[DoctorBaker @replies]

@bluesqueakpip  Interesting that Frank S wanted a DW appearance for a long time. I didn’t know that. I gave him a ‘free pass’ just based on the likability factor.

BTW, I don’t know if this has been mentioned before but I just noticed at the end of the season 5 finale ‘The Big Bang’, Matt Smith says:

“Well, no, I get that it’s important; an Egyptian goddess loose on the Orient Express…… in space.” 

Does anyone know if there’s any deliberate significance to this quote? Or was this just a throwaway line that ended up inspiring ‘Mummy’?

[DoctorBaker @replies]

Speaking of celebrity appearances, its interesting that none of us minded Frank Skinner (despite not being a trained actor) but ‘Foxes’ raised some eyebrows.

[DoctorBaker @replies]

Brilliant episode!  One of Twelve’s best.

The lavish design of the train had me drooling.  Had to press ‘pause’ now and again just to take in the wonderful craftsmanship.

During John Nathan-Turner’s era (Davison – McCoy) one had to consciously overlook the awful sets and still more hideous costumes in order to get anything out of the story. Nowadays, the amazing production values can almost make you overlook a weak story. Fortunately, this episode had quality writing to go along with it’s sumptuous visuals.

The Mummy itself was genuinely creepy and the ‘66 seconds to live’ concept definitely upped the tension.

Personally, I was very relieved Clara decided not to leave as I consider her the best companion in series’s history.

I was also relieved that Foxes wasn’t a major focus.  Celebrity roles (e.g. Kylie) take one out of the story and feel gimmicky.  They also age an episode badly (e.g. Robot Anne Robinson and robot Trinni & Susanna already make that episode seem hopelessly last decade… let alone Ken Dodd and Hale & Pace appearing in the Nathan-Turner era.)

Capaldi’s Doctor is definitely feeling derivative of Hugh Laurie’s House M.D.  Especially the genius with terrible social skills and the mercenary ‘do-anything-to-solve-the-problem’ approach. But that’s not a bad thing.

The only thing I’m a bit disappointed with is the lack of a ‘love triangle’. I’d like to have seen Clara and the Doctor sleeping in the same compartment and chatting in their bunk beds. It would be great to see Danny Pink getting jealous like Rory used to.

 

[DoctorBaker @replies]

Hi everyone!  Very recent ‘Nu-Whovian’ here.

Tom Baker’s Doctor formed some of my very earliest childhood memories and I was about 4 when Pete Davison took the keys to the TARDIS.

The odd thing is that young children are supposed to be better at adapting to new things, but even at that age, I felt the magic had left the show with Tom.   As I grew up, I watched the occasional Pete/Colin/Sylvester episode, but by then, my love for the series was dead.

When it got a fresh start in 2005, I remained skeptical and never bothered with it. Then, a couple of months ago, my brother told me he had started watching it again. After a lot of convincing, he got me to watch an episode; The Snowmen.  I was pleasantly surprised at the high production values:  The acting was actually good! The sets were great! The special effects convincing. The music was orchestrated instead of that tinny synthesised sound which characterised 80’s DW. I could tell immediately, DW had come a long way since I left it.

In the last couple of months, I’ve watched all of Nine’s stint (hmm… more ‘miss’ than ‘hit’ I feel), most of Ten’s (probably my 2nd fav doc) and some of Eleven’s (also excellent).  At the same time, I’m watching Twelve as its broadcast.

****************************************************************

Anyway, I have a question I’d like to put here: I’m curious about which countries have the largest DW fan bases?
The recent World Tour included 6 countries: UK, U.S. Mexico, Brazil, S. Korea and Australia.  I assume they picked these countries because they have a lot of fans. But that got me wondering where else it was popular. I’d guess UK and U.S. top the list but what about India? China? Russia? etc.

[DoctorBaker @replies]

@craig  ha! Glad you prefer my new avatar. I didn’t create the photo but when I saw it, I knew exactly what the caption shd be!

I shall certainly be sharing my thoughts on the various threads here. As you know, I don’t have a lot of love for Pete D. (or the J N-T era in general) but for the most part, I’m enthusiastically on board for anything Hartnell to Baker and Eccleston to Capaldi.

[DoctorBaker @replies]

@craig

Oh… do excuse me I’m sure! Didn’t know we were only allowed to talk about positive things. Or that these forums have their very own Happiness Patrol.

FYI, I’m not a hater. The only the reason I hate Peter Davison is because I love DW!  Davison and Nathan Turner began the decline that was only put right in 2005.

In any case, I clearly stated my love for Twelve and Clara.

 

[DoctorBaker @replies]

Agree with Marconi… this was the worst Twelfth Doctor episode so far.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m sold on Capaldi – he’s either my 2nd or 3rd favourite incarnation. And Clara is easily my favourite ever companion. But this story was weak!  A robot soldier comes to Clara’s school. Not exactly promising stuff. But even that pathetic premise took a back seat to the real focus of this episode: Clara’s love life.

I actually don’t mind the ‘soap opera’ occasionally eclipsing the Sci-Fi (especially when the Sci-Fi is as dull as it was here) but I just can’t get into Danny Pink!

For one thing, the actor, Samuel Anderson is the spitting image Royce Pierreson from the harrowing domestic abuse drama ‘Murdered By My Boyfriend’.

The similarity is uncanny!  In fact, every time Danny is alone with Clara, all I can think is, “Get away from him before he beats you to death with the ironing board!”

Oh and the Doctor just decides to let some random precocious brat go on a trip in the TARDIS? What is this?!

• This reply was modified 12 years, 1 month ago by  Craig. Reason: Fixed image links, although why I bothered?

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