Amph Doctor Who Discussion (Russell T. Davies returns)

I still miss the take on the theme from the McGann telemovie. But I hope with a more subdued performance for this series that they also have a soundtrack that suits it, something low-fi and atmospheric. Paging Trent Reznor...

 

Don't make me go all solojones and talk about my experience in the industry

EDIT: But that pic is pretty much spot on, Darth Xalfrea

 

Fine, why don't you like the song, Harleybutt?

 

Impressive. You managed to annoy me three times in just eight words.

 

Chel$ki, HurlyBurt.

 

So you want to rev up his Harley?



vroom...vroom...

 

Trying too hard now, Diggy

 

Yes. But it either annoyed you three times or made you smile once, so I count it as a win

 

If you count a "roll-eyes" as a win, then a point to you.

 

I watched "Night Terrors" last night for the first time in over a year. Significantly better than I remembered. Lots of stuff I hadn't picked up on before.

 

Three clips from the new season (with some outside narration, alas):

Spoiler

This Doctor looks cold as ****.

 

Rew, those are actually the same clips that were in the video link that Ulicus posted on the previous page, just with much of the talking bits between edited out.

They're still nice, but credit where credit's due.

 

Er, are you sure? I saw Ulicus's link on the last page, but when I clicked it, it took me to a news article about Doctor Who--there was no video. So I'm a bit confused where you're coming from here? And I especially don't like your insinuation that I'm trying to steal credit for something.

 

^Wasn't meant as nasty or anything, just that you had overlooked Ulicus' post.

I have checked back there and he does link to a news article with video at the top:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28690462

Maybe your browser doesn't like it?

 

That moment of relief that washed over me last night as I checked over BBC America's broadcast schedule for this month... thankfully (not that it's a surprising circumstance, of course) they'll be running The 50th Anniversary special and the 2013 Christmas special (which presently aren't available on Netflix... it's possible, though, that they could be added before the 23rd) on the 23rd, which of course is the series 8 premier date. Thus, it'll literally be at the last-minute, but at least I'll be caught up with (Nu) Who before/right as the Capaldi-era begins.

 

Ossy (darth_boy) reminded me of that on Facebook sometime ago... I haven't forgotten.

 

Apparently not, because I clicked on it again just now, and there is definitely no video!

Well, at least one benefit of my link is that hopefully the video shows up in all browsers.

 

Ah, it happens.

I'm using Firefox on a PC, for what it's worth.

 

I am on Chrome myself. And for what it's worth, I had seen Uli's link and read the story shortly after he first posted it.

 

7.07: The Snowmen

"Over a thousand years of saving the universe, Strax, you know the one thing I learned? The universe doesn't care."

I'm going to make a prediction now for the 2014 Christmas Special; assuming Capaldi does more than one, it will be his best Christmas Special. I'm not sure what it is but with each subsequent special the quality seems to deteriorate. The Snowmen is not exception. The only saving grace of this episode are the performances of Matt and Richard. Matt's performance picks up quite nicely from the previous episode. Keeping in mind that there was a few months wait for this episode following The Angels Take Manhattan so watching the episodes almost back to back does make for some great transition in the story telling of his character. Meanwhile, Richard E Grant plays an extremely chilling adversary to the Doctor, it's a shame his character wasn't saved for The Master during his rumoured return this year playing opposite Capaldi. You will of course all remember Grant's role in the BBC animated serial, Scream Of The Shalka where he played an incarnation of the Doctor following McGann's Doctor but before Eccleston's Doctor while not having much or anything at all to do with Hurt's Doctor. The BBC even issued an officially licensed novel and DVD release for this serial. So despite being official canon, it's hard to tell where or how Shalka fits in to any of it, if at all.

The other interesting about Grant's role in Doctor Who is that RTD was never a fan of his portrayal. Many would have thought of Grant as a logical casting choice if not McGann. But according to RTD in relation to Grant's role in Shalka,

- See http://h2g2.com/approved_entry/A5920869

Ouch.

But I digress. This is really the only noteworthy part of Snowmen for me because it's signature Moffat rushing through the narrative for the sake of fantasy. We don't really get too much of an idea of what the snow is, how much of it is there and why only one child seemed to have been dramatically impacted by it to the same effect that Grant's character was. The ladder on the floating cloud literally came out of nowhere with next to no explanation while The Paternoster Gang do nothing for the story. I might as well say it now; I can't stand them, especially since we see more of them than we do Kate Stewart who is a far more complex and intelligent character. The trio on the other hand just lend themselves to too much comedy. They turn a Sontaran into a caricature of Mr. Potato Head (in fact, the episode itself references this inadvertently) while the lesbian relationship between the other two feels forced and does nothing to service the story. They're a waste of screen space and script writing. I'm really not a fan at all. In fact, you can print that! I think they are terrible, those three took the money and ran, to be honest. Their presence is lazy. They should never be on the list to play the Doctor's companions.

The Clara mystery does get interesting here too because we're given some more clues but they are mere teases more than anything else. But Jenna does a wonderful job with her role, so no faulting her there. But, as with the ongoing tradition of Christmas Specials, this is yet another one that felt like a chore more than it did a welcome gift. However, this episode is a necessary chore because it leads into some of the more crucial plot points that will make up The Name Of The Doctor.

But if you really can't be bothered re-watching this one, go here instead:

Spoiler

2 out of 5

 

Wow, don't think I could disagree more.

The Snowmen was excellent. After the abysmal 7.1 series, this made me feel "My show is back again". The plot was great. The humour was absolutely brilliant (though I love the paternoster gang, so if you don't like them I can understand why you might not like this episode). The writing was top notch. The "one word" scene was exceptional. And you neglected to mention the fantastic new TARDIS interior.

Also, this is the best opening music for any show ever. The perfect mix of old and new. In the remainder of Series 7, they cut back on the electronic sounds but the mix in this episode is perfect.

This is by far one of the greatest episodes of the Moffat era, and one which shapes the future of the show.

7 out of 5

 

"It's smaller on the outside" - brilliant line