@scaryb

After reading the Rachel Talalay notes you uploaded, I watched Heaven Sent again last night. Fascinating to compare the notes with the way it was realized. The whole was very effective, yet I wonder if the TV monitors clashed a bit with the dream-like quality of the castle? For me, perhaps they did. But it was still a damned effective…[Read more]

@scaryB That material from Rachel Talalay is absolutely fascinating. Thanks for posting.

I will have some reflections, but it is coming up to 5pm Pacific time in Canada which means…off to the pub!

@scaryB (waves!)

It is hard to think of a Who story more relevant to today’s headlines than “The Crusade”. And I really do mean today’s headlines.

Just reporting back on a re-watch of one of the partial stories contained in the disc “Lost in Time”.

the story is the brilliant “The Crusade” from 1965. Scripted by David Whitaker, and directed by Douglas Camfield (perhaps the best writer and best director of the early years–although they have contenders) it is a fourt-part story set in…[Read more]

@bluesqueakpip, @winston, @janetteb By golly, we did discuss it back then. Of course, I have entered the phase of life when what I did yesterday is often a mystery to me…

Until @craig is back on deck (best wishes) might I suggest that if you can find a copy on a streaming service or online (particularly those who might not have seen much early…[Read more]

@craig, @bluesqueakpip, @thane16, @winston, @janetteb, @cathannabel, and, well, everybody

I mentioned this before, but, I think it would be a great idea if we could have a discussion about Dr Who again. After all, that is why we are here.

So @craig, (and everyone) what about “The Meddling Monk”?

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/feb/05/doctor-who-whoopi-goldberg-reveals-she-wanted-to-be-the-first-female-doctor

Sometimes, it seems, the BBC suits make the right decision…I mean, yes, she’s funny, but…

@janetteB

I saw your avatar on the page, and thought: “Brilliant! She has survived the 48 degree heat.” A few days ago Mrs Blenkinsop flew over to Toronto to visit family. It was minus 18 degrees. What a crazy world.

I was just reading about the Trump administration’s NSA advisor John Bolton apparently revealing  (because he was holding his notepad in full view of the cameras) that they may be sending 5000 troops to Columbia, presumably because of what’s happening in Venezuela) and I was reminded (because of the rank stupidity involved) of the bit in the…[Read more]

@winston

You must watch it! It is lots of fun, and it is the first time a renegade Time Lord is introduced. And it is about 1066!

Here is a brief clip (approved by the BBC!):

Hi @craig

Since we have a very long wait for new Who, do you think we might revisit some old Who to discuss?

And I mean really old Who. Specifically, “The Meddling Monk”.

BBC APPROVED SPOILERS...

BBC APPROVED SPOILERS...

@thane16 and @janetteb

My commiserations over the weather. 40 degrees? 46  degrees?!!! It sounds awful. But as a citizen (albeit an expatriate) I am sure we all feel confident knowing that the country is governed by idiots who do not believe in climate change. And whenever they deny it, they always conflate climate with weather. That level of…[Read more]

@winston

Absolutely! The Eleventh Hour has to be one of the most perfect episodes they did. It has everything. Wonder, magic, hope, excitement, adventure…Like you, I loved it. And even out here on the relatively balmy west coast, Doctor Who isn’t complete–at this time of the year–without a blanket.

Just reading a new book on the history of citizenship and African Americans in the 19th century (as one does) that arrived in the mail today. The author is Martha Jones (no, I know what you are thinking because it occurred to me as well). So I looked her up on google, and when I found her website, I thought it was great that she had thought about…[Read more]

@scaryb

How brilliant that you are back!

I am currently sitting in front of the fire looking at one of the cats (who has, of course, far better access to the fire than I do) and I am thinking that you may well be right…they may indeed be aliens masquerading as earth-bound felines. They have, for example, turned us into their servants, who are…[Read more]

2019. Looking out the kitchen window this morning it seems strangely similar to 2018. Time will tell.

@janetteb Well, fortunately, it is a surprisingly mild winter out here this year. No snow so far. As for the two cats, they are indoor cats, who at the moment get to lie around in front of the fire. In fact, the biggest decision they have to make…[Read more]

@janetteb

I wish I was able to show you a photo of the two cats lounging in front of the fire as I type this (keeping in mind it is a Canadian winter).

Of course they came from Brisbane, so they were used to extraordinary Australian summers and Christmases. (Is “Christmases” a word? It doesn’t sound quite right.)

ps. totally agree on Babylon 5.

@fatmaninabox

In short, Doctor Who has been ‘fundamentally changing’ since it was first broadcast and I dare say it will continue to do so for as long as it continues being made.

An absolutely brilliant post where every example you used was perfect.

Good to see you again.