Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 20:06:01 GMT
Now. That was easily CC's best script for Doctor Who, and just sizzled with energy and excitement. I loved every single thing about it, from the home-made Dalek, to Nick Briggs' voice in the girl's head. I defy anyone to watch this and not have a great time. Beautifully directed and played, Segun's music was as always, excellent. The pacing was perfection. The moments of quiet were equally as effective in their way as the noisier, more spectacular moments. This was, for me, the injection the show needed, and it was well worth the wait. Absolutely superb, the best of the 11th Doctor's journey by a country mile (and I've enjoyed the majority of Series 11), and without hesitation top marks in the poll. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Is it 2020 yet?
Some wonderful social comment too. UNIT closed down for financial reasons, and a wi-fi-less family reduced to ... having a conversation. I just know I'm going to be spending the rest of the evening remembering all the other great moments from this.
|
|
|
Post by SG. on Jan 1, 2019 20:10:15 GMT
I'm so conflicted on this episode and have no idea what I think of it.
|
|
|
Post by fitzoliverj on Jan 1, 2019 20:10:19 GMT
I defy anyone to watch this and not have a great time.
You can defy me as much as you like, but I found it overlong and profoundly irritating.
|
|
|
Post by mark687 on Jan 1, 2019 20:10:36 GMT
I thought it was OK I'm a bit miffed about the UNIT throwaway but crucially Jodie couldn't hold conviction when Face to Face with the proper "Blue Peter" Dalek (after the very good TARDIS Radio scene), props to Nick Briggs though.
We knew the Ryan Dad stuff was coming and that paid off as well as expected with Brad and Tosin, and Mandip was just there again as Yaz, the thought occurs that the story of the 9th Century Battle was more enticing.
Regards
mark687
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 20:11:25 GMT
I defy anyone to watch this and not have a great time.
You can defy me as much as you like, but I found it overlong and profoundly irritating.
In retrospect, that was an unwise challenge for me to have made. Forgive my exuberance!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 20:17:07 GMT
The best use of the Daleks as pure threat in quite a long time. Really loved the juxtaposition of the Dalek making it's shell in exactly the same way (and same county) that The Doctor did with her sonic. Anyone who came on board with Jodie would really get the notion that they are indeed mortal enemies. Maybe a bit more show, don't tell would have done but hey. Minor quibble. Liked the Dalek design here - the red central light was cool. A fair bit of the ep owed more than a little to Rob Shearman. This Dalek really kinda proved why "all new monsters" is a noble idea but if Tim Shaw is the best big bad you can come up with....use your back catalogue going ahead.
UNIT being taken out of the show is quite a change. Wonder what Kate and Osgood are up to?
We're still getting Ryan-Grace arc stuff while Yas is just there doing the pedestrian stuff. I can only imagine Mandip reading each script wondering when she's getting her place in the sun. REALLY needs to change in 2020.
Would have liked something to lead into the next series. Thought the finale was actually going to be a cliffhanger with us being taken to a Dalek fleet but the collapsing sun thing took over, resolving things a little too quickly. The Dalek just trusted the Doctor to go where it told her?
A fun watch for a lazy day and a more rewarding "see you later" than the series finale was.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 20:26:41 GMT
Now. That was easily CC's best script for Doctor Who, and just sizzled with energy and excitement. I loved every single thing about it, from the home-made Dalek, to Nick Briggs' voice in the girl's head. I defy anyone to watch this and not have a great time. Beautifully directed and played, Segun's music was as always, excellent. The pacing was perfection. The moments of quiet were equally as effective in their way as the noisier, more spectacular moments. This was, for me, the injection the show needed, and it was well worth the wait. Absolutely superb, the best of the 11th Doctor's journey by a country mile (and I've enjoyed the majority of Series 11), and without hesitation top marks in the poll. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Is it 2020 yet?
Some wonderful social comment too. UNIT closed down for financial reasons, and a wi-fi-less family reduced to ... having a conversation. I just know I'm going to be spending the rest of the evening remembering all the other great moments from this.
I quite like UNIT going the way of the dodo - like Torchwood the more power we saw them have, the less stories like this seem viable. The new series UNIT or TW could beat one Dalek no probs. It was done a bit off-handed though which is a bit odd. Not sure it needed the jokey call-centre part to sell the idea of a Who-instituion going dark after 50 years. In Series 12 if we have Kate and Osgood working rogue though...that'd pay it off nicely. Like SHIELD going underground after HYDRA's takeover. The family scene with the internet wasn't funny in the slightest to me though. Maybe if it came elsewhere in the ep but jumping to that in the middle of the climax was a bad choice. Maybe if the gag worked... but it's a hoary one that every comic who does a bit on modern society does. Black Mirror that wasn't in the social commentary stakes. Of course it wasn't going for Black Mirror satire, it was just a gag...but such an old, stuffy one that it makes me wonder how much TV Chibnall has seen if he thinks that was an even remotely fresh gag. Seemed like a waste of money on a set and 4 actors.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 20:44:47 GMT
Now. That was easily CC's best script for Doctor Who, and just sizzled with energy and excitement. I loved every single thing about it, from the home-made Dalek, to Nick Briggs' voice in the girl's head. I defy anyone to watch this and not have a great time. Beautifully directed and played, Segun's music was as always, excellent. The pacing was perfection. The moments of quiet were equally as effective in their way as the noisier, more spectacular moments. This was, for me, the injection the show needed, and it was well worth the wait. Absolutely superb, the best of the 11th Doctor's journey by a country mile (and I've enjoyed the majority of Series 11), and without hesitation top marks in the poll. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Is it 2020 yet?
Some wonderful social comment too. UNIT closed down for financial reasons, and a wi-fi-less family reduced to ... having a conversation. I just know I'm going to be spending the rest of the evening remembering all the other great moments from this.
I quite like UNIT going the way of the dodo - like Torchwood the more power we saw them have, the less stories like this seem viable. The new series UNIT or TW could beat one Dalek no probs. It was done a bit off-handed though which is a bit odd. Not sure it needed the jokey call-centre part to sell the idea of a Who-instituion going dark after 50 years. In Series 12 if we have Kate and Osgood working rogue though...that'd pay it off nicely. Like SHIELD going underground after HYDRA's takeover. The family scene with the internet wasn't funny in the slightest to me though. Maybe if it came elsewhere in the ep but jumping to that in the middle of the climax was a bad choice. Maybe if the gag worked... but it's a hoary one that every comic who does a bit on modern society does. Black Mirror that wasn't in the social commentary stakes. Regarding the apparent (and unlikely) demise of UNIT - I think the majority of viewers won't (AGH, I sound like Dalekbuster) regard the Task Force as highly as long term fans, and the family scene at the end worked perfectly well for me. In fact, I'd say it will never not be relevant. I say this having spent time recently in a room full of lovely people who would turn on the television and then all put their headphones on and look at their phones/DSs.
Another thought occurs to me, and this is purely my opinion of course, but I think this is the first time since the show came back that the festive special was actually better than the regular series.
|
|
|
Post by shallacatop on Jan 1, 2019 20:47:10 GMT
Really enjoyed that. Looked good (especially the TARDIS set), was really well paced and a great use of a Dalek. I think it could’ve done with looking a little more industrial and pieced together - like the Doctor’s sonic - as it looks like an attempt at a redesign of sorts, when it isn’t. The Dalek laughter was sinister!
The TARDIS team are still a joy to spend time with. I liked the further development for Ryan. His father coming into play and saving the day despite his dyspraxia seem like a closure of his story arc, much like Graham’s in the previous couple of episodes. Obviously there’s still mileage for the pair, but I think Yaz will be the one to look out for in Series 12; her interactions with the Doctor are lovely. Jodie is brilliant.
Slight nitpicks are the location titles were really poor, especially after the show has done rather sleek ones in recent years. The WiFi family and UNIT scenes drones on a little too, though the latter has potential if it’s picked up on in the future.
|
|
|
Post by ollychops on Jan 1, 2019 20:56:50 GMT
Well, that was a great way to start 2019, wasn't it? Easily my favourite Chibnall script so far, and it had what S11 was missing - adrenaline and excitement! I still had some slight niggles (still a lot of talking, not enough action, but it's getting there; and the WiFi family was trying a bit too hard, but both complaints are only very minor). Hopefully Chibnall keeps this quality up for Series 12, because it was a definite improvement - might be one of my favourite Thirteenth Doctor episodes, actually!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 21:02:47 GMT
I quite like UNIT going the way of the dodo - like Torchwood the more power we saw them have, the less stories like this seem viable. The new series UNIT or TW could beat one Dalek no probs. It was done a bit off-handed though which is a bit odd. Not sure it needed the jokey call-centre part to sell the idea of a Who-instituion going dark after 50 years. In Series 12 if we have Kate and Osgood working rogue though...that'd pay it off nicely. Like SHIELD going underground after HYDRA's takeover. The family scene with the internet wasn't funny in the slightest to me though. Maybe if it came elsewhere in the ep but jumping to that in the middle of the climax was a bad choice. Maybe if the gag worked... but it's a hoary one that every comic who does a bit on modern society does. Black Mirror that wasn't in the social commentary stakes. Regarding the apparent (and unlikely) demise of UNIT - I think the majority of viewers won't (AGH, I sound like Dalekbuster) regard the Task Force as highly as long term fans, and the family scene at the end worked perfectly well for me. In fact, I'd say it will never not be relevant. I say this having spent time recently in a room full of lovely people who would turn on the television and then all put their headphones on and look at their phones/DSs.
Another thought occurs to me, and this is purely my opinion of course, but I think this is the first time since the show came back that the festive special was actually better than the regular series.
That's kinda why the UNIT scene is so off though - any new fans won't care so don't need it explained and old fans know already the show picks up continuity whenever it needs to and ignores it the rest of the time. No-one posted "Where's UNIT?" when giant spiders were all over Sheffield. For someone who's done his best to do the clean slate, it feels like writing out UNIT is something that didn't do much that just not mentioning UNIT wouldn't have done just as well - I dare say it would play better as then we would have it without the rather awkward call centre scene being added. I'm not saying the family internet joke isn't relevant...it's just as fresh as a Christmas cracker gag. Every sitcom has had their "The lights are out and we're actually going to have to spend time with each other" ep. Fair enough there's nothing new under the sun but cutting to that gag when we're in the middle of the final showdown with the Dalek - the scariest Dalek in years - didn't work at all well. Those are the only two scenes I thought let the ep down. I thought the "Don't forget my microwave" was one mention away from being the most obvious bit of signposting the show has had in manys a year though. If the microwave didn't play into it at all, and there was loads of set up for a damp squib suggestion that something so silly as your micro could help bring down a Dalek? That could have been a better, more fun bit of business than the family scene. I thought Jodie brought a lot to her parts here. She sold the "This isn't a romp guys..." feel. Seeing the Dalek slaughter so many really sold the threat too. More of that please, Chibbers. I love a "Ah, the monster wasn't a monster at all..." story but sometimes a Troughton "There are some corners of the universe which have bred the most terrible things. Things which act against everything we believe in. They must be fought" kinda story where there's no ambiguity just pure good vs evil is just what The Doctor (!) ordered.
|
|
|
Post by nucleusofswarm on Jan 1, 2019 21:03:30 GMT
If you felt like Av Kolos was a bit middling and lacking fireworks, I think you'll get what you want from this. It feels the most like Woman, which makes sense as it bookends the series and shares locations, structure and even some themes. It also harkens back to that crime thriller-procedural feel of Woman too. The buried Dalek has prescence, thanks to Yip's direction and Nick, even if the scrap design, while fitting, was a little off: I didn't mind the head glowing, having clear divisions or being slimmer, but the mid-section just looks off, like it was meant for a different sized prop or a prototype.
Disagreeing with davy and Tony, I thought the conversation gag was funny. Cheap? Yes, but I don't think Black Mirror satire was what Chris was aiming for: just a quick nudge from a Gen X-r about families today.
|
|
|
Post by sherlock on Jan 1, 2019 21:06:26 GMT
I really enjoyed that, best Dalek story in years. I think Chibnall succeeded where Moffat seemed to struggle-he innovated the Daleks in a simple yet dramatic way (Moffat always seemed to have a tendency to throw concepts at the Daleks to see what stuck).
The Doctor got some strong stuff, and the Ryan’s dad subplot was alright. I wonder if him dying would have had more dramatic potential. Yaz again was just present in events, not really seeming to effect them or be effected by them.
First time I’ve watched this era on a TV and blimey the cinematography is so much better these days. I even liked the TARDIS interior here, maybe viewing on something of better quality than my laptop helped.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 21:10:16 GMT
I really enjoyed that, best Dalek story in years. I think Chibnall succeeded where Moffat seemed to struggle-he innovated the Daleks in a simple yet dramatic way (Moffat always seemed to have a tendency to throw concepts at the Daleks to see what stuck). The Doctor got some strong stuff, and the Ryan’s dad subplot was alright. I wonder if him dying would have had more dramatic potential. Yaz again was just present in events, not really seeming to effect them or be effected by them. First time I’ve watched this era on a TV and blimey the cinematography is so much better these days. I even liked the TARDIS interior here, maybe viewing on something of better quality than my laptop helped. I did wonder if the dad would sacrifice himself for Ryan at first though I ruled it out for a few reasons as the ep went on - it would be too much like Grace, it would be far, far too cruel on Ryan after just making peace with losing his granny and then, as the dad was holding on it really felt like if he'd died there's no way Ryan forgives The Doctor for springing that trap and causing it. Most of all I couldn't see this era leaving a year gap with that much of a downer ending.
|
|
|
Post by nucleusofswarm on Jan 1, 2019 21:13:55 GMT
On the Dalek front, I wouldn't be surprised if Chibnall actually does like them (at least, more than Moffat). You do get a sense he likes the comic/E.U. stuff with them, like tricking them out with extra weapons and gear, having them take on different forms and letting them just kill anyone because they can, even without the gun or a real need (could the comms staff actually be a threat to it? Nope, but it blasts away regardless).
As for the UNIT call, I'm torn: on its own it works fine enough as a little joke about bureaucracy and (though not directly namedropped) Brexit fudging up funding for important organizations, and at least it jestisons the 'President of Earth' angle, but it's maybe too jokey for its own good, especially in a situation this serious.
|
|
|
Post by number13 on Jan 1, 2019 22:36:05 GMT
UNIT being taken out of the show is quite a change. Wonder what Kate and Osgood are up to? They have better things to do. And the next volume of those better things is out in April...
|
|
|
Post by mark687 on Jan 1, 2019 22:41:40 GMT
UNIT being taken out of the show is quite a change. Wonder what Kate and Osgood are up to? They have better things to do. And the next volume of those better things is out in April... and March
Regards
mark687
|
|
|
Post by number13 on Jan 1, 2019 22:44:09 GMT
They have better things to do. And the next volume of those better things is out in April... and March
Regards
mark687
Indeed!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 23:19:29 GMT
I loved this episode! This was a Dalek story with a difference. I thought Resolution was well written and very imaginative. This is the highlight of Jodie's stories for me so far, as this episode had loads of nice moments in it and was very exciting. We even got yet more people in the TARDIS and Ryan's Dad turned out to be a helpful part of the team too.
The Dalek itself was cool; as a unique DIY make-do unit ready for battle it worked really well and looked great. (I loved the missiles firing from the front spheres!) This is the sort of inventiveness the Daleks needed, not those paradigm style multi-colour monstrosities; this one Dalek unit was more scary and fearsome than the whole lot of those put together! Plus the lone Dalek managed to break the Internet, upsetting families around the UK and forcing people to actually talk to one another. (Surely in some households a fate worse than extermination!!!) So a very powerful Dalek indeed. I was kind of wishing it had lived to escape and return to the main Dalek fleet enabling it to return and battle The Doctor another day, but you can't have everything.
As for UNIT, well it's not the 1970's anymore so I have no real affection for them now. For me they are baggage that can be left behind. Kate and Osgood were okay and enjoyable enough as characters in the new series, but losing them and UNIT is no big deal as far as I'm concerned.
So well done Chris Chibnall and everyone involved, this really was a 'special' episode of Doctor Who. Easily a 5/5 episode for me.
|
|
|
Post by stcoop on Jan 1, 2019 23:30:52 GMT
Someone wake me up when the series is less concerned with ramming left-wing propaganda down our throats and more concerned with telling good stories.
|
|