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Who is watching Doctor Who tonight

886 replies

Firefly2009 · 25/11/2023 17:13

And if you've now seen it, what are your thoughts?

I'm predicting I will love it no matter what. But look forward to discussing it.

OP posts:
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12
MelsMoneyTree · 10/12/2023 08:35

FreshWinterMorning · 09/12/2023 23:51

I'm also wondering if they have left the door open for DT to return at a future date. Just in case this new one fails. I am not sure about him yet. We shall see in the upcoming episodes with him in, how he works out.

These last 2 episodes have been amazing. (With the first of the 3 - I am still on the fence...) But these past 2 have been the best since DT was last the Doctor, and DT is certainly the most popular Doctor. Everyone I know in real life loves him.

Also, he certainly does NOT look 'old and tired' as a pp very rudely said. Hmm He's only 52 FFS. Some actors have been older than that when they started as Dr Who.

William Hartnell, Peter Capaldi, and Jon Pertwee were all in their 50s when they started as Dr Who.

Show quote history

Meh I'm the same age as DT. I also look old and tired compared to twenty years ago. But as I said I think it could be a plot point because Donna kept saying he was exhausted and DT didn't look as old in Good Omens.

I did wonder if they kept DT for a trans teen spin-off. Hopefully not.

HamsterBanana · 10/12/2023 09:29

They're making a spin off for unit and Donna just got a job there, so there's likely hood for Donna & David to turn up at unit.
I think they might end up with their own spin off, Russel had more stories for them they just didn't have the time to shoot them and he's being very secretive about the Disney + spin offs.
Maybe that's why they're filming 15ths third season already to make room in the schedule Grin

TrashedSofa · 10/12/2023 09:45

With the DT and age thing, it felt a bit clunky. Initially I thought it was a ham fisted attempt to explain how someone with a lifespan of centuries has aged at the normal human rate in the 15 years since he was starring in the show. But later on, it definitely seemed like a plot point.

No actor has ever played the Doctor for this long, there was a 17 year gap between DTs first episode and these and explaining the ageing is a new challenge. So maybe they just decided to lean into the concept, rather than trying the usual tricks like lighting people a certain way etc.

Angrycat2768 · 10/12/2023 09:48

FreshWinterMorning · 09/12/2023 23:51

I'm also wondering if they have left the door open for DT to return at a future date. Just in case this new one fails. I am not sure about him yet. We shall see in the upcoming episodes with him in, how he works out.

These last 2 episodes have been amazing. (With the first of the 3 - I am still on the fence...) But these past 2 have been the best since DT was last the Doctor, and DT is certainly the most popular Doctor. Everyone I know in real life loves him.

Also, he certainly does NOT look 'old and tired' as a pp very rudely said. Hmm He's only 52 FFS. Some actors have been older than that when they started as Dr Who.

William Hartnell, Peter Capaldi, and Jon Pertwee were all in their 50s when they started as Dr Who.

Show quote history

The whole premise of the show is that they have a face, then they have a new face. They dont get old. They regenerate. So the fact that Hartnell, Capaldi and Pertwee had that face at the time is no different to Tennant having the face of a 30 year old. The only one who has aged out has been IIRC Matt Smith when they aged him out for his final episodes, but he is unlikely to reappear. I don't think it is fair on NG to say at the start of possibly the biggest part of his career that they don't have that much confidence in him, and he is going to have to compete as 'The Doctor' with 'The most popular Doctor eva' on a spin off show when none of the other actors have had that. I don't believe Tennant would want to be constantly overshadowing anyone else who takes on the role either. Its time for both Tennant and RTD to move on (Tennant physically and RTD in his head and onto new DW stories.)

MelsMoneyTree · 10/12/2023 10:02

It's funny, my teen said the opposite - they thought DT did want to overshadow the new Doctor. They said they thought Tennant didn't want to give up the role and was competitive with Ncuti. Not sure if it was from social media gossip or where they got that idea. I always thought DT was a generous actor and that he'd be pleased it was another Scot.

Davros · 10/12/2023 10:45

I might be the only one but I thought Ncuti's bare legs and white white pants were a bit gratuitous. I didn't like it, they could have divided up the clothes better or he could have been in boxers.

Angrycat2768 · 10/12/2023 10:47

MelsMoneyTree · 10/12/2023 10:02

It's funny, my teen said the opposite - they thought DT did want to overshadow the new Doctor. They said they thought Tennant didn't want to give up the role and was competitive with Ncuti. Not sure if it was from social media gossip or where they got that idea. I always thought DT was a generous actor and that he'd be pleased it was another Scot.

I refuse to believe that of him!
(even though I don't actually know him!)
He can hardly be struggling for work to such an extent that he wants to muscle into Doctor Who again!

Giggorata · 10/12/2023 10:51

Loved Donna's salary negotiation with Kate!

MelsMoneyTree · 10/12/2023 10:52

Davros · 10/12/2023 10:45

I might be the only one but I thought Ncuti's bare legs and white white pants were a bit gratuitous. I didn't like it, they could have divided up the clothes better or he could have been in boxers.

Yy I thought the same. It was also a bit Tom Cruise in Risky Business which seemed an odd sartorial reference Xmas Grin or maybe it was supposed to reference the Jonas brother who referenced Risky Business in the video for 'What a Man Gotta Do'.

Circularargument · 10/12/2023 10:59

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Snapespeare · 10/12/2023 11:10

I'm still processing but I don't think I want Ncuti being a 'fun' doctor having processed the time wars, split out from DT and ready to go clubbing. I far prefer a tortured soul Doctor.

The thought of 'retirement' being spent with Donna's family, my lord the sheer boredom. He'll be off soon enough.

I also didn't like the contentment being life with Donna in Chiswick as opposed to 27 years on Darillium with River - but we know the Doctor seldom mentions his previous companions (Donna not knowing who Mel was, although everyone knows about Rose) so why would be remember being happy with his wife?

Oh I guess it's all about healing and building alternate families of friends (like in 'Its a sin') I prefer a good dark wallow. :-)

SoupDragon · 10/12/2023 12:02

Loved this episode. The perfect mix of scary and totally bonkers. The Toymaker was excellent, the puppets were horrific, dancing to the Spice Girls was bonkers, Ncuti in just pants was totally gratuitous but I'm not complaining (although I feel a little grubby as I'm old enough to be his mother really). Why did no one mention the ack of trousers?!

Loved the bi-generation as I wasn't ready to let DT go. I don't think it over shadowed Ncuti's take over as he was clearly the one in charge, packing DT off into retirement.

Looking forward to Christmas now as I loved all three of these. A return to the good days IMO.

Sorrytomoan · 10/12/2023 14:15

Why did DT say Rose was his niece?

thirdfiddle · 10/12/2023 14:23

Presumably he's decided Donna is his sister because of weird brain sharing thing. More than a bit cutesy.

SoupDragon · 10/12/2023 14:33

I assumed it was just the way some families use the term uncle or aunt for close family friends. Mel also decided she was Aunty Mel.

TripleDaisySummer · 10/12/2023 14:46

Overall I loved it - humorous and scary.

Neil Patrick Harris - brilliant - Mel back very good, Unit good - Donna taking on puppets very entertaining.

It strongly felt rushed in parts but then rant about how nasty humans are was boring and eye rolling as fuck.

I thought they were hedging bets keeping DT Dr out there in case ratings crash - but DH said there a Unit spin off supposed to be happening and though he'd be popping into that - though interview program after RTD suggested that wouldn't be happening.

It felt more like a special - previous two hadn't really.

I'm even more excited for Ncuti doctor.

noblegiraffe · 10/12/2023 14:46

I thought Gatwa did an excellent job. I was worried how he would stand up against someone so seasoned as Tennant, particularly as he is best known for playing a school boy, but he was confident and assured and definitely held his own.

I really enjoyed Neil Patrick Harris too, the creepy puppets were a great touch. It seems a shame that as a villain he only got one episode, he could definitely have been spun out for much longer.

Pinkbonbon · 10/12/2023 14:52

Now that episode, I actually enjoyed.
Was it perfect? Far from. But overall a vast improvement from the last two offerings.

Original poster
Firefly2009 · 10/12/2023 14:54

On the face of it a good episode like the old ones. But for whatever reason I was bored and barely paid attention.

The only interesting thing was the bi-regeneration. I was not expecting it at all because I hadn’t read the spoilers/rumours. In retrospect it’s a stupid idea, much like the timeless child. RD has no qualms about messing with DW lore. I feel like I need to prepare myself for a shitshow and won’t be watching. It’s not terrible, it just doesn’t feel like Doctor Who anymore.

OP posts:
AbondonedThemePark · 10/12/2023 15:04

Out of the three I found Wild Blue Yonder the most enjoyable.

The first was boring because of all the schmaltzy family stuff which I can't stand. The last also quite boring, it just didn't grip me at all. And the ending where the 15th Doctor was the costar to David Tennant was eyerolling!

DT was never a favourite of mine, but his series with Donna was his best, so these three specials had potential. Just was never realised.

Ginmonkeyagain · 10/12/2023 15:12

A very good episode ruined by a really shit, syrupy ending.

thirdfiddle · 10/12/2023 15:19

I assumed it was just the way some families use the term uncle or aunt for close family friends. Mel also decided she was Aunty Mel.
hmm, maybe, but then why brother-in-law and all that? maybe it was just a joke.

RedToothBrush · 10/12/2023 15:23

The interesting thing here is they aren't reliant on one actor carrying the show. Perhaps this is a lesson learnt after the disaster that was Jodie Whittaker. Now if one doctor bombs its totally fine...

We've now got two doctors - i'm sure we'll get a evolutionary explaination because his species is endangered at some point. And I wonder what happens in terms of memory... or whether they have shared memories.

I felt the no trousers thing reminded me of just copying the wardrobe from Ghosts...

We watched the second two episodes back to back and I admit I found certain bits frustrating. You have scenes in both episodes where Donna and the Doctor get separated by a door closing between them and the Doctor shouting that he will get to her. And the cheap scenes for pointless one line gags.

Casting was good with Neil Patrick Harris though his acting was 'interesting' at times.

greengreengrass25 · 10/12/2023 15:24

DrMadelineMaxwell · 09/12/2023 20:11

I loved Matt Smith's doctor. I'd liked Eccleston, and really liked Tennant but found him a bit manic and really thought his regeneration build up was overly soppy. (I don't want to go!) So I was worried we'd be in for a soppy regeneration today. So for that reason I'll be happy with the bi generation idea.

NG seemed charismatic from the start, so I'll watch and give the storylines a go.

I found Capaldi enjoyable enough but struggled to get into Jodie's episodes. Initially it made me stop watching, but I've since dipped in and enjoyed some of them - the New Year time loop in particular.

Jodie was like Sue Pollard running around on Hi de Hi

Angrycat2768 · 10/12/2023 15:24

Snapespeare · 10/12/2023 11:10

I'm still processing but I don't think I want Ncuti being a 'fun' doctor having processed the time wars, split out from DT and ready to go clubbing. I far prefer a tortured soul Doctor.

The thought of 'retirement' being spent with Donna's family, my lord the sheer boredom. He'll be off soon enough.

I also didn't like the contentment being life with Donna in Chiswick as opposed to 27 years on Darillium with River - but we know the Doctor seldom mentions his previous companions (Donna not knowing who Mel was, although everyone knows about Rose) so why would be remember being happy with his wife?

Oh I guess it's all about healing and building alternate families of friends (like in 'Its a sin') I prefer a good dark wallow. :-)

I agree. Can you imagine how dull that would be? Is he just going to wander around doing stuff like shopping trips to New York? What happens when they all die, because they are human? Its syrupy nonsense. Agree about River, but I think she is really dead this time, as Capaldi spent her last 27 year night with her.