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GavinUK86

Member
Oct 25, 2017
2,736
Same. It's expression towards the end was great ha ha.

Yes! I really loved that bit!

I loved the Pting too. It was adorable!

5fqH4z6.gif
 

dave_m123

Member
Oct 28, 2017
20
That creature reminded me of the little Nibbler from Futurama except evil. Not the best episode has to be said!
 

Deleted member 3815

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
6,633
Not a bad episode but not a great episode either, also the Pting is clearly a Stitch clone and a lot of other folks are pointing that out. I am actually kinda glad that I didn't watch this from the start.

Next week episode should be good, as it's the Indian/Pakistan partition plus it's a Yaz centered episode.
 

-shadow-

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,110
Should I watch Torchwood? I never did. Also I love Jack.

I mostly agree with this:

For an alternate take on this: Series 1 is messy but with some bright spots, Series 2 is much more confident, Series 3 is the best and most unsettling piece of TV modern Doctor Who has ever produced, and Series 4 is an absolute train-wreck.

Series 4 was made under really weird circumstances - it was a US/UK co-production, so is US series sized - so it's one big, brilliant RTD idea (what if people stopped dying? Like, everybody becomes immortal, even if they are braindead, or ravaged by disease?) spread out across over 20+ episodes - way too many even for an idea that strong. It was written by a lot of people who worked on Buffy and shows like that (which were of course inspiration for Torchwood) and halfway through RTD had to reduce his influence because his partner was sick, so he flew back to the UK. You really feel his departure, and after a really strong opening 5 or 6 episodes it falls to absolute ruin and isn't worth watching, imo.

Watch 1-3, understanding that it improves over time, and forget 4 exists (as everyone appears to). There's an RTD-sanctioned 'Series 4' of Torchwood through Big Finish now, so if you're really thirsty for more listen to that instead.

Except for season 4 being a train-wreck and should be forgotten. It has an amazing premise and does basically the darkest of darkest things with it. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if it does have a ton of problems. The biggest was Starz co-producing it making the series very US centric, and I don't remember ever seeing so many explosions in the entire series added together. And like mentioned , the first half is absolutely terrific and the second half really takes a dive, but I don't consider it unwatchable, especially since it's only ten episodes long. And the final few minutes really makes me with that the BBC didn't mess up with the series, since the ending did show a interesting new setup for a new season.

I haven't given Aliens Amongst Us (season 5 from Big Finish) a shot yet, but I still have a ton of different audio adventures that I need to listen first. But regardless, yes you should watch Torchwood and I say go also for Miracle Day. It's not as good Children of Earth, but it's nowhere near as terrible as people make it out.
 
Oct 25, 2017
1,629
I really disliked Miracle Day when it first aired, but watching it back during the Twitch marathon it wasn't as bad as I remembered. It has a lot of issues and doesn't at all live up to the premise, let alone compare to Children of Earth, but it's not really any less watchable than series 1,
 

LL_Decitrig

User-Requested Ban
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
10,334
Sunderland
You know, I appreciate that you find something to like in every episode of Doctor Who — I don't think that's something that can be said of any Who fan, on Era or otherwise. :lol But I feel like you sometimes come off aggressively whenever someone doesn't like an episode that you liked (which, again, is seemingly all of them!).

This is my second reply to the same post. This time I'm responding to what I perceive to be a very legitimate critique of my sometimes rather aggressive and indignant responses to criticism of episodes, showrunners, actors, and characters.

In my defence I can only say that I don't feel myself qualified to judge drama or dramatic productions definitively, and I operate on the assumption that those who think they are so qualified are mistaken. When it comes to Whovians, and honestly this is the only venue apart from real life where I encounter other Whovians, I'm often vexed to find what I consider to be perfectly lovely work being picked to death.

I could list the episodes that I don't think really work for me, and while that would undoubtedly surprise many other viewers who loved those particular episodes, in all honesty the fact that I could enumerate them on the fingers of a single maimed hand would only reinforce your observation that I essentially love all of Doctor Who.

And you know what? I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I watched the first episode with my father in November, 1963. I hated it when Doctor Who retired and they brought in this new guy. Then I loved him. Then they brought in a curly-haired impostor and I got used to that one, eventually. After that, I kind of got the idea.

The revival brought Doctor Who into the world of modern television, and its influence has grown because it's a franchise that attracts paying viewers over a long term. It's never wanted for talented writers and showrunners. So it's a bit annoying to read microcritiques presented as factual statements.

Is this thing on? Am I making sense?
 

JediTimeBoy

Member
Oct 27, 2017
6,810
I'm just missing everything really. Just all feels off to me, like another show trying to be Doctor Who.

Or a show that's trying to re-invent Doctor Who as drama with hints of sci-fi. Right now, imo, the only thing it has in common with Doctor Who, is the theme tune, titular character, and the Tardis.

I don't think that CC understands Doctor Who in the slightest.
 

Halbrand

Member
Oct 27, 2017
19,615
Not wanting to get personal, but this is bloody typical of Whovian ERA. Episode 3 wowed new viewers who didn't even know Doctor Who existed until they read about it on Twitter or Facebook, and has probably created more new fans of the show than any single episode since Rose.

Can't Whovians just accept that the show is continuing to make new friends, 55 years after it first went on the air?
It's nice it's getting new fans, I'm just sad when mediocrity is rewarded while brilliant episodes like Heaven Sent are some of the lowest rated episodes ever. I don't want this to be the direction Who continues in for years, although I know it will, sadly.
 
OP
OP
Dwebble

Dwebble

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
9,623
I really liked the bones of the thing- I loved the Pting and the sci-fi flavour to it, the use of the companions, and Jodie's performance- easily the best she's been so far, and I generally really like what she's done with the role.

The dialogue, though. Whoof. Just drowned the episode in word salad. More than anything else this season, that felt like it needed another draft or two to really sharpen it up.

Or a show that's trying to re-invent Doctor Who as drama with hints of sci-fi.
Hints? I have many criticisms of the episode, but that was harder sci-fi right to its core than either RTD or Moffat would have attempted.
 

Spectromixer

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
16,617
USA
More episode titles and descriptions

Kerblam!

"Delivery for the Doctor!" A mysterious message arrives in a package addressed to the Doctor, leading her, Graham, Yaz and Ryan to investigate the warehouse moon orbiting Kandoka, and the home of the galaxy's largest retailer: Kerblam!

The Witchfinders

The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz arrive in 17th century Lancashire and become embroiled in a witch trial, run by the local landowner. As fear stalks the land, the arrival of King James I only serves to intensify the witch hunt... But is there something even more dangerous at work? Can the Doctor and friends keep the people of Bilehurst Cragg safe from all the forces that are massing in the land?
 
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Static Veins

Member
Oct 25, 2017
340
UK
More episode titles and descriptions

Kerblam!

"Delivery for the Doctor!" A mysterious message arrives in a package addressed to the Doctor, leading her, Graham, Yaz and Ryan to investigate the warehouse moon orbiting Kandoka, and the home of the galaxy's largest retailer: Kerblam!

The Witchfinders
The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz arrive in 17th century Lancashire and become embroiled in a witch trial, run by the local landowner. As fear stalks the land, the arrival of King James I only serves to intensify the witch hunt... But is there something even more dangerous at work? Can the Doctor and friends keep the people of Bilehurst Cragg safe from all the forces that are massing in the land?

OK these 2 episodes sound fantastic. As does next week's. Hope we are in for a run of great episodes!
 

APZonerunner

Features Editor at VG247.com
Verified
Oct 28, 2017
1,725
England
Oh, this episode is probably home to the first proper piece of referential fanwank of the Chibnall era? The species the computer UI scrolls through before finding the Pting...

DrL4e3jXQAE5Qii.jpg


bring back the Ood

how is it possible for there to be a picture of one of the Silence in a computer
 

LL_Decitrig

User-Requested Ban
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
10,334
Sunderland
It's nice it's getting new fans, I'm just sad when mediocrity is rewarded while brilliant episodes like Heaven Sent are some of the lowest rated episodes ever. I don't want this to be the direction Who continues in for years, although I know it will, sadly.

Don't get me wrong. We had well over a decade of intricately plotted myth building. We had delightful single stories like Cold War or Blink, and exhilarating runs like that from Silence in the Library through to Journey's End.

I've seen series and episodes wax and wane in appreciation in the few years I've hung out on Doctor Who threads here and on the previous forum. I'm confident that this constant change is the only thing we can rely on. Sure, as an individual viewer I'll always show inpatience with offhand dismissal of great characters like Vastra, River Song and Clara. Maybe that sounds a little shrill to some viewers. But in an environment where such denigration has clearly found fertile soil, it seems a bit much to see people immediately pouncing on a popular change of direction with simpler plots and a lower cost of entry. I adored the complex stuff, I love the knowing wink to fan lore, but that doesn't mean I have to hate a new approach.
 
Oct 25, 2017
1,629
More episode titles and descriptions

Kerblam!

"Delivery for the Doctor!" A mysterious message arrives in a package addressed to the Doctor, leading her, Graham, Yaz and Ryan to investigate the warehouse moon orbiting Kandoka, and the home of the galaxy's largest retailer: Kerblam!

The Witchfinders
The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz arrive in 17th century Lancashire and become embroiled in a witch trial, run by the local landowner. As fear stalks the land, the arrival of King James I only serves to intensify the witch hunt... But is there something even more dangerous at work? Can the Doctor and friends keep the people of Bilehurst Cragg safe from all the forces that are massing in the land?

Episode 7 premise sounds great. 6 sounds 50/50 odds of being fun or naff.

Oh, this episode is probably home to the first proper piece of referential fanwank of the Chibnall era? The species the computer UI scrolls through before finding the Pting...

bring back the Ood

how is it possible for there to be a picture of one of the Silence in a computer

It's possible but pointless
 
OP
OP
Dwebble

Dwebble

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
9,623
More episode titles and descriptions

Kerblam!

"Delivery for the Doctor!" A mysterious message arrives in a package addressed to the Doctor, leading her, Graham, Yaz and Ryan to investigate the warehouse moon orbiting Kandoka, and the home of the galaxy's largest retailer: Kerblam!

The Witchfinders
The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz arrive in 17th century Lancashire and become embroiled in a witch trial, run by the local landowner. As fear stalks the land, the arrival of King James I only serves to intensify the witch hunt... But is there something even more dangerous at work? Can the Doctor and friends keep the people of Bilehurst Cragg safe from all the forces that are massing in the land?
Sounds good to me!

I've largely enjoyed the series so far, but the guest writer episodes all sound MUCH more interesting.
 

EvilRedEye

Member
Oct 29, 2017
747
IIRC, the local time period our Angels and Silents lore comes from is the 52nd Century, so the ability to display them on a computer screen could have advanced in the intervening 1500 years.
 

EvilRedEye

Member
Oct 29, 2017
747
Speaking of fanwank, Big Finish is doing a Torchwood Slitheen story of all things.

twmr027_synch_1417_cover_large.jpg


Maybe we'll get to hear a Slitheen say 'fuck'!!!1
 
OP
OP
Dwebble

Dwebble

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
9,623
Wait, is that Indira Varma? Ellaria Sand from Game of Thrones, Vivienne from Dragon Age and tons of British dramas? She's awesome.
It is. She had a recurring part in series 1 of Torchwood, that she's presumably reprising here.

The timeline actually fits quite nicely- she's a member of Torchwood in the time that Margaret's mayor of Cardiff.

EDIT: Wow, they're doing some bonkers stuff with the Torchwood audios- stories with the Fendahl, the Autons, and with Captain Jack teaming up with Jo Grant to fight the giant maggots!
 
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Noodle

Banned
Aug 22, 2018
3,427
What was the deal with the dialogue about the antimatter reactor? Felt like a school lesson.
 
OP
OP
Dwebble

Dwebble

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
9,623
What was the deal with the dialogue about the antimatter reactor? Felt like a school lesson.
Chibnall was dipping into some of that old, Hartnell-era educational content. Part of the original pitch in the 60s was that Doctor Who would teach the kids about scientific and historical concepts as part of the adventures.
 

Effect

Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,945
The pace of this episode is really good. I really enjoy it when Doctor Who episodes are limited to a single ship.
 

Effect

Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,945
I really enjoyed this episode. The creature was interesting. Like I said before I love locations like this and learning about the "worlds" they find themselves in. Again the character interactions are still very strong! That can not at all be easy to do as consistently as this season of Who has done. I can easily see myself rewatching this a few times in the future. Super looking forward to next week's episode.
 

Dalek

Member
Oct 25, 2017
38,902
Oh, this episode is probably home to the first proper piece of referential fanwank of the Chibnall era? The species the computer UI scrolls through before finding the Pting...

DrL4e3jXQAE5Qii.jpg


bring back the Ood

how is it possible for there to be a picture of one of the Silence in a computer

Damn I totally missed this.

Probably my least favorite episode as of yet this season, but I really love Thirteen and her friends so that helps a lot. And yes-I have a feeling we're finally going to get a proper fist bump but my guy tells me it will be a bittersweet moment.
 

Mulciber

Member
Aug 22, 2018
5,217
I mostly agree with this:



Except for season 4 being a train-wreck and should be forgotten. It has an amazing premise and does basically the darkest of darkest things with it. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if it does have a ton of problems. The biggest was Starz co-producing it making the series very US centric, and I don't remember ever seeing so many explosions in the entire series added together. And like mentioned , the first half is absolutely terrific and the second half really takes a dive, but I don't consider it unwatchable, especially since it's only ten episodes long. And the final few minutes really makes me with that the BBC didn't mess up with the series, since the ending did show a interesting new setup for a new season.

I haven't given Aliens Amongst Us (season 5 from Big Finish) a shot yet, but I still have a ton of different audio adventures that I need to listen first. But regardless, yes you should watch Torchwood and I say go also for Miracle Day. It's not as good Children of Earth, but it's nowhere near as terrible as people make it out.
I must admit that I'm not a huge Big Finish fan. For that matter, I'm not a huge fan of Starz.
 

Dalek

Member
Oct 25, 2017
38,902
I just found out there's only 10 episodes this year which means we're halfway done. Bummer.
 

Kinsei

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
20,520
The Pting was adorable. Overall the episode felt like weightless filler, but it wasn't unenjoyable.

I'm really looking forward to next weeks episode. Hopefully we get some good development for Yaz
and more Thasmin fuel.
 

Xagarath

Member
Oct 28, 2017
3,140
North-East England
I have many criticisms of the episode, but that was harder sci-fi right to its core than either RTD or Moffat would have attempted.
Agreed on this. We haven't had this kind of full-blown space opera in New Who before- even though some of the dialogue was a bit rough, I still enjoyed the sheer number of ideas being thrown around.
Plus the resolution of the plot was significantly better than last week.
 

MrKlaw

Member
Oct 25, 2017
33,038
Too much stuff going on so nothing got time to breath - yet still felt like it was dragging on.

The pilot was entirely inconsequential- it's kike we're supposed to think there is this big secret she is hiding but there is no time to develop that so it felt completely hollow. Which then rolled into her final part also lacking weight (literally - supposed to be flying the ship putting a lot of pressure on her but she just stood there looking blank)

The pregnant guy was an ok side plot but basically just there so Ryan could have a random discussion at length about his father in the middle of a space station about to be destroyed. I get they want to have character development so build in moments that allow that - it felt odd. Also the actual pregnant guy was terrible. When introduced it was all flippant like the usual 'oh we are aliens we get pregnant men too!' Fine. But he plays it light and silky throughout but then Ryan projects this father issue stuff and it turns into this emotional bit - But with zero payoff - it's like the pregnant guy just went 'oh ok I'll keep it then'

Realk disappointed - although I liked the alien and the production values on the CG this season are clearly decent. Too much insistence on grounding things or tying back to the companions even when that feels shoehorned in.

Ditch the pointless captain, give more space for the pregnant guy plot to breath so we can actually see he is conflicted etc, play it a bit straighter and it would have been much better IMO
 

zeroshiki

Member
Oct 26, 2017
414
I've watched every episode this series and for the most part have enjoyed it. What's unfortunate is other than Rosa nothing has particularly wowed me and grabbed my attention.
I remember first watching the Eleventh Hour as my introduction to Doctor Who and being blown away by how good it was. The next two episodes didn't really do much for me but then I watched Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone and I was hooked for life. I'm still waiting for Chibnall's equivalent to this.
 

Psittacus

Member
Oct 27, 2017
5,932
The pilot was entirely inconsequential- it's kike we're supposed to think there is this big secret she is hiding but there is no time to develop that so it felt completely hollow. Which then rolled into her final part also lacking weight (literally - supposed to be flying the ship putting a lot of pressure on her but she just stood there looking blank)
I think that ties into what someone said on the previous page about the P'Ting not feeling very threatening. They're on a ship that is being piloted through an asteroid field by someone who could drop dead at any moment, while a space gremlin is slowly eating all of the critical systems. That situation should be dripping with tension but it's just... not.
 

PayOffWizard

Member
Oct 27, 2017
404
Manchester England
Second episode in a row ive turn off before finishing. Ive never done that with any other episode of Dr Who ever. Loved the Rosa episode but everything else this season has been a missive letdown.
 

Gareth

Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,443
Norn Iron
I'm currently not feeling great about Chibnall as showrunner. The only episode I've really liked this season so far is Rosa and someone else wrote that one. I find myself losing interest at times during his episodes. Other than Rosa they've been mediocre for me - not very memorable, particularly clever, or emotional. I like Team Tardis though and I can see Jodie is enthusiastically putting her all into the role, so I hope the next few episodes with different writers involved can turn it around for me.
 

phisheep

Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes
Member
Oct 26, 2017
4,678
I'm kind of with LL_Decitrig on this - maybe because we are much the same age and both veterans of the original broadcast of An Unearthly Child.

As with every other Doctor, it's taken me a while to settle in. But I'm rather liking that we've got Doctor-as-Everyman rather than Doctor-as-Superman, and travelogue rather than timey-wimey, and ensemble rather than pull-along companion, and slow character stuff rather than flashbangs all the time. It feels comfortably old-fashioned to me.