Doctor Who: season 11

[altariel]

The Time Warrior
altariel: Sarah is cracking from the moment she appears on screen. Also, this story is tremendously well acted and tremendously funny.
mraltariel: It's a shame that everyone knows what a Sontaran looks like, because the helmet-shaped head should be a very funny gag.
altariel: I thought we didn't know what Sontarans looked like. Are you telling me you've seen this before?
mraltariel: Sorry, reality intruded for a moment. I'll make sure that doesn't happen again.

Invasion of the Dinosaurs
altariel: I love this story. I think it's brilliant. Except for the dinosaurs, which are a bit rubbish. But points for trying.
mraltariel: Well, no, only T-Rex and possibly the pterodactyl are truly stinky. The stegosaurus is fine.
altariel: And, really, it's not about dinosaurs.
mraltariel: No, but don't spoil it for everyone.

Death to the Daleks
altariel: I'm sorry, but I had a massive failure of suspension of disbelief whilst watching this one, which really doesn't help when watching Doctor Who. I think it was that stupid Dalek music... Stop singing it, for god's sake! Also, the Daleks are thoroughly pointless. But the little muddy guy was great.
mraltariel: Did I say that I got the Bellal Weetabix card?
altariel: That may have cropped up in conversation. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned that 'The Time Warrior' is your earliest memory of life on this planet.
mraltariel: I thought I'd just get you to do that. 'Death to the Daleks' is one of my favourites and I don't care how bad the space marine corps ENSA troupe are.
altariel: Worst. Commandos. Ever.
mraltariel: Or at least since the Thals in 'Planet of the Daleks'.

The Monster of Peladon
altariel: Hmm.
mraltariel: Oh dear. Even Sarah can't get us out of this one.

Planet of the Spiders
altariel: I think this is about feminism.
mraltariel: I think this is about spiders.
altariel: I know.
mraltariel: That's the problem with the female brain, it overcomplicates things. Here, have a kitten to still your floating womb.


Ranking
Death to the Daleks (only top because of the mraltariel million point bonus)
Invasion of the Dinosaurs
The Time Warrior
Planet of the Spiders
Death to the Daleks (where it should be)
The Monster of Peladon


altariel: So that was Pertwee. I take back everything I have ever said in the past. Including liking 'Inferno'.
mraltariel: As a weekly serial, some of those "over-long" and "boring" stories turn out to be amongst the better ones. Couldn't save 'The Monster of Peladon', though.
altariel: Have we been less irritated by Pertwee than we thought we might? I prefer a less establishment Doctor, but his chemistry with Jo was a delight.
mraltariel: He's also got a stronger streak of Hartnell testiness and childishness than I was expecting, which works well against the UNIT team.
altariel: You were surprised that UNIT weren't in it as much as you'd expected, weren't you?
mraltariel: Yes. You have the impression of all the UNIT regulars being in most of the stories. But they just aren't. And when they do appear, they're often not in a central role. Also, I think the storytelling is quite different from before. It's like they're trying to do 1980s sci-fi film blockbusters.
altariel: But on thruppence ha'penny.
mraltariel: And twice as long.
altariel: The show has settled into a pattern now. I wonder what the new chap will be like.

Comments

[iainjcoleman.livejournal.com]

The new chap's supposed to be Fulton Mackay, isn't he? He'll be great. We've already seen him give a strong dramatic performance in "Doctor Who and the Silurians", but he also has a really sharp comedic touch. It'll be good to see that side of his talent as well.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

You're right, we're in for a treat!

[thanatos-kalos.livejournal.com]

I think the only thing that could've saved 'The Monster of Peladon' would've been for someone to hop into a TARDIS, take the pen (or typewriter) away from the writer, and get someone better to handle the script.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

The allegory is too hamfisted and gets in the way of the story. I like the actor playing the Queen, however.

[fallingtowers.livejournal.com]

altariel: I think this is about feminism.
mraltariel: I think this is about spiders.
altariel: I know.
mraltariel: That's the problem with the female brain, it overcomplicates things. Here, have a kitten to still your floating womb.

*sporfles*

A lot.

Now where can I book your comedy act?

[altariel.livejournal.com]

where can I book your comedy act?

Direct to your friends list, at the end of every season.

[executrix.livejournal.com]

XANDER:We'll be here until Tuesday. Enjoy the veal!

[carl-allery.livejournal.com]

Planet of the Spiders

Wow, it's been such a long time, but he's such a damn hero. *sigh* I've always been torn between this and The Green Death as my favourites (but that may be because it was the only one that got repeated much). And Sarah Jane works so well with the heroic types. Oh, and yes, definitely about the spiders ... ;)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'd be tempted to give 'The Green Death' the edge simply because it doesn't have an entire episode's worth of chase. But I do love the guy playing Lupton... When I was a tiny tot, the "om om" chanting really distressed me, and my dad had to shout, "Lette!" every time somebody said "om".

[tiggymalvern.livejournal.com]

I can never think of much to say about The Monster of Peladon either. Come to think of it, my brain largely erases The Monster of Peladon, that might be why.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

There's not that much to say. It's the same as the other Peladon story, but longer, and not as interesting.

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

And the Ice Warriors are baddies. Boring, boring.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Agree whole-heartedly.

[skywaterblue.livejournal.com]

I find it kind of baffling the new show hasn't done dinosaurs yet. Now that they could be done proper and all. (Apparently it's because of 'Primevil', but pshaw, surely you wouldn't want to do dinosaurs in the modern era again on Who anyway, you'd want to do the Doctor in the Cretaceous or something.)

I still haven't seen Planet of the Spiders. I probably should get on that.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I blame Primeval too. I suppose there's the pterodactyl in Torchwood, but that only makes brief appearances.

'Planet of the Spiders' is certainly worth a watch, even with the episode of padding. We've been watching one episode a day, and that makes such a difference to enjoying the stories - almost as if they're meant to be watched that way!

[sugoll.livejournal.com]

*snerk*

[altariel.livejournal.com]

:-)

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

Sorry, reality intruded for a moment.

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!

Tsk, that pesky reality stuff has no place here.

I hope the new chappie brings it.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

AWOOGA! REALITY ALERT!

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

*takes refuge in the Bunker of the Unreal*

I only made that comment to give you another excuse to use that icon. :-) It is quite possibly the most useful icon ever.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

:-D This one is often useful too!

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

Fuck, yes. Particularly on Wednesdays, although that applies to mine rather than yours, I suspect.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

*sets Garak on Wednesday*

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

I am now going to spend Wednesdays happily imagining what Garak would do when confronted with annoying git of a lecturer.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't be pretty, but it would be extremely watchable.