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≈~

Dr Who — Episode 6: The Caretaker

Oh, now wait a minute … !

Tonight’s episode of Dr Who … ?

That’s what I CALL an episode of Dr Who … !

No, really … !!

Whoa, whoa … 

I think I’d better do some explaining, hadn’t I … ?

Yes … 

I think I’d better.

~≈∑≈~

Dr Who Series 8: Episode 5 — Time Heist

You know, I’ve one or two friends who’ve criticised me.

Basically, by repeatedly telling you I’m impressed by a given episode of Dr Who.

They may or may not have a point.

Possibly.

I think I’ve a possible counter argument.

Or had a counter-argument.

I wish I could remember what it was, though.

I’m sure it was cogent, pithy, to-the-point … and very effective.

But, like I say … ?   I’m blowed if I can remember what it was … 

~≈®≈~

Either way, there’s a point, here.

Their point … ?   Simply that I seem to be easily impressed by an episode of Dr Who.

The question I’m asking myself, right now … ?   Is “Am I worried?”

Am I worried, though … ?

No.

Because I think series 8 — Peter Capaldi’s first in the lead role — is proving itself worth of the word impressive.

And tonight’s episode, Time Heist … ?

Time Heist may or may not be on a par with Deep Breath and Into The Dalek.   But I’d certainly say it’s on a par with Listen.

And, like Listen, a hell of an improvement on Robot of Sherwood.

~≈®≈~

Doctor Who Series 8: Episode 4 — Listen

You know, I’m a Dr Who fan.

Never pretended otherwise: never wanted to, in point of fact.

I’m someone who’s grown up on the show: enjoyed, but very aware that some stories have been good, some bad and some … 

Well, some just OK.

Looking back … ?

Looking back for either, there’s probably a few I could point to.

The Greatest Show In The Galaxy always struck me as poor.

Last week’s episode, the Mark Gatiss directed, Robots Of Sherwood?

I’m thinking, right now, that Robots Of Sherwood was one of the OK episodes.

Light, fluffy and fun.   With the emphasise on ‘light’, I should add.

Then there’s Listen: tonight’s episode.

I’m very aware that some of my fellow fans aren’t fond of Steven Moffat.   Personally … ?

Personally, I think fans who’ve given tonight’s episode a miss, on the grounds it’s written by Steven Moffat would be bloody stupid.

Speaking for myself, I think Mr Moffat’s put in one of his best scripts: at least since Silence In The Library/Forest Of The Dead … 

~≈Ê≈~

Dr Who Series 8 Episode 3: Robot Of Sherwood

You know, technology changes … 

And yet STILL … ?

Still things stay the same.

I ’ve possibly mentioned before now that I’m happy to record stuff that’s on TV: and keep hold of those recording until such time as I’m able to get a suitable DVD box set.

And … ?

Well, up until a few years ago, I’d quite happily record those shows to a blank DVD: and then use HandBrake to transcode the results into something I could watch later: on whatever device I happened to favour.

There’s a FEW settings, before you ask.

At ANY rate, it’s still something I tend to do.

Even thought, these days, the ‘recording’ is on a USB flash memory stick.

I’m still using HandBrake: possibly the most versatile thing of it’s kind doing the rounds.

~≈®≈~

At ANY rate, you’re going to ask me, aren’t you … ?

Why on EARTH have I mentioned HandBrake … ?

Well, it’s my default ripper: for when I’m recording stuff from TV, to either watch later.

Or, at least, until I can get a version on DVD or from an OnDemand service, like iTunes.

The programme in question, of course, was today’s episode of Dr Who: the Mark Gatiss penned, Robot of Sherwood.

I think I can safely say there were no scenes of Daleks getting blown up by Ninja Turtles.

I think I’ll have a disappointed nephew … 

~≈®≈~

Doctor Who Series 8 — Into the Dalek: Oh, Hello … !

30th August, 2014.

You know, I think I’ve had an evening, tonight.

No, really … !

Obviously, I’ve had an evening.

I know that.

You know that.

We know that.

All that actually remains … ?

Is for me to tell you what I’m talking about.

~≈Î≈~

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 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 …