On the Sofa (part 2)

[Anonymous @]

@doctor4 – from what you’ve posted so far, I believe you’ve signed up to the wrong forum.  If you had looked around, you would realise that we have here on this site commenters who analyse, discuss, and debate; and all of whom bring years of experience of enjoying the programme Doctor Who into their erudite conversations on details, concepts, and eras.

One more post of such sheer inanity, and you will be vapourised.  Because you really don’t add anything to our forum.

[HTPBDET @htpbdet]

@jimthefish

I don’t think I have ever seen any sign of alternative designs from Cusick.

Which, now you make me think about it, is indeed odd…

[HTPBDET @htpbdet]

@doctor4

Hello.

Why do you think that Tennant’s regeneration was what “full out wrecked the TARDIS”?

Its an interesting thought – but we might all be better off if you tell us why you think it was the regeneration and what consequences, if any, you think that has for the series.

You probably should get through season 5 though – that might make you re-assess.

🙂

[Anonymous @]

One more chance @doctor4 – I know very well what the description of the ‘On the Sofa’ topic says.  But you have posted elsewhere as well on this site.  And you have yet to blind us with your brilliance … or even your inanity.  Never fear;  no-one new to this site often reaches the heights of our regular commenters.

But you must struggle to reach beyond this, of your bon-mots:  “I love how the awesomenessof the 10th Doctor just full out wrecked the TARDIS when he regenerated.”

That doesn’t match the contributions which are so valued on this site, and which you surely have read.  You are also surely capable of better than this;  no matter how many/few episodes you have viewed, you must have further thoughts.  What are your ‘theories even more insane than what’s actually happening’?

[HTPBDET @htpbdet]

@doctor4

Well, its good that you recognise that the other regenerations we have seen make it unlikely that Tennant’s was the cause of the TARDIS crashing.

Indeed, when the first regeneration occurred, when Hartnell changed into Troughton, the new Doctor explained to his companions, Ben and Polly, that he was a part of the TARDIS and it was a part of him.

So the regeneration process was established to be linked to the mysteries of the TARDIS from the very first time we saw it happen.

I am not sure why the “new” regenerations bother you. They are all the same, but I think that is a good thing. Regeneration is meant to be a natural process which occurs in a particular way – so why shouldn’t it look the same each time it happens? A bit like when the TARDIS materialises – it should always be the same way.

In the old days, when the series was still finding its way, regenerations were represented in a very similar fashion – a glow around the face while the features changed – but there were variations dependent upon the excesses or instincts of the various then producers.

Personally, I think it is a wonderful thing that we now know exactly what regeneration looks like – for little viewers, it brings certainty.

[Bluesqueakpip @bluesqueakpip]

@doctor4 – keep working at it. You’ll get the hang of this forum. 🙂

Now, to help you out – do you think there’s something different about the ‘new’ and the ‘old’ regenerations? What?  Any theories on why the ‘new’ regenerations might be different from the old? Why do you think that the showrunners might have kept the ‘new’ regeneration?

Regarding what made the TARDIS crash: can you think of any other occasion when a regeneration was used as a weapon?

 

[HTPBDET @htpbdet]

@doctor4

Actually, the second Doctor is not in the TARDIS when he regenerates. The Time Lords force his regeneration on Gallifrey as a punishment. So his is a very different process from the first or the one from Pertwee to Tom Baker.

@bluesqueakpip has asked you excellent questions – which should help clarify your thoughts for us all, so that we can understand your points and engage with you about your theories.

A further question from me – what do you think about the Watcher? Did you like that idea? Have you seen all of Logopolis or just the regeneration scene?

 

[HTPBDET @htpbdet]

@doctor4

Ah…well, that explains a lot.

Its probably quite hard to understand the magic of regeneration without at least watching the final episode of each Doctor, to get a good idea of context. I’d recommend you do that.

To help, the final episodes are: Tenth Planet 4, War Games 10, Planet of the Spiders 6, Logopolis 4, Caves of Androzani 4, Time and the Rani ep 1, the McGann movie (first fifteen minutes you will see McCoy’s regeneration), Parting of the Ways, End of Time.

You might also watch Lets Kill Hitler and Utopia – to see others regenerating.

[Craig @craig Emperor]

@htpbdet Apologies, but doctor4 and his posts have been deleted. It’s really too hot to deal with stuff like that.

Sorry if it looks like you’re talking to no one but, believe me, the conversation is improved by only reading your side 😀

 

[ScaryB @scaryb]

Have to say am in total agreement with @craig

And @htpbdet and @bluesqueakpip Am awestruck at your patience and tolerance!! 😀

[wolfweed @wolfweed]

@jimthefish

http://www.plan8.tv/201302251209/dalek-designer-ray-cusick-has-passed-away-commiserate/dalek-ray-what-if-redesign-1988

http://s952.photobucket.com/user/thenthdoctor/media/originalCusickdalek.jpg.html

http://barrysmight.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/looking-for-dalek.html

http://randomstarsandwickedthings.tumblr.com/post/28759154590/dalek-mutant-original-design

[wolfweed @wolfweed]

@jimthefish

A couple of non-Cusick variations can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalek_variants

[HTPBDET @htpbdet]

@craig

No problem – feel free to delete my posts.

I just wasn’t sure if he/she was a young ‘un that’s all…but you are much better at this stuff than me.

@wolfweed

Thanks for those links!

[wolfweed @wolfweed]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/james.parker197/standard_wallpapers/wallpapers/Marsh%20Daleks%201440×900.html

[Anonymous @]

@wolfweed —

I had a feeling you’d come up trumps. Was just toying with the idea should I do another ‘reboot’ story. I like those Cusick 1988 redesigns. Is that definitely Cusick’s work do you know or someone being all hoaxy. Cos I’m thinking that those are the versions I’ll use…

[HTPBDET @htpbdet]

@jimthefish

They look like Cusick designs – there is a real feel of Chumblies and Mechanoids about them.

Very interesting.

[Anonymous @]

@htpbdet — yes, they’ve got that Cusick look about them, don’t they? Right, definitely using them when I get around to doing The Daleks in story form.

It’s definitely one of the things that grinds my gears about Who. Terry Nation got rich on the Daleks although he essentially just created 50s SF monsters with a bit of Nazism thrown in. The real appeal of the Daleks — the real reason they were being imitated in playgrounds across the country — was in my view largely down to Cusick. Although he gets the kudos now, I’m sure that’s still pretty cold comfort, bearing in mind he seemed to be largely shafted during his lifetime. The appeal of the Daleks in 90% Cusicks’ design and 10% Nation’s writing, I think.

oh, and big thanks to @wolfweed for the detective work, by the way. It’s very much appreciated.

[HTPBDET @htpbdet]

@jimthefish

Totally agree.

Cusick really is the unsung champion. The Daleks would be nothing without him.

In my view it is closer to 98% Cusick and 2% Nation…

🙂

[blenkinsopthebrave @blenkinsopthebrave]

Greetings all. Sorry to have been absent, but I have been a trifle distracted of late, whipping around through time and space, and various Qantas Club Lounges.

Have been dipping in of course, but have noticed a distinct lull in bonkers theorising of late. Hmm, Hmm. Well… [try to imagine last bit in gruff William Hartnell voice]

But having seen the wonderful Cusick Dalek images found by @wolfweed, I think I should throw in my 2 cents worth. And it is this:

While I agree wholeheartedly with @htpbdet and @jimthefish that Cusick’s importance to the Daleks has been criminally neglected, and while I wholeheartedly agree that without his artistic vision the Daleks would not hold the iconic importance that they do, I think it is a bit unfair on Terry Nation to claim that the appeal of the Daleks is 90-98% Cusick and only 10% or even 2% Nation.

The Daleks captured the imagination of a generation in a very short amount of time in 1963-64. Importantly, during those early years they were terrifying. And they were terrifying, I would argue, because of Terry Nation. Take The Dalek Invasion of Earth, for example. That was a tremendously mature and dark story for children in 1964. It challenged its young viewers to grapple with very confronting themes: war, violence, self-sacrifice, and resistance to tyranny. The quality of that story, and the quality of those early appearances by the Daleks cannot really be appreciated, I believe, without reference to the power and maturity of Nation’s writing.

True, the early, dark and frightening vision of the Daleks was very quickly blunted, and they were turned into figures of fun (only a year later in The Chase, they were simply buffoons), but the Daleks could, and have, outlived their many (perhaps too many) iterations over the years.  Why? Well, as I have tried to say above, because of the combination of Cusick’s vision and Nation’s vision (and, I would add, Verity Lambert’s vision) that was realised in their early appearances in 1963-64.

So, yes, there should be more recognition for Cusick when we look at the importance of the Daleks to Doctor Who, but I hesitate to put into percentage terms the importance of Cusick, Terry Nation and Verity Lambert. The phenomenon of the Daleks was a fortuitous combination of Cusick, Nation and Lambert at a very particular moment in the history of the show–1963-64.

One of the many reasons why I am waiting with bated breath for Mark Gattis’s treatment of that moment in An Adventure in Space and Time.

 

[janetteB @janetteb]

Good to hear from you again @blenkinsopthebrave, sorry to hear that life has been so difficult, all those Qantas Club lounges you have to suffer, 🙂

I do agree re’ giving exact credit but I think both @htpbdet and @jimthefish are really reacting to the current lack of credit given to Cusack for his design work. Without his memorable design the Daleks would have quickly been forgotten no matter how good the script and direction of the first story. I also think that Terry Nation’s later “ownership” of the Dalek’s makes one want to attribute a greater share to others.

Thanks to @wolfweed for finding all those great links.

Cheers

Janette

[ScaryB @scaryb]

@blenkinsopthebrave Just adding my sympathies to@janetteb ‘s re your difficult life! Good to see you back. Bonkers theorising was pretty much stopped in its tracks with Matt’s announcement. It’s having a breather till Sept (not a fixed poiint, but most likely). Unless you want to start it again now.

And I agree re allocating credit for the daleks. The directors Christopher Barry (episodes 1,2,4,5) and Richard Martin (3, 6, 7) should also get credit, and script editor David Whittaker. But as you say, Terry Nation was so effective in claiming it all for himself that changing the balance in any way is welcome. Not to mention whoever had the genius idea of turning people “negative” when they were shot. I was sorry that stopped happening with later daleks. I never thought the gas effect worked half as well.

@wolfweed – is there anything you can’t find on the net…??

[Timeloop @timeloop]

Hi guys ^^

This might seem a bit random but I want to go to a rooftopbar here in London and I remembered the Cafe in TBOSJ…. Does anyone know where that was or how it is called?

[Timeloop @timeloop]

Might be rooftop café next to Saint Paul’s Cathedral… Which would be Madison. I guess I have to find out 😉

[Bluesqueakpip @bluesqueakpip]

@timeloop – it’s part of a hotel and is open for hire to private parties only – that’s why they were able to use it for shooting.

[wolfweed @wolfweed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gT454ETUAjY

Moffat interview Comic Con San Diego

[wolfweed @wolfweed]

@jimthefish (& all) On Cusick’s Dalek Designs (post #14140):

Certainly not hoaxy! The sketches were the initial ideas, before the budget put the kibosh on them. They are a little Mechanoidish, probably because Cusick designed those too.

I’m sure there are some more versions but they’re more obscure. If I can find them I’ll post them too.

The 80’s redesign heralds from the DWM 10th anniversary special. This ‘Film Scale Budget’ version would be dark green or blue in colour, Cusick informed us.

The Dalek Mutant design featured as a Titbits centrefold!

As for the Cusick credit – He got the credit, just not any of the dough. Typical artist being shafted scenario.

 

[blenkinsopthebrave @blenkinsopthebrave]

@scaryb [waves hello]

Bonkers theorising was pretty much stopped in its tracks with Matt’s announcement. It’s having a breather till Sept (not a fixed poiint, but most likely). Unless you want to start it again now

Well, no, actual new bonkers theorising requires too much brain power than I can muster on a lazy Sunday afternoon. However, until someone announces the name of an actor to replace MS, I will stand by my existing bonkers theory that the next season will be a revolving door of multiple Doctors.

It might not prove to be true (my bonkers theories rarely do) but I hope it captures the spirit of the banner at the top of the page:

Theories even more insane than what’s actually happening.

 

[janetteB @janetteb]

@blenkinsopthebrave, your multiple doctors is still my favourite bonkers theory though I doubt it will happen.I can think of several reasons why it would work well, chance to experiment with different styles of Doctor, ie female actor, give viewers time to get used to having lost Matt Smith before having to engage with a new actor and introduce a new element of unexpectedness as well as leaving the field open for the next show runner to pick his/her own Doctor. I am certain that there are a lot of actors who would love the play the Doctor as a one off but wouldn’t be willing to commit to a series or three.

Cheers

Janette

 

[blenkinsopthebrave @blenkinsopthebrave]

@janetteb Many thanks, my loyal supporter! Alas, like you, however, I suspect that this particular bonkers theory will not be realised.

Or Kennedy…

Or the return of Canton…

Damn. Now I am all maudlin. Time to cheer myself up with a really good episode. And there are, well, so many to choose from!

[wolfweed @wolfweed]

http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2013/07/doctor-who-10-great-matt-smith-quotes-from-comic-con-day-one/

The BBC 50th Anniversary Panel takes place at around 11.30pm GMT I think. Will we get a sneaky peek at the ’50th’ show? Last year, exclusive vids (of 7A) were not permitted to be filmed or uploaded, which was quite irksome.

All of us Worldwide require a little dribble of the Tennant/Smith teamup, don’t we?

[wolfweed @wolfweed]

Make that 8.30pm GMT (I think)!

[ScaryB @scaryb]

@bluesqueakpip @juniperfish @craig and anyone else who was trying to get tickets for the convention in Nov – I finally got a reply to my email to Crowdsurge (who were organising the ticket sale). They were very apologetic and confirmed it was down to pressure of numbers – “approximately 45000 people signed up for the presale compared to a capacity of less than half of that in terms of tickets across all three days”

It’s amazing we got through at all!

[Bluesqueakpip @bluesqueakpip]

@scaryb – and BBC Worldwide are now going ‘B*gg*r! We should have booked the Excel for a week!’

😈

[wolfweed @wolfweed]

Crazy Captions 18 yearns for your great intelligence over on the blog…

[ScaryB @scaryb]

This found me earlier and absolutely made my day! Laurel & Hardy dance the Dr –

 

This should possibly go in fan creativity so please feel free to move o ye mighty mods 😉

[taskagitmakass @taskagitmakass]

Hello everyone. I’m new and actually I came to find out ONE thing, which I really wonder.

After The Master, The Doctor has became the last one again. But 4th season.. The Doctor had a daughter, Jenny. She had two hearts just like The Doctor.

Basically, she has a Time Lord’s genetic. She regenerated and went to the outer space. She wanted to see the universe, save the planets, just like Doctor did. But among all these events, how come they have never met again? Is she dead now? Will she be on 50th anniversary? I think she MUST be.. it would be FANTASTIC.

[Whisht @whisht]

Hi @taskagitmakass – are you rosetyler?

do I get my £5?

bye

[taskagitmakass @taskagitmakass]

@Whist sorry buut, i think i’m not who you think i am 😀

[Craig @craig Emperor]

@taskagitmakass Welcome to the site. Unfortunately your initial posts have all the hallmarks of a lot of the spammy posts that we get, which we really don’t want, and I may well delete you based on what you have posted so far.

Now, maybe I’m being a bit harsh, but you have started badly I’m afraid. I’m giving you a chance because that may just be an unfortunate coincidence and you may be a big Doctor Who fan. If so, I apologise. To help you improve your posts, instead of asking who we think John Hurt is, why don’t you tell us who you think he is… in more than one sentence please. You do have thoughts that run to more than one sentence don’t you? A paragraph or two would be nice.

And you’re obviously a big fan of Jenny, so let us know what you think about her. Tell us what you liked about The Doctor’s Daughter. Do you think she is dead. If so, why? Why do you think they have never met again? And why would it be fantastic if she turned up in the 50th? I would be really interested to hear your opinions. Once again, more than one sentence would help show that you have some real thoughts.

[taskagitmakass @taskagitmakass]

@craig where should I make these remarks?? On which topic?? I really want to discuss about these stuff with whovians.

[Craig @craig Emperor]

@taskagitmakass You can make them right here. There are a lot of Whovians watching.

Asking questions isn’t discussing. That’s why I’m trying to help you.

Oh, and “I really want to discuss about these stuff” really doesn’t do yourself any favours. Sorry.

[ScaryB @scaryb]

@whisht Tardis4 came to mind!

@craig

Recommend you two watch the vid I posted at #14272 (just above).  It’s very, very silly 😀

[Craig @craig Emperor]

@scaryb I watched it earlier and laughed a lot. Thanks so much for that. Seeing Clint Eastwood’s dad and his chunky mate prancing around was awesome. And I’m sorry, sometimes I can’t help myself.

I want to make people good. I really do. I had such high ideals. I kinda don’t want to lose that, but it’s fading… I’m fading… 😉

[ScaryB @scaryb]

@craig Keep the faith! Remember what you said about there may just be the one out there that we can turn (hehehe).  There is, and you will.

I loved @wolfweed‘s posts of the Comic con panels – everyone was on great form. And those dalek pics quite perked me up!  We all need some more bonkers theorising… or more silly videos 😉

[Craig @craig Emperor]

@scaryb I’m trying. Maybe this one will be the one? I’ve been loving @wolfweed ‘s posts. Thanks Wolfweed for all the hard work (loved the Royal baby pic too – brilliant). Watched every single panel (I’m still a lurker at heart though 😀 ). ComicCon looked great. I have a friend who lives in San Diego, should’ve gone to visit him last week, then not seen him for the whole week. Would that be wrong?

Now we just need some bad person to post that trailer somewhere!

[ScaryB @scaryb]

@craig, well maybe not this one, but maybe soon!

Now we just need some bad person to post that trailer somewhere!

Ha! You know me and spoilers, but would love to see that. I trust the Moff (ha! have I learned nothing??) when he says it gives nothing away.  If I’d a friend in San Diego (and the wherewithall) I’d be kicking myself for not having got tickets 6 months ago!! London in Nov will be better though

Where’s our Finder-in-Chief @wolfweed???

[Anonymous @]

I feel another bonkers theory coming on, and for @taskagitmakass, it involves Jenny’s return.

Jenny comes back during the XMas special, rather than the 50th, and she brings with her 2 little ones – her daughters Barbara and Susan. David Tennant – this time as the half-human Meta-Crisis Doctor – and Rose also appear from their alternate universe. All three get caught up in the incident that causes Matt Smith’s Doctor to regenerate. Rose is killed. Jenny, like “dad” is forced to regenerate. DT gets caught between “father” and “daughter” and absorbs enough regeneration energy that his Time Lord half goes into a regeneration of its own. He comes out looking like Peter Cushing (unfortunately, the real PC is no longer with us, so it’ll have to be a look-alike). Jenny comes out much younger, appearing to be about the same age as her older daughter Barbara. At the end, DT (now pseudo-PC), Jenny and the girls all leave together for the alternate universe, where Jenny starts calling herself the half-human Doctor’s neice and changes her name to Louise. Although he’s still half-human and half-time Lord, this Doctor pretends to be fully human. He becomes an “inventor” and build his own Tardis in the alternate universe, which he uses to travel around with Jenny/Louise, Susan & Barbara. Eventually, he dies and Susan – now apparently a teenager – uses the Tardis to get back to this universe , although the Tardis is irreparably damaged in the process. Through an almost-unbelievable stroke of luck, she lands on Gallifrey, where she meets William Hartnell’s Doctor at the beginning of it all.

Thus we bring Peter Cushing’s Doctor Who movies from the 1960’s into the canonical fold.

[art4mad @art4mad]

Hello! Just got back from San Diego Comic Con, which was very Doctor Who centered this year between the 50th anniversary and various DH events. Saw Matt Smith!

I’m an artist for MAD magazine, and I did a special limited edition print of all eleven Drs which debuted at Comic-Con last week:

It’s limited to 450 signed and numbered prints, and while a LOT of them sold at Comic-Con I have quite a few kleft over and am making them available online. If you are interested , you can order one here .

Thanks!

MADly,

Tom

[wolfweed @wolfweed]

An image of the next new Dr Who monster has been leaked!

[wolfweed @wolfweed]

I name thee ‘Homunculus’!

 

What’s that it’s saying in sign language? (Or is it playing an invisible flute?)

[Author]

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