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[Maiar_m]

I liked the episode, but only because I like DW. It's the usual indulging of the fan regardless of plot quality that made this first episode work. The new Doctor doesn't know shit and it's scary but he comes through as he always will, the companion is as much of a hindrance as she is helping (plus extra points for eye candy) and "hey gaïz we changed the lead actor but look we're still making the same old joke, like us!".

So the recipe is still the same and I'm not yet too tired of it.

 

[Incendiary]

Is this really true? In the mini-episode between Parting of the Ways and The Christmas Invasion she rejects him immediately and demands to be taken home (and he decides to go to Christmas day 'as a present')... and halfway into The Christmas Invasion Rose is still sobbing "He's dead! The Doctor's Dead!" into her mum's arms. I think the only thing that separates the two is that they're going in opposite directions - Rose ultimately accepts a little more easily because she's getting what she wants, some sexy looking man her own age. Clara's going in the opposite direction.

Hmmmm. It's been a while since I've seen the Christmas Invasion so you could be right. I just remember how excited Rose is when the new Doctor comes out of the TARDIS to defeat the big bad guys on the spaceship, and for some reason I felt like that encapsulated her quick recovery over the whole regeneration process. I never saw the mini-episode either. I could just be misremembering.

 

[GulAtiCa]

Good episode IMO. I liked it. Can't wait for more.

 

[kaching]

I enjoyed the episode. It did an excellent job of unsettling the audience in the first 10-15 minutes about the new Doctor's regeneration and just how "complete" it was, which helped sell Coleman's own doubts in that segment. They've definitely found the right rhythm with her coming off the "Day of.." and "Time of the Doctor" episodes. Capaldi's quieter intensity sets himself nicely apart from Smith's doctor, moreso than the age thing. I hope the slightly more cerebral dialogue between the doctor and his antagonists is a regular part of this new series.

Can't say I'm really bothered by the slapstick humor brought by the Vastra and crew. That's a mainstay of Who. Sometimes you groan and sometimes it's fun but they generally manage not to overdo it too badly either way. I don't think the show is trying to be particularly progressive by pointing out that Vastra and Jenny are an interspecies lesbian couple and that's ok. I think they're just playing it like you'd probably expect the only interspecies lesbian couple to successfully manage to have a relationship in Victorian England without getting themselves exiled or lynched would behave; by trying to relieve the underlying tension of their situation with some self-deprecating humor. That's fairly British, after all.

 

[Spider from Mars]

Watched it this morning and yikes. It might be the hangover but I was not feeling it at all. The first half of the show was hot garbage and the second half was painfully mediocre. I think Capaldi will be pretty baller but I have a feeling that garbage writing will hold him back. I haven't really been feeling the show since season 5 though, so my expectations are fairly low. Oh well.

 

[Newlove]

What was with dropping hair strands on the floor? How can that prove anything about them not breathing?

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

I do feel the new theme is probably the weakest since McCoy. In fact, it sounds a lot like it. I can deal though as long as the plots improve.

 

[GulAtiCa]

Really curious who Missy is. I wonder if she is the one to give Clara the Tardis phone call last year and the one to make the newspaper ad for this episode.

 

[Jest Chillin]

Nah she also says that line in Time of the doctor before he regenerates. She's aware of the headcount and probably has a vague hint of what they looked like

Are you sure? I'll watch again to double check but I recall the line being said at the end of The Name of the Doctor when they introduce John Hurt. Unless they used similar lines in both instances?

Edit:
Yup.

Clara: "Who's that?"
11: "Nevermind. Let's go back"
Clara: "But who is he?"
11: "He's me. There's only me here, that's the point. Not let's get back."
Clara: "But I never saw that one. I saw all of you. Eleven faces, all of them you. You're the Eleventh Doctor."
11: "I said he was me. I never said he was The Doctor"

etc..

Now to check Time of the Doctor...

 

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Saw the episode. Tl;dr impression: siggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh

Wasn't the writing supposed to be better for some of Moffat's shit characters? People said that. Several people even! And here we have Clara whose complete nothingness of a personality has been replaced with just being a moron. Yay, improvements.

Also, I was never a huge fan of the Paternoster Gang, but they were okay. But let's not settle with that, let's instead completely filter them down to a single trait. Vastra and Jenny only talk about how much they're married and nothing else. Strax is there to call women boys and say "something something Sontaran empire!!" because that's a hilarious thing that never gets old.

I also liked how Moffat showed his confidence in Capaldi by spending half the episode justifying him being there and whining about the people who might dislike him.

....I'll keep watching because other writers also work on this show and because I probably hate myself or something.

Yeah, this mirrors my own thoughts pretty well. Strax has one joke which is really played out, and the Vastra/Jenny stuff was really tiresome. How many times did they say they were married last night? The kissing scene in the middle of that dramatic sequence near the climax also felt really silly to me. Just ridiculous titillation on Moffat's part.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Not for nothing, but the fact Moffat is tripling down on the idea that the REAL Doctor is finally here, this Doctor has finally dropped the veil, and it's on us, as viewers, to accept him as such or there's something wrong with us and our own conceptions of tolerance, is a pretty interesting answer to the suggestion that the Doctor could/should be a woman.

It's even more interesting if "Missy" does end up becoming "The Mistress."

 

[ClivePwned]

Just finished it.

Loved it. Capaldi was great. The episode only dragged when he was not on screen.

A little bit too much time obsessing over fact the Matt was young but I guess they're trying to address who they perceive to be a big part of the fan-base. whatevs.

Worst part- the absolutely godawful version of the theme tune. It's the Delaware for the 21st century. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrHz-ldRdNw

oh and that Missy is so totally

Spoiler

The Master

. Calling it now. I'll eat crow later if I'm wrong.

I now look forward to stories of 10 year olds posting videos on youtube, not of them eating fish-fingers and custard, but of them drinking scotch because Dr Who does.

To reiterate: Bravo.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Everything between Strax hitting Clara in the head with a paper to the scene of him in the alley needs to go. It's absolutely unneccessary. I know what it's TRYING to set up (the prospect of 12 abandoning Clara) but it doesn't need setting up at all.

 

[Savitar]

Only watched it now, thought I had DVR'ed it but turns out I DVR'ed the previous special before the show aired, ahahahahaha...................ha............

As for the show itself now that I finally seen it, it was okay, not great, not bad. It felt like partly resetting the status quo with them basically saying if you were only interested in a pretty young guy you were an idiot which is fair but it's definitely apparent to who they were speaking too on that. Yes, they are married, we get it, we get it, shut up. I haven't been a fan of Clara, well I liked Victorian Clara but modern Clara feels like such a bland slab and the only thing worthy here was her basically questioning if this was really the Doctor since her Doctor was different. That's very human and I applaud that, but she still felt out of place to me. Couldn't help but think a different companion would be best for the show now.

The comedy sound affect was painful, did laugh at the newspaper scene since it was unexpected. I liked the clockwork man but feels like more could have been done. Huh, has Strax mastered the horse? No need for Tom Tom then huh, Strax probably shot him if he was of no more use. If it was an orphan who would care.

I believe our new Doctor can be quite marvelous in the role but only if the scripts are up to par with him. He can do the performances but one thing we all know and are frustrated about the show it's the scripts don't quite live up to their potential at times. Probably why so many of us were happy and thrilled when the new Doctor was announced, since he was so different. I only hope that we get some good stuff so he can shine.

Now a lot of people are guessing about the mystery woman and I had a thought that no one else suggested which surprised me a bit.

What if the mystery woman is the Tardis?

Didn't she remind anymore else of the episode Neil Gaiman wrote the Tardis in? Even the name sounds a bit similar, Missy, Sexy. Changing it to Missy probably makes it more workable. Plus she had that attitude and kind of out there personality she did in the other episode. Plus hey, the Tardis can go through time and all so she could set things up for the Doctor knowingly just as she tends to take him where he needs to be. How she got the clock work man got no clue but the Tardis is quite capable of doing a lot of things. Creating various places like a Heaven or otherwise for those it takes for one if it wishes just as it shapes places for anyone that stays or even makes a pool. Does she actually have a body? Can she make a body? Again she can do a lot of things so who knows. Maybe it knows something, what it might know couldn't begin to guess. Better not be another army for the Doctor to use against a big bad ala the Silence on Trenzalore.

 

[Jest Chillin]

I can't seem to find the scene in Time of The Doctor where Clara says anything along the lines having seen all the faces yet... I've checked the Tardis scene where he regenerates and now I'm checking the basement scene before that but haven't found it.

 

[Magwik]

I can't seem to find the scene in Time of The Doctor where Clara says anything along the lines having seen all the faces yet... I've checked the Tardis scene where he regenerates and now I'm checking the basement scene before that but haven't found it.

Because it is in Name of The Doctor not ToTD

 

[Mariolee]

I can't seem to find the scene in Time of The Doctor where Clara says anything along the lines having seen all the faces yet... I've checked the Tardis scene where he regenerates and now I'm checking the basement scene before that but haven't found it.

There's a roof scene where the Doctor tells Clara why he's going to be regenerating. I remember that scene because I remember thinking about how awful it was when the Doctor mentioned that the Tenth Doctor had a "vain" regeneration.

 

[Jest Chillin]

Because it is in Name of The Doctor not ToTD

That's what I thought as well and I found that scene there but it was suggested there was a similar line in ToTD, so I went looking for it thinking maybe I had forgotten.

There's a roof scene where the Doctor tells Clara why he's going to be regenerating. I remember that scene because I remember thinking about how awful it was when the Doctor mentioned that the Tenth Doctor had a "vain" regeneration.

Ah ok. I'll check for that then. Thanks.

Edit:
Ok.. watched that scene and while they discuss what number he is and he describes his War Doctor and Second 10 regens.. there's no line about having seen all his faces.

 

[M.Bluth]

I remember that scene because I remember thinking about how awful it was when the Doctor mentioned that the Tenth Doctor had a "vain" regeneration.

Well, he kept the same body and then said "I don't need to change, why would I? Look at me." *adjusts tie*
I'd say that was vain.

 

[Future Foundation]

There's a roof scene where the Doctor tells Clara why he's going to be regenerating. I remember that scene because I remember thinking about how awful it was when the Doctor mentioned that the Tenth Doctor had a "vain" regeneration.

But it was vanity, wasn't it. It's why he diverted the remaining regeneration energy into the severed hand - fixed his body without changing his face.


I tried to tell you all about Dat Jenny...

EDIT: Also, did I read someone here use the word "deep" when talking about Rebel Flesh/The Almost People?

 

[Platy]

Episode felt a little Gaiman-y .... with crazy doctor sounding almost like the tardis and a

Spoiler

possible death personification.

I like it.


Also I need spin off with the victorian london people =D

 

[Dalek]

Yeah, this mirrors my own thoughts pretty well. Strax has one joke which is really played out, and the Vastra/Jenny stuff was really tiresome. How many times did they say they were married last night? The kissing scene in the middle of that dramatic sequence near the climax also felt really silly to me. Just ridiculous titillation on Moffat's part.

I don't normally agree with you, but this is true. I like the Paternoster Gang, but they need some kind of development thrown in so it's not the same gags all over again. I did feel a sense of "hell yeah" though when they showed up as the Calvary in the resturaunt.

 

[Mariolee]

That's what I thought as well and I found that scene there but it was suggested there was a similar line in ToTD, so I went looking for it thinking maybe I had forgotten.



Ah ok. I'll check for that then. Thanks.

Edit:
Ok.. watched that scene and while they discuss what number he is and he describes his War Doctor and Second 10 regens.. there's no line about having seen all his faces.

Well, he kept the same body and then said "I don't need to change, why would I? Look at me." *adjusts tie*
I'd say that was vain.

But it was vanity, wasn't it. It's why he diverted the remaining regeneration energy into the severed hand - fixed his body without changing his face.


I tried to tell you all about Dat Jenny...

EDIT: Also, did I read someone here use the word "deep" when talking about Rebel Flesh/The Almost People?

Well I suppose what I thought was stupid was that it counted as a regeneration, but the Doctor made no allusion to it the entire time he was the Eleventh.

 

[acheron_xl]

Well I suppose what I thought was stupid was that it counted as a regeneration, but the Doctor made no allusion to it the entire time he was the Eleventh.

It was a dumb, impulsive mistake. The Doctor doesn't like to admit to mistakes. And he was a total dickhole between that regeneration and turning into Matt (Time Lord Victorious, yelling at Wilf, et al), which seems logical for a Doctor who was born of vanity.

 

[Ser Goje]

Just watched it again with subs.

I still don't get why did Moffat focused on him being old. The first doctor was old, he did his best episodes when he was old. and Clara has seen him old. I know she lost matt and she loved him, but the Doctor shouldn't look sad just because he has grey hair.

 

[zeemumu]

Just watched it again with subs.

I still don't get why did Moffat focused on him being old. The first doctor was old, he did his best episodes when he was old. and Clara has seen him old. I know she lost matt and she loved him, but the Doctor shouldn't look sad just because he has grey hair.

I think he was trying to get across that the young faces that we've seen in the most recent incarnations were a mask (veil) that The Doctor had put on this whole time, and that this regeneration was his acceptance of it.

Or maybe he was just trying to call out all of the fans who got mad because they thought that Peter Capaldi was too old to play The Doctor. Either/or

 

[Boem]

Just watched it again with subs.

I still don't get why did Moffat focused on him being old. The first doctor was old, he did his best episodes when he was old. and Clara has seen him old. I know she lost matt and she loved him, but the Doctor shouldn't look sad just because he has grey hair.

The Doctor isn't sad about looking old, he's sad because Clara is judging him for it. The focus of the episode was mostly aimed at newer fans of Tennant/Smith, with Clara expressing the same doubts a lot of them would have. She has seen every Doctor, but this version of Clara has only been really close to Smith. He's different for sure, and that's what's shocking for her. It's not just about his age, also about the way he acts.

 

[M.Bluth]

Well I suppose what I thought was stupid was that it counted as a regeneration, but the Doctor made no allusion to it the entire time he was the Eleventh.

I would agree that dealing with the regeneration limit wasn't well thought out at all. It clearly came about after how the 50th special turned out with Eccleston saying no, and the War Doctor was added, otherwise it would've been dealt with throughout 11's life.

On the other hand, might as well get rid of that nonsense limit.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

I think he was trying to get across that the young faces that we've seen in the most recent incarnations were a mask (veil) that The Doctor had put on this whole time, and that this regeneration was his acceptance of it.

Or maybe he was just trying to call out all of the fans who got mad because they thought that Peter Capaldi was too old to play The Doctor. Either/or

No, it was entirely metatextual. In fact, this might have been the first Moffat episode where the entire theme, the core POINT of the episode, was entirely metatextual. He's talking to Doctor Who fans about being Doctor Who fans, primarily. The actual story of the episode is secondary to hammering home that point: If you don't like the older doctor, you've got a tolerance problem, and you're being unfair.

It's why there's so much "BUT I'M MARRIED TO A LIZARD" in there as well - to highlight how tolerant he is in comparison. Hell, a lesbian kiss literally saves someone's life. But YOU PEOPLE have to be shamed into accepting this poor underdog old man with all those wrinkles in his face because you're just so shortsighted.

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

I thought it was deliciously meta honestly. A little on the nose, but ah well.

 

[ClivePwned]

I thought it was deliciously meta honestly. A little on the nose, but ah well.

Steven Moffat is not a master of subtlety. Coupling proves that.



Seriously, every post I make for the next week will be about how much I enjoyed this first episode without it being perfect.

In the pantheon of post-regeneration stories (ony a few first stories have ever been that great), I'd put this as a top three, below Spearhead from Space and 11th Hour, above Castrovalva, Robot and Christmas Invasion. And waaaay above Twin Dilema and Time and the Rani.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

So far as New Who goes, it's better than both Eccleston and Tennant's introductions. And Capaldi is fuckin GREAT as the Doctor.

 

[Vibranium]

Capaldi was fucking awesome, and I'm shocked some people are having trouble being sold, because the man will make the most of it, regardless of the material he is handed. That grimace when he was holding the droid was awesome.

Spoiler

I am going to say the ending cliffhanger is the consciousness of either the Library or the TARDIS. Definitely not The Master, The Rani, Romana or River like some people jumped to.

And Clara was great too, I can already see that we're moving forward with her now that we have the acceptance out of the way...for now. I think I'm going to post less in DW threads and enjoy the show on my own.

 

[Future Foundation]

So far as New Who goes, it's better than both Eccleston and Tennant's introductions. And Capaldi is fuckin GREAT as the Doctor.

I knew you didn't worry, but still, told you guys bot to worry.

 

[tuffy]

I would agree that dealing with the regeneration limit wasn't well thought out at all. It clearly came about after how the 50th special turned out with Eccleston saying no, and the War Doctor was added, otherwise it would've been dealt with throughout 11's life.

On the other hand, might as well get rid of that nonsense limit.

If they'd thought of having 11 be at the end of his regenerations sooner, they might've done away with the pre-regeneration lightshow after getting blasted by the astronaut.

But it is a pretty old bit of continuity that doesn't need to hang over an entire Doctor's run before being dealt with, so I don't mind getting it out of the way sooner rather than later.

 

[Boem]

And Clara was great too, I can already see that we're moving forward with her now that we have the acceptance out of the way...for now. I think I'm going to post less in DW threads and enjoy the show on my own.

That is, in the end, the best way to enjoy Doctor Who. And that is in no way a judgement on the people in this thread - I enjoy the discussions in here, even I don't agree with every opinion. I mostly check in here in between seasons. Doctor Who can be so many things for different people, there are always people who will be dissatisfied, no matter what the show does. While the show is on, I mostly limit the experience to myself and my friends, and I don't really check into forums. I just get more enjoyment out of the show that way. There are episodes I love and episodes I hate (and inbetween), but over analyzing can destroy any episode. I'll probably be back when the season ends, or if something really significant happens. I know the titles of the next few episodes but nothing beyond that, and I want to keep it that way as well. If the BBC announces that, for example, they're bringing back Davros in 4 weeks (they haven't, don't worry), at least it might remain a surprise for me when that episode comes. I always change the channel when the 'next time' trailer comes on as well. Doctor Who works best when you just go along for the ride. Analyzing scripts, set pictures, work prints or rumors can happen after the season ends, for me.

 

[gabbo]

Loved Capaldi, his back and forth with everyone was excellent. Clara was actually interesting to watch because she wasn't the focus, Jenny and Vastra were fun as always, and Strax can go either way (actually liked him hitting Clara with the paper). The stupid 'boing' sound to knock him out, unneeded. Also, disliked the CG robot face, whereas I thought the dinosaur looked pretty good.

I hope tha ending is expanded upon properly, and not in a Moffatt style of dragging it out all season only hand wave it away in 5 minutes in the final. it's intriguing, but not much to go on yet. More interesting in the investment they appear to be making in the Doctor himself and not everyone else around him but him.
Also, like the new theme, dislike the intro it goes with. I disliked season 5-7's intros and most of the themes.

I was disappointed by Time and Day and really wasn't sure if it was worth the continued investment, but this looks like it could be worth it, for Capaldi alone.

 

[Vibranium]

Holy shit, I just saw the observation that Strax almost committed suicide when the Gang and Clara were surrounded by the droids, since he had trouble holding his breath and didn't want to mess things up for the rest of them. For the people who hate the slapstick stuff, that actually adds some serious weight to his character.

That is, in the end, the best way to enjoy Doctor Who. And that is in no way a judgement on the people in this thread - I enjoy the discussions in here, even I don't agree with every opinion. I mostly check in here in between seasons. Doctor Who can be so many things for different people, there are always people who will be dissatisfied, no matter what the show does. While the show is on, I mostly limit the experience to myself and my friends, and I don't really check into forums. I just get more enjoyment out of the show that way. There are episodes I love and episodes I hate (and inbetween), but over analyzing can destroy any episode. I'll probably be back when the season ends, or if something really significant happens. I know the titles of the next few episodes but nothing beyond that, and I want to keep it that way as well. If the BBC announces that, for example, they're bringing back Davros in 4 weeks (they haven't, don't worry), at least it might remain a surprise for me when that episode comes. I always change the channel when the 'next time' trailer comes on as well. Doctor Who works best when you just go along for the ride. Analyzing scripts, set pictures, work prints or rumors can happen after the season ends, for me.

Precisely, you nailed everything I have been thinking and put it down into words. I'm still going to show up here and there, but yeah, I'm much happier not over-analyzing stuff.

 

[BrokenFiction]

That is, in the end, the best way to enjoy Doctor Who. And that is in no way a judgement on the people in this thread - I enjoy the discussions in here, even I don't agree with every opinion. I mostly check in here in between seasons. Doctor Who can be so many things for different people, there are always people who will be dissatisfied, no matter what the show does. While the show is on, I mostly limit the experience to myself and my friends, and I don't really check into forums. I just get more enjoyment out of the show that way. There are episodes I love and episodes I hate (and inbetween), but over analyzing can destroy any episode. I'll probably be back when the season ends, or if something really significant happens. I know the titles of the next few episodes but nothing beyond that, and I want to keep it that way as well. If the BBC announces that, for example, they're bringing back Davros in 4 weeks (they haven't, don't worry), at least it might remain a surprise for me when that episode comes. I always change the channel when the 'next time' trailer comes on as well. Doctor Who works best when you just go along for the ride. Analyzing scripts, set pictures, work prints or rumors can happen after the season ends, for me.

This is wisdom right here.

 

[APZonerunner]

That is, in the end, the best way to enjoy Doctor Who. And that is in no way a judgement on the people in this thread - I enjoy the discussions in here, even I don't agree with every opinion. I mostly check in here in between seasons. Doctor Who can be so many things for different people, there are always people who will be dissatisfied, no matter what the show does. While the show is on, I mostly limit the experience to myself and my friends, and I don't really check into forums. I just get more enjoyment out of the show that way. There are episodes I love and episodes I hate (and inbetween), but over analyzing can destroy any episode. I'll probably be back when the season ends, or if something really significant happens. I know the titles of the next few episodes but nothing beyond that, and I want to keep it that way as well. If the BBC announces that, for example, they're bringing back Davros in 4 weeks (they haven't, don't worry), at least it might remain a surprise for me when that episode comes. I always change the channel when the 'next time' trailer comes on as well. Doctor Who works best when you just go along for the ride. Analyzing scripts, set pictures, work prints or rumors can happen after the season ends, for me.

See, I often think, given the rich history of the show and all that, that it's a show that I absolutely adore for those kinds of discussions. I also think given what the show is - probably the biggest drama aimed at children in Britain - it has a great level of social responsibility that makes the process more interesting. I say the process, not so much spoilers or whatever.

That said, I think the way you watch it is great, too. I find it a bit hard to avoid announced stuff, and I have the sort of personality where if a next time trailer is there, I'm going to watch it. However, I'm big on the analysis and consideration after the fact... it's just how I am.

 

[Loke13]

That is, in the end, the best way to enjoy Doctor Who. And that is in no way a judgement on the people in this thread - I enjoy the discussions in here, even I don't agree with every opinion. I mostly check in here in between seasons. Doctor Who can be so many things for different people, there are always people who will be dissatisfied, no matter what the show does. While the show is on, I mostly limit the experience to myself and my friends, and I don't really check into forums. I just get more enjoyment out of the show that way. There are episodes I love and episodes I hate (and inbetween), but over analyzing can destroy any episode. I'll probably be back when the season ends, or if something really significant happens. I know the titles of the next few episodes but nothing beyond that, and I want to keep it that way as well. If the BBC announces that, for example, they're bringing back Davros in 4 weeks (they haven't, don't worry), at least it might remain a surprise for me when that episode comes. I always change the channel when the 'next time' trailer comes on as well. Doctor Who works best when you just go along for the ride. Analyzing scripts, set pictures, work prints or rumors can happen after the season ends, for me.

That's some great advice, I think I'll be taking a break from this thread until the Season is over.

 

[WillyFive]

The last few scenes with Capaldi and Clara talking and the phone call were great, but what came before that was really poor. The story was really uninteresting, the villains boring, too much focus on the secondary and tertiary characters rather than the Doctor himself, and boring and stale pacing made this episode really disappointing. Capaldi was interesting (the little we see of him), but it really confuses me why the writer would try to make him as unlikable and mean as possible. Is that somehow supposed to be endearing or whimsical? Clara still seems like dead weight.

I like Moffat and his previous Doctor series, and his tendency to write stories and dialogue with double meanings and wit still made certain parts of this episode enjoyable; but I think it was a good time to have new blood behind this instead of having Moffat return. This should have been an introductory episode for a new series, but it felt like a continuation of a show that lost its star. Too much stuff being dragged along from past story lines, it just feels weird and alien to a newcomer. Heck, the writing felt weird and alien to me too, a lot of parts in the episode felt written to just be weird and creepy rather than make any sense.

Oh well, the new opening and theme song was excellent, and the music score is fantastic as always. But it doesn't feel like a new show yet, it just feels like when Steve Carrel left The Office instead for now.

 

[Fireblend]

And Clara was great too, I can already see that we're moving forward with her now that we have the acceptance out of the way...for now. I think I'm going to post less in DW threads and enjoy the show on my own.

This is me too. I enjoy the show immensely and my standards are obviously below those of many here (I love the Paternoster gang, laugh at Strax, like Clara and the "Moffatisms", etc) so there's really no point to souring my experience by arguing about quality with those who disagree with me, specially since there's a full weeks worth of discussion between every episode!

 

[APZonerunner]

This is me too. I enjoy the show immensely and my standards are obviously below those of many here (I love the Paternoster gang, laugh at Strax, like Clara and the "Moffatisms", etc) so there's really no point to souring my experience by arguing about quality with those who disagree with me, specially since there's a full weeks worth of discussion between every episode!

I don't think there's a standards barometer that's universal, to be fair. I loved Capaldi last night but found the episode to be over-long and poorly paced. On the flip side, however, I'm the type of person who defends Love & Monsters. So, everybody's mileage varies, but I personally adore those debates.

 

[Boem]

See, I often think, given the rich history of the show and all that, that it's a show that I absolutely adore for those kinds of discussions. I also think given what the show is - probably the biggest drama aimed at children in Britain - it has a great level of social responsibility that makes the process more interesting. I say the process, not so much spoilers or whatever.

That said, I think the way you watch it is great, too. I find it a bit hard to avoid announced stuff, and I have the sort of personality where if a next time trailer is there, I'm going to watch it. However, I'm big on the analysis and consideration after the fact... it's just how I am.

I can understand that. I like that analysis too, but I just save it until after the season ends. There are a couple of great blogs that I'm reading while I rewatch the classic series (my favorite one at the moment is Tardis Eruditorum (http://www.philipsandifer.com/p/tardis-eruditorum.html), which analyses each story in the context of the social backdrop of the time. I don't agree with every observation he makes, but it's always entertaining and informative). But, apart from that analytical perspective, I just love the experience of immersing myself into the story, and that's why I'm just going to discuss the episodes and my theories with the handful of people I know in real life who watch the show. I'll discover the behind-the-scenes developments after the finale. It's more entertaining for me that way, but that doesn't mean that your approach is wrong in any way.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

I can understand that. I like that analysis too, but I just save it until after the season ends. There are a couple of great blogs that I'm reading while I rewatch the classic series (my favorite one at the moment is Tardis Eruditorum (http://www.philipsandifer.com/p/tardis-eruditorum.html), which analyses each story in the context of the social backdrop of the time. I don't agree with every observation he makes, but it's always entertaining and informative).

But if engaging in analysis of the show while watching the show is enriching your viewing of the original episodes then why is it an overall negative for the new one? What makes it entertaining and informative in the one example but a hindrance in the other?

I mean, to be clear, to each their reach - if people believe discussing the show's merits as it occurs detracts from their enjoyment, then yeah, they should bail, because there's no point in making the experience worse for yourself on purpose. But that specific point has me confused.

 

[Broken Joystick]

What was with dropping hair strands on the floor? How can that prove anything about them not breathing?

I think the hair should have moved when it was dropped or something, implying there's an inhale and/or exhale of breath. The fact that it dropped straight to the floor implied there was none...I think? I'm confused too.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Yeah, it was intended to show there was no air moving in the room. It's less about the test actually being able to work, and more about the idea behind the test registering with the viewer, I think. Because that would have been kind of a dumb test. A roomful of people moving their arms, even if they aren't eating, is going to disturb the air in the room.

 

[Broken Joystick]

Yeah, it was intended to show there was no air moving in the room. It's less about the test actually being able to work, and more about the idea behind the test registering with the viewer, I think. Because that would have been kind of a dumb test. A roomful of people moving their arms, even if they aren't eating, is going to disturb the air in the room.

Plus, Clara and the Doctor are breathing, and they're the closest. And like any café, there would have been a horrible draught somewhere.

 

[Boem]

But if engaging in analysis of the show while watching the show is enriching your viewing of the original episodes then why is it an overall negative for the new one? What makes it entertaining and informative in the one example but a hindrance in the other?

I mean, to be clear, to each their reach - if people believe discussing the show's merits as it occurs detracts from their enjoyment, then yeah, they should bail, because there's no point in making the experience worse for yourself on purpose. But that specific point has me confused.

I should note that I have already seen all the classic episodes at one point. I'm one of those crazy idiots who's willing to go through the entire series in chronological order a second time. It's not that I watch Doctor Who every night though - it took me 3 years to watch the entire show the first time, and I expect it to be the same this time. Doctor Who is the only long-running nerdy thing that I'm allowing myself to spend so much time on. It's almost a hobby, as opposed to a television show I enjoy. The first time I watched them I was just missing a lot of context for those episodes. This time I'm specifically watching it to get some historical context of what the show means.

Digging too deep into each single episode (and each single scene) while the current season is airing just gets in the way of my enjoyment of the plot and characters a bit too much. Like I said, it's just a personal preference.