modern times of a particular season.
Companions come and go across the seasons. Even The Doctor changes when a new actor plays him. This is called Regeneration. When the first actor to play The Doctor, William Hartnell, was too ill to continue, they came up with the idea of Regeneration for continuity sake to explain the new actor. The current Doctor, Matt Smith, is the 11th actor to portray the character. (Not counting an early movie with Peter Cushing and a tv episode where the First Doctor appeared but William Hartnell had already passed away .)
Doctor Who is also (in)famously known for its obvious, cheesy, and corny special effects. It was necessary because of low budgets when the show started, but it's so much part of the show now it's probably done on purpose in some cases even today.
Doctor Who is about a time traveling alie, a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey, called The Doctor who can travel to any where any time in his time machine called a TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space). He is accompanied by assistants, known as Companions, usually just one but occasionally two or three. Companions are mostly humans from Earth, though not always from the modern times of a particular season.
Companions come and go across the seasons. Even The Doctor changes when a new actor plays him. This is called Regeneration. When the first actor to play The Doctor, William Hartnell, was too ill to continue, they came up with the idea of Regeneration for continuity sake to explain the new actor. The current Doctor, Matt Smith, is the 11th actor to portray the character. (Not counting an early movie with Peter Cushing and a tv episode where the First Doctor appeared but William Hartnell had already passed away .)
Doctor Who is also (in)famously known for its obvious, cheesy, and corny special effects. It was necessary because of low budgets when the show started, but it's so much part of the show now it's probably done on purpose in some cases even today.
Posted by: hadsil at April 23, 2011 02:44 PM (KByDo)
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I keep hearing great things about this series but I don't like picking up anything a few seasons in. How many seasons are there at this point?
Posted by: laceyunderalls at April 23, 2011 02:48 PM (qx7HB)
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Good info about the recap show. I never watched Dr Who but was totally into Torchwood which was a spin off from Dr. Who.
Posted by: lauren at April 23, 2011 02:51 PM (2kaVc)
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>>>Yeah.. I have no freakin clue what Dr. Who is other than a TV show. What is it about?
See hadsil's post above. I would say:
He is an extremely advanced-tech alien who is essentially "magic" in the Arthur C. Clarke meaning (any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic). He is a Time Lord, last of his race, as they were all killed in massive cross-time war called the Time War. They died fighting the Daleks, who look like robots but actually are little mutant bug/slug creatures inside those steel bodies. They are essentially Space Nazis, "exterminating" all inferior life, which is all other life (and sometimes themselves, too).
The TARDIS looks like a 1960s London Police Box because it has a chameleon circuit which changes its appearance to make it blend in with whatever time and place he's traveled to, but the circuit is broken, and seems to believe a 1960s London Police Box fits in everywhere. It is famously "bigger on the inside" than the outside -- telephone-booth sized on the outside, roomy spaceship on the inside.
He's got two major pieces of gear he always uses, a sonic screwdriver which opens locks and programs computers and other tech at a distance, and "psychic paper," a blank piece of white paper inside a credentials wallet that he can project his thoughts to to make it appear like whatever credentials he wants them to be.
He's at least slightly insane, but in the "kind eccentric" kind of way, but he frequently puts his companions into serious danger without seeming to give it a lot of thought.
He basically saves the entire universe three or four times a season.
The show is guns-are-bad stupid, but they claim it's because the Doctor fought in the Time War and killed literally millions so he's a bit dodgy about using any further lethal force. Generally he tries to outwit or trick opponents, or magic-up some super-high tech Deus Ex Machina, but every once in a while he kills people.
He usually gives people a "choice" before he kills them, between violence and peaceful coexistence, and even though he dresses this up as a "choice," it sounds more like an "ultimatum" or "threat." When someone doesn't make the right "choice" he kills them. (Every once in a while someone makes the right choice.)
It's basically aimed at kids but always has been sort of in-between in being silly enough for kids but scary enough for adults. Because it was perceived as so scary it was initially very controversial in England, as kids would have to hide their eyes for parts of it.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 02:55 PM (nj1bB)
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ooohhhh, I hate david tennant. christ, he made me abandon the doctor after 20 odd yrs. he started strong but then over and over his "sorries" and his mock crucifixion poses just killed it for me. seriously 11 drs and he's at the bottom, below 7,3 and 8 even. yeah that's right I even prefer the wretched tv movie dr to tennant.
Posted by: tsepes at April 23, 2011 02:59 PM (kSPou)
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why is there a wee bob dylan in the address bar?
Posted by: tsepes at April 23, 2011 03:00 PM (kSPou)
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new Doctor Who -- good acting, bad stories
Have you seen the episode (mighta been a Christmas ep) where everyone had to "believe" in the Doctor?
So over the top. It was like a 12 yr old wrote the episode.
new Doctor Who -- good acting, bad stories
Have you seen the episode (mighta been a Christmas ep) where everyone had to "believe" in the Doctor?
So over the top. It was like a 12 yr old wrote the episode.
Posted by: microsoothsayer at April 23, 2011 03:00 PM (zb9qo)
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Red Dwarf was great. I could never get into Dr. Who.
Posted by: Penfold at April 23, 2011 03:02 PM (WdtC6)
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Incidentally, Elisabeth Sladen, who played Tom Baker and Jon Pertwee companion Sarah-Jane Smith (and was thus part of the Doctor Who ensemble that most Americans remember from the 80s), passed away last week from cancer.
Posted by: A. Pendragon at April 23, 2011 03:03 PM (XDdB5)
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Jeremy Brett is fantastic, but Steven Moffat the show runner on dr who also has a Sherlock series
Posted by: tsepes at April 23, 2011 03:05 PM (kSPou)
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>>>Have you seen the episode (mighta been a Christmas ep) where everyone had to "believe" in the Doctor?
The Christmas specials have been famously bad and child-oriented. Yeah, that was kind of stupid.
I forgot to mention a turn-off: Like Superman, there is a clear, clear, CLEAR God/Christ analogy going on with the Doctor. When you infuse super-tech indistinguishable from magic plus incredible lifespan and near immortality through regeneration, well, some writers cannot resist almost explicitly making the God connection.
I don't like when they do that. It's kind of barmy, and for the religious, it's sacrilegious, and just in terms of drama -- when you do that to Superman, it gets boring, because if he really is God-like, then, like, come on, what can beat him?
Especially in the Christmas episodes and the season finales they have tried to outdo themselves in terms of Godlike supernatural (via "technology") power. In the last season, they got absurd, and the universe was destroyed, but because The Doctor had a few fragments left of it and a time-machine he "rebooted it."
The shows where they feel they have to go "big" are usually disappointments and try way too hard to be "big." They wind up dumb.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 03:08 PM (nj1bB)
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Anyone remember Dark Shadows?
That show was Teh Suxx0r.
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at April 23, 2011 03:12 PM (h8pRl)
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Yes, the new doctor is supposed to be the Universe's savior. In one ep, David Tennant met Satan...and battled him. You probably saw it. And sometimes The Doctor is just a godsend.
The original doctor was just an alien with the ability and knowledge to travel through time & space.
Yes, the new doctor is supposed to be the Universe's savior. In one ep, David Tennant met Satan...and battled him. You probably saw it. And sometimes The Doctor is just a godsend.
The original doctor was just an alien with the ability and knowledge to travel through time & space.
Posted by: microsoothsayer at April 23, 2011 03:15 PM (zb9qo)
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I liked Tom Baker.Didn't watch it after that.Don't like limeys.Bet they get their shots in on America often.Fuck them.(That was my Cyberman impression)
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 03:15 PM (z18dJ)
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Now that I recollect that episode with the devil, I remember The Doctor spending half the ep telling the devil he didn't exist.
Now that I recollect that episode with the devil, I remember The Doctor spending half the ep telling the devil he didn't exist.
Posted by: microsoothsayer at April 23, 2011 03:17 PM (gYzmF)
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Okay, now I'm gonna go bake my Lemon Bars. While watching DVR'd episodes of The Millionaire Matchmaker.
Okay, now I'm gonna go bake my Lemon Bars. While watching DVR'd episodes of The Millionaire Matchmaker.
Posted by: arhooley at April 23, 2011 03:17 PM (bSeRP)
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I've tried watching this show a few times, and it has always struck me as extremely stupid.
Also, the fact that in the 1980's the writers pretty much engineered every episode to be anti-Thatcherite turned me off to it forever.
http://tinyurl.com/3hq5pjb
Posted by: JohnW at April 23, 2011 03:20 PM (c45mq)
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The one big bit of geek culture I can't seem to get into is Dr. Who. I've tried, I really have.
And I love British humor. Read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in the 6th grade and thought it was, literally, the funniest thing I'd ever read in my life. In junior high I discovered Monty Python and quoted it for years until I burned out on it in college.
Love Blackadder. Love Red Dwarf. Even dug Yes, Minister.
I love Terry Pratchett. I love Neil Gaiman.
I love sci-fi and love things British. But Dr. Who just leaves me cold every time I try and watch. I just get bored.
And I love British humor. Read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in the 6th grade and thought it was, literally, the funniest thing I'd ever read in my life. In junior high I discovered Monty Python and quoted it for years until I burned out on it in college.
Love Blackadder. Love Red Dwarf. Even dug Yes, Minister.
I love Terry Pratchett. I love Neil Gaiman.
I love sci-fi and love things British. But Dr. Who just leaves me cold every time I try and watch. I just get bored.
Posted by: Clubber Lang at April 23, 2011 03:21 PM (QcFbt)
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Although I have to admit that Amy Pond chick is pretty goddamn cute.
Posted by: JohnW at April 23, 2011 03:27 PM (c45mq)
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33 Hah. Dr Who is probably the only Brit thing I'll bother watching. Never even finished watching Monty Python's Holy Grail thinger in about 3 tries over the years. Borrrring!
Posted by: 7 Chinese Spammers at April 23, 2011 03:27 PM (SMqnS)
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Neil Gaiman wrote one of the episodes this season. It's the fourth one.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 03:27 PM (nj1bB)
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The special should be 100% Tennant and 0% anyone else (and it should be dedicated to Elisabeth Sladen, the actress who played Sarah Jane Smith, who passed away this week).
Posted by: Rod Rescueman at April 23, 2011 03:27 PM (QxGmu)
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>>>the fact that in the 1980's the writers pretty much engineered every episode to be anti-Thatcherite turned me off to it forever.
they still do that once in a while, for no reason except moral vanity. But, most of the time, it's space aliens.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 03:28 PM (nj1bB)
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No matter what they do, it will never beat The Caves of Adrozani episode. Never.
I don't even watch that much TV. But no way I am missing this. I haven't enjoyed BBC TV this much since Fawlty Towers.
I don't even watch that much TV. But no way I am missing this. I haven't enjoyed BBC TV this much since Fawlty Towers.
Posted by: Marcus at April 23, 2011 03:28 PM (hT+4i)
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I have to say, as someone who like both British things and science fiction, this show seems like the single gayest thing of all time.
Posted by: Jeff B. at April 23, 2011 03:29 PM (NjYDy)
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no it was with the blonde one. I just saw that like three months ago.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 03:31 PM (nj1bB)
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I have to say, as someone who like both British things and science
fiction, this show seems like the single gayest thing of all time.
It runs at 7 PM on BBC One. In other words, children are the target audience. That's why the villains are all cartoonish/comic bookish. It's a children's series that, thanks to some fantastic writing and acting, appeals to adults.
You may like the adult spin-off, Torchwood (9 PM, BBC Three, very different target audience)
It runs at 7 PM on BBC One. In other words, children are the target audience. That's why the villains are all cartoonish/comic bookish. It's a children's series that, thanks to some fantastic writing and acting, appeals to adults.
You may like the adult spin-off, Torchwood (9 PM, BBC Three, very different target audience)
Posted by: Rod Rescueman at April 23, 2011 03:33 PM (QxGmu)
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Okay, having now gone back read Ace's & hadsil's comments explaining the backstory of Dr. Who, I have to say that it sounds like a pretty cool and promising premise. But dear god...that clip was six kinds of incomprehensible (impossible to understand what the robot cannon-fodder dudes [Cybermen?] were even saying) and the acting was hammy & the FX were cheesy. I get that the cheesiness is sort of part of the point, but still...am I missing out? Should I give it a chance? And am I hopelessly lost if I try watching now?
Posted by: Jeff B. at April 23, 2011 03:34 PM (NjYDy)
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I didn't tell you to watch the whole clip, dummy, I linked it for the 45 second joke.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 03:36 PM (nj1bB)
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I dunno Jeff B. It isn't really Sci Fi, if that helps.
Posted by: 7 Chinese Spammers at April 23, 2011 03:37 PM (SMqnS)
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Fawlty Towers was hilarious.A pity Cleese turned out to be a typical liberal Brit douche.
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 03:38 PM (z18dJ)
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Remember the ep with Kylie Minogue? She was on a luxury liner in space. the captain was Geoffrey Palmer, the guy from As Time Goes By with Judi Dench...who has enormous boobs.
Remember the ep with Kylie Minogue? She was on a luxury liner in space. the captain was Geoffrey Palmer, the guy from As Time Goes By with Judi Dench...who has enormous boobs.
Posted by: Leftover Soothsayers at April 23, 2011 03:38 PM (DTy7x)
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Huge Who fan here. Nice to see you paying respects to the good Time Lord, Ace.
I've seen "The Impossible Astronaut" and found it to be pretty good entertainment. For those folks who have yet to experience the show, I recommend doing the YouTube thingy and catching the following episodes to get a feel of the show:
"Blink" - Easily the best of the series since the 2005 relaunch.
"The Girl in the Fireplace" - Good blend of drama, sci-fi, and romance.
"Smith and Jones" - Solid example of how the Doctor befriends a new companion.
"The Eleventh Hour" - First full episode of the 11th incarnation of the Doctor.
There are others to be sure that fans can argue over, but I stuck with single entry outings versus the multi-part, if only to show what concise entertainment looks like.
Thanks for bring it up, Ace! ;-)
I've seen "The Impossible Astronaut" and found it to be pretty good entertainment. For those folks who have yet to experience the show, I recommend doing the YouTube thingy and catching the following episodes to get a feel of the show:
"Blink" - Easily the best of the series since the 2005 relaunch.
"The Girl in the Fireplace" - Good blend of drama, sci-fi, and romance.
"Smith and Jones" - Solid example of how the Doctor befriends a new companion.
"The Eleventh Hour" - First full episode of the 11th incarnation of the Doctor.
There are others to be sure that fans can argue over, but I stuck with single entry outings versus the multi-part, if only to show what concise entertainment looks like.
Thanks for bring it up, Ace! ;-)
Posted by: itzWicks at April 23, 2011 03:38 PM (iYwji)
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The joke was just:
"You would declare war on the Cybermen?"
"THIS. IS. NOT. WAR. THIS. IS. PEST CONTROL."
"We are five million, how many are you?"
"FOUR."
"You would kill the Cybermen with just four Daleks?"
"WE. WOULD. KILL THE CYBERMEN. WITH ONE. DALEK. YOU ARE INFERIOR, IN ALL. BUT. ONE. WAY."
"What way is that?"
"YOU. ARE. BETTER. AT DYING."
Come on. Funny, funny Dalek.
I guess you need the context of the Daleks declaring everything inferior and themselves SUP-ER-IOR, and also EXTERMINATING everything inferior.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 03:40 PM (nj1bB)
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Actually, Ace, I laffed at that one part. The pinched "EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!" voice the Dalek delivered it in was a big part of the funny, too.
It's funny, I know nothing of Dr. Who, but thanks to Mystery Science Theater 3000 and their endless references to Dr. Who and the Daleks (mostly during the Joel years) I get a lot of those references. Like knowing about the above line, or what a "TARDIS" is, etc. Weird how cultural osmosis works like that.
Isn't there supposed to be one season of Dr. Who that's entire lost? As in, a new actor was brought in for that one year, but the BBC never saved the tapes and nobody recorded it so it's gone forever? Again, I have no fucking clue why I know this.
It's funny, I know nothing of Dr. Who, but thanks to Mystery Science Theater 3000 and their endless references to Dr. Who and the Daleks (mostly during the Joel years) I get a lot of those references. Like knowing about the above line, or what a "TARDIS" is, etc. Weird how cultural osmosis works like that.
Isn't there supposed to be one season of Dr. Who that's entire lost? As in, a new actor was brought in for that one year, but the BBC never saved the tapes and nobody recorded it so it's gone forever? Again, I have no fucking clue why I know this.
Posted by: Jeff B. at April 23, 2011 03:45 PM (NjYDy)
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I don't think that I have the required suspension of disbelief skills.
I guess they had to invent intergalactic time traveling super doctors to compensate for being constantly reminded that although their empire has been long since flushed, the rotten residue still gives a large part of the world a collective rash.
They still have a fucking queen for chrissakes, and BBC makes the NYT look like an honest news broker.
Other than that I'm cool with it.
I guess they had to invent intergalactic time traveling super doctors to compensate for being constantly reminded that although their empire has been long since flushed, the rotten residue still gives a large part of the world a collective rash.
They still have a fucking queen for chrissakes, and BBC makes the NYT look like an honest news broker.
Other than that I'm cool with it.
Posted by: ontherocks at April 23, 2011 03:45 PM (HBqDo)
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A pity Cleese turned out to be a typical liberal Brit douche.
And one who's now written off the Londonistan that he's helped create.
And one who's now written off the Londonistan that he's helped create.
Posted by: andycanuck at April 23, 2011 03:46 PM (Y1DZt)
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And elected presidents turn out so well especially as symbols for respecting the rule of law.
Posted by: president o'bumbles at April 23, 2011 03:48 PM (Y1DZt)
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Going up against "Game of Thrones"?! Thank goodness for the DVR!
Posted by: MCPO Airdale at April 23, 2011 03:48 PM (FAyWo)
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Talk about being in the tank, though, "President Obama" appears in the last David Tennant episode, and he is portrayed as nothing short of an economic genius upon whose word the entire world waits with baited breath.
In fact, the cliffhanger ending to the first part involves Obama being interrupted by the villain just as he's about to deliver "an instant and radical solution to the worldwide depression." The TV journalist who says this then asserts that "President Obama will lead us all to a new era of peace and prosperity."
Now, back when Bush was still in office, the American President depicted on Dr Who was a cowboy who gets killed by the villain.
I love Dr Who, but the guy who wrote that is an imbecile, as if the only "instant and radical solution to the worldwide depression" that the real Obama would have up his sleeve would be "hey, let's try global communism!"
In fact, the cliffhanger ending to the first part involves Obama being interrupted by the villain just as he's about to deliver "an instant and radical solution to the worldwide depression." The TV journalist who says this then asserts that "President Obama will lead us all to a new era of peace and prosperity."
Now, back when Bush was still in office, the American President depicted on Dr Who was a cowboy who gets killed by the villain.
I love Dr Who, but the guy who wrote that is an imbecile, as if the only "instant and radical solution to the worldwide depression" that the real Obama would have up his sleeve would be "hey, let's try global communism!"
Posted by: Kensington at April 23, 2011 03:50 PM (mEyVv)
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As far as two-part episodes go, I'll show my bias and throw down the follow Top 5 (in no particular order:
The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances - WWII backdrop introducing 51st Century pansexual Captain Jack Harkness to the series.
The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit - Futuristic adventure set in an improbable location. Introduction of the Ood, the oddest looking species yet on the show.
Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead - Milestone episode in which the Doctor and his companion check out the largest library in the 51st Century. River Song and the Vashta Nerada - enough said.
The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone - River Song returns, and so do the Weeping Angels.
The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang - Epic storytelling that you can't just walk in on, but still stands out on its own if you are too impatient to watch the 5th season prior to viewing this Back To The Future vibe (and that's not knocking it if you happen to like the aforementioned movie).
Okay, somebody punch my nerd ticket. ;-)
The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances - WWII backdrop introducing 51st Century pansexual Captain Jack Harkness to the series.
The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit - Futuristic adventure set in an improbable location. Introduction of the Ood, the oddest looking species yet on the show.
Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead - Milestone episode in which the Doctor and his companion check out the largest library in the 51st Century. River Song and the Vashta Nerada - enough said.
The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone - River Song returns, and so do the Weeping Angels.
The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang - Epic storytelling that you can't just walk in on, but still stands out on its own if you are too impatient to watch the 5th season prior to viewing this Back To The Future vibe (and that's not knocking it if you happen to like the aforementioned movie).
Okay, somebody punch my nerd ticket. ;-)
Posted by: itzWicks at April 23, 2011 03:54 PM (iYwji)
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When I tried to "get" Dr. Who I watched some of the old episodes. Perhaps that was a poor choice. Probably should have started with the new.
Other Brit tv shows I dig:
Fawlty Towers, of course
Alan Partridge (Really funny. Back of the net.)
Little Britain (at times, a lot of the time it was just disgusting, come to think of it, most of it kinda sucked. I think I just liked the intro - Britain, Britain, Britain!... Land of technological achievement! We've had running water for over ten years, an underground tunnel that links us to Peru and we invented the cat! )
Other Brit tv shows I dig:
Fawlty Towers, of course
Alan Partridge (Really funny. Back of the net.)
Little Britain (at times, a lot of the time it was just disgusting, come to think of it, most of it kinda sucked. I think I just liked the intro - Britain, Britain, Britain!... Land of technological achievement! We've had running water for over ten years, an underground tunnel that links us to Peru and we invented the cat! )
Posted by: Clubber Lang at April 23, 2011 03:54 PM (QcFbt)
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>>>Isn't there supposed to be one season of Dr. Who that's entire lost?
Yes, many episodes of the first three seasons are lost forever because the BBC used to just tape over the videotapes of already-broadcast shows.
It's not a complete season that's missing, it's like three quarters of one missing, half of another, etc. Spotty. In some cases, like, they have the first three episodes of a four part story but not the last one. Because few of the multipart stories are complete, basically all three seasons are lost, except for maybe a couple of stories they got lucky with.
But that was way back in 66-69 or so, so I doubt modern viewers would be watching them anyway. The effects would be too lame, and in the very beginning, the show was different, it was educational, for kids, so he'd always have either a science professor or history professor on board to explain things to kids.
Shortly into the first season they discovered MONSTERS, and then it became the horror-themed sci-fi fantasy show it is now. Some of the early episodes have no sci-fi component at all, except that the Doctor is present at historical events.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 03:55 PM (nj1bB)
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I love this Dr. Who, Matt Smith. He's the best since Baker.
Posted by: rdbrewer at April 23, 2011 03:55 PM (kcZ/o)
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Yeah, as far as lost Dr Who episodes go, the vast majority of the 2nd Doctor's era was wiped out (unless you believe the rumors that copies still exist in the hands of private owners who won't share).
And that's a real shame, because you can tell from the handful of his episodes that still exist that he was a pretty charming Doctor.
And that's a real shame, because you can tell from the handful of his episodes that still exist that he was a pretty charming Doctor.
Posted by: Kensington at April 23, 2011 03:57 PM (mEyVv)
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>>> I guess they had to invent intergalactic time traveling super doctors to compensate for being constantly reminded that although their empire has been long since flushed, the rotten residue still gives a large part of the world a collective rash.
Well that's my running joke. Great Britain is prominent in the earth's space history, including, oddly enough, having a Death Star type super-laser in the *present day* to ward off alien attackers.
So I always say, "Science fiction is a faster than light space ship or ray gun; Science FANTASY is the British having it."
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 03:57 PM (nj1bB)
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Actually, Ace, the majority of the first Doctor's episodes are still intact, including most of the first and second seasons.
It's the second Doctor who bore the brunt of the erasures.
It's the second Doctor who bore the brunt of the erasures.
Posted by: Kensington at April 23, 2011 03:59 PM (mEyVv)
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Cool how the genesis stick resembles a plunger. Some things just never go out of style.
Posted by: sTevo at April 23, 2011 03:59 PM (VMcEw)
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It's really damn ironic that Cleese now refuses to live in London because it doesn't feel "English" enough and he complains that England has turned into the land of the yob and nobody respects tradition and hard work and middle class values or shows respect to others. Cleese became a millionaire and got knighted (I think he did. Did he?) for relentlessly mocking and undermining every aspect of traditional middle class British society as stupid and worthless, if not actively evil and malevolent.
Posted by: Clubber Lang at April 23, 2011 04:00 PM (QcFbt)
69
Posted by: Kensington at April 23, 2011 07:50 PM (mEyVv)
I hear you, RTD was a left of center soul who probably was as intellectually dishonest as the folks who wrote for the show during the periods in which they were produced. Star Trek in the 60s were cranked out by writers who were also patriots and firm believers of capitalism and democracy. Star Trek in the 80s, er, not so much. And don't get me started with that mixed bag in the 90s.
I'll still take a Doctor Who episode over most of the garbage lame material being written today. Go figure. ;-)
I hear you, RTD was a left of center soul who probably was as intellectually dishonest as the folks who wrote for the show during the periods in which they were produced. Star Trek in the 60s were cranked out by writers who were also patriots and firm believers of capitalism and democracy. Star Trek in the 80s, er, not so much. And don't get me started with that mixed bag in the 90s.
I'll still take a Doctor Who episode over most of the garbage lame material being written today. Go figure. ;-)
Posted by: itzWicks at April 23, 2011 04:02 PM (iYwji)
70
...Science FANTASY is the British having it."
And don't forget, Ace, the UN is competent enough to run a competent military force, UNIT, and not using competent Anglosphere troops as in the real world.
And don't forget, Ace, the UN is competent enough to run a competent military force, UNIT, and not using competent Anglosphere troops as in the real world.
Posted by: andycanuck at April 23, 2011 04:02 PM (Y1DZt)
71
Also, there's a British Dr Who writer who has grown to hate the new series, so much that he eventually opted to stop watching it entirely.
His website is here. He's kind of a leftist douchebag, but some of his Who criticisms are really funny. Look at the montage of photos and jokes that run down the right border of his page. They are hilarious.
He sometimes writes blistering critiques, but he usually removes them within a day or two. He's sort of odd. But he frequently makes good points about Dr Who.
His website is here. He's kind of a leftist douchebag, but some of his Who criticisms are really funny. Look at the montage of photos and jokes that run down the right border of his page. They are hilarious.
He sometimes writes blistering critiques, but he usually removes them within a day or two. He's sort of odd. But he frequently makes good points about Dr Who.
Posted by: Kensington at April 23, 2011 04:04 PM (mEyVv)
72
>>I don't think that I have the required suspension of disbelief skills
That happened to me at the end of Sucker Punch when the bus driver lied to the State Troopers and offered her the ride for free.
Man. That just blew it for me.
Posted by: 7 Chinese Spammers at April 23, 2011 04:04 PM (SMqnS)
73
I can remember reading a few links at the Biased BBC anti-BBC site complaining about the recent Dr Who series, Kensington, so you're not the only one.
Posted by: andycanuck at April 23, 2011 04:04 PM (Y1DZt)
74
56 59 Read the piece.The Obama references were in like the only episode I tried to watch of the new show so you can forgive me for my instant hate.
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:06 PM (z18dJ)
75
(And by 'recent' I mean the post-9/11 series rebirth. I can't recall the anti-Thatcher moments, but I was watching it first-run in my teens and not as a full adult.)
Posted by: andycanuck at April 23, 2011 04:07 PM (Y1DZt)
76
hey still do that once in a while, for no reason except moral vanity. But, most of the time, it's space aliens.
That's one reason I like the new producer/creator, Steven Moffat, I think. It's basically scifi now. The last one, Russell Davies, injected his simpleton politics into every show. In his last episode, he gave Obama a sloppy blowjob.
That's one reason I like the new producer/creator, Steven Moffat, I think. It's basically scifi now. The last one, Russell Davies, injected his simpleton politics into every show. In his last episode, he gave Obama a sloppy blowjob.
Posted by: rdbrewer at April 23, 2011 04:07 PM (kcZ/o)
77
I also have to admit that, although I was ecstatic when the show was revived in 2005, my interest and enthusiasm has waned every year since, to the extent that I still haven't watched the last Christmas episode.
If you'd asked me ten years ago if I would ever skip a new episode of Dr Who, I would have said "of course not! I love Dr Who!"
And I still do love Dr Who, but I don't always like it so much anymore. In fact, I thought the last season was largely disappointing. I realize I'm in a minority though.
And I'm not talking about the politics, either, just the overall quality of the stories.
If you'd asked me ten years ago if I would ever skip a new episode of Dr Who, I would have said "of course not! I love Dr Who!"
And I still do love Dr Who, but I don't always like it so much anymore. In fact, I thought the last season was largely disappointing. I realize I'm in a minority though.
And I'm not talking about the politics, either, just the overall quality of the stories.
Posted by: Kensington at April 23, 2011 04:09 PM (mEyVv)
78
And yeah, one of the worst political moments of the new series was when the Christopher Eccleston Doctor swooned about the welfare state in "The Doctor Dances" (an otherwise outstanding episode).
And that line, unfortunately, was written by the current creative head of the show, Steven Moffat.
And that line, unfortunately, was written by the current creative head of the show, Steven Moffat.
Posted by: Kensington at April 23, 2011 04:11 PM (mEyVv)
79
>>>I also have to admit that, although I was ecstatic when the show was revived in 2005, my interest and enthusiasm has waned every year since, to the extent that I still haven't watched the last Christmas episode.
I understand that one was good. I haven't seen it, but apparently he uses the TARDIS to Scrooge someone -- ghost of Christmas present, past, future.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 04:13 PM (nj1bB)
80
>>>It's the second Doctor who bore the brunt of the erasures.
Ah, okay. Thanks for correcting.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 04:15 PM (nj1bB)
81
Karen Gillan is a great companion for Matt Smith. Plus, she's gorgeous. That red hair. Those green eyes. Wow.
Posted by: rdbrewer at April 23, 2011 04:15 PM (kcZ/o)
82
She's cute but I liked Martha Jones a lot more, in terms of pure hottitude, and Billie Piper was sort of not as genuinely pretty but also hotter.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 04:17 PM (nj1bB)
83
Christmas? Y'all, that last Christmas episode was golden.
Posted by: rdbrewer at April 23, 2011 04:17 PM (kcZ/o)
84
but the audio is still intact for the missing eps
So what people do is throw up a still and just run the audio for the segments of missing film. Some of us still enjoy the old eps.
but the audio is still intact for the missing eps
So what people do is throw up a still and just run the audio for the segments of missing film. Some of us still enjoy the old eps.
Posted by: Amiral Soothsayer Stockdale at April 23, 2011 04:18 PM (DTy7x)
85
I think Martha Jones got stuck with a lame arc. It was like all an apology to the fans that Billie Piper was gone. But she was good.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 04:18 PM (nj1bB)
86
Yeah, I'll watch the Christmas episode. It's just that it's been sitting on my DVR since it was broadcast, and I haven't felt compelled to watch it.
That's sort of what I'm talking about. Once upon a time I spent every night after a new Who episode scouring the Internet to find a torrent so I could watch it immediately.
Nowadays it's "eh, I'll get around to it eventually."
That's sort of what I'm talking about. Once upon a time I spent every night after a new Who episode scouring the Internet to find a torrent so I could watch it immediately.
Nowadays it's "eh, I'll get around to it eventually."
Posted by: Kensington at April 23, 2011 04:19 PM (mEyVv)
87
I like UFO.I have the complete series DVD(okay,it's 2 seasons)
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:22 PM (z18dJ)
91
great opening credits.
I should do a post-- 30 best tv credits (action/cop stuff, not comedy).
Quality of the show not considered.
Or maybe make it expressly awesome credits for lackluster shows.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 04:24 PM (nj1bB)
92
I just watched much of the Greatest American Hero on Netflix. Maybe half or two thirds of the episodes.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 04:24 PM (nj1bB)
93
89 True.91 First season was good.2nd season is a different show.
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:25 PM (z18dJ)
94
Okay, let me give you a for instance of how lame and stupid this show is.
In the first episode of the "rebirth," Christopher Eccleston has to save the Earth from some virus or what not that takes over plastic. So the big disaster that sweeps over London is a metric buttload of plastic mannequins walking through the streets of London KARATE CHOPPING THE AIR as they chase down humans. It was so freaking ridiculous looking that I guess it was, in fact, entertaining.
The other episodes I've tried to watch are the Dr being an insufferable know it all who acts all cutesy shmutesy. Kids, of course, immediately like him because children are so wise or some shit. And his technobabble skills with his sonic screwdriver put Geordi LaForge to shame.
I do remember watching the old stuff on PBS as a kid. I liked Tom Baker, K-9 was cool, and the amazon chick who hung around with him was involved in a lot of my adolescent fantasies. But even then, I realized that the show was crap with a cool theme song.
Posted by: JohnW at April 23, 2011 04:25 PM (c45mq)
96
Ace, you never watched the Stargate shows, did you?
Posted by: Mama AJ at April 23, 2011 04:26 PM (XdlcF)
97
There are some very good UFO episodes.The first episode is very good.It even nods to "realism" as an American is in command of SHADO(and it's made clear the US is paying for everything).
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:27 PM (z18dJ)
100
Watching the Dragnet 1954 movie. Jack Webb was so cool.
Posted by: mpfs at April 23, 2011 04:27 PM (3TjSM)
101
96 Gingery goodness.Very plain pic but clear potential.
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:27 PM (z18dJ)
102
We will have achieved parity of narrative when we see wind turbines in space in up coming episodes.
We will have achieved parity of narrative when we see wind turbines in space in up coming episodes.
Posted by: sTevo at April 23, 2011 04:29 PM (VMcEw)
103
Or maybe make it expressly awesome credits for lackluster shows.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 08:24 PM (nj1bB)
Sounds like the current plan of the MBM concerning Odimwit.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 08:24 PM (nj1bB)
Sounds like the current plan of the MBM concerning Odimwit.
Posted by: ontherocks at April 23, 2011 04:29 PM (HBqDo)
104
99 The wigs were supposed to be to protect the instruments from static or something.Seriously.
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:29 PM (z18dJ)
105
But even then, I realized that the show was crap with a cool theme song.
It wasn't crap during the Baker years.
I'd like to see them bring back K-9. That was a cool fookin' dog.
It wasn't crap during the Baker years.
I'd like to see them bring back K-9. That was a cool fookin' dog.
Posted by: rdbrewer at April 23, 2011 04:29 PM (kcZ/o)
106
I listened to the full version of the Hawaii Five-0 theme song the other day.
Awesome. Most of what makes it and other tv show openings so great is the nostalgia effect, though, which is okay.
I listened to the full version of the Hawaii Five-0 theme song the other day.
Awesome. Most of what makes it and other tv show openings so great is the nostalgia effect, though, which is okay.
Posted by: Amiral Soothsayer Stockdale at April 23, 2011 04:30 PM (DTy7x)
107
I like Matt Smith but I liked David Tennant more. Tennant is the greater actor and his Doctor had a more defined personality, whereas Smith plays a combination of previous Doctors. But that all might change this season.
Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at April 23, 2011 04:31 PM (uVLrI)
108
106 Those were the episodes I watched.I only vaguely remember story arcs.I remember liking the Dalek and Cybermen arcs the best though.
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:31 PM (z18dJ)
112
I liked that in UFO the aliens were pretty much ruthless and evil.They want us for parts!Only a couple of episodes try to portray them as having any sympathy.2 individuals.
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:33 PM (z18dJ)
113
112 True,he's an alien that pretends to be British though.
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:34 PM (z18dJ)
114
Gabrielle Drake from UFO. Her brother was the genius singer-songwriter Nick Drake. Nick Drake was three decades ahead of his time.
Posted by: rdbrewer at April 23, 2011 04:34 PM (kcZ/o)
117
97
Ace, you never watched the Stargate shows, did you?
Posted by: Mama AJ at April 23, 2011 08:26 PM (XdlcF)
All 10 seasons of SG-1 are free on Hulu now.
Posted by: AmishDude at April 23, 2011 04:39 PM (73tyQ)
118
116 The wife of the shows creator did all the fashion designs,it is set in 1980!,but very 70's of course.
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:39 PM (z18dJ)
119
Ace, like... you are a posting prolific writing machine. Are you now running on synthetic?
Whatever it is... keep it up. You da man.
Posted by: journolist at April 23, 2011 04:40 PM (iHfo1)
120
I remeber on Sunday afternoons in NY I would get excited when the ITC logo came up,yeah it was going to be UFO or Space:1999!!Sometimes it was The Saint(which I liked but it wasn't scifi).
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:41 PM (z18dJ)
121
My boy just did his 4H public presentation on dr. who. I am waiting until next week so i can watch part 1 and then part 2.
Posted by: ParanoidAnxietyGirlInSeattle at April 23, 2011 04:43 PM (RZ8pf)
122
Wow... we got Steevy, Amishdude, nickless, rdbrewer, andycanuck, sooth, Mama AJ and Ace all in the comments here...
We haz executive quorum.
Posted by: journolist at April 23, 2011 04:43 PM (iHfo1)
123
Sometimes Dr. Who is entertaining and sometimes it's damn stupid. I do like the fact that as long as you know the very basic lore of the series, you can watch whatever episode you want without being too lost.
Posted by: EmilyM. at April 23, 2011 04:44 PM (rSB/0)
124
How many episodes made up one of those Tom Baker story arcs?I remember them being on Saturday mornings,usually running 2 story arcs at once in back to back episodes.
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 04:47 PM (z18dJ)
125
I'm off to see if it's on BBC Canada (I think it is). And if not, then I'll watch the Big Bang Theory marathon on our Comedy network instead.
It's hot in here--it must be Summer.
It's hot in here--it must be Summer.
Posted by: andycanuck at April 23, 2011 04:48 PM (Y1DZt)
126
All 10 seasons of SG-1 are free on Hulu now.
But if you watch it on Netflix you get full frontal nutity in the pilot!
(For some reason, the humor, the in jokes and references, they appeal to me. Go figure.)
Posted by: Mama AJ at April 23, 2011 04:50 PM (XdlcF)
127
they usually went 4-6 half-hour segments per ep
But with Tom Baker they had a really long story arc in his final years. I forget but he was on a mission to find some stones or some such shit.
they usually went 4-6 half-hour segments per ep
But with Tom Baker they had a really long story arc in his final years. I forget but he was on a mission to find some stones or some such shit.
Posted by: Amiral Soothsayer Stockdale at April 23, 2011 04:50 PM (DTy7x)
128
I have seen pretty much every episode of the original series that still exists (and some reconstructions of ones that don't). I'm a geek.
But the new show started out okay and quickly wore out. It descended into cheap, manipulative shit, romance, repetition, self-indulgence, and self-reference.
You know one thing that REALLY pissed me off?
"I'm Rose Tyler, and this is how I died."
Except she didn't die, not even metaphorically. It was a lie, a complete lie to throw in and manipulate the fanboys.
I quit watching after 'Last of the Time Lords,' which was a complete fucking mess.
It's hype, hype, hype, and cheap manipulation. The old show has its ups and downs, but it is what it is and was successful for decades, and it didn't insult my intelligence.
But the new show started out okay and quickly wore out. It descended into cheap, manipulative shit, romance, repetition, self-indulgence, and self-reference.
You know one thing that REALLY pissed me off?
"I'm Rose Tyler, and this is how I died."
Except she didn't die, not even metaphorically. It was a lie, a complete lie to throw in and manipulate the fanboys.
I quit watching after 'Last of the Time Lords,' which was a complete fucking mess.
It's hype, hype, hype, and cheap manipulation. The old show has its ups and downs, but it is what it is and was successful for decades, and it didn't insult my intelligence.
Posted by: nickless at April 23, 2011 04:52 PM (MMC8r)
129
We haz executive quorum.
Where else would we be on a Saturday night?
<sigh>
Watching the pilot episode of "Journyman" on Hulu. We'll see how it is...
Posted by: Mama AJ at April 23, 2011 04:56 PM (XdlcF)
130
You know what's a good show (that got canceled for no good reason) to watch?
I dunno if it's on Hulu, but DAYBREAK is very good. Like Journeyman, it lasted only 13 eps.
Daybreak is pretty good. 8/10.
You know what's a good show (that got canceled for no good reason) to watch?
I dunno if it's on Hulu, but DAYBREAK is very good. Like Journeyman, it lasted only 13 eps.
Daybreak is pretty good. 8/10.
Posted by: Amiral Soothsayer Stockdale at April 23, 2011 04:59 PM (DTy7x)
132
And the first time Tennant did that 'Bares his teeth like he's really constipated' thing I wanted to smash him in the face.
Posted by: nickless at April 23, 2011 05:08 PM (MMC8r)
133
Posted by: andycanuck at April 23, 2011 08:48 PM (Y1DZt)
I just watched it on Space.
It was alright. There was one major revelation by Amy Pond. The entire time, I'm thinking "Please God, don't...this won't be good...I don't want to hear this shit...please don't...." but she said it...
And it's hanging out there killing my desire to see any more episodes....
Posted by: Canadian Infidel at April 23, 2011 05:23 PM (GKQDR)
136
Loved Journeyman. It was quite the tragedy to see it ended before its time while Chuck went on for seasons more. Ugh. At least the ending on screen was decent enough for "conclusion purposes."
I hate it when networks do shows like that. Crusade. Firefly. John Doe.
Anyway, back to thread topic. Am I the only one who really enjoys the post 2005 series? The 9th, 10th, and 11th Doctors were each special in their own way, and politics aside, I liked them all. As far as companions go, Captain Jack Harkness and Doctor River Song were the most useful, each carrying their own way and often in little need of rescuing, unlike Rose, Martha, Mickey, Donna, and Amy.
Drat, can't wait for next week's episode,.
I hate it when networks do shows like that. Crusade. Firefly. John Doe.
Anyway, back to thread topic. Am I the only one who really enjoys the post 2005 series? The 9th, 10th, and 11th Doctors were each special in their own way, and politics aside, I liked them all. As far as companions go, Captain Jack Harkness and Doctor River Song were the most useful, each carrying their own way and often in little need of rescuing, unlike Rose, Martha, Mickey, Donna, and Amy.
Drat, can't wait for next week's episode,.
Posted by: itzWicks at April 23, 2011 06:07 PM (iYwji)
137
I haven't seen any of the newest Doctor episodes, but I think dressing him as a late 40's early 50's rocket geek is a nice touch. I hope he is good.
I went through phases with Tennent. At first I didn't like him because he struck me as the live action Japanese anime vision of Dr Who. Bleccch. Then he kind of grew on me, especially the weeping angel episode, but then later he became too much of a messianic figure. I prefer my Doctors to be Victorian men of action.
The best episodes were from the Tom Baker years when Phil Hinchcliffe was the producer. The guy obviously had a thing for Hammer movies and 50's scifi. "Talons of Wen Chiang" is a brilliant Sherlock holmes/Fu Man Chu mash up/spoof. The "Pyramids of Mars" is a great send up of the Hammer mummy with Lee and Cushing. And "Horror of Fang Rock" has a real Terence Fisher vibe to it.
Oh and "Genesis of the Daleks" actually commits some real science fiction here and there. They way they work in the Davros prequel backstory is very well done.
There are lots of episodes available on netflicks.
I went through phases with Tennent. At first I didn't like him because he struck me as the live action Japanese anime vision of Dr Who. Bleccch. Then he kind of grew on me, especially the weeping angel episode, but then later he became too much of a messianic figure. I prefer my Doctors to be Victorian men of action.
The best episodes were from the Tom Baker years when Phil Hinchcliffe was the producer. The guy obviously had a thing for Hammer movies and 50's scifi. "Talons of Wen Chiang" is a brilliant Sherlock holmes/Fu Man Chu mash up/spoof. The "Pyramids of Mars" is a great send up of the Hammer mummy with Lee and Cushing. And "Horror of Fang Rock" has a real Terence Fisher vibe to it.
Oh and "Genesis of the Daleks" actually commits some real science fiction here and there. They way they work in the Davros prequel backstory is very well done.
There are lots of episodes available on netflicks.
Posted by: Mr. Book at April 23, 2011 06:07 PM (gjIcP)
138
Crap, I forgot to even check if you guys were discussing this. I'm sure the obvious questions have been raised-but if anyone's still reading this, does anyone know who the two timelord dissenters were in the last Tennant episode? One was the woman who appeared to Donna's grandfather, but was never identified.
I ask because I have a feeling that this season's big bad is going to turn out to be related to the timewar.
I ask because I have a feeling that this season's big bad is going to turn out to be related to the timewar.
Posted by: Methos at April 23, 2011 06:09 PM (uqJo6)
140
139 Those are all familiar to me.Especially the Daleks one.Davros creeped me out.
Posted by: steevy at April 23, 2011 06:13 PM (z18dJ)
141
Methos, I want to tell you that RTD implied that the woman you are referring to in The End of Time Part 2 was supposed to be his mother. As for the onscreen presentation of The Great Time War, don't expect it to happen as it would likely involve Doctors 8 and 9, and Eccelston doesn't seem to be interested in pursuing that role anytime soon. McGann would likely wish to show up as his doctor would be the focus, but I don't see the BBC greenlighting the project.
Lest anyone think I was being negative against the older series, my first doctor was the 3rd one. I didn't quite get a handle on the whole Time Lord concept back in the day, but still enjoyed watching it on PBS back in the day.
Lest anyone think I was being negative against the older series, my first doctor was the 3rd one. I didn't quite get a handle on the whole Time Lord concept back in the day, but still enjoyed watching it on PBS back in the day.
Posted by: itzWicks at April 23, 2011 06:32 PM (iYwji)
142
>>>You know one thing that REALLY pissed me off?
>>>"I'm Rose Tyler, and this is how I died."
>>>Except she didn't die, not even metaphorically. It was a lie, a complete lie to throw in and manipulate the fanboys.
See, I like that. Comic book covers (when I was a kid, actually reading them) did that ALL THE TIME.
Cover title: THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN!!
They did that like ten times in ten years!
I like the hucksterism of the cliffhanger beginnings. When they're perfectly fair, it's great.
But even if it's a tease and just a made-up hook, I still kind of like the spirit of that. Draw 'em in, start off big.
Realistically we know the heroes are not going to die. But I like that they're throwing big pitches.
TWO James Bonds started with his murder, and like within three films of each other to boot.
Love it. I know, I know, he's not dead.
I think it depends on how seriously you take it. I don't take it seriously, so I give it the latitude I'd give a comic book. "Just don't be boring," as they say.
Posted by: ace at April 23, 2011 06:50 PM (nj1bB)
143
140 I'm sure the obvious questions have been raised-but if anyone's still reading this, does anyone know who the two timelord dissenters were in the last Tennant episode? One was the woman who appeared to Donna's grandfather, but was never identified.
Skimming through, it looks more like a combination of confessions of being Dr Who fans, criticism from those who aren't, some list of recommended best episodes from the hard core fans, and a general discussion of English TV (which really has had quite a few noteworthy contributions over the decades).
I think I must have missed the last Tennant episode when it first came out; it seemed new to me when I caught in in their marathon leading up to this. The "two dissenters" did seem to stick out like a loose end, especially the woman. It left me wondering if she wasn't the Dr's mother. Nothing has come up about it since then in the show, so maybe there's a really long lead time on that one.
Posted by: Optimizer at April 23, 2011 06:57 PM (2lTU+)
144
Depending on how apoplectic over a bunch of manufactured BS our American left has been over the last weekish decides how much the predictable anti-American lefty BS in British shows bothers me. We all got our tolerance limits. Suppose it also depends how mean spirited it is. The gun comment tonight was pretty funny. Watching British actors fumble and mishandle weapons (clearly mimicing the clueless hollywood as their only source to draw on) is like a giant running joke in itself.
I love space/alien/adventures so I am glad Dr Who is back on but yea their writing... I would call it sacrilegious at times if it wasn't so f'ing ludicrus. Wife and I like the new Doctor and Amy Pond very much. Favorite of the new series. Going back watching the earlier of the new series cant imagine why I was sad when Rose left. Think the doctors and side kicks keep getting better. (to me) Rorie is a step up from "why is this guy in the shot" Mickey.
I love space/alien/adventures so I am glad Dr Who is back on but yea their writing... I would call it sacrilegious at times if it wasn't so f'ing ludicrus. Wife and I like the new Doctor and Amy Pond very much. Favorite of the new series. Going back watching the earlier of the new series cant imagine why I was sad when Rose left. Think the doctors and side kicks keep getting better. (to me) Rorie is a step up from "why is this guy in the shot" Mickey.
Posted by: Shiggz at April 23, 2011 07:18 PM (mLAWK)
145
There is lots of great UK shows for people who are more or less conservative.
-Yes Minister (pro Thatcher anti-civil service corruption)
-Black Books
-QI
-Mitchell and Webb Show
-Peep Show
-Outnumbered
-White Van Man
-Coupling UK
-Yes Minister (pro Thatcher anti-civil service corruption)
-Black Books
-QI
-Mitchell and Webb Show
-Peep Show
-Outnumbered
-White Van Man
-Coupling UK
Posted by: Shiggz at April 23, 2011 07:23 PM (mLAWK)
146
Methos, I want to tell you that RTD implied that the woman you are referring to in The End of Time Part 2
was supposed to be his mother. As for the onscreen presentation of The
Great Time War, don't expect it to happen as it would likely involve
Doctors 8 and 9, and Eccelston doesn't seem to be interested in pursuing
that role anytime soon. McGann would likely wish to show up as his
doctor would be the focus, but I don't see the BBC greenlighting the
project.
---
I guess it would make some sense for the mystery woman to be his mother, assuming she'd still be around, but all we really know about her is that he recognized her. I suppose it could have been the timelord chick that was with the 4th Doctor for a while, too, and appear different having regenerated, but I find it kind of unsatisfying to make guess just based on 'characters we've met before or should have.' Particularly since it was two dissenters rather than say, 30% or something.
As to a direct depiction of the time war, I didn't mean that so much as one of the list of horrors he mentioned to the Master. Or one more attempt by Rassilon to make the most of his last day. It just seems like to much of a coincidence that we find out the timelords' final solution to the war was ending the universe and the Doctor's very next stop put him on a path that would see the universe destroyed by someone who could control his TARDIS. Although...I think I read somewhere that Smith is going to be around at least until the 50th anniversary, and since the 10th (I think, not totally sure) saw The Three Doctors and the 25th saw The Five Doctors, I can't see how they'd resist the temptation.
Also if JeffB is still around (or ace or anyone is curious), sfdebris is in the process of covering the really old Doctor Who episodes (earliest is currently page 3 of the list)..
---
I guess it would make some sense for the mystery woman to be his mother, assuming she'd still be around, but all we really know about her is that he recognized her. I suppose it could have been the timelord chick that was with the 4th Doctor for a while, too, and appear different having regenerated, but I find it kind of unsatisfying to make guess just based on 'characters we've met before or should have.' Particularly since it was two dissenters rather than say, 30% or something.
As to a direct depiction of the time war, I didn't mean that so much as one of the list of horrors he mentioned to the Master. Or one more attempt by Rassilon to make the most of his last day. It just seems like to much of a coincidence that we find out the timelords' final solution to the war was ending the universe and the Doctor's very next stop put him on a path that would see the universe destroyed by someone who could control his TARDIS. Although...I think I read somewhere that Smith is going to be around at least until the 50th anniversary, and since the 10th (I think, not totally sure) saw The Three Doctors and the 25th saw The Five Doctors, I can't see how they'd resist the temptation.
Also if JeffB is still around (or ace or anyone is curious), sfdebris is in the process of covering the really old Doctor Who episodes (earliest is currently page 3 of the list)..
Posted by: Methos at April 23, 2011 07:24 PM (uqJo6)
147
Speaking of this weeks episode, I believe in the Lore there was a limit to the number of times the Doctor could regenerate. (like 12 or 13?) Considering the "just write whatever for this weeks episode" they have often taken, I doubt it'll be more then an intellectual speed bump in some sort of American-Religious icon as a monster episode.
Posted by: Shiggz at April 23, 2011 07:39 PM (mLAWK)
149
Speaking of this weeks episode, I believe in the Lore there was a limit
to the number of times the Doctor could regenerate. (like 12 or 13?)
Timelords were originally limited to 12 regenerations (which I think means the process, so 13 lives). The Master cheated somehow during the 5th Doctor's run to get an extra 'life', was brought back again for the Fox one shot, yet again by the timelords (mentioned in Tennant's second season), and once more by his cult in The End of Time.
In the 6th Doctor's last season, the main villain, the Valeyard, was revealed to be a personification of all that was evil in the Doctor and was created 'sometime between the Doctor's 12th and final regeneration.' Which means one of the following:
a)I've misremembered and it's 13 regenerations for 14 lives
b)the writers always intended to cheat if the show hung around long enough
c)nothing-just meant to sound contradictory and therefore interesting
d)nothing-it seems like something that he might have mentioned in the last six years as he's in desperate need of one-ups at this point, unless the current writers intend to disregard the lore.
Of course, being merged with the heart of the TARDIS (which caused Eccleston's Doctor to change) could have augmented him in some way, as could his re-establishment via Amy Pond's memory (who had no idea of the limit).
Timelords were originally limited to 12 regenerations (which I think means the process, so 13 lives). The Master cheated somehow during the 5th Doctor's run to get an extra 'life', was brought back again for the Fox one shot, yet again by the timelords (mentioned in Tennant's second season), and once more by his cult in The End of Time.
In the 6th Doctor's last season, the main villain, the Valeyard, was revealed to be a personification of all that was evil in the Doctor and was created 'sometime between the Doctor's 12th and final regeneration.' Which means one of the following:
a)I've misremembered and it's 13 regenerations for 14 lives
b)the writers always intended to cheat if the show hung around long enough
c)nothing-just meant to sound contradictory and therefore interesting
d)nothing-it seems like something that he might have mentioned in the last six years as he's in desperate need of one-ups at this point, unless the current writers intend to disregard the lore.
Of course, being merged with the heart of the TARDIS (which caused Eccleston's Doctor to change) could have augmented him in some way, as could his re-establishment via Amy Pond's memory (who had no idea of the limit).
Posted by: Methos at April 23, 2011 07:59 PM (uqJo6)
150
Obama has cybermen WORKING IN HIS CABNET AND THE DALECKS WORK FOR THE UNITED NATIONS
Posted by: Spurwing Plover at April 23, 2011 08:22 PM (vA9ld)
151
At least we know Obama isn't a Cyberman, Spurwing; Cybermen are intelligent.
Posted by: andycanuck at April 23, 2011 08:25 PM (Y1DZt)
152
And I see now that Space is running the entire new 5th and 6th seasons (and earlier ones?) all Easter weekend long.
I didn't see your comment, Canadian Infidel, I only saw it flipping around after being disappointed at not seeing it listed for BBC Canada.
I've got the DVR going now so I can kill the ads when I watch but I did watch one episode that was the one Ace referenced about the subterranean lizards that had some p.c. enviro homilies thrown in and the "I don't believe in violence" while the Doctor was still willing to kill if required. I also laughed that it featured one of the complaints from the anti-New-Who Brit's site linked above from the page right comments about how one episode's 2nd part continuation literally starts with a narrator telling you how the episode ends!
I'll give it a try (fast forwarding through anything that's too p.c.) because other than the 10-15% bleeding heart stuff the rest was quite good.
I didn't see your comment, Canadian Infidel, I only saw it flipping around after being disappointed at not seeing it listed for BBC Canada.
I've got the DVR going now so I can kill the ads when I watch but I did watch one episode that was the one Ace referenced about the subterranean lizards that had some p.c. enviro homilies thrown in and the "I don't believe in violence" while the Doctor was still willing to kill if required. I also laughed that it featured one of the complaints from the anti-New-Who Brit's site linked above from the page right comments about how one episode's 2nd part continuation literally starts with a narrator telling you how the episode ends!
I'll give it a try (fast forwarding through anything that's too p.c.) because other than the 10-15% bleeding heart stuff the rest was quite good.
Posted by: andycanuck at April 23, 2011 08:32 PM (Y1DZt)
153
Okay, I've got to say, tonight's season premiere of Dr Who was quite good. The setup, in particular, was outstanding. I love when the writers set up clever time travel puzzles, and I hope this one will have a fun solution.
To answer a few other comments:
On the matter of how many times the Doctor can regenerate: as many times as necessary. The idea of limiting it to 12 was first introduced in 1975, 12 years after the show started, and back when they still only up to Doctor No. 4. The show has paid lip service to this occasionally, but in most recent years it has goofed on it. When the current Doctor appeared on spin-off show "The Sarah Jane Adventures," he told one of the characters that he could regenerate a million times.
Basically, the BBC is never going to stop making Dr Who because of a goofy limitation that some writer pulled out of his butt in 1975. They'll either ignore it or find some MacGuffin to overcome it. The smartest thing would probably be to ignore it, since most of the audience has no idea anyway.
Also, the Valeyard is one of the stupidest ideas the show has ever had. As a character, he makes no sense. The whole idea of his character makes no sense. He's not the Doctor, but he's some kind of amalgamation of his bad side in between his final regenerations? WTF can that even mean? It's the most incoherent thing the show has ever done.
To answer a few other comments:
On the matter of how many times the Doctor can regenerate: as many times as necessary. The idea of limiting it to 12 was first introduced in 1975, 12 years after the show started, and back when they still only up to Doctor No. 4. The show has paid lip service to this occasionally, but in most recent years it has goofed on it. When the current Doctor appeared on spin-off show "The Sarah Jane Adventures," he told one of the characters that he could regenerate a million times.
Basically, the BBC is never going to stop making Dr Who because of a goofy limitation that some writer pulled out of his butt in 1975. They'll either ignore it or find some MacGuffin to overcome it. The smartest thing would probably be to ignore it, since most of the audience has no idea anyway.
Also, the Valeyard is one of the stupidest ideas the show has ever had. As a character, he makes no sense. The whole idea of his character makes no sense. He's not the Doctor, but he's some kind of amalgamation of his bad side in between his final regenerations? WTF can that even mean? It's the most incoherent thing the show has ever done.
Posted by: Kensington at April 23, 2011 09:53 PM (mEyVv)
154
Also, I thought it was really sweet that tonight's episode was dedicated to Elisabeth Sladen, the lovely woman who played Sarah Jane Smith (the Doctor's companion back in the mid-1970s and the star of current Dr Who spin-off "The Sarah Jane Adventures"). She was only 63 years old and she died from cancer this week.
Posted by: Kensington at April 23, 2011 09:57 PM (mEyVv)
155
I don't like the current Tardis. I saw the set director refer to it proudly as steampunk. Um. I don't think so. More like garbagepunk. Or neo-garbage-heap. It's fricking ugly.
Posted by: rdbrewer at April 23, 2011 10:05 PM (woU1F)
157
Biggest problem last night, commercials. I got starting watching Dr. Who after seeing so many references to it on Ferguson, who had pretty Karen Gillan on Friday night. Found it on iTunes and watched season 5 then watch seasons 1-4 on Amazon Prime, then watched all the classic episodes on Amazon. They have a few story lines from a number of the original series years. Lots of Tom Baker, who was a very good Dr. So I am used to seeing these without commercials, so last night was good but very broken up.
Posted by: Bill at April 24, 2011 04:02 AM (LZSir)
158
I don't like the current Tardis. I saw the set director refer to it
proudly as steampunk. Um. I don't think so. More like garbagepunk.
Or neo-garbage-heap. It's fricking ugly.
The real problem is it has no sense of space. The people don't seem to fit into it. It's like they're all standing in a boiler room or something.
The real problem is it has no sense of space. The people don't seem to fit into it. It's like they're all standing in a boiler room or something.
Posted by: nickless at April 24, 2011 04:57 AM (MMC8r)
160
All you need to get caught up is this song from the Craig Ferguson show.
Intellect and romance triumph over brute force and cynicism.
Normally I'm quite the advocate of both brute force and cynicism. But the Doctor melts my hard heart like a basketful of kittens.
BTW: Does anybody know where I can get a Mondrian minidress like the dancer in the video is wearing? Very groovy, baby.
Intellect and romance triumph over brute force and cynicism.
Normally I'm quite the advocate of both brute force and cynicism. But the Doctor melts my hard heart like a basketful of kittens.
BTW: Does anybody know where I can get a Mondrian minidress like the dancer in the video is wearing? Very groovy, baby.
Posted by: Little Miss Spellcheck at April 24, 2011 06:26 AM (a5ljo)
161
Best TARDIS interior: If one didn't mind Gothic, that honor belonged to the 8th Doctor (Paul McGann). It truly had detail, scale, and "more cowbell," as it were.
Murray Gold, current music man for the show, lives up to his name in every episode. His themes and incidental music are nothing short of amazing.
If an American studio were to produce an epic space opera that had coherent scripts, decent special effects, and characters that people could care about, I assure you that it would be a ratings winner. The Battlestar Galactica reboot was good, but suffered from left of center political arcs that hurt the brain (don't even get me started about the series overall arc and finale).
After the debacle that was the Star Wars Prequel trilogy (WTF, George Lucas?!), I don't hold a lot of faith in seeing a whole lot of good coming from the coming live action television series.
Maybe we can't bring back Firefly, and perhaps the Babylon 5 well is finally dry, but there is always hope in that someone from the hinterlands can actually crank television worth giving a damn about.
Until then, for better or worse, Doctor Who is genre television that gets the job done.
Murray Gold, current music man for the show, lives up to his name in every episode. His themes and incidental music are nothing short of amazing.
If an American studio were to produce an epic space opera that had coherent scripts, decent special effects, and characters that people could care about, I assure you that it would be a ratings winner. The Battlestar Galactica reboot was good, but suffered from left of center political arcs that hurt the brain (don't even get me started about the series overall arc and finale).
After the debacle that was the Star Wars Prequel trilogy (WTF, George Lucas?!), I don't hold a lot of faith in seeing a whole lot of good coming from the coming live action television series.
Maybe we can't bring back Firefly, and perhaps the Babylon 5 well is finally dry, but there is always hope in that someone from the hinterlands can actually crank television worth giving a damn about.
Until then, for better or worse, Doctor Who is genre television that gets the job done.
Posted by: itzWicks at April 24, 2011 06:41 AM (iYwji)
162
You said the doctor who starts tonight. Who do you mean?
Who.
That's what I said. Who is the doctor that starts tonight?
Doctor Who.
Yeah, who? Who starts tonight.
What?
No, Who?
Who.
That's what I said. Who is the doctor that starts tonight?
Doctor Who.
Yeah, who? Who starts tonight.
What?
No, Who?
Posted by: km at April 24, 2011 08:15 AM (ehqqs)
164
Also, the Valeyard is one of the stupidest ideas the show has ever had.
As a character, he makes no sense. The whole idea of his character
makes no sense. He's not the Doctor, but he's some kind of amalgamation
of his bad side in between his final regenerations? WTF can that even
mean? It's the most incoherent thing the show has ever done.
He makes as much sense as the Dreamlord from last season, just with some hand waving needed to manifest him in the real world. I currently think they'll prove to be the same character, though it raises some significant questions about how he winds up as a prosecuter on pre-timewar Gallifrey. Also, the Doctor effectively cloned himself in the big Dalek episode towards the end of Tenant's run-resulting in a character who is both the Doctor and not the Doctor.
As for the liberal bullshit, I find it most tolerable in how quickly it falls apart. Pick your episode and message and check out how it carries through the episode. My favorite was one of Tenan't in which he lectures the UNIT folks (I think) on the impossibility of fighting the Sontarans, until they figure out how to do so and there's a big action sequence of kicking Sontaran butt.
He makes as much sense as the Dreamlord from last season, just with some hand waving needed to manifest him in the real world. I currently think they'll prove to be the same character, though it raises some significant questions about how he winds up as a prosecuter on pre-timewar Gallifrey. Also, the Doctor effectively cloned himself in the big Dalek episode towards the end of Tenant's run-resulting in a character who is both the Doctor and not the Doctor.
As for the liberal bullshit, I find it most tolerable in how quickly it falls apart. Pick your episode and message and check out how it carries through the episode. My favorite was one of Tenan't in which he lectures the UNIT folks (I think) on the impossibility of fighting the Sontarans, until they figure out how to do so and there's a big action sequence of kicking Sontaran butt.
Posted by: Methos at April 24, 2011 01:13 PM (uqJo6)
165
One of my BFF's is a major Who fan and has been trying to get me interested in it for ages. I've seen all the classic eps from the Tennant era, especially the ones like Blink written by Moffat, who I think is a genius (he also did the new Sherlock Holmes and Coupling.) But for some reason I've still resisted.
But I am watching the first eps of the new season. Why? Because they filmed in Monument Valley in Utah, and being a Utahn now I am a sucker for that sort of thing. It's a gorgeous place and my friend has a giant hi-def TV. And they actually LIST it as being Utah; we're not a stand in for Colorado or wherever. Amazing. Article on Who fiming in Utah from the Salt Lake Trib: http://tinyurl.com/43grceu
I also might have a crush on Matt Smith because of all the interviews my friend's shown me. I'm not usually into twiggy guys but he is precious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm_0-zqp52I
And Little Miss Spellcheck, if you hadn't put up that Craig clip I would have! Love him. And that Mondrian dress. Another one where he rants about not getting to do his fancy opening and summarizes the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps1yeCvSGAc
Posted by: LizLem at April 24, 2011 06:40 PM (lSuMX)
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Posted by: momma at April 23, 2011 02:33 PM (penCf)