Lets be honest, last week's episode sucked. Nothing happened, the characters weren't interesting, and overall it was just a waste and had nothing to say. And in all fairness, the season opening two-parter, while interesting and grand, wasn't nearly as good as "The Time of Angels" and "Flesh and Stone". So, with Neil Gaiman's first foray into the world of Doctor Who, does he bring some life into this so far unimpressive season?
Episode 4 - "The Doctor's Wife"
There are a lot of things to say about this one. First things first, one of the "fan theories" I've heard regarding River was that she was the TARDIS, and I angrily dismissed this theory because while the TARDIS is referred to as living, it's never once been shown as a humanoid lifeform and just the idea of the theory was so stupid and canon breaking that it upset me. And then this episode showed up (with no River thankfully)...
The Doctor, Amy and Rory travel into what can only be described as a bubble outside of the universe, but not really, after the Doctor receives a piece of Galifraen mail, filling him with the hope that the Time Lords are indeed still alive. But instead, he's led to what is basically a TARDIS scrapyard, with a few strange inhabitants. Oh, and the soul of the TARDIS is ripped out and put into the body of a strange Victorian woman. Just the Doctor's type.
The episode follows the Doctor as for just one day, he lives his ultimate fantasy of traveling with his TARDIS as a woman... while Amy and Rory are trapped inside of the actual TARDIS, which is now controlled by an evil entity (voiced by Michael Sheen).
Overall this episode, unlike the last few, was just really interesting to watch; there was an actual sense of risk (something this season lacks from the last) and the creep factor was actually creepy and not just looking like it it's trying to force it. The moments with the Doctor and his living TARDIS are quite tender, and it was pretty sweet to see that Eccleston's and Tennant's TARDIS 'desktop theme' is still intact somewhere as well as seeing some familiar classic TARDIS pieces on the junkyard world. Gaiman's first attempt at Who was a great one, and I hope he comes back to it at some point.
Overall Score: 9.5/10
Sadly, next week's is the first of a two-parter from the writer of "Fear Her" probably the most hated episode from Tennant's run. Whoever's idea it was giving that guy another chance hopefully made a wise choice, or I'll be quite upset.
Showing posts with label BBC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BBC. Show all posts
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
This Week in Doctor Who - 5/7/11
Doctor Who is back again, in the first one-off episode of Series 6. How did it turn out?
Episode 3 - "The Curse of the Black Spot"
Not well, that's how. Maybe it's just my bias against pirate/swashbuckling things (honest, I've yet to see any of the Pirates of the Caribbean films) or maybe because this episode was written by the guy who wrote the least popular episode of Steven Moffat's new Sherlock series (as I've been told, I've yet to watch the series myself). But, point being, I didn't like this episode, and go as far as saying it's the worst episode of Moffat's run since "Victory of the Daleks," also the the third episode from last season.
My problem starts with the opening, there's nothing carried over from the last episode. I get how series like this work, I've been a fan of Star Trek and Doctor Who for many years and know that not every episode has linked continuity. But when you have a cliffhanger like in last week's episode, you expect some follow up; and there is none, which make this episode feel all the more like a throw away.
Basically, there's a pirate ship in an undisclosed time and location, where a man accidentally gets cut and black spot appears on his hand, which brings in a whimsically haunting siren that makes the 'cursed' men disappear. And then the Doctor and the Ponds just show up. There's an attempt to make the story touching, with the captain and his stow away son, but in the end of it all I just didn't care. And, it turns out she's not some evil siren, she's a trans-dimensional.. nurse? Yeah, I thought it was stupid too.
And in the end the pirates have a space ship. I thought this was ridiculous, and that's coming from a guy who watched Zardoz for the 5th time earlier today as well as the Fringe finale. I've also done alot of rewatching of old Doctor Who lately, and for bit, I just wished I spent the 45 minutes of this episode watch those instead. Alas, next week is Neil Gaiman's episode, hopefully that proves to be better, cause right now I'm not feeling it.
Overall Score: 6/10
Episode 3 - "The Curse of the Black Spot"
Not well, that's how. Maybe it's just my bias against pirate/swashbuckling things (honest, I've yet to see any of the Pirates of the Caribbean films) or maybe because this episode was written by the guy who wrote the least popular episode of Steven Moffat's new Sherlock series (as I've been told, I've yet to watch the series myself). But, point being, I didn't like this episode, and go as far as saying it's the worst episode of Moffat's run since "Victory of the Daleks," also the the third episode from last season.
My problem starts with the opening, there's nothing carried over from the last episode. I get how series like this work, I've been a fan of Star Trek and Doctor Who for many years and know that not every episode has linked continuity. But when you have a cliffhanger like in last week's episode, you expect some follow up; and there is none, which make this episode feel all the more like a throw away.
Basically, there's a pirate ship in an undisclosed time and location, where a man accidentally gets cut and black spot appears on his hand, which brings in a whimsically haunting siren that makes the 'cursed' men disappear. And then the Doctor and the Ponds just show up. There's an attempt to make the story touching, with the captain and his stow away son, but in the end of it all I just didn't care. And, it turns out she's not some evil siren, she's a trans-dimensional.. nurse? Yeah, I thought it was stupid too.
And in the end the pirates have a space ship. I thought this was ridiculous, and that's coming from a guy who watched Zardoz for the 5th time earlier today as well as the Fringe finale. I've also done alot of rewatching of old Doctor Who lately, and for bit, I just wished I spent the 45 minutes of this episode watch those instead. Alas, next week is Neil Gaiman's episode, hopefully that proves to be better, cause right now I'm not feeling it.
Overall Score: 6/10
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Karen Gillan,
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Saturday, April 30, 2011
This Week in Doctor Who: 4/30/11
Following up from last week's episode, comes another This Week in Doctor Who. Spoilers!
Episode 2 - "Day of the Moon"
Last week's episode ended with an abrupt cliffhanger, of Amy shooting at the mysterious astronaut girl, the Doctor still unaware of who sent the envelopes, and the Silence coming after everyone. So it was really weird when this episode opens up to Canton Everett Delaware the Third going about chasing Amy, River, and Rory who are all covered up with (and by the end of the episode, still unexplained) tally marks written all over their bodies. All of this which leads to a bearded Doctor who has been in captivity at Area 51. The sequences are cool and all, but there is seriously zero explanation for all of it, which really bugged me.
They try to make a point of explaining the severity of how the Silence make you forget you ever saw them, but it just gets more and more convoluted and the way they finally have everyone on Earth take notice of them by the end of the episode is even more questionable, as opposed to "The Eleventh Hour," when the Doctor sends out a photo of Prisoner Zero to everyone in the universe, this episode takes place in 1969... how the hell did get a cellphone video to transmit data to everyones TV?! I get that there's alot of timey-wimey fiction involved, but like... that cellphone lasted THREE MONTHS without needing to recharge. How does that work?
As fun as the episode was though, and there are not only fun, but really touching and also really scary parts, it didn't feel like the end of a two part episode. If anything, this story deserved a third part. Why? One, because for such a huge threat, they totally eradicated the Silence in a jiff. And two, the episode hasa HUGE cliffhanger of the little girl regenerating like a Time Lord. Is she River Song as a child? Is she the daughter of Amy and Rory? If so, how is she a Time Lord? Well, looks like we might not find out cause next week we're fighting PIRATES!!! Yeah, what the hell?
Overall Score: 8/10
Episode 2 - "Day of the Moon"
Last week's episode ended with an abrupt cliffhanger, of Amy shooting at the mysterious astronaut girl, the Doctor still unaware of who sent the envelopes, and the Silence coming after everyone. So it was really weird when this episode opens up to Canton Everett Delaware the Third going about chasing Amy, River, and Rory who are all covered up with (and by the end of the episode, still unexplained) tally marks written all over their bodies. All of this which leads to a bearded Doctor who has been in captivity at Area 51. The sequences are cool and all, but there is seriously zero explanation for all of it, which really bugged me.
They try to make a point of explaining the severity of how the Silence make you forget you ever saw them, but it just gets more and more convoluted and the way they finally have everyone on Earth take notice of them by the end of the episode is even more questionable, as opposed to "The Eleventh Hour," when the Doctor sends out a photo of Prisoner Zero to everyone in the universe, this episode takes place in 1969... how the hell did get a cellphone video to transmit data to everyones TV?! I get that there's alot of timey-wimey fiction involved, but like... that cellphone lasted THREE MONTHS without needing to recharge. How does that work?
As fun as the episode was though, and there are not only fun, but really touching and also really scary parts, it didn't feel like the end of a two part episode. If anything, this story deserved a third part. Why? One, because for such a huge threat, they totally eradicated the Silence in a jiff. And two, the episode hasa HUGE cliffhanger of the little girl regenerating like a Time Lord. Is she River Song as a child? Is she the daughter of Amy and Rory? If so, how is she a Time Lord? Well, looks like we might not find out cause next week we're fighting PIRATES!!! Yeah, what the hell?
Overall Score: 8/10
Sunday, April 24, 2011
This Week in Doctor Who - 4/23/11
The Doctor is back! And for the first time a new season is starting the same day in the US and UK (granted there's still a 6-9 hour difference depending on your time zone, but still). I almost got to see the first 2 episodes of Series 6 a couple weeks ago, but apparently arriving 10 hours in advance doesn't cut it like it did last year.
Episode 1 - "The Impossible Astronaut"
The episode seems to open some time after the previous specials "A Christmas Carol" and "Time and Space," as we see Amy and Rory have settled into a home of their own and it looks like the Doctor has been trying to get in contact with them throughout varies moments in time. But alas, none of this works until they receive a TARDIS-blue envelope with a specific date and time. Turns out River Song and two other mystery invitees also received these letters as well.
But what this all lead to? An astronaut emerging from a lake in Utah which shoots the Doctor, causing him to regenerate, only to shoot him again mid-regeneration, killing him. Yeah, that just happened; or did it? It turns out to be a Doctor from 200 years in the future, but as the Doctor says, time can be rewritten. Which somehow brings us to Washington DC with a run in with Nixon, and yadda yadda yadda. Oh and there's new monsters that look like gray aliens with skinny ties, the Silence, and in a oddly similar fashion to Weeping Angels, you have to keep looking at them because as soon as you turn around you forget you ever saw them. Point being, there's something big developing, and I really don't want to summarize, especially with there being a cliffhanger that I'll ultimately have to cover next week.
But overall, this was a fantastic season opener. I'm still a bit particular to "The Eleventh Hour," last years opening and Matt Smith's first episode, but I think that's because it was a completed story. Where as this episode is a two-parter, but split over 2 weeks, and I hate when a cliffhanger is actually one that wants to make me see the next one right away; another reason to get upset about not getting into the premiere two weeks ago.... Can't wait for next week I guess!
Overall Score: 8.5/10
Episode 1 - "The Impossible Astronaut"
The episode seems to open some time after the previous specials "A Christmas Carol" and "Time and Space," as we see Amy and Rory have settled into a home of their own and it looks like the Doctor has been trying to get in contact with them throughout varies moments in time. But alas, none of this works until they receive a TARDIS-blue envelope with a specific date and time. Turns out River Song and two other mystery invitees also received these letters as well.
But what this all lead to? An astronaut emerging from a lake in Utah which shoots the Doctor, causing him to regenerate, only to shoot him again mid-regeneration, killing him. Yeah, that just happened; or did it? It turns out to be a Doctor from 200 years in the future, but as the Doctor says, time can be rewritten. Which somehow brings us to Washington DC with a run in with Nixon, and yadda yadda yadda. Oh and there's new monsters that look like gray aliens with skinny ties, the Silence, and in a oddly similar fashion to Weeping Angels, you have to keep looking at them because as soon as you turn around you forget you ever saw them. Point being, there's something big developing, and I really don't want to summarize, especially with there being a cliffhanger that I'll ultimately have to cover next week.
But overall, this was a fantastic season opener. I'm still a bit particular to "The Eleventh Hour," last years opening and Matt Smith's first episode, but I think that's because it was a completed story. Where as this episode is a two-parter, but split over 2 weeks, and I hate when a cliffhanger is actually one that wants to make me see the next one right away; another reason to get upset about not getting into the premiere two weeks ago.... Can't wait for next week I guess!
Overall Score: 8.5/10
Friday, March 18, 2011
This Week in Doctor Who: 3/18/11
Before I get to reviewing last week's Fringe (sorry about that delay by the way), I have another surprise! New Doctor Who!
In honor of Comic Relief's Red Nose Day, the BBC have produced a new Doctor Who short, which leads into the new season in April. Thankfully, because Red Nose Day isn't acknowledged in America apparently, the BBC have posted the new short in 2 parts on YouTube:
Red Nose Day Special - "Time" and "Space"
When this mini-special was announced a week ago, it said there would be two 4-minute shorts. One called "Time" and another called "Space". The video itself only has one title card, and it says "Space" but the YouTube page from the BBC calls it "Time" Parts 1 and 2... so, I'll just call it "Time" and "Space".
It's a short special, but it's sweet. If you needed to compare it to anything, it's like the Children in Need specials, Doctor Who: Children in Need, and the fanboytastic "Time Crash". Since I've actually posted the episode I don't think there's a need to summarize anything for you.
But I will say this, while I enjoyed it, it's kind of annoying that the rules of time seem to change in every episode of this Moffat-Who era. I still love the new series to bits, but the law has to be laid down at some point. Plus, right before there was two Matt Smith's in the room, I crossed my fingers hoping for Christopher Eccleston or Paul McGann to appear; not that it would make any sense, but after all, "Time Crash" did happen. Otherwise, fun short, and I can't wait for "The Impossible Astronaut," but these time rules have gotta be made clear.
Overall Score: 8/10
In honor of Comic Relief's Red Nose Day, the BBC have produced a new Doctor Who short, which leads into the new season in April. Thankfully, because Red Nose Day isn't acknowledged in America apparently, the BBC have posted the new short in 2 parts on YouTube:
Red Nose Day Special - "Time" and "Space"
When this mini-special was announced a week ago, it said there would be two 4-minute shorts. One called "Time" and another called "Space". The video itself only has one title card, and it says "Space" but the YouTube page from the BBC calls it "Time" Parts 1 and 2... so, I'll just call it "Time" and "Space".
It's a short special, but it's sweet. If you needed to compare it to anything, it's like the Children in Need specials, Doctor Who: Children in Need, and the fanboytastic "Time Crash". Since I've actually posted the episode I don't think there's a need to summarize anything for you.
But I will say this, while I enjoyed it, it's kind of annoying that the rules of time seem to change in every episode of this Moffat-Who era. I still love the new series to bits, but the law has to be laid down at some point. Plus, right before there was two Matt Smith's in the room, I crossed my fingers hoping for Christopher Eccleston or Paul McGann to appear; not that it would make any sense, but after all, "Time Crash" did happen. Otherwise, fun short, and I can't wait for "The Impossible Astronaut," but these time rules have gotta be made clear.
Overall Score: 8/10
Tags:
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Karen Gillan,
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Review,
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Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Fantastic Who News!
I guess BBC America knew they got it right this past Christmas, because on April 23rd, both the UK and USA will get new Doctor Who! Yes! For the first time, aside from that aforementioned special, episodes of Doctor Who will now air the same day regardless of which side of the pond (no pun intended) you're on.
So, yes, this also means n more delays in reviews like we had to deal with last season... assuming BBCA doesn't screw up and take random weeks off again. Here's to hoping that won't happen though!
via EW
So, yes, this also means n more delays in reviews like we had to deal with last season... assuming BBCA doesn't screw up and take random weeks off again. Here's to hoping that won't happen though!
via EW
Tags:
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Television
Sunday, December 26, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who: 12/25/10
It finally happened! For the first time ever, an episode/special of Doctor Who aired the same day in America as it did in the UK... barring a 5 hour time zone difference of course, but still! That's a fantastic thing when you consider that by the end of the recent Series 5, the episodes were airing almost a month apart between the two countries' air times. Let's hope this sticks come Series 6's premiere is Spring 2011. But enough about that, we're here to talk Christmas, in particular: Doctor Who's rendition of A Christmas Carol.
2010 Christmas Special - "A Christmas Carol"
Where to start? The episode opens with our newly weds, Amy and Rory, honeymooning on a ship somewhere out in space, which suddenly experiences some turbulence which I'm sure had something to do with the whole set looking like something out of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek, with large visual screens and lense flares to boot. It's soon revealed that a man named Kazran Sardik (Michael Gambon, you know, Dumbledore), the Scrooge type character of this Earth-like planet, who has the ability to control the skies. But these aren't just any skies; no, these skies are filled with fish that can swim in fog... and sharks can swim there too!
In order to save Amy, Rory, and the other 4,000 people aboard the ship, The Doctor must convince Kazran to fix the sky, even if it means playing "the Ghost of Christmas Past" and going back in time, changing Sardik's memories before his very eyes.
Not being a Christian, I've never really cared for Christmas, let alone the overtold story of A Christmas Carol, and certainly an episode of Doctor Who isn't going to change my feelings about that. However, for an episode that was by far the most Christmas-y Doctor Who special yet, I very much enjoyed it. For instance, "The Christmas Invasion," "The Runaway Bride," "Voyage of the Damned" and "The Next Doctor" all took place on Christmas or referenced something from the previous Christmas... but they were never really about the holiday. And last year's special, The End of Time "Part One" wasn't about Christmas at all, because everyone was tuning in to see David Tennant make his farewell as The Doctor, which was all about gloom and doom and not "Christmas cheer" as you call it. So for once I guess it was neat to see a Christmas special that really was actually about Christmas, and not just something that seemed to be conveniently timed.
But overall this special was really great. There was a lot of fan service, from fezzes to long colorful scarves, to hilarious moments where The Doctor accidentally marries Marylin Monroe; there was a lot of fun to be had in this episode. Also, the trailer for Series 6 at the end, totally awesome! Spring can't come soon enough!
Overall Score: 9/10
....aaaaaaaand I just realized I never did a season recap like I said I'd do at the end of the last This Week in Doctor Who... whoops!
2010 Christmas Special - "A Christmas Carol"
Where to start? The episode opens with our newly weds, Amy and Rory, honeymooning on a ship somewhere out in space, which suddenly experiences some turbulence which I'm sure had something to do with the whole set looking like something out of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek, with large visual screens and lense flares to boot. It's soon revealed that a man named Kazran Sardik (Michael Gambon, you know, Dumbledore), the Scrooge type character of this Earth-like planet, who has the ability to control the skies. But these aren't just any skies; no, these skies are filled with fish that can swim in fog... and sharks can swim there too!
In order to save Amy, Rory, and the other 4,000 people aboard the ship, The Doctor must convince Kazran to fix the sky, even if it means playing "the Ghost of Christmas Past" and going back in time, changing Sardik's memories before his very eyes.
Not being a Christian, I've never really cared for Christmas, let alone the overtold story of A Christmas Carol, and certainly an episode of Doctor Who isn't going to change my feelings about that. However, for an episode that was by far the most Christmas-y Doctor Who special yet, I very much enjoyed it. For instance, "The Christmas Invasion," "The Runaway Bride," "Voyage of the Damned" and "The Next Doctor" all took place on Christmas or referenced something from the previous Christmas... but they were never really about the holiday. And last year's special, The End of Time "Part One" wasn't about Christmas at all, because everyone was tuning in to see David Tennant make his farewell as The Doctor, which was all about gloom and doom and not "Christmas cheer" as you call it. So for once I guess it was neat to see a Christmas special that really was actually about Christmas, and not just something that seemed to be conveniently timed.
But overall this special was really great. There was a lot of fan service, from fezzes to long colorful scarves, to hilarious moments where The Doctor accidentally marries Marylin Monroe; there was a lot of fun to be had in this episode. Also, the trailer for Series 6 at the end, totally awesome! Spring can't come soon enough!
Overall Score: 9/10
....aaaaaaaand I just realized I never did a season recap like I said I'd do at the end of the last This Week in Doctor Who... whoops!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Doctor Who returns on Christmas!
Great news Who fans! (specifically the American ones) For the first time ever, the next Doctor Who special, "A Christmas Carol" will air the same day in America as well as the UK! Check out the trailer released today:
That's right, no weeks of waiting, or pointless delays; once it airs in the UK it will air here in America just a few hours later, what with time zones and all that. So hopefully that also means an on time return of This Week in Doctor Who! Now we can only hope this practice carries onto the rest of Series 6 when it starts in the Spring next year.
That's right, no weeks of waiting, or pointless delays; once it airs in the UK it will air here in America just a few hours later, what with time zones and all that. So hopefully that also means an on time return of This Week in Doctor Who! Now we can only hope this practice carries onto the rest of Series 6 when it starts in the Spring next year.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who - 7/24/10
Yes, I'm very well aware what the date on top says, but that's when this was supposed to be written so I'm going to leave it as is. To be honest, I don't even know remember when the episode aired in America, as I watched it when it premiered in the UK so it's been well over a month or two for me... my bad.
Episode 13 - "The Big Bang"
At the end of my last review I made a little statement how parts of the episode felt like a "jumbled mess," that was before I watched this episode; which for about... three thirds of the episode is just going in and out and back and forth through time to solve problems, but really it just creates more.
What bothered me is that somehow the Doctor gets a watch-type device from River that allows him to travel time where he stands, and it basically just throws the rules out the door. Suddenly, instead of being trapped in the Pandorica, the Doctor from the future comes back and solves the problem, and then goes forward, and then Amy meets herself, and then they go back, and forward, and diagonal. Regardless of where they go, it's just the ultimate cop-out tool. Because then for every situation ever you could be like, "wait David Tennant, you don't have to die at the hand of Rassilon, let me just use my timey-wimey to go back and tell you 'Don't do it!' or some crap like that". Granted I know it's a show that revolves around time travel, but even the Doctor says he has rules about what he can and can't do. I think using a device to tell you past self what not to do is one of those things that just shouldn't happen.
But, despite the jumbling and rule breaking, when it all came together it was pretty cool, and for a finale, I definitely liked this better than "The End of Time" for the most part, Tennant's final moments aside. And the really awesome part of the episode was seeing the Doctor traveling back to all his adventures with Amy, even explaining his what-seemed-to-be bizarre wardrobe change in "Flesh and Stone"; and in the end it really brought the feeling together of that 'fairy tale' Moffat talked about before the new series started. Plus, fezzes are cool. Can't wait for the Christmas Special!
Overall Score: 9.2/10
I'll hopefully post the season recap before the next week is over.
Episode 13 - "The Big Bang"
At the end of my last review I made a little statement how parts of the episode felt like a "jumbled mess," that was before I watched this episode; which for about... three thirds of the episode is just going in and out and back and forth through time to solve problems, but really it just creates more.
What bothered me is that somehow the Doctor gets a watch-type device from River that allows him to travel time where he stands, and it basically just throws the rules out the door. Suddenly, instead of being trapped in the Pandorica, the Doctor from the future comes back and solves the problem, and then goes forward, and then Amy meets herself, and then they go back, and forward, and diagonal. Regardless of where they go, it's just the ultimate cop-out tool. Because then for every situation ever you could be like, "wait David Tennant, you don't have to die at the hand of Rassilon, let me just use my timey-wimey to go back and tell you 'Don't do it!' or some crap like that". Granted I know it's a show that revolves around time travel, but even the Doctor says he has rules about what he can and can't do. I think using a device to tell you past self what not to do is one of those things that just shouldn't happen.
But, despite the jumbling and rule breaking, when it all came together it was pretty cool, and for a finale, I definitely liked this better than "The End of Time" for the most part, Tennant's final moments aside. And the really awesome part of the episode was seeing the Doctor traveling back to all his adventures with Amy, even explaining his what-seemed-to-be bizarre wardrobe change in "Flesh and Stone"; and in the end it really brought the feeling together of that 'fairy tale' Moffat talked about before the new series started. Plus, fezzes are cool. Can't wait for the Christmas Special!
Overall Score: 9.2/10
I'll hopefully post the season recap before the next week is over.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who - 7/10/10
Despite already airing in the UK almost four weeks ago [a whole month], this episode won't actually premiere on BBC America until next week. Sorry, but if BBCA wants to do it this way, that's not my problem. So for those of you that have sadly stuck with their schedule, MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW, but for those that watched it when it aired, this is old news.
Episode 12 - "The Pandorica Opens"
And we're finally here, sort of, as this is the first part of Steven Moffat's finale for the fifth series of Doctor Who, it's been quite the journey. Right away I found this to be unlike any Doctor Who season finale before it, the first scene brings back a screaming Vincent van Gogh (from "Vincent and the Doctor"), and then we soon see Bracewell and Churchill (from "Victory of the Daleks"), and then we reach River Song (who needs no re-introduction at this point). There is a message waiting for her, from Vincent van Gogh himself, at Elizabeth the Tenth's (from "The Beast Below") Royal Collection... it's a painting, of the TARDIS exploding! Booooweeeeeooooooo
Despite only being the first 8 or so minutes of the episode, I really loved that whole sequence because for the first time ever, the Doctor Who finale actually felt like a season finale by bringing everything that happened together, instead of just being one grand episode without any consequence from the prior episodes of the season. Granted Series 3 and 4 both closed the stories of the companion's rather well, everything up to those points were generally meaningless.
Anyways, River finally gets the message along to the Doctor, who previously grabbed a burned piece of TARDIS from "the crack" in "Cold Blood," but now this was just a confirmation. This encounter suddenly brings them to Roman Britain some time in the 2nd century, and then eventually to Stonehenge to find the mysterious Pandorica, in what really can be summarized as a confusing mess of words and imagery. Honestly, there was a lot of back and forth and mumbo-jumbo talk and at the end I was like ... "what?" But the payoff is great when the Pandorica is finally discovered.
But what is it? Well, why don't you ask "the Alliance," a.k.a. everyone the Doctor has ever messed with! You name it, Daleks, Cybermen, Slitheen, Silurians, Judoon, Sontarans, Sycorax, and other aliens from Doctor Who, Torchwood, and even the Sarah Jane Adventures are either seen or name-dropped, even some creatures from classic DW as well! The whole thing is basically one giant heap of fan service, it's insane. So what is the Pandorica? It's a time-sealed prison for the most sinister person in the universe: ... The Doctor!
To summarize everything else that happens, River uses the TARDIS and is brought to Amy's home on June 26th 2010, a day the Doctor was warned about. She soon realizes that everything that's happened has been part of Amy's imagination... or has it? Also, there's an Auton version of Rory and oh yeah.. he kills Amy. BAM! Told you there were spoilers.
Overall, this episode was pretty fantastic despite being somewhat of a jumbled mess from time to time, and because of that A LOT happens here, which makes it harder for me to summarize because basically every moment is pivotal. As much as I liked this first part, I'll wait for the second half before I make any truly final judgements.
Overall Score: 9/10
Episode 12 - "The Pandorica Opens"
And we're finally here, sort of, as this is the first part of Steven Moffat's finale for the fifth series of Doctor Who, it's been quite the journey. Right away I found this to be unlike any Doctor Who season finale before it, the first scene brings back a screaming Vincent van Gogh (from "Vincent and the Doctor"), and then we soon see Bracewell and Churchill (from "Victory of the Daleks"), and then we reach River Song (who needs no re-introduction at this point). There is a message waiting for her, from Vincent van Gogh himself, at Elizabeth the Tenth's (from "The Beast Below") Royal Collection... it's a painting, of the TARDIS exploding! Booooweeeeeooooooo
Despite only being the first 8 or so minutes of the episode, I really loved that whole sequence because for the first time ever, the Doctor Who finale actually felt like a season finale by bringing everything that happened together, instead of just being one grand episode without any consequence from the prior episodes of the season. Granted Series 3 and 4 both closed the stories of the companion's rather well, everything up to those points were generally meaningless.
Anyways, River finally gets the message along to the Doctor, who previously grabbed a burned piece of TARDIS from "the crack" in "Cold Blood," but now this was just a confirmation. This encounter suddenly brings them to Roman Britain some time in the 2nd century, and then eventually to Stonehenge to find the mysterious Pandorica, in what really can be summarized as a confusing mess of words and imagery. Honestly, there was a lot of back and forth and mumbo-jumbo talk and at the end I was like ... "what?" But the payoff is great when the Pandorica is finally discovered.
But what is it? Well, why don't you ask "the Alliance," a.k.a. everyone the Doctor has ever messed with! You name it, Daleks, Cybermen, Slitheen, Silurians, Judoon, Sontarans, Sycorax, and other aliens from Doctor Who, Torchwood, and even the Sarah Jane Adventures are either seen or name-dropped, even some creatures from classic DW as well! The whole thing is basically one giant heap of fan service, it's insane. So what is the Pandorica? It's a time-sealed prison for the most sinister person in the universe: ... The Doctor!
To summarize everything else that happens, River uses the TARDIS and is brought to Amy's home on June 26th 2010, a day the Doctor was warned about. She soon realizes that everything that's happened has been part of Amy's imagination... or has it? Also, there's an Auton version of Rory and oh yeah.. he kills Amy. BAM! Told you there were spoilers.
Overall, this episode was pretty fantastic despite being somewhat of a jumbled mess from time to time, and because of that A LOT happens here, which makes it harder for me to summarize because basically every moment is pivotal. As much as I liked this first part, I'll wait for the second half before I make any truly final judgements.
Overall Score: 9/10
Saturday, July 3, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who - 7/3/10
Hi there. It was bad enough when Americans had to wait two weeks after the UK for the new episodes, and even worse when that became 3 weeks. But now BBC America is taking a 2 week break, bringing the gap to 5 weeks, which is ridiculous. Because I admittedly write these in conjunction with the UK airings, I refuse to wait 5 weeks to post the reviews and will now continue to post these at the already in place 3 week delay. Really, what kind of fan service is that? Not only making loyal US viewers wait 5 weeks, but have the audacity to ruin the episodes with frequent commercial breaks and edits; really, it's pitiful. Not to mention that my current cable provider won't offer BBCA. Sorry for the ranting, inconvenience and potential spoilers, but this is basically out of my control.
After the greatness that was "Vincent and the Doctor," I'd be surprised if the show could have two great episodes in a row, especially when Doctor Who writing regular, Gareth Roberts ("Planet of the Dead"), is at the helm; not that he's a bad writer, it's just... his episodes are never my favorites, especially "Planet of the Dead".
Episode 11 - "The Lodger"
This episode opens up when the TARDIS has some trouble landing, and leaves the Doctor stranded somewhere in England (Wiki says Colchester, I forgot... my bad), and Amy alone in the malfuntioning TARDIS leaving her basically absent for most of the episode... let's see if Matt Smith can pull off an episode without his trusty and amusing companion. Without the TARDIS available, and only able to communicate with Amy via an unexplained headset that he just happens to be wearing, the Doctor must try to act like a normal human, and takes residence in a vacant apartment, run by a man named Craig (James Corden, from Gavin & Stacey). But that's not the strange part; in the same building, a voice has been calling out to passers-by and leading them in to a mysterious room where they soon meet their demise.... booooooweeeeeeooooooo!!!
There really isn't much for me to say about this episode, it's much like Doctor Who: The Sitcom, where nothing really happens except for chatting in an apartment with some little events here and there. There's a lot of fan service in the episode though, from pictures of Van Gogh on the fridge, the Doctor making wacky food combination, playing football (or soccer, for those that don't know) in a #11 jersey... in Episode 11 (!), images of Doctors 1, 2, 4, 9 and 11, and for the ladies: a practically naked Matt Smith.
But other than all that, I wouldn't call the episode anything special, but there was at least some cool things to see. And, the relationship between the Doctor and Craig was certainly an amusing one. All in all though, it was a bit odd having Amy not around for most of the episode; Matt Smith definitely can still pull off being the Doctor all alone, but the chemistry between he and Amy is what's really made this latest series enjoyable, so it definitely felt off. Hey, it was still better than "Victory of the the Daleks," and hopefully next week's episode, the first part of the series 5 finale, will blow me away again.
Overal Score: 7.8/10
After the greatness that was "Vincent and the Doctor," I'd be surprised if the show could have two great episodes in a row, especially when Doctor Who writing regular, Gareth Roberts ("Planet of the Dead"), is at the helm; not that he's a bad writer, it's just... his episodes are never my favorites, especially "Planet of the Dead".
Episode 11 - "The Lodger"
This episode opens up when the TARDIS has some trouble landing, and leaves the Doctor stranded somewhere in England (Wiki says Colchester, I forgot... my bad), and Amy alone in the malfuntioning TARDIS leaving her basically absent for most of the episode... let's see if Matt Smith can pull off an episode without his trusty and amusing companion. Without the TARDIS available, and only able to communicate with Amy via an unexplained headset that he just happens to be wearing, the Doctor must try to act like a normal human, and takes residence in a vacant apartment, run by a man named Craig (James Corden, from Gavin & Stacey). But that's not the strange part; in the same building, a voice has been calling out to passers-by and leading them in to a mysterious room where they soon meet their demise.... booooooweeeeeeooooooo!!!
There really isn't much for me to say about this episode, it's much like Doctor Who: The Sitcom, where nothing really happens except for chatting in an apartment with some little events here and there. There's a lot of fan service in the episode though, from pictures of Van Gogh on the fridge, the Doctor making wacky food combination, playing football (or soccer, for those that don't know) in a #11 jersey... in Episode 11 (!), images of Doctors 1, 2, 4, 9 and 11, and for the ladies: a practically naked Matt Smith.
But other than all that, I wouldn't call the episode anything special, but there was at least some cool things to see. And, the relationship between the Doctor and Craig was certainly an amusing one. All in all though, it was a bit odd having Amy not around for most of the episode; Matt Smith definitely can still pull off being the Doctor all alone, but the chemistry between he and Amy is what's really made this latest series enjoyable, so it definitely felt off. Hey, it was still better than "Victory of the the Daleks," and hopefully next week's episode, the first part of the series 5 finale, will blow me away again.
Overal Score: 7.8/10
Tags:
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Karen Gillan,
Matt Smith,
Review,
Science Fiction,
Television,
This Week In
Saturday, June 26, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who - 6/26/10
Sticking to this three week delay is awful, I'm just saying. But I do it for the four of you that read this...
Episode 10 - "Vincent and the Doctor"
This episode brings back the Doctor Who tradition of exploring time with famous people throughout history and how the Doctor's actions help create their future that we've already witnessed in our own history (I won't count "Victory of the Daleks" because that was just, dumb).
Fun fact: this episode was written by Blackadder creator, Richard Curtis, who previous produced the Moffat-written 1999 Doctor Who spoof, The Curse of Fatal Death, back during the void between the original Doctor Who series and the 2005 return. So, in a way, this is Curtis and Moffat's second crack (no pun intended) at Doctor Who together, only this time it's canon and not fully intended for comedic purposes.
Anyways, the titular Vincent is the famous painter himself, Vincent Van Gogh, who is visited by The Doctor and Amy after they visit an exhibition of his in France, and notice something "extra" in one of his famous paintings. The 'thing' in the painting turns out to be some sort of invisible mutant chicken thing that only Van Gogh can see, it's sounds ridiculous, but it's actually handled really well. My descriptions never do anything justice.
Acting-wise, Tony Curran was an extremely convincing Van Gogh, not only looking like the artist, but capturing his emotional instability as well; when he was in pain, you could feel it, but when he was his charming self you could feel it as well.
Overall this episode is just a 45 minute tear-jerker, especially in the end when the Doctor surprises Vincent by taking him to the same exhibition that he and Amy were at earlier, and asks the museum curator's opinion of Van Gogh, and he breaks down crying because in real life, he never thought he was any good and finally gets to see what becomes of his life's work, and it was an extremely emotional scene, with a soundtrack to boot. Eventually, you learn that certain parts of time still never change, with Van Gogh ultimately commuting suicide, and with all the heaviness, Amy weepingly jokes with the Doctor of what would happen if she accepted Vincent advances and married: The Ultimate Ginger. This was certainly one of my most favorite episodes of Doctor Who yet, as it mixed seriousness, action, and comedy quite well (with a big of classic Doctor fan-service to boot), and I'd seriously love if Richard Curtis wrote another episode in the next series.
Overall Score: 9.5/10
Bad news: BBC America won't premiere the next new Doctor Who until July 10th, that's just awful!!! Because of this, I refuse to now wait 5 weeks to post reviews, and will just post each review weekly regardless of BBCA's poor scheduling. Sorry.
Episode 10 - "Vincent and the Doctor"
This episode brings back the Doctor Who tradition of exploring time with famous people throughout history and how the Doctor's actions help create their future that we've already witnessed in our own history (I won't count "Victory of the Daleks" because that was just, dumb).
Fun fact: this episode was written by Blackadder creator, Richard Curtis, who previous produced the Moffat-written 1999 Doctor Who spoof, The Curse of Fatal Death, back during the void between the original Doctor Who series and the 2005 return. So, in a way, this is Curtis and Moffat's second crack (no pun intended) at Doctor Who together, only this time it's canon and not fully intended for comedic purposes.
Anyways, the titular Vincent is the famous painter himself, Vincent Van Gogh, who is visited by The Doctor and Amy after they visit an exhibition of his in France, and notice something "extra" in one of his famous paintings. The 'thing' in the painting turns out to be some sort of invisible mutant chicken thing that only Van Gogh can see, it's sounds ridiculous, but it's actually handled really well. My descriptions never do anything justice.
Acting-wise, Tony Curran was an extremely convincing Van Gogh, not only looking like the artist, but capturing his emotional instability as well; when he was in pain, you could feel it, but when he was his charming self you could feel it as well.
Overall this episode is just a 45 minute tear-jerker, especially in the end when the Doctor surprises Vincent by taking him to the same exhibition that he and Amy were at earlier, and asks the museum curator's opinion of Van Gogh, and he breaks down crying because in real life, he never thought he was any good and finally gets to see what becomes of his life's work, and it was an extremely emotional scene, with a soundtrack to boot. Eventually, you learn that certain parts of time still never change, with Van Gogh ultimately commuting suicide, and with all the heaviness, Amy weepingly jokes with the Doctor of what would happen if she accepted Vincent advances and married: The Ultimate Ginger. This was certainly one of my most favorite episodes of Doctor Who yet, as it mixed seriousness, action, and comedy quite well (with a big of classic Doctor fan-service to boot), and I'd seriously love if Richard Curtis wrote another episode in the next series.
Overall Score: 9.5/10
Bad news: BBC America won't premiere the next new Doctor Who until July 10th, that's just awful!!! Because of this, I refuse to now wait 5 weeks to post reviews, and will just post each review weekly regardless of BBCA's poor scheduling. Sorry.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who - 6/19/10
Following last week's episode, "The Hungry Earth," comes the second part of Chris Chibnall's thrilling and ridiculously dark story that marks the return of the Silurians. And, you thought weeping angels were scary?
Episode 9 - "Cold Blood"
Following where "The Hungry Earth" left off, Amy and that other woman's husband (I forgot her name already.. whoops) are still trapped and ready for unwanted dissecting. That is until a distress beacon is alarmed after The Doctor and Nasreen are caught walking about the Silurian civilation, and if the kidnapping wasn't a sign enough, the Silurians, or at least their feisty general, don't think very highly of us humans er... "apes" as they call us.
As for the Silurian captive at the digging site from the last episode, she's got quite the vile of hate to spread around. So much so that she drives that other lady.. (I seriously don't remember her name!) to kill her, after constant hateful speech and lacking to cooperate with the woman in regards to the safety of her family. Of course, the Silurian death has its consequences, but this is unbeknownst to The Doctor, Amy and Nasreen, who are currently below the surface, trying to convince the Silurians that the people of Earth are good people and are more than willing to share the planet with its former inhabitants... Yeah, lady whose name I can't remember, you screwed up, you REALLY screwed up.
Soon after, Rory and the above-ground party come down to the Silurian world, dead Silurian in hand, and all peace talks are broken, and it's time to run! But after a bit of negotiating and techno-babble talking that I can't seem to recall at all, the unthinkable happens... While everyone else runs to safety in the TARDIS, the Doctor sees the infamous "crack," and can't help but stick his hand inside to see what's there... silly Doctor, you just made everyone in the future cry. Why? Because his carelessness for everyone else's safety leaves the dying general Silurian to take one last shot at the Doctor, but Rory shoves him out of the way in a valiant move, and sacrifices himself. But he doesn't die, no, he gets taken in by the crack, erasing his entire existence from all of time; perhaps a fate even worse than death....
I have to say, this was honestly the most emotionally invested I've ever been in a Doctor Who episode. Not only did I feel truly worried for the fate of the characters, but, I had a sense of true genuine hatred every time that Silurian general woman spoke out, and an ever bigger sense of hatred when that woman killed the Silurian captive, knowing what the consequences may be. And despite my interest in many TV and movie dramas, I'm never one to get mad at the screen, but I really just wanted to yell. And with the unexpected twist of Rory's death and erasure from existence... well, the episode made me feel like I just lost a really good friend. That's got to say something right?
Overall Score: 9.3/10
Episode 9 - "Cold Blood"
Following where "The Hungry Earth" left off, Amy and that other woman's husband (I forgot her name already.. whoops) are still trapped and ready for unwanted dissecting. That is until a distress beacon is alarmed after The Doctor and Nasreen are caught walking about the Silurian civilation, and if the kidnapping wasn't a sign enough, the Silurians, or at least their feisty general, don't think very highly of us humans er... "apes" as they call us.
As for the Silurian captive at the digging site from the last episode, she's got quite the vile of hate to spread around. So much so that she drives that other lady.. (I seriously don't remember her name!) to kill her, after constant hateful speech and lacking to cooperate with the woman in regards to the safety of her family. Of course, the Silurian death has its consequences, but this is unbeknownst to The Doctor, Amy and Nasreen, who are currently below the surface, trying to convince the Silurians that the people of Earth are good people and are more than willing to share the planet with its former inhabitants... Yeah, lady whose name I can't remember, you screwed up, you REALLY screwed up.
Soon after, Rory and the above-ground party come down to the Silurian world, dead Silurian in hand, and all peace talks are broken, and it's time to run! But after a bit of negotiating and techno-babble talking that I can't seem to recall at all, the unthinkable happens... While everyone else runs to safety in the TARDIS, the Doctor sees the infamous "crack," and can't help but stick his hand inside to see what's there... silly Doctor, you just made everyone in the future cry. Why? Because his carelessness for everyone else's safety leaves the dying general Silurian to take one last shot at the Doctor, but Rory shoves him out of the way in a valiant move, and sacrifices himself. But he doesn't die, no, he gets taken in by the crack, erasing his entire existence from all of time; perhaps a fate even worse than death....
I have to say, this was honestly the most emotionally invested I've ever been in a Doctor Who episode. Not only did I feel truly worried for the fate of the characters, but, I had a sense of true genuine hatred every time that Silurian general woman spoke out, and an ever bigger sense of hatred when that woman killed the Silurian captive, knowing what the consequences may be. And despite my interest in many TV and movie dramas, I'm never one to get mad at the screen, but I really just wanted to yell. And with the unexpected twist of Rory's death and erasure from existence... well, the episode made me feel like I just lost a really good friend. That's got to say something right?
Overall Score: 9.3/10
Saturday, June 12, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who - 6/12/10
I'm sticking to this ridiculous three-week delayed schedule. Thanks for nothing BBC America.
After two strange, one-off episodes, we're back to another two-parter this season. But unlike the first two-parter ("The Time of Angels" and "Flesh and Stone") and the season finale, these next two episodes aren't written by Steven Moffat. Instead, they were penned by Chris Chibnall, who wrote the Series 3 episode, "42," as well as numerous episode of the Doctor Who spin-off, Torchwood, and I think it shows.
Episode 8 - "The Hungry Earth"
Thanks to Chibnall's work on Torchwood, I found this first episode to be excessively darker than the last couple episodes of the show, possibly even darker than "Flesh and Stone," and that's saying something. It's not all creepy and suspense though, I mean, Rory is around, and it's hard to not be amused when he tries to act like an alpha male around The Doctor. Anyways...
"The Hungry Earth" opens with our trio arriving in what they thought was Rio, but it turns out to be a mining area somewhere in the quiet hills of England (they film everything near Whales, so I can assume it's supposed to be there), and right away The Doctor feels something wrong with the ground under his feet... which probably isn't a good sign. He and Amy go to check the mining facility, while Rory gets held up, returning Amy's engagement ring back to the TARDIS for safe keeping, and soon a woman mistakes him for a plain-clothes police officer, which puts Rory a bit on the spot and is pretty amusing.
But while Rory stands in as the comic relief, things are a bit darker down at the mining facility, where a pair of researchers are drilling to record-breaking depths in the Earth's crust, and the Earth is happy, or so it seems, and Amy is dragged beneath the soil against her will in probably the most dramatic scene in Doctor Who since David Tennant was in tears about regenerating. Really gripping, and as said earlier, dark stuff. The rest of the episode deals with trying to find out what is there below the Earth's surface and their motivation, and it may be a race of people that The Doctor hasn't seen since his third incarnation, which makes this a nice use of Doctor Who lore without relying on the Daleks and Cybermen for the bajillionth time. And the way this episode ends, consider me excited; for a non-Moffat episode this season, it was pretty damn good. More of this please.
Overall Score: 9.2/10
After two strange, one-off episodes, we're back to another two-parter this season. But unlike the first two-parter ("The Time of Angels" and "Flesh and Stone") and the season finale, these next two episodes aren't written by Steven Moffat. Instead, they were penned by Chris Chibnall, who wrote the Series 3 episode, "42," as well as numerous episode of the Doctor Who spin-off, Torchwood, and I think it shows.
Episode 8 - "The Hungry Earth"
Thanks to Chibnall's work on Torchwood, I found this first episode to be excessively darker than the last couple episodes of the show, possibly even darker than "Flesh and Stone," and that's saying something. It's not all creepy and suspense though, I mean, Rory is around, and it's hard to not be amused when he tries to act like an alpha male around The Doctor. Anyways...
"The Hungry Earth" opens with our trio arriving in what they thought was Rio, but it turns out to be a mining area somewhere in the quiet hills of England (they film everything near Whales, so I can assume it's supposed to be there), and right away The Doctor feels something wrong with the ground under his feet... which probably isn't a good sign. He and Amy go to check the mining facility, while Rory gets held up, returning Amy's engagement ring back to the TARDIS for safe keeping, and soon a woman mistakes him for a plain-clothes police officer, which puts Rory a bit on the spot and is pretty amusing.
But while Rory stands in as the comic relief, things are a bit darker down at the mining facility, where a pair of researchers are drilling to record-breaking depths in the Earth's crust, and the Earth is happy, or so it seems, and Amy is dragged beneath the soil against her will in probably the most dramatic scene in Doctor Who since David Tennant was in tears about regenerating. Really gripping, and as said earlier, dark stuff. The rest of the episode deals with trying to find out what is there below the Earth's surface and their motivation, and it may be a race of people that The Doctor hasn't seen since his third incarnation, which makes this a nice use of Doctor Who lore without relying on the Daleks and Cybermen for the bajillionth time. And the way this episode ends, consider me excited; for a non-Moffat episode this season, it was pretty damn good. More of this please.
Overall Score: 9.2/10
Monday, June 7, 2010
Torchwood is finally returning!
With all the news of the latest series of Doctor Who, everyone was wondering what became of the show's hit spin-off, Torchwood, which only returned for a short, but fantastic, mini-series last year, Torchwood: Children of Earth. Heck, even the other Doctor Who spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures, has got news of a fourth series, so it's about time we're hearing about Torchwood.
Well, it seems that the rumors of an American based Torchwood were real, sort of. Thankfully it's NOT going to be an Americanized version for Fox, because obviously someone at the BBC or Fox realized that didn't work out for Doctor Who back in 1996, when the Eighth Doctor's only appearance in a TV movie failed to interest American audiences.
From a BBC press release (click to read full release):
Well, it seems that the rumors of an American based Torchwood were real, sort of. Thankfully it's NOT going to be an Americanized version for Fox, because obviously someone at the BBC or Fox realized that didn't work out for Doctor Who back in 1996, when the Eighth Doctor's only appearance in a TV movie failed to interest American audiences.
From a BBC press release (click to read full release):
"BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Worldwide and US premium entertainment network, Starz Entertainment, have today announced a three way co-production partnership that will develop a new series of the hit BBC sci-fi drama Torchwood. BBC Worldwide will also distribute the series to broadcasters globally.
The 10-episode instalment will be written by a team led by Torchwood creator, Russell T Davies, and produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Davies and BBC Worldwide Productions’ SVP Scripted, Julie Gardner, return as executive producers with BBC Worldwide Productions EVP Jane Tranter. The series has been commissioned by Controller BBC ONE, Jay Hunt, Controller BBC Drama, Ben Stephenson, and Starz President and CEO, Chris Albrecht.
While previous series were based on location in Cardiff, Wales, this new instalment will see storylines widen to include locations in the U.S. and around the world. John Barrowman and Eve Myles will return in their roles as Captain Jack and Gwen respectively, along with new faces."
So it's a bit hard to tell whether or not this new series will air on BBC America or Starz here in the US, being that BBC America currently has the US broadcast rights for Torchwood, but I'll safely assume that it will air on BBC One in the UK as if it were another regular series of Torchwood.
But at least this should please Russel T. Davies fans that still haven't warmed up to the excellent job Steven Moffat has done with the latest series of Doctor Who. Plus, as I mentioned the Sarah Jane Adventures earlier, Russel T. Davies will be writing an episode of that series that will feature Matt Smith's Doctor, so it seems that Mr. Davies hasn't completely left Doctor Who behind after all.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who - 6/5/10
EDIT - IMPORTANT NOTE! It seems BBC America did NOT air the new episode tonight as expected, putting the US airings three weeks(!) behind the UK airings. I have no idea as to why they would delay airings even further, but I can't hold off writing these reviews three weeks at a time. Two week delays was what I said when I started this feature, and two weeks is what you're going to get. And if io9 is also going to post the reviews at the same time, then so shall I. Sorry if you consider it to be spoilers, but I have a schedule to work by.
2nd EDIT: Re-Post to make everyone happy.
Here it is (again)! Another This Week in Doctor Who... I really wish US premieres weren't two (now THREE) weeks later than the UK...
Episode 7 - "Amy's Choice"
This episode is a strange one, not just because its transition from the previous episode seems a bit too sudden, but just because in general it's just very strange, yet all too familiar. The episode starts off five years after Amy's adventures with the Doctor, with her and Rory now living in a quiet village north of Leadworth; oh and now she's pregnant. See, like I said, it's sudden and kind of a lot to take in at first... and then, a chirp sounds, and the Doctor, Amy, and Rory are back in the TARDIS, when we last saw them, and they all speak of their collective dream, which is somewhat of an impossibility... until it happens again, and again, and again.
What is this? It's the work of... the Dream Lord, a semi-nonexistent character who dresses very much like the current Doctor himself, but physically looks and acts much differently. He pops in and out of the dreams, taking on many different roles, and kind of reminded me of the Mr. Mxyzptlk character from the Superman comics. But it takes more than just saying the Dream Lord's name backwards to stop him. No, in fact, it's up to Amy, hence the title of the episode, and she must choose which world is real, ultimately choosing to be with The Doctor, or her fiance, Rory. Who will she choose? And who is the Dream Lord?
As bizarre as they may have wanted to make this episode, and it really was, I can't argue that, it's not the first time we've seen an episode like this. "Father's Day" from Series 1 and "Turn Left" from Series 4 come to mind, more so the latter, in which Donna Noble is brought into a life-like vision where her world changes entirely because she turned a different direction on the day she would have met The Doctor, and ultimately she must figure out the mind puzzle and escape it. In that sense, "Amy's Choice" is almost too similar to "Turn Left" to be very, shocking or original, because I feel like I've already seen it before, and could pretty much tell where the episode would go from the start. It wasn't bad, just not overly original.
Overall Score: 7.8/10
2nd EDIT: Re-Post to make everyone happy.
Here it is (again)! Another This Week in Doctor Who... I really wish US premieres weren't two (now THREE) weeks later than the UK...
Episode 7 - "Amy's Choice"
This episode is a strange one, not just because its transition from the previous episode seems a bit too sudden, but just because in general it's just very strange, yet all too familiar. The episode starts off five years after Amy's adventures with the Doctor, with her and Rory now living in a quiet village north of Leadworth; oh and now she's pregnant. See, like I said, it's sudden and kind of a lot to take in at first... and then, a chirp sounds, and the Doctor, Amy, and Rory are back in the TARDIS, when we last saw them, and they all speak of their collective dream, which is somewhat of an impossibility... until it happens again, and again, and again.
What is this? It's the work of... the Dream Lord, a semi-nonexistent character who dresses very much like the current Doctor himself, but physically looks and acts much differently. He pops in and out of the dreams, taking on many different roles, and kind of reminded me of the Mr. Mxyzptlk character from the Superman comics. But it takes more than just saying the Dream Lord's name backwards to stop him. No, in fact, it's up to Amy, hence the title of the episode, and she must choose which world is real, ultimately choosing to be with The Doctor, or her fiance, Rory. Who will she choose? And who is the Dream Lord?
As bizarre as they may have wanted to make this episode, and it really was, I can't argue that, it's not the first time we've seen an episode like this. "Father's Day" from Series 1 and "Turn Left" from Series 4 come to mind, more so the latter, in which Donna Noble is brought into a life-like vision where her world changes entirely because she turned a different direction on the day she would have met The Doctor, and ultimately she must figure out the mind puzzle and escape it. In that sense, "Amy's Choice" is almost too similar to "Turn Left" to be very, shocking or original, because I feel like I've already seen it before, and could pretty much tell where the episode would go from the start. It wasn't bad, just not overly original.
Overall Score: 7.8/10
Tags:
BBC,
Doctor Who,
Karen Gillan,
Matt Smith,
Review,
Science Fiction,
Television,
This Week In
Saturday, May 22, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who - 5/22/10
And thus, after a really awesome Steven Moffat two-parter, we're back to seeing how other people do it when getting the chance to write for the new Doctor and his companion(s).
Episode 6 - "Vampires in Venice"
This episode is definitely a bit more... uh, light-hearted when compared all those Weeping Angels from the last two Moffat-written episodes. It opens with a scene in Venice, where a man gives up his daughter to what seems like a prestigious all-girls school house, but it soon turns for the worst... vampires! (And not the glittery Twilight kind, though, that would be much worse for Doctor Who and we all know it) But, the dark tone is quickly shifted when The Doctor hilariously interrupts Rory's stag party to inform him of his unrequited kiss from Amy in what was probably the most awkward moment in Doctor Who ever, but it was hilariously great.
Suddenly, and I really mean it, there's zero transition here, Amy and now Rory have traveled to Venice, courtesy of the Doctor in order to get their relationship with each other improved, although Rory still doesn't fully trust him. But, of course, they run into these mysterious vampires who don't turn out to be exactly as they may seem.
For something involving "vampires" I actually enjoyed this episode a lot. And I really can't stand all that Buffy, True Blood, and Twilight crap. That's probably because most of the episode isn't about the vampires, it's about the triangle relationship between The Doctor, Amy and Rory. More so the Doctor and Rory, which is something we only got to see slightly in "The Eleventh Hour," so it's good to see how the Doctor interacts with a male companion for once. Not to mention the scene with the Doctor reaching for the psychic paper, but accidentally pulling out his library card with the First Doctor's photo was pretty much pure awesome fan service.
All in all, this was definitely an enjoyable episode. But does it top "The Eleventh Hour" or the recent two-part Weeping Angel episodes, no, not at all. Still, it's better than "Victory of the Daleks" and I'd rather see more fun episodes like this.
Overall Score: 8/10
Episode 6 - "Vampires in Venice"
This episode is definitely a bit more... uh, light-hearted when compared all those Weeping Angels from the last two Moffat-written episodes. It opens with a scene in Venice, where a man gives up his daughter to what seems like a prestigious all-girls school house, but it soon turns for the worst... vampires! (And not the glittery Twilight kind, though, that would be much worse for Doctor Who and we all know it) But, the dark tone is quickly shifted when The Doctor hilariously interrupts Rory's stag party to inform him of his unrequited kiss from Amy in what was probably the most awkward moment in Doctor Who ever, but it was hilariously great.
Suddenly, and I really mean it, there's zero transition here, Amy and now Rory have traveled to Venice, courtesy of the Doctor in order to get their relationship with each other improved, although Rory still doesn't fully trust him. But, of course, they run into these mysterious vampires who don't turn out to be exactly as they may seem.
For something involving "vampires" I actually enjoyed this episode a lot. And I really can't stand all that Buffy, True Blood, and Twilight crap. That's probably because most of the episode isn't about the vampires, it's about the triangle relationship between The Doctor, Amy and Rory. More so the Doctor and Rory, which is something we only got to see slightly in "The Eleventh Hour," so it's good to see how the Doctor interacts with a male companion for once. Not to mention the scene with the Doctor reaching for the psychic paper, but accidentally pulling out his library card with the First Doctor's photo was pretty much pure awesome fan service.
All in all, this was definitely an enjoyable episode. But does it top "The Eleventh Hour" or the recent two-part Weeping Angel episodes, no, not at all. Still, it's better than "Victory of the Daleks" and I'd rather see more fun episodes like this.
Overall Score: 8/10
Tags:
BBC,
Doctor Who,
Karen Gillan,
Matt Smith,
Review,
Science Fiction,
Television,
This Week In
Saturday, May 15, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who - 5/15/10
That cliffhanger was too much to bear, so one week later, here we are, let's get on with this!
Episode 5 - "Flesh and Stone"
This episodes takes place immediately after "The Time of Angels," so if you didn't see that, first off: what is wrong with you? and two: get on that right now! Having shot the gravity switch (yes, the Doctor used a gun... which he did in The End of Time already so it's not such a crazy thing anymore I suppose), the Doctor, Amy, River and the rest of Byzantium crew are brought on-board the ship to escape the oncoming hoards of Weeping Angels.
But it seems the digital Angel that Amy struck eyes with earlier is final getting to her, and taking over her mind, and after a series of unfortunate events, leaves her virtually blind, forcing her to keep her eyes closed or risk killing everyone. It's really complicated, and if anything I just made it sound more confusing. But, "the crack" is back, and this time it's big, and apparently looking into it makes people forget things or even removes things from existence, basically changing the entire structure of time itself, which of course is a very frightening thing for The Doctor, who still can't figure out the crack's origin.
It's quite a thrilling episode, and certainly this and the previous episode combined are the best thing yet since "The Eleventh Hour," which was also directed by Adam Smith. So, Mr. Smith, if you're reading this, and I doubt it, congrats on making these the best episodes of Doctor Who ever. My only issue here is trying to say what's better, this part or the first part... this part wouldn't be good had the first part not been so engaging, but at the same time the first part alone felt unfinished... I just suggest you watch both this and "The Time of Angels" together, without the week long gap, because this would have definitely worked better as a 90 minute movie instead of two 45 min episodes.
Overall Score: 9.5/10
Episode 5 - "Flesh and Stone"
This episodes takes place immediately after "The Time of Angels," so if you didn't see that, first off: what is wrong with you? and two: get on that right now! Having shot the gravity switch (yes, the Doctor used a gun... which he did in The End of Time already so it's not such a crazy thing anymore I suppose), the Doctor, Amy, River and the rest of Byzantium crew are brought on-board the ship to escape the oncoming hoards of Weeping Angels.
But it seems the digital Angel that Amy struck eyes with earlier is final getting to her, and taking over her mind, and after a series of unfortunate events, leaves her virtually blind, forcing her to keep her eyes closed or risk killing everyone. It's really complicated, and if anything I just made it sound more confusing. But, "the crack" is back, and this time it's big, and apparently looking into it makes people forget things or even removes things from existence, basically changing the entire structure of time itself, which of course is a very frightening thing for The Doctor, who still can't figure out the crack's origin.
It's quite a thrilling episode, and certainly this and the previous episode combined are the best thing yet since "The Eleventh Hour," which was also directed by Adam Smith. So, Mr. Smith, if you're reading this, and I doubt it, congrats on making these the best episodes of Doctor Who ever. My only issue here is trying to say what's better, this part or the first part... this part wouldn't be good had the first part not been so engaging, but at the same time the first part alone felt unfinished... I just suggest you watch both this and "The Time of Angels" together, without the week long gap, because this would have definitely worked better as a 90 minute movie instead of two 45 min episodes.
Overall Score: 9.5/10
Saturday, May 8, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who - 5/8/10
After a week of non-Moffat writing, the next two episodes are back in the hands of new show-runner Steven Moffat, and they better be, because this two-part story marks the return of Moffat's most memorable inclusion to the Whoniverse, the Weeping Angels.
Episode 4 - "The Time of Angels"
Despite the obvious focus being the Weeping Angels, this episode marks the return to two Moffat stories, the most notable being the fantastic Series 3 episode, "Blink," which introduced the Angels in a quite brilliant manner, and for many is their most favorite Doctor Who episode ever. The other however, is the two-part story from Series 4, "Silence in the Library" and "Forest of the Dead," which introduced Professor River Song, a woman who claims to be The Doctor's wife in the future and has a recollection of all his past and future incarnations.
So this episode opens with River in the distant future, who leaves a message for The Doctor 12,000 years in the future to find in a museum, and being The Doctor he gets in the TARDIS with Amy, and grabs River at the coordinates that she left for him. And from their they follow the trail of a ship containing a Weeping Angel, that has crashed on an uninhabited planet... or so they think.
Unlike "Blink," this episode has the Doctor dealing with the Weeping Angels directly, and not through TV screens with a random character as the focus of the episode, so in a sense, it makes it feel more like a Cybermen or Dalek episode, but with the Weeping Angels, but basically putting them on that same type of threat and interaction level. But despite that, they're still insanely creepy and are still much more of a threat, at least in their actions and design than I've ever found the Daleks or Cybermen to be. If anything bugs me about this episode it's the cliffhanger ending, which is just so unfair! Oh, and did they cake up the make up on River to make her look younger? Because she totally looks older and I'm pretty sure they're trying to say this takes place before "Silence in the Library"... anyways, we'll finish this next week!
Overall Score: 9/10
Episode 4 - "The Time of Angels"
Despite the obvious focus being the Weeping Angels, this episode marks the return to two Moffat stories, the most notable being the fantastic Series 3 episode, "Blink," which introduced the Angels in a quite brilliant manner, and for many is their most favorite Doctor Who episode ever. The other however, is the two-part story from Series 4, "Silence in the Library" and "Forest of the Dead," which introduced Professor River Song, a woman who claims to be The Doctor's wife in the future and has a recollection of all his past and future incarnations.
So this episode opens with River in the distant future, who leaves a message for The Doctor 12,000 years in the future to find in a museum, and being The Doctor he gets in the TARDIS with Amy, and grabs River at the coordinates that she left for him. And from their they follow the trail of a ship containing a Weeping Angel, that has crashed on an uninhabited planet... or so they think.
Unlike "Blink," this episode has the Doctor dealing with the Weeping Angels directly, and not through TV screens with a random character as the focus of the episode, so in a sense, it makes it feel more like a Cybermen or Dalek episode, but with the Weeping Angels, but basically putting them on that same type of threat and interaction level. But despite that, they're still insanely creepy and are still much more of a threat, at least in their actions and design than I've ever found the Daleks or Cybermen to be. If anything bugs me about this episode it's the cliffhanger ending, which is just so unfair! Oh, and did they cake up the make up on River to make her look younger? Because she totally looks older and I'm pretty sure they're trying to say this takes place before "Silence in the Library"... anyways, we'll finish this next week!
Overall Score: 9/10
Saturday, May 1, 2010
This Week in Doctor Who - 5/1/10
And after all the other posts tonight, here's a review that's actually on time! (Even though the episode actually premiered three weeks ago in the UK ... thanks BBC America).
Episode 3 - "Victory of the Daleks"
Remember in that review I just posted where I said that I hope this season of Doctor Who brought some fresh new ideas? Well the Daleks showed up in this third episode and basically lost all hope of that. Granted, this is the first non-Moffat written episode of the new series so that's got to stand for something, but if there's one villain that's been way over-used in the new version of Doctor Who, it's the bloody Daleks, who I think have appeared more times in the last five new Doctor Who series than all of the original show's 26 seasons combined, which is kind of absurd.
Anyways, what makes this Dalek story different is that it takes place in World War II London, and get this, Winston Churchill is using the Daleks to fight Nazis. The premise is pretty absurd yet semi-hilarious, in concept, but the execution is somewhat.. meh, to say the least. Obviously Churchill has no idea what a real Dalek is like, and by the end of the episode and 40 arguments between the Doctor later, the Daleks are reborn, with a colorful, rounded design more reminiscent of the admittedly-awful and non-canon Peter Cushing Dr. Who and the Daleks films and not the tried and true Daleks we've been used to seeing for the last... however many years. I'm still trying to adjust to the new Power Ranger Daleks, but at the same time I wish I just don't see them again because I'm tired of Daleks.
And not to mention, in the end, Amy saves the day once again by "being human" and/or Scottish, it's hard to tell when they try to point it out all the time. But, I have to say, I'm liking Matt Smith's sometimes witty, sometimes crazy, and sometimes damn well pissed take on the Doctor, and I can't wait to see what else he has to offer.
Overall Score: 7.5/10
Episode 3 - "Victory of the Daleks"
Remember in that review I just posted where I said that I hope this season of Doctor Who brought some fresh new ideas? Well the Daleks showed up in this third episode and basically lost all hope of that. Granted, this is the first non-Moffat written episode of the new series so that's got to stand for something, but if there's one villain that's been way over-used in the new version of Doctor Who, it's the bloody Daleks, who I think have appeared more times in the last five new Doctor Who series than all of the original show's 26 seasons combined, which is kind of absurd.
Anyways, what makes this Dalek story different is that it takes place in World War II London, and get this, Winston Churchill is using the Daleks to fight Nazis. The premise is pretty absurd yet semi-hilarious, in concept, but the execution is somewhat.. meh, to say the least. Obviously Churchill has no idea what a real Dalek is like, and by the end of the episode and 40 arguments between the Doctor later, the Daleks are reborn, with a colorful, rounded design more reminiscent of the admittedly-awful and non-canon Peter Cushing Dr. Who and the Daleks films and not the tried and true Daleks we've been used to seeing for the last... however many years. I'm still trying to adjust to the new Power Ranger Daleks, but at the same time I wish I just don't see them again because I'm tired of Daleks.
And not to mention, in the end, Amy saves the day once again by "being human" and/or Scottish, it's hard to tell when they try to point it out all the time. But, I have to say, I'm liking Matt Smith's sometimes witty, sometimes crazy, and sometimes damn well pissed take on the Doctor, and I can't wait to see what else he has to offer.
Overall Score: 7.5/10
Tags:
BBC,
Doctor Who,
Karen Gillan,
Matt Smith,
Review,
Science Fiction,
Television,
This Week In
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