Saturday 28 November 2015
Only two more episodes, Heaven Sent and Hell Bent, left to go this season, and we are actually at home for both of them. [Unlike the Christmas Special - anyone know if and when Doctor Who is broadcast in Beijing?]
From what I have gleaned about tonight's episode, it is going to be an odd one. The Matrix scenes from The Deadly Assassin spring to mind, but I don't suppose it is really going to be anything like that at all. Only a couple more hours to wait and all will be revealed...
Later...
I'll need to watch that again to make sense of it, but it looks like I was closer than I thought with The Deadly Assassin. In the meantime, and more importantly, since when are companions, even deceased ones, allowed to tell the Doctor to get off his arse?'
Saturday 28 November 2015
Sunday 22 November 2015
Quoth the Raven...
22 November 2015
"Nevermore!"
Anyone vaguely familiar with Poe's poem The Raven (1845) might have guessed that this would be Clara's final episode, though knowing how Doctor Who works, it remains to be seen whether this is the last we see of Jenna Coleman. I suspect not - isn't Clara still splintered in the Doctor's timeline, 'saving the Doctor?'
I found this episode far more watchable than Sleep No More. I suspect though that over time and repeated watching the latter episode may become regarded as a classic, whereas Face the Raven may not have longevity.
I liked the fact that this was a smaller, ostensibly low stakes episode, where the threat at least appears to be only to a single person, rather than the whole fabric of space and time. Though the true explanation of what is going on will only be revealed in the season finale.
I'm not sure I understood how the shade/raven thing worked, and how and why Ashildr acquired control of it. Or why the 'refugees' needed to disguise themselves as human in a street that was hidden anyway (other than costume budget reasons).
No doubt all will be revealed (probably in about two years' time).
"Nevermore!"
Anyone vaguely familiar with Poe's poem The Raven (1845) might have guessed that this would be Clara's final episode, though knowing how Doctor Who works, it remains to be seen whether this is the last we see of Jenna Coleman. I suspect not - isn't Clara still splintered in the Doctor's timeline, 'saving the Doctor?'
I found this episode far more watchable than Sleep No More. I suspect though that over time and repeated watching the latter episode may become regarded as a classic, whereas Face the Raven may not have longevity.
I liked the fact that this was a smaller, ostensibly low stakes episode, where the threat at least appears to be only to a single person, rather than the whole fabric of space and time. Though the true explanation of what is going on will only be revealed in the season finale.
I'm not sure I understood how the shade/raven thing worked, and how and why Ashildr acquired control of it. Or why the 'refugees' needed to disguise themselves as human in a street that was hidden anyway (other than costume budget reasons).
No doubt all will be revealed (probably in about two years' time).
Saturday 21 November 2015
Doctor Who Festival 3
The shades were specifically for the Magician’s Apprentice, where the Doctor needed to have a device in Davros’ sick room, which couldn’t be the screwdriver, because Davros would recognise it. He kept them for a while to annoy Clara. Apparently.
A writing tip from Jamie Mathieson is to
just keep writing things down. Eight out
of nine times it will be rubbish, but the ninth time makes up for it. (Readers of this blog may feel that he has underestimated the amount of rubbish that can be generated.) As with the 50th , there was a
signer on stage, though fortunately no one had cause to mention Nicola Bryant’s
cleavage this time.
A deaf member of the audience made a point of thanking Toby Whithouse for
including a deaf character in Under the
Lake/Before the Flood. I think the great thing about this was that it wasn't just tokenism - the scene where Cass was being followed up the corridor by a ghost dragging an axe was the creepiest part of an otherwise creepy story.
Peter Capaldi was asked about the question mark underpants (as I believe he had been asked at previous sessions). He claimed that the costume department provided question mark boxer shorts for him that day, but wouldn’t say whether he wore them. I didn’t believe a word of it. Michelle Gomez was just as mad in real life as the roles she plays in Green Wing and Doctor Who.
Some of the questioners from the
audience took the opportunity to deliver a speech rather than ask a question. I have noticed this 'ego trip' type of question at academic conferences as well. I find it annoying.
At the end, Peter Capaldi
presented Jenna with a huge bouquet.
Doctor Who Festival 2
After the Millennium FX talk we had three hours or so free for visiting the main exhibition area (we hadn't booked for any of the photo sessions).
I for once succumbed to the merchandising, buying a Pandorica scarf for £27. The day before I had been tempted by an Escher Metamorphosis scarf at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, but thought £75 was a bit steep, so I was an easy target. I also bought a Dalek soft toy for my German colleague. Yes, I did use the words 'Dalek soft toy'. (The Dalek is now keeping up the grand tradition of adorning an office in a major university). My husband dithered about buying a burgundy 4th Doctor scarf and eventually succumbed - with unfortunate consequences.
We caught the end
of an ‘Act Like a Monster’ talk with Nick Briggs and Barnaby Edwards and later watched a ‘Director’s Class’ with
Douglas Mackinnon, who took some volunteers through the Rupert Pink’s bedroom
scene from Listen. They did pretty well, considering the script had been thrust into their hands just a moment or two before, but having seen that, I appreciate the talent of the professionals all the more.
The prop and costume exhibition was all from the latest series. It's difficult to get excited about Clara's costumes, which are just normal clothes. Missy, Osgood and Lady Me/Ashildr's costumes were much more interesting. I probably wouldn't have recognised Leandro's costume without a label, as he really didn't make that much of an impression. The exhibition also included a Zygon pod and the confession dial. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of that...
I for once succumbed to the merchandising, buying a Pandorica scarf for £27. The day before I had been tempted by an Escher Metamorphosis scarf at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, but thought £75 was a bit steep, so I was an easy target. I also bought a Dalek soft toy for my German colleague. Yes, I did use the words 'Dalek soft toy'. (The Dalek is now keeping up the grand tradition of adorning an office in a major university). My husband dithered about buying a burgundy 4th Doctor scarf and eventually succumbed - with unfortunate consequences.
The prop and costume exhibition was all from the latest series. It's difficult to get excited about Clara's costumes, which are just normal clothes. Missy, Osgood and Lady Me/Ashildr's costumes were much more interesting. I probably wouldn't have recognised Leandro's costume without a label, as he really didn't make that much of an impression. The exhibition also included a Zygon pod and the confession dial. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of that...
 |
| Zygon pod |
 |
| Missy's new costume |
 |
| Lady Me's costume |
 |
| Osgood's costume |
 |
| Props |
There's a hole in my Who scarf....
Saturday 21 November 2015 (Almost Doctor Who's 52nd birthday)
It's been a busy week and I haven't had time to write up the rest of the festival and upload my photos.
In the meantime, my husband decided to wear his brand new burgundy 4th Doctor scarf (bought at the festival last week) to work. Silly idea, really, but as I was wearing my 'Pandorica Opens' scarf to work, I couldn't really comment.
All was fine, until on the way home, I noticed a rip or tear in the end. Disaster! It looked as if the label had caught on something and been ripped off, though my other half wasn't aware of it happening.
The upshot is that I now have to find a way of mending it. Being a busy, professional person, I haven't had much time for craft lately, and I couldn't find my knitting bag (where I hoped to find some suitably-matching yarn) anywhere. As a last resort, I tried the spare room wardrobe, but all I could find was a deflated Dalek and a Womble costume (only in my house...)
Instead, I am going to cannibalise one of the tassels from the fringe to get some matching yarn and reconstruct the tassel afterwards. I hope it works.
The day after the scarf incident, my husband wore his (also new) Fifth Doctor cricket sweater to work. Meanwhile, no one has noticed that my artistic 'Van Gogh' scarf is not quite as it seems....
Update: My cunning plan has worked! The scarf is restored to its former glory (well, almost).
It's been a busy week and I haven't had time to write up the rest of the festival and upload my photos.
In the meantime, my husband decided to wear his brand new burgundy 4th Doctor scarf (bought at the festival last week) to work. Silly idea, really, but as I was wearing my 'Pandorica Opens' scarf to work, I couldn't really comment.
The upshot is that I now have to find a way of mending it. Being a busy, professional person, I haven't had much time for craft lately, and I couldn't find my knitting bag (where I hoped to find some suitably-matching yarn) anywhere. As a last resort, I tried the spare room wardrobe, but all I could find was a deflated Dalek and a Womble costume (only in my house...)
Instead, I am going to cannibalise one of the tassels from the fringe to get some matching yarn and reconstruct the tassel afterwards. I hope it works.
The day after the scarf incident, my husband wore his (also new) Fifth Doctor cricket sweater to work. Meanwhile, no one has noticed that my artistic 'Van Gogh' scarf is not quite as it seems....
Update: My cunning plan has worked! The scarf is restored to its former glory (well, almost).
Sunday 15 November 2015
Doctor Who Festival: Session 1 - Monsters
Sunday 15 November 2015
I'm back from the Doctor Who Festival, which was extremely well-run and enjoyable. This is the third of the official BBC events I have been to since the series returned (the others being the convention at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff and the Fiftieth Anniversary Convention) and they definitely have a format that works.
I am somewhat disappointed that I was a Cyberman rather than a Dalek, but you can't have everything. We got through registration and into the main theatre remarkably quickly. Our first theatre session was the Millennium FX show with special guest Mark Gatiss. I'm not sure really why he was included in a show about prosthetic monsters (OK he has played one, in Professor Lazarus, and written for several more, including last night's Sandmen), but it still seemed a bit odd.
During this talk, a couple of the designers were given the task of coming up with a visual concept for a new monster. The idea, borrowed from a taxi driver, was an alien race who work on a very different timescale, and who are slowly cooking the earth, which we experience as global warming. At the end we were asked to call out names. I suggested 'Fryons', but it wasn't picked up by the roving mike.
There was a discussion of the creation of the costume for the Mire, which was modelled on stage. I think this costume looks great. Although it appears to be corroded metal, it is actually made of foam.
A young member of the audience had the opportunity to go on stage and try out a monster mask. The little boy who was chosen had been on stage at a previous event and seemed a bit blasé about it. There was no shortage of hands going up so it's a pity the opportunity didn't go to someone who hadn't had a chance before, but the team had no way of knowing. He didn't want to wear the mask of The Foretold, so he tried an Ice Warrior instead, even though I'm not sure he remembered who they were. Rather him than me, anyway. I tried on a Cyberman mask many years ago. It was not pleasant in there.
My favourite part of the session was seeing Mark interact with Mr Sweet, the prehistoric leech which sat on Diana Rigg's shoulder in The Crimson Horror.
To be continued....
I'm back from the Doctor Who Festival, which was extremely well-run and enjoyable. This is the third of the official BBC events I have been to since the series returned (the others being the convention at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff and the Fiftieth Anniversary Convention) and they definitely have a format that works.
I am somewhat disappointed that I was a Cyberman rather than a Dalek, but you can't have everything. We got through registration and into the main theatre remarkably quickly. Our first theatre session was the Millennium FX show with special guest Mark Gatiss. I'm not sure really why he was included in a show about prosthetic monsters (OK he has played one, in Professor Lazarus, and written for several more, including last night's Sandmen), but it still seemed a bit odd.
There was a discussion of the creation of the costume for the Mire, which was modelled on stage. I think this costume looks great. Although it appears to be corroded metal, it is actually made of foam.
A young member of the audience had the opportunity to go on stage and try out a monster mask. The little boy who was chosen had been on stage at a previous event and seemed a bit blasé about it. There was no shortage of hands going up so it's a pity the opportunity didn't go to someone who hadn't had a chance before, but the team had no way of knowing. He didn't want to wear the mask of The Foretold, so he tried an Ice Warrior instead, even though I'm not sure he remembered who they were. Rather him than me, anyway. I tried on a Cyberman mask many years ago. It was not pleasant in there.
My favourite part of the session was seeing Mark interact with Mr Sweet, the prehistoric leech which sat on Diana Rigg's shoulder in The Crimson Horror.
 |
| Mark and one of Millennium FX's creations. Isn't he Sweet? |
Saturday 14 November 2015
Sleep No More
14 November - Later
Everything has gone to plan. We saw the M C Escher exhibition, including both the work called 'Castrovalva' and the works that inspired the episode, and made it to the Excel in time for a nice Italian meal before Doctor Who.
It all went a bit downhill after that, sadly. I couldn't make much sense of the episode, particularly with the 'found footage' format, and I found myself dropping off. Normally I would watch an episode at least twice, but this time I'm not sure I even want to.
Everything has gone to plan. We saw the M C Escher exhibition, including both the work called 'Castrovalva' and the works that inspired the episode, and made it to the Excel in time for a nice Italian meal before Doctor Who.
It all went a bit downhill after that, sadly. I couldn't make much sense of the episode, particularly with the 'found footage' format, and I found myself dropping off. Normally I would watch an episode at least twice, but this time I'm not sure I even want to.
I've Redecorated! (No I don't like it either)
14 November 2015
Another issue of the excellent Doctor Who Magazine came out this week. At my age I really shouldn't be reading it, but it's so much more interesting and with more to read than women's magazines. I mean, who really cares about this season's new shade of lipstick (unless, of course you are River Song, and the lipstick in question is psychotropic).
Anyway, the reason I mentioned it was that Jacqueline Rayner had the same problem I did with the repair chip in The Girl Who Died. I think it is a weakness of making programmes that can bear repeated watching that crucial points can be missed first time round so you actually need to watch more than once in order to understand what is going on.
In a packed schedule today, I have to:
a) take my elderly mother shopping; and
b) resolve whatever domestic crisis she has for me this week (they vary from 'I can't work the CD player' to 'the roof has blown off the conservatory');
c) pick up husband and travel in to London and out again to Dulwich in order to see the Escher exhibition (Castrovalva, anyone?)
d) travel back in to London and to Excel Centre to check in to hotel and have dinner before Doctor Who is on.
Yes, tomorrow we are going to the Doctor Who Festival. I'm not sure how a festival differs from a convention, but I suppose it sounds more suitable for respectable middle-aged ladies. [I'll be the one in the pink 'Hello Sweetie' T Shirt].
My German colleague has asked me to tell Steven Moffat that the sonic shades are 'an abomination'. I'll let you know how I get on.
Another issue of the excellent Doctor Who Magazine came out this week. At my age I really shouldn't be reading it, but it's so much more interesting and with more to read than women's magazines. I mean, who really cares about this season's new shade of lipstick (unless, of course you are River Song, and the lipstick in question is psychotropic).
Anyway, the reason I mentioned it was that Jacqueline Rayner had the same problem I did with the repair chip in The Girl Who Died. I think it is a weakness of making programmes that can bear repeated watching that crucial points can be missed first time round so you actually need to watch more than once in order to understand what is going on.
In a packed schedule today, I have to:
a) take my elderly mother shopping; and
b) resolve whatever domestic crisis she has for me this week (they vary from 'I can't work the CD player' to 'the roof has blown off the conservatory');
c) pick up husband and travel in to London and out again to Dulwich in order to see the Escher exhibition (Castrovalva, anyone?)
d) travel back in to London and to Excel Centre to check in to hotel and have dinner before Doctor Who is on.
Yes, tomorrow we are going to the Doctor Who Festival. I'm not sure how a festival differs from a convention, but I suppose it sounds more suitable for respectable middle-aged ladies. [I'll be the one in the pink 'Hello Sweetie' T Shirt].
My German colleague has asked me to tell Steven Moffat that the sonic shades are 'an abomination'. I'll let you know how I get on.
Sunday 8 November 2015
Remembrance Sunday
8 November 2015
It's Remembrance Sunday and I had an irresistible urge to re-watch The Family of Blood whilst doing the ironing. It still holds up well, apart from the Doctor's punishment for the family, which I still think is unnecessary. The final scenes always bring a tear to my eye.
It's Remembrance Sunday and I had an irresistible urge to re-watch The Family of Blood whilst doing the ironing. It still holds up well, apart from the Doctor's punishment for the family, which I still think is unnecessary. The final scenes always bring a tear to my eye.
Saturday 7 November 2015
Truth or Consequences
7 November 2015
The Zygon Inversion
Well, in the words of the great game show host Bruce Forsyth, that was 'so much better than last week.'
Game shows were something of a theme for tonight's episode. I should have realised that the repeated references to 'truth or consequences' last week were more significant than a simple reference to the town that renamed itself after a game show.
After last week's sub X-Files dashing about the planet, this week we were back in more familiar territory, even down to the police officers who were not quite what they seemed.
As the episode drew to a conclusion the real meaning of 'truth or consequences' became clear, referring back to the circumstances under which the original peace treaty was negotiated in The Day of the Doctor. It all made sense, and gave Peter Capaldi the opportunity both to do a wicked Hughie Green impersonation and prove his worth as the Doctor with a truly impassioned speech.
So what if the final twist could be seen a mile off. It was a most enjoyable episode. (And I mean that most sincerely, folks!)
The Zygon Inversion
Well, in the words of the great game show host Bruce Forsyth, that was 'so much better than last week.'
Game shows were something of a theme for tonight's episode. I should have realised that the repeated references to 'truth or consequences' last week were more significant than a simple reference to the town that renamed itself after a game show.
After last week's sub X-Files dashing about the planet, this week we were back in more familiar territory, even down to the police officers who were not quite what they seemed.
As the episode drew to a conclusion the real meaning of 'truth or consequences' became clear, referring back to the circumstances under which the original peace treaty was negotiated in The Day of the Doctor. It all made sense, and gave Peter Capaldi the opportunity both to do a wicked Hughie Green impersonation and prove his worth as the Doctor with a truly impassioned speech.
So what if the final twist could be seen a mile off. It was a most enjoyable episode. (And I mean that most sincerely, folks!)
Sunday 1 November 2015
Zygon Times
Sunday 1 November 2015
My German colleague (notable as the only German I have ever met who watches Doctor Who) has raised a question about The Woman Who Lived? Why didn't she use the repair chip to save one of her children? Were none of them 'good enough'?
Oh well, moving on to this week's episode, The Zygon Invasion. I like Zygons. Their debut story, Terror of the Zygons is one of my favourites. But I found The Zygon Invasion a bit tedious to be honest.
In 2005, when we were all just so surprised and happy to have Doctor Who back on our screens, there was a two-part story Aliens of London/World War Three in which aliens disguised as politicians took over 10 Downing Street, and attempted to start a war, claiming that there were aliens with 'massive weapons of destruction' that could be deployed within 45 seconds. I was so amazed at the sheer cheek of this topical reference in the run up to a general election that I almost fell off the sofa.
Ten years later, and the (real) world is not a safer place. The Zygon Invasion starts by reminding us of the small piece of unfinished business from Day of the Doctor. You know, the peace treaty between humans and Zygons that was to be negotiated with neither party knowing which side they were on. What with saving Gallifrey, and the Great Curator and everything, no one bothered to ask how it turned out. Cue another flashback to the Tenth Doctor (and the Eleventh and the other one). Sadly, it all went downhill after that.
It turns out that the Zygons have been living among us, but now a faction among the young are being radicalised. They are taking hostages, making videos and killing people. One of their bases is in a country ending in -stan. It doesn't take a degree in Media Studies or Politics to see where this is going.
So we have heavy-handed political satire, locations that range from the amusingly-named Truth or Consequences in New Mexico to somewhere in (presumably) Central Asia, via a London estate; a regular who has been replaced by a Zygon, UNIT (run entirely by women now, it seems) and it somehow fails to gel. It felt more like an episode of Torchwood or The X-Files to me.
At least Osgood is back (for now). And it's always nice to see David Tennant.
Update: My aforementioned German colleague wants to know why the Doctor needed a Presidential Plane to get to the Zygon-istan. He has a point. I'm not sure where exactly this Zygon village is supposed to be, but it must be at least 6 hours flying time. Husband's response (as per Girl in the Fireplace) 'they can't use the TARDIS, they are part of events now.'
My German colleague (notable as the only German I have ever met who watches Doctor Who) has raised a question about The Woman Who Lived? Why didn't she use the repair chip to save one of her children? Were none of them 'good enough'?
Oh well, moving on to this week's episode, The Zygon Invasion. I like Zygons. Their debut story, Terror of the Zygons is one of my favourites. But I found The Zygon Invasion a bit tedious to be honest.
In 2005, when we were all just so surprised and happy to have Doctor Who back on our screens, there was a two-part story Aliens of London/World War Three in which aliens disguised as politicians took over 10 Downing Street, and attempted to start a war, claiming that there were aliens with 'massive weapons of destruction' that could be deployed within 45 seconds. I was so amazed at the sheer cheek of this topical reference in the run up to a general election that I almost fell off the sofa.
Ten years later, and the (real) world is not a safer place. The Zygon Invasion starts by reminding us of the small piece of unfinished business from Day of the Doctor. You know, the peace treaty between humans and Zygons that was to be negotiated with neither party knowing which side they were on. What with saving Gallifrey, and the Great Curator and everything, no one bothered to ask how it turned out. Cue another flashback to the Tenth Doctor (and the Eleventh and the other one). Sadly, it all went downhill after that.
It turns out that the Zygons have been living among us, but now a faction among the young are being radicalised. They are taking hostages, making videos and killing people. One of their bases is in a country ending in -stan. It doesn't take a degree in Media Studies or Politics to see where this is going.
So we have heavy-handed political satire, locations that range from the amusingly-named Truth or Consequences in New Mexico to somewhere in (presumably) Central Asia, via a London estate; a regular who has been replaced by a Zygon, UNIT (run entirely by women now, it seems) and it somehow fails to gel. It felt more like an episode of Torchwood or The X-Files to me.
At least Osgood is back (for now). And it's always nice to see David Tennant.
Update: My aforementioned German colleague wants to know why the Doctor needed a Presidential Plane to get to the Zygon-istan. He has a point. I'm not sure where exactly this Zygon village is supposed to be, but it must be at least 6 hours flying time. Husband's response (as per Girl in the Fireplace) 'they can't use the TARDIS, they are part of events now.'
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