@thane16, @janetteB, @nerys, @winston, @dentarthurdent

It suddenly occurred to me that, as we reflect on contemporary life, particularly our respective Covid lives, what we all have in common is that we are all part of the post-imperial Commonwealth. In other words, we all have British points of reference, and yet our identity is bound up with…[Read more]

Well, finally, in my part of western Canada, the govt has announced the introduction of a vaccine passport, necessitated by the havoc being wrought by the Delta variant and by those who resist vaccination. We are doing pretty well when it comes to folks happily getting vaccinated, with 75% of the eligible population (ie, over 12 years old) already…[Read more]

@Oochillyo

Declan, I can’t claim credit for creating it, of course. I only found it on the web. But I thought it was pretty cool.

I am a few days late, but I thought the wonderful Una Stubbs, who recently died, deserved a tribute.

RIP.

@dentarthurdent

“Some truly ‘terrible’ monsters from Old Who”

Respectfully, I totally disagree with you on that one. Of course, I was a youngster in the mid 1960s when I watched those shows, and they were perfect. Why? In part, precisely because of the lack of special effects, which meant you were always applying your imagination to what you were…[Read more]

Was also reading that apparently Chibnall told the BBC when he signed up to be showrunner that the was only there for a three year stint. As I remarked to Mrs Blenkinsop, it turned out to be a three year stink.

Too harsh?

The Radio Times has quoted a BBC statement: “We will announce plans for the new generation of Doctor Who in due course – watch this space!”

If true, that is good news.

Even though I remain unconvinced that the BBC will commit to more Who, I still have this idea that Mackenzie Crook as showrunner and Toby Jones as the Doctor would be sort of wonderful.

@jimthefish

Your speculation on possible scenarios for the future is fascinating. I would not rule out hiatus/cancellation though. Given the way the BBC has allowed the show to wither on the vine since the departure of Moffat, I begin to wonder if the suits at the BBC are even aware of the approaching 60th. Or if they are, I wonder if they care.…[Read more]

Have been reading a bit more about season 13 (no spoilers though). It seems that they are going to jettison the separate story structure in favour of one story told over 8 episodes. I am assuming that this will re-engage with the consequences of The Timeless Children.

Since all we have been given so far is a 30 second teaser, it would be nice if…[Read more]

@janetteB

From what I read somewhere, the 8 episodes aren’t separate, but are connected in some way.

Let’s just say my expectations are…subdued.

TRAILER at last!

Well, very short teaser, actually. But even a tiny sip of water is welcome after a long time in the desert.

@winston Great news about your second shot! Mrs Blenkinsop and I are now two weeks since ours, so we are both feeling a sense of relief. Of course, we are still wearing masks to the shops. There are variants out there, but perhaps more importantly, just being inoculated doesn’t mean you can’t get infected (even if you personally are protected from…[Read more]

@winston

Have moved over to the pub as there is nothing “Who” about my reply, but thanks so much for asking about the heat over here. Yes, it has been a bit intense, and very unusual, as I am sure your daughter would agree (p.s. hope she is coping).

I am originally from Australia (which is where I met Mrs Blenkinsop who is originally from Canada…[Read more]

@janetteB

That is excellent! I was unaware that the whole thing had been previously released. I would love to hear your reactions when you get around to it.

@janetteB

The Troughton story Wheel in Space is not yet on DVD. We got it through the streaming service BritBox. Not sure if that is available in Australia. But whichever streaming service in Australia has all the old Who should have it. Happy hunting.

At this stage it is all conjecture, of course. I have no idea of who he is.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/jun/27/olly-alexander-tipped-to-be-the-next-doctor-who

Last night Mrs Blenkinsop and I finished watching “The Wheel in Space”, a Troughton story in six parts, from 1968. It was one of those stories that was previously “lost”, with only two episodes surviving. In the recent past, these type of lost stories have been animated, and as a result–in my mind anyway–somewhat clunky (the recently restored…[Read more]

@janetteB I have always thought of the Spanish Civil War as both depressing and inspirational.

I offer this photo as representative of the inspirational side of it. The soldier on the left was Oliver Law, who was the first Black American to command troops in action. It was 1937 (not 1927 as the caption claims), and it showed what was…[Read more]

@thane16

Puro, Have moved this over to the Film thread, but…tell me about Tenet. I have yet to see it, but I find Nolan’s films far too artificial and cold. I feel like I am being given a lecture, rather than being offered an experience. Of his films I have seen, I liked Batman Begins (but not the other two) and I hated Inception. I like to be…[Read more]