[janetteB @replies]

@phaseshift. Thanks for the link. The future companion as a child and swings… That’s familiar. Perhaps Moffat just likes children and swings.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Apoligies @phaseshift for neglecting to answer your question. (I was distracted by the conversation that followed.) I just checked the ABC programs and Dr Who is screening on the Sunday night so we won’t be seeing it before those of you in the U.K. Saturday programming in Oz is usually dedicated to sport and repeats. The important programs are shown on Sunday nights. When I was a kid Dr Who was shown on week nights.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@phaseshift Love the photo of P.J. with his daleks. Hope he gets to direct an episode. (Pity they didn’t get him to direct the 50th anniversary special.

@jimthefish  Thanks for that link.  Interesting point ‘re the lack of publicity surrounding guest stars. That could be yet to hit. Right now the focus is on the new series.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

M.S. with a goatee. Nooo.

Congrats on the new position @jimthefish.

I too prefer to discuss all things Who related here now. I also prefer forums to blogs. Forums create communities. I really enjoy being part of this little community.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

And it was all over a point of view. Must say though his criticism of Gaiman, “he gives the appearance of being good” was sheer nonsensical brilliance. I’ve already started quoting it. I just wish my work was good enough to appear good.

I suspect he has some problems too but pity aside, he ruined the thread for everyone who might want to participate in it.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I can imagine Moffatt behaving like that, if he felt that the integrity of Who was in some way being threatened. (I am a bit naive too. I would only attribute such behaviour to the noble of motives.) Moffatt is passionate about his work and rather precious about it too I suspect so I understand how feelings might get heated. There is however, no doubt, a lot of journalistic exaggeration involved too if indeed there is any truth in the report at all.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

OMG. I hadn’t been following that thread but after reading your comments popped over there to have a look. I just showed my fifteen year old the posts and he was appalled. He described TS as “a twelve year old delinquent.” It is really rather sad to see the thread being hijacked by such a mindless, spiteful individual. His behaviour is pathetic. He doesn’t argue at all or debate a difference of opinion, he’s just nasty. I hope that if he does venture this way the mods will “have a few words”. That is one Dr Who fan (if indeed he is) that we can do without.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Whether Matt is staying or going, (and I’m still hoping it will be the former) they are certainly dangling the possibility of his leaving to keep us fans guessing. I suspect that his being in the Christmas Special indicates staying. I don’t think he would regenerate on Christmas Day. What kind of Christmas pressie would that be?? It appears that the “Fall of the eleventh” occurs in the Anniversary special or maybe it is avoided and they are fueling the dicussion just to generate suspense.

The final scene in the trailor was of the Doctor in a forest resembling a shelled forest of 1914-18. The forest of Tranzilor?? Moffat may have been planning the 50th special for several years and leading up it ever since he took over in which case the story could be written with alternate endings, the eleventh falls or is saved.

Cheers

Janette.

[janetteB @replies]

I wasn’t criticising Whitehouse’s writing, just remarking that his reply to the question is enigmatic. It gives no real clue as to whether Moffat is staying on after the 50th or not.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Umm. Seems he uses a lot of words to say absolutely nothing. “all answers are replies but not all replies are answers.”

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Nothing to add but I would like to be at the Pub listening in to the conversation over a glass of good English Cider and crisps.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I really enjoyed this episode. Not having been disadvantaged by negative association, (haven’t seen J.C. in anything else) I liked Craig as a character and enjoyed the raport between him and the Dr. The “love saves the day” ending is the only weak point in this story. Once again I got the feeling that Moffat was brilliant at setting up a story and playing it out but had no idea of how to end it.  I agreed with @miapatrick that this story celebrates the ordinary, the “human”, qualities that RTD appeared to despise. (thinking his initial portrayal of Micky. The Doctor referring to him as, “Micky the Idiot”, without reason.)

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Sad that the ending of a ‘Who” related  show is good news. I tried to like Torchwood but quickly decided that life is too short to waste any of it watching such shite. I felt sorry for all the actors in it who deserved better.

Thanks @chickenelly for the lovely pics. I hadn’t seen many before and even though they gave absolutely nothing away they were fun. I like the Doctor’s Victorian costume. It suits his young/old character.

cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

I did not realise that the Who mobile belonged to Pertwee. Must have quite a side trundling down English country lanes.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@bluesqueakpip Your delightful story reminds me of just how different the experience of watching Dr Who was in the U.k. to Oz. In Oz it was shown on weeknights and once the new series was done they ran repeats so I got to watch the “old” Pertwee stories in the late 70’s after watching the newer Baker episodes. Then in the 90s ABC repeated old Whos again, and they repeated the entire lot in 2004-5 before nu-who hit the screens.

So Baker was “my doctor” but I was able to watch concurrently many old Pertwee stories. I too found the action hero, Bond style character less appealing. I also disagree with Pertwee on confining stories to earth. Much though I enjoyed the earth set stories the stories were getting rather repetitive. One of the great strenghts of Dr Who is its ability to try new ideas and play with new concepts, somthing that was limited during the tenure on earth, (in the U.K.).

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Leela was left on Galifrey so if she is doing a cameo it suggests return of the Time Lords to me.

Thanks @wolfweed for the poster link. I don’t think they have quite captured JLC there.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Explosive squibs sound very creative to me.

@craig. Thanks for the above link. The Doctor naturally knows best.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@rob. I am envious. I love Cornwall and not just because it is the only place in the world where I can use my surname without getting odd looks or the inevitable “where’s that come from” question.

@whisht It make well take me 14 years to complete my custom. (I will try and find and find time this weekend to work on it.,)

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I’m still working on my avatar. I wanted something new and Who related for this forum and started customising a figure but the figure went AWOL before I got to doing the hair and by the time I found it the moulding clay had dried up so it remains a work in progress. One of the many…

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Thanks for the links @scaryb and @phaseshift Just what was needed in this household last night after returning from a heavy going meeting discussing Life the Universe and Everything.

I too have noticed a shift in the nature of Guardian comments in recent months. I had not attributed it to nesting but now you mention that I see the connection. More comments does not equate to a better discussion.

Thanks @craig from me also for our lovely new home. I have been lurking more than posting lately due to real life events but it has been a nice place to escape too.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

Congrats @miapatrick. Excellent result. You have earned the right to be smug.

@craig. That alternative history of Who is truely frightening. It makes one fear the inevitable U.S. remake.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Lovely interview. Thanks for the link @craig

I wasn’t overly reassured by Moffat’s affirmation that Mat would be Doctor for ever but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we are not about to loose him in the foreseeable future. I would like to do at least one more series. I think three years of the one Doctor is insufficient for that actor to really become the role. The first season is really about establishing the relationship between actor/character and character/audience. I also fear that Matt (like Tom Baker) is going to leave his replacement with some very big shoes to fill.

Moffat was also unclear as to whether there are any suprises in store for the anniversary.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I am thrilled that William Russell is in it but intrigued as to whom his character is.

I was suprised by the scene with the Daleks in it as  I originally thought they were only covering the development of the series and possibly the first episode or at least the first few stories but the Daleks on Westminster Bridge, was from the second series and second Dalek story. Also I note there is no mention of Terry Nation on the cast list. So either the doco-drama covers a considerably longer time than I though or there is more afoot.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I don’t think any disloyalty is involved. I haven’t had time to check out the Guardian blog yet though it is open on my browser.  I do prefer this forum though.  I think we have a nice little community here.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

We are finally in sync with this thread. Watched this episode again two nights ago. It is one which get’s rewatched fairly regularly in this household and still never fails to draw a tear. I think it encapulates all that is good about Who, lots of fun, superb acting, exciting action, a few emotional punches, an (admittedly not unexpected) surprise and a lot of silliness. this episode also gave us a host of new characters all of whom had potential which happily has been subsequently tapped and many teasers about events occuring outside the frame. Will we ever find out just what the Doctor was doing in the Gamma forests or not?? We are left wondering if it is a red herring, a vital clue, or just a throwaway that Moffat might pick up upon later or has already forgotten.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

You have just raised my hope @scaryb though I fear that Santa’s idea of the best present ever generally failed to excite me. Just hope that Moffat does better than Santa especially as this year it is also a birthday pressie. (Dr Who hit the U.K. screens just before my first Christmas. I don’t know when it was first screened in Aus being too young to read a TV program at that time)

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I just saw the last post and thought I was still elsewhere.

I am no fan of 3D and must confess to feeling rather indifferent to this especially as I won’t be able to see the 3D version. I am sure that there will be more announcments soon.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

I’m going to keep hoping that Matt won’t go. I would be happy to give up a year of Who in order to keep him on.   There are so many good actors but it takes something very special to be the Doctor. Though of course there is always John Noble.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@haveyoufedthefish thanks for linking to the pics. I think they are meant to have been taken at Demons Run. That is a new born or as new born as Melody at Demon’s Run. So maybe they didn’t ever visit and it was the Dr who provided the photos for her. Moffat was being more cruel than I realised.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

We know that Moffat has drawn inspiration from books in the past, ie Time Travellers Wife. Given his love his fairy tales how apt if he were to take ideas from Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. English fairy lore is so rich and mostly forgotten. That is a rich source of Who inspiration. So is Clara a log of wood?? (No. I think she was far too animated.)

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

And I have just realised that entire ramble was off topic. More what won’t be in series 7 than what will. Ducks head scurries off to work.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@haveyoufedthefish, I think the revelation referred to in the cast interview was the split in their relationship over Amy’s inability to have children. If we do learn that Melody/River was contacted by her parents in the U.S. I think it will by through passings comments, provided of course we do meet River again. I have a suspicion that River is now part of a tale that has been told. Moffat is not good at tidying up loose ends. I think he prefers to move on to new material, setting up not resolving is his strong point as a writer, leaving narrative trails for the viewer to toy with.

I suspect that for this series he is looking for something new and fishing through old Who for inspiration because there are a lot of “baddies” that have been left to gather dust for decades. The references to past stories will be there but the new stories won’t rely upon the audience picking them up. Those are “easter eggs” for us attentive fans.

I think the photos suggest that Amy at least visited Melody though her childhood though she might have been unable to rescue her. I am not sure that Moffat would have been planning to eventually leave Amy and Rory in the U.S. when TDOTM was written though maybe I am not giving him the credit for forward planning that he unquestionably deserves. I got the impression that the final scene where she regenerates in the back alley is in New York. Maybe she was looking for them. I doubt that Madam Kovarian would have told her much about her Mum and Dad but she certainly new of them because she eventually found her way to Leadworth. Maybe that was through the intervention of the Doctor at a later point in his time stream. umm. He could not have found her in New York however because he can’t visit there. Ah this wibbley wobbley timey wimey stuff. My head’s spinning.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@bluesqueakpip Your final suggestion was sheer genius. I like the idea of the Ponds rearing an infant Dr. Very Timey Wimey indeed.

@miapatrick. I agree with your comments re’ the respective doctor’s. I liked Ecclestone and I think he helped to make the revival of the Doctor a success. I was sad when he regenerated but the moment that David Tennant popped up and remarked upon the teeth, I knew that our favourite time traveller was in good hands. I was very unsure about Matt when he took on the role. Like many other fans including MOffat, I was hoping for an older Doctor. By the end of Matt’s first episode I was convinced that he was The Doctor, not an actor playing the part.

I only saw a couple of McCoy episodes but I thought he was promising. Certainly the best actor in the role since Tom Baker who was “my Doctor”.

cheers

Janette

 

 

 

[janetteB @replies]

Just rewatched the beginning of the Christmas episode and the letters G.I are really featured. I did not really pick up on them on first viewing as I was unaware of the significance. I suspect the Great Intelligence might well become the “big bad” for the series and that Clara is indeed linked to “It”.  The date of her birth is the same year that the Dr first met Victoria who went on to become a servant of the Great Intelligence, in a spinoff video Downtime. (which I have not yet seen) Though I doubt that is canon or will have any relevance to the T.V. series.

I agree @rob, the G.I would make for a “ripping yarn.”  @whisht .There was some bonkers speculating on the Guardian thread about Clara as the Great Intelligence but it was so long ago, and so many more bonkers theories have flown under the bridge since that it has been forgotten.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Watched this one again recently. It was a lightweight, fun episode reminiscent of old Who. Not one to be rewatched too often but as you say @craig, a good filler between more serious stuff.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Bad thought. I hope Clara doesn’t turn out to be a Teselecta or something of that kind. @rob whose name has no link (actually I like that. It has a good ring to it; a bit of timlordish mystery.) I hope that Clara is a Timelord though I am not sure how to explain the continual dying.

I like the idea that Moffat might be reading through all our Bobbins theories, having the occasional chuckle and finding a little inspiration but I doubt he has time.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

 

Call the Midwife actress Jessica Raine will play Verity Lambert; one of the first female producers at the BBC. Raine will appear in Doctor Who herself later this year.
This is a quote of a quote with no info on the original source. It sounds as though Jessica will be in either the anniversary special or the Christmas special if this info is correct. It certainly supports your 4th wall theory.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

I get the feeling that both Matt and Moffat are really enjoying Who and neither are ready to pass on the baton yet  but that may just be wishful thinking.

Cheers

Janette

 

 

[janetteB @replies]

The female Doctor’s are great. Thanks for the link @craig. I agree with @juniperfish re’ the third and Tenth. For some reason the McGann version reminds me of Leela.

I like the idea of an alternative universe with a female Dr but it might be a bit too Red Dwarf. Alternative time streams are all fun though. Fringe utilised this motif very well.

On the subject of the Doco Drama I read that Jessica Raine is also playing a part in an upcoming episode of Who. It did not say which episode or which part. I like @craig‘s idea of the Doctor visiting the set of a Who TV series or something he does in 1963 providing the inspiration for that series. This would allow for there to be two versions of Harnell, the actual Doctor and the actor portraying him. I am beginning to warm to @blenkinsopthebrave‘s forth wall theory, just as he abandons it. Waves. Come back Blenkinsop, don’t give up on your big theory yet.

[janetteB @replies]

Just as long as the car in question was not a mini. One could never never be cruel to minis. (also they are definitely bigger on the inside.)

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I understood that series 7 was split over two years to avoid having the 12 month break that they did with Tennant. (the original idea was to occasionally give actors time to do other things due to fears of type casting and to give the writers/producers a refresher) I might well have that wrong though.

Much though I respect DAvid Bradley as an actor and yes he was very memorable in Our Mutual Friend, (one of my favourite TV series too), but I don’t see him a s “Doctor One”. It might simply be because I have always seen him play villians which, given Hartnell’s history might well have influenced the producers to select him. If Doctor One is to appear in the special then surely they would cast him having established that he is Hartnell. I suspect that with different hair/make up and acting he won’t appear to be Solomon. I wonder who will play Barbara, Ian and Susan in the doco drama.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

David Warner does have a striking resemblance to William Hartnell and the first Doctor was rather a Boffin.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

The Silurian is very well done. You captured the expressions of Hartnell’s Doctor and Susan well too.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

A few random musings.

I agree with @juniperfish re’ the reboot. I think Moffat has already granted the Dr more regenerations through River. My feeling about the “fall of the eleventh” is that it was a vague reference to a future event not yet planned out. I think Moffat often “seeds” things, some of which he might use later some of which he won’t but will provide him with the amusement of watching fans like us devise bonkers theories about. I think the “fall of the eleventh” refers in a very vague way to the next regeneration, which I hope, is a very long way off.

I think the Doctor’s loss of memory is a useful narrative tool to revive elements of old Who stories which the audience is not likely to be familiar with. With all the references to the first Doctor floating about the air waves now there is no better time than to dig into Who history for inspiration.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

To risk indulging in another B.5 reference I rather like the idea of the Time Lords being like the Mimbari Grey council. For those not familiar with the series they are the planetary ruling council who float about on a space ship removed from their planet below, isolationaist and thus increasingly remote, out of touch and elitist.

All,  or at least most,  fictional Sci Fi societies are based in one way or another upon our own. Often they pick up elements of our world and exagerate them but the inspiration invariably comes from real life. I think the depiction of the Time Lords has varied with the view of the respective script writers, between those of the “power corrupts” school and those of “only the corrupt seek power” school.

The guards in the citadel were not Time Lords, maybe Time acolytes. Romana is credited with being a TimeLady however I suspect that she was aristocracy. Interesting that Lalla Ward seemed to downplay that aspect of her character. Maybe she had had enough of all that in real life. I suspect that the writers didn’t have time or funding to develop a societal model for Gallifrey. I also suspect the lack of women in the governing council was more a reflection of Earth politics at the time. However what we did see of Gallifrey was sufficient to whet the appetite for more. I hope that we do find out more about Gallifrey especially now that it has become so much easier and cheaper to depict fantasy landscapes.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

It has been quite overnight. (Your day) Where is everyone? Out building snowmen? Do be careful. Sounds like a G.I plot to me.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

N.Z. appears to be a Who treasure trove. Our Dalek Salt and Pepper shakers were made there.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

We watched it on Sunday and yes there were tears.

(WARNING!!!

Might be spoilers for anyone who hasn’t yet watched the final episode so please don’t read)

 

I really liked the ending though it did leave some threads untied. I expected paradoxes but I thought Peter would be at the centre of it as it seemed that the Observers were intent upon wiping him out. I was afraid that everything would go right back to Peter as a child surviving in the other universe and thus the entire five years didn’t happen. Thankfully I was wrong. I was glad that they ended up as they did. They really had to return to that point. I now want to watch all of series five again.  I agree one of the best Sci fi series in years, in fact best since B.5, in my view. (other than our own Dr Who of course.) Agree re’ getting John NOble on Who and thanks for the link to the tutorials. Will have a look.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I seem to have veered off topic again. I blame it on the wine.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@juniperfish, your comments re’ the Time Lords remind me of the Vorlons in B.5. They initially appear to be almsot God like, wiser and better than the lesser races but their endless war with the Shadows drives them to commit genocide too. Dr Who has not always been consistent in it’s depiction of the Time Lords. Borusa changed character considerably between The Invasion of Time and The Five Doctors. Maybe it was due to the intervening regeneration. Iwas not overly keen on The End of Time’s depiction of Rassilon though the Games as depicted in the Five Doctor’s imply that he was not  the noble individual that he was portrayed as in Time Lord culture. Rather like many human “heroes”, such as a certain French duke/count who did not speak English and viewed England as a rather full place only good for gathering taxes who now celebrated in a romatic statue outside the Houses of Parliament. Time Lord society is rather like human society, with the usual corrupt, greedy, unethical people rising to the top.

cheers

Janette

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