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Doctor Who Series 9 |OT| Let Zygons Be Zygons

C

Coffee Dog

Banned
What the hell, man. That was great! River is perfect for these one off episodes, I'd like her a lot more if she wasn't so involved in the overarching plots.
 
F

Fine Ham Abounds

Member
I dunno, maybe because I was prepared for complete shit I ended up enjoying this quite a bit. It was really dumb but reminded me of some of the fun stupid classic Who episodes everyone complains about that I still enjoyed as a kid. I've been ready to never see River again for what feels like forever, but I thought Kingston and Capaldi worked really well together. Dialog was fun, pacing was great, robot was like a headless version of that stupid robot from Robot. I dunno, a good one off lark.
 
I

IdreamofHIME

Member
Didn't like the episode, but loved the Doctor in it. I think it's probably my all time favourite performance from someone as the Doctor. He was brilliant.
Episode was poor though, from logic being thrown out the window, to Greg Davies just being Mr Gilber in a robot suit and that the final soppy ending.
Felt like RTD wrote it. Yuck.
 
B

Bluth54

Member
I though this was a good episode. It was a fun romp with Riven with a great emotional ending. I think Moffat has done a great job with the last 3 Christmas episodes, the last 3 are easily my favorite (probably because they aren't as heavily focused on Christmas as some of the others ones that kinda knock you over the head with the Christmas theme).
 
F

Fine Ham Abounds

Member
IdreamofHIME said:
Didn't like the episode, but loved the Doctor in it. I think it's probably my all time favourite performance from someone as the Doctor. He was brilliant.
Episode was poor though, from logic being thrown out the window, to Greg Davies just being Mr Gilber in a robot suit and that the final soppy ending.
Felt like RTD wrote it. Yuck.
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Heh you're right, it did feel like an RTD episode, which is actually kind of perfect.

But yeah, the episode is worth a watch at least for Capaldi and his chemistry with Kingston.

Definitely my favorite Christmas episode I think. Which isn't saying much, but I dunno, it grows on me more just thinking about it. The dialog and performances were really strong with just the right energy and exchanges. If only the plot and side characters had been more then wet wallpaper.
 
P

paradox121

Member
Wow. I was actively avoiding this thread last night for fear of pages of Christmas grumpiness but...I'm pretty sure this episode is getting as much positivity as Heaven Sent. I mean, obviously not to the same degree, it's a whole different style of episode, I just imagined River Song + romp + Christmas episode was never going to go down well. It's a Christmas miracle!

I definitely enjoyed it too. It's probably not something I'll ever choose to go back and rewatch, but it executed everything it set out to achieve and you can't say that about a lot of episodes. After last year's Christmas episode and pretty much the whole of the last series it's just nice to have something fluffy and warm and fun. And the whole ending sequence is fantastic. It's such a little thing, but I love the Doctor's small time jumps as he sets up the restaurant. And the conversation between the two at the end kind of makes the whole episode worth it.

It's super weird to think this might have been Moffat's last episode though. Maybe he would've added a few other things in if he was certain, but it's such a low key way to go out.
 
E

Exterminieren

Banned
Stilton Disco said:
Seriously? They're still not able to get a new series sorted out on a regular basis?

Fucking hell this show desperately needs new management.
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We're getting a full series produced next year, but it's being pushed back a few months to allow a different scheduling strategy and so Moffat can finish his Sherlock work. Smart money says that it starts in January or February.

The show needs desperately to move out of the Autumn. If this is the bullet that we need to bite to make it happen, so be it.
 
T

tomtom94

Member
I genuinely think Husbands of River Song can go alongside Runaway Bride and A Christmas Carol.

It's nice to end the year with a reminder that Moffat remains for the most part a fantastic writer even with all his flaws.

right in time for him to be attacked for his showrunning again lol
 
J

JonathanEx

Member
For those wondering, ratings for Doctor Who were 5.8m.

Which is a) not great for Christmas looking at Who's past specials b) not that bad considering Christmas day was massively down across the board, Downton was peak at 6.9m. OOOOF.
 
P

paradox121

Member
JonathanEx said:
For those wondering, ratings for Doctor Who were 5.8m.

Which is a) not great for Christmas looking at Who's past specials b) not that bad considering Christmas day was massively down across the board, Downton was peak at 6.9m. OOOOF.
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For extra context it beat out both EastEnders and Corrie which at one time were getting 10 odd million for Christmas.

And to put some extra positive spin it actually had the second biggest audience percentage of the day (29.4%), barely behind Strictly (30%) which is super impressive. And indicative of just how much Christmas Day ratings have dropped like a stone in recent years. I guess because of the rise of catch up and Netflix and the like.
 
R

Razmos

Member
paradox121 said:
For extra context it beat out both EastEnders and Corrie which at one time were getting 10 odd million for Christmas.

And to put some extra positive spin it actually had the second biggest audience percentage of the day (29.4%), barely behind Strictly (30%) which is super impressive. And indicative of just how much Christmas Day ratings have dropped like a stone in recent years. I guess because of the rise of catch up and Netflix and the like.
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Also probably because TV this christmas day was a steaming pile of garbage.
 
P

PaulloDEC

Member
Absolutely lovely episode. I had myself all ready for some fluffy Christmas nonsense, and then it went all touching and understated towards the end. Very happy with that.

Pretty impressive trick Alex Kingston has with the whole not-aging thing, too.

demtowersngar5.gif


And damn, Milk knocking it out of the park with the VFX.
 
T

TheLegendOfMart

Banned
I wasn't holding out much hope for this episode, not really a fan of River but I really enjoyed it. It was a lighthearted RTD style romp.

Awesome callback to Silence in the Library with the sonic screwdriver and the diary.
 
R

RonnocTheRed

Neo Member
I really didn't like it early on, but it turned things around and became a lot more enjoyable. Great end to a not-so-great overall season. Capaldi has proven himself to be fantastic when he's given something to work with.
 
C

Chariot

Member
Now I am kinda offended. Doctor telling River that things must end, shortly after he did his shit with Clara was silly. Are you kidding me. The episode itself was fine, fun, with nice callbacks, but that really grinds in my wounds about Clara keeping not dying. I mean, there is that 24 years thing of course, but it's the principle of his speech against Rivers proposed loopholes.
 
R

Razmos

Member
I think the only thing that really bothered me in that episode was the "A monolith/sunset wouldn't love you back!" "The Doctor doesn't fall in love"

tumblr_m3tkkoOuzf1qdwt2do1_500.gif


He fell in love with a trashy, chavvy shop assistant. gurl, you need to love yourself more.
 
F

Freeza Under The Shower

Member
Chariot said:
Now I am kinda offended. Doctor telling River that things must end, shortly after he did his shit with Clara was silly. Are you kidding me. The episode itself was fine, fun, with nice callbacks, but that really grinds in my wounds about Clara keeping not dying. I mean, there is that 24 years thing of course, but it's the principle of his speech against Rivers proposed loopholes.
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I felt the point of this was him coming to terms with that, even though he doesn't remember Clara. It also felt like a send off to Moffat as showrunner, since his first Who episode (of I recall correctly) was the library one. I would not be entirely surprised if that was the original intent of this season + christmas, but it might just be an coincidence.

This should be the last we ever see of River Song though. Her loop / story appears finished. Kingston's performance had a good run though.
 
A

APZonerunner

Member
Freeza Under The Shower said:
I felt the point of this was him coming to terms with that, even though he doesn't remember Clara. It also felt like a send off to Moffat as showrunner, since his first Who episode (of I recall correctly) was the library one. I would not be entirely surprised if that was the original intent of this season + christmas, but it might just be an coincidence.

This should be the last we ever see of River Song though. Her loop / story appears finished. Kingston's performance had a good run though.
Click to expand...

This stuff is always silly in Doctor Who, though. He'll only throw a tantrum again and go into depression again the next time he loses a companion; he always does.
 
T

tomtom94

Member
Freeza Under The Shower said:
I felt the point of this was him coming to terms with that, even though he doesn't remember Clara. It also felt like a send off to Moffat as showrunner, since his first Who episode (of I recall correctly) was the library one. I would not be entirely surprised if that was the original intent of this season + christmas, but it might just be an coincidence.

This should be the last we ever see of River Song though. Her loop / story appears finished. Kingston's performance had a good run though.
Click to expand...

err, Moff had episodes in all three RTD series before that one. Although Silence in the Library was the introduction of River Song and can thus be seen as the beginnings of Moffat's plotting.
 
I

IdreamofHIME

Member
Exterminieren said:
We're getting a full series produced next year, but it's being pushed back a few months to allow a different scheduling strategy and so Moffat can finish his Sherlock work. .
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Eurgh, just give up on Sherlock already. The two stars are too busy for a regular schedule and bending over backwards for 3 episodes is just an insane waste of resources. The show is nothing but a vanity project for all involved. We got 1 cliffhanger that was never resolved and the next episode will ignore the last one.
Just can the damn show already or make it 1 a year.
 
S

Savitar

Member
Definitely one of the better Christmas episodes, the characters were a joy. The suit was the show stealer for me. I rather liked him/it and how he took those heads had me chuckling.
 
M

M.Bluth

Member
I enjoyed it. I mean, everything before the spaceship crashes and the Doctor starts setting up his last night with River was ok, mostly run of the mill Christmas special sort of stuff. That last part is what made it.

And, even though we've known this for a while and it was no surprise, the lack of a teaser or even a "The Doctor will be back in ___" hurt.

IdreamofHIME said:
Eurgh, just give up on Sherlock already. The two stars are too busy for a regular schedule and bending over backwards for 3 episodes is just an insane waste of resources. The show is nothing but a vanity project for all involved. We got 1 cliffhanger that was never resolved and the next episode will ignore the last one.
Just can the damn show already or make it 1 a year.
Click to expand...
Um, which cliffhanger are you talking about?
 
T

tonysidaway

Member
IdreamofHIME said:
Eurgh, just give up on Sherlock already. The two stars are too busy for a regular schedule and bending over backwards for 3 episodes is just an insane waste of resources. The show is nothing but a vanity project for all involved.
Click to expand...

It's actually quite a successful show. Peabodies, Emmies and BAFTA nominations out the wazoo. Series 3 was the BBC's most watched drama since 2001, quite an achievement given the changes in television viewing in the meantime.
 
T

tonysidaway

Member
M.Bluth said:
Um, which cliffhanger are you talking about?
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He's referring to the Series 3 cliffhanger, the "return" of Moriarty, which I agree will likely be dismissed. The lack of a satisfactory resolution to the Series 2 cliffhanger is characteristic of Moffat. He knows the rules, and isn't afraid to break them.
 
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