Doctor Who opinions
- Thread starter Kaitou
- Start date
Solo4114
Master Member
So, I'm all caught up now. Watched this week's episode last night, and the episode from the week before as well.
Thoughts on last week's episode:
I get why everyone was annoyed by this episode. It ended inconclusively and seemed like a weak attempt at trying to do another Weeping Angels thing. Or like it was going to be part of a larger story that they then realized they didn't have enough time to do. Interesting concept, weak execution. Whatever.
Thoughts on this week's episode:
I'm glad Clara is gone. I'm glade she's dead because of her own "cleverness" and sense of invulnerability.
However.
I think the general plotting of this season was pretty much a giant waste of time. Clara's character had no build up, and her behavior was never really explained. There was never any sense that she was acting this way because of what happened with Danny. There was never and sense that anything that came before had anything to do with what happened this season, other than the notion that Jenna said during an interview that she thinks Clara has this false sense of invulnerability because they always come through unscathed (I guess she conveniently forgot about ALL THE DEATH AROUND HER, INCLUDING HER BOYFRIEND).
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Moffat is really weak on long-term plotting. Last season was...decent, in that you saw a steady character build up. And then he gave in to Jenna saying "Hey, I'd like to come back for Christmas. Oh, and for next season, too." And it's like every idea he had evaporated. So, all we get is Clara with this daredevil personality transplant. And now she's dead from it.
I think the stuff with Ashildr is interesting, but I don't see longevity in that (people expecting Maisie Williams to sign on for a full season aren't paying attention or don't understand how shooting schedules work). It'd be neat, yeah, but...meh. He'd still need a human companion.
I thought they handled Clara's death well in the moment, though. And it looks like we'll have some real repercussions from it. Probably a la how 10 handled things after Donna. But really, as I was watching the episode, I just couldn't get past the notion of "This whole season is a wash. It's like it shouldn't have happened at all." I'm going to bet that, if you go back and watch last season, then skip the Christmas episode and go right to THIS year's Christmas episode...you won't miss anything. You could, in essence, skip this entire season because it's pointless. And really, that's how the season has felt. Like a whole season of filler and one-offs, even with the two-parters. Which, by the way, was also a terrible idea, in my opinion, because the first part was always kinda "meh" all season long.
On the whole, I'm washing my hands of this season when all is said and done, I think.
Oh, also, to feed into the whole "This season can be skipped" thing, did anyone notice that the Doctor's proper costume is back now? Again, it's like you could just skip the season and you wouldn't even notice.
So, here's a theory. The Morpheus thing was left open-ended. But that also helps pave the way for something else. AND, it kind of ties back to LAST year's Christmas episode, which also involved dreaming.
So, what if....everything from Clara's departure on....was a dream. A really, really long, f-ed up dream. Clara's gone, the Doctor's stuck in some dream box or whatever, it's connected to Morpheus, and it gets resolved in THIS year's Christmas special, which basically just picks up where last year's left off. Would that be a massive cop-out? ABSOLUTELY, but I can also see Moffat doing it anyway because he DGAF.
Thoughts on last week's episode:
I get why everyone was annoyed by this episode. It ended inconclusively and seemed like a weak attempt at trying to do another Weeping Angels thing. Or like it was going to be part of a larger story that they then realized they didn't have enough time to do. Interesting concept, weak execution. Whatever.
Thoughts on this week's episode:
I'm glad Clara is gone. I'm glade she's dead because of her own "cleverness" and sense of invulnerability.
However.
I think the general plotting of this season was pretty much a giant waste of time. Clara's character had no build up, and her behavior was never really explained. There was never any sense that she was acting this way because of what happened with Danny. There was never and sense that anything that came before had anything to do with what happened this season, other than the notion that Jenna said during an interview that she thinks Clara has this false sense of invulnerability because they always come through unscathed (I guess she conveniently forgot about ALL THE DEATH AROUND HER, INCLUDING HER BOYFRIEND).
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Moffat is really weak on long-term plotting. Last season was...decent, in that you saw a steady character build up. And then he gave in to Jenna saying "Hey, I'd like to come back for Christmas. Oh, and for next season, too." And it's like every idea he had evaporated. So, all we get is Clara with this daredevil personality transplant. And now she's dead from it.
I think the stuff with Ashildr is interesting, but I don't see longevity in that (people expecting Maisie Williams to sign on for a full season aren't paying attention or don't understand how shooting schedules work). It'd be neat, yeah, but...meh. He'd still need a human companion.
I thought they handled Clara's death well in the moment, though. And it looks like we'll have some real repercussions from it. Probably a la how 10 handled things after Donna. But really, as I was watching the episode, I just couldn't get past the notion of "This whole season is a wash. It's like it shouldn't have happened at all." I'm going to bet that, if you go back and watch last season, then skip the Christmas episode and go right to THIS year's Christmas episode...you won't miss anything. You could, in essence, skip this entire season because it's pointless. And really, that's how the season has felt. Like a whole season of filler and one-offs, even with the two-parters. Which, by the way, was also a terrible idea, in my opinion, because the first part was always kinda "meh" all season long.
On the whole, I'm washing my hands of this season when all is said and done, I think.
Oh, also, to feed into the whole "This season can be skipped" thing, did anyone notice that the Doctor's proper costume is back now? Again, it's like you could just skip the season and you wouldn't even notice.
So, here's a theory. The Morpheus thing was left open-ended. But that also helps pave the way for something else. AND, it kind of ties back to LAST year's Christmas episode, which also involved dreaming.
So, what if....everything from Clara's departure on....was a dream. A really, really long, f-ed up dream. Clara's gone, the Doctor's stuck in some dream box or whatever, it's connected to Morpheus, and it gets resolved in THIS year's Christmas special, which basically just picks up where last year's left off. Would that be a massive cop-out? ABSOLUTELY, but I can also see Moffat doing it anyway because he DGAF.
I think this time around they need a male companion... like an old man! One who has the wonder of a child but yet can go toe to toe with the Doctor. There's clever and then there is street smart. That's what we need this time around... not another doe eyed female that keeps getting in trouble and the Doctor saves her... maybe this time around the companion should be the one that can save the Doctor for a change!
astroboy
Master Member
Oh lord....I fear that you may be right.
The thing with Clara is that, although I HATED the plots from last season, they had an incredible character arc with Clara, the doctor, and Danny. And this season felt like a new Clara. She seemed to be over Danny. Which should be impossible.
So this entire season could have been from the people who shot J.R.
Solo4114
Master Member
Yeah, that's about where I come out. I was unimpressed at most of the episode stories from last season, but they handled Clara's arc quite well.
This season she just seems like a totally different character, and the plots have been middling for the stories in general. I appreciate that Moffat moved away from trying to tell grand "clever" stories with stingers at the end of each episode to suggest something bigger, but the way he handled the character this season was...not right.
I mean, ok, Clara is reckless. Maybe thinks she's as clever as the Doctor. Fine. But there was never any reason given for why. No examination of her motivations. She was just kinda...there...doing what she did. Then she died.
It's really a shame, because Jenna is a terrific actress and could handle much, much better material than she was given, but it really seems like they just kinda threw this season together and the end result is rather a disposable year.
Noeland
Master Member
The thing is, Capaldi would be the perfect War Doctor. His few minutes of intensity over comedy was my favorite few minutes of Doctor Who since Tennent left. It was a glimpse of something pretty great. That's how they need to write his Doctor Who. Dangerous, intense, and razor sharp.
Jaitea
Master Member
Not necessarily the War Doctor,....Tennant removed his smiley mask a few times to reveal a cold alien monster,.....he's a Time Lord pretending to be a human
J
Look when he threatened to bring in everything including Daleks, that was no threat or bluff, he meant every word. That was The War Doctor getting ready to push the big red button.
drcraig13
Sr Member
OK after reading all the comments and watching the show twice I have to say I can't disagree with some of you more about this episode. I thought it was rubbish up until the last 5 minutes.
1. The character of Ashielder/Me had so much potential and they left her as nothing but a spoiled upset child. IMO she came across as trying to outsmart the Doctor and all she showed is how immature she actually is in the ways of the world/universe. I can only hope that they some how have her being manipulated by Missy to make her interesting again or just let her be.
2. I am also so pissed that they finally gave Jenna Coleman something to show off her acting chops 2 minutes before they killed her. I thought she handled her death with grace and nobility. Also the way that she talked to and handled the Doctor by knowing about the War Doctor was awesome. If they had done this for her entire stint on the show she would probably go down as the greatest companion ever.
3. I love the intensity that Capaldi brings in these "heated" moments. Why however do we have to have the Doctor get angry before you give him some good material to work with. Capaldi has such a range of emotion to bring to this character but it seems this group only knows how to write him well when he is pissed.
Like a fool I will continue to watch this show but it is my opinion that they are wasting the talent of what could be the best Doctor since Baker or even the best.
1. The character of Ashielder/Me had so much potential and they left her as nothing but a spoiled upset child. IMO she came across as trying to outsmart the Doctor and all she showed is how immature she actually is in the ways of the world/universe. I can only hope that they some how have her being manipulated by Missy to make her interesting again or just let her be.
2. I am also so pissed that they finally gave Jenna Coleman something to show off her acting chops 2 minutes before they killed her. I thought she handled her death with grace and nobility. Also the way that she talked to and handled the Doctor by knowing about the War Doctor was awesome. If they had done this for her entire stint on the show she would probably go down as the greatest companion ever.
3. I love the intensity that Capaldi brings in these "heated" moments. Why however do we have to have the Doctor get angry before you give him some good material to work with. Capaldi has such a range of emotion to bring to this character but it seems this group only knows how to write him well when he is pissed.
Like a fool I will continue to watch this show but it is my opinion that they are wasting the talent of what could be the best Doctor since Baker or even the best.
Riceball
Master Member
The one thing that I got from this episode was just how short Jenna Coleman really is, I don't know how tall Maise Williams is but she looks to be on the petite side to me and she's almost as tall as Jenna while at 10 years younger with still more growing to go. Pointless observation aside, it was an interesting episode, fairly enjoyable and definitely one of the better ones this season.
Solo4114
Master Member
Maisie's 18, I believe. Not much more height to be gained there. They're actually almost the same height. Maisie is 5'1, and Jenna is 5'2, at least according to IMDB. I'd bet Maisie was either shot taller or wearing higher heels/platforms than Jenna for those scenes.
Metallijosh
Well-Known Member
What's that from?
JD
Master Member
Allegedly: "Makes an appearance right at the end of Ep 12. Flies out of the console, Capaldi catches it, twists and flicks it open and is the last shot of the episode."
Last edited:
JD
Master Member
I believe that's the same day as the UK. I should've used spoiler tags - as should've the OP.... apologies.
Timey Wimey
Well-Known Member
Best episode in years. I haven't pondered on it for too long and didn't pay my utmost attention but it finally got Capaldi perfect and proved they where finally willing to do what Doctor Who needs to do if it isn't going to just be Time Travel. I loved this. The show got really dark but I love it. And I can accredit that all to the big event from last week. I don't want to say a lot because it might be spoiling too much but the ramifications and new directions this can bring the show makes me actually want to say this show is good again. Great even. And just one episode made me think that. So good I think a new thread should be made just devoted to this episode.
Aberration
Active Member
"The hybrid, destined to conquer Gallifrey and stand in its ruins...."
*puts on sonic sunglasses*
"... is ME"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o
*puts on sonic sunglasses*
"... is ME"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o
