Doctor Who

[spiraldoor]

True, I think Spiral is much more informed about this era than I, though.

Watch The Mind Robber, that'll sort you out.

[Master]

Huh, I recall a website regarding Doctor Who wearing that name, it's a pretty nice place, but I digress. I'll check out the episode sometime if I get a chance.

As for other matters, just a bit of a warning to Shroob and other spoiler averse Whovians here, I've been looking it up, and there's advance screenings of "Deep Breath" going on next week, be sure to look out for spoilers on the net as a consequence!

[Shrooblord]

I was just going to say we filed that you wanted to tell me something, but it seems you found the filing cabinet before me.
(thank you spiral for giving us that meme!)

[Master]

Hehe, anyways, Deep Breath has now premiered in special screenings, so beware of leaks. I've found footage of the Series 8 intro, funnily enough it seems they took inspiration from this fan-made one.

As for other things, there's been some footage from the second episode on BBC News, check it out here.

[Shrooblord]

Toss! It screens all over Germany and the UK, even in one place in France, Austria and there's a Swiss screening, but nowhere in Holland! >:|

[Master]

That well and truly sucks indeed. A final heads up, the air times for Deep Breath have now been released: http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/deep-breat ... -65364.htm

[Shrooblord]

Holy cow it's 120 minutes long?! EPICC!!!!!

[Master]

Wait, what? It's about 75 minutes long, where'd that come from?

[Shrooblord]

From stupid math.
I went "20 minutes plus one other hour is... 120 minutes?!" x)
It's actually 80 minutes according to the schedule.

[Master]

Hmm, around the same length as the Day of the Doctor, the parallels continue.

Either ways, excitement mounts, just a week to go now! It's been a loong wait.

[Shrooblord]

God yes, and now it's finally here, I'm getting superhyped! I remember my first experience with Matt Smith: I hated him. And why? Because he replaced David Tennant. But then he grew on me and I began to really like his acting. I assumed the first few episodes must've just been crappy to make me think they got Tennant a bad replacement, but after I watched them again, I realised it was just my shady judgment on who the doctor really 'should be' that clouded my appreciation. The episodes were just as enjoyable as the future ones (although the one with the Cybernet and the split personality Doctor is still the best one in my opinion when it comes to seeing Smith's acting at its best - he did that so well).

I assume my experience will be similar! With past experiences behind me, I will try to keep an open mind and enjoy Capaldi as much as I can, but getting used to him will be hard, I'm sure. This time, though, there'll be Clara there, which'll help in stepping over from one to the other (with Smith it really was BANG new series, new cast, no remnants of the old, which came as a shocker).

I. Am. EGGSIDE

[Master]

4 Days to go! There's been some teasers given about the upcoming episodes, those who don't like spoilers should stay well away. For the rest, read them here: http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/moffat-pre ... -65611.htm

[Shrooblord]

excitexcitexcitexcite!!
In other words, although I'll be slightly heart-broken to leave this wonderful country, I'll be all healed up again as soon as I plop down in front of the telly to watch some Doctor Boo! |D

[Dart]

So I saw the season 8 opener, and I was really kinda impartial to it. There was a lot of filler and I think that the constant mentioning of the "promised land" made it less mysterious and more fustrating to listen to. The Calvalry in my oppinion are begining to feel really stale, and their gags are half as funny when youve been listening to them for over an hour. But on the other hand I did really enjoy seeing Capaldi's character, and all the things he had to sort out, like his looks and identity.

[Shrooblord]

I was right about how I was going to receive the new episode: I don't know what to think yet.

Warning: following paragraphs may contain spoilers. I try my best to be as vague as possible when I refer to things, but I cannot perceive what will be received as spoilers try as I may to mask them.

When Smith started, one of the reasons I disliked him was that I got the feeling that not only had the cast been swapped around, but the crew also - it felt like none of the scriptwriters were the same and I feel this way for this new episode too. The characters' dialogue seemed far too over-the-top 'dumbed down'. They overexplained themselves and each situation far more than I thought they ought've. I hope the writers are just getting used to the new characters as much as the actors are (it always seems that after a regeneration, everyone changes a bit, not only the Doctor). But this time even the CGI team seems to have changed hands; remember the into, one of the very first scenes to appear in the episode? The transition from the houses, panning down, to the real set was incredibly noticable and I've never had that before. I could always tell there was a transition in previous Doctor Whos, but it was never noticable, if that distinction makes sense.

As for the episode itself, there was a lot of slow, silent conversation. I like that style. It's reminiscent of the old way of filming TV shows (the really old way, that is), and yes, the old way of filming Doctor Who. Don't know if that was just because this episode was so heavily focussed on everyone getting used to the new Doctor, also the Doctor himself, or if that's simply the style they're going for in the new series. Have to wait and see how that packs out.

The Doctor himself: brilliant! I love Capaldi's acting already. Emotional, sincere, Doctorishly absent yet completely with it. And, like all before him, he still has some traits carried over from the previous Doctor. Perhaps they'll wear off like they have for all others, perhaps they'll remain. He's breaking it in, the new mind and body, and it's working for me. Helps the transition along a lot. Clara's struggle with the situation was well played-out.

The [surprise appearance of Smith in this episode] was moving and a nice detail.

About the intro: I loved the animation. Weird, different, trippy, timey wimey - very Doctor Who. [I don't usually like people messing around with the Time Vortex - I think it looked best in the Ecclestone/Tennant series], but what they ended up doing with it instead was quite appreciated. The music, however, felt weak and very unlike what I'm used to from Murray Gold. I hope it will get more epic as the series progresses - the intro theme needs that.

With that, I am done. I eagerly await where this series goes and hope Capaldi's performance will get only better!

[Master]

Hmm, well, I'm a lazy git at the moment, I'll admit. Been wearing down on the preparations for Uni, and I've been out shopping for quite a bit today. But let's not put this off any longer. Also, because I'm a lazy git, I'm just going to ramble on with no spoiler considerations, be warned if you haven't watched Deep Breath yet.

So...Deep Breath. I enjoyed it, I guess being a new start does come with a few kinks, but liked it. Capaldi, much like Tennant, is a long-time fan of the show, and you can certainly tell he's putting in his all into the role. Other than that, I don't believe this is the same kind of complete change from Tennant to Smith, from what I've read the crew is the same. I won't deny that the CGI is a bit off, but again, it's the same VFX company, Milk, who've been responsible for the effects in the specials last year, maybe this was just an off day? Guess we'll see next week, seeing as it's probably going to be effects-laden, being a [Dalek] episode.

As for the titles, here's the original concept they ended up being based off. Its creator is actually credited for in the end credits, next to it, the actual 'un:


Unlike last year's titles, this one seems to be much tidier, and the whole retro-clock thing really does reflect the nature of time-travel as well as the Doctor's own ancient nature. The way it transitions into that vortex with the names, and it glows with Gallifreyan markings as it does is also pretty cool, if I do say so myself. Finally, there's the theme, and I might sound like the odd one out here, but I really like them. I think it's an improvement over the last 'un, where the orchestra was getting a little too bombastic for my tastes. Seeing as the theme has its roots in electronic music, I'd rather they compliment that aspect rather than overwhelm it, and I feel that they've kept a nicer balance here. The ticky-tocking feel of the first part is pretty nice, and they've finally made the initial dum-de-dums audible again. As for the ooo-wee-ooo part, I do admit, it sounds a tad bit shrilly for me, but I can forgive it. So, all in all, loving it.

So, as for the episode itself, while it's probably not going to be a classic for the ages, it's a wonderful introductory episode, unlike Smith's first 'un, they ease the transmission with the Paternoster gang and Clara. And I have to admit, I think this is probably one of the best outings for both of them. The scene where Clara's loyalty to the Doctor was tested was pretty nice (and I suspect, a bit of a take-that to some), and that restaurant scene was marvellous, all of them. The Clara/Doctor reunion showed the new dynamic, and I liked how they rub off each other. Then there's the HFM/Doctor scene, which was very symbolic of the Doctor's own regeneration, and I hope that is explored further.

Finally, we have the ending. That twist with 11, I admit, because I lapped up spoilers, I was aware of it. Though I did forget about it when watching, so I was reminded when it happened. Even so, the words of the scene I hadn't spoiled myself on, and the message it conveyed was rather touching, and indeed the way 12 responded to it cemented the fact that he indeed, behind all his new face and personality, was still the one Doctor. I hope that effect reaches everyone, because I think that's the most important part to remember. Anyways, we now have the story arc, this Missy lady. I don't know why, but when I first watched the episode, I had a stray thought that she might be the Master, for some odd reason. Guess time will tell.

So, let Series 8 roll on, hopefully a lot stronger than Series 7, which I do feel tripped up sometimes.

[Shrooblord]

Ohohoho that's a nice theory. I'd love for the Master to have reincarnated as a woman. The Doctor would never see it coming!

Not sure what I thought of her either, to be honest. She seemed a little bit over-the-top as well. Still, my judgment awaits the next three episodes or so - then the series will true and well have settled in and shown the face it will wear until the season ends. Then I can call whether I say yay or nay to this new face... but I strongly suspect it will be yay! ~

Oh, and [Daleks in the very first 'true' episode]? That's rather exhillerating. I wonder if [their timelines will be all jumbled and recognise him from when Smith regenerated or whether they'll just see him as the non-Doctor... either would be weird, but they better hadn't straight up recognise him - that'd be worse].

[Master]

[Given the Wibbly-wobbly nature of Doctor Who, it's always possible for them to recognise him in what we perceive as their first encounter. It's happened in the past before where the next regen is recognised from the get-go. Indeed, it does seem that the Daleks did recognise 11 when they encountered him in Victory]

[Shrooblord]

I just found this:

[Master]

Hmm, it's late here, so I won't be listening to that now. But before I eventually sign off, here's some interesting news I found: http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/doctor-who ... -66018.htm