New Doctor Who Series Discussion *Spoilers*

[letmebestormy]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

we just wish he'd hurry up and

See, if you had seen the episode you would understand why I am not sure if you want Moffat to hurry and and get on with it or if you want Moffat to hurry and and e-file for an extension on his tax return. 'cause it's all in the reflection.

 

[Egon Spengler]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

The one thing that bugged be about this episode was how suddenly Amy was Mrs. Fightyfightfight. Where the heck did that come from?

I like the connected stories and I'm not in any rush to get back to a simple story of the week format. I like how it is now, as it is a little similar to the long serials of the original series.

 

[Birdie]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

Metrosonus, if anything, I would say 'curse of the black spot' is a ref to Treasure Island above POTC. And the epi was about about a curse...of a black spot :lol

And this epi wasn't written by Moffat, though he did his usual cringeworthy turn on Confidential, about how they had to throw in everything people associate with pirates, whizz, bang! Look at how cool it is etc.,

BTW, my dissatisfaction with Moffat dates from him taking over as show runner, before that I thought he was the best writer on the show. I'm thinking he needs a script editor, now he's show runner he seems to have gone all Lucas.

Episode was a fun enough romp,the pirates were kinda lame and wimpy and could have lived without the Amy saves Rory shinola again. And did anyone think the twist was kinda a repeat on The Doctor Dances solution? Hmm...

Liked the visual riff on 'Coma' in the hospital (if that was intended :angel) and the whole space pirates thing was cool in a cheesy kind of way.

Interesting you keep bringing up 'Victory of the Daleks', an episode that seems almost universally reviled by Who fans. After 'Love and Monsters' and 'Fear Her', of course :lol

 

[Egon Spengler]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

Gotta say, Victory of the Daleks was pretty bad.

 

[metrosonus]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

I don't see what was wrong with it..

 

[letmebestormy]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

I too, dug the Coma-esque medical center.

 

[Angelus Lupus]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

So after everyone complaining that there was too much going on in the opening episodes, now we're complaining that there wasn't enough happening in this one? Great work RPF! :lol

After the frenetic pace of the first episodes, this one was a much needed pause to breath. It was a fun, easy-to-follow romp with pirates and a couple of small hints at the series arc. I liked it a lot.

Some people will always find something to moan about. But hey, it's not like anyone is forcing them to watch, right? It had Amy looking hot as a pirate, and that's worth watching!

(I use wolf smilies now, wolf smilies are cool! - As the Doctor might say)

 

[Birdie]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

Hell with Amy, Lily Cole can sing me to sleep any day :angel

So, can the Gaiman episode possibly live up to expectations....?

 

[Larry Young]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

I don't often get into in-depth discussions of Doctor Who, because while I've watched nearly all of them from Tom Baker to now, I can't say as I retain most of it as it's just a bit of entertainment to me in a genre I quite enjoy. I think the premise is exquisite and it's been so good since 2005 in terms of production value, I can hardly bring myself to whinge.

But this Internet propensity to belly-ache about everything regardless of context is starting to sour me on my fellow nerds. For example: OK, yes, the title "The Curse of the Black Spot" is going to look like a Depp-rivation if your worldview consists of only RTD and has no room for RLS; yes, nerds choose up sides because they've grown up with the binary morality of Batman Good, Joker Bad and Doctor Good, Master Bad, so why not Davies Good, Moffett Bad, absent any shade of nuance?

But doesn't anyone notice the Doctor acting out of character? Doesn't anyone notice the (apparent) plot holes? Doesn't anyone notice the wild shifts in change and tone? Of course you all do, and of course you all think it's crappy acting, slip-shod writing, and artists and workmen all half-assing it for a paycheck, and can't wait to post on the Internet your observations taking shots at what you purport to love.

But maybe it's all the LOST in my brain, and the Inception views, and The Matrix and Tron: Legacy I've been watching on a loop with my young man, but doesn't the thought occur to you unhappy few that maybe there's a firm hand on the DW tiller? That there's a handsome, mysterious (clinical, medical) woman with the ability to slide a peephole into "reality" and reassure a maybe pregnant, maybe not Amy to not worry and to keep calm and carry on and whatnot?

All of the danger and joy and pirate wish-fulfillment and fascinating confusion one week and ridiculous sea romps the next might not be sub-par entertainments served up by an uncaring BBC and those in their employ, but the first part of a larger puzzle whose big picture hasn't been revealed, much less the number and color of pieces?

I mean really.

In other news, E-Wan, buy your missus the buccaneer coat here in your size:

https://www.museumreplicas.com/p-348-buccaneer-coat.aspx

...and she'll make a fine Pirate Amy. And you can use it yourself, later.

 

[E-Wan]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

Larry Young, you're my hero.

 

[Larry Young]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

 

[nickytea]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

The ORIGINAL space pirate.

 

[MattMunson]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

But this Internet propensity to belly-ache about everything regardless of context is starting to sour me on my fellow nerds. For example: OK, yes, the title "The Curse of the Black Spot" is going to look like a Depp-rivation if your worldview consists of only RTD and has no room for RLS; yes, nerds choose up sides because they've grown up with the binary morality of Batman Good, Joker Bad and Doctor Good, Master Bad, so why not Davies Good, Moffett Bad, absent any shade of nuance?

Nah, I just think Moffett is actually a pretty bad story teller. Then again, it could easily just be the before/after comparisons between RTD and Moffett.

I think my main beef with Moffett is that he just has no sense of subtlety, and is too quick to return to his previously used bag of tricks. With RTD, it was something new and interesting every week. Moffet seems to want to re-tread every "win" he ever saw played out in the series, and he beats it to death. For example, it was cute and interesting when River said "Spoilers!" to the doctor. Now it's like her catchphrase. Yuck. Best example I can come up with? Weeping angels. I know I've said this before. Under RTD they were terrifying and interesting. Moffett brought them into the light (literally!) and demystified them. Just re-hash at this point.

Same thing with the main series arc. With RTD, you didn't even know there WAS an seasonal arc until the last few episodes of the season, and you would then reflect back upon events of the past 10 episodes and have your own "Ah ha!!!!" moment. Whereas Moffett just lacks the subtlety to pull it off, and ends up doing "Hey everyone, look at this! this right here??? this is important to the bigger story I'm telling!! See it?? Pay attention now please!!!!"

Just too heavy handed for my likings.

 

[Larry Young]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

Same thing with the main series arc. With RTD, you didn't even know there WAS an seasonal arc until the last few episodes of the season, and you would then reflect back upon events of the past 10 episodes and have your own "Ah ha!!!!" moment. Whereas Moffett just lacks the subtlety to pull it off, and ends up doing "Hey everyone, look at this! this right here??? this is important to the bigger story I'm telling!! See it?? Pay attention now please!!!!"

Just too heavy handed for my likings.

As I wrote, I don't pay close enough attention to discuss the finer points. I will say I didn't think all that Bad Wolf nonsense was particularly subtle. :lol

 

[MattMunson]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

Don't get me wrong, I totally agree with your overall statements about the internet and how it was designed as a place for ME to spread MY opinions!!! lol.

In the mean time, I'm focusing on season 2 of the Fall Guy. TV without compromise.

 

[Larry Young]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

I think the nation has long agreed on Heather Thomas.

 

[metrosonus]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

But this Internet propensity to belly-ache about everything regardless of context is starting to sour me on my fellow nerds. For example: OK, yes, the title "The Curse of the Black Spot" is going to look like a Depp-rivation

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that maybe this forum is the wrong place for those sorts of discussions. Most of the people here seem to have a more laid back "it's all good and just something to like / watch" sort of take on things and there seems to be some friction for whatever reason in the couple of threads i've seen so far.

Anyway, if anything, I'm going to say that I think it's hard to maintain objectivity when the head writer is also the executive producer. That's my only beef.. for both RTD and Moffat. Both are equally as guilty of putting their hands into the "I'm the boss and I can do what I want" bucket.

To answer your question, "how do we not know it's not all part of a bigger scheme?", well we don't. I don't believe though that Moffat is above using gimmicks and I agree I don't think he's good at story arcs and such and given that, I don't hold out much hope for a "pay off" as it were. As a casual viewer, that may not bother you so much, but to a more dedicated fan such as myself, it's irritating.

Vive le difference I suppose.

 

[letmebestormy]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

"I just don't consider myself a fan anymore". - Metrosonus 5/8/2011, 7:45am
"but to a more dedicated fan such as myself, it's irritating". - Metrosonus 5/9/2011, 6:03am

now that's a character arc. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's ep already.

 

[metrosonus]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

I don't consider myself a fan of the current show, 2005+. There have been stand out moments in one form or another, but nothing to make me say "I'm into this".

I'm a dedicated fan of the premise and concept a as a whole though, hence the disparity in my comments.

 

[MelMWells]

Re: Dr. Who New Season SPOILER

WoW you all are really anal about this stuff aren't you? lol...Sorry if I don't want to go searching for other threads from months ago, that's just insanity!