Jump to content

Doctor Who


DRW50

Recommended Posts

  • Members

I wish I could figure what it is about this season that isn't working for me. It's not Capaldi. He's perfect. I just don't feel the connection I have with previous seasons. Although this is the first time I have disliked a companion as much as I do Clara. It's not rabid hate or anything but she annoys me terribly.

Supposedly this was intended to be a tribute to the soldiers who fought in WWI. If so I found it...off the mark.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 1.2k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

  • Members

I'm only half through Death in Heaven, but while she's very funny, Michelle Gomez (as the Master/Mistress) is also the best, and scariest, incarnation of the character since Geoffrey Beevers' skeletal revenant in The Deadly Assassin all those decades ago.* Her scenes with Osgood and the Doctor in the cargo hold are terrifying.

The show is much darker this year, and has practically reinvented itself - the character exploration of both the Doctor and Clara has been first-rate and executed quite different from the normal dynamic. The tone has been dramatically different since Deep Breath. And I love it. It's almost as though it's a whole new creative team. They knew they could not continue with the Eleventh Doctor's fairy tale mythos, so now we have something much harder-edged. Capaldi is incredible - he invokes the darker, spookier aspects of Tom Baker for me constantly and the warmest and crotchiest parts of Jon Pertwee or Colin Baker, just as this run invokes the Philip Hinchcliffe era - and Jenna Coleman has finally come into her own.

Series 8 has leapt up into my top 3 of post-revival DW, up there with Series 3 and 6 (3, ironically, was only marred by the end of its Master arc). It's excellent.

(* - We'll leave off poor Derek Jacobi, who was incredible but only there for one episode.)

Edited by Vee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

The AI on the stories (audience appreciation) is lower than previous seasons, so you probably aren't the only one.

I think the season was, as a whole, better than last season, and several other seasons. I think they've done a decent job with Capaldi and I don't really agree with the claims that the Doctor has been sidelined. I think they've just deemphasized certain elements that needed to be deemphasized, like him being written as a god.

I liked Clara a lot more this season than I did last season, mostly because of the strength of Jenna Coleman's chemistry with Peter Capaldi, and the complexity of their relationship. The episode quality as a whole was better for me, with a few exceptions. I wish they'd done a better job with Danny. I think they just got almost everything wrong with him. My father, who usually doesn't even pay attention to certain elements of the show, hasn't had that much interest in finishing the season because he felt that Danny was abusive and controlling.

Spot the season 5 guest star.

Please register in order to view this content

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Interesting. I liked Danny. Or more accurately, I liked what Danny could've been. I didn't think Danny was controlling but I wholeheartedly agree that they messed up with him big time. Everything about his relationship with Clara seemed dysfunctional and sketchy. One minute he shows up the next minute they're in LURVE. It was all lies and secrets and plot point baggage. There was never a time when I watched Clara and Danny where I felt like I was watching a real couple that I was supposed to be invested in. They never really resonated with me as a pair.

Edited by marceline
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Peter Capaldi discusses the show's choice to break from the tone of the past era, including eliminating some 'weepy' scenes. He is also keen on the Doctor meeting Martin Luther King and says he does not want to regenerate for a while.

Jenna Coleman is still an unknown for Series 9. Many speculate she is out at Christmas, but I am not yet convinced.

Edited by Vee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Poor Matt looks mortified on the cover.

I didn't know ratings had gone up 30% on BBC America.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/doctor-who-ratings-season-9-748115

Thanks for the Capaldi interview. He seems very cautious about how long the BBC will want him. I guess any actor would be. I hope he doesn't get any of the blame for writing issues.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I know you prefer to be cautious but I have seen zero indication that he is either concerned about the BBC or that the BBC is concerned about him. I don't think he's going anywhere for a good long time. He's just being humble re: the audience, which has embraced him for the most part. And I think the response to this series has been largely very, very positive, especially compared to some of the controversy over Series 7 or 6 (my favorite in years, until now). Everything I have seen indicates that a lot of people think it is a massive shot in the arm for the show, which seemed a bit scattered in S7.

Edited by Vee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I enjoyed the season, for the most part, other than Danny/Clara and Danny in general. It's hard to say how people feel, ignoring the usual bitchers and moaners online. My father's been watching as long as I have and he has, for whatever reason, really disliked the season. But of course that's just him, not a majority view.

It's mostly Moffat's defensive tone (Capaldi saved the show, the ratings are fine) that makes me wonder.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I would be more worried about it if the BBC brass weren't out touting the new series as a huge victory, which they are. (I am also hearing Series 9 is 13 episodes.)

I first noticed the article above over at Gallifrey Base, and most of the commenters there noted that its language seemed slanted to try and prove some thesis. I just feel that if you can make both the long-standing UK fanbase and the perennially anguished American critics who have never gotten over the changing of the guard happy - and they all are happy, for once - then it's a triumph.

There are also wild rumors that Missy/the Master is the Doctor's companion, or at least one of them, for the back half of the upcoming series, but whoooo knows.

Edited by Vee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Members

Those rumors are still going around about Jenna Coleman agreeing to stay for the first half of season 9. They also claim that

I don't agree with all of this, but I do think Jenna was very, very good this past season.

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/nov/28/clara-oswald-jenna-coleman-doctor-who-stay-leaving

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I don't know what to think. I do think she really, really came into her own this year, but I don't know where Clara can go next. To me the character was half-baked in Series 7, more of a puzzle box than a person. She was a very nice companion that year, just fine, but mostly a stock companion type, if that makes sense. Jenna has never been the problem.

Looking back at Series 7, which I think was a very scattered year that reacted too hard to criticism of the experimental Series 6 (my favorite of the Moffat era and perhaps my favorite of the revival, until possibly this year), many of those standalone stories do work very well and are a lot of fun - Bells of St. John, Hide, Cold War, Crimson Terror, etc. are all quite decent IMO. I even like Nightmare in Silver. That year's major weakness, IMO, is the forced and somewhat tiresome who-is-Clara mystery, along with the obviously rushed Doctor/Trenzalore stuff that goes into the anniversary, all of which they'd apparently had to collapse into fewer stories in 2013 than originally planned, including Smith's final outing. More than any other year in Moffat's tenure, IMO, it is weaker in spite of some fine stories because of that primary plot thread.

All this led to Clara's character basically being rebooted after Series 7, which is fine - her with Twelve, at Coal Hill School, etc. has been like a whole new start, much like the overall show was dramatically revamped. And it worked. Clara and Twelve's dynamic, their difficult relationship, the exploration of their co-dependence has been something totally new for the show. I just don't know what more they can do. She can do a victory lap like Lis Sladen did with Tom Baker, do another year or at least another several stories; she and Capaldi work well enough together that they could do that. But that would be about it, IMO. I think what Series 8 showed is that once Clara finally came into her own - and then watched the Doctor change himself - she began to grow past life with the Doctor. It used to be what she lived for and couldn't turn away from but she ultimately can't reconcile it with the grown-up life she is building, began building with Danny Pink. That maturation process has been painful and difficult for her but it's ongoing, IMO.

I think it would be a bold move to kill her off or something, but I doubt they will. I like her but I wouldn't mind it. I also wouldn't mind her going bad or turning on him, something they teased more than once this year, especially in the final two-parter, which would have been a hell of a sendoff - Clara driven to her breaking point by all the strife and pain her last year with the Doctor has caused her, at home and traveling with him. I might have preferred that. But I think she'll get a happy ending. After all, there's still Orson Pink to consider.

Edited by Vee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



  • Recent Posts

    • They didn't need to have some slutty gay dude as their representation. Just a 'normal' guy getting involved with another guy or two (or three). Just like the straight characters. Thinking about it, they missed the boat by not having a few other single charcters at the beginning. Maybe Naomi or Ashley could be shown meeting Derek/Jacob and  we could follow their romance. Too many characters were coupled up at the start. As a tattoo hater I was surprised to see Tomas so inked. Don't find it attractive or sexy. I'm surprised an actor would do that as it's definitely a statement and may not be appropriate for some roles. Suppose they can cover if necessary. I didn't buy Kat being all girly and then paying off Darius to get into Eva's room. Way too cliche. She should have just come along when the housekeeping was leaving and breezed in saying it was her room. And her smug looks in the hotel room and 'Now I've got you!!' talks to herself at Orphey Gene's...no.  
    • Omg I was so annoyed. Like girl calm down. Coming on way too strong. Omg I forgot about this

      Please register in order to view this content

    • I thought it got stale before Jocks death lol. His death picked things back up for me.
    • 1976 Pt 5 Tony is summoned to the reading of the will in the Llanfair library,as he’s a principal in the will. He tells Joe there’s not a chance of coming to terms with Dorian, as he is sure she brought about Victor’s death by torturing him emotionally when he was her helpless prisoner after his stroke. Ironically, Chapin hand delivers to Viki a letter her father wrote before his stroke, praising Dorian and asking Viki to befriend and support his widow when he was no longer there. Viki feels a responsibility to her father’s wishes and vows to try with Dorian. Victor’s will leaves the expected amounts to members of his family and staff, with the lion’s share of his stock and property going to Dorian. Victor’s will explains that his son Tony expressed the desire that he not be “bought from the grave,” and, in keeping with his son’s wishes, the only bequest to him is the knowledge of his father’s love and respect. Tony is deeply moved. Dorian’s first attempt to use her new power is the recommendation of Peter as head of the Merideth Lord Wolek hospital wing, claiming that naming Larry would be virtual nepotism. Peter, who has devoted considerable time and effort to helping Jenny get over Tim’s death with gentle, affectionate support, is happy at this suggestion, but Jenny points out Dorian is merely using him to hurt Larry. Viki disregards Dorian’s ingenuous assurances that she’s not trying to wield her new power but is merely putting Peter up for consideration for a future opportunity, if not this one, and tells her she won’t be able to fulfill her father’s desire that they be friends unless Dorian stops interfering. Larry, fully understanding Dorian’s personal motives, warns her he’s going to fight for the appointment no matter what. Realizing that she has made a tactical error, Dorian announces that she won’t even attend the board meeting but will give her proxy to Jim. She admits to Matt McAllister, still her confidant, that this was humiliating, but it was a necessary protective tactic. Dorian manages to win her next round at Joe’s office when, after he praises her decision to yield on appointing Peter, she expresses concern for Viki “at a time like this.” Joe, of course, jumps on her words, and Dorian, pretending great distress at having mentioned something she shouldn’t have, is “forced” to explain that she knew about the congenital heart condition Megan had and that any child of Joe’s is likely to inherit it. She overheard the doctors discussing it at the time of the accident, she continues, and naturally assumed that Joe already knew.  Joe arranges a meeting at home with Viki and asks her how she could live a lie like this; how she could go through their lives as if everything were fine while every moment was a lie. He is further upset when, in trying to explain that it was out of her love for him that she kept the truth from him, she mentions that Jim and Larry also know but Cathy still hasn’t been told. Viki tells Joe that Dorian deliberately told him this way to hurt their marriage, and she is very upset when he starts toward the door, pleading that they have always talked things out in the past. Joe coolly points out that she didn’t do that when she learned about Megan and continues out the door.  A tearful Viki is shaken and when Joe later returns, having spent several hours in a bar drinking only soft drinks,she breaks down, crying that she was convinced he’d left her. Joe assures her they can get through this despite everything, because their relation is based on love and mutual respect. 
    • If you think about it, DALLAS and DYNASTY grew stale right about the same time, even if the ratings were slow to reflect that.  FC and KL, on the other hand, tried to stay fresh, but KL was way more successful at it, I think, than FC.  (That [!@#$%^&*] with The Thirteen does not hold up well, lol).
    • GH 1976 Pt 8 Heather takes advantage of the situation by asking Jeff to come and look at Tommy. She uses sympathy, compassion, and her own feminine wiles, together with his misery and his pills, to lure him into bed. Later, sober, he apologizes. Learning from Pearson that Monica has seen a divorce lawyer, Jeff confronts her, and she insists it’s a lie. Avoiding his attempts to kiss her, she musses her hair and tears her blouse, then rushes to Rick’s, claiming that she can’t stay with that maniac any longer. They wind up in Rick’s bed, and after making love he confesses he always loved her. Rick replies to her question of whether he wants to marry her by saying he has to talk to Jeff. Monica insists that Jeff not bear any pressure from their problems. As she leaves, Rick gives her a key to his apartment. Jeff, having spent the night drinking, misses his surgical assignment, and Steve, informing him that his personal life can’t interfere with his profession, puts him on suspension. Rick can’t persuade Steve to reverse his decision, but Mark, sensing what’s at the heart of Jeff’s problem, convinces Steve to lift Jeff’s suspension and transfer him to Mark’s service. Rick asks for his key back, telling Monica they can’t do anything as long as she’s under Jeff’s roof. So she has a duplicate made and moves into intern’s quarters, explaining that Jeff’s violence drove her out. She tells Jeff she needs privacy to work things out, and tells Rick Jeff wanted her out. Thinking that this is the preliminary to a divorce, Rick tells her she can come to his place. In New York, Leslie’s abortion is delayed by a mix-up in scheduling, and she calls Terri to commiserate. Rick overhears Terri’s conversation and forces the whole story from her. He flies to New York to stop Leslie, feeling responsible for pointing out how evil Cam was, and arrives to find that she has decided she can’t deny her child the right to live. Monica, meanwhile, expecting that Rick will be home, uses her key to let herself into his apartment and is shocked to find Mark there; knowing that Mark was uncomfortable at the hotel, Rick offered Mark use of the apartment in his absence. Monica is upset to learn that Rick is in New York with Leslie, and Mark doesn’t know why. Mark does advise Monica to play fair with Jeff, but she resents his interference. The next day, while covering for Leslie at the clinic, Monica discovers Leslie’s lab test report and jumps to the conclusion that the baby is Rick’s. When Rick and Leslie return, Monica wastes no time in accusing him. He is dismayed to see that she is still as suspicious and possessive as she was before he went to Africa, and points out that her making a duplicate  key proves she hasn’t changed. Terri encourages Leslie to see Rick in a romantic light and then suggests to Rick that Leslie is interested in him. Rick likes this idea and tells Mark he’s growing ‘unwilling to cope with Monica’s unreasonable demands. But Monica immediately recognizes the threat Leslie represents and decides to attack. She goes to Leslie and tells her flatly that she and Rick are having an affair and he’s her exclusive property. Leslie, who realizes she has been falling in love with Rick, is hurt, and Rick is mystified when he feels Leslie pulling away from him. Monica’s big moment comes when she brings Rick a housewarming gift and seduces him into letting her stay overnight. She is in the bedroom when Leslie stops by to apologize for refusing his dates, and makes a dramatic entrance into the living room draped in Rick’s bathrobe. Leslie turns and runs out. Rick later informs her he’s disappointed in her, because she prejudged Monica and him rather than giving him the benefit of the doubt. Heather tries to arrange another tryst with Jeff, but he replies that he still loves his wife. Heather decides there’s only one way to get Jeff to be pregnant with his child. She manages to overhear Monica putting Jeff down by telling him he no longer turns her on and should look for someone he does. Heather goes to Jeff and tells him that she heard Monica and that she is the one he’s looking for. She manages to get him into bed again, and sweetly assures him this is right. She then sets the stage for future meetings. Steve, meanwhile, offers to help Monica and Jeff work out their problems. Jeff is willing, but Monica turns the idea down. Instead, she presses Terri to convince Jeff to end the marriage. Terri now knows that Monica isn’t a good wife for Jeff and promises to try. But Jeff makes it clear to Monica that he still loves her and won’t let her go. She is bitter and upset, as she has already implied to Rick that she will soon be free. Audrey is upset to find that Florence Andrews has been inquiring about Tommy and herself. She goes to Florence’s home and finds she’s away now. Florence has gone down to Mexico to sign a sworn statement that she purchased a false death certificate for Tom, to protect his son after his wrongful conviction. Tom, learning from her that Steve and Audrey are to be married and Steve is planning to adopt Tommy, tells  Florence not to do anything, as there’s still no assurance that he’ll ever get out. But the judge does accept the statement, and, ironically, on the day that Steve  and Audrey are married, Tom is released from prison.
    • 1976 Pt 12 Final part Laurie agrees with Stuart that Peggy is rushing into marriage to prove that the rape didn’t ruin her life.  She points out that the only way Peg can be sure is to make love with Jack before the wedding. Stuart admits she’s right but points out that he can’t suggest that to Peggy. As the wedding approaches, Peg seems happy that Jack’s become close to the family. However, her happiness is shattered by a nightmare in which her loving bridegroom turns into a leering Ron Becker, forcing her to cancel the wedding. Jack reassures her he’ll wait as long as it takes, and Chris confides that she and Snapper didn’t consummate their marriage on their wedding night because of her own rape experience, but Peggy tells Chris she might never be ready.  Despite her desire to keep Karen as her own daughter, Chris helps a police artist create a sketch of Nancy so it can be printed in the newspaper as part of a search for her. When the attempt proves fruitless, however, Chris asks Greg to file application for permanent custody of the child. Greg points out that adoption is the only way to prevent Ron from returning and claiming the child, and that it will take quite a while. Meanwhile, a nurse in the psychiatric ward sees a resemblance  between the newspaper drawing and her autistic patient, Mrs. Jackson, but since “Fran” doesn’t respond to the name Nancy and no one else sees the similarity, she fears she’s mistaken. Jill is horrified to overhear Kay, when brihging baby Phillip a Christmas gift, telling the child she remembers the night he was conceived. Kay has to then admit to Jill she saw her with Phillip in the bunkhouse that night. Jill is aghast to realize that Kay new the truth all along and put her through such agony in spite of it, denying her baby his father’s name. Lance tells Laurie they’ll marry on Valentine’s Day. He laughs that it’s corny but agrees, secretly wishing it were sooner, as Vanessa has vowed to prevent it. Indeed, Vanessa makes an unprecedented venture out of the house to visit Brad, telling him to rebuff any advance Leslie might make to him, as she’s reaching out to him only from a sense of duty. But Laurie then makes a concerted effort to reach Vanessa. Without being sure why she’s trying so hard, she tries to assure the woman she’s not losing Lance and she, Laurie, will help her find a plastic surgeon somewhere who can help her. Grudgingly, Vanessa seems to be reconsidering her view of Laurie, and Laurie is delighted when Lance offers her a choice between two diamond necklaces, explaining that her preference will be Vanessa’s Christmas gift. Learning from Les about Brad’s blindness, Stuart tells Brad he could have turned Leslie away only out of great love. Knowing that Les is going to see Brad again, Laurie warns him not to bring the baby into their discussion, as Leslie will come back only she’s convinced he loves her, not for the babies sake. Leslie finds Brad disheveled and sloppy, and proceeds to straighten the apartment, stating that she can't respect him if he lets himself go. Realizing that neither Brad nor Les will make the first move, Laurie hurries things along by refusing to help Brad with his grooming, saying he should ask his wife. Then, having learned  that Brad offered Les the use of their piano, Laurie untunes the Brooks' piano forcing Leslie to accept his offer. By refusing to cater to his  blindness, Les manages to get Brad to stop wallowing in pity, and by the time Leslie’s Christmas braille message of her love and her need for him arrives, they are husband and wife again Lance takes Laurie on a business trip on New Year's Eve, and tells her, on board his plane, she won't be  won't be able to call him “Mr. All Talk and No action” after tonight. When Laurie protests that waited this long and will continue to wait until married, Lance delights her by instructing his pilot to land in Las Vegas, where they are married immediately.
    • Yeah, not sure why Jack and Jen didn’t rush to Marlena - or even Carrie - to offer their condolences. A few flashbacks would've been a nice touch too. Instead, we got a whole episode of them talking about Chad and Abby? Come on. On the bright side, I loved Anna’s scenes with Marlena and Carrie - sweet and heartfelt, felt like a real 80s throwback.
    • Martin and Smitty were designed to avoid the stereotype of gay men sleeping around (which to an extent is true). If you recall Martin had a line about them not being open when Chelsea came to talk to him. The producers are walking a very fine line right now and it might not be popular to say but I can understand it. Establishing enough footing to ward off complaints will let them showcase gay characters more openly later.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy