Doctor Who

[John Drake]

On 18/05/2024 at 01:11, Sidi Fidi Gold said:

No spoilers but Moffat's episode was superb.

I agree, it was.

Also nice to see Moffat and RTD in conversation about the show behind the scenes on Doctor Who Unleashed on BBC Three.

No matter how hard some people try to pit one against the other in terms of their ability or suitability to write for the show, they clearly have a huge amount of respect for each other and still enjoy working with each other.

It's funny to see some people now saying Moffat should return as showrunner, after he was slagged off almost every day of the period he was the showrunner in certain quarters! 

Some Doctor Who fans will never be happy.

[Futtocks]

Quotes without attributions are not helpful. Counterproductive, more like.

I did stumble across a YouTube channel recently that is mostly very angry about Doctor Who and every single video title has the word "BACKLASH" in capitals somewhere.

I didn't bother watching any of his content, for some reason. But some people might want to search it out and post some quotes.

Edited May 20, 2024 by Futtocks

[Sidi Fidi Gold]

56 minutes ago, John Drake said:

I agree, it was.

Also nice to see Moffat and RTD in conversation about the show behind the scenes on Doctor Who Unleashed on BBC Three.

No matter how hard some people try to pit one against the other in terms of their ability or suitability to write for the show, they clearly have a huge amount of respect for each other and still enjoy working with each other.

It's funny to see some people now saying Moffat should return as showrunner, after he was slagged off almost every day of the period he was the showrunner in certain quarters! 

Some Doctor Who fans will never be happy.

RTD and Moffat would make a good comedy double act, also don't forget Chibnall, all 3 are good mates.

Personally, I don't think Moffat would come back as show runner for that very reason you mentioned, Something that has annoyed me is hearing people say " Moffat writes much better stories when he is a guest writer than when he is show runner" what a load of rubbish.

Anyway, its good to see that Moffat has written the up coming Christmas special, also, next weeks episode looks really good,

[Sidi Fidi Gold]

1 hour ago, Futtocks said:

Quotes without attributions are not helpful. Counterproductive, more like.

I did stumble across a YouTube channel recently that is mostly very angry about Doctor Who and every single video title has the word "BACKLASH" in capitals somewhere.

I didn't bother watching any of his content, for some reason. But some people might want to search it out and post some quotes.

This has been going on for years but really intensified when Jodie Whittaker took over and has continued into Ncuti's reign.

[Futtocks]

27 minutes ago, Sidi Fidi Gold said:

This has been going on for years but really intensified when Jodie Whittaker took over and has continued into Ncuti's reign.

On one of the social media platforms last week, someone unearthed an absolutely furious letter to (I think) the Radio Times about the new Doctor at the time, one Patrick Troughton.

[unapologetic pedant]

4 hours ago, John Drake said:

I don't know where you lifted these quotes from, but they illustrate quite the difference of opinion there about the same TV show, in the space of a few days.

Both times, just headlines that popped up in quick succession in my news feed. Could be dismissed as clickbait. Nonetheless, does mirror the contrast between you and @HawkMan.

[unapologetic pedant]

4 hours ago, Futtocks said:

I did stumble across a YouTube channel recently that is mostly very angry about Doctor Who and every single video title has the word "BACKLASH" in capitals somewhere.

The Doctor Who format is evidently timeless and protean. The pendulum could swing back. If some fans are angry (they might see themselves as disappointed), could be due to a melancholy perception that mainstream media narratives are moving irreversibly in one direction.

[unapologetic pedant]

3 hours ago, Futtocks said:

On one of the social media platforms last week, someone unearthed an absolutely furious letter to (I think) the Radio Times about the new Doctor at the time, one Patrick Troughton.

5 hours ago, Futtocks said:

Quotes without attributions are not helpful. Counterproductive, more like.

As opposed to a random allusion to a letter written by an anonymous someone and posted on social media by another anonymous someone. With no quotes, never mind attributions. Exceedingly productive.

[unapologetic pedant]

5 hours ago, Futtocks said:

I did stumble across a YouTube channel recently that is mostly very angry about Doctor Who and every single video title has the word "BACKLASH" in capitals somewhere.

I didn't bother watching any of his content, for some reason. But some people might want to search it out and post some quotes.

Quite right. Don't sully yourself. Very Daily Mail -

"Disgusting and Appalling". Read just how disgusting and appalling on pages 2,3,6,7,8,11 and 17.

[John Drake]

11 hours ago, Sidi Fidi Gold said:

RTD and Moffat would make a good comedy double act, also don't forget Chibnall, all 3 are good mates.

Personally, I don't think Moffat would come back as show runner for that very reason you mentioned, Something that has annoyed me is hearing people say " Moffat writes much better stories when he is a guest writer than when he is show runner" what a load of rubbish.

Anyway, its good to see that Moffat has written the up coming Christmas special, also, next weeks episode looks really good,

I think a lot of the criticism aimed at the show doesn't stand up to much scrutiny.

When RTD was running it in his first stint, he was relentlessly slagged off in some quarters for poor writing, despite its huge success.

'Put Moffat in charge' was the demand. Then Moffat was put in charge, and critics spent almost his entire tenure claiming his poor writing was ruining the show.

Moffat leaves, Chibnall arrives, fresh from winning a BAFTA for Broadchurch, and the critics' chorus went into overdrive, with claims of, you guessed it, poor writing ruining the show.

The cry goes up 'Bring back RTD!'

And then RTD surprisingly does come back, having garnered huge critical acclaim for his work outside Doctor Who, to be met by vociferous fans (or ex-fans who say they don't watch it anymore, so how do they know) saying his poor writing is ruining the show (just for a change) and he should be replaced by... Moffat!

It's a vicious (often literally, in terms of the nasty comments) circle. 

Truth is, some episodes are always going to be better than others. The show's format is so insanely flexible; it changes every week. That's not unique to the modern series, it's happened since year dot. The Daleks' Masterplan is a classic example. Over the course of its 12 weekly episodes in 1965/66, different writers introduced and killed off two companions, and had a daft Christmas episode in the middle of it where the Doctor breaks the fourth wall and wishes viewers at home a Merry Christmas.

Imagine if the internet had existed back then what the critics would have made of all that! 

[John Drake]

13 hours ago, Futtocks said:

I did stumble across a YouTube channel recently that is mostly very angry about Doctor Who and every single video title has the word "BACKLASH" in capitals somewhere.

I didn't bother watching any of his content, for some reason. But some people might want to search it out and post some quotes.

Avoid at all costs.

Minutes of your life you will never get back.

[Sidi Fidi Gold]

2 hours ago, John Drake said:

I think a lot of the criticism aimed at the show doesn't stand up to much scrutiny.

When RTD was running it in his first stint, he was relentlessly slagged off in some quarters for poor writing, despite its huge success.

'Put Moffat in charge' was the demand. Then Moffat was put in charge, and critics spent almost his entire tenure claiming his poor writing was ruining the show.

Moffat leaves, Chibnall arrives, fresh from winning a BAFTA for Broadchurch, and the critics' chorus went into overdrive, with claims of, you guessed it, poor writing ruining the show.

The cry goes up 'Bring back RTD!'

And then RTD surprisingly does come back, having garnered huge critical acclaim for his work outside Doctor Who, to be met by vociferous fans (or ex-fans who say they don't watch it anymore, so how do they know) saying his poor writing is ruining the show (just for a change) and he should be replaced by... Moffat!

It's a vicious (often literally, in terms of the nasty comments) circle. 

Truth is, some episodes are always going to be better than others. The show's format is so insanely flexible; it changes every week. That's not unique to the modern series, it's happened since year dot. The Daleks' Masterplan is a classic example. Over the course of its 12 weekly episodes in 1965/66, different writers introduced and killed off two companions, and had a daft Christmas episode in the middle of it where the Doctor breaks the fourth wall and wishes viewers at home a Merry Christmas.

Imagine if the internet had existed back then what the critics would have made of all that! 

And people wondered why they struggled to find a show runner to replace Chibnall.

[unapologetic pedant]

These NuWho YouTuber refuseniks are a wee bit hyperbolic and trite. No worse than some of the fawning admirers. Quite amusing how easily they attract angry woke gammons like moths to a flame. They'd have a whale of a time on TRL politics sub-forum.

[John Drake]

73 Yards. Wow. Loved that. Very spooky episode. Not least that it was filmed 18 months ago, includes a section about a dangerous politician running to become PM, and airs in the exact week a 'surprise' General Election has been called!

I didn't know it was a Doctor-lite episode in advance, which made it all the more intriguing, wondering when he was going to show up and save the day, until he didn't. 

Millie Gibson was great in this. To carry a whole episode, in only her fifth story, really very impressive. 

[Spidey]

4 hours ago, John Drake said:

73 Yards. Wow. Loved that. Very spooky episode. Not least that it was filmed 18 months ago, includes a section about a dangerous politician running to become PM, and airs in the exact week a 'surprise' General Election has been called!

I didn't know it was a Doctor-lite episode in advance, which made it all the more intriguing, wondering when he was going to show up and save the day, until he didn't. 

Millie Gibson was great in this. To carry a whole episode, in only her fifth story, really very impressive. 

I enjoyed it much more than last week. It’s always a bit of bedding in time for me with a changing of the guard. I think I’m there now

[Sidi Fidi Gold]

On 26/05/2024 at 10:25, John Drake said:

73 Yards. Wow. Loved that. Very spooky episode. Not least that it was filmed 18 months ago, includes a section about a dangerous politician running to become PM, and airs in the exact week a 'surprise' General Election has been called!

I didn't know it was a Doctor-lite episode in advance, which made it all the more intriguing, wondering when he was going to show up and save the day, until he didn't. 

Millie Gibson was great in this. To carry a whole episode, in only her fifth story, really very impressive. 

I completely agree, very spooky, emotional and some dark themes at times, particularly the one it was implying between the politician and the Marty girl.

Millie's been great from word go but as you say, she was phenomenal.

John, I thought you would have mentioned The Doctors outfit, I think he must have raided Nardole's wardrobe, I hope the 12th Doctor doesn't meet him while he dressed like that, otherwise he'll be sending him to Birmingham for a packet of crisps. This isn't a criticism of the outfit, its just that it has Nardole written all over it

[John Drake]

On 27/05/2024 at 19:32, Sidi Fidi Gold said:

John, I thought you would have mentioned The Doctors outfit, I think he must have raided Nardole's wardrobe, I hope the 12th Doctor doesn't meet him while he dressed like that, otherwise he'll be sending him to Birmingham for a packet of crisps. This isn't a criticism of the outfit, its just that it has Nardole written all over it

I hadn't thought about it, but now you've mentioned it, I can't stop thinking about it! 

At least the Doctor was dressed appropriately for the Welsh weather. Poor Ruby looked frozen. 

I'm now patiently waiting for the 'Doctor in Duffle Coat' figure to be released by Character Options. 

[Sidi Fidi Gold]

50 minutes ago, John Drake said:

I hadn't thought about it, but now you've mentioned it, I can't stop thinking about it! 

At least the Doctor was dressed appropriately for the Welsh weather. Poor Ruby looked frozen. 

I'm now patiently waiting for the 'Doctor in Duffle Coat' figure to be released by Character Options. 

Just imagine if they put out a figure for every outfit he wears.

Talking about Millie, apparently 73 Yards was the first episode she filmed.

[John Drake]

12 hours ago, Sidi Fidi Gold said:

Just imagine if they put out a figure for every outfit he wears.

I'm hoping they do. I'd buy the set! 

Come on Character Options, take my money!! 

[Spidey]

Broke with tradition and watched this weeks episode on iPlayer this morning. Felt a bit black mirror-ish, of which I’m a fan so did like it. No spoilers from me yet

[unapologetic pedant]

"Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa tops The Independent Pride List 2024 of queer change-makers"

Sweet Lord!

Suppose nobody is to blame for guff-and-gush blurbs and puff pieces. Even so.

[John Drake]

On 01/06/2024 at 14:36, Spidey said:

Broke with tradition and watched this weeks episode on iPlayer this morning. Felt a bit black mirror-ish, of which I’m a fan so did like it. No spoilers from me yet

Dot and Bubble was another great episode.

I loved the Black Mirror style, and the ending, wow, proper gut punch.

[John Drake]

Also posted this in the Obituary thread, but worth adding here:

Farewell Ian Chesterton, played by William Russell who has died aged 99, one of the original companions when the show began in 1963, and who also appeared playing the same character in Jodie Whittaker's swansong in 2022.

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2024/jun/04/william-russell-obituary

[gingerjon]

Anyone on here want to make an offer?

 

[Shadow]

2 hours ago, gingerjon said:

Anyone on here want to make an offer?

 

Let’s start a crowdfunder for Webby to buy them