[janetteB @replies]

Hi all.

It is very quiet here at the moment, no new posts for four days now and I am hoping that everyone is ok, surviving the virus, flooding, fires, etc and all that and it is just a case of “no news” or too tired or too preoccupied with R.L. matters. (Why I haven’t posted either for the past four days.  😉

Best wishes to everyone,

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent I do hope that Mrs D is ok and that you too are bearing up. Best wishes for you both. I also hope that you have lots of Dr Who to help keep your spirits up during your period of isolation.

Here we continue to feel like we are playing dodgems with the Covid plague, while the governments adapts an “all is well” approach. they are essentially washing their hands of the problem and hoping the electorate won’t notice. We have a state election coming up with a federal election hot on its heals which means I will be watching a lot of Dr Who this year. (Elections generally depress me.)

Due to writing matters, podcasting matters and election matters I have not had time to read your comments on Smile but I will. (I always enjoy your “reviews”.)

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

Reading today’s news I find myself quoting Peter Capaldi in one of his other famous roles. One word, repeated twice, beginning with f. Shelling a nuclear power station goes beyond insanity. As though the world was not in enough trouble.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent Dangerman was before my time but I know many of those names. Barbara Murray is another Who alumni. She was in Black Orchid and, (Dr Who costume trivia) the 18th century gown she wears in that had a second Dr Who outing in Girl in the Fireplace. (Black Orchid is going to be my “pick” for next year’s podcast.

I hope your relatives in Cornwall still have roofs. The wind must have been frightful there. I am very fond of Cornwall. It always felt a little like going home whenever I visited. I have a lot of Cornish ancestry and a very Cornish name.

cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@nerys Hi. Hopefully things will be fine now and as a positive, the “complaints” have spurred us to start long overdue work on fixing the website and we are now getting our podcasts onto Spotify which will make them far more accessible and hopefully increase our listener base.

@thane16 Lovely to hear from you and glad that you are on a hill. The scenes we are seeing from Brisbane and northern N.S.W are frightening.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston Well said. We too stand with Ukraine. I was reading an article the other day about Putin and his support of the far right around the world. It has echoes of the 1930s and just as in the 1930s the rest of hte world will turn a blind eye because either it is too hard, they don’t care or they are in support of the bully; the Crabbes and Goyles to Putin/Malfoy.

(some one has come who needs my laptop to fix a website so I will add more later)

REgards

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@mudlark thank you. Have talked to some of the other committee members regarding what happened and feeling much better. I have been on this committee since it began as have most of the other committee members so it is getting that cosy family feel and meetings are generally enjoyable. The problem person probably won’t be back and the rest of us can carry on trying to improve and hopefully get new committee members who are keen to participate and contribute without being offensive.

@dentarthurdent My s/o went through a similar process in his job, when “outsourcing” began the buzz word of the time, resulting in increased costs and greatly reduced efficiency. It really was just another way of handing tax payer money to private companies.

@catymcinulty Welcome to our forum. I hope you enjoy it here.

dentarthurdent again. Husbands of River Song is silly and fun. The giant fighting robot was too over the top but the rapport between the Doctor and River Song quickly compensated and the moment when she realises who is is makes up for many other weaknesses. It is one of my favourite Dr Who scenes.

Dr Mysterio is a good episode, far more even in tone with strong characters and villains. The real superhero is the nanny. .. Nardole is also beginning to develop into a strong character.

cheers

Janette

 

 

[janetteB @replies]

so, I had a “s**t” night. A committee meeting that left at least two people in tears, one of them being me, the other my daughter in law to be, and my son, who is the Chairperson, trying to console us both. So, I asked the s/o to put on one of my favourite Dr Who episodes, Hell Bent because of this discussion.

He has just walked into the diner. That brought tears to my eyes, knowing that Clara knows who he is, the expression in her eyes, the way that she plays it, leaving the audience wondering on first watch, but just enough knowing in the look to make it clear on a second watch that she knows and is playing along.

And now the scenes in the barn. Dropping the spoon, a reference to Robin Hood which is a reference to something else but right now I don’t remember. Think it was something I read about recently and thought clever Mark Gattiss or Moffat. That was a bit obscure.

“Get off my planet.” How I wish I could have said that tonight. There really are some people our planet could do without. What makes Dr Who so cathartic, he stands up to the bullies and wins. I was thinking about this the other day, one of reasons we need stories is that we need happy endings, we need to see good triumph. It gives us hope, the will to keep fighting even if we know it is just that way in stories.

Other observations, love the costumes, such detail. That is perhaps why I have always rather liked Gallifrey, they wear ridiculous deep red costumes, love the colour, and though never really developed as a society there is so much unexplored narrative potential.

And now the Doctor goes too far, “killing” someone to get Clara back. He starts breaking his own rules but he knows it. this does not happen for the sake of the script, it is the story and it addressed in the story and there are consequences. Just noticed the weird white head attire of the guys in the chamber remind me of the head wear of some of the Gallifreyans in The Invasion of Time. Another regeneration gender change, just to reinforce that it is “a thing”. It isn’t just a trick of the Master/Missy’s.

Ah Daleks. Remind me too much of the idiot we were dealing with tonight. It isn’t what they say but the tone they say it in. If a Dalek was saying something positive it would still sound offensive because of the aggressive tone.

So is Susan the President’s daughter? Or the President’s great granddaughter?

And he steals a Tardis and runs way, “just away”. Love the old style Tardis. I wonder if they used the set from An Adventure in Space and Time.

Not a big fan of Me but she is better here.

So that is where we finish tonight because son and daughter-in-law-to-be now want to watch Rebels. We’ll finish Dr Who tomorrow.

cheers

Janette

Ps I should say I did hit the bottle of fake Malibu that second son left conveniently on the table when I got home.

And second P.S. Lovely to see you back @thane16 and @mudlark. I am following the discussions but not posting so much of late. R.L taking up too much time.

 

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent

Agreed Heaven Sent is a tough episode to watch. The pain is palpable. But the story is so compelling and Capaldi’s performance so intense. It is one of my favourite episodes. Only the CGI of the castle resetting lets it down and that is a very minor glitch. This episode is the work of a script writer at his best and the actors at their best and credit to Rachael Talalay for her expert direction.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent you might be looking at the U.S. Frodo version. (which might be good to. I know some people really like it but have not see it myself.) It is BBC America. The   BBC English version (this is getting confusing) stars Stephen Mangan as Dirk Gently and is actually four not three episodes. I forgot about the pilot episode.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent  I really enjoyed the BBC Dirk Gently though there were only three episodes. Have not seen the U.S. version which stars Frodo Baggins.

We should be parting with books. There is a very large box of children’s box in the study which we currently don’t have storage room for and as the odds of ever having grandchildren are looking very remote there is no reason for holding onto them, but… but…

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston I think you have well and truly outdone my Who collection. I especially love the sound of the knitted Dalek and the mug. We have a few Who mugs but none that “cool”. I did want a fez for my hat collection but I no longer have a hat collection as I loaned my hat stand to a friend and never got it back.

I need a Tardis house. I think part of the appeal of Dr Who is that two of the cornerstones of the story are things we all long for. A home/cupboard/bag that is bigger on the inside and the ability to travel in time. (and be able to communicate with the locals despite differences in language. It would make O.S. travel so much easier.)

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@nerys glad that you are ok. Seeing pics of the latest storm on the news. You really seem to be experiencing a very tough winter this year.

@blenkinsopthebrave A Tardis backpack!! That is perfect as a suvival bag but I hope you never have to use it.

@dentarthurdent Indeed Stockholm in terms of weather could not have been more “different” to SA. We left here in February on a 40c day arriving there to -17c and snow. On the night of the snowstorm however it did kind of work in our favour, once I actually managed to get the car out of the driveway. We had been warned about the storm and, being terrified of driving on icy roads, dutifully changed to “snow-tyres” the previous weekend. When I got out on the road the verges were lined with abandoned cars and a jack-knifed bus. There was not another car on the freeway. I did drive very slowly but got to the bus terminal, collected the half frozen s/o and returned home safely. None of the locals had bothered to change to “snow-tyres”, including those who had told us to do so. Apparently it is the same every year.

I wondered why the name of Professor Chronotis sounded family as I am reasonably certain he does nto feature in the BBC Dirk Gently and I have yet to read the books but then recalled that he appears in Shada. Obviously Douglas Adams reused the character.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@winston I hope that you are weathering the storms and not having to shovel too much snow. I did not know that snow needed to be shovelled off the roof. We weren’t told about that when we were in Sweden. Nor were we told that we would need to know where the snow shovels were when we were hit with a snowstorm. In fact we just thought they were funny shaped shovels and let the boys play with them so when it did snow they were buried and I had to resort to shovelling the snow off the driveway with kitchen utensils. It took me over two hours to get the car out while the s/o was freezing in an unheated bus shelter. Needless to say after that we took better care of the snow shovels.

@dentarthurdent I am really enjoying your reviews.  Would like to comment more but always seem to be busy or reading posts late at night when I am too tired to write coherently. (Like now for instance.)

I do have a story to share about salt and pepper shakers… Last night, when I was feeling very seedy as a result of having the booster shot the previous day, eldest son and his girlfriend came home from the city with a gift. They had bought me Tardis salt and pepper shakers which now have pride of place in the centre of our table.

About thirty years ago the s/o and I bought Dalek salt and pepper shakers. They are pewter so have always been used as ornaments. (They get Christmas hats every year.) It seems as though I am now collecting Dr Who themed salt and pepper shakers though I suspect the potential there is rather limited. Maybe I should stick with collecting Tardis models. I have a usb hub which never worked, a playmobil Tardis. (It is a customised port a loo) and several models of different sizes, a Tardis beach towel, a blow up Tardis which has a puncture and a Tardis shower curtain which is not long for this world sadly. (It has been noted that I am a bit of a sucker for merchandising.)

Cheers

Janette

 

 

[janetteB @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave We saw it in the local cinema in December just before the Covid tsunami hit S.A. so glad we were able to see it on big screen as it is such a visually stunning movie. I really enjoyed it, though our eldest who recently read the book was less enthralled. I read the book in 1984 so was really watching it with “fresh eyes” which maybe helped.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston I hope that things work out for both your sons. The future seems so bleak for the young generation. At times it feels as though they are being attacked from all sides, covid, global warming, right wing goverments cutting services. We compare our situation at their age, renting a very nice flat on student allowance which has not changed in the intervening 30 or so years while the cost of living has escalated.

@dentarthurdent hope your beaches are not being affected by the sea surges resulting from the eruption.

cheers

Janette

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@archier Hi and welcome to the forum, our little Dr Who loving community. Don’t worry about posting in the wrong place. We all do it. Technically The Sofa is supposed to be for Dr Who related discussion but as you will observe, we are continually going “off topic”.

@dentarthurdent I really like part one, “Under the Lake” and most of part two “Before the Flood” but there are some issues with the resolution that bother me. The breaking of the dam wall would not permanantly flood the valley below, and the monster of the week is just that. However the dialogue is excellent and the characters so good that any weaknesses in the story are easily forgiven.

@winston the coldest we experienced in Sweden was -17c and that was close to unbearable. I had to use public transport to get the boys to school which involved waiting for a connecting bus at 8.00 am every morning. Fortunately everything was so well heated that when the bus arrived we defrosted quickly. I can’t imagine any colder.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston we have been huddling in the house too but for the opposite reason. The past couple of days have been reasonably hot, 37-40c. (after the horrors of 2019 summer 40c does not seem excessive) We venture out to water the garden. Life is interesting here at the moment, the goverment in its great wisdom having decided to throw down all defences and “let it rip”. The streets are earily quiet, the shops almost empty of people as well as goods. Now we know what life in a pandemic is like. I just hope that the government will pay dearly come election time but they have the Murdoch media on their side so will probably get away with it.

@dentarthurdnet hope the arm is feeling better now. Our son’s girlfriend was terrified of having the jab. She almost passed out heading in but the security guard noticed that she was struggling and called a nurse to take care of things. The nurse was so supportive that she went in to get the booster without a worry. Our second son almost fainted after the jab but again the staff were wonderfully supportive.

We have to wait to the end of the month to get out boosters. I suspect that if we haven’t already had Omicron we will have by then even though we try not to go out unless absolutely necessary.

And back to Dr Who, I hope you enjoy series 12. I look forward to your reviews.

I do not remember if I put up the link to the podcast we did on the Pertwee story, The Daemons. It was not entirely well received which did not surprise me.  I am planning on covering two Tom Baker era stories this year as his tenure was so long I don’t feel that watching just one story does justice to it. (we each pick two “cult classics” to look at each year.  And speaking of Tom Baker we are currently hearing him speaking, ie voice acting in Star Wars Rebels.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave Yes I indeed remember Flipside of Dominic Hyde. It must have screened on ABC not long before I left home. I did think I had it in our collection but a quick check indicates that sadly that is not the case.

@winston and @dentarthurdent Agreed re’ the new picture.

I read out Dentarthurdent’s comment about the Blake’s 7 reference and we spent the next hour looking at Blake’s 7 snippets on You Tube in search of the original opening credits which the boys fondly remember having been subjected to Blake’s 7 numerous times in childhood.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@mellouie Welcome to the forum and happy new year. Your English is excellent. NO need for corrections. I agree with your comment though I loved Moffat’s writing and don’t think I would ever tire of it I felt that he was tiring of it towards the end. I hope he writes the occassional episode during RTD’s tenure. I got the impression that they worked well together.

I have a lot of catching up to do with the dicussions so apologies for not commenting on other posts. I just popped in to share this delightful story.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston Glad to hear your Granddaughter is cleared. We currently have two people in the house who are semi self quarentinging, one because he went away for New Year’s and the other because his mother is ill and yet to be tested. They are sitting at their computers with face masks on.

You are fortunate to be in lockdown. Our idiot goverment has opened up, said “let it rip” and ripping it is, right through the country and bringing the health system to its knees, not difficult as it has been starved of funding for years. Our patethic excuse for a PM is essentailly shrugging and saying “not my problem”. Right now I think most Australians are longing for the relative security of lockdown.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave and @jimthefish. I think Jim the fish is suggesting that Sim/Master regenerates into Dhawan/Master who then regenerates into Missy thus honouring the events of the Capaldi story, (ie as opposed to what he did with Gallifrey) though in this instance i doubt even Moffat expected that to be the end of The Master.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Merry Christmas all.

This story on The Guardian brought as smile to my face and a tear to my eye. Just the kind of story one needs at Christmas especially this year when most of hte news is so grim. (here anyway where out idiot politicians have decided that it is time to “open up” for no conceivable reason and after being essentially covid free for two years we are now deep in the Covid playground.)

Also have not put up the Dr Who, The Daemons podcast on our local website. You can find it here.

Merry Christmas, Yuletide, Winter Solstice, Summer Solstice, seasonal celebration all.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent Hogfather was really my introduction to Pratchett. I am currently working my way through all of the Discworld books. They are now my standard Christmas present from the eldest and his girlfriend. I just picked up the Amazing Maruice which they gave me last year. It is a lot of fun but also packed with profound ideas. Love the rats discussing metaphysical concents such as an afterlife. Moffat also uses light strokes to depict serious subjects which is what I find so lacking in Chibnell’s approach which is heavy handed.

You are right in that Death, when he is trying to be human in Mort does have a Capaldi doc vibe, perhaps why I liked Death so much.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave Yep, Bob wasn’t as left wing as I would have liked, being a student when HECS was introduced but compared to what we have now..

I wonder if the makers of the add knew that Australia had experimented with a alcohol based economy before. (the rum trade in the early days of New South Wales)

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent Absolutely. An excellent review of what is “a cracker of an episode.” We watching it last week. I love the skill with which Moffat blends sadness and humour. “every Christmas is last Christmas”. We are reminded of mortality and the loss of loved ones which is always more acute at Christmas perhaps because for so many families it is one of hte few or only times in the year that they get together. Christmas is a time of memories as much as it is a celebration of the present. I always put up cards from old friends and family members who have passed away, a reminder of those who were part of Christmas in the past.

I have also been re watching Hogfather. Nick Frost and Death, the two best, Solstice saints.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent I have not yet read the Dirk Gently books. I really enjoyed the British adaptation with Stephen Mangan. Have not seen the U.S. version. I believe both are reasonably different to the books.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave One of the boys came across a rumour that Kevin McNally will be the next Doctor based upon the compelling evidence (by current standards) of a photo of him on set. (this was a few weeks ago so probably before he appeared in the story). I did have a quiet chuckle about that.

Was excited to see in Martin Belam’s review a mention of Kate and UNIT returning. Yay. Something to look forward to when I finally get to watch the series.

I admit to putting if off, in part because I am still a bit sour about the destruction of Gallifrey. It was MOffat’s great legacy, restoring Gallifrey and it felt like a deliberate slight to destroy it again.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave Yes she sounded so natural, so warm and likeable in the interview and like someone who would be fun to be around. I have yet to watch the most recent series but I feel that she is best when she is not acting but being herself. I think that is true of all the actors who take on the role which is why they improve over the course of the three seasons. (which annoyingly has become the “norm’. I would like each one to do at least one more season, as they seem to quit just when they have hit their ‘stride”.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Really lovely interview with Jodie Whittaker on leaving Dr Who.  Sounds just like the Doctor talking, (as opposed the actor but then I think all of the actors playing Dr Who bring a lot of themselves to the role which is why perhaps there is such a strong emotional connection for the actors to the part. I feel like they all love being the Doctor.)

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent @mudlark, @miapatrick and @winston

Mudlark’s analagy of hitting one’s head on a wall summs up Uni well. It is fun but also massively stressful however once we finish we long to return. I have always thought that one day I would go back and now I am running out of excuses for putting it off. Earlier this year it was suggested that I use a history that I have been working on for the past few years as a Creative writing Masters or Ph’d. Naturally I have done nothing at all towards actually talkign to the Uni to find out if this is possible. Meanwhile I have been helping the boys and the eldest’s girlfriend with their uni essays for the past few years which is far too much fun though reminds me of just how stressful Uni is. I love the work, hate the deadlines.

I have that recurring dream too. In mine it is the night before an exam that I have not studied for or the end of semester and I find out that I am enrolled in a subject that I have done no work for at all. (I had a friend who had that happen. Thought the subect was second semester. Found out at the end of Semester one that it was first. He failed.) It was so bad at one time that I began to feel as though it was real and had to remind myself it was just a dream.

there are variations of the dream, it is Christmas eve and I have no gifts for the boys. That one started when they were young or I have not made any cards or the family are about to arrive and there is no food prepared. I dream about leaving my camera behind somewhere, or having a plane to catch and no time to pack and get to the airport.

Not that I need dreams to remind me of all the things I should be doing or have to do. ..

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent After seeing what my brother had to deal with when my mother died i do try and remind myself that one day our sons will have to deal with what we leave behind.

Our nephew has started collecting videos. We have already donated most of ours but I really should look through what is left before Christmas. Most of our film/tv collection is on hard drives but after a couple of catastrophic hard drive failures I have started to buy the odd DVD just as back up.

Meanwhile I have to make room for the Christmas trees.

Cheers

janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent, @winston and @ichabod. Same problem. We moved here in 1995. (have just finished paying mortgage and now finally own the house outright..). We did have to pack up and move out for a year. That was interesting. The packers had to call in reinforcements. They had never seen so much stuff. We are a family of hoarders, and now we have two extra people living in the house it is beginning to feel as though we are trying to cram the interior of the Tardis into a standard London police box without the aid of Gallifreayan engineering.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent I did try to watch it a few years ago but did not get past the first few minutes, that however might have been more a reflection of my mood at the time and not the watchability of the story. I really should try it again. I enjoy the later McCoy stories. Ace was a good companion, the best since Romana left. It really felt as though the show was picking up again and had potential when it was cancelled.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@oochillyo Good luck with finding Sarah Jane. We have the collection but not sure that there is any easy way of sharing it. It has been years since I watched it but I did enjoy it. It was nice to see Elizabeth Sladden get a chance to develop her character and I liked the “companions”. They were all well developed characters. Only disapointment was that we did not see more of K.9.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston Unfortunately it seems that extreme weather events resulting in massive damage to humans and infrastructure, costing businesses and governments is what it is going to take for those with the power and money to actually start to act. Of course by the time governments and businesses accept the need to change massive harm is going to have been done to the natural world, to vulnerable nations like those in the Pacific, and to vulnerable people which is in fact all of us.

We are back from our holiday now. It was so nice to get away even though the weather was not favourable and it was “schoolies” weekend. Actually the kids were all so quiet and well behaved that was not a problem.  The drive was lovely. The countryside is so green at the moment, not usual for this time of year. The colours were so vibrant with the freshly cut golden hay contrasted with the verdant spring grass. I saw some ‘roos grazing in a paddock on the way home which made me very happy. I think even a mini break is good for restoring one’s sense of perspective.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

Hi Hope none of our Canuk friends have been adversely efffected by the flooding in Canada

We are currently on holiday, a couple of days down at the coast so will be catching up on discussion when I get home tomorrow or Sunday.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Those who were offended by Capaldi’s guitar playing in Dr Who will not welcome this news but  I am sure that most of us will look out for it. 🙂 He always comes across as such a likeable person in articles and interviews and I am hoping to see some samples from this appear in the Music thread.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@miapatrick Sorry sorry  to hear about your Mum. It always takes a long time to process, to adjust to a changed reality I hope that Dr Who helps.

Regards

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@nerys good to hear that you are back safely despite car problems. Cars are such a mixed blessing.

Our second son is currently camping with friends and decided to take our large family tent which has not been used for a few years. He rang at about 7.00 pm last night to say that the tent poles were broken. Not sure how that eventuated.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent  I enjoyed your review. Contructive criticism is never a problem. And I agree with pretty much everything you have said. This episode was an absolute fail in all regards. The characters were acting “out of character” the “mechanics” were just absurd and sadly it turned viewers away from the series. For most of us one poor episode is more than compensated for by good aspects, the quality of the writing, the interaction of the characters, but there is nothing in this episode that works for me. Unlike you I really disliked the arguement between Clara and the Doctor at the end. It felt contrived perhaps beause the events leading up to it were so unconvincing.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@idiotsavon Good to have you back. Lots to catch up on 🙂

I have not started watching the new series either. I am waiting for it to end then I will watch it. I like to know what I am “in for”. (Yes I am one of those people who already reads the back page first.)

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent  I am also wallowing on old episodes. We have yet to watch the new episode. I admit I want to see what the series has in store before i watch it. We are currently watching some classic Moffat, Girl in the Fireplace.

Perhaps becasue it followed Listen which is so good initially I did not warm to Time Heist but it has really “grown” on me. Psi and Saibra are such good characters, there are so many good moments in the episode and Capaldi has really hit his stride by now.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent Listen is one of my favourite of favourites. It has a good claim to the be the best episode of AGWho for just the reasons you mention in your post. The dialogue crackles, there is humour, pathos and a real sense of threat generated by the most basic story telling techniques and we never know if there is anything there. I love ambiguous ghost stories where it can all be explained away but can it? This is Moffat at his best.

AS for Orson, I have spent many hours devising timey wimey explanations, most of which I have forgotten now. I tried to account for the toy soldier, the fact that Danny dies childless, the remarkable resemblance between them and Danny’s lack of family. I also threw Susan in becasue she must be out there in the future somewhere. I love that this episodes leaves so much open ended, plenty of inspiration for fan fic.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@craig welcome back. Hope all is well with you.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave given that this thread was started many a year ago and there are no threads for subsequent episodes I think it would be safe to waive the spoilers restrictions. Maybe, from these posts down with a warning at the top of the post.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave We watched it recently and it is a good story. It helps that it is a period of history that I have a particular interest in though there were plenty of flaws in the history which were irritating.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@cathannabel I am so sorry to hear. I will think about something. Many years ago as an honours subject we put together a book of secular readings for “rites of passage” occasions. I have often thought of revisiting that as there is an increasing need for it. I love the idea of something from Dr Who. Maybe something from the Capaldi era or the second Doctor talking to Victoria about loosing her father in Tomb of the Cybermen. I don’t fully recall the wording so not entirely sure how suitable that would be.

Best of wishes through this difficult time.

Regards

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@mudlark Your story reminds me of the worst hospital experience i ever had was in London. I don’t know which hospital. I thought it was in the area of Marble Arch but can’t work it out from Google. I was rather ill at the time so perhaps my sense of location was as fuzzy as my memory is now. I spent a couple of hours in an overcrowded waiting room. there was only one Doctor on duty and the poor man looked exhausted. He apologised profusely for the wait and looked rather relieved when I assured him that I blamed Thatcher for the evident understaffing. Fortunately all i needed was a script for antibiotics and a couple of days resting in the grubby little guest house I was staying in.

My most memorable hospital stay was in Sweden which surely has one of the best public health systems in the world. I owe my life to that hospital and its wonderful staff. My stay there also gave me an insight into the country and culture that I would otherwise have missed out on so some good came out of a rather serious situation.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent I think Fires of Pompeii is the only episode to feature a future Doctor so it is unique in that regard.

Agree re’ Time of the Doctor. It is trying to tie up too many threads and does not really work as a story. Moffat is brilliant at creating stories but not so good at resolving them. Maybe had he more time. This episode probably would have been much better as a two parter.

cheers

Janette

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