The (Regenerated) Doctor Who Discussion Thread

[The Romulan Republic]

Ooh, that's a pretty good one.

[The Romulan Republic]

I read that they're going to reshow the last two episodes of last season in theatres, along with some extra material.

Why I don't know given that its a big deal for old but not very old episodes. Unless they're just really trying to promote Missy.

[Nationstatelandsville]

I finally got around to watching Enemy of the World. Some thoughts on it (spoilers included):

The quality of the sound and images wasn't always very good, though perhaps that's to be expected for something this old. And as is often the case with Doctor Who, the pacing left something to be desired. In particular, I find there's a certain unevenness in a lot of old Doctor Who. Maybe its at least partly a result of having a bunch of short episodes forming a single story.

See, I don't see it as an issue. It's like a novel, broken into chapters. Sometimes the cliffhangers are forced and whatnot, but I think if you don't try to get fancy with the format, it works much better than the episodes we get now.

I infinitely prefer the more leisurely pace, taking everything in stride. It's got some charm and helps build real tension. Sure, sometimes a short episode is better (take, say, Midnight, which would have collapsed instantly if dragged on), but I like the Classic storytelling method much better.

And more seriously, I had a lot of problems with the story. Plausible plots aren't Doctor Who's strong suite a lot of the time, but I have to take issue with this. Some developments seemed to need more explanation. Salamander sometimes seemed to do evil pointlessly (and his motives, beyond wanting power and just being evil, were not well-established).

He's a megalomaniacal supervillain. Not very deep, but definitely not very confusing

And the story Salamander used on the people in the bunker underground was quite implausible. I suppose you can explain them buying it as a result of fear and indoctrination, but frankly, they came off as a pack of imbeciles (also, Jaime not confirming Salamander's identity at the end was inexcusably inept).

I don't much remember this bit, so maybe. I don't know.

But I typically say we should accept implausibility in Doctor Who. It makes it fun.

Moreover, I'm disappointed by Salamander being behind the disasters he was using to take power. The whole thing added to the implausibility and came across as Right-wing anti-environmentalist propaganda. Its reminiscent of the people who think global warming isn't real.

This story came out in the mid-60s. Yeah, there were environmentalists back then, but certainly not global warming. It's completely apolitical.

I think it would have been more plausible, subtle, and nuanced if Salamander had not been faking the disasters but legitimately saved the world while taking advantage of disasters to gain power as was suggested early on.

While this isn't necessarily a bad story in of itself, that's not the story they wanted to tell. They wanted to tell the story of a completely vile man, not an antihero. You can't expect some kind of character drama from what is basically a farce story. (I say this with all positivity.)

However, the flaws of the story were somewhat mitigated by some strong performances and characterization.

Troughton handled playing two major roles quite well. I especially liked how his initial attempt to impersonate Salamander didn't really sound like Salamander, as if it actually was a beginner's attempt at imitating him. Some good subtlety and attention to detail there. Plus handing the gun back to the security commander rather than threatening him with it, while a little implausible/heavy-handed, was classic Doctor.

Patrick Troughton is so cool.

And I can see a resemblance between Two and Eleven, especially with Two also having a male and female duo for companions.

Matt Smith is also so cool.

Also, I liked Astrid and Faria (I'm not sure about the spelling of her name). One wouldn't necessarily expect competent, non-cliche female characters in an older work, but they both fit the bill.

The very early show was actually fairly progressive in terms of sexual politics, I've noticed. Less so racially, but I think that's more due to a general lack of non-white actors.

I can't properly say why. Perhaps part of that Star Trek sci-fi idealism? I don't know. But it's an interesting trend I've noted in Hartnell and Troughton both.

Its a pity Faria didn't make it. And, while I don't do shipping as a rule, I got a sense early on of Astrid with the Doctor that told me they could have made a fine couple, at least if romance had been more of a thing in the old series. Plus I appreciate that they had characters from a variety of ethnicities who were played like real people, not stereotypes. Yes, the black woman was a servant, but she was a lot more than that.

Giles was well-acted as well, and Salamander's head of security was an interesting fellow. He's initially portrayed as just an authoritarian thug, but he's a bit more complex than that. He's heavy-handed, sure, but he's seriously trying to do his job well and doesn't care for Salamander's scheming. I think they went too far with making him a good guy later on, but all in all, he was well-written.

This, ultimately, is what I miss most about the Classics; well-developed minor characters.

I think Doctor Who works better when it isn't just the Doctor's story, but when the Doctor is interrupting someone else's story. Not that the Doctor's story isn't interesting, but that there was a greater diversity of tales back when there was time to shift the focus around.

Also, the special effects weren't bad at times, at least by the standards of old Doctor Who episodes. Particularly the helicopter and hover craft. I get the feeling they spent a lot of money on this episode, so its a good thing they found it again.

Lastly, the end was a bit abrupt, but I admit their's a certain satisfaction to be gained from watching Salamander hurtle out of the TARDIS, lost forever.

It's a well-done scene, too. The anguish on Troughton's face and the rage on... Troughton's face is a lot more than one would expect from a man who spends of his time playing with a recorder.

[Kouralia]

Jumping in late on the game, I know, but I liked this outcome:

You are the Renegade Time Lord known as:
The Oracle
Your original Gallifreyan name is Narnixboraakinopyxoigo, or Narnix for short.
Back on Gallifrey, you led a dull and uninteresting life, working as an Executive Assistant to the High Council – but now, you travel Time and Space in search of adventure!
Your Type 47 TARDIS is currently stuck in disguise as a VW Camper van, and your latest travelling companion is a female code-breaker from Bletchley Park, 1942, who used to work on cracking the Enigma code.

Jumping in even later because...

...Back on Gallifrey, you led a dull and uninteresting life, working as an Undercover Operative for the Celestial Intervention Agency – but now, you travel Time and Space in search of adventure!
Your Type 95 TARDIS is currently stuck in disguise as a double bass, and your latest travelling companion is an amnesiac alien with the power to shape-change, who can impersonate anyone but only wants to discover its own true identity.

What the hell doesn't qualify as a 'dull and uninteresting life'?

[Constaniana]

You are the Renegade Time Lord known as:
The Nemesis
Your original Gallifreyan name is Vanvaldloomcharyithtrezdusk, or Vanvald for short.
Back on Gallifrey, you led a dull and uninteresting life, working as an Archivist, Second Class – but now, you travel Time and Space in search of adventure!
Your Type 64 TARDIS is currently stuck in disguise as a children's playhouse, and your latest travelling companion is an attitude-heavy 1977-era punk, whose safety-pin enhanced exterior hides a surprisingly kind heart.

The contrast between the things in the last paragraph is hilarious.

[DarkFreedom]

Okay, major doctor who enthusiast here. So here's whats up, I play doctor who trivia with everyone I know and as of now I'm undefeated. Anyone think they could beat me? I've been looking for a challenge. Course there'd have to be a way to play DW trivia online... I've never actually looked that up. I should look it up. xx

[Rhinumehr]

Okay, major doctor who enthusiast here. So here's whats up, I play doctor who trivia with everyone I know and as of now I'm undefeated. Anyone think they could beat me? I've been looking for a challenge. Course there'd have to be a way to play DW trivia online... I've never actually looked that up. I should look it up. xx

The mobile game Quizup has a topic for Classic Who, and a separate one for Nu Who.

[The Romulan Republic]

You are the Renegade Time Lord known as:
The Nemesis
Your original Gallifreyan name is Vanvaldloomcharyithtrezdusk, or Vanvald for short.
Back on Gallifrey, you led a dull and uninteresting life, working as an Archivist, Second Class – but now, you travel Time and Space in search of adventure!
Your Type 64 TARDIS is currently stuck in disguise as a children's playhouse, and your latest travelling companion is an attitude-heavy 1977-era punk, whose safety-pin enhanced exterior hides a surprisingly kind heart.

The contrast between the things in the last paragraph is hilarious.

There's something fairly creepy about a Time Lord named Nemesis with a TARDIS disguised as a playhouse.

[Constaniana]

You are the Renegade Time Lord known as:
The Nemesis
Your original Gallifreyan name is Vanvaldloomcharyithtrezdusk, or Vanvald for short.
Back on Gallifrey, you led a dull and uninteresting life, working as an Archivist, Second Class – but now, you travel Time and Space in search of adventure!
Your Type 64 TARDIS is currently stuck in disguise as a children's playhouse, and your latest travelling companion is an attitude-heavy 1977-era punk, whose safety-pin enhanced exterior hides a surprisingly kind heart.

The contrast between the things in the last paragraph is hilarious.

There's something fairly creepy about a Time Lord named Nemesis with a TARDIS disguised as a playhouse.

I feel like a villain from a breakfast cereal advert.

[Rhinumehr]

Okay, major doctor who enthusiast here. So here's whats up, I play doctor who trivia with everyone I know and as of now I'm undefeated. Anyone think they could beat me? I've been looking for a challenge. Course there'd have to be a way to play DW trivia online... I've never actually looked that up. I should look it up. xx

The mobile game Quizup has a topic for Classic Who, and a separate one for Nu Who.

It's actually not just mobile anymore. It can be played online.

[DarkFreedom]

The mobile game Quizup has a topic for Classic Who, and a separate one for Nu Who.

It's actually not just mobile anymore. It can be played online.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DesAnges]

TV SPOT HYPE TV SPOT HYPE TV SPOT HYPE AD AD AD AD AD AD

Airdate of 19th September, then.

[Jamine]

david tennant is the best one hes my fave

[DarkFreedom]

david tennant is the best one hes my fave

I like Matt Smith first. Then second is Peter Capaldi, then third Peter Davidson then fourth is David Tennent. (not the he wasn't awesome, I just really liked the others more.) xx

[Ameriganastan]

David Tennant is the best one. He's my fave,

That is how that sentence is supposed to look.

[Monkeykind]

David Tennant is the best one. He's my fave,

That is how that sentence is supposed to look.

That's a lot of smilies, even for me.

[Kouralia]

TV SPOT HYPE TV SPOT HYPE TV SPOT HYPE AD AD AD AD AD AD

Airdate of 19th September, then.

I'm in a 11-person student house next academic year with a host of whovians, and we get TV License paid as part of the contract.

[Immoren]

Click this link!
Mine:
You are the Renegade Time Lord known as:
The Heart
Your original Gallifreyan name is Dalkothfrolizadadorlum, or Dalkoth for short.
Back on Gallifrey, you led a dull and uninteresting life, working as a Computer Programmer, based in the Capitol – but now, you travel Time and Space in search of adventure!
Your Type 37 TARDIS is currently stuck in disguise as a NASA Space Shuttle, and your latest travelling companion is an Indian call-centre worker who has always dreamed of seeing the world.

You are the Renegade Time Lord known as:
The Electrician
Your original Gallifreyan name is Panzorfonarsorwinaeldri, or Panzor for short.
Back on Gallifrey, you led a dull and uninteresting life, working as an Assistant to the Coordinator, based in the Records department of the Capitol – but now, you travel Time and Space in search of adventure!
Your Type 100 TARDIS is currently stuck in disguise as a Grecian column, and your latest travelling companion is a funk guitarist from 1970s New York, who is travelling the galaxy in search of the ultimate groove.

This is partly ridiculous, because I actually have electricians qualifications in real life.
*Don aluminum foil hat*
how did they know?!?

[Astrolinium]

You are the Renegade Time Lord known as: The Explorer
Your original Gallifreyan name is Mursillathankoloobiflor, or Mursill for short. Back on Gallifrey, you led a dull and uninteresting life, working as a Temporal Theorist, Patrexe Academy – but now, you travel Time and Space in search of adventure! Your Type 45 TARDIS is currently stuck in disguise as a Victorian mausoleum, and your latest travelling companion is a 1920s suffragette, who fights against injustice wherever she goes.

[Astrolinium]

New trailer!

I think this confirms that we'll be going to Skaro and seeing original Daleks.

[Cosumar]

New trailer!

I think this confirms that we'll be going to Skaro and seeing original Daleks.

Some pretty interesting visual tidbits being shown here. I wonder where that city is, and what's up with the alien palm with an eyeball. And when the Doctor gets to play guitar

[Astrolinium]

New trailer!

I think this confirms that we'll be going to Skaro and seeing original Daleks.

Some pretty interesting visual tidbits being shown here. I wonder where that city is, and what's up with the alien palm with an eyeball. And when the Doctor gets to play guitar

That city is almost certainly Skaro. It looks remarkably like it did back in 1964.

[Nationstatelandsville]

New trailer!

I think this confirms that we'll be going to Skaro and seeing original Daleks.

Clara is very ambitious, thinking the Doctor will ever come up with a plan.

Also noting that the Master is just as ecstatic at the thought of hanging out with Daleks as I am.

[Cosumar]

Some pretty interesting visual tidbits being shown here. I wonder where that city is, and what's up with the alien palm with an eyeball. And when the Doctor gets to play guitar

That city is almost certainly Skaro. It looks remarkably like it did back in 1964.

Oh you're RIGHT! I see it now. Been awhile since I've seen the old episodes. Hype now up to next level!

[Luziyca]

I want something to happen: towards the end of a regeneration, the 12th Doctor gets an old female companion to replace Clara. Then when he regenerates, the new Doctor (either son or daughter) could then ask his/her mother "Are you my mummy?" and then cue the credits.