Dr Who. II.i

[poliphilo]

Chris Ecclestone was tremendous. The best actor ever to play the role. I miss him.

I admire David Tennant. I thought he was fantabulous in Casanova. He's as good an actor as Ecclestone, but very different. I haven't adjusted yet.

I still say these episodes are too fast. The Big Bad is no sooner established than it's shot down in flames. I'd like to see more time allowed for world-building. More time for the very fine actors they've engaged to just mooch about and be touching and witty.

More time for suspense.

I understand the Beeb are prepared to offer Billie Piper all the Kingdoms of the Earth to stay on board.

As well they might!

Comments

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Judging by the first series, the New Who is using the same device Buffy does re story arcs. You have one major thread which runs through the entire series (for Who last season, Bad Wolf; for Buffy, examples like the Master, Spike, Glory, etc.), and a series of shorter threads handled in one- or two-episode chunks.

I suspect the major arc for this series is going to have a lot to do with the mysterious final message of the Face of Bo (or however you spell that). I think you'll find you get a longer-drawn-out sense of suspense from that.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

You're probably right.

But I hope they make a better fist of it than they did with the BADWOLF thing; I never fully understood what was supposed to be going on there. Something about Rose leaving messages for herself scattered through time and space?

I like Russell's imagination, but I'm less sure of his logistics. I thought the solution to last night's big problem- the doctor splashes coloured water about and everybody gets cured on the spot- was pretty feeble.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Yes, you're right that the denouements are often rather disappointing. Your comments about the Bad Wolf thing bear it out, too. Rose was indeed meant to have left all the references to Bad Wolf for herself when she was 'high' on the power of the TARDIS. But to me, that was a rather lame explanation for it all in the end. I was expecting something much more detailed and complex, and it sounds like you were expecting more, too.

Still, on balance, definitely worth watching.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I love it that the BBC is devoting prime time to quality SF- and that, on the whole, they're doing it so well.

I was 12 when William Hartnell first emerged from the Tardis and I've been a fan ever since.

[qatsi.livejournal.com]

I shall have to go back and check, but I wondered whether the concrete ground in the opening scene didn't have "BAD WOLF" erased from it, the way you can see where graffiti has been removed.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that would be neat! As though, now that the messages Rose left herself have served their purpose, they are subject once again to the normal buffeting of life. Placed there originally by supernatural means, they have become ordinary again, and can be gradually discarded or erased by the people who live around them. Cool.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

If it's there it would be a very nice touch.

[happydog.livejournal.com]

oh, bother, I haven't even made it through the Eccleston episodes yet. Because they're only just now making it to TV over here. I'll have to wait Rassilon knows how long before I get to see em.

Not helping: the teaser trailers featuring the return of Sarah Jane and my beloved K-9.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We haven't seen Sarah-Jane and K9 yet. According to the cover of the Radio Times- which I have pinned to the wall above my computer- they're due to appear in episode 3.

[paroxysma.livejournal.com]

My boyfriend loves Dr. Who, and I have to say I quite enjoy the old black and white episodes.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

My favourite Doctor is Doctor #2- Patrick Troughton.

[tispity.livejournal.com]

Ah I loved the last series, Eccleston was fantastic (though I confess I love him most for doing Revengers Tragedy!) At the moment I don't have TV, and the new series of Doctor Who has been the first thing that's made me miss it.

I guess I've still got all the Tennant stuff to look forward to. The way in which everyone's embraced the Who revival has been wonderful!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Mmm- Revenger's Tragedy. A bit hit and miss, I thought. But the Liverpool locations were fun.

I want Tennant to succeed; I'm rooting for him. But I'm not wholly convinced yet. I find it a little disconcerting that he reminds me so strongly of Kenneth Williams.

[tispity.livejournal.com]

Yeah I loved the locations. I agree that the film is certainly no substitute for the play, but I thought it captured the general debauchery of the court really well. And really, I guess, I was just thrilled to see someone even try to make a film of a non-Shakespeare play from that period.

Feel the same way about Tennant: I desperately want to be won over, but haven't been yet, although there's still plenty of time...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I thought the punk styling was a bit dated.

But lets have more Jacobean plays on film. Why has no-one ever had a go at the Duchess of Malfi?

[seaslug-of-doom.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks for the heads up! I hadn't realized the second new series had started so I'm downloading episode one as we speak.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Glad to be of service :)