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: The Christmas Day Special: The Snowmen.

The Doctor
Matt Smith

I HAVE to admit, I’m due over my Mum’s, today.

THIS time … ?

This time, we’re all celebrating my nephew, Jude’s, second birthday.

He’s two today.

Dr Simeon
Richard E. Grant

Yes … you’d ALREADY worked that out, hadn’t you … ?

At ANY rate … ?   I’ve actually got this years’s Dr Who Christmas — The Snowmen

 — on in the background.

An Evil Snowflake

Again.

You can TELL I’m impressed, can’t you … ?

~~~~~

Set in the 1890s, The Snowmen sees the Doctor in self imposed isolation after the deaths of Amy and Rory.

Isolation that’s interrupted when he meets a barmaid called Clara, who’s showing curiosity about both the Doctor, AND by old friends, Vastra, Jenny and Strax: with ALL of them concerned by the mysterious snowmen cropping up around London.

Clara
Jenna Louise Coleman

 Those Snowmen … ?

It seems those Snowmen are the intentional work of the abominable Dr Simeon.

Madam Vastra
Neve Campbell

Dr Simeon … And the original snowman that had seduced him as a child …

Which calls itself the Intelligence.

Lots of remote controlled Snowmen.   An intelligence looking for a body.

Is this starting to sound familiar … ?

~~~~~

It bloody well should, actually: given that long term fans will have realised that there’s several references — deeply in the mix — to Patrick Troughton stories, The Abominable Snowmen and The Web of Fear.

But The Snowmen is not a straight lift from its earlier root stories.

Oh, no.

Moffat and company have managed to take an idea or two from its classic incarnation, mixed them up, modernised them, and presented them afresh.

Jenny Flint
Casitlin Stewart

And what’s, introduced us to a fresh ensemble cast of characters, an interestingly old school villain, re-invigorated an old monster.

AND introduced a new companion, killed her off, and then teased us with a new version of the same character.

Hmmm … 

I think the rest of Season 7’s going to be interesting.

To paraphrase Videodrome … ?

All hail the new flesh … !

Strax
Dan Starkey

New Tardis Interior

The Great Intelligence
Sir Ian McKellan

Dr Who — Episode 5 Series 7: The Angels Take Manhatten

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.

Tonight’s episode of Dr Who, The Angels Take Manhattan … ?

I think I can safely say The Angels Take Manhattan is one of Steven Moffat’s better days.

~~~~~

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 …

Dr Who Series 7: The Power Of Three

Well, blow me backwards, and colour me rhubarb … !

I THINK I’ve just wet myself … !

Actually, no, forget I said that: I might be getting old, but I’m not THAT old … !

What I am am … ?

What I am is something I know Grub will give me a ribbing for saying: is impressed.

And, before you ask … ?

Downright impressed with tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

You probably hadn’t guessed, had you … ?

He says … !

~~~~~

Written by Chris Chibnall, The Power Of Three sees the Doctor staying with Amy and Rory, in order to help puzzle out something of a mystery: the sudden and strange appearence of small black boxes, that are all over planet Earth.

Small black boxes that are — apparently — inert, for at least a year.

Until one of them … starts twitching …

~~~~~

Now …

I was saying ‘impressed’ … ?

Oh, LORDY , wasn’t I just … !

I am literally sitting here wondering if I’ve just seen the episode of Matt Smith’s Dr Who career.

Frankly … ?

Frankly, I don’t know: but equally frankly, both The Power Of Three and last week’s episode, A Town Called Mercy, are the highlights of the series of the season, so far, wit h The Power having the edge: both in writing quality, and in performances.

And I do mean performances: all three series regulars — Smith, Gillan and Darville — are on form, in this series.

As are the two guest stars, tonight, Jemma Redgrave as the Brigadier’s daughter, no less, and Steven Berkhoff as the episode villain, the Shakri.

As a question … ?   Where the HELL can you go wrong … ?

You can’t … !

And what’s more … ?

Moffat’s own babies — River Song AND the Weeping Angels — are back, next week.

Should be good … !

Dr Who Series Seven: A Town Called Mercy

Blimey … 

That seemed to go down rather well … !

Or, at least, I enjoyed meself: whether anyone ELSE did, I don’t know.

Unless they choose to leave me a comment, of course.

You know, I’m being terribly remiss, aren’t I: happily burbling on, whilst my readers sit there, on the other side of the screen, and wonder what the HELL I’m banging on about.

Like the pictures aren’t a clue … 

Just in case you’ve not been following me for a while, I’m talking about tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

~~~~~

Written by Being Human head honcho, Toby Whithouse, tonight’s episode, A Town Called Mercy sees the Doctor, Amy and Rory arriving at the small US town of Mercy, some five years after the end of the Civil War.

The town has a problem: there’s something nasty coming for the town’s doctor.

Who’s not what you’d expect: the town’s Doctor has saved Mercy from Cholera … and also an alien war-criminal, who’s being hunted after building some seriously psychotic cyborgs.

That’s not the problem … 

The problem is the gunslinger who’s coming AFTER him … !

~~~~~

Now … 

Thus far, last week’s episode — Dinosaur’s On A Spaceship — is still the episode that’s pushing my boat out.

Bu A Town Called Mercy, with its Steampunk Western sensibility, certainly tickled my fancy: as did the one or two scenes that told me Matt Smith’s handling of his character’s angry moments is improving.

I’m ALSO thinking that the Moffat led production team seem to not be threading this season through with a story-arc.

Something of a mixed blessing, I think: Russell T Davies era of the show did it well, I thought, with each of his seasons having some form of theme to the season.

On the other hand … ?

On the other, the Moffat era Dr Who does seem to do individual stories on a par with any I’ve seen, including both RTD’s … *

And some of Robert Holmes’.

I’ll leave you you to chew that over, shall I … ?

See you in the morning … !

*        there was one other minor thing: I know the BBC’s tweaked the opening credits to make them a touch darker: but I’m thinking, here, that they’ve made them too dark.