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.
You know, it’s got to be said, current Dr Who show-runner, Steven Moffat, is going down like Marmite on toast.
Fans either love him, or hate him: and if it’s the latter, tend to behave very badly.
That’s why he felt compelled, a few weeks ago, to leave Twitter: from the talk going around, he’d left due to some seriously nasty comments he was getting from some quarters.
Some, downright threatening.
Personally … ?
Personally, I know Mr M has his bad days —Asylum of the Daleks was good, but not necessarily his most stunning moment — and good days.
I’m happy to cut the man some slack.
Mostly because, when Steven Moffat’s good days turn up, they make you remember why you fell in love with his take on the show.
The Angels Take Manhattan sees the Dr Amy and Rory in 21st century New York, enjoying some much needed down time.
When Rory — suddenly — goes missing whilst try to find some of New York’s finest coffee.
Of course, what we realise … ? Is that Rory’s actually been found by baby Weeping Angels. And, as part of the Angels usual feeding routine, sent back in time.
It’s only when the Doctor, Amy and River — who’s been in 1938 New York, disguised as private eye, Melody Malone — get back to 1938, they realise that the Weeping Angels have turned an office block in New York — the Winter Quay building — in to a farm.
And it’s only then that Amy and Rory realise quite what they have to do, to wipe out the threat from the Angels.
~~~~~
Now …
I was saying about better days … ?
Lord, yes. I’m thinking The Angels Take Manhattan is definitely one of those: for both Steven Moffat and the series regulars
Indeed, I believe this to be an all-round triumph for them all.
Now, I know I’ve possibly annoyed some people: that’s their issue, I think.
But being frank, here, I believe Moffat’s turn in a steamingly good episode.
I’ll let you tell me if you think otherwise: and leave you with this …
Oh, and just so you know what’s on between now and Christmas …
Ostensibly — and going by a Tweet from his wife, Sue Vertue — due to the amount of distraction on the site.
For all asking @stevenmoffat is well and currently having a family lunch but he's got a huge amount on and twitter was proving a distraction
— sue vertue (@suevertue) September 9, 2012
Saying that, some of the talk I’ve seen on both FB and Twitter … ? Says he was getting a lot of hate tweets.
For whatever reason, though … ?
Steven Moffat being off Twitter’s unfortunate: I don’t know about you, but I like getting the proverbial ‘straight poop’ about my favourite TV shows: and following those shows creator on Twitter enable’s me to get some.
I’m ALSO thinking it’s a shame that some of my fellow fans think bullying is an acceptable way of expressing any grievance they may have about his handling of the show.
Let’s get moving on, shall we?
Before I get annoyed …
~~~~~
Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* admitting she thoroughly enjoyed yesterday’s Spike Milligan clip, AND this week’s episode of Dr Who … AND bagging 6 out of 6.
Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …
Q1)According to the WHO, 10th September, 2012, is World what Prevention Day … ?
Q2)10th September, 1932, saw the IND line go into operation: this was the third line in which city’s Tube system … ?
Q3)10th September, 1823, saw who named as President of Peru … ?
Q4)10th September, 1988, saw TV presenters Mike Smith and Sarah Greene involved in a serious helicopter crash: they survived, and went on to marry in which year …?
Q5)And finally … 10th September, 1963, saw which credit card service go into service in the UK … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1)9th September, 1850, saw California admitted as the 31st state of the USA: California had originally been claimed by which country … ?
After I ’ve left you with this video of Henry Purcell’s Trumpet Voluntary …
And this quote from Arnold Palmer …
“Putting is like wisdom - partly a natural gift and partly the accumulation of experience.”
Arnold Palmer born September 10, 1929
* What always makes me laugh, Debbi, is that clip was from the British Comedy Awards, a few years ago. The audience … are a theatre full of stand-ups, comedy actors, writers, et al. It says a lot about Milligan, when you realise he had a roomful of hardened professional laughing their heads off. (Oh, and about Dr Who … ? I refer you to my opening statements …)
Now, that I’m thinking, is an interesting opening to a season.
Possibly.
Hmmm …
You’re possibly wondering what on Earth I’m talking about, aren’t you? Aren’t you … ?
Well …
Now’s as good a chance as any to try and explain, isn’t it?
~~~~~
As both my regular readers — and most of my friends — will tell you, I’m something of a Doctor Who fan: and have been for years.
So today, I’ll happily admit to having headed out to mow my Mum’s garden, and babysit my nephew Jude, and pick a couple of bits and bobs from the Brentwood High Street branch of both the Co-op, and Wilkinsons.
I like toilet roll: at least, I hate running out of it … !
And on top of this … ?
I wanted to make sure I got back home in time to cook myself some dinner and settle in to watch the opening episode of Series 7, Asylum of the Daleks.
Which was …
Interesting …
Yes, interesting, let’s put it that way.
~~~~~
Asylum of the Daleks sees the Doctor being summoned by the mysterious Darla von Karlstein to the original Dalek homeworld of Skaro: she — seemingly — wishes him to rescue her daughter from a Dalek prison camp.
As it turns out … ? Darla is actually a Dalek agent: primed to kidnap the Doctor, Amy and Rory, to bring them before what’s called The Parliament of the Daleks.
It seems the Doctor’s oldest foe has a little job for the Doctor.
Helping them clean out the Asylum of the title: the planetoid where the Daleks keep the most rabidly deranged members of their species.
They’ve got … an intruder …
And the only person they trust to get into the Asylum to help them clean out both intruder and patients is the Doctor …
~~~~~
Now, I have to admit, I enjoyed tonight’s episode, I did.
It’s seemingly set up the oncoming series, briefly reintroduced us to the main characters whilst updating us about what they’ve been doing — modelling and getting divorced, I should add, here — and given us an introduction to Jenna Louise Coleman, who’ll be debuting as the new companion later in the year.
And seemingly … ?
I’m thinking the few episodes we’ve been told constitute this first batch of stories — show-runner, Steven Moffat has been adamant that Series 7 will be 13 episodes — don’t seem to tie off any of the questions raised in series 6.
The whole thing with The Silence didn’t seem very well finished to me, in other words.
I guess we’ll have to see what happens, won’t we … ?
Now you’re possibly thinking, “Slow down, Paul, what’s got you … ?”
I’ll be frank … ?
It’s tonight’s first episode of the second season of Sherlock, the Steven Moffat/Mark Gatiss/Beryl Vertue update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s best loved character, Sherlock Holmes.
Tonight’s episode … ?
Tonight’s episode, if you haven’t guessed from the title, is updated series take on A Scandal in Bohemia, called A Scandal in Belgravia.
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2/1/2012
Sorry, sorry, I know, I’ve left it a little long … !
But I’ve been having all sorts of fun with vlc, HandBrake and MPEG Streamclip: I might just fill you in later, if I get the chance.
At any rate, let’s carry on from where I left you, shall I … ?
Yes …
I’ll happily admit to have watched the first series of the Steven Moffat/Mark Gatiss/Beryl Vertue update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, called simply Sherlock.
Last night’s episode, A Scandal in Belgravia, was both the opening episode for the second of the updated series, and that updates take on A Scandal in Bohemia.
A Scandal in Belgravia sees Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman reprising their roles as Holmes and Watson*, and follows on —almost directly — from the closing episode of series 1.
After showing us how Holmes and Watson manage to get clear of Moriartyº, events move to both London and the Lake District: where, as Holmes is helping clear up the mysterious death of a hiker, he’s summoned to Buckingham Palace by his brother, Mycroft.
Where he and Dr Watson are asked to retrieve a set of photos from a high class dominatrix called Irene Adler.
A case that goes rapidly astray, as Ms Adler proves more of a match than out heroes expect.
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Now …
Am I impressed … ?
Yes, I surely am … !
The Moffat/Gatis/Vertue writing crew have shown themselves to to be an eminently capable batch of writers, and with this particular episode … ?
I’m thinking Moffat’s done rather well.
Can I make a suggestion, here … ?
If you can get hold of A Scandal in Belgravia … ?
I’m going to suggest you watch it.
I think you’re going to find yourself watching a very good piece of drama.
*In a throwaway line in last nights episode, Watson reveals that his middle name is Hamish. I know they probably made that up: or read their Sayers. But I have to admit, I’ve been wondering for years …
ºThat was possibly the most impressive use of the awkwardly timed phone call I’ve ever seen!
You know, I’ve got to admit, I couldn’t help notice something, when I was happily writing up a post about Sherlock, on Sunday.
No, seriously …
And I can’t help but wonder if anyone else has, to be frank …
Actually, I’m convinced people have, but that’s the way it goes …
I do know that the ever-keen ComBom managed to catch a something he wanted to flag for our attention.
Which, after Sunday, I definitely rummaged through, I know that …
At ANY rate, I’m burbling, aren’t I … ?
Let me get to the point, shall I … ?
Yes, lets …
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Right, now, where was I … … ?
Oh, yeah …
I was telling you I’d noticed something.
Well …
Noticed a similar scene.
Let me clarify, shall I … ?
One of the earlier scenes I noticed in the first episode of Sherlock — A Study In Pink — was one where Holmes and Watson are called into a crime scene, by Inspector Lestrade, to give their views on a an apparent suicide: the most recent in a series of four.
And it struck me that it reminded me of something else I’d seen: something ALSO penned by Steven Moffat …
Now, I know those two scenes are from very different shows.
But … !
But I’m thinking that the fact Steven Moffat is heavily involved with both gives a certain spin.
I mean, beyond the fact that we’re looking at two central characters who’ve developed their mental and perceptive powers to an acute level, or or have innate ones that quite advanced.
Now, did that sound incredibly snotty … ?
Possibly … !
But either way, I think you get my point, I hope … ?
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At any rate, I’ve one last video to post up, courtesy of Grub, over at 100 Albums You Must Have.
