TV Gold

I have remained rather quiet regarding this new series. Although I'm highly impressed with it it seems that the obsessive fan comments floating (you can positively drown in story reviews over at www.gallifreyone.com) about has left me feeling rather redundant to offer anything up. However having watched Saturday's episode I really wanted to put down some 'knee jerk' observations about 'The Empty Child'

Just wanted to say that Saturday?s new WHO tale entitled ?The Empty Child? was justifiably the scariest (and for me, probably the best to date) new episode of the reinvigorated series to date. Whilst watching it you can well understand why the broadcasters were rather apprehensive about transmitting it so early in the evening. This is one story that certainly lived up to, and, to an extent exceeded its preceding weeks preview trailer. Certainly jolly unnerving were the scenes in the deserted ?Albion Hospital? with a room full of gas mask wearing patients who suddenly, without warning come alive plus Doctor Constantaine?s traumatic ?facial transformation? sequence.

Also worth noting is the stunningly realised sequence which had Rose hanging to a rope under a barrage balloon flying through the skies of a London blitz night. Real heart in your mouth stuff especially when she dramatically loses her grip and falls only to be inexplicably rescued by Captain Jack Harkness aboard his cool looking cloaked spaceship. An interesting character and the interaction with Rose and later the Doctor I felt worked well.

For me this episode is made all the more sweeter as I?ve found the previous two stories ?The Long Game? and last weeks ?Father?s Day? (which I can only consider at present as ?sentimental twaddle) rather disappointing, but then I guess in such a run you are going to get the odd few duff stories. There is no doubt, in my mind, that ?The Empty Child? is a real ?punch the air with sheer delight? triumph for the new series (returning to the core ?behind the settee? principles of the series better than any other story so far), an excellent unsettling mystery which perfectly leaves the viewer with many questions regarding characters and plot, setting things up for next weeks ?The Doctor Dances? conclusion. I personally can?t wait!
<!--emo&:D-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> <!--emo&:P-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> <!--emo&:)-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->


Maybe here at TV Gold we should just be offering up general 'overview comments' rather than going into intricate detail. Or is it just me on this?????????
<!--emo&:unsure:-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> <!--emo&:blink:-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->

<!--QuoteBegin-Sarah Tarrant+May 23 2005, 11:31 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sarah Tarrant @ May 23 2005, 11:31 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I?ve found the previous two stories ?The Long Game? and last weeks ?Father?s Day? (which I can only consider at present as ?sentimental twaddle) rather disappointing...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Oh.. Sarah, you cold hearted person you <!--emo&;)-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->

I actually really enjoyed 'Fathers Day'. The story wouldn't have seemed out of place as a Twilight Zone episode. It was nice to see Dr Who trying to be kind of serious for a change and at the same time adding a bit of emotion (which I think worked well). Call me sad if you wish but it did almost bring a little tear to my eye at the end!

I read on another forum that Simon Pegg was orignally scheduled to play Rose's father in this episode but due to scheduling problems he couldn't do it and so appeared in the previous episode as the Editor. Personally I think this was a good thing as a recognisable actor would have ruined it.

Haven't seen the 'The Empty Child' yet, its on my Sky+ ready for viewing.

Very impressed thus far. However, I am seeing a trend of loving the episodes not directed by Russell T. Davies.


Chris.

Thought I'd give you something to 'mentally chew over' <!--emo&B)-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->


Although enjoying the new series immensely I would, if I may, like to offer a theory as to why certain Doctor Who fans are so upset at losing the leading actor of the series after only one years run of episodes.

From its initial inception back in 1963 through the eventual cancellation at the end of 1989 we had a regular yearly run of stories offering a comfortable consistency of lead character development and evolution. Looking at it now it is clearly easy to, for example, point to the five years when Jon Pertwee was the third incarnation, the epic seven year term that gave us Tom Baker?s popular fourth aspect of the Time Lord and so on. However cancellation clearly unsettled this established ?changing of the eras? pattern within the series parameters. Although off the air we are led to believe that Sylvester McCoy?s seventh Doctor continued (albeit in a slightly toned down appearance) right through until the 1996 TV Movie. This one off special provided an eighth persona in the form of Paul McGann however there is of course no way to ascertain how and when during those intervening nine years between this film and present day as to the moment of this latest regeneration, thus leaving it open purely for conjecture and speculation.

We have seen Christopher Eccleston as the ninth incarnation of the Doctor in thirteen episodes shown during 2005 however there is no indication as to how far into the life of this body the Time Lord actually is (actual age of the Doctor is, I feel, in general a rather grey area (e.g. new series conflicting with the original series)). Infact I get the perception through certain episodes (?Rose? and ?Aliens of London?) that we are only seeing part of the adventure and that the Doctor has been busy for some time before we join the story. Apparently from the series inception, Russell T Davies had always intended Eccleston to only serve one year on the program and that regeneration would have been an extra special surprise for viewers. This ?supposedly closely guarded secret? however was already leaked just days after the first episode, ?Rose? was transmitted.

The aspect of contention regarding another regeneration so soon after the series has made its triumphant ratings winning return I feel is not merely due to the plans of the production team and Eccleston?s decision to stand down. Through the original series run we have been told that the Doctor can only assume twelve incarnations and the feeling that to lose his ninth persona barely after we have gotten to know him feels like a wasted opportunity to develop this aspect of the lead character beyond the limits of a mere thirteen episodes. Personally I?m trying to take the broader view that in the overall concept of the series the ninth Doctor has lived longer than his screen time this year although such a seemingly rapid change does in the long term shorten the characters ?multiple lives? lifespan.

In saying goodbye to Eccleston, appreciation is certainly due for the impressive and enjoyable performances he has rendered during the 2005 run which has contributed to the undoubted ratings success that the new series has gained this year. It is due, in part to the character and series foundations that he (and the production team and writers) have laid down, that a second season (plus 2005 Xmas special) are now being planned.

Having said all that I indeed welcome the arrival of already highly respected actor David Tennant to the role who has already distinguished himself in such noted productions as ?Casanova? and ?The Quatermass Experiment?. An added bonus of course are his series fan credentials including frequent appearances in ?Big Finish? audio releases and, apparently, as a regular Doctor Who Magazine subscriber. The indications for future commercial success of the Doctor Who franchise are indeed good and I for one look forward to a new contrasting persona in both mannerisms and appearance of this most famous of television heroes.

Anyone agree with this opinion?? <!--emo&:huh:-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->

<!--QuoteBegin-Chris Herbert+May 23 2005, 11:10 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Chris Herbert @ May 23 2005, 11:10 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Very impressed thus far. However, I am seeing a trend of loving the episodes not directed by Russell T. Davies.
Chris.
[right][snapback]402[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Aside from 'The Empty Child' my favourites so far have been 'World War Three' (part two of the Slitheen story), 'Dalek' (cool effects and seeing inside the casing for the first time) and 'Rose' (great fast paced scene setting season opener with the well realised modern Autons). Surprisingly all these have been penned by Russell (who does not occupy the directors chair).

Also aside from the well realised Slitheen (especially in the second episode) credit is certainly due to Penelope Wilton who provides a memorable and enjoyable performance as forthright backbencher 'Harriet Jones - MP for Flydale North'. I have enjoyed Penelope's work on the frankly underrated 'Ever Decreasing Circles' series and amusing 'Clockwise' film so it was most welcome to see her crop up in the new Doctor Who Series.

<!--emo&:)-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->

Just going back briefly to this thing about the Doctor's age. The other evening I turffed out my copy of 'The Power of Kroll' (it's that fifth segment of the Key To Time tale from season 16). In it the Doctor said he was 'just coming up to 750 years old'. Remembering the seventh Doctor saying (in 'Time and the Rani') that he was 953 years old. Next, in the new series, in 'Aliens of London' the Doctor said to Rose that he was 900 years old. Bit of a slip up there I think!

Some quick ?gut reactions? typed straight after this eleventh episode of the 2005 series, on Saturday 4th June.

I have to say that I had mixed feelings about the return of the Slitheen after their two part appearance (?Aliens of London? & ?World War Three?) earlier in the season so approached the eleventh episode with a slight degree of trepidation, thinking it was probably too soon to see this particular adversary return so soon.

This was, in the end, totally unnecessary as I found it an absolutely delightful triumph, applauding during the closing credits with a few tears of happiness welling up at the way that ?Boom Town? had so completely exceeded my expectations.

In this instance there was only one Slitheen and ?Margaret?, for the most part kept her skin firmly in place leading to some marvellous scenes for actress Annette Badland, especially in the restaurant scene with the Doctor (extremely fascinating conversation between two adversaries not engaged in physical combat). There was an evil to combat, a dastardly plot of Cardiff and Earth destruction to foil coupled with more stunning CGI work from the Mill, however the stories strength is in the verbal interaction between the leading cast members. Also memorable is the private conversation between the pushy and knowledgeable reporter and the undisguised ?Margaret?, ending up to be so touching that you almost begin to feel sorrow for this lone Slitheen and her current plight.

On Mickey?s arrival stepping into the TARDIS (currently resting in a beautifully shot sunny (opening scene) Cardiff location) I loved the Doctor, Rose and Jack trio reply to his initial enquiry. The interaction and development of Rose and Mickey?s relationship during this episode was very moving and entirely natural. Clearly the end of their relationship it was only expected with Rose jetting around the universe with the Doctor that Mickey would find someone else. When a slightly tearful Rose rejoins the Doctor and Jack in the TARDIS I shared her emotions and found myself, naturally caught up with watching, rather welling up with tears at the emotion generated primarily her situation but also by the overall strength of the episodes various plot strands over its entire length.

So for the second time in three weeks I find myself saying ?this is the best episode of the entire series? (amazingly outperforming the stunning ?The Empty Child?), adding a true sparkle to another fairly average Saturday and further strengthens my enjoyment of the new series and infact the entire Doctor Who concept in general. In a way I feel a little glad we?ve only got two more weeks to go of this 2005 run, once it has finished I think I?ll need a rather long lie down in a dark room, catching my breath, well until the DVD box set release and Xmas special.

caio
<!--emo&;)-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->

Of course the 'Christopher Eccleston' thirteen part season is still current in the U.S.A., Canada and Australia so any thoughts/reactions from our viewers there is most welcome!
<!--emo&:)-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> <!--emo&:)-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> <!--emo&:)-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->

It rather took me by surprise but BBC3 have just started (17th July) a thirteen week re-run, Sunday nights at 7.00pm of the 2005 series.

Jolly good, whilst waiting for the November box set!! <!--emo&;)-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> <!--emo&;)-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->