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4 August 2013 at 15:08 #15062
Such an exciting day to be driving to the the beach. Thank God for the DVR and you good people for keeping me in the know. Can’t wait to hear everyone’s thoughts later.
9 June 2013 at 22:09 #12101The news of Rory Kinnear has made its way to the States–but the source is The Telegraph, and I’ve no idea of their reliability. Would it be similar to The Sun? (Aka The Enquirer over here, which is complete crap!) Or is The Telegraph a legit news source?
1 June 2013 at 17:37 #11516Spoilers!
SPOILERS!!
I’M SERIOUS–YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!!!
Twitter is burning up with activity regarding a supposed email leak via the BBC. @IanLevine (twitter handle) tweeted that he’s privy to intel about Series 8. Namely, that it won’t air until August 2014, but also…we have a new Doctor coming aboard the Tardis. No speculation on whether this occurs during the Christmas episode, but there you go.
Take this info for what you will, obviously.
28 May 2013 at 02:31 #11175@timeloop — THANK YOU! I don’t read fan fiction (of any kind/any fandom) but I’m a big fan of these compilation videos. Give me Rivetor (my portmanteau) vids any day! (And Damon/Elena from Vampire Diaries, Buffy & Spike, Fitz and Olivia from Scandal, and on and on, to name a few. I’m not even ashamed.)
Really love the song “Clarity,” so I particularly liked that one . But I have to admit, I never imagined watching a Doctor/River video set to Metro Station’s “Shake It.” Hilarious.
24 May 2013 at 18:35 #10730@Shazzbot I own S6 on DVD and those minisodes are included on that set. But I’m firm in my knowledge that she’ll return. (The character definitely, maybe not always Alex Kingston.) What’s that word again? Oh, right…SPOILERS!
24 May 2013 at 18:17 #10725Take a break from bonkers theorizing for a moment (I continue to smile at those convinced we’ve seen the last of River Song, bless your hearts!) and please enjoy this:
Pretty amazing, huh?
21 May 2013 at 16:07 #10214Whoa! Didn’t mean to open a can of worms with my Repair shop men/Susan/Tardis observation last night! Especially since news coverage of the devastating tornado in Oklahoma has dominated my time and kept me from checking back in here. But then again, that’s what this forum is for–and I’m glad I asked, even though I’m still confused.
As a newer, American fan (I started with Eccleston), there are things that I selfishly want to be “forever canon,” so to speak…if Susan came up with the acronym for Tardis, I want it to always be that way. I hope the Tardis forever remains a blue police box, and the Doctor to always use the sonic as an extension of his arm. Yes, I’m fully aware the sonic screwdriver wasn’t always a part of his tool shed–but it is now. I don’t mind if future regenerations of the Doctor are female, ginger, African American, or any ethnicity–but this American always wants the Doctor to be English! (It’s interesting that Americans don’t mind having Superman, Batman, and Spiderman portrayed by British fellas. Meanwhile, we’re all, “Oh, hell no!” at the thought of an American Doctor.) I want, I want, I want! But I know it’s not about me, so I’m always willing to go with the flow and set aside selfish wants. It’s the very nature of this show and one of the many reasons I love it. (But I still want John Barrowman* to return to the Tardis one day, and I’m not ashamed of that. He’s hosting–presenting, as y’all call it–a new singing show on ABC this summer. We certainly do not need another such program on our airwaves, but I will watch that thing like it’s my job, solely for Barrowman!)
I thank all of you for your many discussion/explanations on this topic– @scaryb, @whohar, @Shazzbot, just to name a few. @PhileasF, particularly this:
This has been discussed since the original series, when it was established that the Time Lords generally call TARDISes TARDISes. (When was that? The War Games? The Three Doctors? At some time someone says that the Doctor stole _a_ TARDIS.)
In the very early days of the show, TARDIS (or Tardis) may have been intended to be the name of the ship, not the type of ship. This is fairly explicit in the early novelisations by David Whitaker, the original script editor, where ‘Tardis’ is italicised. (In fact, the 1st chapter of Doctor Who and the Crusaders also mentions the Titanic, and italicises it, just like the Tardis.)
That’s both interesting and useful information for a newer fan such as myself. Thank you! I’m off to read more bonkers theorizing…
*For those inclined: http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/05/20/john-barrowman-debbie-gibson/ The title of this show is monstrously hideous–as is the concept. I’ll still watch, no doubt. It’s Barrowman!
21 May 2013 at 02:48 #10133My eleven year old just turned on the episode a few minutes ago–the very first thing said in TNotD is, “It’s the repair shop…what kind of idiot would try and steal a faulty Tardis?” and then we see the Doctor and Susan, before Clara interrupts.
From An Unearthly Child:
Susan: The Tardis can go anywhere.
Barbara: Tardis? I don’t understand you, Susan.
Susan: Well, I made up the name TARDIS from the initials: Time And Relative Dimension In Space. I had thought you’d both understand when you saw the different dimensions inside from those outside.
Continuity error? Timey-wimey? I’m not nit-picking, but Susan coining the acronym is canon, so…
19 May 2013 at 04:53 #9714@ Shazzbot When Clara jumps into the time stream, she reflects back on her “lives.” We see her in Victorian London as a baby, then as a child, then working at the Rose & Crown. Immediately following this scene is when we see her in the Library–she appears to be wearing the red dress/tool belt from AotD.
Here’s that scene in gif form: http://24.media.tumblr.com/9109b1dd9df72a6a613510ba150e445d/tumblr_mn0syd7lIY1ron04jo1_500.gif
(As I always say, Tumblr is a treasure trove of goodies, especially following Doctor Who episodes.)
19 May 2013 at 04:24 #9711@Shazzbot — STOP TRYING TO STEAL MY JOY! 🙂
Okay, but really…
Clara, when entering the Doctor’s time stream, may have also saved River. We see Clara at the Library–Ten is in the foreground. River specifically mentions the Library to Clara–“I died saving him. In return he saved me to a database in the biggest library in the universe, left me like a book on a shelf. Didn’t even say good-bye.” Out of all the possible scenes from Ten’s timeline that Moffat could have used, he chose the Library. He put Clara there for a reason. Perhaps saving the Doctor also means saving River?
Again, I just do not think we’ve seen the last of River Song. Besides…I remember a time not too terribly long ago when many of us sat in front of our televisions, crying buckets of tears over the loss of Rose. (I personally know Rose-haters who admit that her final scenes in series 2 were devastating.) Swept into an alternate reality, banished to Bad Wolf Bay for the rest of her life, the Doctor lamenting, “I’m burning up a sun just to say goodbye.” The end of Rose Tyler…until two years later, of course.
I’m just saying.
19 May 2013 at 03:32 #9703Hello y’all! I loved the episode and, yes, I’m gonna say it: I require a re-watch. (Of the entire episode, not just THE kiss, because I’ve already re-watched that 5 times now. I have no shame.)
But speaking of THE kiss, as Twitter and Tumblr implodes with “River feels,” and “OMG, HER LAST APPEARANCE” meltdowns, here’s my thoughts about that scenario.
We’ve now seen the Doctor finally coming to terms with River’s death in the Library–his guilt over what happened there, and the feelings he has for her. River implies that he can see her again, if he so chooses. “Spoilers!” Of course that’s River letting him know that Clara is alive, but I also think that particular “Spoilers!” proclamation was rife with double meaning. (Even more so than usual.)
I believe that moment in the Tomb Tardis was when the Doctor becomes River’s Doctor. He accepts that he loves her, as he accepts her death in the Library. This is the Doctor that River knows when they first meet in the Library–the one she remembers, the one she speaks of to Ten, when he was still “unfinished,” like a photograph of someone before you know them. When we meet Professor Song in the Library, it eventually becomes clear that she has some kind of deep, meaningful history with the Doctor. (She knows his name, she willingly dies for him–come on, she wasn’t just doing that for some random Joe Blow across time and space.) I think what we saw tonight was the beginning of that history, that relationship. So have we seen the last of River Song? I’m gonna guess…no way.
I’m also going to continue holding on to my River has something to do with Clara theory. Because while we learned Clara’s back story (brilliantly! The Mill deserves awards for those special effects!), we still don’t know her origin.
Finally–a few of you know that I was spoiled in some manner regarding the finale. I can now reveal–“Introducing John Hurt as the Doctor” was the spoiler I accidentally learned before tonight. One of the people who received their 7b DVD last weekend used that bit of knowledge to “prove” that he had viewed the episode. I saw it on Tumblr before I could block all spoilers from my timeline. It certainly didn’t ruin the episode for me–because I’ve long guessed that either Hurt and/or Hurt and Tennant would make an appearance in the finale. But I knew that moment was coming…so it was slightly anti-climatic for me. Plus…I was still crying over the River/Doctor kiss. Again, I have zero shame.
Please continue theorizing while I’m asleep tonight, I selfishly ask! I can’t wait to read more of your thoughts in the morning.
18 May 2013 at 19:46 #9562@ardaraith I have a Mac–expat shield works only on PCs here. It’s virtually impossible to find an expat shield substitute for Mac–without paying a fee, that is. I have just over 5 hours…which seems like forever, but it’s no big deal. BBC America is re-airing 7b today, so that’s keeping me busy in between actually accomplishing stuff around the house, lest I allow Saturday to completely get away from me!
18 May 2013 at 18:25 #9548So jealous of those who get to watch a full 5 hours earlier than us here on the East Coast of the U.S. Can’t wait to check The Name of the Doctor thread later on this evening–long after most of you will have called it a night–looking forward to everyone’s reactions/thoughts/general lamenting of the interminable wait we have till November.
Happy watching, y’all! Or is that wishful thinking? Does Moffat ever leave us truly happy? 🙂
16 May 2013 at 15:56 #9375@Shazzbot (and everyone else) I have it on DVD–the multiple takes of “I don’t want to go!” It’s on the DVD set called, “The Complete Specials,” which is separate from the Series 4 set. It does have the entire Confidential from The End of Time, and it does have Tennant filming that final scene, but rather than showing each specific take, they feature RTD and Tennant discussing how he’s going to utter the line. Also shown is Tennant looking at monitor playback after each shot, giving his feedback to Euros Lynn (director), with more discussion about how they want that line to be played out.
So you do see him uttering the line in different manners, but as it’s been a while since I’ve watched that ep of Confidential, I’m pretty sure we don’t see each specific take.
14 May 2013 at 15:36 #9065@Bluesqueakpip –was RTD a fan of Joss Whedon? (Everyone should be a fan of Whedon, in my opinion.) I did love Tony Head guest starring in “School Reunion.”
14 May 2013 at 14:22 #9060@OsakaHatter —Xander and Willow and their first day of Kindergarten and that YELLOW CRAYON. Now that you’ve mentioned “Grave,” I will have to break out my DVDs to watch. So thanks for that! (I really mean it–Buffy is in my top 5 of favorite dramas.)
14 May 2013 at 14:18 #9059@HTPBDET —watching Doctor Who with an inquisitive 7 year old is very fun. When my daughter saw Trenzalore (or what we’re assuming is Trenzalore–that glowing-but-dead-looking planet we see Eleventy & Clara looking at in the trailer) and then River’s tombstone, she asked, “Is Trenzalore where Time Lords go to die? Is that where they’re buried?”
I thought that was a genius thing for her little brain to think of on the spot, whether it’s correct or not. My husband reminded her that we saw a Time Lord “funeral” in TIA and TWoRS, though. But I do like the idea that Trenzalore is a place where if truth isn’t spoken, your death is imminent. And if you die at Trenzalore, I reckon it does become a kind of burial ground.
Okay, now that I think this out, it’s very macabre! But this season has been getting progressively darker, so…
Oh, and my own personal theory about River’s fake tombstone is that below her name will be engraved, “Hello Sweetie!” in Gallifreyan, along with coordinates so that he can pick her up. I know, I know…that won’t happen, but it would be a nice bit of levity in what I fear will otherwise be a very dark, emotionally heavy episode.
14 May 2013 at 14:03 #9057What @HTPBDET said about seeing River’s “grave” is precisely what I mean about misdirection. As soon that was revealed in the trailer, I knew she wouldn’t be really dead. Because Moffat would never spoil something that big in a “Next Time” trailer.
Plus…she’s already “dead,” right? Or, in Princess Bride terms, mostly dead. Unless the Doctor does something timey-wimey (or Moffat retcons her story), we already know River’s end game.
This is how I talk myself out of worrying about River’s fate in The Name of the Doctor. And then doubt creeps in, I worry she’s going to properly die, and I realize I’m far too emotionally attached to a fictional character. Sigh…
14 May 2013 at 13:56 #9054SPOILER-Y SPECULATION AND DISCUSSION
Spoilers!
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@timeloop —I have been spoiled for the finale–inadvertently, due to something that was posted online from one of the people who received their 7b Blu-Ray early. I would not dream of repeating that spoiler here–even on the Spoiler section–so no one need fear me ruining anything. But what I learned has nothing to do with River, so my spoilery speculation stems from the photo from DWM and the 2 trailers that have been released for The Name of the Doctor.
If the Doctor’s life is in danger and he’s going to Trenzalore, the first person to come to his rescue would be River. I can see River sacrificing herself (don’t now how that would work out if she’s a projection/still stuck in the Library/whatever) to save him. There’s been so much fan speculation that River will die in the finale–part of me is afraid that this is true. BUT…Moffat loves misdirection as much as he loves writing River, so I’m holding out hope that he has more in store for Mrs. Time Lord.
Again, I know nothing about River’s story in The Name of the Doctor–this is just my speculation. And fears. And hopes. And yeah, I dig that character a lot, so I just really have a lot of feelings about her this week.
14 May 2013 at 13:31 #9045OH, HEY–DON’T READ THIS IF YOU HATE SPOILERS.
But then why would you be on the Spoilers page?
So you’ve been warned!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
@Timeloop : http://25.media.tumblr.com/d1c47c02a42f3e775d668baa87377eb9/tumblr_mm476hpewz1qhdq7po1_500.jpg
That photo is from Doctor Who Magazine. The speculation is that the River we see in the finale is some manner of projection–either the Tardis’ voice interface or perhaps a direct connection (for lack of a better description–I’m not science-y!) from the Library’s date core.
And I will not be too happy with that scenario. I want physical River, for physical reasons.
What? I’m not the only one thinking it. Come on.
13 May 2013 at 13:50 #8914Y’all might want to keep your radios off for the rest of the week, or at least away from channels that air promos for Doctor Who. My Tumblr timeline is filled with a lot of anger and disappointment this morning. A typical post:
Stuff the ‘spoilers’ on tumblr or Americans getting the episode early! I just heard an advert on the radio for the name of the doctor, which reveals more than anything on here!!!!!
I listen to Radio 1 sometimes (via Sirius/XM satellite radio), but they don’t run commercials…even so, I won’t be tuning to that station this week! I’ve already been mildly spoiled enough for one week, thankyouverymuch.
13 May 2013 at 13:28 #8907@bobbingbird @JimTheFish You both summed up my exact feelings about this series, with one exception–I rather enjoy Matt’s costume. The waistcoat and fob watch are so old-fashioned that they’re in fashion, and the purple just does it for me, especially since I spent most of S6 theorizing about the whole blue Doctor/red Doctor. Red+blue=purple! It has to mean something, right? 🙂
For me, splitting the seasons into part A and B isn’t a terrible tactic, because American shows do it all the time. Which is to say that I’m used to the practice. (Hi, Breaking Bad, I’m speaking to you…having one half of Season 5 in the summer of 2012 and the other in 2013 is just rude.) I believe we suffered this series because 7A was, obviously, Pond-centric, whereas B has given us 8 episodes of hearing the Doctor ask, “Who are you?” or exclaim, “She’s not possible!” Clara is a mystery that, at this point, only Steven Moffat seems excited about! Jenna-Louise Coleman is delightful and I really love having her in the Tardis, however I haven’t formed an emotional attachment to her as I did with all the previous companions. But had we not met her in AotD (credit to Moffat, that was a stroke of genius, because no one expected it), she would have felt even more disjointed for me in this second half of the series.
Further, I didn’t realize what the lack of 2-parter episodes would feel like until this series. Frankly, it feels like crap. Where’s my Silence/Forest? Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon? Yes, I mention those 4 episodes because they’re some of my favorites, but they also feature River, and S7 has suffered due to lack of her. I know that’s an unpopular opinion, but River-centric episodes are always 75% more fun for me, and I’m not ashamed of being a tremendous fangirl for her!
All of this is to say that for me, a less-than-perfect series of Doctor Who is still exceptionally better than most of the television programming currently being broadcast–in both America or England. Last week I turned on my DVR to watch the latest episode of Nashville, but saw that Curse of the Black Spot recorded earlier in the day. I watched it instead, and I think we’re all in agreement about that particular hour of Doctor Who. Still…I chose to view it over a brand new hour full of Connie Britton’s luxurious hair, so I’m pretty sure that speaks volumes for my love of the mad man with the blue box.
13 May 2013 at 01:58 #8859@Shazzbot –a few weeks ago, while at Disney World, we met the nicest family from Lancashire and struck up a conversation with them while on a bus between theme parks. (Because Americans, particularly southerners, do this–we’ll talk to anyone, anytime, any reason. I’ve been told a Londoner would look at me as if I’d lost my mind, and to never start a conversation with anyone on the Tube. Duly noted!) At some point in conversation I used “y’all,” and the wife/mother remarked, “We didn’t know ‘y’all’ was really used as much as it is here–we just thought that was in movies like Sweet Home Alabama!” I assured her that yes, “y’all” is a word I use many times a day, just as my Yankee friends say “you guys.” But isn’t y’all so much prettier? I think so.
Regarding iPlayer and your TV license fee (thanks for that explanation!), is this why y’all don’t have commercials during your shows? Because we have no such fee here, but we certainly have commercials. Far too many commercials. The greatest invention of the past ten years, for me, is the DVR. (And the iPhone, but I digress.) We don’t watch anything as it airs–all of our favorite programs are set to record via the DVR, so that we can wait a good 25-30 minutes after their initial broadcast–to fast forward the commercials. Premium channels, such as HBO (True Blood, Game of Thrones!) and Showtime (Dexter!) don’t have commercials, (we pay for those channels, obviously) so I don’t mind to watch live. And because my daughters watch Doctor Who with us, we do it live, too–and endure the endless BBC promos every 7-9 minutes. A small price to play for our favorite traveler in time and space!
13 May 2013 at 01:37 #8858@craig @Shazzbot A friend explained Gallifrey Base to me in depth–and I’m far better off hanging out here, so thank you for always making me feel welcome.
In other news, one of the American Doctor Who sites (that I lurk on, never comment) spent the past few days having a massive meltdown over Matt Smith’s shaved* head. It’s like people don’t understand the whole idea of getting into a role, or commitment to character, because it’s been wail after wail of, “That’s it, he’s regenerating, WHY ELSE WOULD HE HAVE SHORN HIS FLOPPY LOCKS?” Bless. But all of this is to say, I do believe I’ve found the superior Who forum, so again–thank you!
*If you haven’t yet seen, please enjoy: http://www.justjared.com/2013/05/11/matt-smith-shirtless-shaved-head-for-ryan-gosling-movie/
For the record, this is the very first time I have ever read a tabloid post about Matt Smith. Well–an American tabloid, that is. The man is on track for worldwide domination.
12 May 2013 at 21:45 #8799For what it’s worth, BBC America has officially tweeted 2 statements:
BBC AMERICA @BBCAMERICA 7m
Some US DVDs of this series have gone out early.The #DoctorWho team would be hugely grateful if fans helped keep spoilers off the net.and
BBC AMERICA @BBCAMERICA 7m
Steven Moffat has promised if fans help keep the finale’s secrets, we’ll release a special video featuring Matt & David right after the ep!12 May 2013 at 21:40 #8797@Shazzbot I am going to just admit that I have no idea what iPlayer is–always assumed it had something to do with iTunes, but now I’m guessing…no?
And yes, I am aware that Broadchurch aired on ITV. Same as Downton. But both Downton and Sherlock air on PBS here, which is the Public Broadcasting System, aka the only channel in the States supported by funds from viewers. (I also watched Sherlock via torrent, because it aired in the UK in January…for us, May. Like I’m gonna wait 5 months.) I had no problems with the Broadchurch torrents that I used. And yes, BBC America is airing it here…no date has been given, but here’s the official announcement:
http://doctorwho.tumblr.com/post/39945631813/bbcamerica-bbc-america-to-premiere-broadchurch
p.s. Kudos for the proper spelling of y’all. You’d think it’d be impossible to mess up, but I regularly see lifelong southerners spelling it as “Ya’ll.” It’s my pet peeve.
12 May 2013 at 20:58 #8787@phaseshift I follow a couple of Who blogs on Tumblr that are run by older teenagers. They’re the quickest at uploading gifs after an episode airs, but they’re also the best at warning of torrent viruses. (I admit to watching Broadchurch via torrent–please don’t judge me too harshly. I watched before BBC America announced they would air it here–but months from now.)
Anyway, the Tumblr teens (I feel so very old) are posting that many people are attempting to download TNotD, but instead of the episode, they’re being met with viruses and “screamers.” I’ve no idea what a screamer is, but I love my MacBook Pro far too much to infect it with anything nasty.
12 May 2013 at 20:51 #8786@Bluesqueakpip —Just came from BBC America’s online store. Quite interesting to note that no Doctor Who DVDs–regardless of series–are available to be added to the online cart. (I even fake tried to purchase S3…nope!) Other merchandise, programs, etc. all have the “Add to Cart” button. And I got a very strange error message each time I tried to access Who DVDs for sale.
Anyway, my sleuthing was not to purchase 7b–I don’t buy the series when they’re split like that, as I prefer to have the entire S7 has a whole, so I’m waiting till Amazon makes it available later this summer or fall. I was checking to see if BBC America listed a “will be released” date on their site, much like Amazon does when an item is pre-ordered. But that information is also not available.
Basically, what we’ve learned today: for some sites/distributors, the release date is merely a suggestion. 🙂
12 May 2013 at 20:41 #8783@Shazzbot— word on the street (and by street I mean Twitter) is complete silence from BBC America. They don’t ship directly from their headquarters, obviously, so this is a problem with their distributor. But someone’s got to take the blame, so all the tweet screaming I’ve seen has been directed at BBC America.
I just read one non-spoilery Tumblr post from someone who has seen the episode. (He posted photos of the DVDs as proof.) It all sounds legitimate to me, so I doubt there’s a dupe ending on the discs that shipped early.
However, Tumblr is grumbling with hate towards Gallifrey Base (which I’d never heard of until today–and I’m glad, because that place sounds more frightening than The Guardian’s Who comment section!) because someone there has–apparently–posted a spoiler-filled summary of the episode. I reckon if any of you are inclined, head there for your spoiler fulfillment.
12 May 2013 at 20:04 #8776@Bluesqueakpip –I will ask, but her exact wording was, “I’ll have it in my hands on Friday, never been so glad to have Amazon Prime!”
(For the record, Amazon (US) has their release date as May 28.)
Had I received the dvd early, of course I’d watch. Are you kidding? Who wouldn’t?!? But I’d never dream of spoiling anything, and I certainly wouldn’t upload it on the net because…seriously? You’re just asking for trouble with that mess.
12 May 2013 at 19:32 #8768Just making sure everyone has heard the news–many Americans received their Blu-Ray copy of 7b yesterday, so The Name of the Doctor has been viewed, is being viewed, and will likely be fully spoiled by Saturday. I learned the news via Tumblr, seeing a tremendous spoiler before I could exit the site and install Tumblr Savior, to protect me from any further ruination!
Be wary of Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc., for the rest of the week. To be fair, it seems only a few as*holes are ruining it for everyone–most are just bragging that they’ve viewed it a full week early, adding, “Don’t worry, no spoilers from me!” But there are a couple of people posting full-episode recaps, as well as uploading torrents of the actual episode. Rude.
Also, a friend in Louth told me (via Facebook) that according to an email she received yesterday, her Blu-Ray will be delivered from Amazon UK on Friday, the 17th. So the US folks who ordered from BBC America got theirs a week early, and it looks like Amazon UK customers will receive theirs a day early.
What a mess!
12 May 2013 at 19:24 #8766I’ve had to install Tumblr Savior on my Tumblr, because yes…it is true. Many Americans received the 7b Blu-Ray yesterday and all social media is blowing up with spoilers. Unfortunately, I saw one spoiler before I could exit out of Tumblr, but it wasn’t something that’s ruined the watching experience for me this Saturday. (Actually, I’ll be at a Great Gatsby-themed wedding on Saturday–likely won’t get to view TNotD until Sunday.)
BUT…before anyone shakes their fist at “stupid Americans,” (not that anyone here has said this–but I’ve seen it all over Twitter) a friend in Louth just told me, via Facebook, that she’s receiving the Blu-Ray via Amazon UK on Friday. This Friday, May 17.
12 May 2013 at 06:02 #8680Slightly spoiler musings below!
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BBC America has been airing classic Who episodes each month (as part of their “Doctors Revisited” specials–one Doctor per month), and I’ve now seen offerings from Doctors 1-4. Watched a bit of “An Unearthly Child” last night and something caught my interest.
Early on in the episode, the Doctor is in his junkyard when he notices a painting that seems to confuse him. The audience never sees the subject of that painting, only his befuddlement. Matt Smith was asked by Jonathan Ross to give a spoiler for the 50th Anniversary episode, to which he replied, “Paintings.”
Putting aside all the speculation thus far about paintings (they’ll be 3-D, that’s why they filmed in the National Portrait Gallery, etc.), might Moffat harken back to this solitary moment from the very first episode of Doctor Who? It may be nothing, sure. But given that we’ve never seen said painting, nor do we know the reason behind his confusion, it would be an easy plot hole to fill with the current Doctor’s storyline. (And, okay, a lovely way to honor the very first broadcast of Doctor Who. I know, I know, I’m awfully sentimental.)
12 May 2013 at 05:26 #8679@scaryb Agreed. I, too, love the stories being weaved, as maddening as they’ve been. CLARA, WHO/WHAT ARE YOU? But this is why I love Doctor Who. And why I enjoy you people, who also seem to love it, as opposed to those folks over on the G, who just really need to simmer down a bit.
Also, after NiS ended, I tweeted, “Just give the BAFTA to Matt Smith already!” I may be throwing down some boldness with that opinion, but I think he’s earned it.
12 May 2013 at 05:10 #8677I should change my user name from “Lula” to “I require a re-watch.”
There’s the obvious parallel between Porridge’s self-imposed exile from his imperial responsibilities and the Doctor erasing himself from history (“I got too big, Dorium, too noisy…”), but I also found the Cyber Planner telling the Doctor, “You know you could be reconstructed by the hole you’ve left behind,’ very intriguing. Reconstructed by Clara? Of course.
I believe the prequel and trailers for next week’s finale have overshadowed Nightmare in Silver. While it wasn’t my favorite episode of S7 (thus far), Matt Smith’s dual Doctor performance was absolutely perfect. That, and Warwick Davis’ Porridge truly elevated the episode for me. I just wish we’d seen more of Jason Watkins, but only because I’m a big fan of Being Human…and I really miss that program.
As it’s officially Mother’s Day here in the States, I’ll use “my” day to begin the re-watch…at 12:10 am. I’m hardcore like that!
8 May 2013 at 15:52 #8227SPOILERS
SPOILERS
SPOILERS (If you don’t read Blogtor, that is.)
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Blogtor Who and other Who sites/Twitterers (is that a word? It is now!) are reporting that the final 4-5 minutes of The Name of the Doctor have not been made available for media screening. Along with Moffat saying, “We’ve only just finished filming the final scene of the finale,” in a very recent interview, I’m inclined to believe we may be seeing John Hurt and/or David Tennant sooner than the 50th anniversary special. Just my gut feeling and of course I could be wrong, but there you go.
I’m kind of loving all the panic I’ve seen on Twitter/Facebook/Tumblr over the “reveal” of the Doctor’s name. Does anyone here really think that’s going to be an issue? I’m going with the theory that his name is used to unlock something…no idea what. River will be the one saying it and we won’t hear it. This theory is what keeps me warm at night.
(And I didn’t know Warwick Davis was in Nightmare in Silver, so now I am all manner of excited.)
5 May 2013 at 14:14 #7885@Bluesqueakpip —Oh, so you mean the North is the most beautiful part of the country? Where all the exceptional music is born? The best eating in the country? The friendliest people? Gotcha. 🙂
@OsakaHatter —everything wonderful about the U.S. is in the south. I’m not biased at all. But I also couldn’t be paid a bojillion dollars to live anywhere above or west of the Mason-Dixon line. Thanks for a succinct explanation. I love that Diana Rigg used her northern accent in this episode. (Meanwhile, I thought Matt Smith did a brilliant job during that one bit, even if I did have to rewind it a couple of times! He laid it on pretty thick.)
5 May 2013 at 04:29 #7832Strax: “We are going to…the North!”
For all those who insist Doctor Who is being dumbed down for the American audience, let me assure you…I know nothing of Britain’s North/South divide, aside from Monty Python’s frequent, “There’s trouble at t’Mill” line. Which was also uttered in this episode. The Crimson Horror seemed to be full of these type of jokes/references, all of which were lost on me. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the episode, though!
@juniperfish –because I know you’re a River-lover, like me. I don’t mind the Doctor being Flirty McFlirterson–with either Jenny or Clara–because River herself is a terrific flirt. (I long for a River/Jack episode. Innuendos in Space, anyone?) However, it seemed very out of character for him to initiate–nay, force–a kiss with a woman he knows is in a committed relationship. Especially since that committed relationship is with a woman who is not warm-blooded. All of this to say…Dark Doctor is a theory growing on me with each passing week.
Sigh…as per usual, I need a second viewing of this episode!
4 May 2013 at 12:38 #7711@craig —- Welcome back! Glad you got to spend time at Epcot. It’s pretty much my favorite place because Judi Dench! Faux hang gliding! Faux racetrack fun! And drinking around World Showcase, which is the best part of Epcot. Sorry for the lack of BBC America but glad you’re catching up today.
I’ll be seeing Iron Man 3 this evening, so The Crimson Horror will have to wait until very late tonight or early tomorrow morning. I expect to find this place full of fun theorizing when I next check in. Do your best, y’all!
2 May 2013 at 03:32 #7537@elwingt –Wednesday night is for Arrow & Supernatural! Yes, I watch SPN–tonight’s was full of Crowley and Castiel, which is what makes me happy. Mark Sheppard is every fandom. The first 8 or so episodes of Arrow were entertaining, but nothing particularly exciting. Since February, however, it’s gotten much better. Barrowman & Kingston’s characters don’t interact, but it is enjoyable having them on the same show.
@janetteb— it won’t surprise me if most of the Big Bads from S5-7 are connected to one background power. (That’d be the perfect story arc!) I just don’t know enough about Omega to begin to speculate. But I do think it’s rather interesting that we’ve had Omega symbols scattered throughout these past three series. Moffat doesn’t seem to be big on coincidences. Also, I need to watch more classic Who. BBC America is airing a special about each Doctor at the end of every month this year–“The Doctors Revisited.” (Is BBC One airing these in the UK?) Sunday’s featured Baker–fourth month, fourth Doctor. At the end of the special they air an episode from that particular Doctor. I have Baker’s episode on my DVR–need to watch soon.
2 May 2013 at 02:53 #7534@elwingt Hey! You must not be in the UK, because it’s after 3 am there and this place gets really quiet when it’s 10:45 p.m. for me, on the eastern side of the United States. But in the morning it’s already been a party in here for hours, so that’s fun.
Apropos of nothing, I’m watching Arrow, which is delightful because of John Barrowman and Alex Kingston–using an American accent. And Colin Salmon (“Dr. Moon”). The producers/writers of Arrow must be Whovians.
1 May 2013 at 23:29 #7523@OsakaHatter –Lula is also my nickname, given to me by my sister-in-law, 15 years ago. Most of my friends and my husband’s family refer to me as Lula now, so it is serving me well. I’m also a big fan of Back to the Future, and Christopher Lloyd. Same with Fringe–because I love time travel and alternate realities more than most things. And I still don’t know enough about Omega, but I would LOVE to have John Noble on Who, as I regularly state.
1 May 2013 at 20:11 #7471@timeloop— Alpha and Omega=beginning and end of everything, yes. It’s often referenced in literature and, of course, is very Biblical. Omega is the end. Is the Doctor (in whatever incarnation) meant to be the Alpha? Or as @Bluesqueakpip mentioned, is the Doctor mirroring Omega?
Almost wish I’d never looked up Omega because now I have more mad theories to keep me thoroughly bonkers. (Hey, @scaryb!) But seeing those symbols throughout the past couple of years really piqued my interest. Now I want to go back and look for Omega symbols in this series.
@haveyoufedthefish— really like your Tardis theory…a lot!
1 May 2013 at 17:45 #7445Thanks for taking the time to explain this mysterious (to me!) Omega. Moffat keeps saying there’s been clues about this S7’s final episode scattered in the past few series, and he did write ToA/FaS and AGMGTW. I would heartily congratulate him if he’s been planning to use anything Omega-related in the finale, because those hints were subtle. Or, as @htpbdet says, it’s just a false scent, which is more likely. But if Omega is a big bad, then…I don’t know…I can see him being used in the finale, because there’s so many assumptions about Simeon/The GI being the lone big bad. It’d be very interesting to have more than one Baddie at work.
Now I’m wondering if we’ll see John Hurt in the finale. Even better, I’m also wondering if those photos of the 50th anniversary filming with Tennant and Smith were one large ruse*. Maybe Ten will make an appearance in the finale? The fangirls (and boys!) would explode!
And I never, ever trust IMDb–everyday Joes can put any information they’d like on that site. Until a project has aired–big screen or small–I don’t take any entry seriously!
*Please note–this is pure speculation on my part. I have read nothing to indicate otherwise. I’m absolutely not dropping any spoilers here! Just sussing out all the options…because I am well aware of Moffat’s craftiness when it comes to these stories.
1 May 2013 at 17:32 #7443@HTPBDET — Well, then…this puts a new color on the entire situation! I knew of Skinner’s departure but thankfully the rumors about her and Moffat haven’t reached these shores.
I have heard that the Christmas special is to be called “Twelfth Night.” Which means nothing, really, as you stated.
It would be a coup if Moffat managed to pull off an unexpected regeneration – that will be a game-changer – it has never happened in the history of the series.
Agree 100%. And while I’d be supremely sad at losing Smith, it would be rather exciting for this to happen. I will point out, though, that JLC’s involvement in AotD was a massive, massive surprise. Speaking only for myself and my group of family and friends, that is–none of us knew she’d be in that episode, and we were very shocked the secret was kept by media and bloggers who saw the episode via advanced screening. (I’m certain fans in the UK knew beforehand–but we Americans were kept completely in the dark–which I loved.)
I’m sad to hear that the BBC is in a bad place. BBC America is so popular here now, and I’d hate to think of it becoming the UK’s version of NBC, which is essentially a national punchline for us. “NBC, where shows go to die! I do not publicly rant against NBC because one of my dearest friends actually won The Biggest Loser (don’t know if y’all have that in the UK–it’s a weight loss competition) a couple of years ago, and I was actually in the studio audience in Los Angeles for the filming of the finale. It would be unkind of me to mock the network that she starred on for a while. But yeah…NBC is a big ol’ UGH over here. I don’t wish that upon the BBC.
Oh, I hope River doesn’t die in the finale–or whatever people are guessing about her, and I know we’ve all heard rumors/seen set photos. The character is polarizing, yes, but I am such a fan of Kingston. I’m thinking it will be more like Strax or Jenny…which would also sadden me, but I could handle their parting much easier than River’s!
1 May 2013 at 17:07 #7437@Shazzbot–the “information,” (I use that term loosely) is coming from people claiming to work at the BBC offices in Cardiff. And the level of information seems very detailed–hence, my deeming it legit, or rather, sounding legit. Because if not, someone has a very, very big imagination. The past 48 hours alone have been filled with reports coming from “BBC insiders” (I don’t know if that’s in London or Wales or…), claiming to have immense knowledge of the finale, the 50th special, and this year’s Christmas episode. This all goes back to why I’m asking about the security of the BBC–because I’m quick to write off these rumors as mere rampant fan speculation–as you said, true internet Chinese whispers.
I hedge between Matt Smith staying on for the 8th series and being certain he’s going to regenerate in the Christmas episode. (A rumor I’ve read is that he’s agreed to stay on another year because they’re giving him an episode to direct.) Really hope he takes the 2 year option, though, because I never thought anyone would replace Ten as the Doctor…and yet…Eleventy has truly become the Doctor for me.
1 May 2013 at 16:30 #7433My family watched The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone last night (my seven year old is a tremendous fan of both River and the Weeping Angels) and I noticed an omega-type symbol on River’s camouflage, as well as the door to the airlock that contained the image of the Angel. The same (or similar) symbol is also used repeatedly throughout A Good Man Goes to War–it’s on baby Melody’s isolette, hanging on a banner behind the Headless Monks and Colonel Runaway, etc. Just came from the Tardis Data Core wiki, where I looked up “Omega” and it brought me to a page about the Time Lord of the same name–and now I’m even more confused. Because I’m a nu-Who Whovian, my knowledge of Classic Who is almost non-existent, and I’m unable to glean from the Omega article if he was involved in the Time War. I’d love any additional info a Who expert might be able to share. Thanks!
1 May 2013 at 14:35 #7420@janetteb –I don’t read fanfiction (too busy reading proper novels!), but if someone wrote a Fringe/Who crossover, I’d read like it was my job and I was working for a bonus. My love for Walter Bishop is very well-documented. Don’t know that I’d want the excellent John Noble playing the Doctor, because I’m one of those Americans fully in the camp of The Doctor Must Never Not Be English! (Then again, I have no problem with Garfield, Cavill, and Bale playing Spiderman, Superman, and Batman, so…yeah…we Americans are easy-going in that respect!) But it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to have him appear in an episode or two, because I do so adore both the actor and the character. (It’s time for a Fringe re-watch…I miss it loads.)
That was an aside, of course. Free of charge.
1 May 2013 at 13:14 #7409General question about the BBC–how locked down are they, as far as casting announcements go? Being in America, I learned about Matt Smith stepping into the Tardis via Twitter, the day it was publicly announced–same for JLC. Similarly, I also learned about Tennant’s departure on Twitter. Social media is a powerful thing. (I will say that I’m 100% certain the official announcement of the 12th Doctor will make all entertainment newscasts in America, as the show is far more famous here now than it was 4 years ago.)
As of last night, friends/acquaintances on Facebook/Twitter/Tumblr are pulling the, “I have a friend at the BBC,” or “A friend of a friend works at Cymru Wales…” and announcing TREMENDOUS spoilers about the 2013 Christmas episode. Namely…the title of the episode and casting of the 12th Doctor. It all sounds legit–to my horror, because I can’t think of a non-Eleventy piloted Tardis right now–however I’d be tremendously surprised if such spoilers are actually leaking out in this manner.
I guess what I’m asking is…are these types of rumors just that? Fan speculation disguised as, “I heard…” and “I have a source at the BBC who said…” I’m really unfamiliar with how secure things are with the BBC. Would like to think that anyone working in any capacity with the show would keep their mouths shut, but I know how human nature works.
30 April 2013 at 20:11 #7302Now that I’ve read all of these fun Dalek-isms (I think @phaseshift wins with Nine-Month-Wait) I currently have the biggest “Mediate” (INXS) earworm.
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