pubs
So. Collectively, The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances is by far the most nuanced, well-written, well-directed, well-edited, well-scored, probably well-acted serial of the season. The best use of effects and lighting. The best premise. The best supporting cast. The best resolution. Even the best pre-title synopsis. This is just stupidly good. And it’s kind of melancholy in that the way this ends, the balance that it finds — it’s a kind of perfection. This is the TARDIS at its height. The relationship between the Doctor and Rose, the presence of Jack, the comfortability level. It feels like everything has finally come together, after a long lead-up. This is the classic formation we’ve been waiting for. And it’s about to end. Next is, in effect, the three-part finale.
Did you hear? Next season is going to deal heavily with the Cybermen. That should be curious to witness.
I haven’t been saying much lately. I will soon. The last month has been nuts. I have other things to do first.
I got one of those Blockbuster things in the mail just now. I think it’s a scam.
My froth burning level for Bad wolf has reached peak sound.
Also I’m really looking forward to Boomtown now. I like the idea that all the stuff from earlier on is coming together as well as having the Bad wolf thread running through everything. the space station from the Long Game is set to reappear i hear.
Yeah, apparently a hundred years in the future of that episode. And Mickey’s in all three of the remaining episodes. Along with Captain Jack. Ho ho.
The direction shown in the trailer makes the episode out to be far more somber than the previous Slitheen appearance.
What you want to bet we’ll see something about the Gelth before the end?
“Pagishikinda! Pagishikinda! This is the blood-curdling cry of the world’s first Korean-speaking Dalek. Doctor Who, the popular science fiction drama, has made history by becoming the first BBC drama series to be sold to South Korea.” The series will be known in the country as “Dacter Who” and the Korean broadcaster KBS 2 will show two different episodes each week, starting with its debut next weekend, to make it easier for viewers to get to know the character.
Gurg. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to get the new Doctor Who for this week yet. If you happen to be able to help, drop me a line. You know my email. o.x;
Oh, good, you went ahead and wrote this so I don’t have to. I watched the episode this morning and was just gleeful at how well-done it was.
The Empty Child was, essentially, all setup, but it served well enough at that; The Doctor Dances was the beautiful pay-off.
I mean, where to start?
The dialogue had all the speed and wit of Amy Sherman-Palladino at her finest. Nancy was just hands-down fantastic; Doctor Constantine a classic sort of character, used to perfection; Captain Jack Harkness is clever send-up of Tom Cruise (and every character he’s ever played), right down to the ambiguous sexuality. And, of course, the sort of comfort-level all around; Rose really seems to have gotten the knack of how to just go along with the flow of events, contributing where she can.
The references to the Doctor’s previous excursions in time, and the subtle hints of how his knowledge of history goes far, far beyond ‘encyclopedic’. A hint-of-an-explanation for why a sonic screwdriver. The fact that Rose was the only one to think to shoot down.
And, of course, the climax (paraphrased from memory): “Please, let this be my day. Let this be the one time that everybody lives” … and the following jubilation of “EVERYBODY LIVES!”
The fact that it took the Doctor about two minutes to remember how to dance.
The only thing missing was the Doctor explaining to Jack that the Agency is long-gone — but that ought to be a weighty enough scene that it really is best for it to wait for another episode.
They’re selling bananas, now?
Eric-Jon I would totally converse on your livejournal if you would only add me. Until then I am frowning.
Also, if I were to want to start watching Doctor Who, where should I start?
You could do a lot worse than just bittorrenting the new series. (Three words and Google are all you need.) Only ten episodes have aired, and you don’t need to know the old series to follow or appreciate it. And frankly, at this point (episodes 9 and 10), the new series has become stronger than the old was at its best. This is as good as Doctor Who has ever been.
If you want to contrast with the original run, though (and you probably will, if the new series catches you), find the DVDs of:
That’ll give you a good taste of the history of the program, and cover all of the Doctors save McGann. McGann only appeared the once in the ’96 TV movie (an earlier, unsuccessful attempt to start the series up again), and due to rights issues that’s not going to be available in the US anytime soon.
Tom Baker, the Fourth Doctor, is the person most associated with the role. He had it for longest, he was the most iconic in appearance and behavior, he made it the most his own. The series also was at its height in production quality, presentation, and overall talent at the time. If none of the above stories are available, just choose a Tom Baker serial. It doesn’t matter too much which; you’re just looking for an idea.
Something else you can do is read some of the summaries here. This site is more about the series history than about specific plots. You get a feeling for how things flow, when and why certain changes were made to the series.
Seems that Hawes will also be directing the Christmas special, which at this point seems like the regeneration episode.
Okay, details. How do things work into the finale.
Episode 1: ?
Episode 2: ?
Episode 3: the rifts, in Boom Town
Episodes 4/5: the Slitheen, in Boom Town
Episode 6: the Dalek, in Bad Wolf/Parting
Episode 7: Satellite 5, in Bad Wolf/Parting
Episode 8: ?
Episodes 9/10: ?
That’s a pretty big block of significant details.
High in potassium.
Where are you finding all this info on upcoming episodes?
Lots of places. Outpost Gallifrey’s a good one.
Hmm. That’s the site I’ve been using for reference, but its design is far far too cluttered for me to find that sort of thing (not that I need to).
The site you linked in the next thread I found much more colorful … literally, of course, but also in how the images and the non-OCD plot summaries give a better sense of the show’s strengths and energy.
Though, strangely, the ’96 TV movie has played occasionally on the Encore Mystery Channel, available on some digital cable systems. No, I don’t know why. (For those who haven’t seen it, it’s not very good, though McGann was a fine Doctor and his incarnation has had a full and adventure-filled life in novels and audio plays.)
That selection of DVDs is pretty representative; I think “Revelation” was awful, but it’s characteristically awful. “The Dalek Invasion of Earth” is about as good as the Hartnell era ever got, and it’s amazing how grim a story it is for what was still ostensibly a kids’ show. The sign about dumping bodies in the river right at the beginning really sets the tone.
You can use them as detonators, then?
Yeah. And it does keep mostly up-to-date on new series information. I have an OG news feed, though, so information streams onto my friends page as it comes.
That is kind of odd. I mean, beyond the Mystery Channel bit. I know that Encore tends to play cheap things that no one cares about, so that might explain something. That’s supposed to be a major reason why no one’s sorted out the right issues; no one figures it’s worth the bother. Also, probably broadcast rights are different from those for commercial release.
I’ve not actually seen “Revelation”; I just knew I was reluctant to choose either “The Two Doctors” or “Vengeance on Varos”, and I’d heard some good things about that one. I suppose it’s a toss-up with Colin Baker in general. He does have some great audio releases, though. I listened to “Davros” on a long car ride a couple of weeks ago, and there are some great sitcom moments in that, with the Doctor and Davros both hired by a megaconglomerate and forced to cooperate with each other. I think that episode’s intended to take place just before “Revelation”.
Hooray, I guess this means you added me. Also, I probably will try to get the new series, I’ve heard good things from others about it also. Thanks for the info.