Vote Saxon - (Discussion on Doctor Who Series 3)

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:43 am

spiderfrommars wrote:I honestly can't think of anything better on the telly right now.

It's certainly the only thing I make a point of watching. Have fallen well behind on CSI (which has dipped a bit lately) and House (which is essentially the same stuff each week).

I do have programs I prefer, but they're off the air right now.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:09 am

I think the fact that ITV put 'Britain's Got Talent' against it says us much as we need to know about the current state of TV.

What makes DW for me is not only the genius concept, but that they then have a genius new idea at the crux of each episode. Other shows like BSG and Lost essentially have one big idea stretched across 4 seasons.

Post by **Kaylee** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:25 am

spiderfrommars wrote:I think the fact that ITV put 'Britain's Got Talent' against it says us much as we need to know about the current state of TV.

AFAIK ITV has given up even pretending to be a legitimate TV channel and is merely haemorrhaging blood until the final stake through it's heart. Or so I hope.

Anyone remember as a kid when channels used to compete with each other, each trying to outdo the last on quality?

At least the BBC seems to have worked out its on to a good thing with DW, which whilst I have found it to be very hit and miss at least is something half original on the box which isn't lowest-common-denominator programming.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:26 am

Yeah, Who manages to be arc-ed, but also gets the week-to-week stories nailed in a way that Lost and Galactica can't even touch.

Only program I can think of that can touch it in that regard is Veronica Mars, which is now sadly no more. Boo.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:41 pm

Hmm, Bad Geeks. I hadn't seen a single ep of the new DW. In fact I hadn't seen any of it at all...until this morning when I watched Dalek and Utopia on youtube. Oh, and some ace bit of an ep where a Dalek and a Cyberman ripped into each other over the videophone. From now on I will forever say "four" like a Dalek.

Anyway, having not been following DW I am pretty high after seeing the Master turn up, I don't care that he's a sneering panto villain, that's why I like him. And as I love John Simm I think this is a 100% awesome move and if advertised might get people like me who watched DW when we were kids but couldn't be arsed with it before now to tune in.
If only Tennant didn't seem to scream and shout and wibble quite so much. And where's his ******* accent? Bastards. I was quite looking forward to hearing him say 'Tarrd-disss'.

I guess I should go find the one with K-9 on the old youtube now as well...

As for how the Master's back, tbh I don't hugely care, but I think you guys are right to try and think of the simplest explanation.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 4:15 pm

KingMob wrote:Hmm, Bad Geeks. I hadn't seen a single ep of the new DW. In fact I hadn't seen any of it at all...until this morning when I watched Dalek and Utopia on youtube. Oh, and some ace bit of an ep where a Dalek and a Cyberman ripped into each other over the videophone. From now on I will forever say "four" like a Dalek.

"This is not war, this is pest control." Classic.

Gosh. There's loads of corking episodes you still have yet to see. Lucky boy.

The guest stars do a good job of bringing people to the fold, another advantage of the format.

*checks watch* Not long now...

Post by **Kaylee** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:52 pm

Managed to catch this weeks. Not exactly overawed... it would have been better if every moment approaching something like tension or suspense hadn't been shot-down with something campy and if The Master hadn't been so madly over the top (not that that's out of character as such tho).

That and does every end-of-series-big-bad have to involve lots and lots of things raining down on the Earth? Daleks in series 1, Daleks and Cyberman in series 2 and now bowling balls in series 3. I'm hoping they don't have a 'reverse' switch like the cybermen did

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:14 am

Ahahaha, I thought it was ******* awesome, but then it's only about the fourth ep I've seen. I love crazy bad guys.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:25 am

Yeah, they made the Master fun. Nowt wrong with that IMO. Didn't undermine his power or anything - in fact, he kicked the Doctor's arse.

They've kind of made him the Tenth Doctor's mirror image, manic and dangerous, and seemingly able to outsmart him at every turn.

Only niggle was I was slightly underwhelmed by the Doctor's ageing at the end. I would've thought some of his previous incarnations had lived hundreds of years so wasn't sure why he looked that old.

Post by **Kaylee** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:29 am

That's fair enough- I probably didn't like it because I also tend to dislike the Doctor being so manic (he seems to have two gears- either shouty and condemning or wideyed and exclaiming how brilliant everything is).

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 12:02 pm

spiderfrommars wrote:Only niggle was I was slightly underwhelmed by the Doctor's ageing at the end. I would've thought some of his previous incarnations had lived hundreds of years so wasn't sure why he looked that old.

Maybe it was Gallifreyan years, with Gallifreyans ageing at a much slower rate than humans, and the Doctor usually regenerating due to mortal reasons, rather than geriatricy?

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:29 am

Rebis wrote:
spiderfrommars wrote:Only niggle was I was slightly underwhelmed by the Doctor's ageing at the end. I would've thought some of his previous incarnations had lived hundreds of years so wasn't sure why he looked that old.
Maybe it was Gallifreyan years, with Gallifreyans ageing at a much slower rate than humans, and the Doctor usually regenerating due to mortal reasons, rather than geriatricy?

Yeah, that kind of grated with me too. Maybe Rebis is right, maybe it was Gallifreyan years...
And the only regeneration that even comes close to being due to old age was the 1st Doc's, where he even admitted that his 'old body' was worn out after having battled the Cybermen for the first time...

Post by **Best First** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:52 pm

right, i have been off sick for the last 2 days, so i have been doing some catching up thanks to the ace tv-links.co.uk

Watched the first three eps...

and they were all, consistantly, superb. Martha is ace (better than Rose?). And cheeky, obviously.

great stuff.

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:57 pm

Don't be too put off by the Dalek Eps... they've (unfortunately) probably been the weakest story of the season (argh... never thought i'd have to type that sentance).

As a whole, this season is miles better than the last one. Is it due to Martha being in it? Rose not being in it? Or just better writing in general? Hmmm... it's certainly been a helluva lot darker! me likes!

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:43 pm

Agreed. There's a dip in eps 4 and 5 (didn't think I'd get bored of Daleks) though the episodes do look great.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:07 am

The Sound of Drums was bloody fantastic.

"Shall we decimate them?" left me totally breathless. I'll probably pick a few holes in it after repeated watchings but first time through it took me along for the ride all the way and I was alternately giggling like I was in geek heaven and gasping at the audaciousness of it all. Can't wait for Saturday now.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 1:10 pm

GEEEEEEEEEEKGAAAAAASSSM!!!

Honestly, I had tears on both cheeks. This has to be the best television programme ever.

Post by **snarl** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 1:22 pm

I thoroughly enjoyed it, though the levitating bit was a bit gash.

I like John Simm a lot.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 1:58 pm

Had some cheesy bits and I could've done with more Doctor in it, but it was a splendidly entertaining spectacle. Looks like the xmas special will be interesting.

Will watch again tonight!

divebomb · Post by **divebomb** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:02 pm

I really liked john simm in these eps, but this series has just been a little meh.

The dalek/human eps were awful, and it seems that the effects dept were being told too many different designs and lumped them all together.

The final ep was ok, but really i'm getting a little sick of the, 'how we gonna get out of this one?' then watching as RTD decides, lets not have an answer, but rather, to quote paul daniels, 'thats magic!' and watch as unexplained light/forcefield/made up words/time travel outside of the tardis/martha frickin annoyin jones gets the doctor outta another fine mess.

Its surprising the doctor could have lived for 900 years because without martha he'd be done for!

Post by **Kaylee** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:26 pm

Meh, sadly I still don't care for it. Another deus ex machina ending (a huge amount of build up... all solved with magic), the Master was about as threatening as pantomime, Dave Tennant doing more bipolar acting (why was he weeping over the Master when he's happily done away with people nowhere near as wicked, like Anthony Stuart-Head last series?). Basically it goes on. It's a shame, I've tried so much to like the new who and I just can't, it doesn't seem to operate on my vibe, every time I think they're going down a direction I like (with some strong drama, characterisation and a plot that makes sense) it tends to get wiped out by someone hamming it up, a hole-filled plot device or just some random plot twist that makes no sense. Bah

Sorry to spoil the moment.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:45 pm

Karl Lynch wrote:Meh, sadly I still don't care for it. Another deus ex machina ending (a huge amount of build up... all solved with magic)

The Ark Angel network was explained/set up in the previous ep.

Karl Lynch wrote:why was he weeping over the Master when he's happily done away with people nowhere near as wicked, like Anthony Stuart-Head last series?).

Because The Master was the only other Time Lord left.

Karl Lynch wrote:Sorry to spoil the moment.

Not at all! But what would make Doctor Who more up your alley? And would said show be a success?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:54 pm

spiderfrommars wrote:Looks like the xmas special will be interesting.

Lead-up seems rather weak.

A Tardis, with near-impervious skin, that has survived the Time Wars gets hulled by the Titanic?

divebomb · Post by **divebomb** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:54 pm

Karl Lynch wrote:Meh, sadly I still don't care for it. Another deus ex machina ending (a huge amount of build up... all solved with magic), the Master was about as threatening as pantomime, Dave Tennant doing more bipolar acting (why was he weeping over the Master when he's happily done away with people nowhere near as wicked, like Anthony Stuart-Head last series?). Basically it goes on. It's a shame, I've tried so much to like the new who and I just can't, it doesn't seem to operate on my vibe, every time I think they're going down a direction I like (with some strong drama, characterisation and a plot that makes sense) it tends to get wiped out by someone hamming it up, a hole-filled plot device or just some random plot twist that makes no sense. Bah Sorry to spoil the moment.

I understand the emotion the doctor would have, with the reality of finally knowing that he would be the last time lord, but seeing how rtd is going someone the doctor will bump into will prob be a hidden timelord etc.....

The episode that really broke on me was the one with catherine tate. I plainly can't stand her and dont find her funny. If lttle britain rips off the two ronnies and others, she rips off little britain in such a thinly veiled way I can see why she hasnt won a comedy award, and through her own self importance she actually turned round after the last comedy awards and said she did not know why she didnt win it, and that it was clear that she should have.

she ruined the episode she was in, and god help us if the rumours of rtd's little chum matt lucas being offered the doctors role in the future, they may as well re-run the colin baker series or give lucas an afro wig.

Post by **snarl** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:23 am

I'm not a massive who fan but I think it is watchable, mainly because the lead and major supporting cast are very watchable.

If I was more into who, I'd probably be a lot more picky over some of the stuff that goes down. The whole Archangel explanation... little bit trying to say the least, but surely that has often been the case in Doctor Who?

Having said that, looking through various Who websites, it seems there are certainly a fair amount of ***** who watch Doctor Who purely to pick at it over anything... repeatedly ripping into minor plot points that aren't explained in an idiot proff manner but are explainable with a little obvious thinking seems a fave.

I think the general lead up, characterisation and acting is pretty sound all the way through and certainly entertains me, even if it often an episode doesn't completely deliver. Seems to me that a lot of Who vewiers will write off a whole ep as complete crap if the end is a bit far fetched... If you dont like it that much, switch the ****** off!

Post by **Kaylee** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:06 am

spiderfrommars wrote:
Karl Lynch wrote:Meh, sadly I still don't care for it. Another deus ex machina ending (a huge amount of build up... all solved with magic)
The Ark Angel network was explained/set up in the previous ep.

Karl Lynch wrote:why was he weeping over the Master when he's happily done away with people nowhere near as wicked, like Anthony Stuart-Head last series?).
Because The Master was the only other Time Lord left.

Karl Lynch wrote:Sorry to spoil the moment.
Not at all! But what would make Doctor Who more up your alley? And would said show be a success?

That's a good question... probably if it moved away from a CBBC style children's light entertainment program to more of a Robin of Sherwood style, although that would probably mean sacrificing its runaway success with children.

I watched the previous ep and was still baffled by the plot resolution. The way it came off it sounded like the Doctor fancied the Master

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:28 am

He was the last Time Lord left in the universe. Hence he was totally distraught when he died. Didn't pick up on any homoerotic subtext myself.

To be fair Robin of Sherwood is a 20 year old programme, not quite the template you'd want to make a smash hit now. Same reason why new Who has moved on from classic Who.

I tend to prefer the less fluffy episodes with the emphasis on drama (the Human Naure/Family of Blood two parter was staggeringly good) and will be the first to say that the Catherine Tate episode wasn't exactly great, but I do the love the way the mood and settings change with every episode and you never know what you're going to get. In this series we've been on the moon, in Elizebethan England, in the year 5 billion, in 1930s New York and to the end of the known universe.

Freema's back next year:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressr ... /who.shtml

Post by **Kaylee** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:41 am

I freely admit I'm stuck in the past as far as particularly kids TV goes

divebomb · Post by **divebomb** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:42 am

spiderfrommars wrote: Freema's back next year:

bugger

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:29 am

So, if we everyone at the same time thinks the Doctors name - he will lose 900 or so years from his life... and have Rodimus Prime Matrix powers that prevent the Master fom shooting him...

Erm, at that point, I thought it was ****.