The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe: The 2011 Christmas Special

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 25 December 2011 20:32:00)

You know, I’ve got to confess, I’m a thinking I’ve had a rather good Christmas, on the whole.

Generally speaking, that is …

After all, I’ve ended up with loot: of gifts appropriate to the season, I should say.

And what’s more … ?

My nephew, Jude — who’s 1 year old, tomorrow — was decidedly impressed with the toy mobile phone I’d got him as a combined birthday and Christmas present.

Oh, and happy distracted by one of the labels from one of his other presents, I should add.

Always the way, isn’t it … ?

And what’s more … ?

I’m also thinking I’ve seen a very good Christmas special of Dr Who.

Hmmm …

And that’s an impressed, “Hmmm”, I think I should add.

««·»»

The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe sees Matt Smith’s 11th Doctor being rescued from the hole he’s in — or impact crater, I should say — by Marge Arwell: who, played by Claire Skinner, is the Widow of the title, after her husband is killed during WW2.

And fortunately or otherwise … ?

Marge decides to take herself and her children to relatives in Dorset: where she plans to spend the Christmas season trying to give her children some measure of happiness, before she breaks the terrible news to them of their father’s death.

A plan that only goes slightly astray, when the family meets the old manor-house’s new caretaker …

««·»»

Now, I told you I was impressed …

Oh, yes, that I am!

I know that series six had it’s spotty patches — being shown in two parts definitely being a contributing factor, there — but I also believe that an on-form Steven Moffat is certainly equal of the best the show has ever been.

Granted, I feel he’s not the outright genius Russell T. Davies was and is with co-ordinating a story-arc: I’m thinking he’s possibly finding it work.

But it seems to me that his major strength is in individual stories.

(Which is QUITE a list, however one looks at it.)

And — with it’s time travelling, inter-dimensional slant on both The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and The Railway Children — The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe … ?

Is one hell of a story.

Dr Who Episode 13: The Wedding of River Song

Wow …

I’m …

Oh, to heck with it: I know Grub’s going to complain.

But I am decidedly impressed.

Although with a … reservation … or two, maybe.

Actually, maybe not …

»»·««

Hmm …

You can’t tell I’m tired, can you … ?

Or burbling …

I’ve an excuse, though: I’ve actually been to both my kid sister, Ruth’s birthday, this afternoon, along with the rest of my family!

»»•««

2/10/2011

Which is sort of why I’m actually finishing this post off, today, rather than last night.

I couldn’t actually stay awake, much longer, I know that much … !

But let’s move on, and talk about last night’s Dr Who, shall we … ?

»»•««

Series Six finale, The Wedding of River Song, starts 5:02pm on 22nd April, 2011.

In a version of the universe that has been frozen.

In a way that sees Holy Roman Emperor Winston Churchill forcing his Soothsayer — a version of The Doctor that’s he’s imprisoned in the Tower — quizzing the Dr on what’s happened.

And being told that time has been frozen …

By a woman …

»»•««

Now, Grub, bless him, will probably tell you I’m impressed.

Well, possibly impressed, debatably gobsmacked, and possibly possessed of a side order of awe.

He’d possibly be right … Or wrong … Or something …

On the level of last night’s episode … ?

He does have a point: I thoroughly enjoyed The Wedding of River Song, and found it a satisfying conclusion to a puzzling story-arc.

Saying that … ?

Saying that, I’ve got to admit, I feel disappointed by a few things, this series.

I think the main thing to get off my chest … ?

Is the obvious and simple one.

The the fact that series six came in two halves.

Now, I don’t know about you, but after some 5 years of new Dr Who, I’ve kind of got used to a thirteen week run.

This half and half mix … ? Was something I personally found a touch irritating, even though I’m very aware that it’s probably been done to line up series 8 — or whatever they decide to number it — so that it starts — or finishes, more likely — on Saturday, 23rd November, 2013.

And to get next years series around the VERY large hump that’s the BBC’s coverage of the London 2012 Olympics.

Given the amount of talk about whether next years series is to be a full thirteen episodes … ?

Well …

I’m not sure if the two halves we’ve seen, this year, bode well.

»»•««

Dr Who Episode 12: Closing Time

(Originally posted on 24 September 2011 20:10:00, on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar)

Hmmm …

I might even go as far as Hmmmmmm …

Although don’t tell Grub I actually said so, please … !

You see …

I’m actually not impressed with tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

Hmmm …

Maybe that’s not the right phrase, there.

But I’m fairly sure that episode 12 — Closing Time — is going to go down in history as something of a lightweight.

At any rate …

Closing Time sees the Doctor — without Amy and Rory — paying a visit to his old friend — and former landlord — Craig — Daniel Corden, reprising his role from last years The Lodger — just when a series of strange power cuts start hitting both Craig’s home town: focused on a nearby department store called S & Gs.

Those cuts … ? Along with the associated disappearances … ? Are all tied in with the Cybership that’s stuck under the department store: and using tunnels and it’s one remaining cybermat to drain electrical energy to rebuild the crew.

»»—««

Now …

I was saying about unimpressed … ?

Yes, I think that’s DEFINITELY the case, here, with Closing Time.

And here’s WHY, though …

You, for this sixth series, Moffat and co have — as you’ve probably already noticed — been running that Silence Will Fall/Impossible Astronaut story line.

And what I’m thinking, here, is that, while each individual story is good, as is the overarching story, I don’t think they’ve been as sewn together as well as one could possibly have thought.

I can’t complain too much: I doubt VERY much if I could do as well. I’m also thinking that this is new territory to Steven Moffat. AND to the show, itself: after all, that through-story has only been done — to my knowledge — only twice before, with The Key To Time and The Trial of a Timelord.

And I’m also aware — from various sources — that the main cast have been booked up for series 7.

So, as disappointing as I may have found Closing Time — an episode struggling to both enough time to it’s story AND to the story-arc* — I’m ALSO aware that Moffat and co are doing something fairly radical for Dr Who.

Introducing a story arc: one I think’s certainly going to last until next year.

Here’s hoping it pays off.

After all, what with one thing and another, it seems that a fairly significant date in 2013 …

Is going to be a Saturday.

* To borrow an old phrase from Terry Pratchett, it’s too short for Richard and too long for Dick.

Dr Who Episode 11: The God Complex

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, 17 September 2011 20:07:00)

Oh, now, wait a minute, HANG ON!

I’m SOOOOOO jealous!

Toby Whithouse is officially a jammy what’sit!

Not only has he writing a stinker of an episode of Dr Who — the instalment shown tonight, episode 11, The God Complex — but him and his two children got a tour of the Dr Who props department!

I mean, talk about your WOW factor!

Really … !

Hang on, deep breath …

Now …

Let me see if I can’t relax just a touch, and not overdo the exclamation marks, shall we … ?

Yes, lets … !

~≈§≈~

Tonight’s episode — episode 11, as I’ve said — is called The God Complex, and was penned by Toby Whithouse, the man behind smash BBC 3 hit, Being Human.

It sees the Doctor, Amy and Rory finding themselves in what turns out to be a fake hotel.

A fake 1980s era, Earth hotel.

A fake 1980s era, Earth hotel that has no way out, corridors that double-back on themselves, a handful of other guests, rooms that have individually crafted nightmares for all comers …

And something large, hairy and unpleasant, that seems to be feeding on the fear generated by the things in each of the rooms.

~≈§≈~

Dr Who Episode 10: The Girl Who Waited

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar on 10 September 2011 20:11:00.)

Grub … ?

Were you impressed … ?

I was impressed … !

Seriously … !

I’m in enthusiastic burble mode.

You can tell, can’t you … ?

Ooooh, hang on, the Focus Puller … !

Yes …

I’m definitely burbling, aren’t … !

Right, hang on …

Cup of tea, deep breath …

And let me tell you about tonight’s episode of Dr Who … !

‹‹•››

Episode 10, The Girl Who Waited sees the Dr, Amy and Rory heading off for the resort world of Apalapucia: which the Dr happily claim’s is a lot less touristy than the universe’s best resort.

The trouble is, of course … ?

The one thing you EXPECT to be a problem on ANY foreign trip, really.

Getting caught up in Quarantine, on the way through.

Seemingly … ?

One will affect both the Doctor, and the natives, and kill either within a day.

The unfortunate thing … ?

Is that while the Doctor manages to get he and Rory back to the TARDIS, Amy is caught up in a mildly parallel time stream, initially designed to isolate infected visitors.

Notice I say mildly parallel … ?

Mildly parallel …

And slightly faster.

With the net result that Amy is left stranded for thirty-six years, being chased by the robots, the Hand-Bots.

‹‹•››

Now …

I’ll be frank, again, I don’t know if you actually caught The Girl Who Waited, tonight, but if you didn’t … ?

If you didn’t, I personally believe you’ve missed a cracker of an episode!

For starters, Karen Gillan’s performance, as both the older and younger Amy was amazing.

Yes, I know: and I’m honest enough to admit 5’11” of cute redhead’s very hard to ignore … !

But there’s a scene where ‘our’ Amy is interacting with her older self, through a magnifying glass that’s a joy to watch.

I’ll let you catch that for yourself.

But if you’ve missed tonight’s four-handed episode?

Well …

You’ve missed a treat … !

Dr Who Episode 9: Night Terrors

(Originally Posted on Nik Nak And Grub’s Who Peculiar, on 3 September 2011 19:59:00)

You know, I’ve GOT to confess …

I’m impressed.

Rather definitely!

Impressed is the word … !

Although LORD know’s what Grub — and more importantly his daughter — will make of tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

You see …

I’m thinking I’ve not necessarily seen the best episode of the entire new series of Dr Who: but am personally convinced I’ve seen the best episode of series 6.

And considering I thought the two part Rebel Flesh/Almost People was the prize winning pairing of the season, that’s saying something … !

Night Terrors — written by Mark Gatiss and directed by Richard Clark — sees the Doctor, Amy and Rory summoned to Earth by telepathic cries for help from a very scared little boy called George, on an unnamed housing estate, somewhere in England.

A little boy who is both not entirely what he seems.

And one who’s incredibly scared “… of the monsters” …

Seemingly … ?

George had got something nasty in the wardrobe.

Which sounds ambiguous, I know …

Until we find that George, unbeknownst to his parents, is something of a benevolent cuckoo child: a member of a species called the Tenza, whose mild telepathic ability are causing havoc in the flat where he lives.

Havoc that includes trapping his father, and the Doctor and his crew, in a dolls house in the bottom of the wardrobe.

»»·««

Now …

About impressed … ?

Yes, I am, actually …

You see, I’ve been loving the feel of this series, over all.

But HAVE to admit that the overall story arc — about River/Melody and whoever it is that she kills — is …

Well, isn’t boring: it’s entertaining and wonderful to watch.

But Night Terrors … ?

DOES mark a nice break, a nice little change of pace.

AND a nice little episode in and of itself …

AND adds what I think are one of the three creepiest monsters I’ve seen in new Dr Who.

Dr Who Series Six Continues. Episode 8: Let's Kill Hitler.

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar on 27 August 2011 20:12:00.)

You know …

I’m going to be frank, here.

I’m really not sure if I’m impressed or not …

You see, I’ve just seen Let’s Kill Hitler: the series six mid-season opening, that kicks off part two of series six of Dr Who.

In point of fact, I’m still actually umming and ah’ing about it …

Hmmm …

Let me try and summarise, shall I … ?

You see, Let’s Kill Hitler follows on some time after When A Good Man Goes To War: and sees Amy and Rory — complete with Amy’s apparent childhood friend, Mels* — rejoining the Dr in an attempt to find Amy and Rory’s daughter, Melody.

There’s a twist, obviously.

It turns out, of course, that Mels … ?

Is actually Melody: and, as a result of crash landing in 1938 Berlin — in Hitler’s office, of all places — regenerates into the Alex Kingston version of Melody.

After having been brought up by her parents, and having received an (unscreened) brainwashing, to force her to kill the Doctor.

There’s other things, here, too, that add to the series six story arc: the fact that River has been brainwashed to kill the Dr — hinted at in When A Good Man Goes To War — is confirmed here, and we’re given more information about The Silence.

»»·««

Now, when I say ‘I’m really not sure if I’m impressed or not’ … ?

I’ll be honest, I think I’m not.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve actually enjoyed Let’s Kill Hitler, tonight.

Steven Moffat is, after all, a very accomplished writer, who‘s alway’s had a beautiful way with dialogue and character, and writing for an established group of characters.

But … ?

As entertaining as I found tonight’s episode, I also can’t help but feel … hmm …

Not let down, per se, but … hmmm … rushed.

Yes, rushed is exactly the word, here: or possibly hurried.

You see, I don’t think we got to see enough of the Mels version of River Song: or of the intervening years since her kidnapping by Madame Kovarian.

And on top of that … ?

There’s the whole matter of the Teselecta: the robot vehicle with a crew from an unnamed culture’s Ministry of Justice, that finds criminals, so it can ‘gives them hell’ that I think I’d’ve appreciated knowing a little more about. I mean, APART from the fact it’s shape changing ability is REALLY bloody cool … !

There’s a whole intervening lot of back-story that I think we’ve been done out of, here: and back-story, at that, that I think I would’ve appreciated knowing about.

I’m entertained by Let's Kill Hitler.

But I think I want to see the rest of series 6, so I can put it in some form of perspective.

I’ll leave that there, shall I … ?

* Nicely played by Nina Toussaint-White, I should add: someone who I’d’ve appreciated seeing more of. (And why oh WHY do I hear assorted female friends of mine saying “Yeah, of COURSE you would!”? Honestly … !)

Dr Who Episode 7: A Good Man Goes To War.

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar on 4 June 2011 19:34:00)

*Spoilers*

Yes, I know that’s the USUAL spoilers warning I put up.

Mostly for Debbi and Sean’s benefit, I should add, here.

But also because I know that’s Grub’s busy tonight.

Because … ?

Because I’m going to sit here, quite frankly, and say something I usually wouldn’t.

Oh.

My.

Gods!

No, seriously … !

I’ve just come away bloody impressed.

Tonight’s episode of Dr Who — episode seven of this series, A Good Man Goes to War — sees the Doctor recruiting a very ad-hoc group of people — including Madame Vastra, a Silurian soldier stranded in Victorian Britain, and Commander Strax*, a Sontaran being punished for his battalion’s dishonour by being a nurse and Dorium, the black market trader seen in various episodes over the past few years — to rescue Amy and Baby Melody from the clutches of the villainous Madame Kovarian: the eyepatch wearing woman who’s been appearing in glimpses for the past six weeks.

Rory’s not left out, either.

His job … ?

Is to get the information on Amy and Melody’s whereabouts from — of all possible people — the Twelfth Cyber Legion.

Hell of an introduction to an episode, that was … !

»»•««

Actually … ? It’s a HELL of an episode … !

After the revelations, last week, that Amy is pregnant, all the way to this week’s big reveal — that Melody grows up to be River Song?

Actually …

I’ve got to admit, somehow wasn’t THAT surprising, in the end.

What WAS good, though … ?

Was the WAY this episode, and the big River Revelation, was done!

Now I don’t know what Grub will tell you, when he does post about tonight’s episode, but personally … ?

Personally, I loved it.

You see, the word I’m thinking here — or possibly name I’m thinking — is Banks.

As in Iain M. Banks … ?

Now that could well be the simple fact that Steven Moffat’s a Scotsman: and I’m picking up a common cultural theme.

None the less … ?

I happen to think it’s both there, and in the Virgin New Adventures.

And nothing but good for the show.

It’s produced both some fantastic lines, great little stories — mostly — and wrung some good performances out of the castª.

The big problem I do have, though … ?

Is that we have to wait until September to find out what happens next.

Frustrating, isn’t it … ?

* Strax got some of the best lines, I swear … ! “I can produce MAGNIFICENT quantities of lactic fluid!”. Not everyday you expect to hear THAT line from what is — lets be blunt — a bloke!

Dr Who Episode 6: The Almost People

(Originally posted on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar on 28 May 2011 19:47:00)

*Spoilers*

Oh, now, hang ON … !

I’m in mildly stunned mode … !

And putting up a spoilers note, as well … !

Because … ?

Well, I don’t know about Grub …

But I know I’ve a couple of fellow fans — Debbi Mack, herself, and old friend and gamer, Sean — who’d probably appreciate me mentioning that: as it‘s Memorial Day, over in the States, BBC America’s not actually showing tonight’s episode of Dr Who until June 4th. Next week, in other words.

There’s hoping they manage to keep River Song in mind, reading this … !

»»•««

Now …

How DO I try and tell you about The Almost People … ?

Good Gods … !

The Almost People follows on from, directly, from last week’s The Rebel Flesh, by showing us the Ganger version of the Dr struggling to deal with eleven lifetimes, over nine hundred years.

And ALSO shows us the Ganger version of the factory’s crew — lead by Jenny — finally deciding that they must start waging war.

But there’s twists …

Rory is seemingly half in love with Jennifer, the (seemingly) most sympathetic of the Gangers and the one who is determined to lead the fight against the humans.

After all … ?

As it turns out, Ganger Jennifer’s been the most directly rattled by one simple fact …

That the question her and the rest of the gangers have in mind and in they’re eyes, as they’re decommissioned: “Why”.

There’s ALSO the fact that she’s already found over versions of her Ganger self, lying dead in various parts of the factory.

Think I’d be rattled by that … … … …

»»•««

There’s a WORLD of other things going on, here.

Lordy, isn’t there ever … ?

But what stunned me, even if it didn’t TOTALLY surprise me … ?

Was the ending …

Now, I know my US readers have’t necessarily seen episode six, as yet, but the ending that shows us Amy’s is a Ganger … ? And pregnant … ?

Raises a lot of question.

Like these …

How the hell did Ganger Amy get on board … ?

How did Rory not notice … ?

Who’s child is that baby … ?

Actually … ? That latter question’s the big one.

After all, the BBC posted up a prequel for the following week’s episode, which DOES throw doubt on Rory being the father …

»»•««

Now, I am going to be frank, here, if I may … ?

I was very impressed with The Almost People.

You could tell, couldn’t you … ?

Or possibly not, depending on how coherent you think I’ve been. (Yes, THANK you, Grub, I can see the funny comment’s from here … !)

I know that in last weeks episode of Dr Who Confidential Steven Moffat was saying he felt this episode was very Troughtonesque.

Hmmm …

Not so sure about that …

I’m actually thinking, here, that the Moffat era Dr Who is more a combination of Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee.

Mixed with some of the darker bits of Robert Holmes’ work for the show Talons of Weng Chiang springs to mind.

And I’m also smelling a vague hint of a certain Mr Iain Banks.

Or Iain M. Banks, I should add.

Personally … ?

I like that …

Although … ?

Let’s just say I think Ill be getting a GOOD counter argument, from somewhere … !

Dr Who Episode 5: The Rebel Flesh

You know, I’ve left this a little late …

But … ?

But I think I‘m very, very impressed with last night’s episode of Dr Who, the first of a two part adventure, called The Rebel Flesh.

Seriously impressed, right from the get go … !

Literally …

The Rebel Flesh shows us a small factory-base in a ruined monastery in the 22rd century, mining for a rare, useful but dangerously strong acid: a place where the Doctor and company end up, after what’s called a solar tsunami, a rather strong solar flare.

What they find out about the place has the our heroes somewhat concerned …

As the factory staff are remarkably blasé about the tools they use to safely mine the acid: a genetically manipulable substance they call ‘the Flesh’, that they use to produce duplicates of themselves that are controlled from what they call harnesses.

If you’ve seen Avatar, you’d kind of get the idea …

The problem’s start when the second solar wave hits the factory.

One that hits when the gangers — the factory worker’s duplicates — are out and loose.

They start to take on a life of they’re own …

»»•««

Now, I’m going to happily admit, I’m BLOODY impressed with this episode, as I think I’ve already said …

Don’t forget, me and most of my friends grew up in the 1970s: back when Tom Baker and Jon Pertwee were in post, and — especially in the early Tom Baker years — some of the more gruesome episodes were screened.

And I’ve got to admit, The Rebel Flesh had me thinking of those days: Talons of Weng-Chiang and The Deadly Asassin in particular.

As was The Robots Of Death …

From where I’m sitting, though … ?

They didn’t QUITE have as many character driven scenes as these.

Reminiscent as there are, in tone … ?

I DO know that the Moffat era team has managed to introduce a nice little mix, that’s both looks to and works with the show’s history.

AND manages to made a nod to now, with it’s references to genetic manipulation.

Now, while I know an old friend of mine, Graham, has concerns that the current Moffat lead slant on the show isn’t as family friendly as the Davies/Tennent years. And that some will have issues about a scene where the base commander, Miranda, shots a human crew member.

Personally …

I’m loving that darkness …

And can’t WAIT ’til next week … !

»»•««

Dr Who: The Woman Who Watches …

You know, that’s something I know I’ll happily confess to.

Now, you’ve probably realised I’m a Dr Who fan, hadn’t you … ?

You should’ve done, by now …

But, at any rate, I’ve been happily watching Series 6 of the revived series, and happily enjoying it.

After all, Moffat and company has managed to grab me with a suitably dark mix of scripting, acting and production that’s kept me glued.

Granted, I’ve felt The Curse of the Black Spot has been the weakest of the episodes, so far.

But that’s a result, I think, of it being somewhat lighter in tone than episodes one, two and four.

Rather than through any kind of lack of effort.

»»•««

But in a bizarre sort of way, it’s The Curse of the Black Spot I wanted to write about.

Well …

That …

And episode 2, The Day Of the Moon, that I’m thinking of writing about.

You see, in both episodes, Amy has something of a strange thing happen.

In The Day of The Moon, Amy is exploring an orphanage: just before going through the door leading to the little girl at the centre of the episode, this happens …

And in The Curse of the Black Spot, she and Rory are trying to get some sleep, when the same woman with the eyepatch crops up in the wall, again …

Hmmm …

Now, of course, there’s questions.

Probably several, in point of fact.

My first one … ?

Was whether anyone else has noticed something I have.

The clip I called ‘Watcher’ is in episode 2, just as Amy goes through the door …

But it seems to me that Eyepatch Lady is talking about events in The Curse of the Black Spot.

And in her appearance in Curse, seems to be talking about Moon …

If you see what I mean … ?

That’s not the first ones that sprang to mind, though.

That’s just ones I’d felt, seeing the episodes back to back.

What seems obvious to me, is that Eyepatch Lady is watching Amy. For whatever reason.

And isn’t necessarily watching in the same order we and Amy are watching her.

That’s not too surprising, given Moffat’s penchant for plot lines that twist through time like tunnels in anthills.

The one thing I do know my first questions was “Who was She … ?”

That’s one of the obvious questions.

Who is she … ?

Why is she watching Amy … ?

What happened to her right eye … ?

Is she anything to do with the Corsair, mentioned in The Doctor’s Wife … ?

And I have to admit, I don’t know … !

That’s a hell of a motivation to keep watching … !