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Post by elkawho on Sept 20, 2022 22:57:25 GMT
Dunno, I feel like the "wacky" bits were always the weakest aspects... of Tennant's and Smith's and Capaldi's runs. For all the other faults of the era, I really appreciate that Whitaker's Doctor, like Eccleston's, is a bit more grounded and stable. 9/10/11 would always have these goofy scenes that seemed to be pandering to very young children, and they always dragged. Strong agree on Moffat spending too much time/energy trying to be clever at the expense of satisfying narrative arcs. That whole nonsense with Kovarian and the Silence... I've watched that arc maybe three times and had people lecture me about it online at least twice, and I still have zero understanding of what happened. Yep. 100% agree. I have never liked The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon and the subsequent Kovarian/Silence arc because of it as well. I know people love it, but not me. There are great performances but the story is a mess, with plot holes you can drive a tank through (with or without the Doctor playing guitar on it.)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2022 19:03:05 GMT
Started rewatching Castrovalva so that I can review it. Couldn’t properly decide between the original and updated versions of the story, so I did a coin toss and ended up using the original. When I rewatch Kinda and Earthshock, I’ll be using the updated versions as I haven’t used them yet.
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Post by constonks on Sept 22, 2022 21:17:47 GMT
Started rewatching Castrovalva so that I can review it. Couldn’t properly decide between the original and updated versions of the story, so I did a coin toss and ended up using the original. When I rewatch Kinda and Earthshock, I’ll be using the updated versions as I haven’t used them yet. The main (only?) difference is the "illogical geometry" effects in Episode 3/4 so you could always watch the serial, then skim through 3 & 4 to see what's different! Also while I do love the big silly inflatable snake at the end of Kinda, I think the CGI one breaks the immersion a little less and keeps the tension of the story up. Don't recall what's even changed in Earthshock...
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shutupbanks
Castellan
There’s a horror movie called Alien? That’s really offensive. No wonder everyone keeps invading you.
Likes: 5,661
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Post by shutupbanks on Sept 23, 2022 5:09:00 GMT
The Ghost Monument
This was really very good. It looks and behaves like a fairly big-budget movie despite only being 40-something minutes long. I know that people are very fond of saying that "with the speech in (insert episode name here), (insert actor name here) definitely became the Doctor for me." But there's half a dozen character moments throughout this that show to me that Jodie really has a grip on what she's doing with the part. You forget that this is only her second episode.
I still don't like that TARDIS interior, though.
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Post by bonehead on Sept 23, 2022 8:59:49 GMT
The Ghost Monument This was really very good. It looks and behaves like a fairly big-budget movie despite only being 40-something minutes long. I know that people are very fond of saying that "with the speech in (insert episode name here), (insert actor name here) definitely became the Doctor for me." But there's half a dozen character moments throughout this that show to me that Jodie really has a grip on what she's doing with the part. You forget that this is only her second episode. I still don't like that TARDIS interior, though. For what it's worth, I agree with every word. It looks *gorgeous* throughout and the Doctor's re-acquaintance with the TARDIS is genuinely touching (except, as you say, the interior, which I've never warmed to). A terrific story that I think isn't given enough love.
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Post by elkawho on Sept 24, 2022 14:47:17 GMT
Image of the Fendahl.
It was the only Tom Baker story I had never seen, so now his era is complete for me. It was...alright. I like Chris Boucher's other stories much better. But is sure was creepy!
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Post by sherlock on Sept 24, 2022 16:54:08 GMT
The Abominable Snowmen
It’s fine. I couldn’t really get into the story for some reason, maybe wrong mood. I did really like the final confrontation in Episode 6 though, especially the creative liberties the animation took. The animation is usual fine standard and once again I mourn that this is the last one.
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Post by sherlock on Sept 25, 2022 20:04:02 GMT
The Ice Warriors
Oh that was pretty damn good. Hayles’ talent for crafting compelling supporting characters shines and the Ice Warriors debut in some style.
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Post by bonehead on Oct 1, 2022 14:13:22 GMT
Fugitive of the Judoon.
The Judoon, then, were just a cover for what this story was really about. At the time of transmission, I was so busy trying to wrap my head around the concepts being laid out before me, I didn't really sit back and enjoy this episode for what it was - one huge amount of fun. Captain Jack's back, saucy as ever, and he's clearly being built up to play a major role in future events. What a shame that was only partially achieved. A real genuine shame. His presence was a great surprise and livened things up no end.
Jo Martin is terrific as Ruth, and her story is very well told. I'm still not sure how I feel about the Timeless Child outcome, but this is one heck of a set-up.
I'm aware that there's a 'most blokes are twits' vibe to this, and that rankles, but this is a terrific piece of Doctor Who and I really hope the arc isn't completely ignored by RTD. I'd like to see Ruth, and Captian Jack, in the show again at some stage.
Favourite lines, from the Doctor to the Judoon officer: "We can sort this, woman to woman."
Captain Jack: "Seriously? Three of you? I had a dream about this once."
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shutupbanks
Castellan
There’s a horror movie called Alien? That’s really offensive. No wonder everyone keeps invading you.
Likes: 5,661
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Post by shutupbanks on Oct 2, 2022 1:33:24 GMT
Fugitive of the Judoon.
The Judoon, then, were just a cover for what this story was really about. At the time of transmission, I was so busy trying to wrap my head around the concepts being laid out before me, I didn't really sit back and enjoy this episode for what it was - one huge amount of fun. Captain Jack's back, saucy as ever, and he's clearly being built up to play a major role in future events. What a shame that was only partially achieved. A real genuine shame. His presence was a great surprise and livened things up no end.
Jo Martin is terrific as Ruth, and her story is very well told. I'm still not sure how I feel about the Timeless Child outcome, but this is one heck of a set-up.
I'm aware that there's a 'most blokes are twits' vibe to this, and that rankles, but this is a terrific piece of Doctor Who and I really hope the arc isn't completely ignored by RTD. I'd like to see Ruth, and Captian Jack, in the show again at some stage.
Favourite lines, from the Doctor to the Judoon officer: "We can sort this, woman to woman."
Captain Jack: "Seriously? Three of you? I had a dream about this once."
“A Judoon platoon… near a lagoon.” ”It’s a canal.”
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Post by tuigirl on Oct 2, 2022 9:35:46 GMT
Started on re-watching Talons of Weng-Chiang. Apart from the blatant racism, this is quite good. Even the giant rat gets a smile from me. But I mainly put this on because of Jago and Litefoot. Listening to the Jago and Litefoot audiobook made me realize how much I miss the two gents. Might have to do a re-listen of the audio range soon.
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Post by martinw8686 on Oct 2, 2022 14:41:23 GMT
Started on re-watching Talons of Weng-Chiang. Apart from the blatant racism, this is quite good. Even the giant rat gets a smile from me. But I mainly put this on because of Jago and Litefoot. Listening to the Jago and Litefoot audiobook made me realize how much I miss the two gents. Might have to do a re-listen of the audio range soon. I love Talons, it's one of my favourites. The racism is something I try to ignore upon rewatching, without knowing much about the production of the time, I've always hoped it was a case of general cultural ignorance of the mid 70s and not anything hateful. Jago and Lightfoot are awesome, such a shame they didn't reappear during the classic run. They worked really well with Colin for Big Finish. I'd love to have seen them in Season 22 or 23, which may have been possible with Robert Holmes returning to write.
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Post by tuigirl on Oct 2, 2022 18:05:50 GMT
Started on re-watching Talons of Weng-Chiang. Apart from the blatant racism, this is quite good. Even the giant rat gets a smile from me. But I mainly put this on because of Jago and Litefoot. Listening to the Jago and Litefoot audiobook made me realize how much I miss the two gents. Might have to do a re-listen of the audio range soon. I love Talons, it's one of my favourites. The racism is something I try to ignore upon rewatching, without knowing much about the production of the time, I've always hoped it was a case of general cultural ignorance of the mid 70s and not anything hateful. Jago and Lightfoot are awesome, such a shame they didn't reappear during the classic run. They worked really well with Colin for Big Finish. I'd love to have seen them in Season 22 or 23, which may have been possible with Robert Holmes returning to write. Agreed. The setting, the costumes, the atmosphere and the great characters (including J&L) make this a real classic!
Well, looking back to my youth, there was a lot of stuff in the stories which I admired back then, and which are now considered racist. Most of that stuff was not meant maliciously, some of it (just look at "Jim Knopf" or "Winnetou" ! I am German.... ) was meant as actually quite the opposite!
I am of the persuasion that one should not banish these stories- they are documents of their time, and of the thinking of that time. We have to acknowledge them, and learn from them.
I am appalled at the current tendency of iconoclasm, because it is nothing else.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"
Yes, it would have been great to have gotten more TV stories with Jago and Litefoot. But at least we got a nice bunch of audio adventures out of it. And they are just wonderful.
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Post by ollychops on Oct 2, 2022 18:40:18 GMT
Finished the last two episodes of The Keys of Marinus today. Thought Episode 5 was the best part of the serial. I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would but it’s not a bad story by any means. I think the issue is that there’s lots of different characters and locations that it feels like most of them aren’t as fleshed out as I’d like them to be, even for a six-parter.
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Post by constonks on Oct 3, 2022 4:12:59 GMT
I love Talons, it's one of my favourites. The racism is something I try to ignore upon rewatching, without knowing much about the production of the time, I've always hoped it was a case of general cultural ignorance of the mid 70s and not anything hateful. Agreed. The setting, the costumes, the atmosphere and the great characters (including J&L) make this a real classic!
Well, looking back to my youth, there was a lot of stuff in the stories which I admired back then, and which are now considered racist. Most of that stuff was not meant maliciously, some of it (just look at "Jim Knopf" or "Winnetou" ! I am German.... ) was meant as actually quite the opposite!
I am of the persuasion that one should not banish these stories- they are documents of their time, and of the thinking of that time. We have to acknowledge them, and learn from them.
I am appalled at the current tendency of iconoclasm, because it is nothing else.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"
Talons is one of my favourite stories (partly because of Jago and Litefoot), but I completely understand when people are too uncomfortable to watch it. If either of you (or anyone else) hasn't read Kate Orman's essay on Talons, I recommend it! She does a great job of examining the cultural climate around the story. I rather like her suggestion for how the yellowface could have been subverted, drawing on the fact that historically, some white stage magicians did dress up as "Chinese mystics"...
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on Oct 3, 2022 4:24:55 GMT
I love Talons, it's one of my favourites. The racism is something I try to ignore upon rewatching, without knowing much about the production of the time, I've always hoped it was a case of general cultural ignorance of the mid 70s and not anything hateful. Jago and Lightfoot are awesome, such a shame they didn't reappear during the classic run. They worked really well with Colin for Big Finish. I'd love to have seen them in Season 22 or 23, which may have been possible with Robert Holmes returning to write. Agreed. The setting, the costumes, the atmosphere and the great characters (including J&L) make this a real classic!
Well, looking back to my youth, there was a lot of stuff in the stories which I admired back then, and which are now considered racist. Most of that stuff was not meant maliciously, some of it (just look at "Jim Knopf" or "Winnetou" ! I am German.... ) was meant as actually quite the opposite!
I am of the persuasion that one should not banish these stories- they are documents of their time, and of the thinking of that time. We have to acknowledge them, and learn from them.
I am appalled at the current tendency of iconoclasm, because it is nothing else.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"
Yes, it would have been great to have gotten more TV stories with Jago and Litefoot. But at least we got a nice bunch of audio adventures out of it. And they are just wonderful.
This ^..
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Post by timleschild on Oct 3, 2022 11:11:29 GMT
The Abominable Snowmen. Very boring.
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Post by bonehead on Oct 5, 2022 17:59:11 GMT
War of the Sontarans.
When a series is made up of one long story, it's not always satisfying to watch an episode in isolation - but I know Flux well enough by now. I should: I've watched the series more than any other since 2005, and possibly this Sontaran story more than most. What do I love about it? Every last little thing. It looks gorgeous, moves at a crackling pace and features a plethora of sinister set-pieces. Also - and this is always a plus in sci-fi/horror - people die. Loads of 'em. The battle between Sontarans and the soldiers is epic, and on a scale rarely seen on Who - which makes the outcome all the more tragic, and inevitable. I love the performances and the reminders that there's more going on than simply the Sontarans killing everything. Swarm and Azure are about to do something horrible to Yaz and Vinder by the episode end, joyfully bad tempered and perplexed Joseph Williamson potters about in the background, Karvanista makes a welcome reappeance, and there's something wonderfully Terminal (the Blake's 7 episode featuring the corruption and 'death' of faithful spaceship The Liberator) happening to the TARDIS.
I can never imagine a time when I won't absolutely bloody love this. And to think, it was filmed during under the restrictions of a worldwide pandemic.
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Post by constonks on Oct 7, 2022 0:41:10 GMT
Watched The Green Death for only the second time. I remembered liking it but this time around I can confidently say I loved it. It's got everything: A mad, sassy computer! An exit for a companion that makes sense! An obvious moral that's still disturbingly relevant! Dodgy CSO! Unconvincing miniatures! Fun moments with every member of the UNIT family!
I could go on and on. So I shall.
A side character who's obviously doomed but you're sad when he dies! Another character called Mr. Fell who falls out a window! The silly cutaways in Episode 1 to the Doctor on an adventure too expensive for the BBC! Talfryn Thomas! Ferret skulls! The Doctor dressed as a milkman and a cleaning lady! (Not to mention that his regular costume in this story is my favourite Pertwee outfit.)
Anyway I'll stop before I list every element of the story. But yes. It's one of the greats. (Oh, and I liked Mark Gatiss's mini-sequel/"exposé" on the Blu Ray as well.)
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on Oct 7, 2022 11:56:33 GMT
"Blink" is on tv right now.. Stand out episode.
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