Look Who’s back (No spoilage? Pretty please with sugar on?)

[TheLeen]

I confess I haven’t see Dr Who. Ever. None of it, not even old episodes. I read it was on German telly briefly towards the end of the eighties, but somehow I missed that, busy with elementary school as I was.

Soooo, for some time now I’ve been visiting DVD rentals asking them for Who and never got any. Well. My boyfriend said, why don’t you complain to the channel that bought the rights for the new couple of series and never broadcast them? So I google them and what does the first link tell me?

Dr Who, from end of January, Saturdays, 5 PM. (It is now Saturday, 4.45 PM CET.) Eek!
http://www.space-view.de/news/13171058/2007/12/dr_who_ab_januar_2008_auf_pro7.html

But it starts next week :)

Dubbed version. But better than nothing, for a start. (Looked into buying some time ago, but it’s expensive.)

Soon I’ll be knowing what the fuck you lot are talking about.

Topic

[penny]

“Wall-E” is so cute…he’s seems like a mix of ET and Johnny in the trailer.

[Danny Stephenson]

That’s exactly what i thought as well. the voice of ET and the body of Johnny 5. Interesting, i think i’ll be heading to the cinema for this one, i haven’t seen a pixar film on the Big Screen yet but i imagine it’ll draw your attention to the eye-candy they provide every single time!

I’ve hi-jacked the thread again

WHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Discuss…

[Ben Paddon]

The NewWho boxsets here go for about $70 at Amazon.com, and if Series Three was any indication then Series Four will be coming out around the same time as it does in the UK. The packaging is much, much slimmer too – about half the size of the UK releases. $70 + $8 shipping = $78 = ?39. Bargain.

[Dave]

>Sod it, I just ordered the first series, TARDIS box too. Can?t wait!

So what did you think of the rest of it?

[TheLeen]

Erhm, I haven’t gotten around to it yet. At all. Oops :(

In unrelated news, Pro7 is going to broadcast Who episodes 7+ on Sunday afternoons from April 13th! So that (at the latest) is when I start watching it again. Might jsut as well continue with the dubbed (and edited) episodes now, who knows, maybe there is one or the other curious translation or fuck-up in there I would otherwise miss.

[TheLeen]

Episode 1×07 – The Long Game

Sooooo! Doctor Who is back on German telly for now. One episode each Sunday. I just saw “The Long Game”. I’m not 100% certain, but didn’t someone say this episode stinks? Well, I rather enjoyed it.

The good:
– Hehe, promotion to execution. Splendid.
– Simon Pegg! (Although I think only around 5% of the German viewers would have noticed)
– Frost setting up there, hm yes, I liked that.
– The Doctor had a lot of good lines (as far as I could tell from the German script)
– All in all, the setting was almost classic science fiction… technology versus human mind, surveillance dystopia, zombiefication of enemies of the state and so on.

The bad:
– It looked really very frosty up on the 500th floor but you couldn’t see them breathe. Hmmm?
– Year 200.000 business fashion looked VERY FAMILIAR.
– And even if that girl was a rebel – why on earth did she take an old-fashioned torch… and also… why did she light it? It was rather bright up there…

All in all… I liked it better than the aliens in London episodes.

[Seb Patrick]

I think it was better than the second half of AOL/WWIII (I think the first half had a fair bit going for it that sadly got somewhat mucked up). But I think the poor reception for it was largely down to the fact that we saw it a week after “Dalek”. And it would have been very difficult for anything, bar perhaps a Moffat episode, to follow “Dalek”. You’ve had a long gap, though, so were perhaps able to judge it on its own merits a bit more. And I think it’s maybe worth reevaluating, for Pegg if nothing else (we really should get round to finishing those NTS articles where we were going back over series one – of course, we’ve now got series three to do, as well!)

Oh, but Marleen – just you wait for the next three weeks. You are in for an absolute treat.

[TheLeen]

:))

[John Hoare]

In terms of standalone atories rather than arc plots, new Who has rarely got better than the next three episodes you’re about to watch. (I’d only place Blink higher, I think.)

[TheLeen]

Also, Tamsin Greig. Couldn’t remember yesterday where I knew her from.

[Dave]

I love The Long Game, easily my favourite episode of Series One.

It was interesting in 2005 that Doctor Who fans were waiting for something complain about, belching bins and farting monsters aside the episodes were too consistent for the fans to complain too vociferously. And then along came The Long Game and the doubters crescendo began…

I don’t think its The Long Game’s fault, it’s the fans innability to be happy for more than six weeks. Still in another six weeks they would get to wait six months for more Who, which presumably Marleen won’t.

[Zombie Jim Undead]

I always really liked the Long Game too. Wouldn’t go so far as to call it the best of series 1, but it’s certainly far from the worst.

Nice little parable of media control, it sets up the series finale and a frosty Pegg being creepy. What’s not to like?

Boom Town on the other hand…now that is plops.

[Jonathan Capps]

> Boom Town on the other hand?now that is plops.

I love Boom Town. I have absolutely no idea why people have such a problem with it. The biggest worry for me was that the return of a Slitheen would make it as shit as AoL/WWIII but thankfully it was directed by someone who wasn’t convinced it was a kids show that required no effort, so Blon actually looked good. I think RTD did a great job of turning the ‘cheap’ episode into a nice introspective look at The Doctor, and I maintain that the dinner scene is excellently written, played and shot. Add that to a good amount of TARDIS scenes, some of show’s most successful attempts at slapstick, a really nice, fun atmosphere and the lovely moment when the Doctor twigs about Bad Wolf and you’ve got yourself a very strong episode.

In fact, I’m off to watch it NOW.

[Andrew]

> I think RTD did a great job of turning the ?cheap? episode into a nice introspective look at The Doctor, and I maintain that the dinner scene is excellently written, played and shot.

I agree with all this and would happily allow Boom Town to marry my sister. (The Long Game would be met at the door with a shotgun and a count of five.)

[TheLeen]

Episode 1×08 – Father’s Day

Seb said I was in for a treat this week, and my, treated I do feel.

What I loved:
– It was great.
– I felt great watching it. Even when I cried in the end. Which I… did.
– I loved the soundtrack. I don’t usually pay attention to the soundtrack of tv programmes. I usually say: music? there was music? When I don’t really notice the music, the soundtrack blended in nicely with the story, and that means it was good and I’m content. But this time I just loved it, and next time I watch the episode, I’ll pay even more attention to it.
– Loved it when the Doctor tried to enter the Tardis and it was just a phone booth.
– And then there were details, you know, just little details. When the time thingies appeared to eat everyone, I first thought it was the grim reaper. I wonder whether their tails were designed that way, intentionally?
– And the picture inside the church towards the end, with a close-up of Rose’s profile to the left of the screen, looked so pretty.

What I didn’t love:
– Can’t think of anything. Oh hm, yes, the sonic screwdriver. It wasn’t used much in this episode (which I suppose is good) but when it was… the doctor said he needed electricity – and used an old-fashioned battery. So the sonic screwdriver doesn’t run on electrical power? But he had to charge the battery… with the sonic screwdriver. What?

However, this thing didn’t succeed at all in spoiling the episode for me, not one bit.

I can’t really tell how and why, but the episode was just great as it was! It was just… right. Loved it. Loved it as much as Dalek, and both episodes were very emotional. Although Dalek was from the Doctor’s point of view, and Father’s Day from Rose’s, and of course, being a girl, and not a timelord, and most important maybe, having no father, it was even easier for me this time to immerse.

[Seb Patrick]

You know what? It gets EVEN BETTER next week :-D

[Andrew]

> Loved it when the Doctor tried to enter the Tardis and it was just a phone booth.

This is one of my all-time favourite Who moments – not least because it proves how well the fiction works for us. The TARDIS is always ‘just’ a wooden box when they make the show, but we’re so deeply invested in the fictional world that the reality of what gets shot feels genuinely shocking.

[TheLeen]

You’re right, I just couldn’t believe how tiny and wooden and blue and lifeless it was on the inside. My brain somehow refused to grasp it for a second.

[Andrew]

> My brain somehow refused to grasp it for a second.

I think we all felt the same way. Which, on a practical level, is daft. But there we were, finding the impossible normal and the actual terrifying and bizarre. ‘Tis fab.

[Zombie Jim Undead]

Hehe, so true. I remember making an involuntary squeaking noise when that happened.

Ah, I’m thinking about the cliff-hanger of Bad Wolf now….and my shorts have tightened slightly.

[Seb Patrick]

DON’T SAY ANOTHER WORD

[Zombie Jim Undead]

………………………..

testicles?

[TheLeen]

Looked the episode again last night when Vin came home just before midnight, this time on DVD (in English, yay!)

Was shocking to see how much had been cut for German afternoon telly. Just like in the other episodes: you never see anyone die, just realise that suddenly everyone’s dead. The only “reaping” shown in the German version was when the Doctor himself was eaten. But in addition to that, the street stills (empty playground, a child’s shoe, etc.) were cut as well.

[Dave]

Father’s Day is the sort of historical that the old show would never have attempted, going back in time by only 18 years probably seemed pointless, but this trip to 1987 proves that you can tell a good little story, have an emotional content and tick a few boxes for nostalgia for the casual viewer without excessive mullets.

Ashes To Ashes could learn a lot from this.

[John Hoare]

But in addition to that, the street stills (empty playground, a child?s shoe, etc.) were cut as well.

Man! That’s some of the best and most atmospheric stuff!

[TheLeen]

That’s what I thought last night.

Funny though, I still thought the episode was fantastic when I didn’t know any of those shots.

Part of me wants to watch the episodes in English because, well, they’re shinier and uncut. But the other part of me finds watching the German version just a bit more fascinating. Maybe I can keep this up, watch the German ep. and the original back to back on Sundays. Hmm.

[TheLeen]

By the way, my personal current ranking list so far:

(“excellent”)

1 Dalek
2 Father’s Day

(“quite enjoyable”)

3 The Long Game
4 The Unquiet Dead
5 The End of the World

(anything from “hmm yeah” to “dispensable”)

6 Rose
7 Aliens of London
8 World War Three

[Seb Patrick]

I’d agree with all of that, except for “Rose”, which is quite clearly “excellent”.

I know I’m getting overly excited about the idea of someone else discovering something, but I REALLY can’t wait for your first Moffat experience…

[TheLeen]

I am very glad to announce that I have *no* idea what a moffat is.

But I’m really looking forward to one day seeing one of those metal dudes with a cookingpot head. *g* But I know that’s not moffats.

[Seb Patrick]

Steven Moffat. Writer of the two-part story you’re about to encounter, and further episodes in series two and three. I would imagine that almost everybody, if asked to list the top five episodes of the show so far, would include ALL FOUR of his episodes.

(the upcoming two-parter is a Hugo award winner, by the way. Moffat’s first for Who, but not his last)

[Dave]

>I am very glad to announce that I have *no* idea what a moffat is

It’s someone who sits on a toffat

[Zombie Jim Undead]

I didn’t like Moffat’s series 1 episodes. Yes I know I’m the only one.

Loved his series 2 / 3 ones, though. Funny that.

[Seb Patrick]

I didn?t like Moffat?s series 1 episodes.

I’m sorry to come off as heavy handed, but I’m afraid you’re no longer allowed to comment on anything, ever.

[Arlene Rimmer BSc SSc]

Are we talking about “The Empty Child”/”The Doctor Dances”? ‘Cos even I’d agree that those weren’t bad. (Besides having Rose in them, but I’m biased. The stories work well even in spite of that.)

[Zombie Jim Undead]

Just didn’t like them as much as everyone else. “Comedy” dialogue was clunky…setting was unconvincing at times…all the “dancing” metaphors were heavy-handed…have issues with the monster but avoiding spoilers! Could’ve been better.

The resolution / reveal was clever, though.

[Pete Part Three]

I’d actually agree. I wasn’t that keen on that series 1 two parter (it’s better than A LOT of the episodes before of since but it’s not THAT great). The Girl in the Fireplace was the best episode I’ve seen though. Well, until Blink. Obviously.

[Zombie Jim Undead]

Oh god….I love Blink so very much.

[Seb Patrick]

It took “Blink” to knock “The Doctor Dances” off top spot for me…

[John Hoare]

Is there anyone who Blink *isn’t* their favourite episode?

[Zombie Jim Undead]

Hmmm….I dunno….Human Nature and The Family of Blood just pip it at the post.

[Jonathan Capps]

TEC/TDD still tops Blink, for me, mainly because it’s a big chunky story and has a better Doctor in it. Wouldn’t Nancy just be a brilliant companion?

For me, I mean.

[Andrew]

Trying to avoid any spoilage!

> TEC/TDD still tops Blink, for me, mainly because it?s a big chunky story and has a better Doctor in it.

Disagree on the Doctor, but it’s a heftier piece of work for sure. I find it very hard to separate the Moffats, in terms of quality, just as I struggle to separate Whedon Buffy eps.

Blink’s strength comes from being Doctor-lite, TEC/TDD (and, in fact, TGITFP) thrive on the Doctor’s specific involvement. Interesting that.

> Wouldn?t Nancy just be a brilliant companion?

I’d really like a break from young women at the Doctor’s side, which may be partly why I’m liking Tate. Still, a companion from another era would add an interesting perspective after three present-day Londoners.

[Seb Patrick]

There’s stuff I want to say about changing companion dynamics, but I think they need to wait (in this thread at least) until Marleen has finished series one!

[Zombie Jim Undead]

Sally Sparrow should’ve been a companion. *grumbles*

[Pete Part Three]

*grumbles with Zombie Dave*

[Andrew]

> Sally Sparrow should?ve been a companion. *grumbles*

Noooooo!

Beautiful girl, and talented enough, but Sally’s story comes to a satisfactory conclusion. To drag her into the TARDIS would rip her out of that. Plus – enough with the 20-something girls awhile. I’m utterly bored of Who laddish reviews that can’t resist mentioning Martha’s arse.

[Pete Part Three]

>I?m utterly bored of Who laddish reviews that can?t resist mentioning Martha?s arse.

Yeah, what about her tits?

DYS…Etc.

But Sally was funny and quirky. And I’d argue that Carey Mulligan is a better actress than Agyeman, Piper, Tate and Minogue. I’m sure Larry would be slightly less annoying than Mickey too.

[Seb Patrick]

Guys, don’t forget, this thread is at the pace of someone who’s still only in series one. So try not to mention specifics of character names or that kind of thing.

In other words, if you wanna spoiler… *throws handbag in direction of the other Who thread* … do it over there.

[TheLeen]

O_o

[TheLeen]

First thing I should mention is that I was really looking forward to seeing Doctor Who this weekend. You know I’ve got series one on DVD, and it’s not easy for me now to wait for the German episodes on Sundays. Watching “The Long Game” again this morning for breakfast entertainment together with Vin (he’d missed it two weeks ago) didn’t help.

Second thing I noticed this morning was this. You know, when you’re drunk, sometimes you get caught in a wave of affection for a friend (or a stranger)? Feeling all warm and fuzzy and kind of bubbly inside? Well, that’s what the title music does to me now. I think I’ve grown really attached to the programme now, and that includes The Doctor himself (Ecclestone, of course, being the only Doctor I know) and Rose.

Episode 1×09 – The Empty Child

Third thing I noticed about the “Moffat episodes”: moffats are not furry aliens in flying saucers. A moffat is, indeed, a very good writer.

You guys had made my mouth water and… whoa. I am so impressed. I love, love, love it.

Things that randomly crossed my mind:
– Of course, one of the most popular episodes ever had to be a World War II story. That is… very British.
– Loved the entire dialogue all over the episode.
– Haha, Rose is very funny when she’s flirting with Maverick aka Jack.
– I thought London during the Blitz looked very good, special effects-wise. And to think they didn’t want to afford puffy aspiration clouds for The Long Game.
– Again: zombies! This time of the creepy kind. Creepy child-zombies.
– Totally, totally creepy.
– Time agents? There are other people time-travelling the universe? They’ve got gadgets! They’ve got really good gadgets, too! What exactly is the difference then between time agents and time lords? I am intrigued. I think this will be cleared up for me later, and I find it nice that there’s still things left for me to discover.
– An overall brilliant experience. But it ended too soon! It had only just begun! A) I wasn’t prepared for a two-parter at all. And B) they cut several scenes out for German afternoon telly as well. Scenes cut in the German version include: Doctor talking to the empty child and Doc Constantine transforming into gas-mask zombie.
– And my, what a cliffhanger!

So! Two seconds or so after the end of the episode I caved in and watched it again in English; loved it even more the second time around. And I could watch the second part right away. Well, I had planned to watch only one episode each Sunday, so they would last longer, but I can’t watch next week anyway, what with me being on vacation the Sunday.

Episode 1×10 – The Doctor Dances

More random things:
– Banana. Brilliant.
– What does the WWII scenario OR zombiefication have to do with the Doctor dancing?
– The kid creeps the hell out of me.
– Om-Com.
– General brilliancy.
– The happy ending? I thought dropping a bomb on that site would have been a good end to the episode, too. It was odd to see the Doctor so… exuberant. So, it looked like everone was doomed, but everyone’s safe.
– Next: it looked like Jack was doomed, but Jack’s safe. Boo.
– Will Jack be around, or will he be dropped faster than Adam?
– Vin is out – so I’ll get to see both episodes again, soon!

It’s hard to say which of the two episodes I prefer. They’re more like a feature film, together. They were both brilliat and very homogenic. The first one had Rose flirting, which I enjoyed, and the second one had resolutions and action, which I also enjoyed. Hm. And the additional chill-down-your-spine factor (Om-Com).

My transformation into a… is there a term for “Doctor Who fan”? Anyway, it is now complete, I think.

[Author]

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