The return of Doctor Who (SPOILERS)

1303133353661

Comments

  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,924Chief of Staff
    I'm with you all the way M5 - cracker of an opening episode (watched it twice so far ;) ). The opener can be a bit of a 'throw-away' episode, whilst we get to know the characters - but not this one.
    Matt Smith's Doctor reminds me of Michael Palin - with a little of David Tennant thrown in - which appears to be a great combination. It took me awhile to 'warm' to Tennant's Doctor...not so with Matt Smith's - he was flying from the off !
    I've much preferred Steven Moffat's Doctor Who scripts - much 'darker' in tone, and this was another good script - some fantastic one-liners ran through this episode - my fav being when confronting the Atraxi - "I'm the Doctor. Basically......RUN". A nice touch at the end when the Atraxi show a run-through of all the Doctors so far....and Matt Smith 'walks through' their little show....
    M5 - if you manage to get Amy's number then please pass it on, I'd be very happy to have her turn up at my party too - you can't beat a good-looking redhead :D

    Can't wait for the rest of the series now...plus it looks as though there will be a 'theme' running through the entire series (just as there was in Series One).

    Fish and custard anyone ? :))
    YNWA 97
  • Moonraker 5Moonraker 5 Ayrshire, ScotlandPosts: 1,821MI6 Agent
    Sir Miles wrote:
    Matt Smith's Doctor reminds me of Michael Palin - with a little of David Tennant thrown in - which appears to be a great combination. It took me awhile to 'warm' to Tennant's Doctor...not so with Matt Smith's - he was flying from the off !
    I've much preferred Steven Moffat's Doctor Who scripts - much 'darker' in tone, and this was another good script - some fantastic one-liners ran through this episode - my fav being when confronting the Atraxi - "I'm the Doctor. Basically......RUN". A nice touch at the end when the Atraxi show a run-through of all the Doctors so far....and Matt Smith 'walks through' their little show....
    Watched it a couple of times myself now and it was stronger on the second viewing, even the titles and new theme have warmed themselves to me already!

    Matt Smith definitely surprised me in just how natural and at home he was in the role, definitely flying from the off. I did like the homage to the previous Doctor's and that line, but I also liked the closing exchange...

    Amy: "...and I started to think you're just a mad man with a box."
    Doctor: "Amy Pond there's something you need to understand about me because it's important, and one day your life may depend upon it - I am definitely a mad man with a box!"

    Sets the tone nicely! :)
    unitedkingdom.png
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,924Chief of Staff
    I did like the homage to the previous Doctor's and that line, but I also liked the closing exchange...

    Amy: "...and I started to think you're just a mad man with a box."
    Doctor: "Amy Pond there's something you need to understand about me because it's important, and one day your life may depend upon it - I am definitely a mad man with a box!"

    Sets the tone nicely! :)

    That was one of my favourite exchanges of dialogue too....as I said, I think Moffat is better with his scripts than Davies.
    And I was suprised at just how good Matt Smith was too....plenty of people I've spoken too (before watching the episode) said they didn't like the look of him....I think he 'fits' perfectly.
    YNWA 97
  • LexiLexi LondonPosts: 3,000MI6 Agent
    When I saw who was taking over from Tennant I was really unsure of Matt Smith - and I wasn't too keen on watching the new series, however, after watching it I am really surprised just how good Matt Smith was. In fact, and I can't beleive I'm saying this, I'm inching towards prefering him to DT - he has that slightly quirky look about him, and his deliverence of his lines were superb - I think a second viewing is a must, to catch all of the great one liners..... (I loved the scene's with Geoff.... superb ! ;) )

    However, I do think that Amy could have gotten away with a short sharp slap to the Dr - after repeatedly leaving her waiting - I mean 14 YEARS is a LONG time..... and to get it wrong again - well I don't think I would have been so forgiving, BUT the chemistry between them is very good.... and the 'back story' of the Dr being in her life for so long sets up the series nicely......

    Looking forward to next Saturday's installment -{
    She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
  • John DrakeJohn Drake On assignmentPosts: 2,564MI6 Agent
    Loved it, loved it, loved it. Moffat is such a good writer. Great dialogue, "you're Scottish, fry something." Matt Smith is terrific, the best of the new doctors so far. The 6th door and the suggestion there is something terrible hiding just out of sight was unsettling. The special effects were a bit lame though. Karen Gillan is stunning. And the dynamic between them should be interesting. All those homemade dolls suggest Amy is not all there. The Doctor seems to have damaged her without even realising it. And next week's villains look seriously creepy.
  • scaramanga1scaramanga1 The English RivieraPosts: 845Chief of Staff
    Have to say I loved it too! Also more importantly so did my 5 year old Miles. I thought that after he had loved Tennant so much that he may not be overly keen on Smith. But no -He absolutely loved it. He's even been drawing new doctor who pictures -asking for the new sonic screwdriver already and has wathced it atleast twice a day since saturday. The trailer at the end was great too -and interesting to see River Song in one of the scenes in that trailer too!
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,484MI6 Agent
    Good fun stuff, back to basics without the downside of that phrase. Amy is pretty hot.

    One point, I've not followed all of Tennant's episodes but does everyone inc the Govt know who the Doctor is? I thought since aliens landed on Earth everything was sort of out in the open, or is the Doctor sort of incognito again - seeing as Amy had never seen or heard of her nocturnal visitor since.

    I suppose there are a few paedos currently checking out eBay for police boxes. "Hello little girl, go for a ride with me..." :o :(
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • LexiLexi LondonPosts: 3,000MI6 Agent
    I suppose there are a few paedos currently checking out eBay for police boxes. "Hello little girl, go for a ride with me..." :o :(


    :)) :)) Only you Nap would think of that......
    She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,924Chief of Staff
    One point, I've not followed all of Tennant's episodes but does everyone inc the Govt know who the Doctor is? I thought since aliens landed on Earth everything was sort of out in the open, or is the Doctor sort of incognito again - seeing as Amy had never seen or heard of her nocturnal visitor since.

    Well...he HAS just regenerated...most (ie Government officials) probably don't know what he looks like yet ;)
    YNWA 97
  • FelixLeiter ♀FelixLeiter ♀ Staffordshire or a pubPosts: 1,286MI6 Agent
    glad to know that it wasn't just me who loved it, and people havent decided matt smith is rubbish following DT. i very much agree with what has been said so far really. CGI of Prisoner Zero in it's "raw" form was rather naff though and the series has done far better stuff in the past.

    would be curious to know if anyone's kids have since asked for fish-fngers and cutard? :)) you may want to know that it wasn't actually fish-fingers and custard. it was fish-finger-shaped, coconut-breaded cake and matt had to eat about 12! "I rather liked them. Let's hope I start a new trend."

    next week's
    "smiler"s look disturbing! they seem like scary clown-ish type things, which i just hate so it may well be time to start hiding behind the sofa again :)
    Relax darling, I'm on top of the situation -{
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,541MI6 Agent
    New Daleks :)

    mainImage.jpg
    ..................Asp9mmSIG-1-2.jpg...............
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,924Chief of Staff
    I watched the second episode yesterday....another great story-line....and Matt Smith continues to impress as the Doctor...as does Karen Gillen as Amy....with Steven Moffat in charge, this could turn out to be the best series so far...looking forward to more...
    YNWA 97
  • John DrakeJohn Drake On assignmentPosts: 2,564MI6 Agent
    I was watching a film set in Edinburgh called New Town Killers. I was about to switch it off when Karen Gillan appeared in a scene. Kept watching until I realised she wasn't coming back. She is stunning.
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,484MI6 Agent
    Move over La Coren... :#

    I liked Ep 2, but it did seem quite rushed and rather like the David Tennant shows in that respect. No real time to build atmosphere or mood. It may as well have been a Tennant episode for all the new Doctor's character development. Still, the ending choked me up a bit.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,924Chief of Staff
    Another cracking episode - this time from Mark Gatiss.

    I did feel this one could have benefited from being spread out over two episodes though...it did feel a 'tad' rushed...especially as it introduced the 'new' Daleks - and in such lovely colours too :)) They reminded me of the two Peter Cushing 'Doctor Who movies from years ago (probably done on purpose).
    Some more great one-liners - "Don't mess with me sweetheart !" - being one standout. Some nice character building around Amy...and a lovely steady progression of her relationship with the Doctor....
    Can't wait for next weeks episode as it contains my favourite 'new' baddies the 'Weeping Angels'...and the return of River Song :D
    YNWA 97
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,924Chief of Staff
    This series just gets better and better....

    It's the return of 'The Weeping Angels' and, again, it's written by Steven Moffat - and our first two-parter for the new Doctor.
    Once again Steven has cranked the 'scare-factor' - so much so that my 8 year old son struggled to watch it all at once - even hiding behind the sofa didn't work this time :))

    It's building up for a super ending - and the 'one-liners' are once again evident - great story (who thought statues could be SO scarey ?), great acting, great dialogue and the effects are amazing....

    If you can't tell - I'm impressed :D -{
    YNWA 97
  • Moonraker 5Moonraker 5 Ayrshire, ScotlandPosts: 1,821MI6 Agent
    Fantastic episode. Just brilliant. It sent shivers up my spine, and Alex Kingston reprising her role as River Song was fantastic - as well as very sexy ("You might want to find something to hang on to...") and Matt Smith is THE Doctor, no questions asked. He's made the role his own, truly his own, in just three episodes - he's not Eccleston, he's not Tennant, he's by far and away his own Doctor. Karen Gillan is brilliant too, and the chemistry between all three in that episode was electric.

    I didn't watch the "Next time" trailer, because I didn't want anything spoiled (PS, we - as in BBC Scotland - didn't have the same debacle with the Graham Norton animation for Over The Rainbow playing during the climax). Graveyards will never be the same again with those stone angels...
    unitedkingdom.png
  • LexiLexi LondonPosts: 3,000MI6 Agent
    I agree - brilliant episode, and my 4 year old son has now watched it 5 times..... he loved the first time the weeping angels appeared - and has even made up a game with his friends - a sort of hide and seek.... :))

    The chemistry is developing nicely between him and Amy, and it was rather touching to see her reaction to 'River Song' - nice touches with her dialogue.... and the whole 'parking the tardis' conversation was classic, proving not only how good the writing is, BUT just how good Matt Smith can deliver the lines.

    Like Alex says, HE IS the Dr - and I'm hooked ;)
    She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,924Chief of Staff
    (PS, we - as in BBC Scotland - didn't have the same debacle with the Graham Norton animation for Over The Rainbow playing during the climax).

    Then you were very lucky. I couldn't believe the BBC would be so stupid as to do something like that - and at such a time in the story too X-(

    M5 - I HAVE to agree....Matt Smith has totally convinced as the Doctor....I liked Ecclestone...it took me a whole series to 'get' Tennant...but Smith...well...as you quite rightly said...he IS the Doctor -{
    YNWA 97
  • LOO7K OUTLOO7K OUT United KingdomPosts: 474MI6 Agent
    Just to add my sixpenneth - Matt Smith is just excellent as the Doctor. I'll be honest here and say that when I watched the DW Confidential special that announced him as the Doctor I was horrified - notwithstanding that for the first time in my life The actor playing the Doctor was younger than me, the swine ;)

    Steven Moffat really knows what he's doing, MS is fantastic, the new TARDIS is cool as F, I've gotten used to the new theme tune and titles (and most of the new logo - still hate the DW bit)

    MS is Hartnell & Troughton trapped in a young mans body.

    One thing I will never like though are the new 2010 style Daleks - utter **** - if I didn't know better, I'd say a deal was done with a toy manufacturer for plenty o' pounds. Suspicious old me :v

    Here's to many years with Matt Smith..... GERONIMO!!!!!!!!
  • scaramanga1scaramanga1 The English RivieraPosts: 845Chief of Staff
    Have to say our household enjoyed the vampire episode last weekend -the new episode tomorrow looks a bit different and should be interesting. Matt Smith was on Chris Moyles' show on radio 1 last wednesday and I have to say he came accross really well. So not only is he great as the Doctor but he's a really nice bloke too! Yes this new series is exceeding my expectations and apart from the new dalek design I'm very happy with what I've seen so far -plus I'm looking forward to the doctor Who game that will be available to download next month. :)
  • LexiLexi LondonPosts: 3,000MI6 Agent
    Have to say our household enjoyed the vampire episode last weekend -the new episode tomorrow looks a bit different and should be interesting. Matt Smith was on Chris Moyles' show on radio 1 last wednesday and I have to say he came accross really well. So not only is he great as the Doctor but he's a really nice bloke too! Yes this new series is exceeding my expectations and apart from the new dalek design I'm very happy with what I've seen so far -plus I'm looking forward to the doctor Who game that will be available to download next month. :)

    I heard Matt Smith on Radio 1 too - and I agree, he totally comes across as a really genuine guy - still unsure of just how 'good' he is - which is nice - and I liked the disection of the theme tune, I didn't like it at first, but I may be coming round after all..... ;)

    ...yet to see this weeks episode, but it's on sky + so......
    She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,924Chief of Staff
    Last weeks episode was good...not as strong as the ones that had gone before...but some great dialogue none-the-less !

    This weeks however - WOW :o Loved it ! This series just gets 'darker' in tone by the week and the scripts keep up a high level of quality....again there are some great lines that can get 'lost' as they are casually tossed aside.

    Plenty of people said that Tennant would be a hard act to follow - he was....but Matt Smith has made the role his own now...and in such a short time too !!
    YNWA 97
  • Moonraker 5Moonraker 5 Ayrshire, ScotlandPosts: 1,821MI6 Agent
    I'm just catching up on the last 4, and while Vampires In Venice was enjoyable if not as strong as the other's, this series just gets better and better. Dark, sinister with an air of absolute barking madness about it (because Matt Smith's Doctor is completely barking mad). HUGE improvement in dialogue in general too.

    Some brilliant scene setting, like Elliot running through the dark graveyard and glimpses of the creature chasing him fleeting from grave to grave.

    Great stuff.
    unitedkingdom.png
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,924Chief of Staff
    HUGE improvement in dialogue in general too.


    Absolutely agree 100% !

    The scripts have been first rate...each week I expect the dialogue standard to drop...but it hasn't done so far....

    And Matt Smith just IS the Doctor.....I was a little worried when he was announced but he has just been terrific -{
    YNWA 97
  • LexiLexi LondonPosts: 3,000MI6 Agent
    The benefits of having a 5 year old - you get to watch Dr Who, many, many times....
    although he hasn't so much watched this one.... I'm sure because of how dark they are getting and those 'lizard' type aliens were very convincing....and scary :))

    LOVE the dialogue - it's getting better and better and Matt Smith is most definitely the Dr !
    She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,484MI6 Agent
    Even though professional Englishman Richard Curtis wrote this episode about Van Gogh, the Scottish mafia has its fingers over this episode. Van Gogh was Dutch, so how come he has a Scottish accent? Not sure they have many Sunflowers up there. Though it was moving to see him listen to the final speech, in reality he wouldn't have understood a word of it. Those tears in his eyes were probably down to not knowing where the loo was; WC wasn't a common acronymn in those days.

    More ginge comments, another prevalent theme. At the end of the programme they had an announcement saying 'If you've been affected by any of these issues...' It wouldn't be necessary to set up helplines for gingers if they didn't bang on about it.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,541MI6 Agent
    I think the helpline was set up to help those with depression as Van Gogh was linked to that, rather than the ginger issue.

    The scottish thing never bothered me after growing up with Connery. Remember the TARDIS translates everything too.

    This new Doc won me over for the first episode, but he's been slowly been losing me. Amy has never really evolved into anything (yet) and has become annoying. The Vincent episode was brilliant if it wasn't for the monster. Those scenes where boring. The end was briliiant, and exactly what a time machine should be used for.

    The series arc is annoying me now, since the Angels episode when we saw Elevens future self sneak briefly into the episode, I've been looking for him in all the others and it's distracting.
    ..................Asp9mmSIG-1-2.jpg...............
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,924Chief of Staff
    Asp9mm wrote:
    The Vincent episode was brilliant if it wasn't for the monster. Those scenes where boring. The end was brilliant, and exactly what a time machine should be used for.

    Couldn't agree more....and, again, I thought the script was sparkling with one-liners....here's where Asp9mm and I differ though....I think Matt Smith justs gets better with each episode...and thats some feat as he started on a real high !
    YNWA 97
  • John DrakeJohn Drake On assignmentPosts: 2,564MI6 Agent
    the Scottish mafia has its fingers over this episode. Van Gogh was Dutch, so how come he has a Scottish accent?

    There's two Scottish people on the TV at the same time. Talk about over-represention. I knew you were Boris Johnson NP. But you're right the Scots accent thing was completely inaccurate. Everybody knows Van Gogh spoke with an American accent.


    svP7J.jpg
Sign In or Register to comment.