Doctor Who: Season 10

[The Man]

I was going for commentary on Moffat also being a troll :grumble:

[Jinx]

What time does Doctor Who premier in England bee tee dubs?

[Ayen]

It just finished.

It was amazballs.

[Psychotic]

It was okay. Lots of Clara development which is funny given the turn the thread took.

Couple of nice moments but it wasn't as good as other regeneration episodes.

[Ayen]

Lots of Clara development which is funny given the turn the thread took.

I had a feeling that's what was going to happen when the thread went in that direction.

They'll have her all nice and fleshed out just in time to write the character off the show.

[The Man]

http://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10626505_10154485817890591_2884345393368620056_n.jpg

[Jinx]

Watching now. New opening is AWESOME.

[Jinx]

Can't tell if Clara's sweater is covered in bows or infinity signs.

[Ayen]

Watching now. New opening is AWESOME.

Yes it is! Gave me goosebumps when I heard it.

[Psychotic]

Watching now. New opening is AWESOME.It is badass as fuck.

[Jinx]

I'm absolutely loving the dynamic between Clara and the new Doctor. I think their relationship has much better chemistry than Clara/Eleven.

[Jinx]

The face the Doctor rips off looks an awful lot like Matt Smith's face!

[~*~Celes~*~]

I can't wait to see how they explain the two big plot points that they brought up: Clara's telephone call to the TARDIS and Twelve's face. I loved this episode and I can't wait for more!

[Raistlin]

It was okay. Lots of Clara development which is funny given the turn the thread took.

Couple of nice moments but it wasn't as good as other regeneration episodes.

Agreed. To be honest, in parts it seemed like the episode was still written for Matt Smith instead of Capaldi. I loved when they picked him, so I'm hoping that as he settles into the role and the writers feel him out better and flesh out the Doctor's new personality, he'll start to shine more.

[Pant Leg Eater from the Bad World]

Enjoyed this episode. Can't wait to see how the new Doctor is going to be once he isn't running around totally unsure of himself.

Ugh. Clara can leave before Christmas. I'd be fine with that. Stupid character.
I also wasn't a fan of Donna. Rory is the best companion by far.

[blackmage_nuke]

It was a good episode. A bit more Clara development which is nice. I do hope they pick up some new companions as companions start to become boring when theyre only there to be a counterpart of the doctor, but when there are a few around they can alternate between being counterparts and being their own characters.

I did not like the new opening. The other openings made me think "This is a device thats travels through time and space". The cogs and spiraling clockface make me think "This is a show with a device that travels through time and space". The face in the opening was pretty good though, not as striking as Matt Smith's face in the stars but the frowning eyes make a statement.

Also poor Ser Dontos :(

[Slothy]

I can't wait to see how they explain the two big plot points that they brought up: Clara's telephone call to the TARDIS and Twelve's face. I loved this episode and I can't wait for more!

I don't think there's anything they need to explain about the phone call. It was just a way for Smith's Doctor to tell Clara that it'll be okay since she never witnessed a regeneration before, and he likely neglected to tell her given he thought it was his last.

As for the mention of the face, I think it was probably just acknowledging that Capaldi has been on the show before. Could be wrong, but it would explain why he recognizes his face.

[Psychotic]

I think she meant the initial call to the TARDIS from Clara in the first Clara episode, which was touched upon as well - the same person who put the Impossible Girl advert in the paper was judged to be responsible for her getting his number.

[Formalhaut]

I was camping over the weekend so I've only just been able to watch Deep Breath.

Overall, I can't really see the criticism. As regeneration stories go it served as a good introduction to our new doctor without actually having him in practically every scene. It certainly wasn't a 'Doctor lite' episode, but there were less of him than one would expect in an introductory episode.

The story took a back seat but then most regeneration episodes was never about the villain of the week. The dinosaur was just there, and possibly there to connect the doctor's own feelings of loneliness. Really, to be fair, the first third of the story is the weakest. For me, the episode grew on me more as it continued. The first part was pretty heavily CGI. Really, the story really only moved on for me when the dinosaur combusts.

The trio of Jenny, Strax and Vastra are hilarious as ever and provides a nod a sense of the familiar with the new Doctor. Really the primary theme of the story is identity and belonging. The cyborg doesn't know who he is anymore, replacing spare part after spare part until he has nothing original left, and he is inimitably lonely and almost sympathetic as villains go. The Doctor meanwhile, has to contend with a new body, new emotions, and trying to convince Clara that he is still the same man. The last bit with the Cyborg and the Doctor in that escape pod, talking about who was lying about their basic programming. Deep stuff.

In fact, the whole mystery surrounding whether the doctor pushed the Cyborg or not is a very interesting one and taps into the question as to whether the Doctor's morality is the same as ever. Clara's slow acceptance of her new doctor is an interesting one, brought into force when he simply states "I'm not your boyfriend". Whether or not I found Clara annoying in the episode is a tough one, because it is such a change. Tennant to Smith wasn't so huge a change, but Smith to Capaldi is, I think. I think by the end of the episode she's accepted the difference.

This episode was as much a regeneration episode as it is a rethinking episode for Clara. I agree with the idea that a new companion is needed. I think Clara and the Doctor's relationship is well enough established, to the point that Clara's identity and story is basically how she relates to the Doctor. Another companion would be great as it showcases Clara's relationships to others, not just the Doctor.

We don't know who Missy is, or what her supposed 'Promised Land' is. It all seems fairly strange, and I think she's probably the main villain of this series. Her relation to the Doctor is going to be very important, I think.

Overall, I really liked it. I like it enough to write a fairly long piece on it anyway. While the primary story is fairly straightforward as stories go, it is what happens in the interactions that really shape the episode. In other words, it is character driven, as opposed to story driven, and I really loved it.

[Ayen]

I think they were talking about adding a second companion over the summer. Somebody who works at the same school as Clara?

[Formalhaut]

Ugh, just realized I said "seen" instead of "scene".

Blame the camping tiredness :p

[~*~Celes~*~]

I think she meant the initial call to the TARDIS from Clara in the first Clara episode, which was touched upon as well - the same person who put the Impossible Girl advert in the paper was judged to be responsible for her getting his number.

yeah I realized that after i posted this xD I guess I was just so caught up in excitement over the whole episode that i didn't quite catch that right away.

[Psychotic]

Again, another alright episode but nothing special. A couple of nice moments from him but Capaldi's Doctor still doesn't quite have that charisma or presence.

Also Dolorous Edd adding to the amassed ranks of actors who have been in both GoT and DW.

[Jinx]

Yeah, nothing special. I'm having a hard time getting psyched about this season, to be honest.

I was way more interested about what was going on between Clara and Mr. Pink than I was about any Dalek nonsense.

[Formalhaut]

I'm not sure if I'm watching the same episode as you guys. I haven't the time to do a full write-up just yet, but I loved the episode.

Peter Capaldi has great presence. The two episodes I've seen so far can be described as 'profound', in my opinion. If the theme of the first episode was identity, the theme of the second is morality.

EDIT: As me and Sam were watching the episode, both of us thought he would be a new companion. I think the show is crying out for a new companion.

[The Man]

Danny Pink is in fact confirmed to be a new companion.

Anyway I too loved both episodes so far.

[Formalhaut]

Aha! My hunch was correct! I knew a character with that much initial screentime would amount to something!

[Jinx]

My guess is he follows Clara, they develop as a couple, then they both leave together to pursue their relationship.

[Ayen]

As much as I liked the first episode, this one was a miles time better than that. We saw a new character introduced and a relationship begin to grow with Clara, which is what some people in this thread was hoping to see. We saw the hope of there being a good Dalek and that hope being ripped away and the Doctor causing its hate to go into overdrive. The Star Trek references were a bit much, but a minor nitpick at best.

I'm enjoying the new Doctor and looking forward to finding out the secret behind Missy.

[Jinx]

Yeah, what WAS up with all of the Star Trek references?

Also, I am willing to bet money that Danny Pink is Journey Blue's brother.

[Ayen]

I'm convinced Doctor Who is shaping itself according to this thread.

Talk about how Clara is as a character
Clara gets more character development

Talk about how they need another companion
New companion confirmed

Spock fan in the thread
The Doctor performs a mind meld with a Dalek

I don't know what psychic powers you all have developed, but whatever you're doing keep doing it.

[Jinx]

The companion was confirmed quite awhile ago, though!

But yeah, the three Star Trek references I noticed were "into darkness", "resistance is futile", and "mind meld". Possible there were some more that I missed.

[Ayen]

Did anyone else think Capalid looked like he wanted to say "Seriously?" when the Dalek cited the Borg line, but then remembered they were still filming so went back to scrip?

[Formalhaut]

I've never seen Star Trek, so all those references just flew by me. :p

[Jinx]

Formy:

Star Trek: Into Darkness was the 2013 sequel to the 2009 reboot of Star Trek.

"Resistance is futile" is the Borg's catchphrase. The Borg are cyborgs (hence the name) and, well...the saying speaks for itself! If they were going to reference ST with this quote, would've made much more sense to use it in a Cybermen episode, though, since the Borg and Cybermen are pretty similar.

The mind meld is a Vulcan ability that allows the Vulcan to share minds, feelings, and thoughts with another living being (although Spock did use it on a robot, so maybe it's anything with intelligence!).

Like I said, there could've been more references that I missed. I've been joking about the Doctor Who: Into Darkness thing since they first released the season 8 trailer with him saying that. I'm honestly not sure if I'm more or less disappointed that it actually was a ST reference.

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

It occurred to me that yesterday was the first episode of Doctor Who without Matt Smith since the Tennant specials.

[blackmage_nuke]

If Mr Pink joins then the Doctor's Daughter just needs to have a daughter to pick up and it will be the original entourage of Elderly Timelord + two teachers + Grandaughter.

Anyway that was all right as Dalek episodes go. I like the Clara development going on.

Not sure yet if it's only people who die for Capaldi's regeneration go to 'heaven' but if it's everyone who's ever died for/because of the Doctor shows up in heaven I hope we get a cameo from Lynda with a Y (from the end of the Eccleston series). Out of all the almost-companions, she's the one I wanted most to become a companion.

[Psychotic]

I liked this episode, probably my favourite of the Capaldi episodes so far. Silly, entertaining and a lot of fun.

[Ayen]

Second week in a row I forgot Doctor Who came on today -_-

Forgot Sailor Moon was on today, too. Blah!

Edit: This was even better than the last one. They keep this up the finale is going to be amazeballs.

[blackmage_nuke]

This was actually an enjoyable episode for a filler.

[Iceglow]

Today's episode, not sure how I felt about it to be honest.

[The Man]

I loved it. One of the best episodes of Moffat's tenure as showrunner, I felt, if not the absolute best. This review (http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/doctor-who-listen-209034) highlights a number of things about it that I felt made it work really well. In a lot of ways this is a resolution of themes Moffat has been working with his entire career.

[blackmage_nuke]

Earlier today before I wacthed the episode when we walked past a person muttering crazy loudly to himself my friend commented "typical crazy sydneyer" and I said "He's probably wondering why were all ignoring the invisible spirit companion that follow us around, maybe were the crazy ones"

[~*~Celes~*~]

I liked when Clara was talking to Young Doctor, saying that he will come back to the barn and he will be afraid and they showed War Doctor and I was like ":o nice" I thought it was a very nice touch.

[Shauna]

I have been enjoying these episodes of DW significantly more than I have been enjoying it for the past few years.

Don't know whether this is such low standards for the show, or whether it is legitimately good...

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

Clara really is the perfect companion for this Doctor. He's rough around the edges and takes charge, but she has no problem smacking him on the head or saying "sit!".


I liked when Clara was talking to Young Doctor, saying that he will come back to the barn and he will be afraid and they showed War Doctor and I was like ":o nice" I thought it was a very nice touch.

That was probably my favorite part of the whole episode. The cherry on top of an already fantastic story.

If I made a Top 10 list of Doctor Who episodes I enjoy, this would most likely be on it.

[Jessweeee♪]

That was a really cute episode c:

[~*~Celes~*~]

Tonight's episode didn't really impress me too much :/ I did enjoy the latest eyebrows comment though.

[The Man]

I liked it, but it was definitely a lesser episode than last week's episode, which felt like an instant classic.

[Jinx]

Man, I am three weeks behind!

[Agent Proto]

I liked this week's episode more than I did for last week's.

[Markus. D]

A number of Capaldi episodes in and i'm yet to cringe. Clara needed this sort of treatment way earlier. As much as I love a lot of Matt Smith eps, he hogged the spotlight in the end. so hyped lets go~

[~*~Celes~*~]

This episode makes it look like they're leaning towards a father-daughter relationship. I like it. Also, there doesn't seem to be much chemistry between Pink and Oswald.

[Jessweeee♪]

he's your dad
your space dad

[Psychotic]

This episode was not bad and I enjoyed Danny as a character more for it. Still not feeling Capaldi Doctor though. I can just see Tennant or Smith handling an episode where they're a school caretaker in a much more fun way. Capaldi seems permanently pissed off even when he's saying silly things.

[Shoden]

I'm really liking Capaldi but so far this season hasn't been brilliant for the writing side. :/

[~*~Celes~*~]

I agree on the writing bit. It's missing something, and it seems like the enemies are an afterthought whereas Clara's love life and her relationship with the Doctor are the forefront.

With the Ponds, they were able to have a brilliant love story and a great relationship with Eleven, but they still incorporated the enemies and kept the main storyline going. Unless they've decided to for whatever reason make the other stuff the main story, but to me that's just boring. It's losing its original charm. -_-

[Shoden]

Yeah, the focus is heavily on Clara ((I do like her character, as annoying as the constant Clara-saves-the-day hoo dah gets)) and her life, its as if the show has taken on the perspective of the companion rather than the Doctor. I might be a bit wrong but that's the feel I get!

[Jinx]

Finally watching episode three on.

When the Doctor puts on the glove in front of Robin Hood, he totally gives him the finger. Seriously, go rewatch it. That middle finger stays up for a fraction of a second longer.


Haha, I was able to play it again and catch it!


http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa196/narcissisticprincess09/Untitled_zps1fc4a005.png (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/narcissisticprincess09/media/Untitled_zps1fc4a005.png.html)

[Jessweeee♪]

I'm holding out to see what the end bits in Heaven are building to before I form an opinion on that :p

[Psychotic]

The heaven thing is poor. In the first episode it was an interesting concept. Now it's the same thing every week with very little new information revealed. "Yes clueless onlooker you are indeed in Heaven! Ho ho ho, you so silly to act shocked and confused, don't you know this is a perfectly normal thing?" It just feels like something they've thrown in to show the series is building up to something big at the end with very little actual substance or thought to it. No, this is not some mystery to figure out, it's just poor writing.

In my opinion it would've been more powerful to just spring all those people on you in the last episode out of nowhere rather than the "hehe guess where the finale's gonna be guys!!! ;) BUILD UP THE HYPE TRAIN!" episode enders.

[Jinx]

I'm with Celes in that I liked the bank heist episode waaaay more than Listen. Listen was pretty dumb in my opinion.

I'm eh on Capaldi as the Doctor. It's obviously the writing because he's acting very well. His best moments are his rude banter with Clara. But I'm underwhelmed. I haven't seen any Classic Who, so I can't compare to Doctors 1-8, but 12 is my least favorite Doctor.

[Iceglow]

I must agree the after life is basically piss poor writing. I'm also in agreement that Capaldi is too fucking pissed off all the time as the Doctor. I'm reminded of The War Doctor in a sense with the anger however, he doesn't carry it off as well. John Hurt is after all the superior actor. In a sense I half expect Capaldi to burst out in to a foul mouthed tirade every time he speaks to a soldier.

[Jinx]

On the flipside, I'm really becoming fond of Clara as a companion. They're paying her the attention she should've gotten last season. I'm glad they're distancing her from the Impossible Girl nonsense.

[Psychotic]

I have to agree that the best thing and perhaps the only really good thing is what they've done with Clara. Though I can't say I get much chemistry from her and Danny.

Also surely you saw the 8th Doctor from the minisode "Night of the Doctor" before the 50th? That's literally half the episodes he was ever in! Lovely fella though. I liked him.

Capaldi reminds me of the First Doctor, a pissed off old man prone to the odd moment of sentiment. Wasn't a fan of him either (sacrilegious utterings here we go!) in the episodes I saw, truth be told. Classic Who - at least in the early eras - is kind of bobbins on the whole anyway. Each story takes hours to conclude, hours of very smurfing little actually happening.

Of the ones I've seen a full episode of: 11 > 10 > 9 > 8 > War > 2 > 4 > 3 > 12 > 1.

[Jinx]

I thought Clara and Pink were cute when they were both being so stupidly awkward and fail every time they interacted. Now I'm just kind of eh.

[Shauna]

I will continue to be the opposite of the EoFF Doctor Who crowd and uphold my thoughts of "I am enjoying this more than I have enjoyed Doctor Who in some time". I don't even know if I can articulate my feelings why. I am just much more engaged. xD

[Jinx]

Nah, I'm not hating! I'm glad someone's enjoying it so much!

[~*~Celes~*~]

bee tee dubs, anyone else catch what he was whistling in that one scene? "we don't need no education..."

[Shoden]

Capaldi is brilliant thus far, I got sick and tired of the whole silly doctor charades of 10 and 11 but that was the way the writing was for them. Capaldi's doctor doesn't fit that tone very well at all and its showing the flaws of the writing, Capaldi's best moments are the ones that set him apart from the last few Doctors, the banter, remarks and I suppose he did have some brilliant funny moments in the last episode. When he was leaning on the ladder peering into the classroom saying "wrong" that was just great :D thing is, I'm not against silly, funny, non serious moments of the Doctor, its just when they overshadow the serious parts that makes me a saaaaaaaad panda :<

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

5982759828

[blackmage_nuke]

I loved the ending of this weeks episode. The rest of it was average but I loved the ending.

Also I assume all national leaders just shut off the power rather than everyone turning their lights off.

[The Man]

I enjoyed this week's episode from start to finish. I've also enjoyed most of this season a lot more than EoFF, though. I think it's Moffat's strongest season as showrunner by a pretty wide margin.

[Psychotic]

It was alright but the overall plot and themes were a rehash of The Beast Below which I thought did it better. I liked the setting though.

[The Man]

Meh. The Beast Below wasn't anywhere near as scary as this episode. I liked this more.

[~*~Celes~*~]

FINALLY an episode with a good balance of doctor/clara, clara/pink, and bad guys! I was pretty pleased with this episode.

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

This Week In Science:

"Ancient magma plumbing found buried below moon's largest dark spot". News? Or the premise of last week's Doctor Who episode? You decide.

59992

[Psychotic]

Magma plumbing? Smells like Dwarf Fortress to me.

[blackmage_nuke]

"Are you my mummy?" xD

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

dat 9 reference

60042

[Psychotic]

He just can't resist, can he? Pretty decent episode, liked that swing version of Queen, nice touch!

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

I think there are a few sneak peaks at upcoming episodes in this music video for the 'Don't Stop Me Now' cover.

FxLR6cP1_Q8

[Markus. D]

i've always liked how this show can intensely bull**** me and still make perfect sense in that universe.

[~*~Celes~*~]

Another episode I am pleased with! especially the aforementioned "are you my mummy?"

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

Would you like a jelly baby?

60081

[blackmage_nuke]

I dont get the ending. Did the tree thoughts brainwash the sister into coming back? Why was she hiding in the glowy shrubs?

[Iceglow]

If I understood it correctly. The trees protect the Earth and the only person who was actively listening to them was Maeve. I'm guessing in return for her listening to them they decided to do something nice by listening to her wishes and giving her back her sister. What would be more interesting is knowing what happened to the sister in the first place. Would be pretty fucking weird if she'd died of a disease or something.

Or I could be utterly wrong on the reasons why they brought the sister back.

[blackmage_nuke]

GAAAAAH amazing episode start to finish! Especially every music beat and camera cut at the start, great tension.

[Skyblade]

Ok, I never liked the season villain to begin with, and I really hate the final reveal. Just... No. That doesn't happen. Why would they even..?

I would have much rather had it be the return of the Rani. Gender-bending the Time Lords doesn't match anything we've seen in the story thus far, and the new Master is HORRIBLE.

[Jinx]

I don't believe it's been seen onscreen, but it's definitely been established that Time Lords can regenerate in either gender.

[Skyblade]

I don't believe it's been seen onscreen, but it's definitely been established that Time Lords can regenerate in either gender.

Maybe so.

They still could have picked a better actor to play the Master. True, no one can match Roger Delgado, but Simon Pegg at least tried to do the role justice.

[Jinx]

I don't believe it's been seen onscreen, but it's definitely been established that Time Lords can regenerate in either gender.



Simon Pegg

lol

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

60370

[Psychotic]

http://i.imgur.com/rGvsOtJ.jpg

I should have known Charles Dance was secretly a Time Lord. He's currently rumoured to be playing the Master. While I'd like to see John Simm return, if he has to be replaced, Charles Dance is the objectively perfect person to do it.I wanted this to happen personally because Charles Dance is a smurfing bomb. The idea of The Master (or the Doctor) regenerating as a woman is fine though. They did a comic relief skit once where the Doctor regenerated into Joanna Lumley and I really want that to actually be A Thing That Happens.

Truth be told I'm not really sold on Missy as a character, but then I'm still not really sold on Capaldi's Doctor either. Also not really a Danny fan come to think of it, nor Clara acting like a crazy person over some dude she just met. Throwing all the Tardis keys into lava would've worked better as an Amy/Rory plotline I think, it's the kind of thing Amy would do but it doesn't suit Clara at all. I'm watching Doctor Who more out of habit than because I'm enjoying it and that makes me a little sad. I really want to like it and get into it but I'm struggling.

[Skyblade]

http://i.imgur.com/rGvsOtJ.jpg

I should have known Charles Dance was secretly a Time Lord. He's currently rumoured to be playing the Master. While I'd like to see John Simm return, if he has to be replaced, Charles Dance is the objectively perfect person to do it.I wanted this to happen personally because Charles Dance is a smurfing bomb. The idea of The Master (or the Doctor) regenerating as a woman is fine though. They did a comic relief skit once where the Doctor regenerated into Joanna Lumley and I really want that to actually be A Thing That Happens.

Truth be told I'm not really sold on Missy as a character, but then I'm still not really sold on Capaldi's Doctor either. Also not really a Danny fan come to think of it, nor Clara acting like a crazy person over some dude she just met. Throwing all the Tardis keys into lava would've worked better as an Amy/Rory plotline I think, it's the kind of thing Amy would do but it doesn't suit Clara at all. I'm watching Doctor Who more out of habit than because I'm enjoying it and that makes me a little sad. I really want to like it and get into it but I'm struggling.

I agree with most of this, except that I really like Capaldi's Doctor so far. A lot of the episodes have been really reminding me of Classic Who (there was a scene in the moon episode where the guy who wandered off alone was attacked and I burst out laughing because it seemed to be lifted right out of the old series, circa John Pertwee).

I do find Clara's behavior strange. Did they ever explain why she doesn't know everything about the Doctor after the whole Impossible Girl thing concluded?

Also, I'm not saying Simon Pegg was a good choice for the Master, he was completely the wrong choice, he's not the right sort of actor for the role. But he was a good enough actor to work with it and give us a couple brilliant scenes. Missi so far just hasn't worked at all.

As for my own choice, I've wanted Anthony Stewart Head as the Master since the episode with Sarah Jane.

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

John Simm played the Master, though.

[Slothy]

Yeah, Simon Pegg didn't play the master. Not even sure how someone could mistake him for John Simm. The two don't even look alike.

[Psychotic]

To be fair, he did play The Editor.

[Jinx]

They did a comic relief skit once where the Doctor regenerated into Joanna Lumley and I really want that to actually be A Thing That Happens.



WOW OKAY I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING THIS VERY SECOND THANK YOU PSY

[Psychotic]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do-wDPoC6GM

Mr Bean, The Great Intelligence, Horace Slughorn and Hugh Grant also moonlight as the Doctor

[Skyblade]

Yeah, Simon Pegg didn't play the master. Not even sure how someone could mistake him for John Simm. The two don't even look alike.

Just messed up the names. Been all tired and stressed lately. Sorry. :( It was a case of "this doesn't sound quite right, but nothing else is coming to me, and I really don't want to go look it up".


And, while we're on the subject, Simon Pegg WOULD be a terrible choice for the Master.

[blackmage_nuke]

nor Clara acting like a crazy person over some dude she just met.
Well for one, with the dating montage, I think it's dificult to tell how long they'd been going out. I personally thought they'd known each other for around half at year at this point (not counting the childhood run-in)
And for another she probably feels responsible because if she hadnt called and told him she loved him then he probably wouldnt have been hit by that car.

Not only that the fact that Danny stuck by her even when he found out she'd been lying to him the whole time, and he was willing to adapt to fit into her lifestyle without becoming a time and space explorer.




I do find Clara's behavior strange. Did they ever explain why she doesn't know everything about the Doctor after the whole Impossible Girl thing concluded?

I thought it was because Clara's were created and spread across the time stream werent really Clara much like how one wouldnt have the memories of a clone. That or 1000 lifetimes of knowledge would make the human brain explode with space-time confusion.

As much as I liked the episode I also would have prefered if Missy turned out to be The Rani.

[Jinx]

Tbqh, I haven't been keeping up with this season. It's bored the shit out of me. Probably soon I'll sit down and watch all the episodes I've missed.

However, re: Clara acting crazy about Danny: Keep in mind that she and the Doctor met her fucking GRANDSON with Danny. Like, she more-or-less knew she was going to spend the rest of her life with him, and then he died. That'd be pretty fucking traumatic.

[blackmage_nuke]

Married 4 times?
The grandmother of his granddaughter, Theoretically
River Song
Queen Elizabeth I

Who am I missing?

Also "all deceased"
Will we never see River Song again?

[Psychotic]

She would never ever work with Capaldi's Doctor.

[blackmage_nuke]

She could regenerate into someone more befiting his style. What I was expecting was that she was she reconstituted herself from the save data in The Library but was too corupted then died and regenerated as Missy

Also I loved the little alteration in the opening credits

[Psychotic]

She can't regenerate though. She was the little kid in America, who regenerated into Mels (as a kid, hence why she could grow up with the Ponds) and then after she regenerated to River she used up all of her regenerations to save the Doctor, and obviously she dies as River Song.

[Shauna]

I will be quite happy never to see River Song ever again.

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

It was really awesome to see the Brigadier this episode in a unique way.

I'm ready for my "Master Who" spin-off where I watch the Doctor deflect and avoid flirtation in his day to day life with new companion in tow :cool:

So much fan fiction is going to be made from the past two episodes.

I thought Cyber Danny was really touching.

[Skyblade]

Currently watching the last episode (taking a break due to those I'm watching it with).

I think I was blaming the actor a bit prematurely. It works better this episode.

The writing and handling of the reveal in the last one was just really, really lousy. They really needed some more scenes to develop the character a bit, actually establish a presence. Something other than twenty second bits with no definitive personality or still shots of contemplation.

Really, not a good first impression, but might not be a horrible choice. They did need to do something different with the character, after all. There has always been that problem of the character trying to fit into the set mold of the previous incarnation. While they did successfully break away from it with the last version, they were in danger of setting a new mold if they didn't alter it radically enough to develop a separate persona. I think they did that successfully.

So this new version may work, I'll just need a little more time to see.

Assuming, of course, this incarnation survives the episode. Don't kill the character again, please.

Edit: Finally got a chance to post about the finished episode. The ending was just perfect. Was not expecting it, but it fit perfectly, and was such a great final send off (the original send-off was just as awesome, but it was a bit more expected).

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

"How do you get all those presents in your sleigh?"

"Bigger on the inside :smug:"

OOHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Leigh]

Dr. Who. Seriously do not quite get who this show is aimed at. Adults who like bad writing, or children who just don't know any better?

[Psychotic]

The last episode was good for a Capaldi episode though that isn't saying much. Really glad Clara is staying. I liked her a lot less over the past season but that last episode had me remembering the good times.

[Ayen]

I dropped the ball on following this so hard, it hurts. The episode with Robin Hood was the last one I watched. I just got tired of watching trout on the computer. Funny thing is I'll probably change my tune when Game of Thrones starts back up.

The Master becoming a woman is funny, though. Shame she's doomed to repeat the same three strings Moffat uses for every single woman character he ever written for since the beginning of ever, and I say that as a Moffat fan.

[Psychotic]

So that was a thing.

[Mr. Carnelian]

So that was a thing.

Care to elaborate? :p

[charliepanayi]

I liked when it went all A Knight's Tale for part of the episode.

[Mr. Carnelian]

I thought it was funny when they were all surprised that Davros was on Skaro.

I mean, really: did none of them see that coming?

[Formalhaut]

I personally love Missy as the Master. She's so barbed, yet funny, changing accents on a whim. She can go from unlikely ally to main villain quickly.

Besides Missy, the rest of the episode was great. Clara was good, even if I'm still surprised she is here with us. The Doctor's grand entrance was hilarious and the ending leaves us with a fun, enticing moral dilemma. The season opener plays like a season finale, to be honest!

[Psychotic]

Missy is okay. I like the concept of the Master being a frenemy who sometimes helps, sometimes hinders but the way her dialogue is implemented is sort of a one-trick pony: lol I fancy the doctor cause i'm a woman do you get it? Alright, yes, we get the joke, what else do you have? I was disappointed she went balls out evil at the end too, it would've been interesting to have her travel with the Doctor and Clara for a while.

I'm also not really keen on her actress, and I don't really love Capaldi either. He just lacks that charisma, that spark. And it's a shame because I liked the general idea for the story of the opener but ehhh. It's just not doing much for me anymore. I think the audience is agreeing with me - viewing figures have dropped drastically - I hope they don't cancel it again! - and even more importantly, this thread's activity has suffered too!

[Jinx]

Yeah, I stopped watching about 2/3 into last season. I might try again eventually, but it sounds like the show is kind of stuck in the gutter.

[blackmage_nuke]

Me at the end of episode 1: I hope they dont use that "The companion was teleported instead of disintegrated" twist that theyve used twice before again
3 minutes into episode 2: :-/

I think I'd be fine with Mistresses if she didn't keep putting on the baby voice.

[charliepanayi]

I really like Capaldi and Gomez, they deserve better writing at times.

[Shauna]

I have not had the chance to watch the first two episodes yet. I'll catch up eventually.

[Ayen]

Didn't even realize the new season has started, that how out of touch I am. I don't see much Maisie talk, so I'm going to assume she hasn't appeared yet. She's literally the only reason I care to tune in this season.

[Mr. Carnelian]

Missy is okay. I like the concept of the Master being a frenemy

I also like this turn. It really brings their relationship back to what it was like in the Delgado years. The John Simms 'oooh look at me, I'm evil because of drums' version of the Master really didn't do it for me.


It's just not doing much for me anymore. I think the audience is agreeing with me - viewing figures have dropped drastically

Actually, that doesn't really seem to be true. See this here graph (which seems to be accurate, at least as far as I can tell).
http://www.themindrobber.co.uk/ratings.html

The 'Doctor Who is becoming unpopular' thing really seems to be a bit of an Internet mirage.

Also, I thought that the second episode in this set was brilliant. :)

[Psychotic]

Actually, that doesn't really seem to be true. See this here graph (which seems to be accurate, at least as far as I can tell).
http://www.themindrobber.co.uk/ratings.html

The 'Doctor Who is becoming unpopular' thing really seems to be a bit of an Internet mirage.Only going by what the BBC themselves have reported! (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34307519)

Also Formalhaut, I thought Robin Hood was one of Capaldi's best, that Matt Smith is a boss and that Tennant's specials (That desert planet aside) were his best episodes - Waters of Mars was ridiculously good. :monster: Also I'm not really in uproar about it, just, meh.

[SammieBabe]

I've managed to keep up with the season so far. I like the characters, but I'm not fully engrossed with the stories or the dynamics between the characters so far. I'm also not sure if Moffat is a genius or has just completely jumped the shark this season. *shrugs*

It has been confirmed that River is coming back for the Christmas special though, so for those of us who do like her, there's that to look forward to.
http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2015/09/doctor-who-river-song-is-coming-back-for-christmas/

[Ayen]

Sounds like ol' Moffat is overstaying his welcome. I saw people ready for him to leave back in Series 7.

[Psychotic]

I got this thread title from the end shot. Is that what we were meant to take from it? I don't know, but I'm rolling with it.

[Ayen]

Wait, she was in the last episode?

nvm got my answer.

ARYA STARK IS IMMORTAL!

[charliepanayi]

Tennant's specials: I believe the original plan was to take a year off but the BBC (who can ill-afford to lose Doctor Who revenue) basically begged Russell T Davies to at least do a few one-off episodes to fill the gap.

As for Moffat, a fresh showrunner probably is needed by now but he's in charge of two massive successes for the BBC, so nobody will be pushing him out of the door any time soon.

And I laughed at the ZZ Top line in last night's episode.

[Mr. Carnelian]

I thought the most recent episode was good, apart from the tacked on alien-invasion-of-the-week which pops up at the last second.

Maisie Williams did a cracking job, I thought, and played off Capaldi very well. I wouldn't object to a recurrence or two of her character.

[Ayen]

Smurf. I keep forgetting Saturday is Doctor Who Day.

[Slothy]

I thought the most recent episode was good, apart from the tacked on alien-invasion-of-the-week which pops up at the last second.

Maisie Williams did a cracking job, I thought, and played off Capaldi very well. I wouldn't object to a recurrence or two of her character.

Good thing since that selfie at the end strongly implies she'll be back. I wonder what will happen given she mentioned remembering Clara because she makes note of people's weaknesses, and she is always forgetting things about her life. Maybe she'll forget her new mission and see Clara as having what she wanted.

[Mr. Carnelian]

I am SO disappointed with that episode (Sleep No More).

The annoying thing is that there were some good ideas in there, principally the Morpheus machine. And I did like the anti-capitalist strain of the story. But sadly, the whole thing just never really came together.

I was thinking that maybe the Morpheus machine was blurring the lines between dream and reality or something like that, but no. It was sleep-dust coming to life, for no apparent reason. Sleep dust which can take humanoid form, and/or float in the air being invisible cameras. Sorry, but I just can't swallow that level of ridiculousness.

Hang your head in shame, Mark Gatiss!

[charliepanayi]

So are we changing this to 'In which Arya Stark brings about the death of Clara. OK, that was Clara's fault really.

[Psychotic]

I don't remotely accept that was Clara's fault. It was all "Me" and I really hope the Doctor ignores what Clara said and stomps her into the curb.

Firstly, how about "hello Doctor someone is threatening to wipe out me and my friends unless I hand them over can you help us please?" But really, even if you can't do that because of your own stupidity, putting a very real curse on an innocent man to trick someone is an atrocity. Oh no, I never meant for anyone to die! You start waving a loaded gun around in people's faces try telling the judge "Oh I didn't mean for anyone to die!" when someone gets hurt and see how far it gets you. Especially when you threaten someone's friend for some trumped up bulltrout reason and then don't tell them it's not real. Clara did a really honourable and brave thing by taking a bullet for a friend who also had a young child and I'm not going to blame her for the sheer stupidity, cowardliness and downright evil that is "Me".

...really good episode though because it makes me feel like that! :D

[Psychotic]

Maester Luwin/Uncle Ginger (if you get this reference you're cool) seems rather ticked off.

[Mr. Carnelian]

Now THAT (Heaven Sent) was a brilliant episode.

[Slothy]

Holy fuck was it ever good.

[charliepanayi]

This is pretty funny:

https://www.facebook.com/PeterJacksonNZ/videos/10153602968491558/

[Midgar Mist]

I dunno how many countries the Horror channel is piped to but in Britain at least we are being treated to classic Dr Who every afternoon. I watch it whenever I can, ecspecially when Tom Baker has a way of drawing me in. Being born in the mid eighties meant the first era wasnt really in my life or memory (one of the many reasons I am cursed by birth), the only thing I remember is Ace calling the Seventh Doctor 'Professor'
Since then ive seen smatterings of old Doctor Who here and there, and I watch the new stuff, but I was wondering what the ones in the know (through living it or through uber-geekdom) can tell me about the classic stuff, not just your opinion on the best doctor but the best episodes, assistants etc.... Any insights would be great, then I will know what to watch out for.

[Shauna]

I just merged your thread with our existing Doc Who thread! :)

[Mr. Carnelian]

I just merged your thread with our existing Doc Who thread! :)

I don't know if that really works: Midgar Mist is asking about Classic Who. The existing thread is about New Who.

EDIT: Plus, I was in the middle of writing out this long reply to him, and I lost it because you moved the thread whilst I was posting. Grumble.

[Shauna]

This is a Doctor Who thread. Talk about whatever Doctor Who you fancy.

[Mr. Carnelian]

This is a Doctor Who thread. Talk about whatever Doctor Who you fancy.

I don't mean to be a pain, but it would make conversations easier if there was a clearly defined New Who thread (this one) and a Classic Who thread.

This thread is EXPLICITLY about New Who, and people have only ever talked about New Who here. Talking about Classic Who on here as well would get confusing.

I understand if that can't be done, though. Please don't hate me or ban me, or anything. :ohdear:

[Shauna]

This thread has seen plenty of discussion about all walks of Who.

Also in 9 days this thread is going to be dead for the next 8 months or something, might as well talk about something in it.



This thread is EXPLICITLY about New Who, and people have only ever talked about New Who here.

Objectively false. It is primarily New stuff because it is the more popular subject, but there has been chat of Classic Who throughout the thread. SOURCE: I just read the entire thread.

[Jinx]

People have talked about all Doctor Who in this thread.

[Mr. Carnelian]

People have talked about all Doctor Who in this thread.

Okay, okay I get it. My bad. :slump:

[Midgar Mist]

Sorry if ive caused any confusion, Im a newbie with an inferior phone that limits what I can see. Im on a slightly better phone presently, also was having a dense moment because of course there is already a Who thread, I should have thought of that.

Edit: Mr Carnelian, feel free to post a reply any time it doesnt have to be precisely the same reply you were going to send

[Shauna]

No worries, mate. That's what us mods are here for! :)

[Psychotic]

Awww :3:

[charliepanayi]

Well River was infinitely less smug in this one which made a nice change.

[Jinx]

I haven't watched Doctor Who for a couple of seasons, so I wasn't paying a ton of attention to most of it. Also, I was really unhappy they brought River back AGAIN. But I like that this is definitively her last episode. There is no where else for River to go. The end made me a bit weepy.

[Psychotic]

Guess again. Christmas 2016: How River and the Doctor met Jim the Fish.

[Formalhaut]

I'm the guy who needs a flowchart (I like how they lampshaded that) with River Song episodes so I'm always filled with trepidation when she appears, as I fear I'll get confused.

But anyway, I really enjoyed that. Light-hearted, but with an increasing emotional edge as it draws towards the last third. The limited space diary was really sad, but it did get a happy, if bittersweet, ending, with the 24 years spent together.

[Jinx]

Yeah, I like that they got to experience time together as a proper married couple, as well as River was able to be with a (physical) Doctor who was more her age.

[Formalhaut]

Looking back, River has a right to be pissed at the Doctor. They never actually got to spend any more than a day (a day fraught often with danger) with the Doctor, and so it was great that they were able to actual time together, that wasn't spent saving the world or righting wrongs. It makes sense that she felt the Doctor didn't love her. Where was he?

The Doctor having his 'bigger on the outside' moment was pretty fun, as well.

[Psychotic]

Firstly, he's the Doctor. Every day of his is fraught with danger. Every day of River's is fraught with danger. They both enjoy it. Also if you remember he asked her to travel with him and she specifically told him no, her place is in prison.

[Mr. Carnelian]

I'm the guy who needs a flowchart (I like how they lampshaded that) with River Song episodes so I'm always filled with trepidation when she appears, as I fear I'll get confused.

By the seven hells, how many times do I have to explain it to you before you get it! It's really not that complicated, you know. Grumble.

[Ayen]

River Song is getting her own spin off, only it's not going to be on TV. It's an audio one by Big Finish. Though there's also a DW spin off that's going to be on BBC this year titled 'Class'.

[Midgar Mist]

River Song is getting her own spin off, only it's not going to be on TV. It's an audio one by Big Finish. Though there's also a DW spin off that's going to be on BBC this year titled 'Class'.

Awww but you kinda wanna see the stunning beauty that is Alex Kingston :-(

[charliepanayi]

So, just a Christmas special this year, then Moffat's last series in 2017, then new showrunner Chris Chibnall in 2018:

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-22/doctor-who-showrunner-steven-moffat-quits-to-be-replaced-by-broadchurch-creator-chris-chibnall

[Ayen]

We're finally getting a new showrunner? About bloody time. I know people who wished Moffat had bowed out years ago.

[charliepanayi]

Yeah, well I am prepared to bet by 2020 they'll be complaining about the new showrunner and waxing lyrical about Moffat.

[Ayen]

Yeah, well I am prepared to bet by 2020 they'll be complaining about the new showrunner and waxing lyrical about Moffat.

Well, naturally. RTD seemed to have experienced the same thing. "He's been on the show too long! Get someone else." Enter Moffat. "Moffat is terrible bring back RTD!"

[Mr. Carnelian]

Yeah, well I am prepared to bet by 2020 they'll be complaining about the new showrunner and waxing lyrical about Moffat.

Well, naturally. RTD seemed to have experienced the same thing. "He's been on the show too long! Get someone else." Enter Moffat. "Moffat is terrible bring back RTD!"

So true! :p Honestly, I think the whole concept of "showrunners" is fundamentally flawed. Every thing just ends up feeling a bit samey, as they have too much control over output. Just have different writers every week, with a head editor to prevent major inconsistencies.

[Psychotic]

Change is good!

With that said, I like it when people say they prefer RTD to Moffat because that way I know who the idiots are. It's no coincidence he wrote all of the best episodes of the RTD era. Don't get me wrong, Moffat's love of the POWER OF LOVE SAVES THE DAY drives me up the wall and god knows I hated Danny Pink, but at least his idea of a finale wasn't lol here's 100,000 daleks again.

If you are offended by my use of the word idiot, well, I'm pretty sure it's what the Doctor would've done. Actually he kind of prefers the word stupid.

[Mr. Carnelian]

Don't get me wrong, Moffat's love of the POWER OF LOVE SAVES THE DAY drives me up the wall and god knows I hated Danny Pink, but at least his idea of a finale wasn't lol here's 100,000 daleks again.

I know, right? Three Dalek finales in five years. Oh, got to come up with a way to round off the series, I know, I'll have all the daleks be like, totally destroyed, like for realsies this time, until next year at least obvs, lol. Really RTD? REALLY?

I also kind of get your point about the "Power of Love" thing being overused, but I'm a hopeless romantic, so I don't mind it.

[Psychotic]

The power of love usually isn't even a romantic one though - see James Corden and Stormageddon, and whatever the hell that WWII Narnia Christmas Mother episode was!

[Formalhaut]

Christmas is ripe for 'Power of Love' stories, to be honest. I did think 'Power of Three' was a bad episode in the first place. I don't know, I feel like RTD gets a nostalgia hit from most fans, when really he wasn't phenomenal.

[Ayen]

Doctor Who Series 5 & 6 is better than anything RTD made.

Come at me, internet!

[NorthernChaosGod]

Screw you, Paul. I want more Daleks.

[Psychotic]

Nothing wrong with Daleks but then when you have a whole horde of them being defeated and indeed having a magical button that makes them spin around going "Waaaaa!" it devalues their ability to scare.

The best Dalek episodes have always had smaller numbers or some sort of twist like the Dalek Asylum. I still think the best one in new Who was the first one, Dalek. That thing was fucking scary.

[Ayen]

The thought of one Dalek being enough to wipe out an entire city's population is pretty terrifying.

Then you see a larger group doing smurf all and missing all the time, and the fear factor goes out the window. I was actually smurfing cheering when the Daleks were finally hitting trout again near the beginning of Series Eight.

[NorthernChaosGod]

The Daleks talking smack to some Cybermen was great though, you have to admit. :p

[Mr. Carnelian]

The Daleks talking smack to some Cybermen was great though, you have to admit. :p

True. That was a moment of comic genius.

[Crop]

Like Psy, my favourite Dalek episode was probably 'Dalek', but I think it's fair to say they hit their peak in 'Doomsday'.

It's a shame, they used to be my favourite Who villains, but I don't think I'll be able to enjoy them as much as I once did after the over use of them in terrible stories.

[Midgar Mist]

Christmas is ripe for 'Power of Love' stories, to be honest. I did think 'Power of Three' was a bad episode in the first place. I don't know, I feel like RTD gets a nostalgia hit from most fans, when really he wasn't phenomenal.



Yeah, well I am prepared to bet by 2020 they'll be complaining about the new showrunner and waxing lyrical about Moffat.

RTD seemed to have experienced the same thing. "He's been on the show too long! Get someone else." Enter Moffat. "Moffat is terrible bring back RTD!"

Hmmmm did someone say 'power of three'? mwah hah hah hah (oh wait wrong thread, stop it Midgar Mist, stop spamming stop it) ahem! Doctor Who: My opinion is that Moffat is in fact better from RTD and my reason is this; DW when through a season hiatus for 16 years, with only a 1996 special in between, so RTD had his work cut out. I found RTD's early stuff a bit silly plus I don't believe Eccleston was right for the part. Then, The Tennant showed up and blew us away with his pro dynamite acting skills! RTD got into his groove and made it great, John Barrowman made it all the more great (i wasnt too focused on him early on but he was developed nicely). Then just when I thought "Oh no and unknown actor called Matt Smith is gonna ruin this" he proved me wrong and in my view was even better than Tennant. So, I think Moffat handled Smith particularly well. And just to prove I'm not on some kind of Capaldi hype, I still maintain that Smith is my favorite Doctor from The New Era.

[Ayen]

The Daleks talking smack to some Cybermen was great though, you have to admit. :p

It felt like something kids playing Cybermen versus Daleks would say in a park.

I can't decide if that's funny or not.

Oh, who am I kidding, it was hilarious!

[Ayen]

Does anyone know if there's any truth to this? http://epicstream.com/news/We-Wont-Be-Seeing-Peter-Capaldi-As-The-Doctor-Anymore

It's been circulating the internet pretty heavily. Some are doubting the source, but I'm not sure if it's true or just a very good rumor. If true then it'll be like when RTD and David Tennant left. I'd be curious to see who Chibnall would cast as the new Doctor if this is indeed the case.

[charliepanayi]

Here's the new companion:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36111598

[Zanmato]

I'm glad I found this thread! :D
Series 10 is coming... I'm so excited! :hyper:
Who's with me? :squee:

I've also watched "The Rings of Akhaten" today - it was a fine episode, in my opinion.
The Doctor's speech was very good - that's why I love this guy! :love:

[charliepanayi]

It's back, and it's the last series for Capaldi and Moffat. Discuss, and stuff.

[Mr. Carnelian]

First episode: Bill seemed good, but everything else was a bit meh. It served as an introduction to her character though, so job done.

[KleinerKiller]

It's only been two episodes, but so far (and going by the teaser for the next episode), this is my least favorite series of the revival. I really like Capaldi's Doctor, but Bill has made very little impression on me as a companion, and trying to criticize her in most circles just leads to accusations of racism, sexism, and homophobia. And the threats for both episodes thus far have been very, very hard to take seriously -- both in concept and how inconsistently written they were.

Then again, I hated Series 9 when most fans and critics seemed to love it, so my opinion is probably the odd one out again.

[Formalhaut]

Unfortunately that seems to be the case Kleine! I actually really like Bill and this season so far. Smile was a simple, yet deceptively impressive episode in my books.

You can really tell they're going for a soft-reboot with the name of the first episode (The Pilot) and just in general it seems pretty distinct from the Clara era, which I must admit I tired of towards the end of that run, rather like Amy. It just went on a little too much.

[KleinerKiller]

Oh, Clara was unbearable for me, especially in the last series. The actress was fine and I like her in other things, but she embodied the worst excesses of Moffat's writing, and I could only groan every time she was revealed to be responsible for another pivotal point in the Doctor's history.

The fact that such an amazing episode as "Heaven Sent", and the cliffhanger of the Doctor finally getting back to Gallifrey, all led up to an episode solely about bringing Clara back and dancing around all of the season-long mysteries, was the tipping point where I almost gave up on the show.

I was actually enjoying "Smile," despite the stupid emoji-bots and the inconsistent behavior of the nanobots (if they made up the whole city, there should have been no chance of outrunning them), until the ending. It was just really sloppily written and didn't line up thematically with anything the episode had set up. Why make the whole problem about the balance between happiness and grief and then have the situation resolved in a way that has almost nothing to do with it?

[Formalhaut]

I will say Doctor Who's biggest weakness has always been the endings. 45 minutes is never enough time to wrap up an episode. Agreed that the ending to Smile was weaker overall, but I think given that hamstring it was a very good episode otherwise.

[Mr. Carnelian]

It's been a very good series so far!

Just finished watching episode 6 with Formy. Existential angst levels off the charts. Very gripping.

[KleinerKiller]

Still really, really not seeing what so many other critics and fans apparently are. Haven't watched the most recent one yet, but "Knock Knock" was so dumb, dull, and nonsensically written that it almost defies belief. If not for the ever-brilliant Peter Capaldi and David Suchet as the guest villain, it would have been irredeemable.

And don't even get me started on the giant fish thing.

[Mr. Carnelian]

The giant fish was incidental. Human greed was the real monster. Also, "Knock, knock" did have a pretty dumb resolution, but it had a good atmosphere up until the ending.

[charliepanayi]

13th Doctor is Jodie Whittaker

[Mr. Carnelian]

13th Doctor is Jodie Whittaker

Not really very familiar with her as an actor, but I'm always willing to give a new Doctor the benefit of the doubt. Hasn't been a bad one yet, after all!

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

We've got the Christmas special tonight and it should be one for the books. Regeneration episodes are always bittersweet. I shed a tear at the last one.

[Jinx]

I'm interested enough by the departure of Moffat and a woman Doctor that I just bought the season pass on Amazon. Let's hope it's worth it! :D

I might watch the Christmas special as well, I guess!

[Jinx]

I absolutely love her. And no it's not a "oh, it's because she's a woman". Fuck off. She's goddamn amazing.

And the show feels so fresh again.

[Lord Golbez]

Okay, but it's season 11 now. I like her, but it's a bit early and the episode wasn't really the best overall plotwise IMO (intro episodes rarely are tbh), so I'm waiting to see her in action in some (hopefully) better episodes.

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

Any thoughts on the opening credits or new TARDIS design?

It kind of has a rustic cave feel like the 10th doctors, I think, though I'm not sure yet how I feel about those big pillars. They kind of seemed in the way of getting a proper view. I'm eager to see more scenes in there.

[Lord Golbez]

The opening theme sounds kind of old school.

[Jinx]

The opening reminds me of Orphan Black (another one of my favorite sci-fi shows).

Personally, I'm in the camp that I really enjoy the new look of the TARDIS. It's very me, and is something I'd go for if it were mine.

This episode was boring, though. I'm still in Jodie's camp, and she was the best part of the episode, but everything else was underwhelming. Next week is going to be a tight-rope episode, but I hope it's better.

There are a lot of theories flying around this "Timeless Child".

anyways

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[Mr. Carnelian]

Really liked the most recent episode, though it lost both me and Formy when the sinister floating wraps started talking.

Graham really grew on me this episode, I must say. Didn't make much of an impression in the first episode, but he really seemed to come into focus this time round. Yas, on the other hand, slipped very much into the background for most of the story. Of the three of them, she's the one I feel like I have the least of a grip on. Hopefully that'll change over the coming episodes.

Whittaker seems very good so far, I already feel like I've got a good sense of her Doctor as a character.

The new opening credits are a great callback to the original opening credits, I really like them.

I think the new TARDIS interior is good overall, although I wish it wasn't quite so monochromatic. The pillars leaning in towards the central console reminded me a bit of the 8th Doctor's TARDIS.

75699

[Lord Golbez]

Yeah, well I am prepared to bet by 2020 they'll be complaining about the new showrunner and waxing lyrical about Moffat.

Well, naturally. RTD seemed to have experienced the same thing. "He's been on the show too long! Get someone else." Enter Moffat. "Moffat is terrible bring back RTD!"

So true! :p Honestly, I think the whole concept of "showrunners" is fundamentally flawed. Every thing just ends up feeling a bit samey, as they have too much control over output. Just have different writers every week, with a head editor to prevent major inconsistencies.

Moffat had some of the best one shot episodes prior to being the showrunner. There was good reason to think he would be an excellent replacement. Who knew those skills wouldn't translate well into season long arcs? I think the Moffat years were okay overall, but how much of that is on him and how much is on other writers is unclear to me. What is clear is that he couldn't stick a landing well. The season finales of the Moffat years were almost all overblown barely intelligible deus ex machina nonsense (more true of the Matt Smith years though). I think RTD had better season closers than Moffat, although some of that might be because he had David Tennant. RTD did Torchwood though, so I'm gonna say Moffat is better overall.

[Mr. Carnelian]

Episode 3 was another excellent episode. Feels like a long time since we've had a historical, and this was one of the better ones in New Who, at least that I can remember.

It felt to me like Yas finally played as important a role as Graham and Ryan, although Graham continues to be my surprise favourite.
Whittaker continues to impress.

Glad the time racist got his comeuppance, but I would have quite liked to see him runninng away from a dinosaur or something when he was sent back in time.

[Jinx]

This episode was uncomfortable, in a good way. I'm not from the Deep South, but I'm from a place that culturally, is not so different. Racism (at least while I was growing up) was still the open norm.

I always enjoy the episodes when the Doctor has to let bad things happen so that good things can happen instead. Fires of Pompeii, now Rosa.

I still think the premier is my favorite so far, last week's is still my least favorite.

Graham is my favorite companion this season. Last week I was rolling my eyes at how he's still trying to get Ryan to call him "grandad", but I actually REALLY appreciated here how he called Ryan his grandson twice. It would have been so easy for him to not say anything. That says a lot more about familial bonds than a title.

I rewound the part where she sonics the racist like 4 times. Her face was absolutely hilarious there.

[Lord Golbez]

It fits nicely into a mold of a particular type of Doctor Who episode. I feel like the episodes thus far have been missing something of the fantastical though. Hopefully next epispde will be different. I'm tiring of the shitty villains.

[Jinx]

It's missing FUN. There are moments, but it's just missing that heart and warmth. An ineffable quality, but easy to know when it's not there.

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

I still think the premier is my favorite so far, last week's is still my least favorite.

I'd say 1-3-2 is probably my order, too, with 1 and 3 pretty much being tied.

The evil towels didn't do it for me.

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

Yeah I'm done.

I'm cutting back on some shows and I took a hard look at what I was watching that I enjoyed versus just habitual watching.

It's not a bad season, I would rather just do other things with my time. I don't look forward to it every Sunday anymore.

[Lord Golbez]

Needs more daleks.

[Jinx]

I forgot about Sunday's episode. WOOPS. That doesn't bode well. xD I'll watch it and next Sunday's when I get back from KC.

[Lord Golbez]

At any rate, it's certainly no worse than Capaldi's first season, which really kind of dragged and had too much focus on Clara not trusting the new doctor. I think Capaldi got better after his first season, so I hope Whittaker is sticking around for more than one season.

There's something to be said for episodes when a new doctor has hit their stride and we aren't being introduced to a new doctor or companions and they aren't just learning about each other.

[Mr. Carnelian]

This last episode was pretty good, too! I'm really enjoying this season so far.

[Lord Golbez]

Yeah, I liked it, but so far we've only had one offworld episode and it wasn't great. The season needs something a little more out there. Tim Shaw just isn't doing it for me so I hope we get an offworld episode not related to him or his race.

[Jinx]

This episode was SO fucking good. Doctor Who is back.

This episode is basically what Rosa tried (and for me, failed) to do. I bawled.

Also it's ABOUT TIME YAZ HAS SOMETHING TO DO

[Mr. Carnelian]

Also it's ABOUT TIME YAZ HAS SOMETHING TO DO

10/10 Mr. Carnelians agree.

I loved how this episode shone a light on an often overlooked but incredibly important (and bloody) part of Britain's, India's and Pakistan's history.

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

*Phoenix Down*

Trailer revealed for the new year's special, featuring the return of Captain Jack after his brief appearance earlier in the year:

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[Lord Golbez]

With two of the companions leaving, I hope Yaz gets more time to shine in the next season and I hope they let her remain the sole companion for a decent stretch (ideally the whole season). Whittaker's Doctor has had a surfeit of companions for two full seasons and it's more than time to dial it back. The extra companions have led to pretty much every episode involving split team dynamics. It's starting to feel restrictive on plot rather than opening up possibilities with more characters. Considering Whittaker will probably only be around for one more season (no Doctor in the revival has stuck around more than three seasons - unless you count Tennant's specials - and three has become de rigueur), it would be nice not to have her saddled with too many companions sucking up screen time for her last season.