Dr Who Christmas Special — 25-12-2015: The Husbands of River Song

It’s Christmas Day.

You can TELL, can’t you … ?

Wrapping paper, everywhere, frustrations, toys getting thrown out of the pram … 

And that’s the grown ups … !

Of course the upside … ?

Is the new monitor and Apple TV I’ve been given.

AND how well a Certain Nephew felt about some Thunderbirds toys Santa brought him … !

If only that Turtle play set was as easy to assemble … 

~≈∑≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 12 — Hell Bent

You know, I HAVE to admit … 

I’ve given up one up one or two bad habits.

Smoking and drinking the two SERIOUSLY big one.

But haven’t given up others.

Seriously unhealthy eating?

That’s one I’ve not managed to completely given up.

Which reminds me: I really do need to get some vegetables in.

Man — at least this man — cannot live on beans, alone.

At ANY rate … ?

One other bad habit is to blog, last thing at night: after a hards shift at work.

But at least … ?   At least I can tell you I’ve seen tonight’s episode of Dr Who … 

~≈É≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 11 — Heaven Sent

You know, I have to admit to having a godawful day at work.

‘Lighting Up Brentwood,’ the day MY town turns on its Christmas lights?

Is usually busy.

Frantically so.

And what’s more … ?

It usually features some truly snotty teenage punters.

Using the term ‘punter,’ very lightly, here.

At ANY rate … ?

At any Rate, Brentwood’s Christmas lights are on, for 2015.

It’s just a shame that — as ever — the lights we have … are … underwhelming … 

But, after work … ?

After work held something of a treat.

You see, it’s a Saturday night.

A Saturday night when I’ve gotten home in time to catch tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

~≈Ÿ≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 10 — Face The Raven

Oh, my good LORD … !

They’ve killed Clara … !

AHEM!

Paul, stop gibbering: you’re knackered, and over excitable … !

AHEM!

Let me take a deep breath, here.

And briefly remind you I’m a fan of the TV series,  Dr Who.

As you’ve possibly worked out by now.

And, in all that time … ?

The series has only done what it’s done, tonight — killed a companion, on screen — a few times.

Twice before: if you don’t count the death of Amy and Rory.

Tonight?   In Face the Raven?

They killed Clara.

Blimey … !

~≈Â≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 9 — Sleep No More

You know, I’ve seen good TV, in my time.

And bad TV.

Thankfully … ?   I’ve seen more of the former, than I have of the latter.

Although, frankly, that could well be a product of experience.

The experience, over the years, of learning about what sort of TV I like … 

Well, that experience is useful: if for no other reason than to have a shrewd guess at whether a given box set — House of Cards, say, or Penny Dreadful — will appeal.

I’m thinking last night’s episode of Dr Who — episode nine of the ninth series of the re-booted version of the show — may not be good TV.

But certainly isn’t bad.

~≈Ê≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 8 — The Zygon Inversion

Can I make a mild confession, here … ?

Can I … ?

You’re going to GET one, whether you want to hear it, or not.

Believe it or not, I’ve been At my Uncle Brian’s birthday do.

Which was rather good, it HAD to be said.

Damn good bit of beef, I should add: with some form of pepper -corn coating that only added to the fact that was a damn good slice of beef … !

If you follow me … ?

Possibly … not … … …

At ANY rate … I’ll confess I’m stuffed.

Going back for seconds?   Possibly wasn’t the best idea.

My four year-old nephew, Jude, bit it in his usual tactful way, on the way back home from Kent.

“Uncle Paul’s bottom smells!”

Heigh-ho … !

At any rate, I meant to quickly tell you about something I couldn’t do, last night.

Quite simply … ?

To tell you I’d finally caught last night’s episode of Dr Who.   And throughly enjoyed it.

~≈Â≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 7 — The Zygon Invasion

It has to be said, it’s not that often I start a blog post up, this late.

Well … 

Not for a while, at any rate.

But I wanted to continue something that’s because a tradition for me: at least, after all this time.

Yes.

I’ve seen tonight’s episode of Dr Who: episode 7, of series 9, of the rebooted series, called The Zygon Invasion.

And, boy, it’s good.

~≈Â≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 6 — The Woman Who Lived

They say … 

Hmmm … 

That’s something of a classic way to open a story, isn’t it?

‘They say’ … rapidly followed by whatever it is that’s said …

And a brief explanation of whoever it is that’s doing the saying.

Although, in saying that … ?

I, personally, wasn’t necessarily going to fill in the details of what was being said: or who was saying it.

No, I just wanted to use ‘They say’ as an opening line.

Play fair: when else would I get the chance … ?

~≈Œ≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 5 — The Girl Who Died

From L to R, Jenna Coleman, Peter Capaldi
 and Maisie Williams as Clare, the Dr and Ashildr

*Spoilers*

You know, I’m a Dr Who fan.

You’ve possibly noticed, haven’t you … ?

After all, I’ve made no secret of the fact, over the years.

I’ve ALSO made no secret of the fact the term ‘Whovian’ is something I find personally annoying: but that’s me.

I’m a Dr Who fan.   Rather than something that sounds like a vacuum cleaner.

But I’m digressing, here.

I’m a Dr Who fan.   One who’s been watching the original from about the age of five — since Anna, the eldest of my two sisters, was born — until it was cancelled.

And the rebooted since it started in 2005.

I’m also a fan who’s aware both versions of the show has had it’s ups and downs.

And one thinking that tonight’s episode — The Girl Who Died*, the fifth episode of series nine,  Peter Capaldi’s second series in the role, and one of two appearances of Game of Thrones star, Maisie Williams — is a bloody cracker of an episode.

~≈Ê≈~

Doctor Who Series 9: Episode 4 — Before The Flood.

Did I ever mention I’m like a lot of people, my age?

In that my choice of entertainment is … fairly typical?

I tend — like others, my age — to go for a film or a TV show: rather than, say a video game.

Which is fine, I should add, if that’s What you choose to do.

At ANY rate … ?

I like watching films and movies: to some of the alternatives.

And … ?   And I like Dr Who.

I’ve been watching it for years.

Frankly … ?   With a certain amount of enjoyment.

Especially the past few weeks … 

~≈fi≈~

Doctor Who Series 9: Episode 3 — Under The Lake

You know, I work … 

I thoroughly enjoy working: AND the money it gets me.

It pays for dinner, after all.

But, of course, this comes with downsides.

One of those … ?

Being the fact I’ve only just caught up with Under the Lake: last night’s third episode of this years series — Series nine, so you know — of Dr Who.

And … ?

Yes, I’m impressed.

This series is looking old school good … !

~≈Â≈~

Doctor Who Series 9: Episode 2 — The Witch’s Familiar

Right at the moment … ?   Right at the moment … ?

Right the moment … ?

I’m sorely tempted … by thoughts of cocoa … 

No, really.

I’ve literally finished work, tonight: at just after nine o’clock, this evening.

And … ?   Well, while I’m not exactly tired … ?   I’m not exactly tired, cocoa is starting to look appealing.

 Hang on … 

Let me go make one … 

~≈Í≈~

Dr Who Series Nine: Episode 1 — The Magician’s Apprentice

19th September, 2015.

Now, here’s a rarity … 

I’ve opened a post … but have no screen shots to go with it … 

You’re possibly wondering what I’m talking about, aren’t you … ?   You are, aren’t you … ?   I can tell, you know.

A screen shot, so you know, is a photo: usually of something that’s on the screen — hence the name — of a computer, phone or tablet.

Occasionally … ?

It is — if it’s from a computer screen — an application window.

It’s application windows I’m thinking of, here.

You see, I’ve just watched the opening episode of Dr Who series 9 — episode 1, The Magician’s Apprentice — and come away very impressed.

EXCEPT for one thing.

My system — a first generation Mac Pro, running OS X 10.7.x, Lion — is hard at work.

Letting me write this post, whilst ripping a copy of The Curse Of Fenric with HandBreak, and using the native copy of QuickTime to export tonight’s episode into a form I can play back later.

All this … and keeping TweetDeck open, to see what’s going past … !

Frankly … ?   I’ve turned off the heating, under the circumstances.

And not yet had a chance to do a screenshot from the episode.

Wallpaper will have to do.

~≈Ê≈~

The Dr Who Christmas Special 2014: Last Christmas

Di I tell you I have a nephew … ?

I didn’t?

I’ve got a nephew.

He’s called Jude, I should add: he’s four — tomorrow — and quite fun to be with.

Except when it’s Christmas Day, of course: every single present is his, and has to be opened, now … !

Oh, and inevitably … ?

Well, when Donatello Turtle, the Batmobile and Spiderman get into a punch up, it turns into a tie … between the Batmobile and Donny. Spiderman not standing much of a chance against a two ton salt flat racer and a six foot chelonian.

It makes sense … 

When you’re four, overexcited, and been at the e-numbers.

Needless to say, I’m thinking he’s EXHAUSTING … 

~≈‡≈~

Dr Who Series Eight: Episode 12 Death In Heaven

*Spoilers*

8th November, 2014.

Oh … 

My … 

Giddy … 

Aunt … !!!

Did they just DO that … ?

No, wait, they did, didn’t they … ?

Tonight’s episode of Dr Who, the Rachel Talalay† directed, Steven Moffat penned, Death In Heaven … 

Sees the death of Osgood, played by Ingrid Oliver: killed by Missy/The Mistress, as she escapes from two UNIT guards, and a pair of handcuffs.

Sees Colonel Ahmed — Sanjeev Bhaskar*, in a cameo part — dragged out of a plane window.   Whilst in flight.

Sees the death of Danny Pink, after he’s been converted into a zombie-style Cyberman.   With a BIG finish, I should add!

Oh … 

And see the Master shot.

Dead.

By the Brigadier.

The fact there’s flying Cybermen, lots of graveyards, and a post-title teaser with Nick Frost as Father Christmas … ?

Could almost be beside the point, couldn’t it‡ … ?

~≈^≈~

Dr Who Series Eight: Episode 11 — Dark Water

*Spoilers*

1st November, 2014.

Oh, now wait a minute, HANG ON … !

THAT I kind of expected … !

Ahem … !!

He says, rapidly trying to get his head together … !

You see, I’ve just seen Dark Water, tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

Can I be honest … ?

I’m impressed at the audacity, I really am.

Not surprised: as the big revealed about Michelle Gomez’s character — the Mistress, the first female incarnation of The Master — had been speculated about for some time.

But impressed … and certainly wanting to see more.

I’m thinking Michelle Gomez’s version of the Master is going to be fun … !

~≈Ó≈~

Dr Who Series Eight: Episode 10 — In The Forest Of The Night

The Doctor and Clara (Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman)
 watching the world go by

25th October, 2014.

You know, I’m starting to think I’m impressed … 

No, wait, scrub that bit out: I know I’m impressed … !

Possibly even VERY impressed.   Although I’ll have to say, that MAY be overstating it.

But maybe not … 

You know, you can tell it’s Saturday night, can’t you?

And you can tell I’ve just come away from tonight’s episode of Dr Who, can’t you … ?

Yeah … 

I thought you might … 

~≈§≈~

Dr Who Series Eight: Episode 9 — Flatline: Nice!

18th October, 2014.

You know, I’m something of a science fiction fan.

In a light and frothy kind of way.

At any rate, it’s something I’ve enjoyed, over the years.

Especially Dr Who: I grew up on the series, and haven’t stopped watching it in all that time.

At times the show — both the original version, and in its new iteration — has had both its good points: and it’s bad points.

And … ?

And, like any long running science fiction show, there’s times the show concentrates on different things.

Story arcs stores, character driven episodes, what have you … 

Then, occasionally, Dr Who does something interesting.   Like Star Trek and others before it, it does a show with a premise … 

Based on science fiction. 

Yes, I know that sounds daft: emphasising that a science fiction show occasionally has science fiction elements.

But … ?

Hmmm … Let me see if I can’t explain the episode.   Once I’ve done that, I’ll see if I can’t tell You what I mean … 

~≈‡≈~

Dr Who Series Eight: Episode 8 — Mummy On The Orient Express

11th October, 2014.

Oh, now HANG on … !

I think I’ve just seen Peter Capaldi’s first episode as the Twelfth Doctor!

Hubba … hubba … HUBBA … !

Ahem … !

I’m burbling, aren’t I … ?

To the point of burbling enthusiastically … !

I better start telling you why, hadn’t I … ?

~≈‡≈~

Dr Who — Episode 7: Kill The Moon

*Spoilers!*

4th October, 2014.

Right at the moment … ?

Right at the moment, I’m still watching Kill The Moon.

Late on Saturday night, quite some time after it’s been initially screened.

Frankly … ?

Frankly, I’ve had a very nice meal, tonight: family and friend’s have celebrating my kid sister’s birthday at a local — and rather nice — Turkish restaurant, this evening.

So … ?

Right at the moment, it’s — comparatively — late: I’m going to sit down in the morning, watch Kill The Moon, again.

And let you know, then what I think.

Right at the moment … ?

I think I may have seen a cop-out ending.   But VERY impressed the episode’s overall tone.

Back in the morning, folks … 

~≈fl≈~