Dr Who 5.1 to 5.5 and H-50 Gifs

[tari_roo]

Dr Who:
Like most sci fi fans, I have been aware of Dr Who (through a general process of osmosis I suppose) for many years, but could never quite bring myself to watch the old series (Sheldon Cooper I am not). Old style sci fi with campy acting and hackneyed special effects just doesn't do it for me. I have not been able to watch the original Star Trek or Battlestar Galactica either, but that is a topic for another post (old style sci fi).

Back to Dr Who. When BBC relaunched the new series in 2005, my ears pricked up with potential interest, and I was prepared to give it a go. However, by the time it made its way onto local cable channels, my excitement had waned. I caught the odd episode and never really got into it. The 9th doctor and Rose just didn't - grab me.

David Tennant though... oh, he looked really interesting. Next to Josh Groban, he's my favourite host on Nevermind the Buzzcocks. Scottish (in RL) and darn cute on screen,  I was keen to give him a shot. I saw the episode when he 'arrived' as the new Doctor, and rather enjoyed it. However as the rest of the season rolled on, I again lost interest. The same issues I have with a lot of British shows applied to Dr Who. A little too OTT, too twee, too much melodrama. So, I let Dr Who remain a sidebar in my sci fi fan mind. I knew enough to talk about it as needed, and still caught the odd episode.

However... as so often happens with me, I can't resist the lure of a good sci fi show :) And when Matt Smith became the 11th Dr, well.. I thought, maybe its time to give it another chance. Not because I knew who Matt Smith was, or Karen Gillan for that matter, BUT the odd clips from multi-fandom fan vids intrigued me, the general idea of the plots going on, and well... I thought, just do it. Giving shows another chance had paid off with Moonlight, and Numb3rs so ... I did. I watched 5.1 - Eleventh Hour on Saturday  - and loved it!

I liked it so much, that I thought 'hey, lets go back and give David another chance!' (I haven't yet)

Perhaps it was because Amelia Pond and I were meeting the Doctor for the first time, and as a result I found him quite entertaining. The juxtaposition of an interdimensional being (nay, escaped prisoner) in a small english town with a scottish girl as the local kissing-gram, was delightful. I got swept up into the story, loved that the Doctor had been turned into Amy's imaginary friend, that he liked fish fingers and custard. And then the whole return of the once imaginary to actual weirdness and Amy gives him whatfore - this "Then why did you say 5 mins!" and a cricket bat to the head. And proceeds to leave her fiance for a mad, old, gentle, last of his kind Timelord in a flying telephone box. Who wouldn't?

So, I gave 5.2 a chance. And loved it!

Interesting premise and situation. Very V for vendetta-ish with an excellent twist! I saw the parallel between the space whale and the doctor coming a mile off, but it still worked. The mystery, the perpetual queen, the sacrifice of a old, gentle, last of his kind being.

So, I dashed onto 5.3 and ... loved it!

At first I was hesitant. I've always found the Daleks to be well... borderline ridiculous. How can any species, let alone a robotic one, function without arms (let alone hands). Ray guns and creepy voices make for scary villians (note the sarcasm) but come on, really? But, as far fetched as this one was, as wild and OTT, I still liked it. Perhaps because it was my alterna-history geek, or my love of arch nemesis vs arch rival. Or Amy saving the day again. Yes, the Daleks getting away was inevitable, and their 'new' improved forms still borderline ridiculous, but whatever... I liked it.
So, I happily clicked onto 5.4 ... 5.5 and (in an effort to avoid repetition): I don't mind low budget special effects. Farscape and I are good friends. So, the premise of your MOTW being a stone angel I can accept. I was however impressed that the production team actually managed to make the Angels menacing and creepy. Slow moving monsters aren't usually worth anything more than a laugh, but the tense atmosphere,the more being stalked than pursued made it all gel. I can however picture the scenes between takes when an army of techies rushed in to move the statues to their next position each time. Somehow I actually caught part of the episode with Dr Riversong in S4 before so I knew she knew the Doctor, and I like the mystery around her. It was the best horror movie I've seen in ages (and I hate horrors and watch Supernatural).

Matt Smith seems to be a very admirable Doctor. His energy and enthusiasm and quirkiness are delightful. And Amy doesn't annoy me! In fact I like her, esp that she's Scottish and practical and won't take crap. I think I'm sold. I've downloaded the rest of the season and season 6 and well, here's another show to get involved in :)


and now for some GIFs - all due to more delightful tumblr browsing: (ah, fans, how I love you)

Comments

[iyalode.livejournal.com]

As a Who fan since the age of 8 all I can say is welcome! OMG I don't even know where to start. I truly hope you get to view the earlier new seasons. Tennant is a fantastic & darkly complicated Dr. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly-Vhw1fevM)

The stone angels first appear in S3 ep 10 Blink and they are scarier in this than in the later one IMO. I can also recommend The Empty Child two part episodes which won the Hugo Award in 2006.

[tari-roo.livejournal.com]

:)

You are tempting me so much! *covers eyes with hands* I so want to try watch those seasons again - eeeeeeeee!

I have noted both recommendations and will start searching for season 2,3 and 4 :)

Do you prefer Tennant to Smith? out of curiousity.

[iyalode.livejournal.com]

I really hope you do:) Not the least of which is some small thread woven in S3 can turn up big time in S5. There's a really great vid that conveys the power & impact of a Time Lord, especially Nine & Ten here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUld2qcyNpw)

Do you prefer Tennant to Smith? out of curiosity. Oh, I like them both, for different reasons.

Ten (played by Tennant) is so scarred by the Time Wars with the Daleks. He's angry and grieving the loss of his entire race. Ten's story arc is at some level, how he copes & fights to overcome that darkness. Out of Ten's 3 companions, Donna is my favourite. Didn't like her at first, but her last episode had me in tears.

Eleven (Smith) takes on a more professor/teacher role. It starts when he meets wee young Amy, and continues from there. He reminds me of an epileptic giraffe at times but the core element of the Dr remains. I'm really liking his interpretation and can't wait to see where he & the writers take it.

Also, if see the older episodes. You'll note the change in the Dr's relationships with his companions from Rose through to Amy, paving way for the appearance of River Song.

[tari-roo.livejournal.com]

*contemplates getting some Dr Who icons*

Thanks for the vid rec too! I'm going to watch both links tonight, as work doesn't allow you tube :(

I kinda liked Rose in the few episodes I saw of her. I'm busy looking at torrents for the entire seasons, and will probably start downloading tonight.

Epileptic giraffe? Heeeee... Eleven cracks me up no end, and I remember loving Ten's wilder moments too.

While not a 'fan' per say, I've always found the Dr/Assistant relationship interesting. Sure, it probably just started in the good ole days as the generic 'female' assistant, someone to save paradigm, but it really seems to have evolved over the years. I heard that at times the Dr has had a 'group' of Assitants, but still, its interesting to examine and plot out in your head.

I was surprised to hear that Tennant had decided to leave, as I thought he liked being the Dr. There aren't many roles out there that allow for multiple actors to interpret their own version of the character. It also makes for an interesting analysis. Besides Bond and Superman, there aren't that many (outside of soap operas) in TV land.

Alas, I plan on avoiding Dr Who fanfic until I've had a chance to watch the recent stuff, and catch up on the old. I like to remain as unspoiled as possible. But I'll ask anyway - is Dr Who a more gen or het centric fandom? Or slash?

[iyalode.livejournal.com]

Despite her being popular, Rose is my least favorite companion. But her impact in helping Nine & Ten heal can't be underestimated. The thing is, the Dr cares for all his companions. But traveling with the Dr is a two edged sword, for him and them. And often the impact he leaves isn't the one he wants. You'll notice this with Martha & Donna in particular.

As for Tennant leaving, it synced in nicely with exec producer Russell T Davies leaving. Davies was at the helm up until S5. At which point Steven Moffat took over. Davies was known for being a tad melodramatic & angst-y, Moffat less so. It's important to note that Tennant calls theatre work his default state of being. And that's what he wanted to return to.

I hope you enjoy the vids, I think they express just how dangerous & powerful a Time Lord can be. The Dr hides it every well, but when it slips out, well. the impact on everyone can be interesting.

I read zero Who fic. Believe it or not I am actually content with what I see on screen :) There's a good mixture out there, and some stunning Dr/Master slash fic.

[tari-roo.livejournal.com]

Ahhh... thanks for the insight.

I really liked the vids, especially the 2nd one. I've got seasons 2, 3 and 4 cued to download! *mini facepalm* like I have time to watch more TV :)

Thanks for all the info! :)

[iyalode.livejournal.com]

A bit of fan lore and then I'll leave you alone :)

1: The first Dr who really grabs you and sucks you into the show is your Dr. Therefore, is asked, your Dr is Eleven.

2: Although referred to throughout the New Who - we have never seen the Time Wars. General consensus is it began when the Old Who finished and ended just before New Who started. Which is why Nine & Ten are so messed up.

3: The Time Lords were the oldest beings in the Universe, by far. A bit like the Ancients if you will. They never interfered. Except for the Dr, who was always viewed as something of a rambunctious child by the rest.

4: The Dr's attachment to Earth stems way back, his only known granddaughter was half-human. Which some say is why he's so protective of Earth.

5: The Tardis was an old and obsolete model. Her chameleon circuitry is faulty which is why she's always stuck as a Police Box. But really, we all think she & the Dr just like her that way :)

[tari-roo.livejournal.com]

No, no, that's super interesting.

I am happy that my doctor is Eleven :) Hurrah. And I am instantly intrigued by an offscreen, never seen but referred to war. And I love the idea of an old obselete model outliving all the rest :) Ooooooo... hurray downloads, hurray!

Thanks again, muchly muchly. You've been a gem!

[saphirablue]

Oh, the gifs are wonderful! Thank you! :)


Also, BAMF!Dean in your header? ♥

[tari-roo.livejournal.com]

:)

My continuing glee over my own header continues to amuse me :)