@DanMartinUK – just to add my thoughts to many here; I’m for one really grateful that you run a fun blog on the Guardian that is unfortunately populated by commenters who probably don’t read what you’ve written.

And by that I mean the posters who don’t reference your post, but simply want to run into a bar and yell their ‘thoughts’ as loudly as…[Read more]

Hi @DanMartinUK

I feel enormously guilty for not commentating more on your blog, but I put in a pre-emptive note regarding my reasons. I’d like to send you a big thanks once again though, because it was through your blog that I actually re-engaged with other fans in a way that I’d backed away from for quite a while, finding certain elements of…[Read more]

Hi @DanMartinUK I am another refugee from your blog. I read it every week still and recommend the (increasingly scarce) positive posts for at least the first few pages before the overwhelmingly negativity defeats me. I feel really bad about not posting my own comments though. I am constantly reminded by my SO that I should not let the trolls have…[Read more]

@DanMartinUK I still visit your excellent blog every week but hardly ever comment especially if I disagree with you as the tone of negatively in the comments is wearisome. Please be assured that your work is appreciated and as my dad used to say to me ‘Don’t let the buggeers grind you down’

Respite always available here  😀

@Purofilion no…[Read more]

@DanMartinUK

Thanks so much for coming over here to say hello. I am one of the many who was attracted to your site because of the way you set it up as a place to discuss all things Who.

But then it attracted, well…trolls, and this site seemed like such a refuge. And, I confess, I haven’t gone back. It is just too awful.

But without you…[Read more]

@DanMartinUK

Nice to see you. Hang in there! We still love your blog, It’s great that it has your very personal touch, it’s one of the things that makes it stand out, and nestles into its own very special space in the Whoniverse!

There are still a lot of people there who swam over here for a while but prefer the G side.  The first 5 weeks were d…[Read more]

@DanMartinUK

And a lot of you regulars over there didn’t show up this year, prob for the same reasons.

It was the same reasons. Or at least, I’m commenting a lot less over there because the negativity seems relentless; I watch a perfectly good episode (which later gets a ‘good’ or excellent AI rating, so it’s not just me) and log on over t…[Read more]

@DanMartinUK Hi- I’m a Who-ster from the states so cant make the event but please come back on this thread
and tell us all about it !

I imagine you already know this but any time you need some positive reinforcement in regards
to the Doctor Who show this IS really the place ! [But I bet you’ve been reading all the…[Read more]

Re the Graun blog…

@Blenkinsopthebrave Ah, you’re just a cynical old Whovian. Has the Doctor taught you nothing??? Nothing is beyond redemption!! Even Dr Who blogs.  This Forum started over there, not just as a reaction to the trolling, but also because we wanted somewhere to continue the discussions when it was “off air”. And because a number…[Read more]

@ScaryB

I still think you’re making the mistake of seeing Danny thro Clara’s lies.

No, I think it’s that I just don’t like him. I understood where he was coming from emotionally in those Cybermen scenes tonight – but to me, there was an awful lot of ‘revenge’ (towards both Clara and the Doctor) going on. As @DanMartinUK said – pas…[Read more]

OI! @DanMartinUK – go back and edit your Graun piece. You don’t seem to have noticed that the Master lied about Gallifrey.

@BESD1

I don’t get the noise about him being controlling/possessive/ a potential abuser.

Judging by the recommends on the ‘for’ and ‘against’ Guardian BTL comments, it runs about 50/50. I’d go with @DanMartinUK and say that Danny is very passive-aggressive.

he made it clear he didn’t have an issue with her being in the Tardis?

He had a row…[Read more]

@Pedant – I agree – Clara thought Eleven was hot but she has a more complicated (and much more interesting) relationship with Twelve – a love-hate relationship. And the entire vibe is much more father-daughter, as you say. I’m not sure where @DanMartinUK is getting the sexual tension from!

@Bluesqueakpip – Oh I had that bit last week (and did you spot the deft handwaving away of the call to Eleven?)

Random thoughts:

– Sometimes there are no good choices but you still have to choose

– I thought there was a hint of Danny Pink in the Foretold (not just the salute – his gait and stance at the time of reveal)

– Jelly babies and “Are…[Read more]

btw have loved all the insights, thoughts and bonkerising on this thread and Deep Breath.
Hate to pick any names out as I’ll forget people but if I haven’t said ‘hello’ to @idiotsavant and @PhileasF already, then I should have!

I think (hope!) I’ve said hello to others I like (and generally I like everyone’s stuff, but really like learning new…[Read more]

;¬)

@DanMartinUK – is a choon a ‘thing’ – no its a plan!

well, actually I have no idea what themes are currently on the Music thread but definitely:
– songs-that-sum-up-the-episode (not just the name but theme of it as well);
– songs for characters (ditto);
– songs for the helluvit (hmm seem to be quite a few of these! 🙂 )

I almost went…[Read more]

@Bluesqueakpip

He is the darkness without which we can’t see the stars.

That’s beautifully phrased, love it. (I also much prefer the jumper to the white shirt, but that’s just me 🙂 )

Also loved the big close-up on the young Doctor’s pupil at the end, showing it full of stars. (Continuing the seeing/not seeing and eyes imagery which people h…[Read more]

@whisht

So, as far as songs-for-episodes go, I actually can’t better @DanMartinUK ‘s choice in the Guardian!

I think, like @fatmaninabox, I was drawn to the FEAR aspect of the production. Fear of the Dark I really enjoy, and this live version makes it sound like a celebration of the phenomenon.

< …[Read more]

So, as far as songs-for-episodes go, I actually can’t better @DanMartinUK ‘s choice in the Guardian!

feel free to post any others Dan!

[and that’s possibly the only time I’ll link to a Beyonce, but that simply show’s the poverty of my musical taste! 😉 ]

@Craig – minimalist spoilers from @DanMartinUK, I think, especially if you’ve been following the official BBC site or bought this week’s Radio Times.

If you can get hold of a copy of the Radio Times, that is: there is no firmer evidence of Who’s now-mainstream status than the ‘Peter Capaldi cover’ RT being nearly sold out by Wednesday. 😀