[watching] Doctor Who

I loved my big fat Doctor Who catch-up. I think it has got better and better.

I think Space Babies would have been so appealing to my grandchildren that it seemed to me such a wonderful introduction for kids. So in that sense I rate it higher since it was so focused on the new watchers. 7/10

The Devil's Chord, just so well acted, imagined and produced. Excellent time travel, a superb villain, a mystery and a willingness to cross dramatic genre. 9/10

Boom. A tight close, focused, anti-war episode. Just didn't quite work for me. 7/10

73 Yards. Just delightfully creepy and unexplained. Marked down just a smidge since Gatiss, Reese or Pemberton would have done it better. 8/10

Dot and Bubble. As has been said, this one of the offerings I really love from SF, incisive, 9/10.

Rogue. Oh what joy and romance and satire and delight. A time travel delight again, 8/10.

The Legend of Ruby Sunday. Real repertoire UNIT story, with a Twist at the end. Were you listening in Devil's Chord?

I don't do Who fandom. Not because I don't like the idea, but because I want to enjoy it like I did as a kid with just my own stumbling glee. Then I might have a quick gander at fandom to backfill.

Great series. Nice mix of styles, themes, messaging, different dramatic purposes and outcomes. Millie Gibson is a very talented actor, I find her a real joy to watch.

I just admit I was disappointed that Susan wasn't Susan, the companion that has never really been fully explored for me, but it was a wonderful twist and great to meet an enemy so old that I certainly didn't remember them. "Wrong acronym" indeed.

Oh and 73 yards is roughly 66 metres.
 
Just watched those episodes on iPlayer on the aeroplane
 
My thoughts on Empire of Death:

Overall, I felt it was a good episode, but it certainly wasn't the best season finale by a long shot. It was a typical everything including the kitchen sink Russell T Davies finale, with one of his usual Deus ex machina resolutions. It also features another universe ending event that are also becoming a hallmark of Dr Who in recent years, and which I feel is becoming little tiresome. I loved the creation of the memory TARDIS and seeing clips from Pyramids of Mars, with the Doctor having to explain to Ruby who he was back then. I just didn't like the idea of Sutekh riding the Doctor's TARDIS since Season 13. However, I can see why RTD used the idea as a clever mechanic.

I felt that the end of Ruby's story-arc was okay, and I guess RTD wanted to giver her a happy ending - like Rose. However, when it comes to Mrs Flood, he's left us dangling on a hook. One thing I did notice her say was the Doctor was a "clever boy" after he had defeated Sutekh. So who is she? I have a feeling the outfit she was wearing on the rooftop at the end might be a big clue. It was very similar to one wore by River Song. Or could the clever boy remark hint at Clara - which I hope not. And what did she mean when she proclaimed that The Doctor's story “ends in absolute terror”?

Overall, I score the episode 7 out of 10.
 
My overall scores for 2023-2024.

My 60th Anniversary Specials ratings out of 10

The Star Beast: 7
Wild Blue Yonder: 7
The Giggle: 9
The Church of Ruby Road: 6

Overall Rating 7 out of 10

My Season One (2024) ratings out of 10

Space Babies: 5
The Devil’s Cord: 6
Boom: 7
73 Yards: 8
Dot and Bubble: 7
Rogue: 7
The Legend of Ruby Sunday: 8
Empire of Death: 7

Overall Rating 7 out of 10
 
I can confirm that production is moving forward on the first spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea. Filming will begin this September. However, I have a feeling that the name of the series might be a working title.

Now the rumour mill:

The series is speculated to be 5 episodes long and will feature the return of Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper. However, I cannot confirm either of these rumours yet.
 
More speculation about the spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea:

Rumour is that it might be Martha Jones in the lead and not Gwen Cooper. Of course, nothing confirmed yet.
 
Ok, I have watched Empire of Death and tend to agree with @Nathan, not wholly.

I do agree that RTD throws everything in and he's totes emotes 98% of the time. Gatwa is a very emotional actor when he needs to be and I think I can roll with the wider range. The defeat of Sutekh wasn't IMHO "Deus ex machina", it was "Doctor ex machina", and frankly no more or less than many a villain defeat plot. At least it used them funny gloves again.
I quite liked that Ruby's mother was just normal, it turned the whole tendency for the messianic Hero(one) on its head.
The exploration of family, adoption, and the family you make and the family you get is interesting and pertinent.
Yes I don't get why the entire Universe has to be destroyed everytime, and then saved, but hey ho, it's only a plot thing. Indeed the original tale (Pyramid of Mars) is similarly apocalyptic and also solved with a simple plot twist by the Doctor.
I loved the multiple Susans trap. The "twist in the end" was nicely self referential. Many walls are being broken.
Absolutely fascinated by who Anita Dobson is playing.
Thus I score it 8/10.
Indeed now I see where the whole season ended, and the interlinking - it was a very good season.
I also like Gatwa as an actor. I'd now like to see some solo adventures.
 
Season 25 Blu Ray collecton is out in wild. My copy arrived this morning.
 

Attachments

  • 1000003088.jpg
    1000003088.jpg
    67 KB · Views: 0
Looking forward to this.
 
Nathan said:
Personally, I would have gone with The Tomb of the Cybermen.
Click to expand...
Maybe they thought as tons of that is ice (white) and cybermen (silver-grey), it wouldn't be as technically challenging/fun to do? :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top