Hot Coldman
Banned
Oh yeah, I really liked Pompeii too. Peter Capaldi was great in that.
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Doctor Who Series Seven |OT| The Question You've Been Running From All Your Life
- Thread starter Mr. Sam
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petethepanda
Member
Finally catching up. The Angels take Manhattan continues the strong Doctor Who tradition of having absolutely no idea which episodes deserve to be a two-parter and which don't.
Moffat said that series 7 is going to be a series of individual stories contained within an episode.
Parts of Power of Three is kind of the beginning of their send off. Though, I do agree that Angels Take Manhattan should be a 2-part episode.
APZonerunner
Member
Have to be honest: I was thinking "give away Amy's glasses, you dick, don't make her give up her mom's stuff!"
Interesting that a bit of Tennant's action theme (one of them anyway - All the Strange, Strange Creatures from S3/4) showed up a fair bit (albeit subtly) in this episode, and actually mingled a bit with an equally subtle version of "I am the Doctor" - sign of things to come!
Interesting that a bit of Tennant's action theme (one of them anyway - All the Strange, Strange Creatures from S3/4) showed up a fair bit (albeit subtly) in this episode, and actually mingled a bit with an equally subtle version of "I am the Doctor" - sign of things to come!
JonathanEx
Member
Was a bit "oh more singing saving the day, great" but I'm a sucker for a great Doctor speech. Time war! References galore!
StealthGoblin
Banned
Quite liked that episode. It won't be one I'll deliberately single out to watch again any time soon, but it worked well.
APZonerunner
Member
It's funny, but as the episode drew to a close, I just couldn't help but thinking how much it felt like an RTD era episode with how heavily it traded in sentimentality, religious belief, and the Doctor being something of a tortured soul; all big themes of his that Moffat doesn't tend to press as heavily. It was nice to experience that again as a one off. So many shades of The End of the World, Gridlock, Father's Day and other things in this story. I liked it, and would place it above Beast and Black Spot in the second episode rankings, but I think a lot of people will feel the opposite way for the exact same reasons. Even that said, it isn't the best implementation of that energy and those themes going, but I think it worked well for establishing Clara.
Must assume we'll see her dad later on in the present day, as they did cast an older version of him standing at the gravestone.
Also, isn't Matt fantastic? He really has grown into this role massively and got a million times better.
Jex
Member
I don't know if this was just a problem with my audio set-up, but it seemed like the audio mix in this episode was pretty bad. Sometimes I literally couldn't hear what characters were saying because the music was too loud.
Also, I didn't think much of the episode as a whole. It had a very clear central theme but it didn't flow particularly well. Also, there were too many nonsensical scenes of either people singing at stuff or people attacking each other with magical barriers.
The doctor had a pretty great speech but I felt like they undercut his character a tad by having Clara one-up him with a leaf.
Also, I didn't think much of the episode as a whole. It had a very clear central theme but it didn't flow particularly well. Also, there were too many nonsensical scenes of either people singing at stuff or people attacking each other with magical barriers.
The doctor had a pretty great speech but I felt like they undercut his character a tad by having Clara one-up him with a leaf.
Holy shit!
Hmm, thought that was my setup, you might be right.
That might be the worst episode of Doctor Who I've ever seen. Liked the nod to Susan but wow that was bad.
Hmm, thought that was my setup, you might be right.
Having watched todays episode, i think it would be cool if the dr who team had a go at making a star wars movie, did you see those aliens? Very star wars ish
now dont get me wrong i dont mean the main series of SW films, i mean one of the spinoff SWmovies, can you imagine if the team who made todays dr episode had access to a large budget?
I think they could pull off a decent movie set within the star wars universe
Minus the singing of course ha ha
now dont get me wrong i dont mean the main series of SW films, i mean one of the spinoff SWmovies, can you imagine if the team who made todays dr episode had access to a large budget?
I think they could pull off a decent movie set within the star wars universe
Minus the singing of course ha ha
JonathanEx
Member
I'm getting the feeling that there's going to be a few good concepts, but not fleshed out or given enough time. Like, more time or more drafts would be needed this series. That's production hell for you, mind...
Oh, and agreed on audio mix. I had to change my TV settings.
Also, we had Matt acting with kids which is always adorable.
Oh, and agreed on audio mix. I had to change my TV settings.
Also, we had Matt acting with kids which is always adorable.
King of the Potato People
Member
I liked it, I thought it was very imaginative. Matt Smith makes great speeches.
The leaf scenes were incredibly cheesy though.
The leaf scenes were incredibly cheesy though.
The sound mixing for two weeks now is ridiculous. The music is just far, FAR too overbearing.
The episode itself, bar a couple of nice exchanges, was complete crap. I just...don't care anymore. A mystery about a character who keeps dying / is impossible. An alien market. A monster with no eyes. A resolution through the power of love and memories. The Doctor angrily lamenting his losses. Running everywhere.
I suspect its probably my mentality. I think Smiths great, but there's just no substance for me. Hell I'd take Tate and Tennants mugging any day - it just feels like a very VERY well oiled production now and just very...sterile.
The episode itself, bar a couple of nice exchanges, was complete crap. I just...don't care anymore. A mystery about a character who keeps dying / is impossible. An alien market. A monster with no eyes. A resolution through the power of love and memories. The Doctor angrily lamenting his losses. Running everywhere.
I suspect its probably my mentality. I think Smiths great, but there's just no substance for me. Hell I'd take Tate and Tennants mugging any day - it just feels like a very VERY well oiled production now and just very...sterile.
Future Foundation
Member
Hmmm, not suprised by the reactions. A lot of the advanced reviews for this were on the mixed "6/10" scale.
Of course, I'll get my chance to decide on it later tonight.
Of course, I'll get my chance to decide on it later tonight.
APZonerunner
Member
So, guys, best companion first trip?
Rose: The End of the World
Jack: Boom Town (lol)
Martha: The Shakespeare Code
Donna: The Fires of Pompeii
Amy: The Beast Below
Rory: Vampires in Venice
Clara: The Rings of Akhaten
Also: The TARDIS 'not liking' Clara is interesting, especially because they highlighted it so directly. The last person it reacted badly to was Jack, because he shouldn't exist. Hmm....
Rose: The End of the World
Jack: Boom Town (lol)
Martha: The Shakespeare Code
Donna: The Fires of Pompeii
Amy: The Beast Below
Rory: Vampires in Venice
Clara: The Rings of Akhaten
Donna wins again, as is true of all things.
Also: The TARDIS 'not liking' Clara is interesting, especially because they highlighted it so directly. The last person it reacted badly to was Jack, because he shouldn't exist. Hmm....
Exterminieren
Banned
Not sure that all hung together all that well, but by thunder, the bits that worked REALLY worked. I'm a sucker for a good Murray Gold score, and he knocked it out of the park with this one.
Smith's performance when he was confronting the Grandfather was absolutely stunning; his best work in the show since The Big Bang.
I can see what critics didn't like about it, but the bits that worked were so successful in my book that I can't help but love it. A level of thematic richness that we haven't had for a while, too.
Smith's performance when he was confronting the Grandfather was absolutely stunning; his best work in the show since The Big Bang.
I can see what critics didn't like about it, but the bits that worked were so successful in my book that I can't help but love it. A level of thematic richness that we haven't had for a while, too.
Blimey. I enjoyed all those episodes, but for me I actually think "The Beast Below"!
Exterminieren
Banned
The ranking is clearly:
The Fires of Pompeii
The End of the World
The Rings of Akhaten
The Vampires of Venice
Boom Town
The Shakespeare Code
The Beast Below.
The Fires of Pompeii
The End of the World
The Rings of Akhaten
The Vampires of Venice
Boom Town
The Shakespeare Code
The Beast Below.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
I really liked The Beast Below. I didn't know people generally thought it was bad until today. Damn.
Watching the episode before the one that just aired... ugh, I hate it when television and film do anything related to the internet or "hacking". Kind of ruined that part of Skyfall for me as well.
Also, perpetuating the myth that pilots are always actively in control of aeroplanes. Would have been better if the "wi-fi" just took over the autopilot.
Riding up the shard... dear me. What a stupid episode
Also, perpetuating the myth that pilots are always actively in control of aeroplanes. Would have been better if the "wi-fi" just took over the autopilot.
Riding up the shard... dear me. What a stupid episode
JonathanEx
Member
Edit: I screencapped/posted on mobile, didn't realise it was HUGE. Sorry!
Hot Coldman
Banned
OH GOD I MISSED IT
Exterminieren
Banned
Whether you loved it or not, it was pretty much unique, that one. Neil Cross is a genuinely interesting new voice for the show, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else he can come up with.
APZonerunner
Member
Three options --
Option one: Series One (2005) is the start of modern Who. It's a reboot in theory, but actually is a direct continuation from the old series. You'll see familiar enemies, and even find out what happened to Sarah Jane after the Fourth Doctor left her - that's about 16 episodes in. Ninth/Tenth Doctor.
Series One was when the show was first finding its feet, and has aged badly and to be honest was pretty iffy in places when the show began. There were problems with them figuring out what the show was (there's some terrible slapstick kids show stuff in three episodes of the series), but it does find its voice particularly in the back end.. it's still got the best series finale they've done, imo. It was also a smash hit. Even the very worst of Series One is better than 80s Who. You will have to live with 2005-standard British TV CGI... with a low budget. Which means it's bad. By series 2 (so after 13 episodes) the show really finds its feet, and every subsequent year the budget goes up, effects get better and so on. By Series 4 they've really nailed the feel that they then built on for the popular current iteration of the show.
It's 13/14 45 minute episodes a series, by the way, so it's relatively short compared to US TV.
Series One through to the end of Series Four is one big thread, really. You can expect Daleks, Sontarans, Cybermen, The Master, Autons and a suite of new enemies as well, obviously. The show makes a point of doing away with a lot of the lore established in the past in one sweeping movement (though in an effective way) and gradually seeds the ones that they think matter to new fans in over time. Through this they kick a lot of the bloat that had begun to suffocate old Doctor Who but cherry pick the things that were the best and work the best in the modern age.
Option two: Series 5 (2010) is the beginning of the current iteration of the show. Basically the old folks behind bringing back the show stepped down after 5 years and a new production staff took over, including a new lead writer - a guy who had written some of the best episodes of the first 4 series and begun to seed in things that would become bigger in his own regime. So this marks a change. Eleventh Doctor. It picks up mere seconds from the end of Series 4, but is still a relatively clean 'jumping on' point for a new series.
Series 5-7 (the current series) have a generally more even level of quality - they had certainly found their feet at this point. While Series 4 and the Who spinoff Torchwood had begun to gain some traction in the US, Series 5 is the one that marks the point when the show really took off in the states. It's a good jumping on point, but also benefits from the core of the show being established over the previous 5 years.
Option three: Wait it out. Sounds like we're due a regeneration soonish, so I imagine that'll prove a good jumping-on point too.
Netflix lists everything from 2005 on as one show, while it groups old Who together. Generally speaking now the advice is to start at Series 5, but that's the advice I'd give people coming in all-new, green. If you're an old hand from old Who, you've probably seen worse than even the worst bits of Series One, and you'll get a lot out of some of the episodes, especially those where they reintroduce old enemies and elements for the first time - so for you in particular I'd recommend Series One. If you're a fan of the Baker years for instance I can't imagine you not experiencing the episode with old Sarah Jane (who aged incredibly!) The series 5 advice definitely works for people who have no fond memories of the show and are likely to write it off as shit because it's sort of still got that wobbly set syndrome earlier on... but with series experience, you'll likely handle that a lot better, and it does improve fast. What's your favourite aliens/events/episodes you remember?
If you jump back in, be sure to hit this thread and keep us in the loop of what you think - it's always fun hearing other people experience this stuff for the first time, and I think you'd be the first lapsed old Who fan we've had.
grimshawish
Banned
Loved it. And yes certainly unique.
Just so good; Smith was excellent at the end too.
Will defoes be watching a few more times.
Not perfect (can tell someone got a 'go watch list of Turn Left/End of the World and Beast Below) but I loved the dialogue and story.
Next weeks looks spectacular
Just so good; Smith was excellent at the end too.
Will defoes be watching a few more times.
Not perfect (can tell someone got a 'go watch list of Turn Left/End of the World and Beast Below) but I loved the dialogue and story.
Next weeks looks spectacular
JonathanEx
Member
6:15 this week, but 6pm from now on.
grimshawish
Banned
Watching the episode before the one that just aired... ugh, I hate it when television and film do anything related to the internet or "hacking". Kind of ruined that part of Skyfall for me as well.
Also, perpetuating the myth that pilots are always actively in control of aeroplanes. Would have been better if the "wi-fi" just took over the autopilot.
Riding up the shard... dear me. What a stupid episode
Uhm...the wifi did take control of the autopilot.
APZonerunner
Member
Can't believe they're putting it out this early. No wonder the timeshifts are getting so massive. Shit, shit scheduling.
JonathanEx
Member
It's the fucking Voice and fucking Cowell. Because people are less likely to change channel if a show has started, Voice has to get a headstart. And the good show suffers.
APZonerunner
Member
Moffat needs his Julie Gardner, I'm afraid, as she always managed to navigate them around the X Factor war bollocks. Feel bad for him; he's been surrounded by either shit people or people he doesn't really get on with.
JonathanEx
Member
Agreed, but the "junction" based fears for scheduling are fairly recent in their levels insanity. If Who started at 7, so would Talent, and we can't have that!!! So ten to seven it is. That's not awkward, right?!
Exterminieren
Banned
Far be it for me to defend the BBC's scheduling, but I do think Doctor Who does much more good as a lead in to the night than the centrepiece.
And Doctor Who's timeshfting is a sign of healthy interest and audience participation. People aren't just watching Who because it's on, they're actively hunting it down and engaging with it.
And Doctor Who's timeshfting is a sign of healthy interest and audience participation. People aren't just watching Who because it's on, they're actively hunting it down and engaging with it.
What does this mean?
Exterminieren
Banned
grimshawish
Banned
Who doesn't act as a lead in. 2 Million watch after its finished. So its only 4 million odd when its on live.
It competes with shows thtoughout the night.
6 makes sense here as it gets people early and the later people watch anyway.
It competes with shows thtoughout the night.
6 makes sense here as it gets people early and the later people watch anyway.
Huh. I read that issue. At the time.
Watching raggedy doctor/Amelia pond. Not bad so far.
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