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So was looking forward to the start of a new season. That was until I watched Partners In Crime. I think this takes the cake for worst of the new Who (even surpassing my previous top loathe Love and Monsters). Unsurprisingly, Russell T. Davies penned this one as well. While I thank the man for bringing the series back, I just wish he'd stop writing scripts.
Re the episode the Doctor and Donna are reunited as they face up against the evils of a new diet pill.
Oh and the shot of that familiar face in the crowd near the end...
Well the season can only get better from here. Pompeii, Sontorans are something to look forward to.
Hmm I expected far worse, have to admit I laughed out loud when she promptly dragged him off to the tardis and most espceially the bit when they noticed each other (and the subsequent scene that happens after this, when you see it you'll know what I mean!)
Yes I have concerns but up to this point we have had one companion who the good dr was mutually interested in then onbe who had a crush on him and now someone who for want of a better description might prove an interesting change in pace for the season.
Anyway take care and all the best!
I quite like Donna as the new companion -love seeing the Doctor all henpecked lol! She would seriously start to do my head in after a while though, it will be funny to see if she has the same effect on the Doctor as the series goes on.
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Hmm I expected far worse, have to admit I laughed out loud when she promptly dragged him off to the tardis and most espceially the bit when they noticed each other (and the subsequent scene that happens after this, when you see it you'll know what I mean!)
Yes I have concerns but up to this point we have had one companion who the good dr was mutually interested in then onbe who had a crush on him and now someone who for want of a better description might prove an interesting change in pace for the season.
Anyway take care and all the best!
Yes to be fair, Donna was much better than expected. Actually she was the best thing out of the episode. That was pleasantly surprising and her relationship to the Doctor is a welcome change for the show (there is something rather odd about a teenager or mid 20s girl falling for a 900 year old alien). The season opener episodes have usually been pretty weak and after the initial aagh I can say that yes there were some good moments (Donna and the Doctor's first scene together and the luggage scene at the end). That said the dreck still clearly outweighs the good but am still looking forward to the rest (I only hope those fatty aliens aren't the big villain for the season finale. Maybe they'll be turned into Daleks that make cute cuddly noises before exterminating!)
You just know they're going to wheel out the Dalek's yet again... *sigh*
Don't get me wrong I LOVE the Dalek's but too much of them just takes away from their overall ultimate scariness and 'Ooooo-factor' for me.
But seeing how RTD will not be able to resist and they're good for ratings...
If so -I suggest the following should happen this series:
Mid-series Dalek episode:
Classic 'nazi' Davros should come back. Somehow the old nutter goes about gathering his remaining 'children' from across space/time (Daleks then go back to old school 'nazi-stormtrooper-grey-colour-scheme' and attempt to capture the T.A.R.D.I.S)
Last two finale episodes of forth series of 'Nu-Who':
Davros and his Daleks finally break into the T.A.R.D.I.S killing the current Doctor (Tennant -who I think is on his last regeneration meaning he is out of lives anyway and really 100% dead!) and the evil pepper pots then take control of the T.A.R.D.I.S!
The Doctors companions somehow manage to escape into the bowls of the T.A.R.D.I.S. (remember the T.A.R.D.I.S is kinda like a infinite pocket plane of corridors and rooms all of its own) and carry the Doctors body away with them. (Kind of like a Doctor Who version of Die Hard)
The companions dont understand why the Doc isn't regenerating...
After a cat and mouse game of survival in the T.A.R.D.I.S one of the Companions finds a gallifreyan computer console and tries to contact someone for help...
Then Romana turns up* (played by someone awesome and beautiful yet strangely 'off' and unearthly like um... Rie Rasmussen, Tilda Swanson or Bjork) and she tells the companions that they must search for a *plot device* to give the Doctor more regenerations.
Then after a fantastic race for the *plot device* against the Daleks and Davros the doctor is made whole once more Yay!
Cue Robert Carlyle or Micheal Sheen as the new Doctor...
Davros escapes into the bowls of the T.A.R.D.I.S!
*I wonder if a T.A.R.D.I.S can go in a T.A.R.D.I.S?
*I wonder if a T.A.R.D.I.S can go in a T.A.R.D.I.S?
I can't believe I know this (hellooooo sad), but yes, although the results are suboptimal.
If they really are bringing Rose back (which I hope they aren't, because Donna owns), I'd like to see them use her in the same way as Compassion.
There was an episode where the Master's TARDIS was inside the doctor's well it was one or the other anyway Tegan's aunt was killed in that episode by means of that tissue weapon the Master was using back then.
Having the doctor gob smacked for once would make it a hell of a way for the series to come to a climax after all perhaps the last dalek went looking for davros perhaps?
Partners in Crime. Pretty well done actually. One of Russell's better scripts (this from a guy who didn't like a lot of his season 1 and 2 stuff). It much lighter than some of the previous stories making it a nice change of pace and perfect for reintroducing Donna. Loved the evil Mary Poppins (who can't quite fly on her own) riff, the cubical scene, Donna's grandfather missing the alien invasion, and the other previously mentioned laugh out loud moments. All in all a fun watch.
As to those of you who didn't like, all I have to say is that I'm reporting you for madness.
;)
GGG
So Vic what did you think? This is a "series 4" thread not a "4th ed." thread so I expect some Paizo Whovians to stop by. ;)
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Yes, I noticed that too (well, I remembered Caecilius's name, but not the others). It could be that he was a real person in Pompeii 2000 years ago.
Easter egg by the production team, they flat out admit it in the behind the scenes show. (can't remember whether it was the script writer or Russel who stashed it though.)
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I quite like Donna as the new companion -love seeing the Doctor all henpecked lol! She would seriously start to do my head in after a while though, it will be funny to see if she has the same effect on the Doctor as the series goes on.
"Donna Love...would you look outside to see if the light on top of the TARDIS is still flashing?"
"Isnt that dangerous Doctor?""Nah! its OK! The Forcefield will protect you from the Timefield..."
Ten minutes later: "AAAAaaaaa.......!"
"Ah! There! The annoying noise is gone."
*I wonder if a T.A.R.D.I.S can go in a T.A.R.D.I.S?
I can't believe I know this (hellooooo sad), but yes, although the results are suboptimal.
I thought doing that brought about rather bad things, like blasting a hole in space-time the exact size of Belgium, if the accidental meeting between the Fifth and Tenth Doctors is any indication.
like blasting a hole in space-time the exact size of Belgium
Hence the suboptimal. :)
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Haven't seen it yet, but my two c-bills and theories.
Saw this regards the final episode of season 4 "Journey's End:
Chief Technical Officer
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I have to agree that "Partners in Crime" is one of the worst episodes of the new run, though I did like quite a few individual moments:
However, ultimately, the script was a reskinned "Invasion of the Bane" (the first Sarah Jane Adventures episode) with a spin cribbed from the Torchwood novel Slow Decay. It also wins the "least threatening villains" and "cutest monsters" awards.
On the other hand, "Fires of Pompeii" was all kinds of great:
I wonder if the Shadow Proclamation is this year's Bad Wolf?
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The Shadow Proclamation has been mentioned before, by the 9th Doctor in "Rose", by Rose in "Christmas Invasion", and most recently in "Partners in Crime" and "Fires of Pompeii."
More (but still very little) info here.
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Chief Technical Officer
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The Shadow Proclamation has been mentioned before, by the 9th Doctor in "Rose", by Rose in "Christmas Invasion", and most recently in "Partners in Crime" and "Fires of Pompeii."
More (but still very little) info here.
I know... and Torchwood was mentioned in "Bad Wolf" before becoming the easter egg for series 2, and Mr. Saxon was mentioned in "Love and Monsters" before becoming the easter egg for series 3...
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Chief Technical Officer
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Hmm. According to Wikipedia, here's what Russell has said about the arc for series 4:
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So had a chance to watch Fires of Pompeii. A big upwards shift from the season-opener. The intro scene was a wonderful classic Who hook (It's volcano day) only ruined by the anemic new theme (please the older one had a lot more of an oomph). Spoilers ahead.
So the story unfolds we meet an interesting cast, cultists, fiery earth elementals etc. The supporting actor playing Lucius Dextrus was suitably creepy and arrogant. An intriguing setup with the emergence of alien technology, and a nice dilemma re the predestination of the city's destruction. A fairly convincing Pompeii to boot.
I'm quite surprised to say that I'm beginning to quite like Donna as a companion. A nice shift for the series and their bickering, comical relationship works splendidly.
A nice setup and progress do end up becoming marred by a rather standard destroy the world plot. The Doctor's decision near the end, while I sensed they were trying to make a big dramatic moment just didn't have much resonance. I like David Tennant and it is perhaps unfair but I can't help but feel that Peter Davison, Jon Pertwee or Tom Baker would have had a bit more gravitas before hitting that switch. Donna tearing and wailing seemed to undermine the scene. A more restrained shellshock feel would've had more impact I think.
Their escape another fairly uninspired bit but the destruction of Pompeii itself was suitably cataclysmic.
The last shot of the household gods was another nice classic touch.
So I'd say this episode gets a solid OK. Can't help but feel that more could have been done with the material..
As for speculations re the season arc; only thing I've picked up on is the planets of these aliens dissapearing. The Doctor doesn't seem to understand why and there's no mention of the time war. First happened with the pokemon things in the season opener and then again in Pompeii. Something to do with the parallel dimension the Doctor sealed off? Well it'll all end with Daleks I'm sure.
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Chief Technical Officer
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So I thought "Planet of the Ood" and "The Sontaran Stratagem" were both fine, but I'm sad that I haven't come close to being blown away by any episode this season yet.
I wonder if the Shadow Proclamation is this year's Bad Wolf?
We've now also had three mentions of the Medusa Cascade in the first four episodes this season (it was also mentioned once last season).
Curse you American dollar! I'm already plotting for next year when the Euro downturns.
This season is hitting on all cylinders.
The real bonus is that my daughter has taken to watching episodes with me -- and she's hooked!
Daddy and Daughter time with Doctor Who. Can't beat it.
Tennant's manic Doctor drives me a bit crazy. Donna Noble is annoying enough to throw out the airlock.
Together, they work beautifully -- I don't know why.
It's renewed my interest in the show.
I was really ready to loathe her but there is something about the two of them that works really well - it seems as well that as usual the series picks up as it progresses - but was that rose I saw in an insert for about a second last night?
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Having seen both parts of the Sontaran story the season continues on a good trajectory. The Sontarans were well done. They seemed much more charismatic than I recall in the original series (which I remember them mostly as just deep breathing brutes in helmets). The story had some fine moments (tennis ball to the probic vent) and I enjoyed it but nothing really blew me away. A pretty standard Whovian invasion of earth story. I'd like to see them taking more risks with their scripting and try something different (the trailers for the next episode seem to fit that bill. Whether it works or not remains to be seen).
The trio of Martha, Donna and the Doctor should be interesting.
I was really ready to loathe her but there is something about the two of them that works really well - it seems as well that as usual the series picks up as it progresses - but was that rose I saw in an insert for about a second last night?
Oh yes it was.
Curious but not as curious as to what happened at the end of the episode though...
Those who watched it know what I'm talking about!
So far I'd say I don't dislike Donna nearly as much as I was afraid I would. The only problem is she tends to jabber on a mile a minute, just like the Doctor does. Hard for an American to follow what's being said sometimes.
I've liked all the eps so far this season except the Pompeii one, which fell a bit flat for me.
The other day, I made the claim that a single episode of the current edition of Doctor Who probably costs more to produce than the entire run of the first three Doctors did, combined. I wonder if I'm correct in that.
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I thought doing that brought about rather bad things, like blasting a hole in space-time the exact size of Belgium, if the accidental meeting between the Fifth and Tenth Doctors is any indication.*I wonder if a T.A.R.D.I.S can go in a T.A.R.D.I.S?
I can't believe I know this (hellooooo sad), but yes, although the results are suboptimal.
We didn't get to see the 5th/10th Doctor episode in the U.S...at least not yet or that I know of. I'm not up on the story there...BUT...back during the Baker years there was an episode where the Master's Tardis was inside the Doctor's Tardis...I don't remember any space time explosion thing happening there. I'll have to do some research in my books.
I didn't like Tate all that much in the beginning. Her sketch show took some time to grow on me. I do like her on the show though. I agree that "Partners" was kind of a Meh...but again...Tate (Donna) is growing on me. I agree that I like the henpecking as well so far.
I do hope that they get off this Rose thing this season.
Has anybody seen or read any of the rumors about Tennant leaving the show?
We didn't get to see the 5th/10th Doctor episode in the U.S...at least not yet or that I know of.
It's not a real full-length episode...it was an online-only short made for charity, and takes place just after Martha leaves at the end of series 3 and just before the Titanic crashes into the TARDIS to start series 4.
You can see the 5th/10th Doctor short here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2007/3cin.shtml
Has anybody seen or read any of the rumors about Tennant leaving the show?
I thought he was going to do series 4, and then some specials in lieu of series 5, and then he was out. I don't know if that's still the plan.
The Doctor is getting close to running out of regenerations. Or does that restriction no longer apply now that Gallifrey is gone?
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Chief Technical Officer
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Disappointed, vaguely, in the 5th episode of the new season, in that I felt the story could have done with two episodes, to examine and develop some of the character interactions more, instead of being crammed into just the one. Not sure if they're setting themselves up for another potential spin-off series or have introduced a character who will return later in the season.
Still, some nice thoughts on some of the crazy things which can happen when use of particularly advanced technology gets dragged into warfare.
I do believe you're talking about the 6th episode, the title of which I won't spoil.
I love love LOVED Jenny! This was, by far, the best episode of the season. Unlike Andrew, I've been mildly disappointed by every episode *but* Fires of Pompeii; episode 6 was the first time I felt like everything was clicking. (And the season's halfway over!)
I'd take all the Tennant departure rumors with a big grain of salt. Every time he says "I'm staying through at least X," the press decides that that means he's leaving after X.
Seriously, the whole point of taking next year off (except for the three specials) is to let him and Russell recharge their batteries. Not much point in recharging them if you're not going to do anything with them the following season....
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Chief Technical Officer
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It's not a real full-length episode...it was an online-only short made for charity, and takes place just after Martha leaves at the end of series 3 and just before the Titanic crashes into the TARDIS to start series 4.
You can see the 5th/10th Doctor short here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2007/3cin.shtml
All correct, except it wasn't online only. It was broadcast as part of the annual Children in Need appeal.
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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I'm watching on the sci-fi channel, so I just saw the Sontaran Strategem, and I'm a bit behind the curve compared to those watching BBC. While I liked the episode, were the Sontarans ALWAY that short? I couldn't help but think that they all had Napoleon complexes. I remember them as being the size of a linebacker, but it's been a long time since I've seen an episode with one.
Did anyone notice the actor who played General Cobb in Episode 6. It was Nigel Terry, who played King Arthur in the movie Excalibur
Man, am I getting old!!!
OMG, Steven Moffat has assassinated Russell Davies and seized the throne of Who-dom! Err, I mean, read the announcement:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7411177.stm
This is good news, IMO, as Moffat was by far the better writer and designer. Let's knock it up another notch: bam!
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Chief Technical Officer
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However, the trailer for next week looks much cooler though.
Sadly, "next week" is really *next* week—there's no episode this week because of the Eurovision contest.
I've been a bit worried about Russell leaving—he said a few months ago that he'd already set a date, and it seemed obvious that it was going to be either right before or right after the next full season.
I know a lot of folks criticize Russell on the basis of his scripts, and I'll admit that several of his stories have been among my least favorite episodes of the new series (though a couple of them have been among the best). Sure, some of his plots are silly, but he does understand the power of the moment, and I suspect that when you see a great scene with two or three characters sharing a personal dialogue, Russell is often responsible, regardless of the name on the script. This show simply wouldn't be nearly as good as it is if he hadn't been the one to bring it back. He's loaded the cast and crew with tremendous talent, and he's got both the BBC and the viewing public to stop laughing at the notion of Doctor Who.
So, anyway, I was pretty worried about him going. Fortunately, I think that in Steven Moffat they have chosen one of only a couple of people that could possibly have assuaged my worries. I think he may "get it" even more than Russell. He's had the best stories on the season for three years running: The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances in series 1, The Girl in the Fireplace in series 2, and Blink in series 3.
At any rate, I'm really happy about this news.