Arantor

  • As powerful as possible, as complex as necessary.
  • Posts: 14,278
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #30, on May 14th, 2011, 10:46 PM »
OK, so it's been a bit long since the last post.

Curse of the Black Spot
(click to show/hide)
A lot more back to 'having fun' than the series openers. Highlight of the episode was Amy being a pirate, low point was Rory not actually dying (again). I don't like him much.

(click to show/hide)
Pacing was wrong, too. It ran nicely for about 3/4 of the episode, then crammed so much into the last 10 minutes, with a little too much going on with multiple separate story lines resolving together. Still, interesting position if they plan to run another spin-off.

Episode 4
(click to show/hide)
Even the title is a spoiler: The Doctor's Wife

(click to show/hide)
Figuring out who the aforementioned Wife wasn't a surprise. Throws some possibilities into the little girl who can regenerate - visually if nothing else.

(click to show/hide)
"The only water in the forest is a river." Oh, so many options... the Library, perhaps? The forest on the Byzantium? Hmm...

(click to show/hide)
The writing in this episode, of Idris, of who Idris was/is, of the dialogue of the House... this is easily one of the best episodes yet, IMHO. It certainly expands the nature of the Doctor's relationship with his TARDIS - but in a way that isn't trite or cliche, and feels so right. The notion that the TARDIS stole him... that was genius - and that twist is so undeniably Gaiman (e.g. with reference to Whatever Happened To Batman?)

(click to show/hide)
There aren't many characters whose tale will elicit a tear, but this... this one could.
When we unite against a common enemy that attacks our ethos, it nurtures group solidarity. Trolls are sensational, yes, but we keep everyone honest. | Game Memorial

Nao

  • Dadman with a boy
  • Posts: 16,079
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #31, on May 14th, 2011, 10:52 PM »
I got spoiled about who the mad girl is. I shouldn't be looking for episode ratings >_<

Arantor

  • As powerful as possible, as complex as necessary.
  • Posts: 14,278
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #32, on May 14th, 2011, 10:55 PM »
I deliberately stopped even looking online after the first episode, too many spoilers. I found myself enjoying things more without the spoilers or prequels or trailers.

Nao

  • Dadman with a boy
  • Posts: 16,079
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #33, on May 14th, 2011, 11:20 PM »
Okay, the spoiler I read about, was pretty much given away right before the opening credits so I'll be fine with it...

Milady doesn't want to watch tonight. >_< I guess I'll have to sneak around her and watch in private :P Neil Gaiman doesn't wait!
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #34, on May 15th, 2011, 12:21 AM »
'kay, finished the episode... Was fantastic! :)

(click to show/hide)
Episode 3, I liked a lot, except for the low budget. The boat was cool, but it was always at night and foggy... I felt let down. I liked the last few minutes but I strongly doubt this could make spin-off material really. The captain is nice enough, but the other characters were just red shirts after all.

Episode 4 now -- can't say much about it... I loved it from the first minute to the last. Had I not known it was written by Gaiman, I would have called it genius anyway. The dialogue was the strongest part of the episode, some of my fave lines of the trailers were in it. Suranne Jones is smoking hot, and fun. The Doctor was brilliantly lost, and he actually lost it towards the end, nearly crying over what was happening. Wow. Matt Smith really did a great job here. His lines still had too much of a fast-paced execution to me, but at least it enabled him to say more lines, eheh.

Oh, and I love Rory, I think I said it already but I've loved him from his first guest spot, and loved him even more after the Big Bang and his... demonstration of patience. The character was fleshed out and actually is more human to me than Amy. And hey, his 'patience' thing was again referred to in this episode! Yay for continuity!

Aaron

  • Posts: 356
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #35, on May 15th, 2011, 01:53 AM »
Amazing episode. Indeed, Neil Gaiman did not fail to deliver. I agree, easily one of the best ones yet. :D

That said, I'm off to bed. :P
"The entire British Empire was built on cups of tea … and if you think I'm going to war without one, mate, you're mistaken."

Nao

  • Dadman with a boy
  • Posts: 16,079
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #36, on May 15th, 2011, 12:14 PM »
Pete, I was re-reading your spoilers and -- I don't really see in what way this episode gives any hint about the little girl, really. This SFX seems kinda like stock shot material to me.

Still, I'm gonna watch the episode again today... Come to think of it, Gaiman is the only ever guy who wrote for two of my Top 5 shows -- Dr Who and Babylon 5. Yay for him. I'm glad I met him in person a few years ago :) (was pretty much alone with him for a few minutes :eheh:)

Arantor

  • As powerful as possible, as complex as necessary.
  • Posts: 14,278
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #37, on May 15th, 2011, 12:40 PM »
Glowing hands? The quote?

Nao

  • Dadman with a boy
  • Posts: 16,079
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #38, on May 15th, 2011, 01:08 PM »
What quote?

Arantor

  • As powerful as possible, as complex as necessary.
  • Posts: 14,278
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #39, on May 15th, 2011, 03:29 PM »
The one I quoted, in quote marks... :P

Nao

  • Dadman with a boy
  • Posts: 16,079
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #40, on May 15th, 2011, 03:36 PM »
I don't see what it would have to do with her.

(Personally, I can perfectly live without these boring series-wide arcs.... :^^;: If only Moffat could change the formula.)

YogiBear

  • Great Britain's Eurovision result...arghhhh !!
  • Posts: 140
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #41, on May 15th, 2011, 05:02 PM »
In the version shown in the UK we have to wait what seems 5-10 minutes into the episode for the opening credits. Is this pandering to the American market I wonder?

This happened with The New Avengers yet in the French dubbed version the credits were shown at the start.

Arantor

  • As powerful as possible, as complex as necessary.
  • Posts: 14,278
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #42, on May 15th, 2011, 05:31 PM »
Actually, the way it's been done is normal and has been for a little while (not just this season but at least the last two)

Yes, it's in no small part the way the US does it, but I actually like that because it drops you straight into the action, then gives you a few moments to imagine all the possibilities! Nothing like a little antici...pation to encourage you.

Nao

  • Dadman with a boy
  • Posts: 16,079
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #43, on May 15th, 2011, 06:30 PM »
I agree, I like this presentation. Seems natural when handled correctly (like this week.)

Arantor

  • As powerful as possible, as complex as necessary.
  • Posts: 14,278
Re: Doctor Who
« Reply #44, on May 21st, 2011, 09:06 PM »
OK, episode 5.

(click to show/hide)
Doctor as peacemaker, it goes horribly wrong. Just like the Silurians again.

(click to show/hide)
This time with a fun cloned Doctor. Who might be evil of sorts.

(click to show/hide)
Not the most exciting of episodes. I've seen worse in DT's episodes (like New New York when Rose visited with DT) but not the best. Hopefully next episode will be better in the run up to the mid season break.