Bumblemus watches Doctor Who now. Doctor Who is cool.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:10 am

What? We didn't have Netflix, and we're not all British like that.

Just finished the first season. Really loved the World War II episode. Incredibly impressed with the ending and the saving of all the gas-mask people. The wife watched Father's Day without me and I still need to get back to it.

Never seen a show go from crap to brilliant so quickly. We started with living mannequins, had a decent second episode, suffered through the Family Slitheen, and then all the sudden we were in future horror game show Dalektopia with the rather brilliant and somewhat bisexual Jack Harkness.

Anyway. I mostly posted this for the thread title. The end.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:50 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:Never seen a show go from crap to brilliant so quickly.

It taps both extremes simultaneously, in many cases.

The correct term for Jack is "omnisexual".

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 5:57 pm

I thought the first season was fairly promising, but now you lose Ecclestone and get David Tennant, who incessantly gurns at everybody.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:02 am

Definitely go back and watch Father's Day. It's one of the best of the first season.

Though it's technically the twenty-seventh season or something like that, but you can worry about that another day.

Post by **Kaylee** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:55 am

Hey Spencer, while you're back in 2004 could you drop Karl a few messages? There's some stuff he needs to know.

And very good catch, Chris, with omnisexual rather than bisexual. Bisexuals (moi) are may be attracted to someone, regardless of gender, whereas omnisexuals are attracted to everyone/anyone. For dispelling that stereotype you win the LGBTQ gold star for the day

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 4:15 pm

Karl wrote:Hey Spencer, while you're back in 2004 could you drop Karl a few messages? There's some stuff he needs to know.

And very good catch, Chris, with omnisexual rather than bisexual. Bisexuals (moi) are may be attracted to someone, regardless of gender, whereas omnisexuals are attracted to everyone/anyone. For dispelling that stereotype you win the LGBTQ gold star for the day

Well, I'm hoping to see what they do with him in Torchwood, then. I picture lots of banging aliens.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:30 am

Wow, that's weird.

My wife and I just started Dr. Who as well. Only three episodes in but still, what a coincidence!

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:48 am

The first three, as I recall, were a bit wretched.

Watched Father's Day today and even though I could see the ending coming, I loved every moment. Great pathos and character development for Rose.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:41 pm

Karl wrote:For dispelling that stereotype you win the LGBTQ gold star for the day

Yay. I shall wear it with pride. Straight pride.

Post by **Kaylee** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:44 pm

Brendocon wrote:
Karl wrote:For dispelling that stereotype you win the LGBTQ gold star for the day
Yay. I shall wear it with pride. Straight pride.

Suuuuure

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 1:06 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:The first three, as I recall, were a bit wretched.

Okay, the first was a bit silly, but rampaging mannequins of death really sets out Doctor Who's mandate from the start. This is fun, nutty sci-fi for all the family and as far from Battlestar Galactica as you can get.

The End of the World has a genius villain in the form of Lady Cassandra, the most aliens in once scene this side of Mos Eisley Cantina and some genuinely touching characterisation between the Doctor and Rose.

What The Unquiet Dead lacks in all out excitement it makes up for in atmosphere and Simon Callow's performance as Dickens.

It's the two episodes after that where it falters a bit.

All IMO!

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:27 pm

spiderfrommars wrote:
bumblemusprime wrote:The first three, as I recall, were a bit wretched.
Okay, the first was a bit silly, but rampaging mannequins of death really sets out Doctor Who's mandate from the start. This is fun, nutty sci-fi for all the family and as far from Battlestar Galactica as you can get.

The End of the World has a genius villain in the form of Lady Cassandra, the most aliens in once scene this side of Mos Eisley Cantina and some genuinely touching characterisation between the Doctor and Rose.

What The Unquiet Dead lacks in all out excitement it makes up for in atmosphere and Simon Callow's performance as Dickens.

It's the two episodes after that where it falters a bit.

All IMO!

Actually, yeah, as I recall the first three were pretty good--it was the Family Slitheen episodes that upped the cheese factor. The first three were just a bit mediocre as I recall, although the second, with Cassandra, was the best of the lot. The second ep of the second season, where Cassandra returns, has been my favorite so far. Mostly for this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F25moUHN ... C631A21900

saysadie · Post by **saysadie** » Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:50 am

I've seen some episodes, but really it's not inspired me to want to watch more. I am also stubbornly avoiding watching, simply because so many people think it's awesome.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Wed Feb 08, 2012 2:32 pm

saysadie wrote:I've seen some episodes, but really it's not inspired me to want to watch more. I am also stubbornly avoiding watching, simply because so many people think it's awesome.

Yeah, this is why I don't eat chocolate or have sex.

SNAP.

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 3:46 pm

You could stubbornly avoid watching it on the grounds that so many people think it's great and they're WRONG.

Seriously - I tried on multiple occasions to give this series a chance, and as far as I'm concerned, after Ecclestone it's as painful as AHM, albeit more coherent.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 4:29 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:
saysadie wrote:I've seen some episodes, but really it's not inspired me to want to watch more. I am also stubbornly avoiding watching, simply because so many people think it's awesome.
Yeah, this is why I don't eat chocolate or have sex.

SNAP.

Yeah. That's why you don't have sex.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 5:11 pm

Brendocon wrote:
bumblemusprime wrote:
saysadie wrote:I've seen some episodes, but really it's not inspired me to want to watch more. I am also stubbornly avoiding watching, simply because so many people think it's awesome.
Yeah, this is why I don't eat chocolate or have sex.

SNAP.
Yeah. That's why you don't have sex.

Ah, the SNAP comes back around!

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:44 am

We're going at a bit slower pace, still in the Slitheen. It's good so far, but I've caught episodes here and there, although none with this temporary non-David/Matt fellow.

Why did we start watching it? I'm glad you asked. Basically, we'd run out of sci-fi shows to watch together. We've rewatched TOS, TNG, DS9, BSG, and B5. I've already established that Voyager and Enterprise are 90% crap, so she doesn't want to watch those (although I'd be willing to consult the wikis to pull out the okay bits). We've even gone through stuff like the original V miniseries and sequel as well as a horrible, horrible BBC miniseries called "Invasion." Anyway, she was like, "Hey, why don't we watch Stargate?" And I was like, "How about we don't, and watch Dr. Who?" Because to me, Dr. Who is the only sci-fi series I know that we haven't watched that has a mythology, story arcs, and isn't crap.

Anyways, if anyone knows of any good sci-fi shows, preferably not episodic and with a conclusion, ie not cancelled before they were done, please do let me know.

In the meantime, we shall continue on in the TARDIS.

saysadie · Post by **saysadie** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:22 am

Jack Cade wrote:You could stubbornly avoid watching it on the grounds that so many people think it's great and they're WRONG.

In a roundabout way, that's kind-of sort-of what I said- since what I've seen hasn't really inspired me to watch any more. :/ the Who nuts who go on and one about it, though? Not helping. Some people remind me of Trekkies they're so fanatical, though somehow this seems more "trendy" as well... which also doesn't help.

But I daresay this is the wrong thread to be having this conversation in...

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:52 am

Shanti418 wrote:Because to me, Dr. Who is the only sci-fi series I know that we haven't watched that has a mythology, story arcs, and isn't crap.

Well, the "isn't crap" bit is debatable. When Who (classic or modern) is bad, it's spectacularly terrible.

I saw it likened to supporting a football team once. Sometimes you get beaten 4-0 at home. Sometimes it's a story about a family of farting aliens. Sometimes it's a boring nil-nil draw. Sometimes it's a plotless mess when a distractionary gimmick. But none of that necessarily means that next Saturday won't be fantastic.

Anyways, if anyone knows of any good sci-fi shows, preferably not episodic and with a conclusion, ie not cancelled before they were done, please do let me know.

Noticed a lack of Farscape in your list. If you've not seen it (which I'd expect you to have done?) I'd recommend that - even though it was cancelled, they did actually go back later and give it an ending.

There's also Blake's 7, which got cancelled at a stage which gave it a superb finish. A bit like Angel. "We're not coming back? Sod it, this works, just leave it like that."

There was a Channel 4 mini-series in the late 90s called Ultraviolet, which is definitely worth a look. A science-grounded take on vampires, starring Jack Davenport and Idris Elba. Only 6 episodes.

The X-Files also has rewatch value, a good mix of standalone and arc stuff. Albeit again, when it's bad it's awful. And it has the worst final episode of any program in the history of television. So, er, ignore that recommendation.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:15 pm

Brendocon wrote:
Shanti418 wrote:Because to me, Dr. Who is the only sci-fi series I know that we haven't watched that has a mythology, story arcs, and isn't crap.
Well, the "isn't crap" bit is debatable. When Who (classic or modern) is bad, it's spectacularly terrible.

I saw it likened to supporting a football team once. Sometimes you get beaten 4-0 at home. Sometimes it's a story about a family of farting aliens. Sometimes it's a boring nil-nil draw. Sometimes it's a plotless mess when a distractionary gimmick. But none of that necessarily means that next Saturday won't be fantastic.

True. But right now, given all the shows I've watched that were crappy and cheesy with ham-fisted dialogue that took themselves SERIOUSLY in the past few years (V, FlashForward, Terra Nova, The Event), the fact that Who is still funny when it's boring or doesn't take itself too seriously when it's schmaltzy makes it pretty enjoyable regardless.

Anyways, if anyone knows of any good sci-fi shows, preferably not episodic and with a conclusion, ie not cancelled before they were done, please do let me know.
Noticed a lack of Farscape in your list. If you've not seen it (which I'd expect you to have done?) I'd recommend that - even though it was cancelled, they did actually go back later and give it an ending.

There's also Blake's 7, which got cancelled at a stage which gave it a superb finish. A bit like Angel. "We're not coming back? Sod it, this works, just leave it like that."

There was a Channel 4 mini-series in the late 90s called Ultraviolet, which is definitely worth a look. A science-grounded take on vampires, starring Jack Davenport and Idris Elba. Only 6 episodes.

The X-Files also has rewatch value, a good mix of standalone and arc stuff. Albeit again, when it's bad it's awful. And it has the worst final episode of any program in the history of television. So, er, ignore that recommendation.

[/quote]

Hmmm....yeah, we watched the first few episodes of Farscape and then it fell by the wayside somewhere. Don't exactly remember where, although I do recall it seemed a bit tame/PGish. Have to go back and give it a bit more of a go perhaps? Ultraviolet, Blake's 7, got it. X-Files, I haven't watched one since I watched them every night when they were on TV. But yeah, I know there's no payoff and it lost direction after Mulder left.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 12:35 pm

From what I remember, the first half dozen or so episodes of Farscape were re-ordered for broadcast (at least here, and on our DVDs). So the character progression is a bit off.

It's a slow starter, but once it gets going it's definitely worth sticking with. When the likes of Scorpius and Chiana join the cast things get a lot more interesting and risque.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:15 am

Alright, after a Who-filled weekend, we're now up to the second season where they re-introduce Sarah Jane. Seems like that was a sweet moment for old time fans.

Now why is Sarah Jane such a beloved companion, and why in the world is there a whole 'nother TV show about her? Is it just because she happened to be paired with Tom Baker?

I think so far, Dalek and Father's Day have been the best, no doubt. Father's Day had me bawling in the aisles. Also enjoyed the second Cassandra episode. I was holding my breath when the script required Billie Piper to act, but thought she was eminently passable as Cassandra.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 10:07 am

Shanti418 wrote:Now why is Sarah Jane such a beloved companion, and why in the world is there a whole 'nother TV show about her? Is it just because she happened to be paired with Tom Baker?

I think Sladen was possibly the longest-running companion - might be wrong, but that's off the top of my head*. Which is probably something to do with it. She came in for Pertwee's last season and completely reinvigorated the dynamic (and him), then stuck around for another 2+ years with Tom.

Even disregarding the "Tom Baker is the definitive Doctor because he did it for ages and I grew up with him and that's when it was good and popular and I'm in charge of the media now don't argue with me rarrrrrggghhhh" factor, she was actually quite lovely and in it for ages and had a solid block of stories and could actually act. And all that other stuff. Dig out The Time Warrior, Pyramids of Mars, Brain of Morbius and Seeds of Doom and Hand of Fear for a good sampling if you're that way inclined.

I'd like to think we'd get a similar reaction from the Doctor if he randomly bumped into Ace or Tegan. But they were in it in the 80s so were obviously rubbish.

As to why they gave her her own show? Pass. Positive reaction to School Reunion, probably. "Ooh, there's cash to be milked here, fellas."

* - actually, I think Jamie was probably about longer, but he was black and white so obviously doesn't count in the eyes of the 30something media.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:33 pm

Sarah Jane's certainly my favourite companion. Such a natural performer and the chemistry between her and Tom was sublime.

School Reunion was quite the tear jerker but when she got her own show I actually thought it was too much of a good thing. There were some nice episodes (mainly the ones when the Doctor appeared) but the character became a bit of a superhero. But with childrens' TV in such a sorry state I feel churlish knocking what must have been the best of the bunch.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:05 pm

There's another spin-off of the modern one? So there's Torchwood, Sarah Jane... anything else I should know about?

I think you've caught up with and are passing us, Shanti. Just watched School Reunion. I thought the best novelty value there was in seeing Giles in a high school once again.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:51 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:There's another spin-off of the modern one? So there's Torchwood, Sarah Jane... anything else I should know about?

Er, I think there's a K9 cartoon, but that's not by the BBC and I think the company involved literally had the rights to the K9 character and zero else. So, er, you can probably disregard it.

If you're not already briefed, best place to watch the first series of Torchwood is probably between series 2 and 3 of Who. Series 2 of Torchwood between series 3 and 4... then Children of Earth and Miracle Day are pretty much at your discretion.

I've not seen a single episode of the Sarah Jane Adventures, so have no clue on continuity/chronology.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 4:08 pm

Torchwood is a bit variable though. Apart from season 3 (Children of Earth) which is brilliant.

Post by **Best First** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:29 pm

yeah it was the ballz. Set up expectations for the next one though which i ended up sky+ing and deleting as all the reviews suggested you could essentially skip the first 60-70% of the episodes.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:19 pm

So Torchwood is more "Oooh, look at humans with alien tech" and less "time traveling adventures" yes?

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Bumblemus watches Doctor Who now. Doctor Who is cool.

Re: Bumblemus watches Doctor Who now. Doctor Who is cool.