Doctor Who: Series 8 Episode 1 Deep Breath

You know, I’ve been criticized before, about this.

And will no doubt be criticized again.

But … ?

I have just sat down and watched Deep Breath, Peter Capaldi’s debut episode as the 12th Doctor.

And I think I can say this with no fear of contradiction.

For starters?   For starters, I’ve taken what’s call a disc image of the DVD of the episode I recorded.

THAT way, I can rip a copy: purely for my own personal use.   I can replace the episode with a legally purchased copy, as And when it becomes available.   (Some time in early September.)

Secondly … ?   As Deep Breath doesn’t yet seem to be on the BBC iPlayer, I can re-watch the episode: as I’m writing this.

Talking of which … ?   Talking of which, the BBC’s iPlayer service is doing a new set of what the BBC’s now calling the Dr Who Extras: the first such production since the end of Dr Who Confidential, way back when.

Which is nice …!

~≈Í≈~

Whoah, whoah, I should be focusing, here … 

Let’s try and start again, shall we?

~≈Í≈~

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 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 …