Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => Literature, Music, Art & Entertainment => Topic started by: SqueakyVoice on April 21, 2023, 12:23:36 PM

Title: New Doctor Who
Post by: SqueakyVoice on April 21, 2023, 12:23:36 PM
Now looks more like Dr Who than almost any other Dr Who.https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/apr/20/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-millie-gibson-bbc-first-images
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 17, 2023, 10:54:52 PM
Interview with RTD in run up to next weeks special.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/17/russell-t-davies-doctor-who-david-tennant-new-series-bbc-ncuti-gatwa
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 18, 2023, 08:01:32 AM
https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-davros-change-newsupdate/



ApparentIy there was a major change to Davros's portrayal in the Children in Need sketch last night, explained in link above. I can see RTD's reasons. Logically, however, this surely means the end of the Daleks since the 'wheelchair' was representative of Davros and the Daleks similarities. Once you portray that strain of body horror as disablist, and arguably all body horror is, then you emphasise that the Daleks are part of that.

To be honest, given the overuse of them over the series, I won't be upset to see them go. Seems a bit bathetic that their end comes on a Children in Need sketch, though.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Aruntraveller on November 18, 2023, 01:05:24 PM
https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-davros-change-newsupdate/



ApparentIy there was a major change to Davros's portrayal in the Children in Need sketch last night, explained in link above. I can see RTD's reasons. Logically, however, this surely means the end of the Daleks since the 'wheelchair' was representative of Davros and the Daleks similarities. Once you portray that strain of body horror as disablist, and arguably all body horror is, then you emphasise that the Daleks are part of that.

To be honest, given the overuse of them over the series, I won't be upset to see them go. Seems a bit bathetic that their end comes on a Children in Need sketch, though.

I doubt they are gone. I agree about the overuse though. Much the same with the Borg in that other franchise.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on November 18, 2023, 01:17:00 PM
https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-davros-change-newsupdate/



ApparentIy there was a major change to Davros's portrayal in the Children in Need sketch last night, explained in link above. I can see RTD's reasons. Logically, however, this surely means the end of the Daleks since the 'wheelchair' was representative of Davros and the Daleks similarities. Once you portray that strain of body horror as disablist, and arguably all body horror is, then you emphasise that the Daleks are part of that.

To be honest, given the overuse of them over the series, I won't be upset to see them go. Seems a bit bathetic that their end comes on a Children in Need sketch, though.
I can see their point, but if they're saying that no disabled (or black, or Asian, or Muslim, or Jewish) character can ever be portrayed as evil, that is unrealistic and patronising. If you always portray people from a particular minority as being evil, or portray them as evil in a particular way stereotypically associated with that minority, that's another matter, but minorities are no better or worse than the rest of us in general.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 18, 2023, 03:02:53 PM
I doubt they are gone. I agree about the overuse though. Much the same with the Borg in that other franchise.
Oh I don't doubt that they aren't gone but logically given RTD's statements they should be.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 18, 2023, 03:04:59 PM
I can see their point, but if they're saying that no disabled (or black, or Asian, or Muslim, or Jewish) character can ever be portrayed as evil, that is unrealistic and patronising. If you always portray people from a particular minority as being evil, or portray them as evil in a particular way stereotypically associated with that minority, that's another matter, but minorities are no better or worse than the rest of us in general.
I think, as covered, if Davros is 'disabled', then so are the Daleks. If you keep them, then the whole point is missed.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 21, 2023, 07:51:03 PM
Picture of Tom Baker for the 60th anniversary.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 23, 2023, 09:49:46 AM
Obviously as someone only 6 months younger than the Doctor, this horrifies me but I suppose that it really isn't the sacrilege that my instant reaction declared it.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-67499965
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 23, 2023, 11:47:05 AM
And, of course, happy birthday to Who
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on November 23, 2023, 12:04:21 PM
I was 12 60 years ago. I missed the first episode, 60 years ago today, but luckily for me it was so unexpectedly popular that the Beeb did some hasty schedule-rearranging, and repeated it a week later, immediately before the second episode.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 23, 2023, 12:17:19 PM
I was 12 60 years ago. I missed the first episode, 60 years ago today, but luckily for me it was so unexpectedly popular that the Beeb did some hasty schedule-rearranging, and repeated it a week later, immediately before the second episode.
The general thought is that the first episode was repeated because of lack of attention due to Kennedy's assasination the previous day
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on November 23, 2023, 01:11:42 PM
Maybe.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: SqueakyVoice on November 23, 2023, 01:43:24 PM
I think, as covered, if Davros is 'disabled', then so are the Daleks. If you keep them, then the whole point is missed.
In one of Moffat's episodes  Davros created the Dale's and had to keep giving them his own cells (one at a time). He ended up disabled by using up so many that he barely had any cells of his own.
Back in Series one (because I'm  an expert now) the Daleks started a nuclear war and the Dalek's armours were used to protect them from radiation.
In CIN Davros wasn't  disabled, but I doubt that's treated as the Daleks' genesis any more.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 23, 2023, 02:05:20 PM
Glasgow University and Doctor Who


https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/history/fame/thedoctor/
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 23, 2023, 02:22:42 PM
Me, my orangutan, and the TARDIS
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 24, 2023, 01:07:10 PM
And a rather lovely story about the stand in Doctor


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67417110
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on November 24, 2023, 05:30:58 PM
The general thought is that the first episode was repeated because of lack of attention due to Kennedy's assasination the previous day
I've just watched 'An Adventure in Space and Time'* again on iplayer - the drama about the early days of DW, with David Bradley as William Hartnell as the Doctor - and that puts your version of why they repeated episode one. I wonder if the BBC told my version at first, because they didn't want to admit they'd been shafted by the Yanks, but later put out the real version -- or maybe I just assumed it was because it had been so popular, without any evidence.

*The new, slightly altered version, with Ncuti Gatwa replacing Matt Smith at the end, as the new latest Doctor.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: SqueakyVoice on November 24, 2023, 06:16:51 PM
This is one of the fewer earlier bits I remember
Quote
“Do I have the right?” I was five and Tom Baker was deciding whether to blow up the Daleks or not. (Permanentl, from the beginningof timeto the end)
One of better parts, based on philosophy as much as science fiction.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/24/60-years-doctor-who-bbc-part-five (https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/24/60-years-doctor-who-bbc-part-five)
TBH, I'm  not quite sure I did see this when it was first broadcast or in some later (/ celebratory)  parts, but I can remember what I thought he should have done
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: SqueakyVoice on November 24, 2023, 06:26:55 PM
https://youtu.be/RUNLK2oN5c4?feature=shared
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 24, 2023, 07:29:23 PM
Audios of some of the series that are missing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0gnw6dh/episodes/player?page=1
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 24, 2023, 08:53:00 PM
From the vaults of the TARDIS


https://youtu.be/n4hhWiqS7K4?si=ly5sAqy7Y6v98-RE
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on November 25, 2023, 01:28:46 PM
BLIMEY! It's back tonight!  :o
I hope they follow up with a full-length series every year as of yore, which they have signally failed to do for the last few years. I look forward, inter alia, to learning how the Doctor managed to regenerate his clothes as well as his body.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 25, 2023, 01:43:44 PM
BLIMEY! It's back tonight!  :o
I hope they follow up with a full-length series every year as of yore, which they have signally failed to do for the last few years. I look forward, inter alia, to learning how the Doctor managed to regenerate his clothes as well as his body.

I will see how things go. It might be great but the last few lay unwatched for a few months for me.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on November 25, 2023, 02:35:37 PM
I will see how things go. It might be great but the last few lay unwatched for a few months for me.
I felt for the last two or three years that the series was losing its mojo somewhat. Hopefully, it'll regenerate along with the Doctor.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 25, 2023, 02:45:04 PM
I felt for the last two or three years that the series was losing its mojo somewhat. Hopefully, it'll regenerate along with the Doctor.
I can see why they chose to go back to Tennant and Tate. Somewhat incredibly Tate finished as Donna Noble over 15 years ago. Whether the influence of Disney has an effect we'll have to see.

Having watched the 1st series of new Who recently, the excellence of what RTD did stands up. Returning though will be harder.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on November 25, 2023, 07:37:24 PM
Wow!
Quite impressive, with a typically Whovian cliffhanger ending. Donna's daughter is very tall and mature-looking for a girl who can't be more than 14. A bit over-inclusive, what with race, disability and a suggestion, if I understood aright, that Rose is transexual, but this is 2023, after all.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on November 25, 2023, 08:59:15 PM
Guardian review (don't read until you've seen it).
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/25/doctor-who-star-beast-60th-anniversary-special-david-tennant-catherine-tate
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 26, 2023, 09:42:43 AM
Really disappointing, even leaving aside the trans gospel according to RTD, it had his usual deus ex machina solution, the story telling was a mess, and the 'trial' scene both out of character for the Doctor with showboating that led to death of 'good' characters, and no reaction to that, and the new function of the sonic screwdriver would have been useful a thousand times before and removes a lot of future jeopardy

Catherine Tate as usual was good.




Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on November 29, 2023, 07:04:58 PM
One take on it.


https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/11/29/why-is-doctor-who-lecturing-us-about-pronouns/
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Outrider on November 30, 2023, 08:48:36 AM
One take on it.


https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/11/29/why-is-doctor-who-lecturing-us-about-pronouns/

Oh, the irony. "Once the genre dared to hold up a provocative mirror to contemporary society." Like making the beloved hero of a long-standing franchise face up to the realities of contemporary society, where gender identity is one of the rising issues?

O.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on November 30, 2023, 02:16:58 PM
Where's Michael Grade when you need him?
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on November 30, 2023, 08:05:51 PM
I still love it, but they're going a bit overboard with the tokenism - in the last few years, we've had the first female Doctor, the first black Doctor (soon), the first Asian-descended companion, the first supposedly disabled companion (Ryan, who was supposed to have balance and co-ordination problems), the first disabled UNIT person (The scientific advisor last Saturday, who used a wheelchair), and the first disabled companion's companion (Dan's one-armed lady friend). Enough, already! (Also, the first Asian Master, but he's a baddy.) (Oh, and Missy, of course - by far the best Master)
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 03, 2023, 04:45:23 AM
I suspect that given my reaction to last night's episode, and to Strictly, for which see appropriate thread, that I may not have been in the best of moods.


I sat stunned by boredom thinking it must get more exciting, and it did in an incoherent way, which made the boredom somehow worse. It seemed like a bad cross between Midnight and The Doctor's Wife, while trying to be Davies's answer to Heaven Sent. More of a writing exercise than a show.

Nice to see Bernard Cribbins farewell.

Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on December 03, 2023, 07:54:51 AM
Well, I liked it. Not the best DW ever, but well up to average. The opening bit must have been filmed at Woolsthorpe manor, Newton's mother's home, where he was staying to avoid the plague in London when the apple incident occurred. It still exists, now a National Trust property. What's more, a successor to the tree still exists in the grounds: the original blew down in a storm in the early 19th Century, but one branch which touched the ground had rooted, and from it another tree grew.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 03, 2023, 10:16:09 AM
 This is a kinder take than mine but one which I have some sympathy.


https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-wild-blue-yonder-review/
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Aruntraveller on December 03, 2023, 10:45:17 AM
I caught up with both new episodes last night and preferred "Wild Blue Yonder". It was weirder and much less "busy" than the first episode. I also think the cute furry transformation into the vicious furry monster trope is too predictable due to familiarity.

Lovely to see Tate and Tennant back, as well, of course, as the late Bernard Cribbins.

It's not quite firing on all cylinders yet, but my what an improvement on Chibnall's attempts.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 03, 2023, 12:36:35 PM
Coincidentally it was time to watch Midnight in my rewatch of old nu Who. It is one of the best bits of TV ever for me. Lesley Sharpe is incredible in it.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Aruntraveller on December 03, 2023, 12:46:12 PM
Midnight is certainly one of the best of nu who. As you say Sharpe is excellent.

Interesting trivia facts:

David Troughton who is a guest actor on the show is Patrick Troughton's son.

Alice Troughton who directed it is no relation.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 03, 2023, 12:54:15 PM
Midnight is certainly one of the best of nu who. As you say Sharpe is excellent.

Interesting trivia facts:

David Troughton who is a guest actor on the show is Patrick Troughton's son.

Alice Troughton who directed it is no relation.

David Troughton had appeared in classic Who in The Enemy Of The World, and The War Games in minor roles with his dad, and also as King Peladon in The Curse of Peladon with Jon Pertwee.

Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on December 09, 2023, 07:38:04 PM
Just watched the third special. Brilliant! Well, there are no doubt nits to be picked, but I loved it. I thought the Toymaker was Alexander Armstrong, but he turned out to be Neil Patrick Harris.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 09, 2023, 07:42:39 PM
A dropped ball
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on December 09, 2023, 07:53:35 PM
Just read about NP Harris on Wikipedia. He doesn't half look like A Armstrong!
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 09, 2023, 08:52:21 PM
Just read about NP Harris on Wikipedia. He doesn't half look like A Armstrong!
It's weird, possibly because I've watched NPH since Doogie Howser days, it wasn't that obvious to me but you're right especially tonight.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Aruntraveller on December 09, 2023, 10:08:59 PM
Just finished it. Generally very good. The disposal of the Toymaker was a bit too easy but it is in the rules I suppose. I thought NPH was great.

Rather more of the new Doc than I was expecting but that was a welcome change.

After all these years it still managed to surprise me with the regeneration twist.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on December 10, 2023, 08:05:18 PM
Just seen a short video online called '10 big stars who appeared in Doctor Who', or something. One was Brian Cox, who, according to the subtitles, appeared as "the voice of a nude"! (They meant "an Ood".) https://www.msn.com/en-gb/video/news/10-big-stars-you-forgot-appeared-in-the-world-of-doctor-who/vi-AA1lfSPt
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 15, 2023, 03:11:38 PM
Is Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor a 'magical negro'?

https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/12/23996697/doctor-who-the-giggle-bigeneration


Well, it's one view.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Aruntraveller on December 15, 2023, 04:35:24 PM
Is Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor a 'magical negro'?

https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/12/23996697/doctor-who-the-giggle-bigeneration


Well, it's one view.

I think the argument falls at this statement:

Quote
makes it seem as if Davies is trying to placate the contingent of fans who don’t want to accept a queer, Black actor playing the Doctor role by keeping Tennant in the mix.

Whatever his faults (and I have one or two issues with The Giggle even though I mostly enjoyed it) RTD is not faint-hearted. I think he just wanted 10/14 and Donna to have a happy ending. It's as simple as that. The possibility of some kind of spin-off is clearly lurking in the background but that will depend on how well the new Doctor performs for Disney. I think it's a toss-up whether Bi-generation was the correct decision, but it was something new to the franchise and Lord knows it needs some changes to keep it fresh.

I am more worried about the apparent tendency to "cameos" for historical figures which you have alluded to elsewhere. Although I read the other day that one of the episodes in the new series will feature The Beatles fairly prominently, so hopefully not. Odd to think of The Beatles as historical - but we grow old, we shall wear our trousers rolled.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 15, 2023, 04:43:07 PM
I think the argument falls at this statement:

Whatever his faults (and I have one or two issues with The Giggle even though I mostly enjoyed it) RTD is not faint-hearted. I think he just wanted 10/14 and Donna to have a happy ending. It's as simple as that. The possibility of some kind of spin-off is clearly lurking in the background but that will depend on how well the new Doctor performs for Disney. I think it's a toss-up whether Bi-generation was the correct decision, but it was something new to the franchise and Lord knows it needs some changes to keep it fresh.

I am more worried about the apparent tendency to "cameos" for historical figures which you have alluded to elsewhere. Although I read the other day that one of the episodes in the new series will feature The Beatles fairly prominently, so hopefully not. Odd to think of The Beatles as historical - but we grow old, we shall wear our trousers rolled.
Of course The Beatles have already 'appeared' in Doctor Who

https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/The_Beatles


I think that the footage of The Beatles only exists because of Doctor Who, which given the issues of so many episodes of Doctor Who no longer existing has some irony.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 15, 2023, 07:24:57 PM
A hark back to classic Who. 50 years ago was the first appearance of Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith.


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Jane_Smith
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 18, 2023, 11:13:07 AM
The Goblin Song from the Christmas episode which buy as a 'single'.


https://youtu.be/XXgnqGTOXTE?si=MLSfDZjbIjxPmmE3


I may have to boycott the Christmas episode as I  believe there is a goblin king in it but not played by David Bowie.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on December 18, 2023, 12:42:26 PM
I can live with goblins, but I hope Disney isn't going to have any influence, now that they're involved.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 18, 2023, 12:49:39 PM
I can live with goblins, but I hope Disney isn't going to have any influence, now that they're involved.
I'm hoping that a goblin is just for Christmas.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on December 18, 2023, 01:46:38 PM
.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: jeremyp on December 18, 2023, 01:59:07 PM
Midnight is certainly one of the best of nu who. As you say Sharpe is excellent.

Interesting trivia facts:

David Troughton who is a guest actor on the show is Patrick Troughton's son.

Alice Troughton who directed it is no relation.

David Troughton also played the Duke of Wellington in several episodes of Sharpe, although "Lesley Sharp (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesley_Sharp)" is not spelled the same. Sean Bean, who was also in Sharpe, was in Essex Boys with Alex Kingston who was in Doctor Who.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 18, 2023, 02:02:23 PM
.
I think we got one of them for my parents for their 25th wedding anniversary.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 18, 2023, 02:10:40 PM
David Troughton also played the Duke of Wellington in several episodes of Sharpe, although "Lesley Sharp (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesley_Sharp)" is not spelled the same. Sean Bean, who was also in Sharpe, was in Essex Boys with Alex Kingston who was in Doctor Who.
Peter Davison was Wellington in The Nearly Complete and Utter History of Everything
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on December 18, 2023, 02:35:17 PM
If the Duke of Wellington married the dowager Marchioness of Bute, would their kids be called Wellington-Bute?
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 20, 2023, 01:47:28 PM
Documentary on Russell T Davies and Doctor Who. I found it fascinating.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001tl5l/imagine-russell-t-davies-the-doctor-and-me
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Aruntraveller on December 20, 2023, 06:05:23 PM
A reason to argue for Dr Who to be shown every Christmas:

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/doctor-who-festive-specials-linked-to-lower-death-rates?

And don't talk about correlation/causation - it's Christmas - a magical time. (OK I've hit the advocaat early and hard)
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on December 25, 2023, 07:05:13 PM
Well, that was good. Mrs Flood (Anita Dobson) was interesting - I had a feeling from early on that there was more to her than met the eye, and her words at the end - "Never seen a TARDIS before?" - confirmed it. I wonder if she turns out to be a former companion, maybe one originally played by an actress now dead (perhaps Barbara, one of the first two companions).
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 25, 2023, 07:12:57 PM
https://youtu.be/VmW-ScmGRMA?si=TopsqmOm-6R9uJmZ
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 25, 2023, 09:44:02 PM
RIP Richard Franklin who played Captain Yates in classis Who

https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-richard-franklin-dies-newsupdate/
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Steve H on December 26, 2023, 06:44:12 PM
Well, that was good. Mrs Flood (Anita Dobson) was interesting - I had a feeling from early on that there was more to her than met the eye, and her words at the end - "Never seen a TARDIS before?" - confirmed it. I wonder if she turns out to be a former companion, maybe one originally played by an actress now dead (perhaps Barbara, one of the first two companions).
Orrrr...
Maybe she's Ruby herself, about 60 years older. You can do that sort of thing with a TARDIS.
Title: Re: New Doctor Who
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 26, 2023, 07:35:50 PM
Orrrr...
Maybe she's Ruby herself, about 60 years older. You can do that sort of thing with a TARDIS.
Father's Day would make that problematic I'd suggest.

https://www.ign.com/wikis/doctor-who/Father%27s_Day