Amph [Doctor Who] Series 7 Discussion - SPOILERS

Back when the Doctor Who twitter was teasing the "iconic guest star" for the christmas special Christopher Lee was a very popular suggestion. But there was also a lot of people under the belief that Lee detests Doctor Who and that a guest role by him would be unlikely, though I don't know where that stems from.

 

I agree with both Chris and Rachel re: Tennant.

 

Artwork for the soon to be released R1 DVD of Shada:

 

I definitely don't already have Shada... definitely not

 

It's got some classic Douglas Adams writing. I look forward to the DVD release.

 

Are you talking about Nativity 2? The first one was brilliant (and starred Martin Freeman). It's a decent British film.

 

I am. And no it wasn't. It was just about okay. Forgettable Christmas fare. Career filler. The stuff that shows up every year, holds no true credibility and disappears quicker than you can say "Jingle Bells". I knew that Freeman was in the original, which actually makes the whole thing even more frustrating. Freeman's now renowned as John Watson and Bilbo Baggins... and who is filling his long forgotten shoes? David Tennant.

 

You should've used Kazran Sardick.

 

It doesn't have the proper Everton Grumpy Face, but still -

 

The Prequel just aired on 'Children in Need'.

Spoiler

Atmospheric and comedic. Longer than I expected, too. Madame Vastra ( ), Jenny ( ) and Strax ( )!!! "Damn Moon!" I loved how their proposals started out mad and finished up mundane. I loved how The Doctor just stood there and listened. Brooding. I don't like his decision to retire, but I have a feeling it's only temporary. Almost as good were the intro and 'outro' - each featuring Jenna-Louise Coleman and Matt Smith in full banter mode. Their chemistry is just fantastic.

EDIT: Behold! YouTube.

Spoiler

 

The Moon shot first.

 

Oh and The Doctor's new costume continues to make me go weak at the knees.

EDIT:

Spoiler

I think Jenna-Louise and Matt's banter after the prequel is a good pointer to the relationship between their respective characters. Matt builds up the tension - "but, as all humanity hangs in the balance will anyone be able to persuade The Doctor to save the day?", and Jenna-Louise deadpans, "Yes". She sees through him, can compete with him and is easily able to make him look a bit silly. Yes indeed, I'm even more convinced now that Clara - or whatever her name is - is on The Doctor's level.

 

It's a wonderful outfit. I still say it's a shame that it's a one off thing.

 

It's awesome even in silhouette.

 

What a wonderful hat.

When are we getting the trailer? The prequel was spectacular, can't wait to see the Christmas special!

 

I would guess the trailer will air at some point between 8.30pm and 9.00pm GMT.

 

You may be forgetting that it's taken Martin 10 years since The Office ended to actually land a role like that. I've been watching him in every bit part or flop movie (ahem hhg) hoping one day he'd actually get known in the US. It's finally going to happen but boy did it take a long time. Hardly anyone here knows who he is. They won't until The Hobbit is actually out. And that's taken a hell of a long time.

 

TRAILER HAS AIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Title in spoiler tags, but surely we can post that?

Spoiler

THE SNOWMEN

 

Freeman has done his share of rubbish, yes. He's also appeared (however briefly) in a number of the 'right' British films - Love Actually, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Hitchhikers. Plus, he knows that playing typically British roles suits him. So that's what he's done. Arthur Dent led to John Watson, and John Watson led to Bilbo Baggins. It's taken him a bit of time but as rises go it feels steady and deliberate. He knew what suited him and waited for his moments. Iconic roles, too. Sure, chance plays a big part but it still strikes me as a plan. Since Tennant left Doctor Who he's not had anything like that sort of plan. Or at least it doesn't seem like it. Flitting about all over the place and not doing anything that really plays to his talent for BIG personalities. So on the screen (big or small), Tennant seems to be drifting about fairly aimlessly. Freeman is only going up.

 

Looks good. Hopefully it'll be my second favorite Smith Christmas special, possibly even beat out Christmas Carol (though I doubt it).

EDIT:

I know he's already John Watson, but would anyone else want to see Martin Freeman as a companion for 11?

 

Spoiler

Awesome, awesome banter. AGAIN. Love how they acknowledged the mystery of Coleman's appearance in AOTD.

"There's a man, called The Doctor, who lives on a cloud in the sky and all he does, all day, every day, is to stop all the children in the world having bad dreams." I adore Clara's ( ) delivery of that line. I LOVE the idea of the TARDIS parked on a cloud (at least, that's how I'm choosing to interpret that for the moment). She looks stunning in that red dress, and Richard E. Grant looks TERRIFYING ("I said I'd feed you. I didn't say who to." Oooooooo. ). I do like the Snowmen. An army of ice.

This is gonna be a gooooooooood Christmas special.

 

Spoiler: Trailer speculation inside!

You think Clara is somehow related to Oswin, and that they're trying to throw us off here by saying they can't possibly be the same person? Maybe that combined with the spirit of Christmas just generally cheering him up, Oswin somehow being saved and becoming Clara will reinvigorate the Doctor's passion for the mysteries of the universe?

 

Tennant also has a wife and two kids, and I'd wager that's been a fairly substantial portion of his focus in the last couple years

Also, I thought Freeman turned down The Hobbit before they finally convinced him to do it? Doesn't seem super deliberate to me. And Freeman has a really deliberate type. He's the quintessential Englishman, so when there have been iconic roles of that nature it was way easier for casting directors to think of him and call him up, I'm sure. He's the only person I could ever see as Arthur or Bilbo, for instance, so it was only natural. David is a much more unique bloke. Finally I'll just say that you're talking as though actors can control what roles come across the desk. That's just not the case. Yes having good representation and going after things matters, but it doesn't matter if you just don't fit what people are looking for. I would argue there are tons of roles I'd have loved to see him in (for instance, I'd have really liked to see him as Thenardier in Les Mis over Cohen), but that's because I'm always thinking of him, whereas not all casting director's are Unlike Martin he doesn't have a really specific type.

But, as I said, he also might not actually be going after other things for personal reasons. Or perhaps like me he just doesn't consider big films to be the only (or even best) way to act.