Doesn't it feel Ood around this time of the year? DOCTOR WHO SERIES 4 DISCUSSION HERE

[Regulus Tera]

http://www.gallifreyone.com/images/news/SeasonFour-DavidCatherine.jpg

What is Doctor Who?

It sucks so hard it goes all the way around the spectrum and becomes awesome again! It's related to that cult series with cardboard companions and rubber monsters.

Also, simultaneously the greatest and worst thing since time began.

What's new?


The new companion this series is Donna Noble, who last appeared in the Christmas special The Runaway Bride. Although there has been some backlash against the new pairing, many people, including me, expect a whole different dynamic with her and the Doctor from the previous lovey dovey teenage melodrama.

The returning enemies from Classic Doctor Who are The Sontarans. They will get a two-parter against the Doctor, who fights with the assistance of UNIT against the alien menace. Also, a famous scientist is rumoured to make his comeback in this series...

The hystorical figures this year are the Pompeii residents and famous writer Agatha Christie, the latter's episode supposed to be a comedic "Whodunnit".

Episode six is supposed to shock the Doctor to his very core. If you want more information then unspoiler that episode's title.

Steven Moffat's contribution this year is a two-parter. That's all you need to know.

It is also CONFIRMED said that some companions are returning to the finale. Whether that will be the greatest (or shittiest) idea ever excreted by Russell T Davies' arse remains to be seen.


Trailers (contain spoilers)

Voyage of the Damned Sneak Peek (http://youtube.com/watch?v=cMYSATX9jEk&feature=related)

Cinematic Trailer (http://youtube.com/watch?v=IYnJOz7vz4s) (HUGE MOTHERFUCKING SPOILERS FOR THE FINALE)

Episode Titles

Partners in Crime
Written By Russell T Davies (Author of pretty much the good and the bad of New Doctor Who)

The Fires of Pompeii
Written By James Moran (New writer)

Planet of the Ood
Written By Keith Temple (New writer)

The Sontaran Stratagem
Written By Helen Raynor (Author of Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks)

The Poison Sky
Written By Helen Raynor (Continuation from the previous episode)

The Doctor's Daughter
Written By Stephen Greenhorn (Author of The Lazarus Experiment)

The Unicorn and the Wasp
Written By Gareth Roberts (Author of The Shakespeare Code)

Silence in the Library
Written By Steven Moffat (Author of The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, The Girl in the Fireplace, and Blink)
Yeah, you should pay some attention to this guy.

Forest of the Dead
Written By Steven Moffat (HOLY FUCKING SHIT THIS DUDE IS WRITING TWO EPISODES?!!!)

Midnight
Written By Russell T Davies (You know the drill)

Turn Left
Written By Russell T Davies (Why does he suck so much?!)

The Stolen Earth
Written By Russell T Davies (Why is he so awesome?!)

Journey's End
Written By Russell T Davies (WHY THE FUCK DOES HE SUCK SO MUCH?!!!)

Where can I watch it?

If you live in Great Britain (and probably Northern Ireland), you can tune in to BBC One at around 06:20 PM tomorrow. If you live in the United States, the new series begins in April 18 with the sucky Christmas special Voyage of the Damned (by Russell T Davies!!). If you live somewhere else or cannot wait for Sci-Fi to get on track, then I don't know, there's youtube or something.

Links and Shit

Official Doctor Who Site (http://bbc.co.uk/doctorwho)

A first look at the monsters from episode one (http://youtube.com/watch?v=AQJux1jUB2o) CUUUUTE

A second look at those squishy bastards (http://youtube.com/watch?v=K81uIfRif8o&feature=related)

Go wild, ladies and gentlemen.

[42PETUNIAS]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


*ahem*

Picked up Dr. Who last fall, but unfortunately, I don't think this is getting here, just like it didn't come for the christmas special. I just hope I can find a place to watch it fairly quickly this time.

[Kroze Gamegod]

I am saddened that Paul Cornell (author of the AMAZINGLY good 2 parter last year Human Nature/Family of Blood) is not returning to write an episode...

[Hawk]

I think episode 8 is likely going to be made of equal parts win and epic, considering who's writing it. I can't wait.

I just hope they can succesfully pull off bringing back all of these previous companions. I mean, Rose, Martha, Jack AND Sarah Jane! That's a pretty hefty line up, so they better not fuck it up.

But yeah, really psyched for this, especially after that epic Torchwood finale this evening.

[Mad Jack the Pirate]

steven moffat needs to kill russel T. davies and take his place.

[Hawk]

Ok first impressions;

New theme music, I do not like. The previous one was much better, whereas this one sucks.

Donna, much improved, because I couldn't stand her in her original appearance, but she definately seems less screechy and thick now. Hopefully this shall remain so.

Everything else, as good as usual, but that opening ep was a tad weak to say the least.

Now for questions/baseless speculations;

What's with all these sonic devices that are suddenly cropping up everywhere?? Toshiko built one, Sarah Jane's built one, Foster had one and I seem to remember seeing another women using one during an advert for that Sarah Jane spin off ages ago. Are they just suddenly coming back into fashion or what?

So Rose is back already, but how? Anyone got any theories? And has anyone got any idea what this seasons "word arc" might be, assuming there is one?

And lastly, next week, it's Volcano Day!! Reckon good old Captain Jack might make a cameo appearance?

[Regulus Tera]

steven moffat needs to kill russel T. davies and take his place.

Steven Moffat has said before he doesn't want to run the show. I'll dig the article from the depths of the old Outpost Gallifrey in a minute.

Regarding this episode: Those were the cutest monsters ever!!

I liked this script. It was some good fun, and though not brilliant, it kept me entertained. Volcano Day, on the other hand, seems to be made of unadultered win.

New theme music, I do not like. The previous one was much better, whereas this one sucks.

Seconded.

Donna, much improved, because I couldn't stand her in her original appearance, but she definately seems less screechy and thick now. Hopefully this shall remain so.

As long as she doesn't become involved romantically with the Doctor I think I'll be fine. There's just so much you can stand of him being a Bond wannabe.

Everything else, as good as usual, but that opening ep was a tad weak to say the least.

Now for questions/baseless speculations;

And has anyone got any idea what this seasons "word arc" might be, assuming there is one?

I think it RTD said there wasn't going to be a word arc this time, but rather that there would be references to a particular event along the whole season. I'll bet for the bees disappearing, seeing there's a wasp in a future episode.

And lastly, next week, it's Volcano Day!! Reckon good old Captain Jack might make a cameo appearance?

OH PLEASE DO.

[42PETUNIAS]

So, umm, what do you think the deal is with Rose Tyler's appearance? The explanation seems pretty simple, but what does it mean if the separation between the two dimensions is/could be weakening, and do you think she will meet up with the Doctor for real?

[Regulus Tera]

So, umm, what do you think the deal is with Rose Tyler's appearance? The explanation seems pretty simple, but what does it mean if the separation between the two dimensions is/could be weakening, and do you think she will meet up with the Doctor for real?

This is far too juicy for RTD to pass as just a mere cameo.

I think the surprise revelation this season will be Davros. Now, I don't know much of classic Doctor Who, but maybe he was trapped in the Void like the Daleks in Army of Ghosts/Doomsday? If Dalek Caan went to get him at the end of Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks, I think it's possible for the separation to be weakening.

But yeah, really psyched for this, especially after that epic Torchwood finale this evening.

I watched season one and hated it, so tell me: was Torchwood improved during the second season? Should I watch it or can I live without knowing how much sex does Jack get in the butt?

[42PETUNIAS]

I think the only reason I'd watch Torchwood again was if I could be guaranteed a Doctor cameo.

You'd think I would've checked wikipedia or something last time before going through the whole series.

[BitVyper]

Didn't the seventh Doctor trick Davros into killing himself? I think it was Remembrance of the Daleks.

Not that this has ever stopped a Doctor Who villain from returning, mind.

[Regulus Tera]

The Master was also killed many times in the old series and the Daleks have been wiped out from existence about a dozen of times now. I don't think death would be enough to keep Davros out of the way.

It could be an alternate dimension Davros also.

[42PETUNIAS]

Well, the master was a time lord, wasn't he? And the Darleks are a race, rather than just one guy who was (I'm guessing) killed onscreen. I think they'll drop the darleks for the major plot of this season, which is to say that I think they'll be an episode or two around the darleks (wasn't there one left?) but no, I don't think it will be the big finale or anything important enough to include Davros.

[Regulus Tera]

Well, the master was a time lord, wasn't he?

He was a Time Lord, but he actually went out through all his regenerations. During the eighties his whole plot was that he needed to get a new cycle of regenerations, "dying" many many times but returning in the next episode exactly in the same body as before. He died again, permanently, in the TV Movie. In fact, I believe he even said he was "revived" by the Time Lords in the last season's finale.

All I'm saying is that anything can be retconned very easily in this series.

[BitVyper]

The Master was also killed many times in the old series and the Daleks have been wiped out from existence about a dozen of times now. I don't think death would be enough to keep Davros out of the way.


He's come back almost as many times previously. Actually, now that I recall Remembrance, I think Davros was spirited away under mysterious circumstances. I don't think he'd have been in the Void though. The Daleks don't like him.

[Hawk]

I doubt Davros is even coming back anyway, the Sontarans are the Big Bad this season I believe.

Oh and I had a look, but it doesn't appear the Barrowman is in next weeks episode. A missed opportunity there.

[BitVyper]

Well, he doesn't have to be the season finale to be in it. They're probably trying not to do another Dalek focused finale.

[Living Bobbeh]

What are the chances that they start selling the things from the first episode this year? Even as a blokey-bloke, I wanted one.

[Smarty McBarrelpants]

He was a Time Lord, but he actually went out through all his regenerations. During the eighties his whole plot was that he needed to get a new cycle of regenerations, "dying" many many times but returning in the next episode exactly in the same body as before. He died again, permanently, in the TV Movie. In fact, I believe he even said he was "revived" by the Time Lords in the last season's finale.

All I'm saying is that anything can be retconned very easily in this series.

As far as I remember the Time Lords gave him a new cycle of regenerations to help the Doctor in the Five Doctors and then after he died again resurrected him to fight against the Daleks in the Time War.
If the Time Lords can just give out new cycles of regeneration why do they ever die?

[42PETUNIAS]

I imagine that regeneration limit is something imposed to prevent them from getting too powerful or immoral, as an eternal being would totally get. Stretching it would only be in dire circumstances, lest they create a monster.

[BitVyper]

As far as I remember the Time Lords gave him a new cycle of regenerations to help the Doctor in the Five Doctors and then after he died again resurrected him to fight against the Daleks in the Time War.

He came back briefly in the seventh Doctor's run. I can't recall what happened to him at the end of the serial, however.

I imagine that regeneration limit is something imposed to prevent them from getting too powerful or immoral, as an eternal being would totally get.

That sounds like the Time Lords, more or less. They're big on order and things being the way they're supposed to be, it seems. True immortals are wrong.

[Regulus Tera]

As far as I remember the Time Lords gave him a new cycle of regenerations to help the Doctor in the Five Doctors

They offered them to him, but they never gave them thanks to the fact that the Master fucking double-crossed them.

If the Time Lords can just give out new cycles of regeneration why do they ever die?

Probably only the higher Gallifreyans can.

[Cati]

I may be the only one, but I adore the new theme music. So there. :D And the first episode was great. Not awe-inspiring, but I found it hilarious, which is awesome enough to me. Especially Donna's and the Doctor's mimed conversation. GOLD.

[42PETUNIAS]

I actually made it halfway through that conversation without losing track.

Yeah, I was pretty proud of that.

[G.I.R.]

Cati,

I was laughing my ass off as I watched that little silent conversation. I really like Donna and was excited to see Rose's appearance at the end. But what do you think the whole "fading away" as she walked off is foreshadowing? Is it really her? or something else entirely?

I'm excited for the new season.

As for Torchwood, I was a little bummed with the ending.I really liked Toshiko and hated seeing her bite it at the end. Owen was a given, he wasn't long for the world anyway given his current condition. But it does leave room for Martha Jones to return and become a full time member of the team.

Here's to hoping Captain John becomes a regular. I think that would make life very interesting for Torchwood.

[Hawk]

But what do you think the whole "fading away" as she walked off is foreshadowing? Is it really her? or something else entirely?

I think that's just her fading back through the void to the other universe. Clearly she has found some way to get back and is now trying to find the Doctor again.



As for Torchwood, I was a little bummed with the ending.I really liked Toshiko and hated seeing her bite it at the end. Owen was a given, he wasn't long for the world anyway given his current condition. But it does leave room for Martha Jones to return and become a full time member of the team.

It was sad, but that's what makes it good to watch. Seeing important characters die and stay dead for good is much better than seeing characters repeatedly die over and over again only to come back next season because people like them. Killing main characters keeps you guessing and keeps things unpredictable.

Here's to hoping Captain John becomes a regular. I think that would make life very interesting for Torchwood.

Oh god yes, James Marsters is always awesome when he's around, but I do think that John is perhaps a little too similar to Spike really. If he became a regular I'd expect at least a slight shift in that characters personality. Still he's always welcome in a recurring role.

[Regulus Tera]

Holy shit. Did they really just base an episode on the Cambridge Latin Course (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridge_Latin_Course)?!

Wow. Best use of a licence fee ever. That is, if I had to pay for one.

[Hawk]

I liked this episode, especially with that whole moral dilemma at the end, especially considering how the Doctor refused to do a similar thing back in The Parting Of The Ways. I guess 20,000 lives is an acceptable loss to him.

The lack of a Harkness cameo was dissapointing though.

[Moynahand]

I enjoyed this episode. Seeing the Doctor fight a giant lava monster with a water pisol is just plain awesome.

Also, in this episode and last weeks, the aliens' home planet had somehow disapeared. Maybe that's the event connecting the episodes for this season?

[Regulus Tera]

I say the Medusa Cascade had something to do with that. It was mentioned during the Master's talk with the Doctor last season.

And we totally need a gif of the Doctor threatening with the water gun.

Overall, I thought it was a decent episode, if just a bit slow in the beginning. Also, I would have liked the ending a lot more if the Doctor had decided to not go back for that family, but seeing it was based a bit on the series of books I previously mentioned I guessed he had to do what he did. 3/5

[42PETUNIAS]

Actually... that might tie in with those... Sontarans, is it? that seem to cause trouble this season. Wiping out the homeworlds of other races seems to be their style. Also, so pumped for the ood next episode.

[Regulus Tera]

So I guess that was the first stinker of the season.

Bad characterisation. Bad acting from everybody's part. A cliché villain who doesn't work at all, unlike the gorgeous Mrs. Foster. Stupid premise. Not scary at all. Bad effects too. Its only good point was the soundtrack, which by now is something we can expect from Doctor Who.

Two out of five. It's not downright unwatchable, but it certainly disappointed. At least next week's seems to be way more interesting, and hey Martha's back!!

Edit: Great episode. Loved it. 3/5 though, because I just liked the antics and not so much the plot by itself. I'll rate it accordingly next week.

Edit2: This episode was really weird for me. It started horribly slow and overused every cliché ever, it then picked up in the middle with a horrible and questionable solution (in the sense of non-sensical regarding its consequences) for the gas cloud (although very pretty), and the last part became overwhelmed with bad editing (just look at the conversation where the Doctor implies he's going to die; there's lots of weird pauses that cannot be taken for careful contemplation of the horror ahead of the characters).

I really don't know what to think. The premise was stupid, the acting felt very staged at times, it had a wannabe-Joker villain who at least was humanised a bit, the plot was cringeworthy most of the time, yet all of that made it a laugh-inducing fest that I enjoyed. The fact that it felt like it was taking itself so seriously made it comical in a good sense.

3/5, if just for the lolz. I'm still waiting for something that redeems this season though. That Partners in Crime can be considered the high point of this series by this point makes me very worried. There's seriously something missing from this series that was present in the last three, and that is charm.

So what are your opinions on this eagerly awaited two-parter?

P.S. The finale better not take place in present-day Earth, goddamnit. And for God's sake if humanity ever again faces a threat that encompasses the whole of the world they better show the species to be less stupid.

[42PETUNIAS]

If I ever see the whole Doctor prepares to sacrifice himself, but wait! the bad guy, who is really a good guy but jut misguided sacrifices him/herself for him! I just... don't know what I'll do.

[BitVyper]

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showpost.php?p=5567936&postcount=4 - I thought some people might like this. Short scene written to have the seventh take Tennant's place in season 3's finale.

[Ryu Van Burace]

http://new-brunette.livejournal.com/379679.html

Someone who managed to be at the set when filming "The Poison Sky" :D

[Regulus Tera]

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showpost.php?p=5567936&postcount=4 - I thought some people might like this. Short scene written to have the seventh take Tennant's place in season 3's finale.

This makes me wonder just how a fight between the Seventh Doctor and the Third may end up. One has the brains while the other has the brawn. It would be interesting.

http://new-brunette.livejournal.com/379679.html

Someone who managed to be at the set when filming "The Poison Sky" :D

Mr. Grandpa Hobo is the best minor character ever.

So, The Doctor's Daughter:

This episode was far better than it deserved to be. A Mary Sue was introduced to a script that was completely hammed by everyone (this was going to be David Tennant's best performance yet? Seriously?) and an overtly simplistic plot that hammered you with its themes.

Yet I loved it. Georgia Moffet was gorgeous, even if her character was the epitome of cliché femme fatales, and though her death didn't spark any kind of feeling in me, she was great for a few laughs. Plus, she wasn't fucking Astrid. The Hath (or however the hell you spell that) were greatly designed, although Martha's friend's death was pointless and way overreacted. However, the story was interesting (although nothing original) and the plot twist was, though common, genuinely out of nowhere.

Overall, I liked it. It hasn't redeemed this season, but at least it has encouraged me to watch next week's episode despite my underwhelm with Doctor Who lately. 4/5

P.S. It saddens me that this episode will probably be remembered as a classic for years to come, if only because of the forced emotional garbage and the use of an actual alien planet. It's a good tale, but nothing to really think about. I'll still wait for the first true masterpiece of this season, which likely will come from Moffat (as always), but which I hope manifests itself in the next episode.

P.S.S. This is so obviously leading into the finale. I really don't want to see Georgia Moffet in the series again, but I guess I should prepare myself for disappointment.

P.S.S.S. Who am I kidding? She has quite a nice rack.

[BitVyper]

I liked everything but the last scene. She should have had more of a regeneration sequence, and there should have been less of that ending.

[Satan's Onion]

=DDDDDDDDDDDDDD (http://www.gallifreyone.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?id=EkEEkAyuFuDUQWwpTO&tmpl=newsrss&style=feedstyle)

[Regulus Tera]

http://i30.tinypic.com/fnajpw.gif

THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVER

AND HIS EPISODE IS COMING OUT THIS SATURDAY

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEE

[Satan's Onion]

I know. It's...it's beautiful, isn't it? I'd go dance naked in the front yard cackling insanely with joy, but it looks like it's gonna rain.

[Regulus Tera]

All I know is I want Sally Sparrow to return.

DO IT MOFFAT!! DO IT!!!

YES, FINALLY SEASON ARCS THAT WILL (hopefully) NOT RELY ON GODS ON MACHINES AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE!!!

This is a happy day to be a Doctor Who fan.

I also like his cheekiness in the interview:

My entire career has been a Secret Plan to get this job. I applied before but I got knocked back 'cos the BBC wanted someone else. Also I was seven.

[Satan's Onion]

Bless him. He's just that awesome.

[Regulus Tera]

What I like about this announcement more than anything is that the series needs a "regeneration" desperately. The reason I haven't been liking this season that much (despite the first and last week's episodes) is that it feels too safe. Everything from the Ood to the Sontaran stories reeks of formulaic, and what drew me into Doctor Who in the beginning was the fact that it was so different from anything else in Telly.

I cannot wait for Moffat's vision of the programme. It's going to be fantastic! A trip of a lifetime, indeed.

Edit: Only reason I'm sad is that I have to wait two fucking years for Moffat's Doctor Who. At least it will keep Tennant in the role for one more season, but God the wait will be painful.

[BitVyper]

I feel a great disturbance in the force; as if millions of voices are crying out in jubilation, and won't shut up.

[Satan's Onion]

Well, two voices.

Two very happy voices.

(I'm so happy, I can hardly contain myself!)

[G.I.R.]

Make that 3!


Very excited about the announcement and looking forward to the next season! I loved the last episode. It was BRILLIANT!

[Regulus Tera]

Make that 3!

Make that everybody!!

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll39/reeeeecey/n500291798_598295_606.jpg

Very excited about the announcement and looking forward to the next season! I loved the last episode. It was BRILLIANT!

I know! It was comical, and despite the bad CGI it was awesome! I loved the poisoning scene. In fact, I love it when Doctor Who does the unexpected. This one was one of those episodes.

[Hawk]

So, silence in the library isn't on today anymore. This gives me great anger. This 3 day weekend is turning out really dissapointing for me, everything seems to be turning to fail.:gonk:

Still, at least Moffat will one day control the Who, so that's good.

[Justice Team]

you've just GOT to see the unicorn and the wasp.

love conquers all, but I'm not saying any more then that, or I'd have to spoiler tag it.

[Regulus Tera]

SILENCE IN THE LIBRARY


First reactions: Meh.
Second reactions: But the good sort of meh.
Final reactions: Holy shit. FUCK FUCK FUCK I'M NOT GOING TO BE NEAR A TV NEXT WEEKEND, HOW WILL I LIVE?

[42PETUNIAS]

Ooh... that stings. Good episode, but it really accelerated to amazing for the end.

[Hawk]

Yeah, it was good, but not as good as it was hyped to be. I think that's mostly due to having a few too many unanswered questions at the end of the first part though, so hopefully the conclusion next week will make everything make sense in some sort of awesome fashion.

Anyone got any theories on things? Like who's that girl in the past and how is she linked to the Library? Who's the sinsiter Dr Moon? And what might this CAL(?) be?

[42PETUNIAS]

I'm thinking CAL is the girls name, which is cleverly worked into meaning Computer Assisted Library, or some way of tying her in like that cleverly. Just a guess, but it seems the sort of thing that would happen.

[Hawk]

I think you may be right 42; if Cal is the girl, then the girl is actually an AI, which would explain Moon telling her that what she thinks is reality is not real. She's a malfunctioning computer, who's having delusions of being a young girl and doesn't know what's real any more. If this is true then Moon might just be some sort of self-correcting program trying to repair the damage.

It's like the Matrix in reverse!

At least that's now my theory anyway.

[42PETUNIAS]

Or maybe she's designed to act like a person in running the library, but her dad is some sort of computer virus that controls her. I think the... shadow things are incidentally related to the problem, or at least controlled by something greater.

[Steel Shadow]

This was actualy kind of a boring episode for me. Maybe I just look at these things to much as something someone has written, but the whole thing felt more like that statues episode last season 'Part 2!'. The enemy is the same sort of deal (Assasins that move when your not looking/flesh eating microbiesomesuch things in the dark), and the way they act seems inconsitant (Ok, so light weakens them, but they can make their own mysterious moving shadows, so what's the problem? Why not just eat everyone when you find them? At least in Blink it took a while after I'd seen the epside for me to realise that quantitive states don't depend on someone looking at them). The doctor clearly works out what the problem is as soon as he hears about the shadows, but doesn't tell anyone, 'cuase he's a jerk, I guess?

And hey, look! A new version of Timey Wimey Ball! Except this time instead of the Doctor helping someone who he's met but hasn't met him (with added time loop bonus, woo!), this time he's *being* helped by someone who's met him, but he hasn't met himself (anyone wanna give me odds on another time loop at the end of it all?).

Seriously, I know Moffat wrote both episodes, so some similarities can be expected, but this feels like he just took a very sucessful episode and changed a few key details to try and replicate it.



Oooon the other hand maybe I'm being to harsh and just looking for similarites. And maybe I've spent to much time on tvtropes.com. They were right, it does ruin your life.

[Regulus Tera]

That's definitely too much tvtropes.

[Ryu Van Burace]

I'm personally wondering about two things after seeing SITL:

1) 4022 Saved - No Survivors. Saved = saved in terms of a file save? This could explain the whole aspect thing.
2) Keep going back to soothsayer stone arm - "There's something on your back". Spine?

I think that's vague enough not to be spoilers but enough to show what I'm trying to indicate.
Also: good god, how long did it take people to realize the whole River Song thing? It's pretty straight forward, personal timelines and all that.
Got to love how Moffat has turned innocent phrases into creepy things e.g. "Are you my mummy?".

[42PETUNIAS]

Well, that was pretty satisfying, in my opinion.

I'm thinking CAL is the girls name
Called it.

Also, the next episode needs a Snakes on a Plane reference.

[Regulus Tera]

May I say that was more epic than any of the finales so far? Because that was more epic than any of the finales so far. Though I guessed correctly what River had whispered to the Doctor, it was packed of fuck awesome. 5/5

1) 4022 Saved - No Survivors. Saved = saved in terms of a file save? This could explain the whole aspect thing.

And you were right. Get a cookie!

ZOMG CHRISTMAS PICS!! THE BADDIES ARE REVEALED!! (http://stuffontv.blogspot.com/2008/04/doctor-who-christmas-special-2008_22.html)

http://bp2.blogger.com/_KTJWhtuRLac/SA4QsdlxZkI/AAAAAAAACTY/7n8B04EG2qU/s400/cyberwraith_dr_who_xmas_special.jpg

[Steel Shadow]

Ok, so, despite my complaints about last week, I enjoyed this one. I wonder if that's how it's going to be for two parters from now on. I unfortunatly missed the first 10 mins or so, but meh.

Still, aparently I'm a critic now, so here's what I can't make sense of. Beware, both spoilers and cranky old-in-spirit guy ramblings:



The stupid girls inteligence boost: Ok, I can see this happening, just, given the explination, but it would have to be more complicated than her "IQ moving a decimel place". Why would the computer even record her IQ? It's aparently got her whole *mind* in there, so it just decides to assign her an obsolete and very useless classification? And think about it. *becuase it got it wrong, she's suddenly one of the smartest peopel you'll ever meet. Ok. Think about that for a second. This technologys been available for over a century, and yet you still get idiots like her wandering around? As a personal assistant to a rich buisness man? Riiiiight...

Small point number 2: Helmets. Why did most of them take them off, again? Ok, this I might have missed, I admit, and it's not like they did much for other Dave anyway. Still though...

Number 3: I didn't like the girl. She was crazy and stupid, which'll put me off any character really.

... Oh fine, fine, it all got explained and it wasn't her fault, but still!

Real number 3: Nice thing! I liked what they did with the corporate guys character. He's not a greedy bastard willing to put lives on the line to protect his patent, he's protecting a little girl. Brilliant!... No, really. Stop with the looks.

5: Donna was useless. That is disapointingly all.

6: CAL isn't an AI. Didn't see that coming, well done Moffat.

Oh, and quick number 7: Did anyone not see the woman dying at the end coming? Still, it was very nicely done, and a good wrap up. And the name thing was interesting. I guess that's going to be something to look out for in the finale. Not that we don't already have a loooong list already.



So, yeah. I liked it. Looking forward to the next episode.

But Terra, I'm afraid that all of it combined doesn't quite manage to beat The Master dancing to 'I can't decide'. Sorry (No, that really didn't need spoiler brackets, but again, meh).

[Regulus Tera]

The stupid girls inteligence boost: Ok, I can see this happening, just, given the explination, but it would have to be more complicated than her "IQ moving a decimel place". Why would the computer even record her IQ? It's aparently got her whole *mind* in there, so it just decides to assign her an obsolete and very useless classification? And think about it. *becuase it got it wrong, she's suddenly one of the smartest peopel you'll ever meet. Ok. Think about that for a second. This technologys been available for over a century, and yet you still get idiots like her wandering around? As a personal assistant to a rich buisness man? Riiiiight...

It's probably just a synapse that suddenly got in the right place during the misfiling of her data. It's not that difficult to fathom. Remember this is sci-fi and sci-fi is just a fancy word for "magic".

Small point number 2: Helmets. Why did most of them take them off, again? Ok, this I might have missed, I admit, and it's not like they did much for other Dave anyway. Still though...

Because they're pretty people (except for the fat guy, who had the helmet off so we could compare him to the pretty people). :p

5: Donna was useless. That is disapointingly all.

I actually liked her subplot a lot. It was a bit irrelevant, but it gave her a lot of character that I imagine may come or not into piece during the finale. And if it doesn't, well, poop I guess. At least she seems a bit more well-rounded than before.

6: CAL isn't an AI. Didn't see that coming, well done Moffat.

Wait, you were expecting/wanting her to be one? Occam's razor too much mayhaps?

Oh, and quick number 7: Did anyone not see the woman dying at the end coming? Still, it was very nicely done, and a good wrap up. And the name thing was interesting. I guess that's going to be something to look out for in the finale. Not that we don't already have a loooong list already.

But she did die. :( She didn't die thematically (as in "our loved ones live on forever in the pages of a diary/the structures of a hard disk"), but she did stop living. I imagine Moffat included the "everybody lives" line just to make the audience feel a bit more cheerful (and, again, to meld together with the theme of the story, which includes her legacy living on in the Doctor's soul so that he reaches her one day and continues their story in a timey-wimey loop forever).

But Terra, I'm afraid that all of it combined doesn't quite manage to beat The Master dancing to 'I can't decide'. Sorry (No, that really didn't need spoiler brackets, but again, meh).

Leaving aside that you just called me a girl, all the Master did last season was awesome until the last episode. Then it stopped being epic and became stupid.*

So, still more epic.

*I will admit it wasn't the Master's fault that the story went downhill, but rather RTD's fascination on making the Doctor a godlike figure with absolutely no foreshadowing at all. In any case, the plot did suffer and the resolution was so cringeworthy that all the epicness from the buildup disappeared in a puff of lameness.

[42PETUNIAS]

I honestly liked Donna's subplot less, if only because it was inexplicably 21st century britain. I mean, they had all these crazy possibilities to mess with in a virtual world, and they decided to go with that? For shame.

I mean, it would be different if the reality was subjective or something, or if CAL had a fondness for books in that era or something, but the lack of explanation for it just bugs me.

[Steel Shadow]

Wait, you were expecting/wanting her to be one? Occam's razor too much mayhaps?



Sci-fi Lesson number 1: It's always an AI. Always.


Leaving aside that you just called me a girl, all the Master did last season was awesome until the last episode. Then it stopped being epic and became stupid.*

So, still more epic.

*I will admit it wasn't the Master's fault that the story went downhill, but rather RTD's fascination on making the Doctor a godlike figure with absolutely no foreshadowing at all. In any case, the plot did suffer and the resolution was so cringeworthy that all the epicness from the buildup disappeared in a puff of lameness.

Well, yeah, but refusing to regenerate had it's charms.

Also, Your avatar ain't helping your case buddy. But I get the feeling you get that alot

[Ryu Van Burace]

@Steel Shadow:
To be fair the final arc of the previous series *was* the final arc after all so it was meant to be pretty epic and climactic so having that sort of comparison to a mid series ep isn't really too fair. It does have to be said though, that particular one has to have been my favourite plot so far.

[Steel Shadow]

@Ryu Van Burace
I agree. Tera did not. I was merely pointing out how incredibly wrong he was. Then he went and made a good point and ruined my argument, for which I am bitter. But that's no change really.

[Regulus Tera]

You know, many people in the "geek" forums tend to hate the filler, not so serious RTD written episodes. Me? I had fun with this filler. Filler is nice every once in a while.

But yeah, another Dalek finale? Booo!! Not that it wasn't obvious, but still, BOOO!!

[Steel Shadow]

Not sure about this episode. It had some good points and some bad points, I guess. I liked it at the begining, but after a while it got kind of annoying, and then the ending came out of nowhere for a big ol' dose of anti-climax. The characters seemed to bounce all over the characterisation spectrum, though I suppose there was a reason for that. I think. (I mean really, what the heck was that thing and why was it so insitant on killing the first person who wanted to help it? And why couldn't any of those people just *shut up* for 5 minuets?) All in all I'm just left with a small feeling of what-the-hell-did-I-just-watch, but it wasn't bad. The Doctors line at the end had alot more meaning than it usualy does, that was a nice touch.

The bit where Rose apeared for a second or two got a few chuckles. And next week looks very interesting. But if there's a Darlek I will have to stab things.

[Megaman FTW]

I just watched Dr. Who for the first time today and I have to say you guys were right about it. For starters the Doctor discovered that a chain of dissapearing children was caused by one child that had been possessed by a space alien because it was lonely, and that by drawing pictures of them she could cause them to dissapear into another world for its company. In the end they accidentally re-summoned the girl's dead father, somehow, who tried to kill them but was defeated by the power of their singing in unison.

Who writes this? The best thing I can think of to compare it to is a turd full of LSD. Sure its crappy and it sucks but HOLY CRAP ALIENS AND LASERS!

[Regulus Tera]

...you just watched pretty much the worst episode of the series. Don't judge the programme because of that one. Believe me, the standard quality of it is kilometres ahead of Fear Her.

[Hawk]

Yeah Megaman, go and watch the episodes Aliens of London/World War Three, Dalek, Fathers Day, The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, Bad Wolf, Tooth and Claw, The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit, Army of Ghosts/Doomsday, The Shakespear Code, 42, Blink and Midnight.

They're my personal favourites from these last 4 seasons, although there are others which are also really good. But Fear Her was definately the worst episode of the entire lot, I'm sorry for you that that was your first viewing of Doctor Who.

[Megaman FTW]

I think you misunderstand. This show is amazing. Its the worst thing I've ever seen yet I can't stop watching.

Hey, I was watching the 2 that happen with the Timberflame (or something like that) labs and the cybermen and the OTHER evil aliens and I missed the last 10 minutes of the show because I was on the toilet. Did the blond chick ever get back into the normal world, or did she stay in the other dimension to be replaced with someone else at the start of the seeason that followed?

EDIT: I said this was my first, but I slighlty lied. About a year ago I saw another one when I was home sick from school, where a kid and a billion of his clones were wearing gas masks and looking for his/their/its/bwah's mommy. I didn't count that one because I had a fever at the time and would have thought ANYTHING was entertaining.

[Regulus Tera]

Yeah Megaman, go and watch the episodes [I]Aliens of London/World War Three...

They're my personal favourites from these last 4 seasons...

Does not compute.

[Hawk]

If you mean Torchwood, and the episode involving the Cybermen, Daleks and Rose, then that would be Doomsday, my favourite of the season finales, then no and yes. Companions change every few seasons, just like the Doctor himself, she leaves the show in that episode for a season, but she's coming back in saturdays episode.

The gas mask zombies episode was The Empty Child/Doctor Dances, which I've already said was amazing. Go and watch it again.

EDIT; Does not compute.

What? I liked those episodes, they had some good humour.

[Megaman FTW]

I have to admit I could not contain my laughter when I saw the Daleks on their way out of the Timelord artifact to go fight the Cybermen and enslave earth.

Its pure comedy gold, and the worst part is, I don't think its even supposed to be.

EDIT: I've decided that Dr Who (the character) is a futuristic McGyver from space, and that Dr Who (The Show) is a futuristic outer space version of Dr McNinja.

[Regulus Tera]

I have to admit I could not contain my laughter when I saw the Daleks on their way out of the Timelord artifact to go fight the Cybermen and enslave earth.

Its pure comedy gold, and the worst part is, I don't think its even supposed to be.

Wait, you're watching them out of order? I guess it's alright, but a lot of the arcs lose a lot of impact if you do that. Go search Rose and go upstream from there.

EDIT: I've decided that Dr Who (the character) is a futuristic McGyver from space, and that Dr Who (The Show) is a futuristic outer space version of Dr McNinja.

I know you're praising the Doctor and all, but seriously, Doctor Who (the show) is nothing like Dr. McNinja (the comic). Try watching them a bit more.

[Megaman FTW]

Its not like the comic in that it doesn't try to be completely outrageous (meaning that plot devices revolve around alien robots from space instead of Ben Franklin), but it is about as high on the list of extremely strange things I've seen in my lifetime.

And what do you mean "search for Rose", is there somewhere I can watch these on TV? All I can see is rerun on Scifi and I don't have the money for a DVD set.

[Regulus Tera]

And what do you mean "search for Rose", is there somewhere I can watch these on TV? All I can see is rerun on Scifi and I don't have the money for a DVD set.

I'm pretty sure you could watch every Doctor Who episode in Sci-Fi's webpage. I don't know if that feature is still available, and for some reason I cannot access their site since I'm out of the country. If not, then I guess it is re-runs for you. :(

[Ryanderman]

All the episodes that have aired in the UK so far this season are on You Tube. I would guess the other seasons are too.

Also, Blink = Pretty much the best episode of anything anywhere.

[Satan's Onion]

Or, alternatively, Megaman, you could seek out some of the classic series of Doctor Who, which doesn't have Rose Tyler in it at all, making it infinitely better than just about anything you could see in New Who! (Well, maybe "Dalek" except for one thing which constitutes kind of a spoiler for poor Megaman so I can't get my RIGTHEOUS NERD RAEG!1!!!11!1!! on just now. Oh, and maybe "The Empty Child"/"The Doctor Dances" if you tune out everything with Rose and Jack.)

But seriously--or at any rate less frivolously--classic Who is awesome. "Image of the Fendahl", "The Pirate Planet", "The Brain of Morbius", "The Pirate Planet", "Masque of Mandragora", "City of Death", "The Pirate Planet"...those are all top-notch stories, in my own opinion--and all just from one Doctor (the Fourth, who's played the Doctor the longest)! Oh, and also "The Pirate Planet", in case I didn't mention it before =P . Douglas Adams wrote it, and it features one of the bestest of the Doctor's assistants in the whole of evar (see: my avatar).

[Mirai Gen]

I'd like to pop into this thread for a moment to say how funny it is to see almost an entire debate between Shadow and RT in Spoiler font.

Since I am currently Who-less, I'll have to let this be the extent of my conversational skills herein.

[Hawk]

Ok, so this episode was significantly more awesome than I expected it to be. I love parallel universe stories, even if most of the events are usually undone by the end of an episode and seeing all of the catastrophies that the Doctor's averted in recent years not being averted was good and created a nice dark otherworld for the lead up to the finale. Presumebly the same thing is happening in other dimensions as well, which is what Rose was saying so I'm guessing the fate of all of Creation is now at stake this season. Another Time War perhaps? With Daleks from another universe?

Caan probably has something to do with this, maybe he built another Void ship and went to get help from another universe. Although I was kind of expecting this "Darkness" to be a new enemy, seeing as there's been references to it for the last 4 years, but I'm thinking now it could just be a reference to the ultimate end of Creation instead. The end of everything and the return to eternal darkness.

But yeah, I'm now officially psyched about the finale, even if it's another Dalek centric Big Bad. Oh and speaking of Big Bads, I love the return of the Bad Wolf line. Totally saw it coming of course but it was still nice.

[Regulus Tera]

You know, I'd like it if casting agents actually contracted people with Spanish accents when they needed to get a character to speak something in Spanish. :p


Pretty much my only complaint about the episode. This storyline is showing lots of promise (and the subtle jab against USA's fattiness was hilarious, as well as Bohemian Rhapsody), as usual with RTD's scripts. Whether the promise is fulfilled or not is what worries me. What was up with Billie Piper's voice though?

Edit: You know what? Fuck it, this episode was gorgeous. It's surprising that I'm liking another RTD episode more than Moffat's. I'm pumped up! 5/5

[Steel Shadow]

I missed the first 10 mins again (bloody football), so I was a little lost for a bit, but yeah, good episode. I got a little bored during the mirror sceen at the end, but that's more me, and it wasn't so bad (I just entertained myself trying to work out how many shows I'd seen that bug prop in before :D). I was actualy expecting the warning to be the doctors name for some reson, which just meant the Bad Wolf thing was much more cool. And I'm assuming it apearing everywhere was the Tardis's translation circuit going haywire or something?

Next ep looks cool to. 'Cept the damn Darlek. We really need a break from them... So yeah, can't wait.

[Regulus Tera]

ANOTHER TRAILER OF BADARSERY, TORCHWOOD, SARAH JANE AND VILLAIN OF THE SEASON SPOILERS!! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=J7wl_COEe3k)

God damn it, RTD. Why do you always oomph me so much? This better not be disappointing. D=

Can anyone who has watched Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood summarise any important plot points from their last seasons? I don't want to be thrown a curve ball during the finale.

[Hawk]

Torchwood info; Jack's now older than the Doctor at 2100 years+ due to being sent back in time and buried alive by his brother, who's now frozen in stasis. Also there's another former Time Agent running around in the form of James Marsters. Torchwood members Toshiko and Owen are dead. There are some aliens who're planning an invasion at some point, but we don't know when. That's really all the major plot points, but I don't think any of them will have any real bearing on the upcoming crossover.

As for Sarah Jane;All I know about that is that the boy, Luke, was created by some aliens called the Bane and him and Sarah Jane now have a sort of mother-son relationship and that K9 is trapped in space due to a black hole or something, but there's a portal which can be opened to reach him temporarily. Oh and there's some computer which SJ has/had which turned out to be evil but I think it's turned good again now. And she also has some gadgets which the Doctor left hidden inside K9 for her. I don't know anything more because I haven't actually watched any of it. All I know comes from wiki.

I think that's all I know that may be of concern.

[MFD]

Also in SJA: The Trickster, of the Trickster's Brigade), erased Sarah Jane from existence on a lark, once. He also pondered what chaos he could create if he were to do the same to her mentor, the Doctor.

... I guess we just found out, huh?

[Ryu Van Burace]

Alright back from France, caught up on Midnight and Turn Left.
Midnight:
hmmm. It has to be said, this series has had some hit and miss episodes. I count the library arc as a hit and The Doctor's Daughter as a miss and Midnight is now also a miss. I can see what they were going for, using the classic isolationist feel as well as showing how important a companion is but it didn't work for me on a number of levels. The most prevailing one is the passenger reactions. Yeah, you'd get freaked out but seriously, it was like 20 minutes of hysteria to full blown sociopathic behaviour. That really did not work with me. Noone gets that bad a case of severe cabin fever that quickly. The Big Bad in it also didn't work. As a concept for absorbative evolution it jumped too quickly but I'm prepared to accept that's because of what it was absorbing towards the end.
Turn Left:
Oooo yeah. Much better. It gave a chance to see why Ms Foster was so bad as well as showing a good amount of character development on Donna. Got to love that the fortune teller was Chantho's actress.
Really wish that this series' final arc Big Bad wasn't them though. It's getting a little bit worn.

[Regulus Tera]

I think that's all I know that may be of concern.

... I guess we just found out, huh?[/spoiler]

Thank you both. In return, you have this spooky clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUgvgE52tWw) with some wooden acting from Sarah Jane.

[Roy_D_Mylote]

There doesn't seem to be a separate thread for US/UK Doctor Who showings this time, so as someone watching on the Sci-Fi channel, right in the middle of Forest of the Dead, I would like to say that I have had it up to here with magical little girls being the villain. It's never a magical little boy, and it's never a non-magical brand of little girl. God damn it.

EDIT: It so happens that I'm dumb.

[Hawk]

I think it's safe to say, season 4 is now fully redeemed. This episode was awesome. It's great to see all the characters back and all together for the for first time. And Caan's gone completely insane?? Didn't see that coming. And the Doctor regenerating again was also surprising, I thought Tennant was still contracted for next years serials.

It was annoying though, ending right there, but I suppose it works well for a cliffhanger, so I can't wait for next week now.

[Steel Shadow]

Ok, liked this episode, buuuut it definatly could have been done better. I dunno how to explian it, I just thought it felt unfinished. Still, yeah, not bad, not bad.

Point the one: Yay! Harriet showed up again! And she's still doing that thing! I mean, come on, having a Darlek say "We Know Who You Are." that was fantastic! And I always felt the doctor was wrong when he de-throwned her, and it looks like the show agreed! Yay! Its sad that she died, but what a way to go, huh?

Point secondeth: Wow. They really put some effort into the foreshadowing on this one didn't they? Seriously, was there an episode they *didn't* reference? Bees, planets, proclomations, cascdes, time war, bad wolf... But I still don't quite see how this threat is enough to bring down the walls between worlds. So I guess that means we'll be getting a load of technobabble next episode. Fair do's.

Thirdly: ...They're not serious about the regeneration, right? Please? Come on, it's been two years, you used to get about 6 or 7 at least out of one incarnation. And I liked Tenant! And the doc has only got.. what, 3 regenerations left? This is getting a little silly.

Point goes fourth: Ok, my main complaint about the episode was the ending. Doctor + Rose running towards each other. Then, out of nowhere(!) a Darlek apears and shoots the doc. Oh no, what a catastrophy! What a tragedy! What a rip off! Where have I seen this happen before? How about *everywhere*! It's cliche and mean-spirited. And what's anoying is I think it would have worked if they had held the Darlek back about 10 seconds. They could have let the two have one moment, couldn't they? Was it so much to ask? If they had had that, Doc getting shot would have been just as tragic, but more fulfiling. Or something like that.

Five Points to the Romainian team: The effects were... lackluster. That's all I got.

Six: Damnit! Darleks, again! Ok, Davros, pretty cool, but still...

Ok, I'm done. Looking forward to next week. I have no idea how they're going to make all this better...

[BitVyper]

Most of the old Doctors are around 3 to 4 seasons, I believe.

[Roy_D_Mylote]

I'm pretty sure that this Doctor regenerating thing is going to pass, cause Tenant's still contracted. Unless he, personally, is a liar, which would kind of be a shame. Plus River Song recognized him, and I know, yeah, so did Jack after Nine became Ten, but Jack's always been the writers' pet.

[Regulus Tera]

WHAT THE FUCK?!

YOU CANNOT END AN EPISODE LIKE THAT!! YOU JUST CAN'T!! THAT'S BULLSHIT RTD!! D:

[Hawk]

You know what just occured to me?; Queen Elizabeth recognised the Doctor back in the Shakespeare Code, before he's even met her, so he can't possibly regen yet. And as Roy pointed out, he needs to meet River in his current incarnation as well before he can change.

How that's going to work though I don't know, because I always thought there was no way around escaping death than to regen into someone else.

[BitVyper]

The thing that I find disappointing is that they keep doing regenerations the same way. I know the main reason they were different before was due to evolving technology and different writers, but still, it was cool.

[G.I.R.]

I got money says for some reason, when he regenerates, it'll still be Tennant. Something will happen that makes him retain this current form. And I'd almost be willing to bet that the Daughter might make an appearance before the season is out.

[BitVyper]

I'm wondering what will happen with Donna, but I'm growing increasingly suspicious that it will involve the words "deus ex machina."

[G.I.R.]

I thought it was kind of interesting that as she was sitting there at the Shadow Proclamation that she seemed to have been "hearing drums" Could this be a foreshadowing? But I think you're right. I think there may be some deus ex machina coming...


btw... for those who are curious about The fate of David Tennant as the Doctor, I read somewhere that he's already filmed the 2008 Christmas Special. Soooo...... I don't think he'll be changing when he regenerates. My money is on either Donna or Rose doing something that makes him stay the same person after this regen.

[Steel Shadow]

Just watched the finale. So...

Well that was crap.

The begining: Wow, is there no limit to the deus ex machina?... Ok, that's unfair, the regeneration-hand thing made sense. Micky and Jackie didn't. At all. But that's just like the season 2 finale, so I can forgive at forget.

The middle: I actualy liked this part of it. It was intese. It was dramatic. It was fun. So, no complaints here. Yay!

The end: OH DEAR GOD HOW DID YOU SCREW THIS UP SO BADLY?!?!? Rose pretty much leaves the Doctor for Cloney McClone without a second thought after she fought her way through universes to get him back, and Donna's memories are erased. Wait, shouldn't the clone have the same problem Donna did? Hmm, maybe we're supposed to ignore that. Maybe it's a personal thing, but someone's memories are pretty much who they are, erasing them like that was esentialy killing her, which I get the feeling she would have prefered. And it still bugs me how sudden the whole problem she had cropped up. One second she was saving the universe, all fine and dandy, the next shes about to die. And so the doctor is left to wander the universe alone once again. At least they had the sense not to ruin the moment.

So yeah, I was not fond of this one. At all. Not a good note to end the seires on.

[Hawk]

I have to disagree with Steel on this one; this entire episode was epic. Simply epic. The plotholes/deus' are minor, so I can happily ignore them. The story in itself was brilliant, and the ending, while immensely depressing (granted) still works out ok.

And as for the other Doctor not having Donas memory headsplosion problem is probably just down to the fact that he's still a timelord, with human mixed in, whilst Dona is the reverse. The 2nd Doctor is still mentally a timelord, with the biology of a human, Dona is still biologically human, with the mind of a timelord and so can't take all that mental capacity. And I don't think it was going to kill her right then, but it would have eventually, so it's not like "ok, now she has to die all of a sudden so we can wrap up the episode."

Steel's been reading too much tv.tropes though, so it's understandable.

Oh and did I sense a slight foreshadowing of Martha joining Torchwood next season at the end there? I think I did.

[Regulus Tera]

Eh, that was okay. 3/5

There were many brilliant ideas (Donna becoming a Time Lord, everything with Dalek Caan, two Doctors, the TARDIS towing planet Earth, the potential for Mickey to return), yet also many stupid choices (lame resolution of the cliffhanger, two Doctors, the potential for Mickey to appear in Torchwood). I really enjoyed it, but I also feel a bit hurt that the great finale series two had has been completely cheaped out by the lame cop-out: Rose had already served her purpose and grown to become a better person thanks to the Doctor. Having her return and have a happy life with Bonkers Doctor is of fanfiction level. There was no reason for her to not continue her life as she was before.

I'm a bit torn on what to think about Donna losing her memory. On one hand, it was a really sentimental bit and I liked it. On the other hand, Donna had become my favourite companion since series one, and this decision also eradicated all the character development she had gone through for the sake of fulfilling a contract. I'm glad RTD didn't use the reset button on the major plot, but its utilisation on the small details makes me glad he's not writing anything with this grandeur again.

The end: Wait, shouldn't the clone have the same problem Donna did? Hmm, maybe we're supposed to ignore that.

To be fair, Bonkers Doctor was more human than Time Lord. Maybe that explains it.

I have to disagree with Steel on this one; this entire episode was epic. Simply epic. The plotholes/deus' are minor, so I can happily ignore them. The story in itself was brilliant, and the ending, while immensely depressing (granted) still works out ok.

It was epic and I liked the epicness, but the fact that RTD is once again pulling our strings to make us feel sad that the Doctor is all alone in the universe is now irritating. It was an awesome idea when Moffat did it in The Girl in the Fireplace, and it was so excellently done during Doomsday I could not complain at all. Same again with The Family of Blood, especially because it showed a side of the Doctor we had never seen before. However, the emo-angsty Doctor was on full-throttle this season. This was the emotional "plot twist" they used in The Doctor's Daughter and Forest of the Dead. The concept, while true and a very big part of the man, has become tired simply because of over-exposure (although not as much as the Daleks themselves).

Oh and did I sense a slight foreshadowing of Martha joining Torchwood next season at the end there? I think I did.

Mickey doing that worries me more. :(

[BitVyper]

Damn, I'd say that was the best finale so far. Yeah, there was stuff that might be termed as deus ex machina, but really, there was no god being lowered on the ropes this time around. Deus ex machina is when you just wrap everything up with magic, like in season 1 and 3 (and I'm not even sure I'd say that of season 3). This had a lot of twists and turns, but the only thing that could potentially be called true deus ex machina, is how the Daleks were destroyed, and that was 100% purposeful and character driven, so it's cool.

One little thing that endeared this episode to me was that the Doctor Who movie has now been canonically ignored. The Doctor is 100% Time Lord.

I really liked how everything was wrapped up in the end. Donna's bit was tremendously sad. The line that really got me there was "it'll just be another thing that Donna missed. And seeing Dalek Caan come forward as the true puppet master was very interesting.

The concept, while true and a very big part of the man, has become tired simply because of over-exposure

Is his character supposed to change from episode to episode so that it doesn't bore you? If the Ninth Doctor were still around, would you be complaining about his fatalism? About McCoy's (the seventh Doctor's) Machiavellian plots? The Doctors have all had defining character traits that have come up every episode. You need more reason to dislike it than it being used repeatedly. This Doctor seems manic/depressive with a bit of PTSD mixed in from committing multiple acts of genocide in a war that spanned god-only-knows how many years. He's not "emo" but he has some moments where he's depressed. It's not like he's sitting in an empty room with a shadow over his face, listening to.... whatever music emo kids are listening to these days; I wanna say SOAD, but that's probably just because I hate SOAD.

Honestly, I think in this case, it's more a matter of him coming down from a massive adrenaline rush. He was still pretty much drenched in sweat (Edit: I can't believe I forgot it was rain when I said this. Chalk it up to tiredness. Everything else stands though), and then he had to basically mind-rape Donna. Guy needs a nap. Anyway, there were glimpses of this when McCoy played the Doctor too, though it wasn't as big a part of the character. Moffat didn't come up with the idea himself, though he definitely made it awesome.

[Ryu Van Burace]

I think it summed up the season - hit and miss. Some amazing moments but at the same time some horribly weak ones. The ending was great though in terms of how it reminded me of the ending to The Incredible Hulk tv series episodes with Banner walking off alone while the theme tune plays.
God. Now I'm going to be going out to pubs instead of watching Dr Who on a Saturday night. >_>
EDIT: oh and things look good for Torchwood if he's on the team.

[Regulus Tera]

Is his character supposed to change from episode to episode so that it doesn't bore you? If the Ninth Doctor were still around, would you be complaining about his fatalism? About McCoy's (the seventh Doctor's) Machiavellian plots? The Doctors have all had defining character traits that have come up every episode. You need more reason to dislike it than it being used repeatedly.

Nine's fatalism was always taken care of. This characteristic of Nine had a purpose, and it was to show how Rose, the most common woman in the universe, affected this mighty omnipotent being and perfected him. Nine's fatalism was very subdued, and every single time it was mentioned it didn't stop at him going all sobby about the Time War, save for the end of Dalek.

I cannot comment on Machiavellian Seven since the only episode I've watched from him was the first of The Curse of Fenrir and it bored me. Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker for the motherfucking win!

This Doctor seems manic/depressive with a bit of PTSD mixed in from committing multiple acts of genocide in a war that spanned god-only-knows how many years. He's not "emo" but he has some moments where he's depressed. It's not like he's sitting in an empty room with a shadow over his face, listening to.... whatever music emo kids are listening to these days; I wanna say SOAD, but that's probably just because I hate SOAD.

Here's the thing:

The Doctor loses Madame de Pompadour, the most important woman in his life of the week™. He reads a letter and goes around the TARDIS, looking solemnly sad and trying to hold back his tears.
The Doctor loses Rose, the most important woman in his life of the week™. He goes around the Tardis, looking solemnly sad and trying to hold back his tears.
The Doctor loses Joan, the most important woman in his life of the week™. He goes outside of her home towards the TARDIS, looking solemnly sad and not saying a single word to her again.
The Doctor loses Astrid, the most important woman in his life of the week™. He looks solemnly sad and goes towards the TARDIS, trying to hold back his tears when he tells random alien guy about her and how much she meant to him.
The Doctor loses Jenny, the most important woman in his life of the week™. He looks solemnly sad, threates to kill a guy (but doesn't), says the stupidest shit ever ("make the foundation of this world a man who never would") while trying to hold back his tears.
The Doctor loses River Song, the most important woman in his life of the week™. He looks solemnly sad, trying to hold back his tears.
The Doctor loses Donna, the most important woman in his life of the week™. He looks solemnly sad, going around the TARDIS while trying to hold back his tears.

It's not that I'm against the Doctor being all gloomy because he lost someone. The Doctor crying over the Master's dead body was magnificent, because he finally broke into tears, accentuating just how much each man meant in the life of the other. But after so many times, there's only so much angst one can endure. I imagine the Doctor's loneliness, the way it is done, is only written in order to satisfy the fangirls (and believe me, there are tons). I'd prefer it if they actually went somewhere with this characteristic of him, but they won't. Whereas Nine's fatalism was a contrast to Rose's optimistic view of life and it eventually led to somewhere (Nine's last speech), the way Ten's loneliness is being portrayed seems like pure fanfiction garbage since it doesn't seem it will lead anywhere.

The Doctor is an icon, and his status as that ensures that some pieces of his character will never change. However, you should space the occurances of these defining traits if you don't want them to become tired. If Nine's fatalism appeared every other week, had Eccleston continued on the role, I would have complained too.

Honestly, I think in this case, it's more a matter of him coming down from a massive adrenaline rush. He was still pretty much drenched in sweat (Edit: I can't believe I forgot it was rain when I said this. Chalk it up to tiredness. Everything else stands though), and then he had to basically mind-rape Donna. Guy needs a nap.

Well, it makes sense for the character to feel like that of course. The problem is that structuring every other story to end like that is going to, eventually, devalue the importance of the characters the Doctor meets in the eye of the viewer. The reason why Donna has to be separated from the Doctor and forget everything about him is just because RTD wrote it like that. He wanted and extra emotional punch to make for the drama. And, in this, I disagree with him. Sad stories are fine, but not every other story should be sad. I'm glad Moffat seems to agree with me.

Maybe I'm irked because of Donna going. It's just that I genuinely liked her. Of course, Doctor Who wouldn't be worth the time if it didn't alienate the fanbase everywhere. :p

Anyway, there were glimpses of this when McCoy played the Doctor too, though it wasn't as big a part of the character.

Should I watch more of McCoy's Doctor? Because it wasn't really his Doctor what bored me, but rather the pacing of the episode.

[Satan's Onion]

I'm just gonna drop this link here (http://beasthouse-lm2.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z&max-results=4) 'cos it has some of my favorite reviews of New Who in possibly ever. I like a lot of what he has to say--but then, I'm a nasty crotchety old thing when it comes to Doctor Who...

[Sky Warrior Bob]

The season ending? I didn't like it.

It seems like the episode goes out of its way to give every companion a really great ending, except Donna who really gets the shaft. And why keep everyone in the dark like that? What if Martha, or any of the others run into Donna? How are you going to keep the secret then?

You couldn't even shack her up w/ her dream husband (the one who couldn't talk). Just a lousy way of dealing with the character.

SWB

[Regulus Tera]

New RTD interview (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7490408.stm):

I think Steven's more than his own man. He doesn't need me at all.

I won't write for it in the future. I'm done with it.

It's time to move on and I'd hate to be just a ghost haunting the corridors that I used to walk.

And who needs me? Because Steve's brilliant and they've got a thousand million plans. I'll just be old news and it's about time.

Not even a small episode? Fuck. :(

I'm just gonna drop this link here (http://beasthouse-lm2.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z&max-results=4) 'cos it has some of my favorite reviews of New Who in possibly ever. I like a lot of what he has to say--but then, I'm a nasty crotchety old thing when it comes to Doctor Who...

The guy's awesome and I've been reading him for years now, but he seriously has an issue with his jealousy for Moffat. :p

Also interesting: he likes the earlier RTD episodes, ie, the ones you hate. I don't know how you cope with that.