Doctor Who

[Scarecrow]

SPOILERS FOR DALEK!

Spoiler:

Dalek was brilliant, loved it start to finish.

The Dalek really got back to what they were baout, genocidal fascists iwht intolerance for any other life form? If you're different, if you deviate in ANY way from what's "normal" then you are fit for extermination or enslavment. The finale was a brilliant play on that old SF cliche of "alien wnats to be human", data, Spock, they all did it. Even Spike wanted to have a soul, to have humanity. This Dalek would rather kill itself than be "corrupted".

A brilliant piece that mad eup pity the msot evil creature aorund whilst showing why it's so fearsome. The hovering wa sused wonderfully thought it was seen in the original series, the rela innovation was the plunger and that was just stunning and very creepy.

And tomorrow we have Simon pegg! Excellent.

- Scarecrow

[Feena]

I think my Mum was getting a bit ennoyed by the end of Dalek. I kept going "that is *so* cool" (like the way the bullets disappeared), and variations on that theme all the way through!

I know it was dead simple & no effects, but I thought the way the Dalek kept turning round in the corrider to shoot all the soldiers looked really...umm...well...cool! (I need to buy myself a thesearus....and possibly a dictionary).

And good to see a "Monster-of-the-Week" episode in The Long Game

Feena
-x-

[Scarecrow]

I totally agree, the Dalek was VERY cool and it certainly was terrifying!

The Long Game was awesome, Simon Pegg was just so brilliant in the role. I felt really sorry for Suki though, she was really sweet.

Tonights episode looks to be one of the best yet, I love messing with time and stories about it, I so cannot wait.


- Scarecrow

[Sheridan]

'Father's Day' was a good episode, with the emphasis on the characters rather than the effects or a sci-fi setting. Even when the Doctor was angry with Rose he still wouldn't take the easy way out of their dilemma and Billie piper really is proving she can act, the scenes with Rose and her dad were very moving.

[aceivan]

Although I like angsty and soapy sci-fi like Farscape, Father's Day didn't really work for me. Far too much Eastenders and not enough Doctor Who. I agree about Billie though. She has made Rose one of the best of the Doctor's assistants.

The preview for next week looks good with John Barrowman as Captain Jack. Lucky Rose.

Len

[BBOvenGuy]

I can't help noticing that the Ninth Doctor doesn't really do a heck of a lot. Rather than save the day himself, he seems to inspire others to save the day instead. Last week, he was captured and locked up, but managed to get that reporter lady to defeat the monster. This week, it was his compassion for Rose and his desire to spare her father's life that motivated her father to let himself be killed.

That's certainly not like the Doctor of old, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. The show is really starting to hit its stride, and I'm eager to see what they've got up their sleeves next.

[justin]

There are a couple of sites which fans of the program might want to look at

http://www.whoisdoctorwho.co.uk/

There's even an interview with a young Henry Van Stanton about the attempted alien invasion.

http://www.unit.org.uk/

Though does any remember the password for the site. It's slipped my mind

I just found out that in every episode the words "bad wolf" keep cropping up. Which is especially interesting since that's the name of the penultimate episode.

ETA: I got the password from Mickey's site, it's bison

[aceivan]

The British Board of Film Classification has given the DVDs a 12 certificate.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1614008,00.html

Censors have banned young children from buying the new series of Doctor Who on video or DVD on the grounds of “excessive cruelty” towards a Dalek.

Len

[justin]

Whilst I can see where they're coming from (you don't want people growing up thinking that if you see someone as being the bad guy it's acceptable to torture them) I have couple of problems with the ruling

firstly I don't think the episode was implying it was okay to torture the Dalek since the person doing it was protrayed as being a villain.

Secondly, he also tortured the Doctor but no one seems to care about that. So what are they saying, torturing Daleks = bad but torturing time lords = good

[Feena]

Father's Day - I don't think I've cried so much since Earthshock! but then I've always been a soppy mare

It was in our paper that they've actually censored a scene from tomorrow's episode

Spoiler:

Apparently it's something to do with a ghost child wearing a gas-mask (I think it's set in WW2) and the paper said that at some point a person's head changes into a gasmask with much bonecracking. They decided it was too graphic for 6.30pm

And remember it's on at 6.30pm this week becoz of the glorious Eurovision!!

[BBOvenGuy]

Outpost Gallifrey has quoted a Dreamwatch report that Billie Piper will leave Doctor Who at some point in the middle of next season. That shouldn't really be a surprise - it's typical for the companion(s) to change either shortly before or shortly after the Doctor changes. In fact, I believe Sarah Jane Smith is the only companion who's ever done a full season with two different Doctors.

It's too bad, though, because Rose has been a great character and Billie's played her well. Let's hope they find someone good for the next companion, too.

[aceivan]

The Empty Child had to be the best episode so far. So spooky! That gas mask scene scared the hell out out of me.

"Mummy!"


The latest Doctor Who Magazine has a spoiler for Season 2.

Spoiler:

"The Cybermen Return! The Doctor Who production office has confirmed to DWM that the next series of Doctor Who will see the Doctor and Rose come up against old enemies from the planet Mondas - the terrible Cybermen!

Doctor Who producer Phil Collinson tells us, 'Next year sees the 40th anniversary of the Cybermen's first appearance, and we'd be mad to miss that date.' "

Len

[Feena]

Let's hope they find someone good for the next companion, too.

http://www.sky.com/showbiz/article/0,,50001-1183340,00.html

Feena
-x-

Edited to add other stuff

I've just been looking at Outpost Gallifrey at cast lists for the next few episodes.

Spoiler:

Guest stars (B-list maybe) Davina McCall, Trinny Woodall & Susannah Constantine. Maybe the TARDIS is going to land in the Big Brother House and T & S will tell Rose what not to wear??

[Scarecrow]

Doctor Who tonight was amazing!

The plot developed wonderfully, the twists and turns were well thought out and everything had been set up previously; it was very emotional with a fantastic ending that had me smiling ear to ear.

Can I just say a huge shout out to the wonderful RTD for creating the character of Captain Jack Harkness.



MINOR SPOILERS!

Spoiler:

An enlightened 51st Century man apparently who, goes to distract a male guard he knows, telling Rose she isn't his type. Rose questions this and the following conversation takes place (take dancing as the euphanism it is, works better in context):

Doc "Relax, he's a 51st century guy, it's just he's more flexible when it comes to.... dancing".

Rose "how flexible?"

Doc "By his time you lot are spread out over half the galaxy".

Rose "meaning?"

Doc "So many species, so little time".

Rose "What, that's our mission when we get out there. We seen new life and... and..."

Doc "Dance"

The Rose looks at the Doc.

... Add to that at the end when the Doctor and Rose dance, she suggests Jack miht want to cut in and The Doctor says something along the lines of "but with who".

The Doctor really is the ultimate role model, non-judgmental, enthusiastic, wonderful to his friends and always sticking up for what's right.

Fantastic.

- Scarecrow[/spoiler]

[Feena]

I loved it too...in fact I've pretty much loved them all! And "just this once" it was great to have a happy ending

Spoiler:

My sarcasm above may actually be right!! Spoiler for Bad Wolf - I've not directly linked it because the url is a bit of a give away so add in the www. bigbrother.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds7609.html

Could be amazing, could be really silly!

Feena
-x-

[aceivan]

I loved seeing the Doctor so happy at the end of the episode. His grin was infectious.

Can I just say a huge shout out to the wonderful RTD for creating the character of Captain Jack Harkness.

Absolutely.

Spoiler:

I had heard that Jack was going to kiss the Doctor on the cheek, but it didn't happen in The Doctor Dances, hopefully we'll see it before the end of the season.

Len

[Sheridan]

I have to say 'Doctor Who' has delivered eveything I coould have hoped for before it started, and it saw off 'Celebrity Wrestling' on ITV, what more could you ask for? Actually there is one thing on my wish list for S2, the return of the Master.

[justin]

I'm really liking the new Dr Who, and it keeps improving but there is one thing that's bothering me. Why is every episode set on or near Earth? Can't we have just one episode set on an alien planet?

[aceivan]

I noticed this letter in today's Metro:

Mummy? Are you my mummy?

Bad Wolf, Edinburgh

Only a few months ago it was embarrassing to admit you were a fan and now Doctor Who is everywhere.

Len

[Sheridan]

Only a few months ago it was embarrassing to admit you were a fan and now Doctor Who is everywhere.

Well until a few months ago Doctor Who was a dead issue as far as most people were concerned, even when the new series was announced most people were thinking cardboard sets and wobbly effects. What's noticeable this last year is that the two best sci-fi shows have been revivals; Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica.

[justin]

What's noticeable this last year is that the two best sci-fi shows have been revivals; Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica.

Which begs the question, when are they going to revive Blake's 7?

[Sheridan]

Which begs the question, when are they going to revive Blake's 7?

Problem there is they did such a bang up job of killing everyone off that going to be tough unless they went the BG route and start from scratch.

[aceivan]

According to Chris Boucher, the script editor of the last season of Blake's 7, it was only an end of season cliffhanger. Blake died, a condition imposed by Gareth Thomas, but everyone else survived.

Len

[Feena]

I loved Blake's Seven, it's another part of my childhood *happy nostalgic thoughts*

Apparently Big Spoilers from Doctor Who Monthly magazine: (I'm quoting a quote)

Spoiler:

"...do all of the principal characters make it to the end alive? To be frank, no. Its a bloodbath. Death is even more of a theme than usual. Little wonder, the Daleks are back! Deadlier than ever (clue: theres more than one of them now), and - ooh - we get to see inside their spaceships. Not to mention a 'significant other' from Dalek lore...

Wow!! I can't wait!!!!

Feena
-x-

[aceivan]

Dalek kidnapped.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/4077698.stm

'Kidnappers' who stole a Dalek from a Somerset tourist attraction have sent its owners a ransom note - and the robot's amputated plunger.

I also heard that Billie Piper is going to be in every episode of Season 2 and that the 'team' will be getting bigger!

Len

[Sheridan]

Last night was excellent, and it looks like the finale is going to be epic. My only complaint was the Anne Droid, far too warm and compassionate.

[BBOvenGuy]

This season is definitely turning into one of the best ever, despite the embarrassment of "Aliens of London" and "World War Three" (one of the all-time series lows, if you ask me). It's too bad that we're losing Christopher Eccleston so quickly, but David Tennant will still have most of the same people behind the scenes, so he should do well.

Meanwhile, The Great Link posted this excerpt of an interview with John Barrowman aka Captain Jack:

"Jack fancies both Rose and the Doctor, It’s never actually said in any of the dialogue, but it’s done through innuendo and the way it’s played." "It’s the first time that anything like that has been done in Doctor Who, but you know what? It’s the 21st Century! Some people are saying, ‘How are the kids going to deal with that?’ Kids are smarter than we make them out to be. If they want to be aware of it they will figure it out. If they don’t they will just look past it."

[aceivan]

I don't like reality shows so the first half hour of Saturday's Doctor Who just bored me. They more than made up for that with the last 15 minutes though and next week's episode looks like its going to be the perfect send-off for the 9th Doctor.

Len

[Scarecrow]

@aceivan

I hate reality shows too but surely that's the point, it's a satire, ripping into the wya they've come to dominate so much of culture with their endless repetitive and stupid competitvness. I found it wonderfully harsh though the Anne Droid was slightly less scary that the real deal.

@BBOvenGuy

What's with the Aliens of London hate, just wondering? I thought it was brilliant, a strong level of political satire and, even better, the wonderful play on SF cliches. The SF cliche is aliens are often based on real animals (lizards, insects, so forh) and the Slitheen take that and make a FAKE alien that plays up to our expectations. As that gorgeous doctor says she assumed "that's what aliens looked like". I found it wonderful fun with a fantastic cliffhanger and the gas-exchange wasn't all that bad IMO of course.

As for "Bad Wolf"... holy hell! Was that not the best slice of Doctor Who in like forever? I hate having to wait a whole week for The Parting of the Ways and to see the full mystery of the big Bad Wolf and the survival of the Daleks revealed!

- Scarecrow

[aceivan]

Scarecrow, I didn't see it as satire. They could have really ripped into those shows but it seemed like it was written by a fan of The Weakest Link and Big Brother. I agree with you and Sheridan about Ann Droid though, not nasty enough. That woman scares me!

I thought Aliens of London and World War III was a good old fashioned romp with monster suits and a little satire thrown into the mix. I enjoyed it.

Len