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post #91 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

While I haven't seen part two yet, I thought Silence in the Library was absolutely brilliant, written by Moffat. Well on par with Blink and almost there with Girl in the Fireplace.
post #92 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Orr
While I haven't seen part two yet, I thought Silence in the Library was absolutely brilliant, written by Moffat. Well on par with Blink and almost there with Girl in the Fireplace.

Thats the kind of stuff im talking about. He does great work! Cant wait to see what he brings to the table in future Who stories.
post #93 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Eh, those two eps are number three and four for me behind "Blink" and "The Girl In The Fireplace."

Moffat writes a couple of really good eps a year. I just hope he's up to being a show-runner.
post #94 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Alright. I take back what I said about the Catharine Tate as a companion. I re-watched "The Doctor's Daughter" again and like her much better in it and all previous episode. Liked her in "The Unicorn and the Wasp" also. Was nice seeing "Felicity Kendal" in something again. Always loved watching her in "The Good Life (aka.. Good Neighbors)".
post #95 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

The Doctor in the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/ar...on/15lyal.html
post #96 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

I think we've been cheated out of our "Doctor Who Lite" episode this time around. (open spoiler tag only if you're watching the UK broadcast)
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Last episode, the Doctor was without his companion who preferred taking it easy by the resort's pool. Next week, it appears as if the Doctor will be incapacitated for most of the episode. So both main characters have managed to stay out of most of one episode this series, ruling out the need for a "Lite" episode. After last serie's incredible "Blink", I feel a bit cheated.

On a side note, did anyone notice that Donna's phone was nothing more than an ordinary headset with the cord removed? Talk about cheap!
post #97 of 155
Thread Starter 

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Holy smokes - Midnight was a great episode. While I wouldnt want to have something like this every week, I thought having the Doctor completely out of control of the situation was fantastic. Very powerful episode.

Also, for your enjoyment, some SPOILER PICS from the end of the season. Seriously, if you dont want a bomb dropped, stay clear.
post #98 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

So, I guess RTD can write a really good, suspenseful episode.

Did you catch the bit with Rose?
post #99 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

We're going to be out of town and I am goign to set my eqpt to record Dr. Who on 6/27. Will be home on 6/29. However, if it does not record for some reason, dors Sci-Fi show encores of the episodes during the week after it first airs?
post #100 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

IMHO Midnight was too heavy-handed and overacted, and also insubstantial (it felt over-long by ~25 mins). I thought it was awful.

*However* I was very glad to see the return of the non-superhero Doctor, and maybe the episode was one big set up for a shift in his attitudes towards humans...? Also excellent to see David Troughton again.
post #101 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilipG
IMHO Midnight was too heavy-handed and overacted, and also insubstantial (it felt over-long by ~25 mins). I thought it was awful.

*However* I was very glad to see the return of the non-superhero Doctor, and maybe the episode was one big set up for a shift in his attitudes towards humans...? Also excellent to see David Troughton again.

I agree it was my least favorite of the 4th season, we never really did find out the aliens motivation , it felt more like a Trek Alien, than a Dr. Who Alien. The Purpose of the episode examining Mob mentality hhas been done to death, and it felt too muck like a bottle show to save money than a show that needed to be done. And all the mimicking was annoying, I got the point then they continued for 20 min. At least we got a fantastic Galactica this week to make up for it.
post #102 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

I just watched "Silence in the Library" here in the states. It was pretty creepy.

I like the way Moffat's scripts villify childhood phobias for dramatic effect:
"Empty Child" / "The Doctor Dances" - Fear of zombies
"Girl in the Fireplace" - Fear of monsters under the bed
"Blink" - Fear of statues
"Silence in the Library" - Fear of the dark

What's next? Fear of clowns? Fear of falling? Fear of needles? Any of those could be good.

Perhaps he should employ more adult phobias:
Fear of losing one's hair.
Fear of losing a job.
Fear of antiperspirant not working.
Fear of dentures falling out.

Well, okay, I guess adult phobias aren't nearly as dramatic.


Not having seen the second half, I must say that I have no clue what's actually going on. I can't wait for the next episode.

If you can donate your face to the library, are there other places you can donate other parts of your body? Museums? Theme parks?
post #103 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Wow, just finished "Turn Left." RTD is determined to go out with a bang, isn't he? Great "what if" story that will have continuing reprecussions. And the preview for next week, hail hail the gang's all here!
post #104 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

I really did find myself enjoying "Turn Left" even though it is very depressing from Donna's right turn on. Unlike many in Doctor Who fandom, I don't have any issue with RTD's scripts. I like "Love & Monsters," I LOVED the Utopia/Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords trilogy last series, and this last story line seems to be even more intense if that is even possible. It is going to be a long wait for New Who in 2010 with only Three specials in 2009 and 5 Torchwood episodes in 2009.

I also can't wait for the entire "Time Team" to fight the baddies coming up (although I assume many people know what an who are coming, I don't want to spoil it for any of those who don't).
post #105 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
I also can't wait for the entire "Time Team" to fight the baddies coming up (although I assume many people know what an who are coming, I don't want to spoil it for any of those who don't).
They accidentally gave it away in the UK weeks ago by showing the trailer for this rather than the trailer for the Death in the Library episode which should have been shown.

Incidentally, this isn't meant to be a spoiler, but I suppose you folks all know that there won't be a series of Dr Who in 2009? It's being put on ice for a year and will be back in 2010.

BTW, got my tickets to see David Tennant play Hamlet at Stratford upon Avon this August, with Patrick Stewart playing Claudius.
post #106 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
BTW, got my tickets to see David Tennant play Hamlet at Stratford upon Avon this August, with Patrick Stewart playing Claudius.
Dude, that sounds awesome. I envy you!
post #107 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
Incidentally, this isn't meant to be a spoiler, but I suppose you folks all know that there won't be a series of Dr Who in 2009? It's being put on ice for a year and will be back in 2010.


I know. It still sucks balls.

Quote:
BTW, got my tickets to see David Tennant play Hamlet at Stratford upon Avon this August, with Patrick Stewart playing Claudius.

Have a good time over at Stratford.
post #108 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

I didnt know Torchwood was going to be an even shorter season next year. Whats up with that?
post #109 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickER
I didnt know Torchwood was going to be an even shorter season next year. Whats up with that?

It is moving from BBC2 to BBC1 for a one week mini-story arc. According to Julie Gardner (BBC Wales bigwig and Exec Producer for Doctor Who and Torchwood) says she wanted to make it event television. I'm just happy it is continuing as I liked the first series and really liked the second series.

Separately, in an interview for a Canadian website, John Barrowman stated that the next "full" season of Torchwood will only be ten episodes in 2010 due to general BBC cost cutting maneuvers affecting most, if not all series.

It is not immediately known to me what, if any effect this reduction will have on Doctor Who.
post #110 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Thanks Jason, i didnt know that. I hope it still gets aired in the US with only 5 episodes next year. Same with the Who specials. I hope we dont have to wait until the "longer" season, or i guess series, in 2010 to see the specials.
post #111 of 155
Thread Starter 

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Well, fuck me gently with a chainsaw - that was a BRILLIANT episode. It wasnt as good a Doctor-Lite episode as Blink, but I loved the whole It's A Wonderful Life slash Father's Day with just a hint of Arthur C. Clarke's story The Nine Billion Names of God. Very nicely done.

And then of course the climax of the episode where Donna said those two magic words and my brain exploded.

And next weeks episode trailer, with a full on Torchwood crossover (or so it would seem)? Man, can't wait for that!
post #112 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
Separately, in an interview for a Canadian website, John Barrowman stated that the next "full" season of Torchwood will only be ten episodes in 2010 due to general BBC cost cutting maneuvers affecting most, if not all series.
Yes, but not, it seems, soccer coverage. Over the last couple of weeks we've been treated to blanket coverage of Euro 2008, a soccer tournament that has absolutely no UK sides in it. So there's money for that, but none for decent quality drama. And don't get me started on ****ing Wimbledon, which starts today - 8 hours coverage a day, of which about a third is watching a bunch of overpaid prima donnas sitting down having a rest, another third bouncing the ball up and down waiting for just the right moment to serve and in the remaining third listening to the BBC commentators making excuses for the usual Brit no-hopers. Grrrrrrrrr ...
post #113 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Not a sport fan then, Andrew?

Personally I'm loving the Euro 2008 coverage. I enjoy the women's tennis too (admittedly for more dubious reasons).

If the BBC wants to cut costs, they should do so by not producing any more of their stupid, bloated, self-promoting trails. Then, they should axe their vastly-overpaid "stars" (Jonathan Ross, Graham Norton et al), and give some new blood a chance to impress. Then they should stop trying to compete with the commercial channels at dumbing down, and concentrate on what they're good at: news, documentaries, drama. Quality led, not (necessarily) ratings led. As for sport, on the one hand I don't want the Beeb to spend over the odds for it, but on the other, I don't want it all on subscription-only. Maybe just let ITV have it.[/end of my twopennethsworth]

edit: as for the latest Who... I'm not a fan of "What if" sci-fi, so that ep was pretty "eh" for me. And Billie had something seriously wrong with her voice for most of it. But the next ep looks like it has potential...
post #114 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
Not a sport fan then, Andrew?
Not at all - I am a great fan of women's diving, and I look forward to high definition coverage of the event at the Olympics.

A large part of the BBC's problems is over-diversification. For the benefit of non-Brit readers - over the past couple of years, in addition to BBC 1 and BBC 2, we now have BBC 3 and BBC 4 - channels that only broadcast digitally. They offer tremendous programmes for people with more than two brain cells (loads of arts programmes, some of the more art house movies, etc). But they also bring in a very small audience share. We also have a ridiculous number of BBC-run radio stations. In addition to each region of the country having its own radio station, we have about 8 national ones, one 'serious' one for news and high-quality drama, one for classical music, and then umpteen stations aimed at different fragments of the pop music fanbase.

All this is a classic case of more is less. With resources spread so thin, the BBC is practically constrained to produce two types of programme: the prestige series that will export well (all the costume dramas, Dr Who, etc) and then anything that doesn't export well and hence must be made as cheaply as possible whilst appealing to the lowest common denominator. The result is that we get hour after hour of programmes on gardening, cookery, 'reality' TV, and 'comedy' programmes made by ex-arts students that consist either of being snide about everything, or repeat the same vaguely amusing when seen once sketch with minimal variation week after week.

The result is that audience shares drop more and people in their droves turn to DVDs or watch the better quality American programmes being shown on the satellite channels. The solution to all this should be to cut back on the garbage, close down at least some of the channels, and pile the better quality stuff into the schedules. Instead, the BBC diversifies even more (we now have view on demand, for goodness' sake - what the **** is so difficult about recording the programme when broadcast?) and throws money, not at the high quality stuff (which is getting cut back) but on paying the existing 'talent' more and more to present the down market section of the market, in the belief that it's the lobotomy classes that should be pampered.

The BBC is paid for by license fee; its remit is 'to educate and entertain' (preferably both at the same time; e.g. originally Dr Who was intended as an educational programme to introduce children to science and history), not to pander to audience figures. Increasingly it is failing to do the former with precious little effect on the latter.

Sorry for the little rant, but I had to vent my spleen.
post #115 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew markworthy
BTW, got my tickets to see David Tennant play Hamlet at Stratford upon Avon this August, with Patrick Stewart playing Claudius.
Is it safe to have both Whosies and Trekkies present in the same audience?

Your explanation of the current state of the BBC was excellent! And unfortunately, it's not an isolated case. Even in Canada, our own private broadcaster has also been diversifying its channel line-up. But unlike the BBC, the Canadian channels aren't all that appealing. In fact, our cable and DTH satellite channel choices degenerated so much that a year and a half ago, I've simply called it quits and canceled everything. I've really had enough watching a river of crap.

Today, I now have my own television broadcast license, and will soon broadcast my own river of crap!

It's nice to know Torchwood will still be available even though the series will be shorter. In fact, it might help them since they don't have to spread their resources so thinly, and may develop stronger storylines.

The Doctor Who finale should be both exciting and terrifying! Exciting in the action and drama department, and terrifying for the Doctor who might now find himself in the same room with up to FIVE of his former companions! And if you're asking how that can be terrifying, imagine being in the same room with five of your former lovers!
post #116 of 155
Thread Starter 

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
Originally Posted by Francois Caron
Is it safe to have both Whosies and Trekkies present in the same audience?

If because Patrick and David get talking behind the scenes, Patrick winds up on Doctor who (thereby completeing the Geek Hat Trick, of X-Men, Trek and Who), I'd gladly sacrifice some Trek and Who fans to a riot or two for the cause.
post #117 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony J Case
Holy smokes - Midnight was a great episode. While I wouldnt want to have something like this every week, I thought having the Doctor completely out of control of the situation was fantastic. Very powerful episode.

Also, for your enjoyment, some SPOILER PICS from the end of the season. Seriously, if you dont want a bomb dropped, stay clear.

The Doctor Who light episode is called Turn Left. He is only in it in the beginning and the end. Very good thought because Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Rose and Donna
team up.

It also looks like in the last two episodes we will get visits from
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Sarah Jane, her son, Captain Jack, Gwen and the Reception guy from Torchwood
.
It's going to be big.
post #118 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
And if you're asking how that can be terrifying, imagine being in the same room with five of your former lovers!
In my personal experience when ex-girlfriends meet they try to top each other's anecdotes about how inept I was at some task or other. For some reason trivial examples like being sent off for the groceries and bringing back a piece of expensive hi-fi instead feature high on the list. I'm sure time lords have the same problem.

Quote:
Is it safe to have both Whosies and Trekkies present in the same audience?
If the seats are anywhere near the comfort level they were last time I went to Stratford, I think the audience will be too bent over with cramp to contemplate anything violent.
post #119 of 155
Thread Starter 

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

The one word message for the human race. . . .

(warning: mad crazy spoilers for The Stolen Earth)
post #120 of 155

Re: Doctor Who Season 4

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony J Case
The one word message for the human race. . . .

(warning: mad crazy spoilers for The Stolen Earth)

Wow, just when you wonder how they can top the season before!
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