Doctor Who 50th Anniversary (and general series discussion)

[afleitch]

Yes!

[Silent Hunter]

Trivia fans should note that Peter Capaldi is the second-oldest actor to play the Doctor.

[Dereich]

If you want to see something sad:

http://i.imgur.com/b6kkCYI.png

These people are definitely not going to be happy. I like the decision though, I understand he's a very good actor.

[afleitch]

I hope he keeps his accent.

[MasterJedi]

Great choice for the next doctor. Was ready for an older doctor again. The fangirls are dying though. Great video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45d8kn5hApg

The edited clip of Peter Capaldi at the end is perfect for the reaction.

[Dr. Cynic]

This keeps showing up on my Facebook feed.... The fact that I don't really like the show means that it's starting to drive me crazy.

[afleitch]

Great choice for the next doctor. Was ready for an older doctor again. The fangirls are dying though. Great video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45d8kn5hApg

The edited clip of Peter Capaldi at the end is perfect for the reaction.

I'm glad their ship is sinking.

You've obviously seen the NSFW spoof video; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Blf073f2Lc

The final line (the err non sweary line) actually is quite a good show of his range.

[afleitch]

In all seriousness, this is a very good indication of his work;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOiW4R2uNTs

[NewYorkExpress]

Daniel Radcliffe for Doctor #13!

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Capaldi is a fine actor and exactly the sort of change of direction that the show needs right now. Hopefully the writing - especially at a narrative level - sharpens up in response.

[afleitch]

Capaldi is a fine actor and exactly the sort of change of direction that the show needs right now. Hopefully the writing - especially at a narrative level - sharpens up in response.

I agree. Capaldi is the sort of class of actor (Hugh Laurie, Richard E Grant etc) who was touted back when the show was revived but it wouldn't have worked. It needed someone like Eccleston to ground it and Tennant and Smith to play with it. The problem is it is starting to feel a little tired. Don't get me wrong the last series in comparison to some of the fluff that Tennant had to do and in comparison to other TV shows was excellent but formulaic and TV is on the ascendancy in terms of quality and expectation.

Doctor Who is a show to be watched when you want to watch it. Capaldi is the sort of actor that should excite people who want to write for him and he won't fail to deliver. It may shed some of it's more vacuous...um...lonely fat girl audience (perhaps not) but should hopefully win back say the 'mums' (who are quite an important audience to hold) who perhaps were not as enthusiastic about a show manned by twenty-somethings even though the story quality was exceptional (particularly in Smith's first year)

[Goldwater]

What are everybody's thoughts on the Doctor Who movie? I just watched it for the first time on BBC America.

[Silent Hunter]

What are everybody's thoughts on the Doctor Who movie? I just watched it for the first time on BBC America.

Not brilliant - any series would have needed to improve considerably.

I felt it worth bumping as this thread as it's not every day nine missing episodes turn up at once...

[politicallefty]

I felt it worth bumping as this thread as it's not every day nine missing episodes turn up at once...

Apparently, it's the biggest find since The Tomb of the Cybermen (which was an excellent serial) was found in 1991. I don't know how good these serials are, but it's great that they have been found. I really liked what I've seen of the Second Doctor, especially The Invasion.

[Silent Hunter]

I felt it worth bumping as this thread as it's not every day nine missing episodes turn up at once...

Apparently, it's the biggest find since The Tomb of the Cybermen (which was an excellent serial) was found in 1991. I don't know how good these serials are, but it's great that they have been found. I really liked what I've seen of the Second Doctor, especially The Invasion.

Bigger than that - that was only four episodes. It's the biggest in three decades.

"The Web of Fear" had a strong rep, although "The Enemy of the World" was slightly weaker - but those who have seen the latter (#2 on UK iTunes - "Web" is #1) have enjoyed it considerably.

[politicallefty]

Ah, I think I would like to see The Web of Fear. It's actually the serial that introduces Lethbridge-Stewart (even though his actual introduction in episode 3 remains missing).

From what I've read, there seem to be a lot of rumours of more missing episodes being found in Africa. I certainly hope that's true, particularly when it comes to the Dalek and Cybermen stories. Personally, I especially hope they find The Power of the Daleks (the first Second Doctor serial), which is currently entirely missing.

[afleitch]

So. Yeah, really not long now

[afleitch]

Watch minisode. Now.

[Silent Hunter]

Watch minisode. Now.

Did not see that coming.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Happy Whoday!

Just watched the anniversary episode. I can't say I was amazed, but it wasn't bad either. Earlier, I would have expected something more grandiose, but after Moffat brought the show to its knees with season 6, I'm decently satisfied with what he's done since season 7. The episode was... weird, it had its deal of WTF moments, but on balance it was a nice take. A bold move to address a centerpiece of the story was necessary on such an occasion, and the episode managed to address it in a pretty moving way. The ending was pretty heartening.

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

I've been vocal in considering the destruction of Certain Planets to have been a bad storytelling idea since about 2007 so I'm definitely pleased on that level, and Hurt and Capaldi were fantastic. I still need to sort through my thoughts on some of the specifics.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I liked the (necessary) backstory updating. A programme like this has to stay fresh and the whole 'woe is me for I am the last of my kind' thing - which worked at first, don't forget - wore thin years ago. Not impressed with the story used as a vehicle to get to that point, mind... still, the guests were good fun.

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

I liked the (necessary) backstory updating. A programme like this has to stay fresh and the whole 'woe is me for I am the last of my kind' thing - which worked at first, don't forget - wore thin years ago. Not impressed with the story used as a vehicle to get to that point, mind... still, the guests were good fun.

Seeing Tom Baker back was a true joy, and (for me, at least) absolutely unexpected.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Anyway, did anyone see An Adventure in Space and Time as well? David Bradley remains fantastic, and the rest of the cast were good - and looked freakishly similar to the people they played - as well.

[Dr. Cynic]

Ok, I'm about to be roped into watching the 50th anniversary deal... Is it tolerable for someone who generally doesn't care to watch it?