DRW50

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/08/25/doctor-who-delivers-highest-rated-season-premiere-ever-on-bbc-america/296441/

They give Clara lot of fast dialogue and moments that are memorable on the surface, but there's no inner life. Sometimes I do care about her, but I don't connect. I felt a little sorry for Capaldi with the age comments, but so many fans are upset about having an older actor in the role, I can see why they addressed it. The homeless man the Doctor met and spoke with was played by Brian Miller, Lis Sladen's husband.

I watched “Deep Breath” last night. It was about what I expected (plotless, padded, interminable at times, and as with last season, still struggling to define what should be our main characters), and yet in places still strong (I loved the use of Vastra as the Brigadier, and I love that she has her own Brigadier [the police inspector]; the writing for Jenny/Vastra was hamfisted at times but I appreciated learning more about the dynamics of their relationship; after being annoyed by him in some previous episodes Strax genuinely amused me here; I thought Capaldi was appropriately downbeat and lost, even if I at times struggled to hear what he was saying; some of the clockwork sequences were superb; Clara had some poignant and combative moments Jenna sold [and I loved the tear down her cheek when she was trying not to breathe]; Matt Smith’s cameo broke my heart and was done superbly). All in all I’d say it was a 6/10, which is not bad for the recent years of the show. My main complaints are, yet again, about Clara’s characterization. I don’t believe the show ever did enough to believably establish her as being in love with the Doctor to warrant having her be so lost as to not having the man she loved. This was, at the most, a flirty bond, and even that was couched in problematic material never dealt with (he lied to her, he manipulated her). Were they using her to try to reach out to fans who are upset that the Doctor is no longer young and beautiful? That his “mask” is no longer tailored to them? Perhaps. If so, then once again she is a plot device, not a character. I also don’t understand why someone who was “born to save the Doctor” and who was there in every incarnation he had would not understand regeneration. Was all that wiped away? If so, then she truly is just a generic companion, with nothing ever being about her. And why can’t we ever have her talking about her past/other self’s experiences in “The Snowmen,” since this is her second episode set in the Victorian era? If she does not remember any of this, then what was the point? And what is her characterization? Was an entire season of her worth absolutely nothing, beyond being in love with the Doctor? It’s a shame, because at times she reminds me of Lis Sladen/Sarah Jane during her golden years with Four. Yet nothing in the writing backs this up. It’s just scraps and wasted potential.

That's the first Nancy from Family? Wow. I was just watching that a few weeks ago.

Peter Capaldi One Show interview. Between his clear embarrassment at the ebay segment and his clear surprise and annoyance at the female host asking him about Jenna Coleman leaving without clearing it first, it's more entertaining than expected. Turn your volume down.

Short clip from Loving circa late 1994 or early 1995.

Everything alright?

It's always strange seeing Liz as so serious (and Irene Dailey being so trim). I think Lemay just did not like Jacquie Courtney being a pre-established star when he arrived, as he also seemed to have no time for Reinholt, Val Dufour, Virginia Dwyer, or Robin Strasser. He only seemed to think highly of Susan Sullivan, who became a personal friend, and Constance Ford. In some way I wonder if he resented that they were not his to create (Rauch may have felt this way too). Unfortunately their AW was built on sand due to all the theater actors who didn't want to stay around (that was the reason the woman who played Therese Lamonte left). I thought Courtney was superb in her breakdown scenes, at least what is available. You have to be OTT, to show the toll this took on Alice, to show us that this is NOT Alice. If anyone wants more of this material, Eddie Drueding has it available for download on his site. He only asks you consider donating. He has another clip from around this time that's very good, where Pat and Robert find Alice hiding in the closet. http://www.igs.net/~awhp/awvl.html The downloads aren't available right now but they pop up again at some point during the month, or next month.

Leatherface, dull Jason Lewis nearly being on a soap - if I wasn't crying over the death of daytime already, this would do it.

I saw a Johnny Carter/Max Branning fic floating somewhere. I always wonder if Eastenders has any idea what a following Max has among some gay male viewers. I'm guessing no, but sometimes depending on the camera angle, I wonder...

I wouldn't be surprised. Age issue aside, I just don't think Clara has ever worked. It's time to have a male companion again, and a Barbara-type companion.

I always had a soft spot for Eric. He had the biggest heart - he reminded me of the best of Karen and Sid, without her self-righteousness and his bluster. And he bitch-slapped Diana in one of my all time favorite KL scenes.

There will be a Companion special on BBC America this Monday, hosted by Peter Davison. David Tennant will also be appearing.

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20622701_20842523,00.html

I only remember Verity giving good work toward the end of her first run so this really impressed. Too bad about the woodentop Barton. Runs in the family... Can't wait to hear why her brother and sister won't be at the funeral.

RIP Ed Nelson. Such a handsome man, so much quiet intensity. I rolled my eyes a little at the idea of Peyton Place not being a soap, but oh well. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/13/arts/television/ed-nelson-a-star-of-peyton-place-dies-at-85.html?smid=fb-share&_r=1

Soffer played Jesse for some months or a year. After that Paul Wesley (back under his first name) of Vampire Diaries fame played Max.

Danny and Jesse were on the show together for about a year or two. There was a lot of material about how Michelle was falling in love with bad boy Danny even as she knew she was supposed to still love Jesse, who was a good guy. Meanwhile, Jesse was slowly falling in love with Drew, even though she was bad or semi-bad. They eventually all became friends, other than the strain when Michelle went on trial for Ben Warren's murder (Ben was Drew's father).

I really wish they'd let this air on TV. The way Rick says it is so much more powerful than what we got.

So we may be doing air strikes in Iraq soon. I'm not sure how to feel about that. I feel like we're there forever. Anyway, long article about the libertarian "moment." http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/10/magazine/has-the-libertarian-moment-finally-arrived.html?_r=0

Yes.

Filming spoilers. http://watchersonthewall.com/portstewart-strand-gears-big-scene-august-7th/

lol at Ste's father being introduced for a year or less solely to unknowingly hit on his son and then be a part of secret John Paul affair #493, then get killed off with his wife for shock value. When will this show realize there is no story left for Ste? I saw posts talking about how Kieron was sure to be so amazing in TV and film - well good. Fire him and let him go get those roles. Given that Kieron lost any ability to act several years ago, I'm sure he can at least play the braying best friend to the female lead. And the show has brought in some Brendan wannabe. I'm sure it's a coincidence, but I love the idea of this being done to troll fans of the dreamiest rib-breaker of all time.

The cards are really good. Very creative.

Clarice Blackburn and Mary K. Wells as well. And Don Hastings.