Dr Who Series 8: The Teaser Trailer …

OK … 

I think we can safely say it’s official.

We are nearer a broadcast date for Series 8 of Dr Who.

Or, at least, we are: going by the teaser trailer that the BBC have just released to YouTube.

It’ll be August.

When in August, it doesn’t say, but I’m guessing late August: one of the last two Saturdays, that month.

At any rate … ?

Here … 

The Time Of The Doctor: How To Tie Off Story Lines without seeming to … !

Jude watches Dr Who.

You know, it’s Christmas Day.   You’d worked that out, hadn’t you: just by the date … ?

And, yes: I’ve already spent most of the day at my family’s place.

I’ll be back again, tomorrow: there’s a certain young man who’s had quite a LOT of presents, today.   And who’s due to get more, tomorrow.

Well, Boxing Day’s Jude’s birthday: he’s either going to be sick of toy cars, or SWAMPED in them … !

~≈Ï≈~

At ANY rate, today is Christmas Day.   Presents have been exchanged — my nephew, Jude, has had quite a lot of cars, trucks and tractors* — and everybody’s managed to get themselves well and truly stuffed.

So to speak.

I’ve also managed to get myself home: with the gifts I’ve been given.   Including, I should add, a new mouse and keyboard.

Oh, and a t-shirt that says ‘Gallifrey University: Prydonian Chapter’.

You can’t be TO geeky, can you … ?

~≈Ï≈~

No, you can’t, can you … ?

Certainly not if you’re like me: a Dr Who fan, and one who’s home in time for tonight’s Dr Who Christmas special.

Matt Smith’s last episode.   Peter Capaldi’s first.

The Fall of the Eleventh, itself.

The Time Of The Doctor.

And I have to say, I was impressed with that … !

~≈Ï≈~

Set an undisclosed time after The Name Of The Doctor, The Time Of The Doctor tells us of an initially unnamed planed that’s broadcasting a signal: a signal that none of the inhabitants of the orbiting spaceships can understand, and that the Doctor is told — by the disconnected Cyberman head he nicknames ‘Handles’ — is Gallifrey.

The Doctor, of course, knows damn well that it isn’t.

Which is confirmed by two things: by the words of Tasha Lem, Mother Superior of the Church of the Papal Mainframe, who tells the Doctor that the planet is Trenzalore.

And by the fact that — in a wall of the main tower of a Trenzalorean town called Christmas — there’s a very familiar looking crack … 

~≈Ï≈~

Now … impressive … ?

Oh, lordy, yes … !

I know some fans have heap a touch of ire onto Stephen Moffat, for coming up with something of a confusing morass of plotlines.

Personally … ?   Personally I can understand a certain amount of dissatisfaction: although not the sort of behaviour I’d heard had been flung at him.

I ALSO feel that that dissatisfaction may well be a case of maybe not concentrating enough.

However, I think those fans may well have little to complain about.

If they’ve sat down, today, and watched The Time Of The Doctor, I think they — like me — would have found would have found it — and The Name Of The Doctor and The Day Of The Doctor, which form a rough trilogy with The Time Of The Doctor — I think they’d’ve found an episode that neatly ties up the loose threads, and some nice writing, wonderful acting from the cast.

Jenna Coleman, I believe, is going to go down as a classic companion: she’s certainly put in the work and given a stunner of a performance.

As has Matt Smith: who’s given something of a stonker of a performance, over the past few years.

Perfect … ?

No, The Time Of The Doctor isn’t perfect.

It IS, however, everything that we come to expect in a regeneration story: emotional, touching, demanding, and giving us both endings to stories we’ve invested time in.

AND the promise of a fresh start.

What else CAN one ask … ?

*        And had fun with both them: AND the assorted boxes they came in.   I think I’ve got a nephew fascinated by the idea of putting things in things … 

The Day Of The Doctor: Geekboy Heaven … !

23rd November, 2013: The Day of the Doctor.

You know, there’s only so much bandwidth a boy can waste: especially as the aerial junction box in the block of flats I live in is knackered.

Given that … ?

Given that, I’ve been caning the limited amount of data I have: in a VERY unhelpful way, as well.

However … ?

I’ve just come away from seeing The Day Of The Doctor, via the BBC’s iPlayer service*.

And, while I think the 50th Anniversary episode isn’t perfect … ?

It’s a DAMN impressive piece of event drama: and something we won’t see for a few more years.

~≈Ï≈~

To try and briefly summarize … ?

The Day Of The Doctor sees Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor meeting Clara: just as the TARDIS is heli-napped by UNIT and taken UNIT’s HQ under the Tower of London.

And taken to view artwork that includes orders from an old flame: Elizabeth 1st.

Seemingly … ?

Seemingly the Virgin Queen needs her husband’s help with a rather awkward Zygon problem.

She ends up with not only the Tenth Doctor — David Tennant — but with the Eleventh Doctor — Matt Smith — but also the hither-to unseen War Doctor: played by John Hurt.

The War Doctor … ?   Has been sent through time to see what his future holds, by ‘The Moment’, the Time Lords’ last great weapon: sent so that the Moment — played by Billie Piper — can show him the consequences of destroying both Timelords and Daleks will be … 

~≈Ï≈~

Now … 

Not perfect … ?

Possibly not: although I’m damned if I could put a finger on how.

The Day Of The Doctor is a very entertaining watch, and one I, as a fan, can find no fault with.

I’m VERY aware it’s going to keep fans — and hopefully general viewers — happy for years: both in the amount of geeky references, and ‘guest appearences’ from every preceding Doctor.

And a brief view from Peter Capaldi’s 12th, as well.

AND from Tom Baker, as ‘The Curator’.

Nice touch, that … !

~≈Ï≈~

It’s ALSO done something else.

In one throwaway line from a character called The General, the episode mentions that we see all thirteen Doctors.

Now, I’m wondering if that means Capaldi’s Twelfth — I’m still not sure how to count Hurt’s War Doctor — will be the last.

But I DO know this: with the re-appearence of Gallifrey, the Time Lords are back.

I believe this means things could go in all sorts of directions.

*        My family’s recording the after-party on BBC for me: when I said I’ve been caning my broadband limits, I wasn’t kidding.

Dr Who — Series 7 Part 2: The Name Of The Doctor

*Spoilers*

Oh, well, THERE’S a thing … !

I have to admit, I’m like a lot of people I’ve met, over the years: I like backing up DVDs.

What’s more, I like having a way of getting those DVDs.

And, while I’ve got tonight’s episode of Dr Who gently ripping to my hard-drive … ?   I thought I should let you know that the latest version of HandBrake.

At ANY rate … ?

At ANY rate, that’s not quite what I was going to tell you about.

No … 

I was going to tell you about … … 

The Name Of The Doctor … 

~≈†≈~

Just in case you hadn’t been sent one of the accidentally early release DVDs of the complete series 7  … ?

The Name Of The Doctor is the finale to Series 7 of the rebooted Dr Who: it sees Clara being contacted — in a telepathic conference call — by Madame Vastra, who’s also brought Jenny, Strax … 

And River Song, herself, to the do.

Seemingly, the Doctor’s greatest secret is under threat: and that his greatest secret is at the one place a time-traveller should never go.

His own tomb … 

At Trenzalore … 

And unfortunately?  The Doctor soon realises that’s the one place he has to go: in order to the Paternoster Row gang: it’s the only right and proper thing to do, as they’ve cared so well for him.

Of course they get rescued.

And of course, the Doctor’s under threat.   His tomb, a slowly sickening TARDIS, contains his entire timeline as a scar on the fabric of space time.

A scar that only one woman can enter in order to repeatedly rescue him.

~≈‡≈~

Now … 

Did I thoroughly enjoy this episode … ?

I think I can safely say “Yes”.   Now I now Steven Moffat’s had his critics, whilst in post as the shows head, over the years: although I personally feel he’s been given an unnecessarily hard time with it.

With The Name Of The Doctor, though … ?

I feel that whatever you may say about him, he’s turned in a fantastic series seven conclusion: and while he may not have suppled EVERY answers … ?

He HAS managed to give us a BARNSTORMING cliff-hanging … !

Enjoy the six month wait, folks … !

Dr Who — Series 7, Part 2: Episode Twelve — Nightmare In Silver

You know, it’s times like this that I have to ask … 

“Why Have I Never Added Warwick Davies as A Tag To A Post … ?”

Bless him, he’s been in at least a couple of other things I’ve seen since living in Rollason Way: at least one episode of Merlin, plus, of course, he was the actor who played — to Alan Rickman’s voicing — of Marvin the Paranoid Android, in the film version of The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy.

At any rate … ?

I’ve managed to correct that, today, by adding Warwick to list of actors who get a mention in my tag list.   Newcomers will find THAT at the bottom of the page … 

At any rate, you’re probably wondering why on Earth I’m burbling on about, aren’t you … ?

Well … 

I’ve just seen tonight’s episode of Dr Who: and, whilst it’s possibly not the best episode of the show, ever … ?

Neil Gaiman, in writing Nightmare In Silver for the Moffat/Smith era team, has pulled another The Doctor’s Wife, out of the hat: and helped re-define part of the series mythos.

I’d better get explaining, hadn’t I … ?

~~~~†~~~~

Following directly on from last week’s episode — The Crimson Horror — Nightmare In Silver sees the Doctor —  Matt Smith’s ever ebullient Eleventh — taking Clara — along with Angie* and Artie, the two children she’s the nanny for — to Hedgewick’s World: a world that had been the universe’s largest amusement park, until it closed.

Closed … and bought out by Mr Webley, and his sidekick, Porridge — Warwick Davies — who have an interesting line in running the few remaining waxworks.

And a Mechanical CyberTurk† … !

It’s only after our heroes have moved on, that Webley finds out that his CyberTurk … 

Isn’t as dormant as he thought, being home to the sort of woodworm that only a dead Cyberman could hold … 

~~~~†~~~~

Now, did I enjoy this … ?

You betcha … !

Now this may not be the best in series.   But Nightmare in Silver is a thoroughly enjoyable romp of a story, much like the season’s other highlight, Cold War.   One that I’m personally inclined to put on a par with this year’s Ice Warrior episode.

It’s ALSO an episoe that, additionally, adds some new twists to an old foe.

What’s more, Nightmare in Silver that the Cyber Empire’s started calling itself ‘the Cyberiad’: AND has the capacity to do Borg-like cyber-conversions of both humans and othersº.

And some stunning supporting cast, hence my mentioning Warwick Davies, earlier.

And you can’t say fairer than that, now CAN you‡ … ?

*        Eve De Leon Allen and Kassius Carey Johnson, respectively.

†        Which is possibly the nearest any of us will get to see of the original Mechanical Turk: that was exposed as a hoax in the 1820s, but was supposed to be a chess-playing clockwork robot.

‡        Hang on, CYBERMITES … ?   A detachably hand that you can send off to strangle someone … ?   A removable head … ?   How cool is THAT … !!!!!!!!!??!!!

º        I add more in my comment … 

Dr Who Series Seven Part Two — Episode 11: The Crimson Horror

Oh, now, wait, hang on … 

I think I’m going to have a Christopher Ecclestone Moment, here … 

And about tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

Hang on, altogether now …

FANTASTIC

Now … 

I suppose I’d better answers the Forest of Cheem’s question: and tell you exactly why I though tonight’s episode of Dr Who was fantastic, hadn’t I … ?

≈≈≈‡≈≈≈

Set in Yorkshire in 1893*, The Crimson Horror sees the return of the Paternoster Row Gang: Madame Vastra (Neve Macintosh), her wife, Jenny (Catrin Stewart) and their manservant, Commander Strax (Danny Starkey).

The intrepid threesome has been investigating the mysterious activities of Mrs Gillyflower and her blind daughter, Ada — played by real world mother and daughter, Diana Rigg and Rachel Stirling — who’ve set up an apparent utopian match factory in Yorkshire.

They’ve quietly become aware that all isn’t sweet in Sweetville — as the factory’s called — and head north to dig around.

When they get there … ?

The team find the place is suffering a rash of crimson covered bodies being found in the canal.

And on infiltrating Sweetville, itself … ?   Jenny finds that the monster in the attic … is an old friend …

Like we didn’t see that one coming … !

Didn't work THAT out! :) #TheCrimsonHorror
— Paul Downie (@Cuddy2977) May 4, 2013

≈≈≈‡≈≈≈

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, I personally believe The Crimson Horror to be something of a … 

Well … ‘return to form’ isn’t the phrase, I think.

Instead, I’ll call The Crimson Horror the series seven highpoint to date: it revisits established — and popular — recurring characters, has a romp of a fantastic plot and some cracking dialogue: complete with a now obligatory Strax moment.

Personally … ?

Well, personally, if you missed this one, tonight, you  missed a blinder … !

Until this sort of time, next week, that is … !

Enjoy the rest of the night, folks … !

*        And written by Mark Gatiss: he’s been collaborating with Steven Moffat on Sherlock and has something of a taste — as his BBC documentaries about horror movies show — for the Grand Guignol: even if he’s not quite as blood-soaked as a certain Mr Holmes … 

Dr Who Series Seven Part Two — Episode 10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS

Hmmm … 

You know, I think you can possibly tell something about a given episode of the new series of Dr Who.

Or, I can, at least.

The paste couple of episodes — Cold War and Hide — are episodes I’ve found compelling enough to almost immediately re-watch, once I’d recorded them.

I don’t know if it says anything about album I’m listening to — the soundtrack album to the rather good Small Town Murder Songs, which is well worth a listen — or the episode itself, but the album’s rather good.

And making for a rather good background music selection, whilst I’m writing.

~≈~≈~

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, I started this with the intention of telling you about tonight’s episode of Dr Who: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS.

Hmmm … Let me try and summarize, shall I … ?

Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS opens with the Doctor offering to show Clara how to fly the TARDIS, having gotten a touch crabby about her “She Doesn’t Like Me” comments.

Of course things go slightly askew when the ship is grabbed by the tractor beam from a passing salvage ship: crewed by Gregor, Bram and Tricky Van Baalen — Ashley Walters, Mark Oliver and Jahvel Hall, respectively — a trio of very likely lads, after the huge pile of cash they believe the TARDIS represents.

There’s problems, of course.

Not least of which is what happens when the Doctor realises Clara’s trapped … !

And that’s only at the START: there’s more.   But I think I’ll those of you haven’t seen it find that out for yourselves … 

~≈~≈~

Now … ?

Was I impressed … ?

Hmmm … 

Since the rebooted Dr Who started backed in 2005, the production values has generally gone up enormously, compared to the original series.

In that sense, Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS is very much on par with the rest of the series.

On a personal note, I couldn’t help but think that the episode is something of a retread of Classic Who’s slightly less imaginative moments: finding that, if all else fails, running down HORDES of endless corridors will do.

Saying that … ?

Saying that, I’m can’t be to critical: it did confirm a long held fan idea that said the Eye Of Harmony is an integral part of a TARDIS, and goes a long way to powering it.

Whilst simultaneously making a mild mockery of the fact that that ship had to stop — in Boom Town and Utopia — to refuel.

You’ve gotta love a continuity hole, haven’t you … ?

~≈~≈~

At any rate … ?   Hmmm … 

I have to admit, I wasn’t greatly stunned by Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS.

But I greatly suspect it may grow on me, over time.

If for no other reason than the teaser it’s given us for next week … !

Dr Who — Series 7 Part 2: Episode 9 Hide

20th April, 2013.

The 11th Doctor

Jenna Louise Coleman as Clara

Dougray Scott as Alec Palmer

Jessica Raine as Emma Grayling

You know, I have to say: I’m doing it again.

Re-watching this week’s episode of Dr Who — episode 9, if you hadn’t guessed, called Hide — just so I can get the feel of the episode soaked into my skin.

Part 2 of series seven is proving quite compelling, I feel.   Although I’m happy to admit I could well be wrong … 

After all, while I loved last week’s episode — Cold War — I don’t know if I’m as impressed with this … 

Hmmm … 

I’m making something of a pig’s dinner of this, aren’t I … ?

Let’s see if I can’t correct that … 

}}†{{

21st April, 2013

Hide’s pre-title teaser shows us Dougray Scott and Jessica Raine as Alec Palmer and Emma Grayling, a pair of ghost hunters investigating Caliburn House: with Alec as providing both the house — he owns it — and the technical jiggery pokery, and Emma being the empath who effectively summons the gast.

Which turns up, of course.

Turns up, leaving Emma drained, Alec shocked … 

And in something of a state when the Doctor and Clara arrive, claiming to be ghost-busting staff from the Ministry.

Cue the opening music … 

}}†{{

21st April, 2013.

Now, I’ll be frank, here, I enjoyed last night’s story, I really did.

But I’m ALSO thinking it’s somewhat on a par with The Rings Of Akhetan: rather than Cold War.

Saying that, where I feel Hide scores is in several respect is in having some great scenes between it’s principles: telling us more of their stories.

Including this scene between Matt Smith’s Doctor, and Dougray Scott’s Alec* … 

And this, between the Doctor and Jenna-Louise Cole’s Clara … 

All told … ?

All told, I think those character set pieces — and the ‘I Don’t Think She Likes Me’ comments from Clara — are what saved this from being a fairly flat — but interesting — episode.

Hmmm … 

I think we’ll have to see how next week’s episode goes …

*        Just as a footnote … ?   The Wikipedia entry for Hide informs us that the North Atlantic reference in that scene as a nod to Jon Pertwee: his naval service during the war was doing exactly that.   Saying that … ?   I originally felt it was a nod to Dougray Scott, himself: after all, his appearance as Tom Jericho, in Enigma, was as a codebreaker helping those convoys.

Dr Who — Series 7 Part 2: Episode 8 Cold War

*Spoilers*

Oh, wait, hang on … 

NOW I’m impressed … !

I’ve got to admit, I’ve just watched tonight’s episode of Doctor Who.

And … ?

Well, as I think I’ve already said, I’m impressed.

««·»»

Series 7’s eighth episode — Cold War — sees the Doctor and Clara arriving in a sinking Soviet era submarine — commanded by Liam Cunningham as Captain Zhukov — as it patrols in the Arctic Ocean, in 1983.

Patrols … 

Drills itself in the use of the nuclear torpedoes that it carries.

And prepares to take home the suspected mammoth encased in ice that the sub’s found on its exploration of the Northern wastes of Earth.

Please notice I say suspected mammoth.   Professor Grishenko, played by David Warner, is right to have doubts about his find:  it’s  a five thousand year old Ice Warrior — Grand Martial Skaldak, played by Spencer Wilding and voiced by Nicholas Briggs — that’s encased in polar ice.

Hmm … 

Is it me … ?

Or were all of us expecting the silly bugger with the blow-touch to get going … ?

««·»»

At any rate, I have to admit, Cold War was a fantastic little episode.

It reintroduces us to the Ice Warriors, Dr Who’s take on Martians, both updating the look of the much loved reptiles, and giving us some reasoning behind their look.

And — in a first for Dr Who — shows us what’s under the helmet.

Nasty, huh … ?

But — for a rampant fanboi, like myself — something of a pleasure to see.

And something that’s adds to the pleasure of watching this complete joyride of an episode.

Cold Warº … ?

Waa … HEY!

º        All three clips are © 2013 of BBC Worldwide: I believe their use to be Fair Dealing, under Sections 29 and 30 — criticism and review — of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.   However, clips can and will be taken down, upon request.

Dr Who: Series 7 Part 2 — Episode 7 The Rings Of Akhaten

Merry

 Hmmm … 

It has to be said, I’m having a gentle case of mixed feelings, tonight: I really am … 

Mild disappointment … 

Along with a quiet sense of impressedness: that’s assuming you and I both understand what I mean by impressedness, I know it’s giving my spell-checker a case of the dottéd red lines.

At least, I hope you know what I mean, anyway.

At The Door

Grandfather

 At any rate — and as you’ve possibly guessed from the title — I’ve just finished watching tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

Hence the mixed feelings.

I’m thinking it’s a fantastically crafted episode.

And possibly one’s that’s hit a formula … 

I’ll go Hmmm, again, and see if I can’t tell you what I mean.

~~≈≈~~

The Doctor and the God

The Rings Of Akhaten sees the Doctor challenging Clara to think of somewhere she can be taken.

With Clara simply telling him to take her ‘somewhere awesome’.

Ending up the Rings of Akhaten of the episode’s title: a series of rings — some of which are inhabited — around a star.   And one that shares an orbit with an asteroid based pyramid housing a being the locals believe is a mummified god: one that has to be appease by having things offered to it, once every few years.

And one that needs to be constantly be song to, to guarantee it never awakens.

You can practically see the plot-line waiting to happen, can’t you … ?

~~≈≈~~

At ANY rate … ?   At any rate, is a great little episode: and a nicely written one, from Dr Who newcomer, Neil Cross.

Where I think I’m a touch disappointed, is in the simple fact that — as good as the episode is, and as muych as it contributes to the ongoing development of Clara Oswald — I personally found it to be a touch formulaic.

OK, granted, it fits nicely with the series under Russell T. Davies: which is what makes it something of a backwards step, for me.

It hasn’t — yet — contributed to anything to the as yet unanswered questions that the Moffat years have contributed to the show.

THAT’S where I’m disappointed.

Hmmm … 

Let’s see what happens next week, shall we … ?

Dr Who: Series 7 Part 2 — Episode 6 The Bells Of Saint John

Trapped

The Bells Of Saint John

 *Spoilers*

Oh … 

So that’s what the title means … !

I have to admit, I’ve just been watching today’s episode of Dr Who — episode 6 of the seventh series, The Bells Of Saint John — and I’m reaching for my Thesaurus for a synonym for impressed.

Although maybe that’s not quite the right word word, there.

Actually, neither’s embossed, one of the other options my thesaurus is offering … but that’s possibly a whole other post.

At any rate, I’ve just seen The Bells Of Saint John: and I liked it … !

~~≈≈~~

But let me try to summarize what I’ve seen, tonight.

The Bells Of Saint John picks up some time after the events of The Snowmen and Asylum of the Daleks: and shows us an eleventh Doctor who’s quietly gone into retreat in a thirteenth century Cumbrian monastery: where he’s been nickname ‘the mad monk’ by his fellows.

Until one day … ?

His brother monks alert him to to the fact that the bells of the title are ringing.   The bell in question … ?   Being the ringer of the otherwise nonfunctional phone in the door of the TARDIS*.

The woman phoning … ?

Is the modern world version of the women the Doctor’s been grieving for: Clara Oswald.

Clara’s having trouble with her wi-fi connectionº.   As are quite a few other people in London.

Seemingly, and as we’re told by an unnamed trapped member of the public in the pre-title teaser, people’s souls are being kidnapped, over the Wifi signal that pervades the UK.

~~≈≈~~

Now … ?

Was I impressed … ?

You know, I have no idea: I do know my thesaurus — at least the rather fine one that comes with Snow Leopard — isn’t given me any help.

At any rate … ?   I’ve got to admit to having thoroughly enjoyed The Bells Of Saint John.   OK, granted, it wasn’t perfect.

But I think tha Steven Moffat, as head writer and show-runner has finally hit his stride: not only has he and the crew given us a perfect bit of rebooting to this half of season seven — certainly on a par with Partners In Crime, the season four opener, and another nice romp of an entertaining episode — it’s ALSO given us a surprise — possibly — re-appearance of the Great Intelligence: voiced this time by Richard E. Grant and the villain behind the piece.

I’m just hoping that’ll be a theme for the rest of the season.

The Woman Twice Dead

 ≈≈~~≈≈

The Woman Twice Dead … Again

There Is No Spoon … 

The Doctor And Clara

 Moving on, slightly, here … ?

And more of a PS to the main post … ?

The BBC have officially announced that both David Tennant and Billie Piper are to reprise their roles — as the Tenth Doctor and Rose, respectively — for the fiftieth anniversary special, later this year.

Quite how that’ll turn out, I’m not sure: although I must admit to a touch of disappointment.

After all, multiple doctor stories have been done before … 

Still … Here’s hoping … !

*        The MacKenzie Trench designed Metropolitan Police boxes that the TARDIS prop is modelled on have a Saint Johns Ambulance logo on them: I’m not sure, but I believe that means the first aid box in the thing were supplied by — or met the standards of — the Saint John Ambulance brigade.   You can see how a monk could get confused … 

º        Couldn’t you just STRANGLED BT … … ?