On The Sofa (5)

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This topic contains 998 replies, has 140 voices, and was last updated by  Craig 9 years, 4 months ago.

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  • #29294
    Arbutus @arbutus

    @whisht, @miapatrick, @purofilion

    Re GoT, I have posted a little something for your enjoyment over on the music thread.

    (By the way, puro, your story about the 28-second trailers had me laughing hysterically.)

    #29295
    janetteB @janetteb

    I would have to disagree with you @miapatrick for having read a lot of early medieval history and living with a “social modeller”, societies just don’t function they way they are depicted in GoT. One of the problems I suspect is that there are no “normal” people. Certainly the ruling families would have been as violent and corrupt as depicted for it is inevitably the pscyopaths who rise to the top whether it is in politics or the workplace. Nothing has changed there. The lack of “average joes” creates the impression that the entire society operates that way, the Hobbsian view of human life as “nasty, brutish and short”. The other problem I have with GoT is that after the death of Sean Bean the only likable character left is that of Peter Dinklage.

    There are bits of GoT I like and I wish I could like it more than I do as everybody else I know loves it including my two elder sons, but usually after watching a couple of episodes I feel the need for a Dr Who tonic. I do love the opening credits and the music though. Great music.

    cheers

    Janette

     

    #29296
    Anonymous @

    @janetteb  yes, I agree there. The music and the opening credits with its moving parts was given a noticeable award for its inventiveness.  I also worry about the society depicted: hellish, brutal, raw and other than the ‘Little Man’ without real strategies. Having read the book, I find it more appealing -the brutish sex is missing and descriptions of swords entering people’s necks is…well. absent.  Frankly, whilst I like it, I basically think it’s soft porn dressed in flowing gowns and long wigs (or long gowns and flowing…). The fact I like it whilst comparing it to porn says a lot about me, unfortunately. The wonderful book The Passion of the Western Mind depicts societies both real and imagined, using the History of Greece, Rome, Persia, Egypt, The Netherlands and England. There we hear stories of valour and magic and intellectualism with wise deeds. Was life like that, though?

    No, I think it was (and is) somewhere in between. Kindest, puro

    #29298
    wolfweed @wolfweed

    #29303
    wolfweed @wolfweed


    Peter Capaldi on his mother’s habit of buying him Dr Who annuals

    #29306
    PhaseShift @phaseshift
    Time Lord

    Gosh – so far it’s a draw on the Colin Baker Episode. So I’m going to ask very kindly for anyone who hasn’t voted to throw an opinion in to avoid the inevitable tie break situation.

    I haven’t cast a vote yet, and I’m afraid that if I do it will, sadly, involve me selecting the story I least object to watching. This is not a good position to be in. I may ask @craig if he has a preference in this situation, but I don’t think he’s a big fan of this era either.

    So – come all ye faithful. This is @fatmaninabox s first taste of Six. What is it to be? I’m eliminating the Dalek story, and here are the votes:

    Story (Episodes) Votes
    Vengeance on Varos (2x50minute) @jimthefish, @bluesqueakpip, @fatmaninabox, @scaryb
    Mark of the Rani (2x50minute) @blenkinsopthebrave, @janetteb, @Purofilion, @whisht

    Surely we must have someone lurking who is a big fan of Colin who can resolutely proclaim – “It’s x” (where x is one of the stories outlined above). More than one would be a bonus!

    #29307
    Arbutus @arbutus

    @phaseshift

    Okay, yes, I’ve been meaning to weigh in, but it’s actually a hard call as I remember both episodes fondly. Loved Sil, loved the Rani. I’m going to go with the Rani, for the following reasons:

    1. I always love the historical settings!

    2. the relatively recent death of Kate O’Mara makes this a nice tribute.

    3. Anthony Ainley. I don’t think we’ve seen him yet, and he was rather fun in this as a double-act with the Rani.

    #29308
    Bluesqueakpip @bluesqueakpip

    Hmmm… can I cast a sort of anti-vote?

    I saw Mark of the Rani on first broadcast. And if offered a choice between Mark of the Rani and @jimthefish‘s red hot poker up the rectum, I’ll be giving the red hot poker some serious consideration…

    #29309
    Whisht @whisht

    @phaseshift – should we ask Colin Baker via Twitter?

    “If you had to watch either Vengeance or Mask, which would you choose?”

    Mind you, he might not like the reviews after we watch….

    #29310
    Anonymous @

    @bluesqueakpip — Red hot poker up the rectum — three shots whisky, three shots vodka, two squirts tabasco, four chopped raw chillies, top up with tomato juice…. and retire to a safe distance….

    #29311
    PhaseShift @phaseshift
    Time Lord

    @whisht

    If you, or anyone with twitter, wouldn’t mind seeking his opinion, it may be useful. It’s the one “with more him” (Varos) in it, or one of the other ones, if that’s any help for the character count on twitter.

    @arbutus

    Noted, and you have broken the deadlock at this point. I owe you a beer.

    @bluesqueakpip

    An anti-vote is noted, but I feel the pro-Varos vote at the moment lacks someone with passion to really sell it, as @blenkinsopthebrave has done for Mark.

    If @scaryb (who is very passionate about this one) or anyone else, who isn’t desperately, and increasingly futilely, trying to remain neutral, wants to argument for Varos to sway the vote – I recommend they weigh in soon!.

    #29313
    Whisht @whisht

    he he @phaseshift , you really don’t know how little I tweet.

    ie never.

    However, missive sent off.

    Don’t hold your breath…

    #29314
    Miapatrick @miapatrick

    @janetteB- I see what you’re saying. What I meant, I suppose, is that given the influence of Judo-Christianity, classical culture etc on our middle ages, I can imagine, without these things, a society would be very different. That said, given how influential these things are, there might be something a but shonky about using a medieval style setting. But personally, I always appreciate it when a writer who wants to use medieval style settings without years of research choses a sci-fi or fantasy setting, and adds dragons. The interesting thing here is why they have had the middle ages for so long. What draws me in is the sense of a world who has forgotten vital history, has forgotten what a long winter brings, has forgotten why the wall was really built, has forgotten, for the most part, their ancestors religion, has forgotten what dragon eggs can lead to.

    There is a balance issue with the ordinary people- which might have been solved by spending more time at the wall- as for sympathetic characters- what is interesting to me is that I’ve found myself warming to Jaime. I think he is, at times, a terrible character, but a sympathetic one for all that. The noble ones- Sam, Ned, Breanne (I have a nightmare spelling the names- the female knight) seem mostly interesting as a contrast.

    It is grim, though. As I said, I’m not quite enjoying re-watching from the beginning. But I know there are moments, conversations, frankly, mostly conversations I’m looking forward to. And re-watching the first episode I realised how many seeds they sewed at the beginning.

    the opening credits are fantastic, underlining the change in title from the book to ‘Game of Thrones’

    #29315
    Miapatrick @miapatrick

    @whisht and everyone- I was going to vote for Rani because people mentioned the industrial revolution etc, but I don’t know now- can I give my vote to asking Colin Baker on twitter? without mentions of red hot pokers etc, though from the fiveish doctors he does seem to have a sense of humour about it…

    #29316
    PhaseShift @phaseshift
    Time Lord

    @whisht

    It would be hilarious if Colin weighed in on Twitter with “I think you should watch..” to entice a new viewer. We could make it feature!

    Just on GoT, I’ll admit to a certain reluctance (probably aligned with @janetteb). I’m thinking of waiting until it is a completed product and revisiting it.

    Your mention of Peter Dinklage, though. made me remember a series calles Threshold, which I was a bit peeved got cancelled. He was a foul-mouthed, hard drinking, gambling, mathematician in a team involving an inter dimensional alien incursion that warped matter and minds. The B team was great (especially him and Brent Spiner from Trek). It got cancelled, but even with a couple of dull photo-shop-people leads, it showed more imagination than most new series that I’ve seen over the last couple of years. A shame

    It’s worth seeking out for a watch, if only for wasted potential.

    #29317
    ScaryB @scaryb

    @phaseshift

    I present my case for Vengeance on Varos – well, I’ll let Sil do it –

     

    #29318
    ScaryB @scaryb

    PS Tweet done. Let you know if I get a reply 🙂

    (Sorry for very brief appearances, am in serious need of a TARDIS… it’s that time of year again)

    #29319
    Craig @craig
    Emperor

    I don’t know… I get a bit busy for a few days (company had their AGM yesterday) and the whole site goes to pot 🙂

    Fellow mods!!!!!!!!!!

    On The Sofa is for Doctor Who chat – we have a pub for everything else. What’s all this Game of Thrones stuff? I should mod the lot of you – or cut off your heads!

    Seriously though – do we need a Game of Thrones thread? – Happy to start one. Am a fan as well. Might have to make it like the Spoiler thread though, so nothing shows up in Activity.

    This makes me laugh a lot as, like @whisht, I haven’t read the books and kinda reflects my viewing experience.

    Massive SPOILER alert (but they put that in the video anyway). If you haven’t watched to the end of Season 3 go no further. If you have I think you’ll enjoy.

    #29320
    ScaryB @scaryb

    @phaseshift & co

    Final arguments from me re Varos: it also has some very contemporary themes – a society dominated and controlled by mass TV output, and dark corporate manipulation of trade and society etc behind the scenes.

    And it’s got hunky Martin Jarvis in it, and Shir Shawn’s wee laddie Jason

    #29322
    PhaseShift @phaseshift
    Time Lord

    @craig

    While I will take my severe slap on the back of the hand (the GoT conversation should have been directed to the general TV thread) I can’t help but think you are using this to avoid the deep question here.

    Mark of the Rani v Vengeance on Varos – which is the bestest?

    #29323
    blenkinsopthebrave @blenkinsopthebrave

    @phaseshift and @everyone

    Who would have thought Colin would have aroused this level of interest!

    Therefore, should we, perhaps, be guided by this unprecedented level of interest in Colin?

    In other words, why not a double dose of Colin!

    We are all up to watching and commenting on two stories simultaneously.

    After a frenzy of double dipping Colin, we will be psychologically primed and ready for 23 August!

    #29324
    ScaryB @scaryb

    @blenkinsopthebrave

    Double Colin… what have you been drinking/imbibing man???!!!!!

    That would definitely be a step or a slither too far.  Just NO!!!

    #29325
    Whisht @whisht

    ah @craig – I think it was me that mentioned GoT first.

    My bad!

    🙂

    I must’ve got confused by the Sofa / Rose & Crown distinction (is this a reflection on the amount of beer I drink on my sofa?).
    tbh the TV thread is best place for this – not sure we need a sub-thread for “shows where boobs and asses are shown where they needn’t be but we’re jolly glad they did”.

    Liked your video btw, you may like this* but that is the last time I mention it on this thread!!

    * has spoilers – would spoil just about everything even if you have watched the show. I’d avoid watching tbh as it truly spoils it as a show. Warned, y’know?

    #29330
    Craig @craig
    Emperor

    @whisht No bad at all. All I can say is “Poor Julian Glover”.

    #29331
    Arbutus @arbutus

    @blenkinsopthebrave

    My courageous friend, you are going to get yourself banned if you aren’t careful. I don’t think it’s PC to be that Colin-friendly. Personally, I never minded Sixie. I didn’t blame him for his costume, or indeed some of his scripts, and I thought he had his moments. He was great whenever he had the moral high ground!

    Off to the suburbs now to collect the boy from basketball, a drive guaranteed to turn me nasty. 😯 @phaseshift, could I have that beer when I get back?

     

    #29332
    Juniperfish @juniperfish

    Hey everyone,

    Good to “see” you all in fine discussant form! Ouch to that red hot poker option @Bluesqueakpip 🙂

    It’s a scorching summer and a non-sweary Capaldi is almost upon us – hurrah. Did anyone see his little turn as Cardinal Richelieu in the BBC’s hammy Musketeers? He did louche and wicked with a strong hint of “dear gods am I really in this thing?” beautifully.

    Lol at GoT “honest trailer” @craig – esp “King Justin Bieber”

    I think a GoT thread esp when it returns is a great idea.

    I have a lot of catching up reading to do!

    J-fish.

    #29333
    ScaryB @scaryb

    @juniperfish!!!!

    You’re back!!!

    😀

    (slithers off the sofa in joy)

    #29334
    Juniperfish @juniperfish

    @scaryb  – yes, hurrah – happy to be back 🙂

    The question is – what sort of biscuit-crumbs should I be sprinkling on the sofa now?

    Which kind will Capaldi-Doctor prefer? He seems like a garibaldi kind of Time Lord to me – “Would you like a squashed fly biscuit?” <snarky eyeroll at villain of the week>

    But, if he is in fact the Valeyard, then perhaps he will despise biscuit-kind altogether!

     

    #29336
    Craig @craig
    Emperor

    @juniperfish While Tunnock’s Tea Cakes may have invaded the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, I think a Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer would be my choice. I do get through about one a week, just to make me feel Scottish again.

    #29337
    blenkinsopthebrave @blenkinsopthebrave

    @arbutus

    Ha! PC? Blenkinsop? As I said to (the future) Mrs Blenkinsop: “Expect the unexpected!”

    @scaryb

    You did see what I was doing up there, didn’t you?

    PS. Love the new Sil avatar!

    #29338
    Juniperfish @juniperfish

    @craig – Ah yes, Tunnock’s would be great 🙂

    But no brand names on the Beeb (apart from the Liberty wall paper highly evident on Sherlock etc. ahem).

    Perhaps a bag of sweets?

    Not jelly babies obviously. Aniseed balls?

    He could sort of muffle the “aniseed” in his diction and give cross-over universe fans everywhere a thrill as the new Doctor appears, in a pale echo of Malcom Tucker, to say “balls” a lot.

     

    #29339
    Anonymous @

    @craig  woke up, got out of bed, ran a comb across my head; and watched  your ‘true Got trailer’. Incredibly funny with “all the characters you don’t remember and HBO keeping you hooked with boobies”. Awesome (well, not that bit). My apologies for mentioning it..stick to the pub…sorry sir.  Now, aren’t we at the point of deciding it’s the ‘Mark’ for sure??

    Kindest, purofilion

    #29340
    Bluesqueakpip @bluesqueakpip

    @juniperfish – just take the extremely distinctive wrapping paper off and have him call it a teacake. Branding sorted.

    The fact that the entire Interweb will be identifying it as a Tunnock’s teacake is, of course, not the Beeb’s fault. After all, other teacakes are available. 🙂

    #29341
    janetteB @janetteb

    Do you mean that have finally worked out what a Jammy Dodger is I am now going to have to start researching “Tussocks TeaCakes”? IT really is getting too much. 🙂

    Sorry about the GoT hijack. I don’t know that it “deserves it” but it probably should have a thread of its own.

    @blenkinsopthebrave, You double CB suggestion deserves a pelting with rotton tomatoes. I have agreed to watch one CB story. Enough is enough!!! (Poor Colin. I really hope he doesn’t follow Dr Who fandom on the web.)

    Cheers

    Janette

    #29345
    Miapatrick @miapatrick

    @Craig- I think I was the worst offender there. I think I knew it was wrong when I did it but I got a bit giddy- very sorry!

    A Game of Thrones blog could be good- if there is the demand for it. (which there probably isn’t.)

    #29383
    Anonymous @

    @blenkinsopthebrave – two CB stories? Having never experienced the joy of six, I’m up for it 🙂

    I’ve been discussing VoV vs MotR with a couple of Twitter pals who are HUGE fans of CB. They’ve both recommend MotR as the story we should watch. However, one of the reasons cited was because we get to see The Doctor tied up and strapped down.

    Now I’m sure that it’s all very innocent and isn’t as kinky as they’ve made it sound (they find CB very sexy 😯 ) but as I still haven’t gotten over the shock of seeing him bald and naked in ToTD, I implore you all – please vote for VoV.

    Besides, all the stories we’ve watched so far, with the exception of The Mind Robber, have been earth bound and/or historical stories. I think it’s time we ventured off into space for a while.

    On a more serious note, @scaryb has shaved off all her fir in anticipation of VoV. You all wouldn’t want that to have been for nothing would you? 🙂

    #29410
    PhaseShift @phaseshift
    Time Lord

    A mixture of delight and sorrow here.

    Welcome back to the swishy goodness of @juniperfish!

    I have to congratulate @blenkinsopthebrave for his advocacy for Mark of the Rani. It is now our clear winner and a demonstration that I have no power in this equation because I find it some of the most pantomime arse-gravy to be produced in the shows history.

    I’m sure you’ll enjoy my invective over the next couple of weeks.

    The cheapest option for collectors is the BBC shop. It’s 4.99, and I’ve just ordered it through gritted teeth.

    To prepare us for this massive celebration of THE Colin Baker, I have fulfilled a pledge to showcase one of his pre-WHO roles. Prepare yourselves, my friends, to enter the universe of Blake’s 7.

    #29412
    Bluesqueakpip @bluesqueakpip

    @phaseshift

    After careful consideration …

    … I found some Algesal in the medicine cabinet. Red hot poker it is! 😯

    #29413
    blenkinsopthebrave @blenkinsopthebrave

    @phaseshift

    Hurrah!

    <Blenkinsop considers a late career move into PR. Thinks to self: “Is it possible to convince everyone to buy the DVD of the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, or is that even beyond the capacity of Blenkinsop?”>

    Less than five pounds for THE Colin? A mere bagatelle !

    And remember, I did offer the opportunity of a double dose of Colin…

    But no matter. In only a few days the Rani will fail to be intimidated by Colin’s…ahem…costume.

    #29414
    Juniperfish @juniperfish

    @phaseshift 🙂 “swishy goodness” – thanks for the welcome x  It’s good to be back to this salubrious corner of the Whoniverse.

    I have never seen Mark of the Rani but @phaseshift‘s “arse gravy” and @bluesqueakpip‘s poker option don’t fill me with tremendous confidence it must be said! Apologies to comrade @Blenkinsopthebrave .

    I won’t get to watch it with you folks, as I am ploughing through other things for work at the mo – but I will certainly enjoy the commentary!

    @miapatrick – I’ll discuss Game of Thrones with you – but perhaps the general TV thread will suffice – once the new season starts…

     

     

    #29444
    Anonymous @

    The Minister Of Chance audio play, featuring Paul McGann and Sylvester McCoy and Jed Brophy (who’s been in pretty much every Peter Jackson movie) is in pre-production for a possible movie or TV series.

    http://www.winsfordguardian.co.uk/news/11366725.Former_Timelord_returns_for_cult_Cheshire_movie_production/?ref=twtrec

    #29450
    The Krynoid Man @thekrynoidman

    I would like to vote for Mark of the Rani as I haven’t seen it since about 2005.

    #29500
    PhaseShift @phaseshift
    Time Lord

    Apologies for not being around. I’ve got dreadfully busy so I won’t be joining in the fun Colin Baker watch until late Saturday night probably.

    You were a bit late with your vote @thekrynoidman, you obviously missed my post above announcing the winner as Mark of the Rani, with details on how cheap it is at the BBC.

    At least my late watch prevents me from writing the first post – which knowing how emotional I get when watching Colin will mean other people can avoid my thoughts by getting in nice and early to watch it and commenting. Colin. His coat of many colours. Mysterious Time Lords and a Victorian inventor.

    I may cry.

    #29528
    wolfweed @wolfweed

    3 weeks to go…

    z

    #29533
    janetteB @janetteb

    I will watch or at least attempt to watch Mark of the Rani during the week as I don’t feel it is fair to impose it on other family members.  Might be able to convice them to watch The Next Doctor tonight as they don’t share my aversion to giant fighting robots.

    @wolfweed that looks like a captions pic..

    Cheers

    Janette

    #29543
    Stormaggeddon @stormy72

    Hello again!

    I’m back after some time off. Having some vacational weeks feels good especially web-free time: no cell, no pad, no nothing. Doing some real paperworks like in the old times

    #29544
    Stormaggeddon @stormy72

    well, actually I wrote more than that, but…

    #29546
    PhaseShift @phaseshift
    Time Lord

    Welcome back @Stormaggeddon (@stormy72). I just had a look at your comment to see if anything had gone wrong, but no – it just tails off. It can be useful once you’ve formulated the comment to switch back and forth between the visual and text tabs on the top right of the comment box, to see if there are problems. Let us know if you see any more errors.

    #29547
    Stormaggeddon @stormy72

    okay, will do! Thanks!

    #29548
    Stormaggeddon @stormy72

    My original post was about the coming of the new Doctor.

    I find it difficult to ‘locate’ the new series. I see a big gap between The Name of the Doctor and The Day of the Doctor. Did I miss something? (Germany still feels like a blank spot in the Whoniverse

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