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Open Forum => Off-Topic => Entertainment => Topic started by: SomeKittens on April 24, 2011, 11:57:54 PM

Title: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: SomeKittens on April 24, 2011, 11:57:54 PM
Was I the only one who cheered when it looked like Matt Smith would regenerate?  He's not bad, it's Moffat I've got a vendetta against.  I prefer the Davies brilliant subtlety to Moffat's "The Doctor is a Demigod"
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on April 25, 2011, 12:01:19 AM
Matt Smith is great. Almost as great as Tennant. I like Moffat's big works, his fluffy episodes are pretty awful. Blink, Girl in the Fireplace, and some of the last season episodes that I don't know the title of were great. It's true that he exalts the Doctor a bit too much.

I figured he'd die. It was so random though. I like that this season (and last) actually has a plot though. The whole "The Daleks are back" got really old...
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on April 25, 2011, 12:05:18 AM
Moffat is a lot more skilled then Davies. Girl in the Fireplace, Library Series, Blink. Davies is one of my least favorite writers beings he took away the impact of dying, which is something Moffat has continued.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: SomeKittens on April 25, 2011, 12:16:52 AM
I like Moffat as a writer, Blink was great.  I don't like him in charge.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Minister Polarius on April 25, 2011, 12:41:52 AM
I would have agreed last season, but I really love how this season is starting out.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on April 25, 2011, 01:12:39 AM
My one worry about this season is that it'll get old. I just don't see how they're going to keep the spaceman thing coming around, and with the Doctor dying, there's no way that the companions will let the Doctor get sidetracked with other things.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: SomeKittens on April 25, 2011, 01:24:17 AM
Starting with the death kind of cheapened it for me.  I understand the point of a cliffhanger, but a "true" death?  (C'mon, they're not actually going to kill him)
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Minister Polarius on April 25, 2011, 06:35:04 AM
My one worry about this season is that it'll get old. I just don't see how they're going to keep the spaceman thing coming around, and with the Doctor dying, there's no way that the companions will let the Doctor get sidetracked with other things.
Well, remember, the doctor that died is 200 years older than the "current" doctor, so he could sidetrack for the rest of Amy's life and still have a good amount of time to figure out what's up.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on April 25, 2011, 09:24:13 AM
They claimed the season focused on The Silence and River Song, so the astronaut probably won't stick around. Unless the astronaut is heavily related to one of the two or, you know, The Rani.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on May 01, 2011, 06:35:12 PM
Just watched the second episode. The astronaut is The Rani. Not sure I'm going to like this season...

Conspiracy theory. River Song is the Doctor's daughter.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on May 14, 2011, 10:00:03 PM
Regarding the newest episode......

3 minutes in: yayayayayayay it might be happening yayayayayay
8 minutes in: nononononono it's happening again Moffat better not have written this ohgood Moffat didn't write this but nonononono it's happening again.
14 minutes in: yayayayayayay it's not happening again and der be some old who yayayayayay.


That was a really good episode. I hope they keep the writer around for a while. Great quotes too, and some nice foreshadowing about either River (possibly Amy?). And this episode supports that it isn't impossible for the Doctor to be the Rani.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: SomeKittens on May 14, 2011, 11:03:46 PM
River Song had better not be the doctor's daughter.

Incidentally, David Tennant is engaged to the actor who played the daughter.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on May 15, 2011, 07:30:09 PM
She's also the daughter of the 5th doctor.


Back to the main point, fantastic episode. Best since Blink easily.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on May 15, 2011, 08:44:52 PM
River Song has to be what the Tardis was referring to with the "No water in the forest..." line. It's too obvious though...

Agreed. But it still has nothing on Blink...
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on May 15, 2011, 08:58:02 PM
It might be Amy / the little girl from the second episode, but is more likely The Doctor trying to save River from the Forest of the Dead (inb4 Pol calls paradox).

This episode was way more quotable then Blink. "Biting. It's like kissing only there's a winner.", "I wanted to see the universe, so I stole a Time Lord." and "I'm a mad man with a box without a box" are all better lines then Timey Wimey.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on May 16, 2011, 12:18:44 AM
I've actually been a bit disappointed so far this season.  Last season had great moral dilemmas and really got me to care about the characters (The Beast Below, The Hungry Earth/Cold Blood, Amy's Choice).

"The Christmas Carol" was an awesome start to the year really showcasing the time-traveling aspect of the show, and how the Doctor both helps and hurts when he changes things.

But since then, the rest of the shows this season just haven't resonated with me.  The Astronaut/Day of the Moon episodes created some decent questions about future.  But they weren't really that interesting by themselves.  The Black Spot had a nice surprise ending, but seemed to be more about the special effects than the characters.  And the Drs. Wife was an interesting concept, but seemed to move to fast for me.  I think it would have made a better 2-parter.  I just didn't care about most of the characters in the episode, and parts of it didn't make any sense.  Rory already waited 2000 years for Amy, why would he go insane and start hating her after just waiting for 50 more?
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on May 16, 2011, 12:29:16 AM
I actually think this has potential to be the best season.

The first two episodes were gripping, and brought LOADS of options for future episodes. The Doctor's daughter, the silence, and The Doctor's death. The bit about them forgetting the silence whenever they looked away was brilliant. I agree that it isn't as interesting as it has been in the past, but it's had much better plots and much better attention grabbing awesomeness.
The third episode was okay. It was a pretty good filler, actually. The two realities stacking on top of each other was pretty interesting, and there were some really funny parts. "We're sailers! Just like you! Well, except for the guns...and the beardyness..."
The last episode was the best episode since Blink. Being outside of the universe for starters was especially curious, and the TARDIS coming to life was amazing. Not to mention the quotability (which Sauce already covered). I agree that it should have been a two parter. Just because it was awesome enough.
As for the inconsistencies, Amy isn't one who thinks everything through. Plus, the TARDIS was being messed with, and she was confused, and somewhat ignorant of what the TARDIS can and can't do, so she was even more confused.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on May 16, 2011, 12:57:43 AM
I actually think this has potential to be the best season.
I agree that there is great potential, I just don't think it's been realized yet.

The bit about them forgetting the silence whenever they looked away was brilliant.
I agree that was a cool concept.  But the silence weren't interesting as enemies.  They were just pure evil and therefore, were too simplistic.  And there were no negative consequences to stopping them, so the Drs actions were never moral dilemmas.  And the ultimate solution was anti-climatic.  Saving the world with a cell phone camera....really?

there were some really funny parts. "We're sailers! Just like you! Well, except for the guns...and the beardyness..."
I agree that there have been some funny scenes/lines this year.

Being outside of the universe for starters was especially curious
Actually this was also anti-climatic.  It would have been interesting if things worked fundamentally differently "outside the universe", but it ended up being just the same as here.  In fact, that whole part of the episode could have just have easily taken place on a junkyard asteroid in our own galaxy.

, and the TARDIS coming to life was amazing.
This wasn't nearly as cool as the Star Trek:TNG episode when the holodeck character of Moriarty came to life, or the ST:Voyager series where the holographic Doctor deals with being real quite regularly.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: SomeKittens on May 16, 2011, 01:01:50 AM
Meh.  Yes, it was a good show, but not OMGWTMBBQ of season 4.5.  Nice cameo appearance by the old TARDIS.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on May 16, 2011, 01:09:05 AM
The Christmas Carol was probably my least favorite episode in a while, actually. Little quotability, rewatch value, heavily filler, etc. The first two episodes were fairly good starts, above average I'd say at least.  The third episode was obviously filler, but it was still decent.

Beings I loved the premise, and the Tardis was absolutely amazing, it would have been nice to have two parts. However, the extended time would have likely detracted from the ending. This episode just had so much going for it. Auntie and Uncle were great characters, and as mentioned the Tardis was fantastic. The cubes really brought back some of the old Who which was really fun. There was some great foreshadowing (The Tardis on River (probably), potentially Rory referring to the Silence).

As for Rory getting mad, there are two things that should be considered. Firstly, that wasn't Rory. It was House. Although House may have taken the feelings from Rory, that isn't specifically Rory. Secondly, Rory and Amy's relationship has been changing throughout the series, it seems like they all realize that Amy isn't sure if she likes the Doctor more then Rory.

This episode also really started to explore the Doctor more. Not only his relationship with the Tardis, but how harsh he is going to be. It's pretty clear he took the 10th's playfulness and the 9th's unforgiving attitude, and he's really starting to display the latter. He may turn out as dark as the 7th (who was the best doctor, obviously) was. He didn't care about the people used to keep Auntie and Uncle alive (expect for his Time Lord buddy), he didn't show much emotion about the Ood dying, and he really lost control of his emotions after finding the cubes. I also don't seem to recall him giving House a warning, which he has given his other opponents (even after they try to kill him).

I think traveling outside the universe may actually be setting things up, also. I believe Tennant said it wasn't possible, but the Old Ones disagree.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: SomeKittens on May 16, 2011, 01:37:01 AM
Traveling outside of our dimension with two companions romantically interested in each other, ending up in a world with lots of strange vehicles, the TARDIS completely on the fritz, a character previously mentioned, but not explored before comes to life, and the Doctor heroically saves the day with his mad skillz and the companions ... heroicness?  Also: should have been a two-parter.

Hmm..  Why does this all (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_the_Cybermen) sound so familiar? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Age_of_Steel)
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: lp670sv on May 16, 2011, 01:56:26 AM
Traveling outside of our dimension with two companions romantically interested in each other, ending up in a world with lots of strange vehicles, the TARDIS completely on the fritz, a character previously mentioned, but not explored before comes to life, and the Doctor heroically saves the day with his mad skillz and the companions ... heroicness?  Also: should have been a two-parter.

Hmm..  Why does this all (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_the_Cybermen) sound so familiar? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Age_of_Steel)
/conspiracy theory
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on May 16, 2011, 02:01:57 AM
Auntie and Uncle were great characters
Really?  I just didn't care when they died, did you?  Compare that to how you felt when Billy died in Blink, or how you felt when the Silurian got tazered to death in the Hungry Earth/Cold Blood.

The Christmas Carol was probably my least favorite episode in a while, actually. Little quotability
Really?  Were you watching the same episode as I did?

The Doctor: Father Christmas. Santa Claus. Or, as I've always known him, "Jeff".

Amy: Have you got a plan yet?
The Doctor: Yes, I do.
Amy: Are you lying?
The Doctor: Yes, I am.
Amy: Don't treat me like an idiot.
Rory: (overhearing) Is he lying?
Amy: No, no."

The Doctor: Dangerous? Come on, we're boys. And you know what boys say in the face of danger.
Young Kazran: What?
The Doctor: "Mummy!"

Adult Kazran: Now? I kiss her now?
The Doctor: Kazran, trust me. It's this or go to a room and design a new kind of screwdriver. Don't make my mistakes.

The Doctor: Well, there's a moon that's made of actual honey. Well, not actual honey, and it's not actually a moon. And technically, it's alive and a bit carnivorous. But there are some lovely views.

The Doctor: Ooh, now what's this then? I love this. A big flashy lighty thing. That's what brought me here. Big flashy lighty things have got me written all over them. Not actually, but give me time, and a crayon.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: SomeKittens on May 16, 2011, 03:37:33 PM
Speaking of all that:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/zerobriant/art/7141877-youll-miss-me-if-you-blink-twice (http://www.redbubble.com/people/zerobriant/art/7141877-youll-miss-me-if-you-blink-twice)
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on June 04, 2011, 01:15:54 AM
"Better yet, I'll take you to a planet where everybody is all ears!"

So, the Doctor doesn't die. His Doppleganger somehow survives and then dies. Too simple for this show...
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on June 07, 2011, 03:55:17 AM
If River is jailed for killing Rory, expect a 4 page rant from me.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on June 07, 2011, 10:48:17 AM
Ohsnapididntthinkofthat.

Don't we have to wait until Fall for the next episode?
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: SomeKittens on June 07, 2011, 03:35:07 PM
If River is jailed for killing Rory, expect a 4 page rant from me.
...and she'll just get out again.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on June 07, 2011, 03:43:49 PM
Yeah, and after thinking about it, Rory makes more sense then I originally thought. Mostly because Rory is a good man and the Doctor isn't. Also, Rory was the guy with the gun and sword in the episode. If Moffat kills Rory and says "LOL WE'RE NOT BRINGING HIM BACK THIS TIME" then brings him back in the finale (or close to it), I'm going to be mad. Moffat has killed Rory like 9 times so far ;(. Even if he kills Rory and makes him stay dead he already messed up.

Here's to hoping that River isn't the astronaut either. That'd be really boring. I hope it's the doctor's daughter.


Although overall it was a good episode. That Sontaran nurse was awesome.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on June 07, 2011, 04:18:47 PM
Yeah, and after thinking about it, Rory makes more sense then I originally thought. Mostly because Rory is a good man and the Doctor isn't. Also, Rory was the guy with the gun and sword in the episode. If Moffat kills Rory and says "LOL WE'RE NOT BRINGING HIM BACK THIS TIME" then brings him back in the finale (or close to it), I'm going to be mad. Moffat has killed Rory like 9 times so far ;(. Even if he kills Rory and makes him stay dead he already messed up.

Here's to hoping that River isn't the astronaut either. That'd be really boring. I hope it's the doctor's daughter.


Although overall it was a good episode. That Sontaran nurse was awesome.
Yeah, the whole good man thing was why it made so much sense. I don't want him to die...

I originally thought River was the astronaut.
The doctor's daughter is River...right? Because it's not actually the doctor's daughter...right?

Agreed on the nurse. The episode felt too rushed though. For being his highest moment, it didn't seem too glorious, because you didn't really know what was going on.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on June 07, 2011, 04:34:48 PM
Yeah, the whole good man thing...
I thought that was really cool how they said that a good man doesn't need rules, and that the Doctor has sooo many rules.  That was an interesting and true idea, but it has very bad connotations.

I originally thought River was the astronaut.  The doctor's daughter is River...right? Because it's not actually the doctor's daughter...right?
I'm confused.  I thought that it was made clear that River was Amy & Rory's daughter.  And I thought it was also made clear that she WAS in the astronaut uniform.

For being his highest moment, it didn't seem too glorious.
Agreed, I think that the Doctor has had much higher moments before (ie. when he saves the day at the end of "The Doctor Dances").
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on June 07, 2011, 04:42:57 PM
I originally thought River was the astronaut.  The doctor's daughter is River...right? Because it's not actually the doctor's daughter...right?
I'm confused.  I thought that it was made clear that River was Amy & Rory's daughter.  And I thought it was also made clear that she WAS in the astronaut uniform.
It was very clear that River was Amy and Rory's daughter. However, the "Doctor's Daughter" child (who was in the astronaut suit) from early on was River. So, the "Doctor's Daughter" is River, but she's actually not the doctor's daughter, she just happens to be part Time Lord when he's the only Time Lord left.
My question is if River is the one who was in the astronaut suit that kills the Doctor in the beginning of the season...
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on June 07, 2011, 05:03:01 PM
I originally thought River was the astronaut.
The doctor's daughter is River...right? Because it's not actually the doctor's daughter...right?
She very well might be. But I'm hoping otherwise, that'd be boring.

By Doctor's kid I meant it in the most literal fashion. In the past he's admitted he has had children. His first companion called him grandpa (this may not be because she was his granddaughter, but just an endearing term). But most importantly, Alex Kingston (who is probably the person without the last name of Moffat that is most up-to-date with the plot) either gave a hint or is trolling everyone. ("Is it ONLY the Doctor's cot? How many babies have been in that cot, basically? *trollface*).
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on June 07, 2011, 05:06:10 PM
My question is if River is the one who was in the astronaut suit that kills the Doctor in the beginning of the season...
I think that it is likely that River does kill the "Doctor" in the beginning of the season.  My thinking is that she is programmed to kill him as a child.  Then she lures him to that point in history (when she is a child and the Dr is 200 years older than now) and kills him.  However, she grows up and then interacts with him and falls in love with him.  However, she can't go back and change her own past for some reason to keep her younger self from killing his older self.  This would also explain why she (as her older self watching her younger self kill him) tells Amy and Rory to NOT tell the Doctor about his death.

However, my question at this point is whether she really killed the Doctor at all, or did she just kill a Flesh copy of the Doctor?
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on June 07, 2011, 05:07:33 PM
http://twitter.com/#!/steven_moffat/status/77980465453207552
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on June 07, 2011, 05:10:09 PM
So, the Doctor doesn't die. His Doppleganger somehow survives and then dies. Too simple for this show...
However, my question at this point is whether she really killed the Doctor at all, or did she just kill a Flesh copy of the Doctor?
http://twitter.com/#!/steven_moffat/status/77980465453207552
We just got owned.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on June 07, 2011, 05:11:49 PM
But what if River was just keeping a secret and knew it was the flesh!?#?1/3

Amy: Maybe he's a clone or a duplicate or something.
Canton: I believe I can save you some time. That most certainly is the Doctor. And he is most certainly dead.

Although Canton has no way to know, it seems pretty clear Moffat doesn't want to use a cheap cop out like that. I'm going to be disappointed if he does.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on June 07, 2011, 05:27:19 PM
We just got owned.
I don't think so.  When someone answers a question with another question, that is because they don't want to give away the truth by answering the first question.  When their question leads in one direction, the truth is usually in the opposite direction.

But what if River was just keeping a secret and knew it was the flesh!?#?1/3
Although Canton has no way to know
Exactly.  Canton doesn't know, and River could be keeping a secret (or the Doctor could have messed up her sonic).
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on June 07, 2011, 05:30:05 PM
The doctor would have melted if he had been killed, wouldn't he have?

Maybe the flesh Doctor will just fill in the doctor's spot. Really, nothing would be different...would it?
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on June 07, 2011, 05:51:11 PM
It not being him is the most obvious reveal that can happen, that isn't in Doctor Who's style. That alone devalidates it to a large extent. Canton has no way to know, but Moffat does, which suggests that it is the truth, essentially foreshadowing.

I'm pretty sure it said on the confidential that it was the real Doctor anyway, but I'm too lazy to go check.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: SomeKittens on June 09, 2011, 08:58:50 PM
The doctor would have melted if he had been killed, wouldn't he have?

Maybe the flesh Doctor will just fill in the doctor's spot. Really, nothing would be different...would it?
They only melt when their signal is lost (I think).

I'm pretty annoyed that the whole thing was just a soap opera.  I watch Dr. Who to see the Doctor be brilliant, not long and convoluted plots.  If I wanted that, I'd just put Inception on a loop.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on July 11, 2011, 09:36:55 PM
I'm really starting to dislike this season. After re watching The Doctors Wife, I can easily say that it's the best episode since the Curse of Fenric. Blink is no match. Smith is absolutely brilliant, the third best doctor of all time easily (<7th, 4th). Rory is one of my favorite companions, top 5 easily. The character development has been top notch, so I'll give Moffat credit for that.

However, Moffat is ruining it. Moffat is ruining what could be absolutely amazing, he's honestly just choking. The best episodes of New Who have all been written by Moffat (with the exception of the Doctor's Wife): The Doctor Dances, Blink, Silence in the Library, The Girl in the Fireplace. But since he's taken over, he has failed. The only good story he's written has been the pandorica, which is still a failure for a couple reasons. 

If what BBC's twitter has made so obvious isn't just a red herring, I'm done with Moffat. I'm not asking for something completely mind blowing, I don't even want that. But if Moffat decides to take the most obvious, least clever, and boring solutions to the (poorly constructed) problems he's introduced, there's no point in watching.

Even if it is a red herring, I really hope someone else takes over soon, someone who won't kill and revive characters for drama. Hopefully Moffat can still work on some episodes, but what Moffat has done makes Davies look decent.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on July 12, 2011, 01:15:12 AM
Basically everything you just said contradicted what you've been saying about Moffat. I agree to a point. If he does take the obvious and easy way out, I'll rage quit Doctor Who.

And Curse of Fenric wasn't that great, although I did like the 7th Doctor.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on July 12, 2011, 01:26:17 AM
I've been yelling at him for his new stuff for a while now. His old stuff is still the best new who has to offer. The character development in his new stuff is still fine. Essentially, anything he's done for the 11th doctor is disappointing. Besides character development. Not a fan of the comedic 7th doctor. The manipulative 7th doctor is the best doctor ever.

The Curse of Fenric is the best episode not named the Caves of Androzani.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on July 12, 2011, 01:50:40 PM
What's so great about Caves of Androzani? I'm watching it again, but there's nothing fantastic.

Interestingly enough, they took the easy way out for that episode when you saw the Doctor die at the beginning.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on July 12, 2011, 04:09:24 PM
The 5th doctor's other stuff isn't very good, but his acting in the Caves of Androzani is really good. His interaction and chemistry with Perri is fantastic as well. The setting is one of the most memorable from any who serial. Jek is an absolutely fantastic character, just a loving romantic guy who is also psychotic and kidnaps you for your looks. The story line is particularly good and leveled off nicely; not just flat. There's problems of dying for the Doctor and Perri, there's the ongoing war, there's the fued between Magus and Jek, etc. That serial also has some of the best dialogue of all time ("I can take an insult, I just don't want to be shot" is fantastic, and "My mind is nearly equal to his? What amazing conceit" is my favorite line of all time). The regeneration was done masterfully.

I'm not a fan of the execution, but that isn't comparable to what Moffat is doing. Caves of Androzani is Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been and Moffat is Dallas.

Another episode better then Blink you should watch is Remembrance of the Daleks.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on July 12, 2011, 08:19:19 PM
Spoilers may be inside.

The story was completely mediocre, regardless of how much was going on.

Jek was good, but the rest of the characters were pretty much uninteresting. Including the Doctor and Perri. No quirk, little humor, no manipulation, some brilliance, no anger.

The dialogue was also mediocre. This serial is essentially two episodes of the New Who, and one episode of New Who has more in it than this one.

I'll agree that the regeneration was good.

The Curse of Fenric (which still doesn't beat Blink, IMO) has:
Interesting characters. Ace is 100x better than Perri, and is probably my favorite companion (although I haven't watched anything else with her in it yet). Fenric is an extremely in depth character. The Doctor has all the elements a doctor should have. The pastor is also a really good character. The hemavoirs or whatever they're called are great, and their weakness is very unique and interesting.
Good story. Both Ace and the Doctor are involved, with the Doctor meeting Fenric before, and Ace being a wolf of Fenric. They aren't just meddling into somebody else's affairs, and yet it's not all about them. The rest of the story is decent, involving history, mythology, and logic.
Nice ending. The Doctor's need to destroy the psychological barrier was a nice finale.

Relooking at it, it should probably be better than Blink, but I'm a fan of the modern effects and production, so it's hard to go there. I think it is though. The Curse of Fenric>Blink>The Girl in the Fireplace>The Doctor's Wife>>>>>>The Caves of Androzani.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: YourMathTeacher on July 12, 2011, 08:37:01 PM
I have not read this thread. However, since I have heard so much about Dr. Who, I am interested in checking it out. I have Netflix, so does anyone have a suggestion as to where a n00b should start?
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on July 12, 2011, 08:56:18 PM
Because it's not like the Caves of Androzani has been voted as the best, or close to it, episode by multiple polls, right? That Doctor isn't supposed to be manipulative. The 5th Doctor is distant, almost non-caring about wrong doing. Did you notice that? His goal wasn't to stop the war, his goal was to leave. He wanted to save Perri, not all the gun runners. Learn to respect brilliance  8). At least you can recognize how good the Curse of Fenric is, it's absolutely brilliant. It summarizes The 7th Doctor perfectly: Dark, manipulative, for the greater good. The chess analogy is perfect.


@YMT
When the Doctor "dies", he regenerates into a different form. New looks, new personality, new actor. There have been 11 Doctors so far. I'd suggest starting with the 9th, Christopher Eccleston. Just search Netflix for Series or Season 1 Doctor Who, it's from 2005. It's the first season after a 15+ year hiatus, so it showcases the premise fairly well for new viewers. However, many of the enemies and storylines seem subpar, and I'm not a fan of the 9th compared to the 10th or 11th. So, if you end up liking the first season, just keep in mind it gets soo much better when the 9th doctor is replaced.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on July 12, 2011, 09:41:18 PM
Because it's not like the Caves of Androzani has been voted as the best, or close to it, episode by multiple polls, right?
And the majority probably thinks that Casey Anthony is guilty. That doesn't make it true.

Quote
That Doctor isn't supposed to be manipulative. The 5th Doctor is distant, almost non-caring about wrong doing. Did you notice that? His goal wasn't to stop the war, his goal was to leave. He wanted to save Perri, not all the gun runners. Learn to respect brilliance  8).
The Doctor is the Doctor. Every single other incarnation I've seen of him has the same basic principles. I must confess that I didn't notice that, and it was unique for the Doctor, but it just wasn't the Doctor.

Quote
@YMT
When the Doctor "dies", he regenerates into a different form. New looks, new personality, new actor. There have been 11 Doctors so far. I'd suggest starting with the 9th, Christopher Eccleston. Just search Netflix for Series or Season 1 Doctor Who, it's from 2005. It's the first season after a 15+ year hiatus, so it showcases the premise fairly well for new viewers. However, many of the enemies and storylines seem subpar, and I'm not a fan of the 9th compared to the 10th or 11th. So, if you end up liking the first season, just keep in mind it gets soo much better when the 9th doctor is replaced.
Yeah, I had to force myself to watch the first of the New Who. I was really confused when I tried to start with the 10th Doctor though, so I watched the first season. 10th and 11th are SO much better.

Here (http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Doctor_Who/70142441?trkid=2361637) is the Netflix link. After the 4th season, watch The End of Time, otherwise you'll be really confused.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on July 13, 2011, 02:45:05 PM
And the majority probably thinks that Casey Anthony is guilty. That doesn't make it true.
The majority of the selected thinks that there wasn't enough evidence to prove Casey Anthony guilty of 1st degree. There's a difference.

The Doctor is the Doctor. Every single other incarnation I've seen of him has the same basic principles. I must confess that I didn't notice that, and it was unique for the Doctor, but it just wasn't the Doctor.
All the doctors are different. Nub. The 4th was crazy. The 6th was unpredictable. The 7th was awesome. The 10th liked to yell. The 12th was The Rani.



When I mentioned Doctor Who to one of my friends he said he had watched one episode. It was Gridlock. I could not think of a worse episode to start on.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Minister Polarius on July 15, 2011, 07:40:34 PM
Start with the beginning of the reboot and keep an open mind and heart. Some people get really picky about the show and gripe about everything, but it's the most enjoyable if you *want* to like it.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on August 27, 2011, 10:01:27 PM
River and Rory were good. The doctor too. And Rose. Plus the Tardis. Everyone but Amy, really. Everything else was kind of disappointing. I dislike Moffat even more now. Stop killing everyone, lrn2suspense. Stop rushing River, too. She's a good character, don't squeeze everything into 3 episodes.


Also, Rory is supposed to be the best man River knows. The Doctor isn't a good man. Rory is an awesome dude.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on September 03, 2011, 10:02:49 PM
Terrible episode. Most disappointing line: "Good to all be together again, in the flesh". Moffat, stop.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on September 17, 2011, 11:50:20 PM
The departure (although they'll probably be back for the conclusion) was done so poorly. I care about Amy less than I cared about Rose (older Amy was good), meaning I really don't care about Amy. But Rory is by far the best companion in New Who. And you don't even give him a goodbye. The special effects were detractive at best. I don't care about the weird camera angles given the scenario and eluding the the maze, but jumping around so much was just annoying. The plot was pretty bad too: it was gimmicky and didn't make sense, even for dw. I don't care about explanations, but getting a B doesn't make me want to worship an alien. The switch from fear to faith was seemingly random, but I'm not too annoyed about that. I'm annoyed that it kind of contradicts the best episode of all time. Different doctor, whatever, but that had to have been intentional. It's like the 3rd most famous episode. Every line seemed forced: So old I forgot my name! HAR HAR HAR I WAS REFERRING TO THE DOCTOR HAR HAR HAR.

This entire season has been awful, actually. TGWW was decent and the Doctor's Wife was the best episode since Curse of Fenric, but if they do this next season I'm not watching anymore. And I'm actually serious about that. The Silence: great idea, terrible ending. River: One of Moffat's best ideas, totally rushed and done SOOO POORLY. The Doctor's Death: SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BAAAAAAAAAD. You can't just kill people to add drama, you're not writing soaps anymore. Same with the love triangle. The worst thing is he's making it totally obvious, given the shoes/tweed/bowtie or the more subtle things like the apples or cloister bell. He said there's not going to be any loose ends by the end of the season, which means he gets to rush everything in a few episodes. Joy. He still has to end River, his death, Madam Korvian, and the Silence (this is almost surely over, but I can hope). This might be a good thing, although. If he's in such a hurry to end everything and grab new companions it probably means he realizes how terrible this season has been.



There were a few positives. The room numbers were clever. And Rory is now cemented as the best companion of new who. The title had a clever dual meaning.


/end rant. Also, triple posts ftw.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on September 18, 2011, 12:09:04 AM
The departure ... was done so poorly...Rory is by far the best companion in New Who. And you don't even give him a goodbye.
I'll grant you that point.  I am assuming that there will be a better goodbye in a future episode, and this is more of a "timeout" :)

The special effects were detractive at best.
Dr. Who has NEVER been about the SE.  It was popular for 40 years with the worst SE imaginable, anything in the last 6 seasons is SOOOOO much better that I'll never complain about that.

The plot was pretty bad too: it was gimmicky and didn't make sense, even for dw. I don't care about explanations, but getting a B doesn't make me want to worship an alien.
I think the idea there was that she was afraid of her father (not uncommon probably in her culture), and that her way of dealing with that fear was to focus on her faith.

The switch from fear to faith was seemingly random, but I'm not too annoyed about that. I'm annoyed that it kind of contradicts the best episode of all time. Different doctor, whatever, but that had to have been intentional. It's like the 3rd most famous episode.
I actually thought that was really clever as I didn't see it coming, but then it made a lot more sense than just fear.  I realized that the clues were there (ie. the dice and horseshoe), but I hadn't put the pieces together.  As for contradicting another episode, I must have not seen that one, because I don't know what you're talking about.

The worst thing is he's making it totally obvious, given the shoes/tweed/bowtie or the more subtle things like the apples or cloister bell.
Again, you've lost me.  Are you reading this stuff on a DW forum or something?

There were a few positives. The room numbers were clever.
I assume the 11 was because this is the 11th incarnation of the doctor, but what was the deal with the other rooms?

The title had a clever dual meaning.
I thought that was awesome.  The whole episode I thought it was talking about the monster, until I got to the end and realized that it was talking equally about the doctor.

I also thought the shot at the end of him in the Tardis alone, without any companions was really strong.  I also liked his mention of "grown-ups" as he is much like Peter Pan all the time.  And him calling Amy, "Amy Williams" for the first time was also a very powerful line.  There was just a lot of good stuff in this episode!
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on September 18, 2011, 12:37:56 AM
Dr. Who has NEVER been about the SE.  It was popular for 40 years with the worst SE imaginable, anything in the last 6 seasons is SOOOOO much better that I'll never complain about that.
I'm a bigger fan of old who than new who. I was talking about all the zooming around and slow motion (I really disliked the slow motion in The Girl Who Waited, also).

I actually thought that was really clever as I didn't see it coming, but then it made a lot more sense than just fear.  I realized that the clues were there (ie. the dice and horseshoe), but I hadn't put the pieces together.  As for contradicting another episode, I must have not seen that one, because I don't know what you're talking about.
7th Doctor - The Curse of Fenric. You should probably go watch it because it's the best episode except for maybe The Caves of Androzani or Genesis of the Daleks, but if not, spoilers: Faith plays a huge part in The Curse of Fenric. The foes are repelled by it and it's noted how important it is. Eventually the Doctor has to break Ace's faith in him (Ace is the reason I dislike Rose, but that is beside the point) in order to save her, and then she goes all emo about it. After they leave, he explains how he had to do it and faith in him is important.

In The God Complex, the doctor thinks the foe is repelled by it and notes how important it is. Eventually, the Doctor has to break Amy's faith in him in order to save her. After they leave, he indicates you shouldn't have faith in him. Different doctors (although, the 11th is probably the closest to the 7th), but it's just disappointing to see him come to different conclusions from the same situation when regarding such an iconic episode.

Again, you've lost me.  Are you reading this stuff on a DW forum or something?
The Doctor(s) have been wearing different clothing. They have different shoes and a different jacket, one is wearing a bowtie. As for the apples, this Doctor hates apples. He ate one this episode. These are just my observations and talking with friends online, although a couple of them watch a lot more Doctor Who than I and likely are on a few forums. I've been told that they have pretty different personalities when wearing different clothing, but I haven't looked that far in.

There were a few positives. The room numbers were clever.
Rory's Exit was explained, The Doctor is 11 because he's the 11th doctor, and there's also the 11th hour. Amy was 7 because she was 7 when she met the doctor, 7 also has a different meaning I can't remember off the top of my head. There's probably a few others, but I haven't rewatched the episode yet and I didn't pay special attention to it.

I thought that was awesome.  The whole episode I thought it was talking about the monster, until I got to the end and realized that it was talking equally about the doctor.
Well, it was pretty early on Rita told him he had a God Complex...... but I was referring to how complex is an ambiguous term. It meant not only having a God Complex, but running around a Complex built by a race that thinks of themselves as Gods (making the building a God Complex).
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on September 18, 2011, 11:18:16 AM
I missed the cloister bell.

I thought the episode was decent. I think this season has great episodes, if taken separately with the season, but in context are awful. Conceptually, they are all very good.

7th Doctor - The Curse of Fenric. You should probably go watch it because it's the best episode except for maybe The Caves of Androzani...
Caves of Androzani is an awful episode.

In The God Complex, the doctor thinks the foe is repelled by it and notes how important it is. Eventually, the Doctor has to break Amy's faith in him in order to save her. After they leave, he indicates you shouldn't have faith in him. Different doctors (although, the 11th is probably the closest to the 7th), but it's just disappointing to see him come to different conclusions from the same situation when regarding such an iconic episode.
Not to mention contradicting last season. "You need to trust me Amy, it's never been more important..."
The problem wasn't that the monster fed off of faith, but that he accepted faith to be bad just because one monster treated it differently. He did, however, tell Amy the truth: The Doctor is not a hero...he's not a good man. That's what we've been saying all along...

Conspiracy theory time...

RIVER IS GOING TO KILL RORY! AMY SAID TO HAVE HER VISIT, AND THE DOCTOR IS GOING TO RUN INTO THE OLD VERSION, AND HE'S GOING TO TELL HER TO VISIT AND SHE'S GOING TO KILL HIM AND KIDNAP AMY TO LURE IN THE DOCTOR!!!!

And then it'll be the flesh doctor.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on September 18, 2011, 12:59:16 PM
RIVER IS GOING TO KILL RORY! AMY SAID TO HAVE HER VISIT, AND THE DOCTOR IS GOING TO RUN INTO THE OLD VERSION, AND HE'S GOING TO TELL HER TO VISIT AND SHE'S GOING TO KILL HIM AND KIDNAP AMY TO LURE IN THE DOCTOR!!!!
Rory is going to kill the doctor. They're not exactly friends anymore. The Doctor also said "It's okay, I know who you are". That wouldn't make sense if it was himself or River: as he would already know and River wouldn't know him yet. River gets mad and wants revenge, so she kills Rory. The best man she's ever known. I don't care how unlikely this is. I can hope.

BUT THEN WE REMEMBER IT'S RORY WILLIAMS SO HE GETS UP AND WRECKS ERRYONE.


Another thing that suggests the flesh doctor (which I hate, Moffat....) is the Rubick's Cube. In Night Terrors he fails to solve one and says something like "I hate these things". In The God Complex he solves it.



Also, I believe Amy also had 7 rooms in her house. Don't quote me on that, though. This was from memory and I don't feel like checking.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on September 18, 2011, 01:46:15 PM
Another thing that suggests the flesh doctor (which I hate, Moffat....) is the Rubick's Cube. In Night Terrors he fails to solve one and says something like "I hate these things". In The God Complex he solves it.
When are they switching? They also showed a close up of the Doctor's shoes, did they not?
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on September 18, 2011, 09:05:20 PM
7th Doctor - The Curse of Fenric. ..the Doctor has to break Ace's faith in him...in order to save her, and then ...he explains how he had to do it and faith in him is important.

In The God Complex, ...the Doctor has to break Amy's faith in him in order to save her. After they leave, he indicates you shouldn't have faith in him..
I'm not sure that is so much of a contradiction as it is an amazing growth in character.  Perhaps in the time between the 7th Doctor and the present one, he has realized his own fallibility and weakness.  Perhaps he has come to realize that (at least in one sense) he is NOT always a "good man" anymore (your welcome for buying in RW).  This certainly seems to be the conclusion that he's coming to when he makes statements about kidnapping children with candy (this episode) and asking to see someone whose life he hasn't totally messed up when he thought he was dying (last episode).  It also goes with the earlier episodes that talked about how the word Doctor in the future represents something scary and warlike instead of good and helpful.  It also fits with the episode a long time ago with the "Dream Lord" who turned out to be the doctor himself, but whom he admitted hated himself more than anyone else possibly could.

It seems to me that the Doctor is going through a process in the last couple seasons of really dealing with who he really is, and whether his affect on the universe is positive or negative.  This seems to me to be a really good thing for a character such as his to go through, and I'm curious to see how it will all turn out :)
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on September 19, 2011, 01:02:49 PM
Well, firstly, the Doctor has known he's not a good man, even the past incarnations. He's explained why he takes companions (besides the fact he gets lonely): He needs someone to stop him from wrong doing. He also says he was a bad person during the time war.

Most of the new fans haven't seen the Curse of Fenric, despite it being the best episode. They don't go "Hey!!! This represents change from 20 years ago!!". Moffat (and whoever else was the writer) went out of there way to parallel it. It's a given that the doctors are different, so it doesn't even represent change. It was just a reference that they murdered at the end.


And the random switch to "Don't have faith in me!" is still really confusing me considering they've been setting the Doctor up as a Christ figure (killed on Good Friday, betrayed by River with a Kiss, her lipstick was derived from the Judas Tree). I hope Moffat doesn't give him some sort of metaphorical resurrection. So overdone.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on September 19, 2011, 01:21:53 PM
And the random switch to "Don't have faith in me!" is still really confusing me considering they've been setting the Doctor up as a Christ figure (killed on Good Friday, betrayed by River with a Kiss, her lipstick was derived from the Judas Tree). I hope Moffat doesn't give him some sort of metaphorical resurrection. So overdone.
I've noticed that as well. The Master could be resurrected...but that was done by somebody else. Is The Doctor going to defeat death when he's dead? Unlikely. It's obviously the flesh doctor...
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on September 19, 2011, 01:28:27 PM
Is The Doctor going to defeat death when he's dead? Unlikely. It's obviously the flesh doctor...
I really hope it's all a red herring and the Doctor doesn't die to the astronaut.


On the note of the master, you should know his name was Koschei, if you're familiar with Russian Folklore.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on September 24, 2011, 02:29:47 AM
7th Doctor - The Curse of Fenric. You should probably go watch it because it's the best episode
P.S.  You've talked about this episode so often that you've gotten my curiosity up.  Can you post a link where I can watch it?
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on September 24, 2011, 10:51:44 AM
7th Doctor - The Curse of Fenric. You should probably go watch it because it's the best episode
P.S.  You've talked about this episode so often that you've gotten my curiosity up.  Can you post a link where I can watch it?
Netflix.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on September 24, 2011, 02:58:29 PM
Actually I think I found it on Youtube here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gB_uaUf-UI)  I'm only on part 3 so far, but the plot doesn't seem all that great yet, and the acting is just horrible.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on September 25, 2011, 12:20:57 AM
Are you kidding? The plot is easily better than anything in New Who and likely the best since The Caves of Androzani. And if that's bad acting, I don't want to know what you think about Karen Gillian. There's a reason it's widely considered the best episode. Mostly because Ace is probably the best companion of all time (besides Rory, potentially) and the 7th doctor is top percentage.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on September 25, 2011, 12:24:18 AM
Plot is great once you get to the end.

Ace is phenomenal, and Sylvester McCoy is (IN THE HOBBIT) a fantastic doctor. It's a great episode once you look past the oldness of it.

The Caves of Androzani is worse than...Gridlock.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on September 25, 2011, 01:00:14 AM
My thoughts on the new episode. Spoilers, maybe

HILARIOUS. Funniest episode by far. Soooo many good jokes and scenes.

Still disappointed by Moffat. But this is really seems like the best it can be given this season so far. Unless he lied.

Arthur and Karen are contracted for next season. Hopefully that's a lie, I think Moffat needs a fresh start, as much as I love Rory. Petrichor is a good sign. The smell after dust and water meet. Pond and River? Although, I wouldn't mind more River. But on that note.........

RIVER, R U SRS? IS DAT SUM SILENCE IN YO EYE PATCH?

Soooooooo disappointed by the astronaut. Tried to convince myself it wouldn't be sooo bad.

Stormageddon? That'd be the perfect name for The Doctor. Who knows, it might be important in the future.



Best case scenario: The Doctor doesn't die at the lake, and the flesh was a red herring. Worst case scenario: Moffat herps so hard he derps flesh flesh herp derp.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on September 26, 2011, 12:50:32 AM
I watched it with headphones on. My family laughed at my random outbursts of laughter. This was hands down the funniest episode. Of all time.

Hate Cybermen. I'm a racist.

Yeah, I like the silence still being in play. Epic.

Stormageddon is now my alternate name on Facebook. I really want to straight up change my name legally...

Again, individually, these episodes have been fantastic. This season has the best fillers of any Who season, hands down. The Doctor's Wife, The Girl who Waited, The God Complex, and now Closing Time. Phenomenal.

Best case scenario: The Doctor doesn't die at the lake, and the flesh was a red herring. Worst case scenario: Moffat herps so hard he derps flesh flesh herp derp.
Dead Doctor has black shoes. What color was the Flesh Doctor's?
Rewatching The Almost People...he mentions Cyber Mats randomly.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on September 26, 2011, 02:29:19 AM
Stormageddon is now my alternate name on Facebook. I really want to straight up change my name legally...
The Time War can be viewed as Armageddon by the Doctor, and he was in the center of it while the Time Lords and Daleks died. The Daleks feared the Doctor. So much, in fact, he was called The Oncoming Storm in their myths. Important? Unlikely, but I can hope.

Again, individually, these episodes have been fantastic. This season has the best fillers of any Who season, hands down. The Doctor's Wife, The Girl who Waited, The God Complex, and now Closing Time. Phenomenal.
There's been one TOP PERCENTAGE episode (The Doctor's Wife) and two fantastic episodes (The Girl Who Waited, Closing Time). A couple good episodes (A Good Man Goes to War, Let's Kill Hitler). Then a bunch of mediocre episodes that make me cringe (everything I don't list). Oh, and then episodes that just make me sadface because they're so bad (Curse of the Black Spot, A Christmas Carol, The Almost People). Maybe AGMGTW should be up there with TGWW and CT. The Rory-Sontaran scene was brilliant and the Madam Vastra-whoeverthathumanwasIforgothername relationship was good. (And on that note, The Doctor's fall was good. Just not in that episode).

My thing dislike of this season is two fold: You can't just kill people, and you can't rush things. River Song is sooo rushed, and for a season that was suppose to be about the silence, there's been very little silence. As for the killing, that's my biggest dislike. In old Who main characters died and it was okay, you just don't see them anymore. Moffat is killing ERRYONE. Seriously. The Doctor has died multiple times, Amy has died, Rory has died multiple times. That's three of the four main characters that have died. The fourth one died too, YEAH. HE KILLED THE TARDIS, WHAT'S UP WITH THAT YO?



Dead Doctor has black shoes. What color was the Flesh Doctor's?
I'm pretty convinced it isn't the Flesh. I think there's three options

A) Flesh
1) Doctor doesn't die
A1) Deus ex machina


A: Seems like the most obvious answer, but it just seems so bad. It doesn't fit with the Doctor (the flesh BECOMES the Doctor, and it isn't like the Doctor to let himself die. The only way to avoid this would be to employ B or C also, which is unnecessary). It's also boring, but has the Rubick's Cube/Apples/Shoes/Ties/Jackets to back it up.

1: Seems like a much better option. You can avoid the death and any paradoxes and tie some loose ends together with it. And it's not going to be shocking like a brick wall, there's been some subtle clues. Such as what the Doctor says about the future in TGWW (you can change the future by knowing it) and what Amy/Canton say in the Impossible Astronaut (A: What if it's like a copy of the Doctor or something? C: I know the Doctor, and that's no copy).

A1: This is Moffat, not Davies.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on September 26, 2011, 09:30:29 AM
Again, individually, these episodes have been fantastic. This season has the best fillers of any Who season, hands down. The Doctor's Wife, The Girl who Waited, The God Complex, and now Closing Time. Phenomenal.
There's been one TOP PERCENTAGE episode (The Doctor's Wife) and two fantastic episodes (The Girl Who Waited, Closing Time). A couple good episodes (A Good Man Goes to War, Let's Kill Hitler). Then a bunch of mediocre episodes that make me cringe (everything I don't list). Oh, and then episodes that just make me sadface because they're so bad (Curse of the Black Spot, A Christmas Carol, The Almost People). Maybe AGMGTW should be up there with TGWW and CT. The Rory-Sontaran scene was brilliant and the Madam Vastra-whoeverthathumanwasIforgothername relationship was good. (And on that note, The Doctor's fall was good. Just not in that episode).
That's way more than most seasons. The flesh series was awful, but I didn't mind The Black Spot and A Christmas Carol. They weren't Gridlock bad, at least.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Professoralstad on September 26, 2011, 09:54:39 AM
Community had a spoof of Doctor Who for one of their scenes: Inspector Spaceman. Nothing too elaborate, but I thought it was funny.

Carry on.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on September 26, 2011, 10:20:28 AM
My first impressions of "The Curse of Fenric" (major spoilers included).

Are you kidding? The plot is easily better than anything in New Who...
Maybe I'm just missing something, but it seemed to be your basic zombie movie formula to me.  You have young teenage girls who don't listen to their mother, and sneak off to go swimming where they are overcome with the "curse of Fenric" and turn into vampires.  Then they and the other vampires go around killing everyone else except those who have true faith.  Of course the pastor of the church doesn't have true faith in God, but the Russian soldier does have true faith in the revolution of the workers.

Mostly because Ace is probably the best companion of all time (besides Rory, potentially) and the 7th doctor is top percentage.
Ace is the opposite of a subtle character.  She keeps talking about how she hates her mother (giving the emotional angst required), and using her bag full of explosives (giving the bad girl flavor).  Yet for all her toughness, she is reduced to tears and completely loses faith in the Doctor because he insults her ability to pass a Chemistry test.

And the doctor is equally lacking in subtlety.  He is dressed more like the Riddler in Batman, than a Doctor.  The sweater with all the questions, and the umbrella with a HUGE question mark handle.  And considering that there have only been about 11 Doctors, it is not possible to be "top percentage" unless you are the BEST one.  And that guy was definitely NOT better than Tom Baker or David Tennant or Matt Smith, in my book, and I know that most polls would agree with me (at least about Baker and Tennant).

His grand solution was to challenge the dark lord to a chess game (sounds like Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey) and get one bad guy to kill the other bad guy.  The Russian with "true faith" turned out to be destined for dark-lord-hood himself.  The big surprise revelation was that the cute baby turned out to be Ace's hated mother.  I just really wasn't impressed overall, and that was without even mentioning the special effects looking like the costume director had got everything at the half-off sale after halloween, and all the guns sounding like Red Rider BB guns.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on September 27, 2011, 01:45:07 PM
Doctor Who is an archetypal show. I can only think of a handful of episodes that don't follow that idea, and most of them are bad. In fact, the entire premise of mystery man saves the day is an archetype, as is the Doctor. Even The Caves of Androzani, which is most often regarded as the best episode of all time, is very archetypal.

Have you seen most of Ace's episodes or watched most of the Old Who in general (I'm assuming no if you didn't recognize the Curse of Fenric)? If not it seems silly to judge her, but anyway, I've always said that Rose was Ace 2.0, and Martha was Ace 2.1. She was really innovative compared to former companions. And a question mark isn't subtle but a bright scarf is? I concede Baker is the epitome of the doctor, but claiming Tennant > McCoy is laughable. Even Pertwee > Tennant. The only reason Eccleston, Tennant, and Smith are popular is because the show now has a much larger budget and it is broadcast to a much wider audience. Also, "top percentage" is an ambiguous meme.

Ignoring the fact Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey came out several years after The Curse of Fenric, you're now complaining about a budget show? When you told me that wasn't what Doctor Who was about?
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on September 27, 2011, 10:05:06 PM
Doctor Who is an archetypal show. I can only think of a handful of episodes that don't follow that idea, and most of them are bad. In fact, the entire premise of mystery man saves the day is an archetype, as is the Doctor.
The Beast Below didn't follow that pattern.  It was not the Doctor who solved the mystery that time, but rather was Amy.  And the big revelation of that show was humanity was caught in a loop of discovering truth and then choosing to forget it instead of deal with their own cruelty and selfishness (much better than a baby is your mom).  And Amy's discovery was about the true character of beings who are the last of their race (a lesson which the Doctor could use a refresher on at this point in this season).

Have you seen most of Ace's episodes or watched most of the Old Who in general (I'm assuming no if you didn't recognize the Curse of Fenric)? If not it seems silly to judge her, but anyway, I've always said that Rose was Ace 2.0, and Martha was Ace 2.1. She was really innovative compared to former companions.
No I haven't seen any other Ace episodes, and I haven't seen much Old Who.  And I don't care if Ace was innovative for her time.  Citizen Kane was innovative for it's time, but watched today it just isn't that interesting.  Perhaps if I was watching Who in the 60's I would've been impressed with Ace, but watching her now (in what you say is one of her best episodes), I'm nonplussed.

And a question mark isn't subtle but a bright scarf is?
I'll give you the scarf isn't subtle, but at least it's more unique, and it's also useful as the Doctor sometimes used it as either a weapon or a means of escape.

you're now complaining about a budget show? When you told me that wasn't what Doctor Who was about?
I understand that it is not what the show has been about, and is not why it has been popular with a very small number of people for a very long time.  But the fact that the special effects and acting have reached a point where I can reasonably suspend disbelief is a big part of why I'm watching the show regularly now (and so are a lot more other people).
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on October 01, 2011, 10:23:03 PM
No I haven't seen any other Ace episodes, and I haven't seen much Old Who.  And I don't care if Ace was innovative for her time.  Citizen Kane was innovative for it's time, but watched today it just isn't that interesting.  Perhaps if I was watching Who in the 60's I would've been impressed with Ace, but watching her now (in what you say is one of her best episodes), I'm nonplussed.
Not innovative for her time; innovative. She was the most highly developed of any companion by a pretty far margin. She created this idea of realism presented in new who, but presented it herself at a much higher level

]
But the fact that the special effects and acting have reached a point where I can reasonably suspend disbelief is a big part of why I'm watching the show regularly now (and so are a lot more other people).
So it is about the special effects? I personally don't want CGI. I want a closeup of a rat.




Bad finale. Boring, overdone, and too short. There was a mediocre build up to one of the most pathetic and lazy endings I've ever seen. And herp herp herp derp herp derp, let's put a clone in there. That's original! Hahaha, now we can kill anyone for entertainment! Better than the flesh, I guess. I know Moffat got his start writing soap operas, but this isn't Dallas.

Also, Moffat lied. He said no loose ends. There are more loose ends this season than last season. Next time a new Moffat episode comes out I'm going to blow if off for texting and scones.


On an unrelated note, RIP Brig :(
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on October 02, 2011, 10:24:30 AM
Bad finale. Boring, overdone, and too short. There was a mediocre build up to one of the most pathetic and lazy endings I've ever seen. And herp herp herp derp herp derp, let's put a clone in there. That's original! Hahaha, now we can kill anyone for entertainment! Better than the flesh, I guess. I know Moffat got his start writing soap operas, but this isn't Dallas.

Also, Moffat lied. He said no loose ends. There are more loose ends this season than last season. Next time a new Moffat episode comes out I'm going to blow if off for texting and scones.


On an unrelated note, RIP Brig :(
Good red herring was good. You have to admit that.

List of all the loose ends, please.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on October 02, 2011, 11:10:38 AM
What happened to the proto-tardis, How did the silence take control of the tardis (Why did they blow it up), How was River alive with the journal after the Big Bang, Why is the Doctor's Name so important, What happens to the silence, What happens to madam Korvian. There's a handful of smaller ones, but I don't care if they get answered. Looks like we get another season of the silence; oh boy.

Also, with the beard and unique clothing, I wonder who they wanted prisoner doctor to look like... Moffat has a lot of good ideas, he just doesn't know how to make them cohesive. And his conclusions are dreadful. The one thing I'll give Moffat props for is being a fan of Old Who, obviously. "The Sentinels of History"? Looks like the Doctor won't have an army for a while.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on October 04, 2011, 12:30:15 AM
I liked the finale.  It did seem to wrap up a LOT of stuff from this season, and had some classic moral dilemmas.  Should River kill the Doctor or figure out a way to keep him alive even if it means risking the entire universe?  Should the Doctor keep avoiding his death (which he could have infinitely) or face it head on?  Should he allow himself to be killed in order to save the rest of the universe?  Should Amy take revenge on the woman who stole her child and turned her into a brainwashed psychopath?

I felt like each of these decisions was given time to develop, and the characters really had to face the outcome of their choices.

On a more shallow note, it was fun to see pterodactyls in a London park and hot air balloons carrying cars.  I liked the creativity.  I also enjoyed seeing an explanation for the eye patches, and to see the good guys turn them around to use them good, and then the bad guys to turn them around again to use them for bad.  I always like twists like that :)
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on October 04, 2011, 01:22:37 PM
So now it's okay just to follow archetypes ಠ_ಠ? And all the questions, besides the one about Amy, are pretty blatant. Even the casual watcher would know the answers without much thinking. As for Amy, she was really out of character. For the first half of the season she didn't know she was pregnant, and for the second half (except for AGMGTW), she didn't really seem to care her baby got kidnapped.


The Doctor-River marriage scene (when they create a loop of quoting each other, you embarrass me, etc) was the only redeeming part of the episode I haven't mentioned. The ending was possibly the worst season ending I've ever seen. The plot was just nonsensical even for the show's premise.


I do have high hopes for the next season. It's been pretty clear Moffat wants to get away from "I'm the Doctor, I can do anything" and back to "I'm the Doctor, I better run away from danger" which the show was based on. I'm going to be disappointed if he brings back Amy and Rory.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Prof Underwood on October 04, 2011, 04:52:08 PM
all the questions, besides the one about Amy, are pretty blatant. Even the casual watcher would know the answers without much thinking.
Oddly enough, I would have personally answered ALL 3 questions differently.  If I were Amy I would NOT have taken revenge by killing my enemy.  If I were River, I would NOT kill someone even if it meant saving the rest of the universe.  And if I were the Doctor, I would certainly keep on time traveling indefinitely before returning to the time and place where I was supposed to die.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on November 08, 2011, 03:14:40 PM
The Doctor couldn't keep running. That was demonstrated with Brig (or even Tennant). But on a more serious note, I finally got to rewatch the episode. And..... I noticed something.

I predicted 3 possible outcomes a while back: Flesh, the Doctor didn't die, and Dues ex Machina. I said the flesh was unlikely. I was right with my second prediction (Doctor doesn't die) for 80% of the episode, which I was happy about. But I just realized the ultimate outcome was LITERALLY a deus ex machina. SO BAD. DUES EX MACHINAS ARE ALWAYS BAD.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Warrior_Monk on November 08, 2011, 11:33:44 PM
You changed your guesses. Initially you were wrong, wrong, wrong.
Title: Re: Dr. Who: The Impossible Astronaut *Spoilers*
Post by: Rawrlolsauce! on November 08, 2011, 11:59:29 PM
In my defense, those guesses were from the first half of the season. And they shouldn't have been wrong, they are only wrong because Moffat just wants to copy Davies instead of writing something decent. SO BAD.
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