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@thane15 Yes I live in S.A. We really are spread across the continent, us Oz Who fans aren’t we? Good to hear from you again btw. I was hoping all was ok as I had not seen you posting of late but then I have not been posting either, just lurking, partly because of the weather, (in the grips of a very dreary S.A. winter) and partly just busy with writing etc.

@craig @blenkinsopthebrave and @bluesqueakpip I like the suggestion of a First Doctor Retrospective. I was going to suggest a retrospective based upon countering the “but they did not do that in “classic Who” line that right wing moaners like to use but easy to point those moments out whilst watching any old episodes and the Verity Lambert years were very strong really. (thinking of instances which dealt with “issues” like gender, environmentalism, human rights and politics, matters which Dr Who has never shied away from.) It might give us useful ammunition if we ever dare venture into the cesspit of BTL comments.

so looking forward to watching Keys of Marinus while painting miniatures or “photoshopping”. (Anything but what I should be working on..)

Cheers
Janette

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NOOO. I really really hope that rumour isn’t true. I was recently re watching an old BBC favourite and thinking about how much the music added to the quality of the production. It was brash, impossible to ignore but reflecting the themes of the series and in doing so was adding depth to the production and it was very memorable. Noticed when the credits rolled that the music was composed by Murray Gold. thought then about how integral his music is to the quality of AG Who.

Cheers
Janette

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@bluesqueakpip “Artistic integrity”. Lovely idea. I wonder if that person would then like to donate money to the support of artists so they can maintain their “artistic integrity”. I get really annoyed by the view that artists are some kind of superior beings that do not require food and shelter like the rest of humanity and have no right to work for money. How is doing adds any different to being employed in any other way by corporations. We all take jobs at some time or other serving “bosses” we would would rather not work for because we have to. It’s called survival and actors/artists/authors can no more afford to be above that than the rest of us. I am sure some people think artists should paint purely for the love of it and writers are selling out if they expect to get some form of financial reward for their work yet those people who object expect to get paid for whatever they do. I hope that you got the last word on that argument. (like you that is an attitude that really annoys me.)

@craig Thank you for posting that. Really enjoyed it and here is my list Tardis, Romanana I, Jamie, Sarah Jane, Harry, Jo, Brigadier, Doctor 5 (Peter Davison) and Johnathon Pryce as the master. (I was watching only so might have missed voice actors)

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

And to add, if Jodie Whittaker has the courage to take on the role then I think she has something of what it takes to be the Doctor.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@cloisterbell I have also seen Jodie Whittaker in several roles and was as surprised as most others at the choice because judging by what I have seen her in she isn’t an obvious pick for the role of the Doctor but then I thought the same of Matt Smith who I had previously seen in, in,, (name of series escapes me). I expressed my own doubts about her suitability before the announcement was made which is not the same as making a judgement about her as the Doctor. after all, she is an actor which means or should mean that she is capable of playing many different characters. My comment was in to people who outright state that she will be terrible in the role. Give her a chance. Likewise I am uncertain about the choice of Chris Chibnell as showrunner but to say now that he will be terrible is unfair. Let’s see what is delivered by both Chris and Jodie before passing judgement. (And I find it is always better to expect the best rather than the worst.)

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

One thing I have learnt is to never judge who an actor will fit a role until seen in that role. I thought Matt Smith was not going to work as the Doctor. My S/O thought that Tennant was bad casting, until he saw the Christmas Invasion. There is always concern at the casting of any actor in any roll of a well loved character. For instance I recall the shaking of heads over casting announcements for LOTR and there were plenty of people who objected to the casting of Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. We tend to judge actors by the roles we have seen them in and not by their acting ability. So anyone judging Jodie Whittaker now is clearly objecting to her on grounds of gender as there is no other valid reason for objecting to her casting at this stage. In fairness to Jodie wait until seeing at least two episodes if not the end of her first season before judging her.
AS for whether this is talked about I have to say that for the last couple of weeks people were discussing the news that never mentioned Dr Who before and not one comment I heard was negative. It was a good time to be a fan. I felt rather proud of my favourite TV show and I hope that people who have not watched for years will switch on again and discover just how good “Who” is.
Cheers
Janette

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@bluesqueakpip and @ichabod while choosing to stick with the team he is familiar with might seem rather restrictive it also reflects his loyalty to his “team” and shows that they are happy to continue to work with him so there are positives there. I liked the way Jodie W’ referred to him as “Chibs”. That gave me a little more confidence. I am sure there will continue to be episodes that we will love and some that won’t make the mark but it won’t be like the past eight years but there has to be change and we have been fortunate to have had Moffat at the helm for so long. It is time to give “Chibs” a chance and we have plenty of wonderful episodes to re watch.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@ichabod yes I love the accent too. Must be preferable for the actor too, especially I would think when playing the Doctor as each actor does bring something of themselves to the part. “Chibbers” not inviting Rachel Talalay back would be consistent with the rumour or statement that he is bringing in his own “team” from Broadchurch.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@wolfweed I just plugged in the earphones and it works, so good for Oz.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@wolfweed. Thanks for the link, for all the links. I really must find those earplugs now so I can listen. I have so much to catch up on.
Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@ichabod and @thane15 I confess to avoiding using “Jodie Whitakker” surname simply because I am terrible at spelling and usually too lazy to google it, especially when posting late at night. I know how to spell Capaldi though I generally use the abbreviation P.C. just as I often now use J.W. My shorthand however varies depending upon how much time I have, how tired I am, or how the person in question is referred to in other posts. Just as right now I am being inexcusably lazy and replying to the last comment showing on my page because I have not had time for over a week to keep up. With the prospect of a free weekend before me I hope to make amends for that.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@jimthefish Yes got to applaud the announcement of a “female doctor” if the biggest objection is that it is “too PC”. This is one of those debates where it is the failings of the arguments against rather than those for that show that the matter in question is a good thing. There have been a couple of posters with actual arguments to support their objections but most are simply frothing. I really look forward to the time when the Doctor’s gender, hair colour, skin colour etc is not an issue, just as long as the Doctor retains a British accent.

@whofangirl-73 I think we can assume that relationships don’t work the same way on Gallifrey as on earth. After all why should all alien societies emulate our own? Although Gallifreyans look like us we know that they are very different biologically. Maybe the Christmas special will touch on this, (though I like to retain the mystery about the Doctor’s past).

cheers
Janette

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Oops thought my post was missing. so have deleted second post

[janetteB @replies]

Everywhere I go at the moment there is discussion about Dr Who. People who have not talked about it before or watched it for years are excited by the news. That can only be a good thing and if people do only tune on at Christmas because they want to see a woman take that role that is still good. Some may not bother again but plenty of others will realise that they have been missing out these past few years and re engage with the series. (Hopefully anyway.)

Yeseterday a friend showed me a diagram (unfortunately I failed to get the link) showing the reaction to new Doctors, from the “oh no it is the end of Dr Who” to this actor is great. Right now there is a high level of emotional response to the announcement which is exacerbated by the fact that fans have to deal, not only with a change in face but a change in gender. Several people have concerns which are emotive and understandable. I too initially felt “no” about a proposed gender change but that reaction was emotive. The more I have thought about it the more I recognise that there is no reason for not having a female play the role and plenty of reasons why there should be. I also suspect though that some of the objections are not from Doctor Who fans but are purely political from those who fear “political correctness”.

@mirime and @missrory. I too preferred to play with toy cars and blocks than dolls. Hated dolls. I desperately wanted to play with my brother’s train set but wasn’t allowed to do so. I also despise the way that marketing has driven gender divisions in toys. A toy brand which I have been a collector has moved increasingly from more gender neutral toys in the 70s and 80s to much more gender specific toys now which is deeply disappointing though a few years ago they did a line of pink vikings which I loved. Hot pink as a bold, warrior colour.. and it was probably more historically likely than the horned helmets.

In some ways it is one step forward and two backwards at the moment. Also talking of Hollywood, there are still far too few roles for women but that is not the main issue. There are too few films made by women and plonking a female lead in a film made by men is a not enough. Films, like toys, are becoming more gender specific, (I think) and that is extremely bad. Doctor Who has never been “gender specific” though it has often been perceived to be so and seeing that “nailed to the mast” as it were is pleasing. NO wonder I love Dr Who.

@tardigrade You made a good point re’ the Doctor calling himself Timelord when he rejects the elitism of Gallifreyan society. It does grate and I liked Danny making a point about that.

@cloisterbell I think you will find that some of us have expressed reservations about Jodie but we have learnt not to prejudge actors. I thought Matt Smith was way to young for the role and would be terrible but was won over the moment his head popped out of the Tardis. The roles I have seen Jodie in don’t say “Doctor material” to me but she is clearly a fine actor and no actor should be judged by the characters they portray and even less by their non acting presentation as many are introverts or not entirely comfortable when “out of character”, so until we have seen Jodie in the role it is not fair to pass judgments upon her casting. Give her a chance and be prepared to be surprised.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@mirime I want to get away from the connotation that “girly” equals weak, ie “pink is a weak girly colour”. Pink is not necessarily weak, depends upon shade and Vikings almost certainly wore pink. (an argument long ago on another forum) I want girls to able to favour whatever colour they please, pink, purple, puce green, (not sure that is actually a colour but makes the point.
(Actually not really into pink myself but I am growing tired of the issues around a colour and note that for many women pink is a statement of strength and identity. I liked Romana’s pink Time Lord outfit, it mirrored the Doctor but was also reflected her own identity. I would like her to have continued to wear that one costume as I thought it indicated that she was his equal. As a teenager at the time that series aired I was so excited by the Doctor having a companion who was his equal in all but life experience, and to me, more than any other outfit she wore that pink suit reflected that. So what would I like to see Jodie/Doc wearing.. something a little mysterious, dark, a bit “bohemian”. I think Dark sombre colours would suit Jodie best but that might just be because I like dark colours.

Happy if they decide to ditch the title, “Time Lady” as it sounds wrong anyway. I think Time Lord works best and as Gallifreyans are gender fluid it makes sense not to use gender specific terms. So “grandfather” should have been “grandparent”, or should be, if we meet up with Susan again.

Gallifrey is obviously a classist society which is one of the reasons the Doctor keeps running so I think keeping the elitist titles is justifiable.

Anyway I am being reminded that it is well past midnight and I have places to be tomorrow, things to do, that annoying R.L stuff.

Cheers
Janette.

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@blenkinsopthebrave and celebrate the decision by doing a watch of some of Jodie’s earlier work and perhaps a retrospective of Chibnell’s Who scripts to date. I think we may have started the later but it stalled though I guess we have a good part of next year for that.

cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@serahni Thank you for the link. Lots of chuckles here too. I never cease to wonder how many supposed “fans” have actually watched Dr Who. The claim that Doctor Who was never meant to be political always amuses me. Do they forget Monster of Peladon or The Green Death, not to mention The Sunmakers. And as for the series being P.C. Barbara Wright might have a thing or two to say about that. Dr Who was never backward in showing its ethical heart and has always reflected the more tolerant and “liberal” values of the day. And long may that continue. It is when the show becomes timid and conservative and dumbs down to be pure “entertainment” that Dr Who dies.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@mudlark I was going to post the link to that then realised there was another page of comments and thought I had better check first to see if someone else had done so. (Especially as I’m not overly confident with posting links) so glad to see that you beat me to it. Yes lovely article. Colin continues to rise in my estimation. Though I do understand why many women would be opposed to having a female doctor. I know as a teenager I would have preferred an attractive man in the role over a female role model. As the assistant was always put there to please male viewers let’s hope they bare that in mind now. Though I am relieved that they have chosen an actor who comes across as intelligent and sensitive for the role and not one who “looks hot”. (Not to say that J.W. isn’t attractive.)

Well Doctor Who has certainly made news today and people who have not watched it for years are talking about it. I think that there will be record ratings this Christmas.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

As noted by one of our wise members and I have read so many posts since that I have forgotten who exactly so apologies for the lack of credit, this is akin to the first regeneration in terms of impact. It has certainly generated a buzz which won’t hurt ratings. I suspect that a lot of people who don’t usually watch Who will tune in just to see how it goes and as for those outraged, “ex fans” I wonder how many of them are genuine fans anyway. I also think that after ten years since the reboot the show was ready for a bit of a shake up. The MOffat years were wonderful but they are over and we need something different otherwise the next few years are in danger of being overshadowed by the past. I feel more optimistic now that I was about the future. Yes I have some reservations about the choice of Jodie. As @nick observed the best actors bring something of their own character to the role and Jodie has tended to play quiet, stoic characters which don’t have much in the way of Doctorish quality but then the same was true of Ecclestone. She has been rather type cast I suspect so will be interesting to see what she brings to the role which is certainly very different to anything else I have seen her in.

Jodie Whittaker was also in Marchlands. (As well as Alex Kingston) Another to go on the re-watch list.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@fatmaninabox I hope all the disasters are soon sorted so that you can return to the fold.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I am posting without reading comments as I have limited time today and fear that if I start reading comments I will never get to post.
I was right about something, Doctor 13 was in Broadchurch. I have not watched Broadchurch and so can’t comment on J.W.s character in that but in every role I have seen her in she plays sensitive characters, which, if any reflection of her own personality does not bode well for her ability to handle the bile that is no doubt already flying her way. Though I suspect that J.W. is no fool and knew what to expect so hopefully she has the battlements manned in whatever manner she can.
My re watch of the shows I have seen J.W. in is going to begin with tears however. I first saw her in Tess of the D’ubervilles, a show I can only watch when I am in a really good mood because I know I won’t be by the time I finish.
As to whether she is best suited to the role, well it is not fair or even possible to judge until the end of her first series so I will wait and see and hope for the best.
Question 1, What is River Song going to say!!
Question 2, Will the next companion be a young male? Personally I think having a couple as companions would work best, but then I think it always does.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@cathannabel congrats and best wishes from me. I hope that you have a lovely celebration complimented by the big announcement.
Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I think it is a great pity that there are so many fans of the show who clearly don’t actually watch the show. I think some of them need to be strapped into chairs and forced to watch CapDoc’s great speeches on loop until the message finally sinks in.

I also love the idea of an alien doctor, at least for an episode and Doctor nine before his regeneration hinted that it might be possible. “Anything is possible. I might have two heads.”

cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I agree with @nick re Jodie Whittaker. I have seen her in numerous things and her acting ability is not in question but I don’t see her as the Doctor, not unusual enough, she is “too girl next door” as @jimthefish says. Well only a few hours to go..
Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I have always wanted a story where the doctor meets a future self and given that he will have many, many more regenerations it is not a burden for future show runners.

I am now hoping that we don’t find out who the next Doctor is until Christmas. I have never been a fan of the prospect of a surprise regeneration but knowing it is happening is sufficient. Also I now favour not having any preconceived ideas about the new actor. I began watching The Eleventh Hour with negative expectations based on seeing Matt Smith interviewed and thinking he was too young for the role, likewise having seen Capaldi I have high expectations of his portrayal of the Doctor which were equally as bad in a way. Better to not expect anything, just be pleasantly surprised. (hopefully anyway) Back in BG Who I was predisposed to dislike Colin Baker because of another role I had seen him in, (War and Peace) that even had he been brilliant in the role I would not have taken to him.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave and @whisht It is indeed made with affection for the original and that shines through. It was made by fans for fans, at a time when nostalgia for Who was running high.

cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Interesting reading through the comments from way back in 2013. Seems so long ago now. I have re watched Adventure in Time and Space many times since and every time I pick up on something I missed before. It was only on second or third watch for instance that I realised that Ian (William Russell) is the security guy in the beginning. I also did not realise just how many of the former companions appear in crowd shots.

Also interesting to note in the comments above the praise for David Bradley’s performance. Yes he nailed both the actor and the character, not an easy task I would imagine. He was playing not one by two roles. He is now firmly fixed in my “head canon” as the first Doctor. Barbara and Ian remain the originals however. I thought the actor playing Carol Ann Ford was probably a better actor than Carol Ann Ford and could quite happily accept her as a substitute if required, though if Susan is to return I would prefer it to be either an older version or a regeneration.

We were really blessed with three wonderful productions for the anniversary, the special itself, An Adventure in Time and Space and the lovable Five(ish) Doctors Reboot. All three have been re watched many times in this household.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

We bought the video of this many, many years ago and it came with extras which were equally as enjoyable as the drama itself. It is comedy and played for “broad laughs” but there have been many times over the years of Moffat’s tenure where I have been reminded of it. The story plays on the ability to travel through time, an ability that is surprisingly often overlooked in Dr Who scrips. AG Who has done a reasonable job of ducking and weaving around the question of, “why not just go further back in time and avoid the problem happening”, with “fixed points in time” as well as the ill defined Rules of Time Travel which seem only to apply when the script demands.

Moffat was the first to touch upon the before unmentionable inevitability of a sexual attraction between the Doctor and companion. IT had to be dealt with and Moffat did a good job of that in the series once again demonstrating why it cannot be so, just as he knocks that well and truly on the head, first with Jim Broadbent then Joanna Lumley.” Doctor this has never been more truly said before but you are not the man I promised to marry.” or words to that effect. (has been a few years since I last watched it, not sure we even still have it in our collection and have not been home today to find out.) @jimthefish you forgot to mention the “Shy Doctor”, the wonderful Jim Broadbent playing a regeneration that is anything but “hot” hero material. Rowan Atkinson was good as the Doctor and I loved Jonathan Pryce’s Master.

Back when we first watched the video and watched the commentary afterwards I was won over by the enthusiasm glowing in MOffat’s eyes when he was asked if he would be involved in Dr Who should the show ever be revived. That seemed like and impossible dream back then so when the new series was announced and I saw that he was involved I was thrilled and his first two scripts did not disappoint.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

“a lovely time”, Must be past my bedtime.

cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

OH and have a lovely in the Inner Hebrides @bluesqueakpip. I am a little envious as the Hebrides, Inner and Outer and Orkney are very high on my “want to visit” list.

cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Thanks @craig. You are a champ’.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@brewski and it is Christmas when families are traditionally reunited so when better to meet up with his Granddaughter again.

Fingers crossed….

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

It would be good to revive the discussion of An Adventure in Time and Space. I was also thinking that as we are coming to the end of Moffat’s time as showrunner it might be fun to watch The Curse of Fatal Death and see how some of the ideas have played through his scripts. I don’t recall if we have discussed it before but could not find a thread for it.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@jimthefish. Yes indeed. Well done.

cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@brewski I have long had a “fanfic” story bubbling in my head regarding just such an event. Susan is elderly and nearing regeneration and manages to send out a message to the Doctor who arrives, not knowing that it is her, high jinks ensure, others, possibly the master, have also picked up the message, are lurking about eager to get their paws on the Doctor’s DNA, and the outcome is her regeneration. Not sure about her becoming the next companion though. I think that might be too compromising for the script writers. It is usually preferable to create a new character rather than warm up an old one. I would rather that he simply re-establishes his connection with Susan but she continues to live her own life, an “earth family”, as @lisa said, that can be called on, visited etc so he is no longer alone in the universe. Possibly he could take one of Susan’s children on board as companion.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@wolfweed If I haven’t already said it, It is great to have you back. Thanks for all the cool images you post and now extra thanks for reviving Crazy Captions.
Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@nick. I think maybe I commented on Bill’s last statement on the spoilers thread but it hints that the next Doctor will be female and her age which strikes me as too young.
cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Yes, what @blenkinsopthebrave said. Even the Guardian is not above a little “next Doctor rumours” clickbait.

@bluesqueakpip I can see Moffat squeezing in an extra regeneration. He does tend to reuse ideas and there would be a certain symmetry if his final story had echoes of his first, which is of course “A Curse of Fatal Death”. I can picture him playing fast and loose with fans’ expectations; “this is the next Doctor, but only for this episode the actual next Doctor is ???”

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@mudlark I assumed that the cloister bell was a warning against the Doctor’s refusal to regenerate and creation of a paradox. The Tardis does not approve of bending the laws of time. No doubt the Doctor refusing to regenerate will upset the fundamental laws of time and space that hold the universe together.. I also guess that the consequence of refusal to regenerate is death and the Tardis is not going to countenance that either.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Was discussing Missy’s death with R.1 earlier today and I realised just how well written it was. Missy does “come good” thus rewarding the Doctor’s faith but he never knows because he has stressed that reward is not required, he does not need to know because he does “good” simply because it is the right thing to do. Missy’s death, turning to the Doctor when there is no-one except her sneering former self there to witness her final act is the perfect resolution to the Missy story line that has woven through this series. Neither Missy or the Doctor are rewarded for their actions and that is how it should be. Doing the right thing is not about the reward. That is the message that Moffat has really driven home this series with a kind of gloves off didacticism.

Also even the cybermen are not evil, just doing what they believe to be a service to humanity. So even the “big bad” of the series have altruistic motives. Only the Simm master, “this is the face that did not hear a word you said”, reminds us that there are some people who are cruel and cowardly. Not every being can be reclaimed or excused.

cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Looks interesting and definitely a possibility from looking at her IMDB page. She has what I suspect is the essential criteria; has been in Broadchurch. Only think I have watched from that list is Blandings, which I think I still have somewhere, not really sure until now why I kept it but might now re-watch that particular episode. Also there are no future projects listed. She is a good age for the role. I groaned when Bill said, “my age” because I think that is too young for an actor playing the Doctor.

cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

This thread has turned into a discussion about cats and I have been missing it. My fault for not keeping up with every discussion, my cat, who is desperate to sit on my Wacom tablet is currently glaring at me because I won’t let him. As to killers of wildlife, our dog has killed more birds than the cat and eradicated our backyard lizard population which I find hard to forgive. In a country like Australia the environmental impact of domestic pets is painfully evident but not nearly so evident as the damage done by their owners.

And now back to Empress of Mars. I suspect the fleeing Tardis was merely a plot device which is best accepted rather than analysed, ie “because the script required it”. (There clumsy attempt to get back on topic.)

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@wolfweed Sounds like a great new word for a Dalek. You. will. be. redacted. redact. redact. redact.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Re watched this morning. The speech the Doctor makes to Master and Missy expresses the very essence of who he is. Wonderful stuff. I am tempted to go through and make a “collection” of all his great speeches.

Is Bill’s final comment a hint about the next regeneration? The young bit concerns me but then I think we all expect the next Doctor to be younger but not as young as Bill…

I think it was Heather’s tear that enabled Bill to retain her “humanity” through the cyberisation process. It was possibly that tear that also enabled Bill to retain her awareness of what was really happening in the Monk trilogy.

I loved the last exchange between the Doctor and Nardole when the Doctor says that one of us is stronger than the other and we both know who that is. The “stronger” one is actually Nardole who was able to maintain the vow to mind the vault whereas the Doctor was not. Nardole has the strength to stay with the children for however long it takes just as he was able to maintain his vigil over the vault while the Doctor would be impatient and wanting to fly off. (Despite the fact that he did stay on Christmas. This regeneration is clearly more impatient or flighty than the last.)

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Re-watched this morning and Bill’s final enigmatic comment to the Doctor struck me as significant. She reminds him that she is into women and her own age, a possible hint for the next regeneration. Fine with the former but not sure about the later. Hope Doctor Who isn’t going to turn into a Merlin type series with cute young woman as lead. Sure Matt Smith was young and he carried off the role but he had an unusual ability to convey a sense of age.

@wolfweed I paid more attention to the coat too.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@lisa we were tying at the same time. Snap!!

I neglected to buy jelly babies for the final episode and at that moment thought “oh damn.” We did have Jammy Dodgers and custard however and chips.

On a far more trivial theme, I have been pleased by the amount of food references this series. It is the first time we have seen CapDoc eat anything but soup and that isn’t really a big seller around here. Now I have a few items to add to our Dr Who Party menu.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

It did occur to me that maybe the next Doctor is Peter Capaldi, that he regenerates into himself and the stories about him quitting were a deliberate misdirection but I know that would be simply “too good to be true”. If only….

@mudlark you said all the things I wanted to say but failed to and you did it so eloquently too, as always. It was a pleasure to see John Simm portray the Master as he would have chosen to, especially after reading about the abuse he received by disgruntled fans in the past.

@donnawho I think the Christmas special will be about the Doctor coming to terms with the need for change and learning to welcome the renewal.

Regeneration, the changing of that which is must fundamental to us, our perception of our self, would not be easy. Bill does not adapt to being a cyberman in her head, a nice echo of the difficulty of coming to terms with a changed persona. The Doctor changes, everyone sees him as someone different but he does not see himself as changed, even though aspects of his personalty change. He is still the same old Doctor, still eating Jelly babies, with the same memories and the same guiding principles. But as Ecclesston Doc said, it is a dodgy process and he does not know what he will regenerate into, “I might even have two heads” and even though he has now gone through that process thirteen or so times in the context of a 1,500 + lifespan that isn’t much. He is not as used to regenerating as we are used to him doing so.

Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

At this point I am not sure what to say other than to gush about how much I loved the episode and bemoan the imminent loss of Peter Capaldi and Moffat. R.1 predicted that P.C.s regeneration will be marked by anger, resisting, and it seems he nailed it. (Far better at predicting what will happen than his mother it seems) The episode did not really feel like a series final, though most threads were tied up. Missy/Master died again, Bill was reunited with Heather, Nardole was essentially written out and the regeneration was triggered. Perhaps because there was no big question underlying this series there was less to resolve in the final and the focus of the story was on the immediate problem not tying up complicated plot threads this felt less like a end of series than previous series endings.
Capaldi’s speech had the family glued to the “screen” which in our case is the wall and reminded us all of what a fine actor is he and how much we are going to miss capdoc. I really need to watch it again without the usual family viewing distractions. Bill’s death was a Moffat death and that is fine. Heather can restore her to mortal form if so required to leaves the door open for Bill to return as companion. Clever Moffat knows how to keep the door ajar.
Only gripe, why in recent years do all farming communities have to be American West? There are many farming communities around the world that could be represented.
And now off to read comments,
Cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@jimthefish Nobody told me I had been cast to play the next Doctor!!!
@wolfweed Good comment re Express readers.. (not that I even really know what the Express is but don’t think I want to)
@ichabod I think the Simm master saying “you can’t regenerate” is bit of a play on the fact that the Master is written out so many times but always comes back regardless. The look in Missy’s eye indicated that she is far from finished yet.

Michelle really nailed the Master in this last episode I thought and John Simm’s Master was also a delight,

cheers
Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Our cottage was built in the time when surviving the summer was the prime consideration so the old part of the house has high ceilings, narrow windows, with a verandah on the north side which means we get no sun at all in winter and the rooms are impossible to heat. I guess the nineteenth century immigrants, being predominately British, were used to cold winters but the blistering summers must have been a real shock.

The nearest I ever got to “hate watching” was Star Trek which I didn’t hate but found it mildly amusing predicting how the story would unfold, the scripts being so formulaic.

Cheers
Janette

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