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[radioheadrule83]

Anyone in the UK who caught it?

Some extremely ropey dialogue and CG in a lot of areas, and the manequinns were probably the most laughable choice for season premiere ever... having said that, I kinda like how it already looks ever so slightly dated. That's part of the charm of watching the old ones. They had to start it somewhere I guess... I thought the way he convinced Rose to join him at the end was a bit naff. The slow motion running... ugh...

Good things? Christopher Eccleston is quite good, I reckon I'm gonna really like him in the role in a few episodes time. Now that Rose leaving her life/friends/family is out of the way - along with the dodgy mannequin people (I forget their proper name) - the adventures are bound to be better too. It's obviously got a decent budget for a BBC programme, and the music/visuals/locations etc were pretty good.

I can't help think the way the BBC are mentioning it constantly inbetween other shows, putting documentaries on about it, and selling it to you every five seconds is bound to backfire with some people. Ah well... I know I'm gonna keep watching. Bring on the Daleks!

 

[demi]

They showed Simon's part on some special with Johnathan Ross....I wish I could see it.

 

[8bit]

I really enjoyed it. Again.

Demi, Last night's Friday Night with Jonathan Woss on uknova is what you want.

 

[border]

I watched the first episode a long time ago and kind of liked it....but then again I really have no frame of reference since I never watched the old show. I just have vague memories of it coming on PBS on lazy Saturday afternoons.

I didn't think that the Doctor was supposed to be a sort of flippant, whimsical, devil-may-care kind of guy. He doesn't seem to take his job too seriously. It felt strange and out of place when he just offers to take the girl along with him...

 

[Snufkin]

There was a slight technical screw up near the start, sound fom bloody Graham Norton's show faded in and out briefly in the one scene wich was suppsed to convey some tension. Idiots.

 

[demi]

I really enjoyed it. Again.

Demi, Last night's Friday Night with Jonathan Woss on uknova is what you want.

cool thanks i'll check it out

 

[border]

Is there any way I can sign up for this UKNova site? And seriously, what the hell is the deal with all these private membership torrent sites? Restricting access totally goes against the technology's foundation.

 

[8bit]

If you want a uknova membership, just keep trying. There's a cap of members, but unused accounts get booted every few days, so you should be able to get in fairly soon.

Also, I think they cap the membership to prevent infintite redistribution of content. Sure, it's against the ideals of torrents, but people suck and don't keep torrents open. Capping at least enforces some sort of responsibility.

 

[demi]

uknova rox, i got so much stuff from them!

 

[radioheadrule83]

There was a slight technical screw up near the start, sound fom bloody Graham Norton's show faded in and out briefly in the one scene wich was suppsed to convey some tension. Idiots.

Yeah, I forgot to mention this. I hated that gimp enough to begin with, now I hate him even more. Along with that strictly-whatever-dancing crap. Those few seconds where I could still hear his voice underneath the show nearly ruined the whole thing.

I forgot the first episode leaked... I think I'll download it myself.

 

[8bit]

Yeah, I forgot to mention this. I hated that gimp enough to begin with, now I hate him even more. Along with that strictly-whatever-dancing crap. Those few seconds where I could still hear his voice underneath the show nearly ruined the whole thing.

I forgot the first episode leaked... I think I'll download it myself.

I didn't notice that, but I was either not paying attention or it didn't affect the Scottish feed.

 

[COCKLES]

Already saw the leaked version - which was identical except for the theme music (nice version, but it doesn't match the wormhole at the start very well unfortuantly).

Pretty lite and fluffy introduction for the kids.

This isn't going to be a dark and sinister BSG reimagination (sadly).

Too much comedy. Not enough drama 'meat'. The TARDIS interior is pretty fucking awful...the sickly green glow on the actors inside the TARDIS - I hate it already.

Still the sneak peek earlier of later episodes shows more dramatic stuff. ICBM's racing towards London...a non-fussed Dalek exterminating some troopers with a nifty vapourisation FX, the last human being alive made of just skin, WW2 Zombies.

 

[Snufkin]

I didn't notice that, but I was either not paying attention or it didn't affect the Scottish feed.

Yeah it seems to have been a regional thing, it was the scene where Rose first discovered the mannequins (audience cheering, Norton briefly talking).

 

[Matt_09]

I missed the first 15 mins of the show but from what I did see, I thought it was great. The cheesy script and over the top Dr added to the charm and really brought back memories of the old shows. (I've not seen that many but i liked what i've saw).

Ill definatley tune in next week too see how the show progresses.

 

[Flynn]

I liked it.

I'm of the mind that the low-budget look works well for the show. Like others have noted, it keeps the new series in line with the old episodes. The cheezy mannequins and Xena-era CG endeared me to the show.

And Eccleston plays The Doctor with the perfect blend of grinning dorkyness and anti-social standoffishness.

Now that they have the introductions out of the way, we can get into some more interesting stories.

Too bad they fired that guy that leaked the first episode.

I'm not sure how I'm going to manage seeing the rest of the series here in the states.

 

[COCKLES]

They'll be on BitTorrent within hours of transmission.

:lol

Preview show:-

http://www.btefnet.net/gettorrent/doctor.who.a.new.dimension.ws.pdtv.xvid-river.[BT].torrent

 

[radioheadrule83]

With it's own section on btefnet.net, I'm sure someone will continue to capture

 

[Flynn]

Hooray for breaking the DMCA!

 

[radioheadrule83]

Hooray for breaking the DMCA!

Do we have an equivilent of the DCMA in the UK? I don't think we do yet... even then it's tough to stop these things. I actually think the BBC would probably like the hype. The BBC is a PSB, its paid for by the British public... with these things typically appearing after they've first aired in the country of origin (in this case, Britain) - I think the only way they'd get pissy about this is if they wanted to sell it in other countries for the likes of BBC World / America.

Even then, it's probably only hardcore fans and curious parties who will bother with downloading eps in torrents. And many of those will buy any subsequent DVD releases anyway.

 

[mattx5]

Never seen any of the previous Dr. Who incarnations, so this was my first taste of the series -

I liked the cheese, and I loved the way Eccleston portrayed the character (though I have no one to compare him to).

Any sites I can visit for a complete rundown of the Dr. Who mythos and history?

 

[COCKLES]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/doctorwho/classic.shtml

http://www.gallifreyone.com/index.php

 

[mattx5]

Sweet!

 

[etiolate]

Is this coming to the US?

 

[Flynn]

Do we have an equivilent of the DCMA in the UK? I don't think we do yet... even then it's tough to stop these things. I actually think the BBC would probably like the hype. The BBC is a PSB, its paid for by the British public... with these things typically appearing after they've first aired in the country of origin (in this case, Britain) - I think the only way they'd get pissy about this is if they wanted to sell it in other countries for the likes of BBC World / America.

Even then, it's probably only hardcore fans and curious parties who will bother with downloading eps in torrents. And many of those will buy any subsequent DVD releases anyway.

It's interesting. The BBC, since it is public, has apparently met with Lawrence Lessig, famed IP lawyer, to deterimine how to make all of the BBC's television and radio programs available over the internet for free. It would mean wading through thousands of royalty agreements with actors, writers and musicians to make it happen. Highly improbable, but very intriguing.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I just check on my Sky Planner what the next episode will be about will be about:

Spoiler

Its called "The End Of The World" and it is about the Doc and Rose going to the year Five Billion where the sun is about to expand a swallow earth!!!

I gotta watch this, sounds like the most intresting sci-fi idea i heard in ages

 

[COCKLES]

Second Series confirmed! Including a 60 min Christmas special.

Looks increasingly like Ecclestone won't be back though. Time for another round of guess-the-doctor.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4395147.stm

he BBC has commissioned a second series of the new Doctor Who after the debut episode proved a ratings success on Saturday night.

The BBC has confirmed a second 13-part series as well as a Christmas special.

Writer Russell T Davies said: "It's fantastic news. It's been a tense and jittery time because the production team has been working on plans."

The production team said it was not known if Christopher Eccleston would return in the BBC Wales-made programme.

Flagship show

Eccleston and Billie Piper's first episode as the Doctor and Rose saw ratings as high as 10 million.

"We could all have ended up unemployed. But now we can put all those plans into action and get going," said Mr Davies.

"It's particularly good for BBC Wales. This is a major flagship show for the region, and their staff and crews are the best you could find. It's a tribute to them that Doctor Who is returning."

Mr Eccleston and Ms Pipers' contracts have options to appear in more series of the show.

BBC head of drama commissioning Jane Tranter told The Guardian she was happy to commission more episodes of the show after its debut success.

"In all honesty I had got myself into a proverbial steel jacket as far as Doctor Who was concerned. I told myself I'd be completely and utterly thrilled if it got 6.5 million, but there was a little voice inside whispering '4.5 million'," she said.

 

[border]

What the fuck? Eccleston might not be coming back? Why would you even sign an actor to this role without getting some kind of long term commitment?

10 million viewers is pretty insane for a show in Britain isn't it?

 

[Crazymoogle]

I didn't think that the Doctor was supposed to be a sort of flippant, whimsical, devil-may-care kind of guy. He doesn't seem to take his job too seriously. It felt strange and out of place when he just offers to take the girl along with him...

That's pretty much how the doctor always is. The guy isn't human and has basically had access to a time/space traveling machine for most of his life. It sort of goes to reason that after defeating his fair share of villains (and eight rather painful resurrections), he would either really start to enjoy life for the moment or just quit the whole damn business.

Each doctor adds a unique zest to the role - earlier doctors were much more of the "I'm doing something damned important, so quit yapping on about that alien with the death ray behind me", while later doctors have been a bit more approachable, comical, or all-over-the-place personality wise.

I seriously recommend to the uninitiated to pick up or rent some of the Doctor Who DVD sets - particularily stuff from the Tom Baker years. Quality throughout the entire series is completely unpredictable, but it's pretty easy to see why Tom was clearly the most popular doctor in the series.

 

[COCKLES]

What the fuck? Eccleston might not be coming back? Why would you even sign an actor to this role without getting some kind of long term commitment?

10 million viewers is pretty insane for a show in Britain isn't it?

First episode was a massive success. Even most critics liked it - hardcore faithful were less impressed though including me. Still most shows start crap, so I'll put it out of the way and move on.

Eccleston has been cagey on Dr Who since he started doing round of press stuff - with a 'wait and see' line. Poor showing if he does quit to be honest. I mean it's Dr Who - in what way did he not think it was going to be on-going? I can understand not being typecast, but it's Dr Who - soon as you step into the TARDIS your the Doctor forever - roll with it, don't fight it. And that's part of Eccleston's problem, right from his choice of costume, the ordinary bloke jacket and shoes - moaning about past Doctor's being 'too posh', I always got the feeling he was resisting the show rather then embracing it.

David Tennant from BBC3's Casonova is widely tipped as a possible replacement for the next regeneration should it happen. Apparantly the final episode in the season, which features an invasion from the all singing all dancing new Daleks ends up with the Doctor being fatally injured.... so perhaps the writers knew Eccleston was a one-shot Doctor when the cast him.

Edit:- It's Official - On BBC's New Ticker on their website. QUITS AFTER ONE SERIES. BOOOOO!!!

Your likely next Doctor:-

David Tennant.

 

[mrklaw]

I'm not sure about all the Davies love-in casting. First Ecclestone then Tennant (both previously worked with Davies, and Casanova is written by him I think)

I also think Tennant is too young for a universe-weary doctor.

And boo-hiss to Ecclestone. I always thought it was a bad idea to cast 'an actor' - he's always flitting around here and there, and I'm sure 8 months of graft scared the pants off him.

He should at least have done two series, and he should make himself available for any regeneration scenes necessary.

 

[android]

Start on the CBC on April 5th at 8pm here in Anti-Jesusland.

 

[Suerte]

Christopher Eccleston has quit as Doctor Who after just one series.

The news comes after the BBC announced it had already given the go-ahead to a second series following the success of Saturday's first episode, which was seen by more than 10 million viewers.

Eccleston, who admitted he found the show's filming schedule "gruelling," decided to leave over concerns of becoming typecast. "The audience’s response for the new Doctor Who has been incredible and I am really proud to be part of it," he said in a statement. "I hope viewers continue to enjoy the series."

Unusually, the BBC has confirmed it is "in talks" with Casanova star David Tennant as a possible replacement.

Eccleston's final appearance will be in a special episode this Christmas.

 

[Pudding Tame]

A Christmas special where the Docter dies and is resserected?

Perhaps it's a good thing this isn't airing in the States with all the fundamentalist nutjobs we have here.

 

[COCKLES]

I'm not sure about all the Davies love-in casting. First Ecclestone then Tennant (both previously worked with Davies, and Casanova is written by him I think)

I also think Tennant is too young for a universe-weary doctor.

And boo-hiss to Ecclestone. I always thought it was a bad idea to cast 'an actor' - he's always flitting around here and there, and I'm sure 8 months of graft scared the pants off him.

He should at least have done two series, and he should make himself available for any regeneration scenes necessary.

Davies must be as sick as a parrot. Especially as it was Ecclestone who approached Davies to play the part (he wasn't even on the long or short list) and had to audition for it.

Still in my fantasy dreamland Dr Who, the 10th Doctor would be Richard O'Brien.

 

[8bit]

Rich Johnson has some interesting points over <a href="http://www.twistandshoutcomics.com/twistblog/">here</a>.
Richard O'Brien would be a terrible choice, IMO. It would be the Richard O'Brien show, not Dr. Who.

 

[Nemrael]

Here's what they need to do: Hire Richard E Grant to play the 10th Doctor, then have one of those specials where two Doctors meet and get Paul McGann to reprise his role as the 8th Doctor. Only it wouldn't be a special, he would stick around for the entire series, and both Doctors could just get drunk all the time! They could even retitle it "Withnail and I in Space". Clearly this is the only sensible solution...

 

[FnordChan]

They could even retitle it "Withnail and I in Space". Clearly this is the only sensible solution...

That is the best Doctor Who idea I've ever heard. I wholeheartedly endorse this notion.

Withnail and Who aside, I really liked the notion of Paterson Joseph as the Doctor, on the strength of his role as the Marquis de Carabas in Neverwhere alone.

On a more radical note, I'd like to suggest Helen Mirren.

FnordChan

 

[Priz]

Funniest comment someone on another forum said about "Rose":

When the autons were shutting down, I felt I should have been listening to the soundtrack from Electric Boogaloo. Did they all have to be doing The Robot?

 

[border]

Would someone look at the Doctor Who selection on Netflix, and recommend some of the better stuff for me to check out?

 

[bolak]

On the episode: I thought it was a little ropey, but it had to be, as it had to introduce the Doctor, rose, and a brief idea of what the Doctor does (saving the world in a nonchalant manner). The Doctor fit perfectly, the assistant was as annoying as ever, and the laid back style of saving the world whilst still mocking how stupid humans are was all present and correct. Also, the last surviving human as a flap of skin in the preview is superb.

On Eccleston quitting: He obviously didn't like the schedule, so lied about typecasting (which is absurd, as he is playing Doctor Who, what did he expect?). A very poor show, and utterly needless.

On the side note about the BBC offering online content: It has been a long held belief of mine that the BBC should offer its entire archive of everything it has ever done to anyone who wants it. It is funded by the public, and serves us, and the startling lack of any transparency or access to previos work is disturbing at best. A comprehensive archive of information (think IMDB), at least.

 

[ManaByte]

Is this the shortest stint as a Dr. ever? One episode?

 

[Snufkin]

Is this the shortest stint as a Dr. ever? One episode?

They've already filmed one series (thirteen episodes) with Eccelston, Paul McGan only did one TV movie.

 

[bolak]

Is this the shortest stint as a Dr. ever? One episode?

He's in it for the whole series, which has already been filmed. But, yes, it is the shortest stint (as Doctor as far as my fairly limited knowledge of Doctor Who goes).

EDIT: Beaten to it and wrong about the shortest Doctor. Brilliant. On a side note, why is there no option to delete your post in the edit/del window? Or am I missing something obvious?

 

[FnordChan]

Is this the shortest stint as a Dr. ever? One episode?

The entire 13 episode season has been filmed, and he'll be doing a Christmas episode as well. It's just that the announcement that Eccleston isn't returning is coming out now, rather than later in the season. Paul McGann still wins the "least time on screen" award with one TV movie under his belt...unless you want to include the Doctors that appeared in "Curse of the Fatal Death".

For Netflix recommendations, I'd suggest starting with "The Robots of Death", a classic Tom Baker outing with a solid mystery story and as much style as their limited budget could afford. If you like that one, come back and folks can throw some more recommendations at you.

FnordChan

 

[mrklaw]

Yeah, I think he quit because he didn't like filming for 8 months. I'm sure they'd have streamlined it a bit for the 2nd series.

I like the idea of Eddie Izzard doing it.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Just finished watching the second episode and man was it way better than the first one. It's a shame that he won't be coming back as I really enjoyed the second one. I guess with 13 eps, they seem to be only doing stand alone eps rather than the multi part stories that they used to do. Hope they pick a good next Doctor cuz it would be a shame if the next one sorta blew it for the series.

 

[Ghost]

David Tennant was good in cassanova, i can see the general public liking him as a new flamboyant Dr.Who

 

[SFA_AOK]

Feel like I'm in the minority - most of the places I visit are raving about it but I just don't get it. The only Doctor I know is Sylvester McCoy and I think I prefer those episodes, even though I know they were terrible.

I don't know what it is. Someone said it was aimed at 9 year olds, I don't think there's enough for me above that to enjoy it. I liked the baddies in the first episode but the rest of it so naff and not in the cute way that other people seem to be taking it.

A couple more episodes and I may call it a day. I wonder how the ratings held up...

 

[8bit]

I posted something on Saturday, but it's obviously been eaten by Junior Haxxor.

Anyway, the newest episode was great and I feel that Eddie Izzard would be terrible in the role, but that really goes for most established quirky actors.

Also, there's supposed to be a couple of 2 part episodes upcoming.

---

"The End of the World continued Doctor Who's strong lead over the main ITV competition, "Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway", with "Doctor Who" being watched by 7,254,214 million viewers according to ViewingFigures, versus 6,021,897 viewers for Ant & Dec, and receiving a 36.05% share versus Ant & Dec's 30.86% share. "Doctor Who" also had a higher audience share than last night's "Casualty." The figures suggest that viewing figures on BBC One and ITV1 were significantly lower last night across the board, and that Episode 2 still performed very strongly despite the lower performance against the first episode."

 

[COCKLES]

Feel like I'm in the minority - most of the places I visit are raving about it but I just don't get it. The only Doctor I know is Sylvester McCoy and I think I prefer those episodes, even though I know they were terrible.

I don't know what it is. Someone said it was aimed at 9 year olds, I don't think there's enough for me above that to enjoy it. I liked the baddies in the first episode but the rest of it so naff and not in the cute way that other people seem to be taking it.

A couple more episodes and I may call it a day. I wonder how the ratings held up...

I was puzzled and mistifyed by the love for the first episode. But you gotta remember it's been 16 years since McCoy - you could have put a turd vanishing on/off to the TARDIS sound for 45 mins and fans would have lapped it up as the best thing ever.

2nd episode was a lot better, especially the direction, Eccleston...well just about everything really. Still a bit too fluffy and lightweight for my liking. Still Mark (League of Gentleman) Gattis's episode is next week. And I like the little hints they've been dropping about Gallifrey being destroyed. I've got a feeling the Daleks are going to be responsible. Bring on the jet powered flying Daleks!

Ratings are holding up well. If it averages around 6-7 million at hat timeslot then I think the BBC will be very happy and the show will continue for quite a while to come as long as it beats out Ant 'n Dec week on week. Only downer is I think they made a mistake showing it in spring, just as the weather is getting better. It's hard to get immersed in WW2 Zombies running amok when sunlight is streaming through your windows. Personally from now on, I'll probably just wait for the BitTorrents for the episodes so I can watch them late at night.