We have been told in no uncertain terms that this show is not for fans of the Classic an New eras of the show. No it's actually for a "modern audience"
As a gay man, the portrayal of the 15th has me really scared that RTD has written him as a gay stereotype. I was already hesitant by the fact that he was in his underwear for all of The Giggle. Now he's having implied kinky sex with a married, straight man. I just don't want that to be the only characteristic trait of the 15th that people notice. Not only does it give hate fuel for the homophobic viewers, but it also degrades our lgbt+ community too. I've already had former 'friends' claim I'm faking my sexuality because I didn't like how excessive the portrayal of his homosexuality was. It also doesn't help that there are people who will immediately play the "you're racist" card if you have any critiques about the 15th, even if it's about the fact that his race isn't explored enough. All that plus the over reliance on magic and fantasy elements, immediately back pedaling on the entire exist of 15th after The Giggle (Someone startong fresh woth no grief so 24th could relax), and RTD being really mean and underminding Moffat's efforts to help the show, I'd rather just stay woth the 1st - 7th Doctors and say the last episode had always been Survival.
Oh video suggestion.Let's have a look. Disney+ got this wrong (shocker) Church on Ruby Road was done during the same production block as the new season, but is a one off special. As such Disney thought it easier to group it with the 3 anniversary specials, which had their own production block. Yeah, it is confusing, best to just ignore it all. Strangely I feel more like this special suffered from the same issue that Wild Blue Yonder had. It was too long, felt padded out in places and the big set piece was at the wrong point. In WBY it was the fully CGI environment combined with the reveal of the Not-People. That took place too early. The problem with Church? The whole Goblin song thing. It was far too early for a "showstopper" especially followed by the Doctor and Ruby singing a sequel song. That's supposed to be "ending on a high note" (heh!). It doesn't work in the middle of the piece. Behind the scenes we got RTD referencing the Buffy Musical episode and it's many copies. The problem here is that it's not a musical. Two songs don't make a musical, you need the whole plot to be set to music for that. So what was the point of this adventure? Well look at the background set up for Ruby, look at the set up of the Mrs Flood character recognising the TARDIS (and the Feast of Steven reference, looking into the camera), the almost physically painful Timeless Child reference. It's all set up. It was a throwaway monster of the week adventure because that wasn't the point. The point was to set up the next season (or few seasons) of arc plot. The mistake was doing that all at once here, months before the actual season proper kicks off. Most casual fans will have forgotten most of it, other more dedicated fans will have their own theories that they will insist are better than what RTD comes up with eventually and old school fans like our selves have seen it all before and are just jaded at this point. Well jaded and very annoyed that the whole Timeless Child nonsense hasn't been forgotten like that mouldy old Cheese still sat at the back of the fridge. Personally though I still have a little bit of hope. Hope that RTD, by bringing that fetid, rotten cheese kicking and screaming back into the light he can do something with it. As a somewhat competent writer that has listened to the fans before as well as other writers he's got to know how badly that was received. That he's not forgotten it entirely means he has to be addressing it and that must be a good thing. While I agree there are a lot of flaws in the specials they are still leagues ahead of what we Whovians have had to put up with these last few years and have the potential for something great. Ncuti is a great actor, practically oozing charisma, and given a little more time might just prove to be the Doctor we all hope he is. His chemistry on screen with Millie Gibson is solid and shows a lot of promise. There are a lot of warning signs too but from my perspective it's a 60-40 split in favour of at least watchable Dr Who again. Which if grading on a curve is a massive jump up in my opinion. good review.
The best part of this episode was Gatwa. I really like how different he feels However, the writing was so confusing for me. Davies was my favorite writer in the revival era. His stories always focused on the themes of trying to understand what it means to be human. Which is the best form of sci-fi in my opinion, but this just seemed nonsensical. And not in like a creative or cheeky doctor who way. But more in it doesn’t know what it wants to do or be. Which is perplexing since Davies always seems so good at nuance. The characters are so flat and aliens motivations are so awful. Which is typically where Doctor who shines is in the motivations of its villains. I hope Davies pulls back to his roots. But this feels like such a disappointment.
I agree. Both the thin plot and the cringe really put me off. Kinda disappointing tbh. Nothing against the acting, that was alright and think they could do some great stuff with a better plot and script. Why shift to fantasy over science fiction is what I want to know.
Thanks for taking this bullet for me. I'm glad I didn't waste the time and money for a month long D+ sub just to watch these few sad episodes that have successfully shredded the history of the Doctor. And that's on top of the damage already done by Chibnal. I'm devastated over the changes Dr. Who has suffered since the 50th anniversary, back when Doctor Who was something special, something to be excited about, something you looked forward to. I threw in the towel halfway through Capaldi's run, and haven't looked back since. As a fan since the days of Tom Baker, I resent the destruction of 50 years of accumulated lore that's been trashed by Chibnal and Davies. It's especially heinous as they sacrificed that history on the alter of trendy political ideology. If this was a new concept tv show, I'd wish them well in their search for their "modern audience", but its not, so I can't wish them success. I hope they go down in flames. I'll bring the marshmallows.
This new series feels more like a spin off. I think they are going down the Spider man route with multiple versions of the Doctor - Gatwa seems to be the 'Miles Morales' version of the Doctor. Unfortunately, the show does NOT feel like Dr Who or even a childrens show - dancing in a kilt in a gay bar with a guy and transexuals/tranvestites. Hmmm., well it's different, but is it really appropriate for kids? This is more like a scene from Queer as Folk than Dr Who. Also, there's too much sexual innuendo and double entendre - "I just got Snowman-ed", "I spent a long hot summer with Harry Houdini" etc. Houdini was married with kids, so the joke is wishful thinking on RTDs part. TBH, the new episodes feel like RTD's fantasies - Gatwa running around in his underpants for 20 mins of the Giggle. What's that all about? DT's doctor regenerated with a full set of clothes, so the fact Gatwa was in his pants is because RTD wanted to see him in his pants. Meh, not my Doctor. Bring back DT!
Doctor Who hasn't been good since the David Tennant seasons, and it has literally nothing to do with casting. It's the writing. I don't know what happened to the writing team, but every episode was written is such a puerile way. Almost nothing was actually solved by the Doctor, it just kind of resolved itself by either the villain making a huge blunder or "sonic screwdriver". And the writing only got worse when Jody Whitaker took over. She's a great actor, and I liked her Doctor, but she had so little to work with. The entirety of Whitakers episodes were filled with 'member berries'. Literally the only thing that's been improved by the IP being picked up by Disney is the special effects budget, something the BBC was woefully inadequate with, but in the early Dr Who series was gotten around with great writing. And them bringing back David as the Doctor and Tate back as Donna (the most popular companion in the modern seasons, again not because it was Tate, but because of the writing) was clearly a decision made higher up to attempt to draw people back in after the disastrous last 2 seasons. Pity, like I said, it had nothing to do casting, what they should have done is hired a decent writing team.
So, when is Dr Who coming back on tele? It's been ages since he fell out of the burning TARDIS...I know Capaldi's a hard act to follow, but it's been long enough to continue the show by now. All of these parody/fanfic episodes are starting to wear thin.
Goblins, a flying pirate ship and musical numbers? Dear God, am I glad to have not seen this.
Your not not missing out on anything.
This needed to be 90 min at least. I haven’t been this excited for new Doctor Who in years. This sets up so many possibilities.
I'm glad you found enjoyment in it.
We have been told in no uncertain terms that this show is not for fans of the Classic an New eras of the show. No it's actually for a "modern audience"
Well, jokes on them. I'm a fan of the classic and of the 2005 "new", and I love this too.
It's for the Bi-generation!
As a gay man, the portrayal of the 15th has me really scared that RTD has written him as a gay stereotype. I was already hesitant by the fact that he was in his underwear for all of The Giggle. Now he's having implied kinky sex with a married, straight man. I just don't want that to be the only characteristic trait of the 15th that people notice. Not only does it give hate fuel for the homophobic viewers, but it also degrades our lgbt+ community too. I've already had former 'friends' claim I'm faking my sexuality because I didn't like how excessive the portrayal of his homosexuality was. It also doesn't help that there are people who will immediately play the "you're racist" card if you have any critiques about the 15th, even if it's about the fact that his race isn't explored enough.
All that plus the over reliance on magic and fantasy elements, immediately back pedaling on the entire exist of 15th after The Giggle (Someone startong fresh woth no grief so 24th could relax), and RTD being really mean and underminding Moffat's efforts to help the show, I'd rather just stay woth the 1st - 7th Doctors and say the last episode had always been Survival.
Oh video suggestion.Let's have a look.
Disney+ got this wrong (shocker) Church on Ruby Road was done during the same production block as the new season, but is a one off special. As such Disney thought it easier to group it with the 3 anniversary specials, which had their own production block.
Yeah, it is confusing, best to just ignore it all.
Strangely I feel more like this special suffered from the same issue that Wild Blue Yonder had. It was too long, felt padded out in places and the big set piece was at the wrong point. In WBY it was the fully CGI environment combined with the reveal of the Not-People. That took place too early. The problem with Church? The whole Goblin song thing. It was far too early for a "showstopper" especially followed by the Doctor and Ruby singing a sequel song. That's supposed to be "ending on a high note" (heh!). It doesn't work in the middle of the piece. Behind the scenes we got RTD referencing the Buffy Musical episode and it's many copies.
The problem here is that it's not a musical. Two songs don't make a musical, you need the whole plot to be set to music for that.
So what was the point of this adventure? Well look at the background set up for Ruby, look at the set up of the Mrs Flood character recognising the TARDIS (and the Feast of Steven reference, looking into the camera), the almost physically painful Timeless Child reference. It's all set up. It was a throwaway monster of the week adventure because that wasn't the point. The point was to set up the next season (or few seasons) of arc plot.
The mistake was doing that all at once here, months before the actual season proper kicks off. Most casual fans will have forgotten most of it, other more dedicated fans will have their own theories that they will insist are better than what RTD comes up with eventually and old school fans like our selves have seen it all before and are just jaded at this point.
Well jaded and very annoyed that the whole Timeless Child nonsense hasn't been forgotten like that mouldy old Cheese still sat at the back of the fridge.
Personally though I still have a little bit of hope. Hope that RTD, by bringing that fetid, rotten cheese kicking and screaming back into the light he can do something with it. As a somewhat competent writer that has listened to the fans before as well as other writers he's got to know how badly that was received. That he's not forgotten it entirely means he has to be addressing it and that must be a good thing.
While I agree there are a lot of flaws in the specials they are still leagues ahead of what we Whovians have had to put up with these last few years and have the potential for something great.
Ncuti is a great actor, practically oozing charisma, and given a little more time might just prove to be the Doctor we all hope he is. His chemistry on screen with Millie Gibson is solid and shows a lot of promise. There are a lot of warning signs too but from my perspective it's a 60-40 split in favour of at least watchable Dr Who again. Which if grading on a curve is a massive jump up in my opinion.
good review.
Interesting & very valid points can't say that I disagree with you.
This show is definitely not for children.
It's for adults who are dumber than children. Like a lot dumber.
The best part of this episode was Gatwa. I really like how different he feels However, the writing was so confusing for me. Davies was my favorite writer in the revival era. His stories always focused on the themes of trying to understand what it means to be human. Which is the best form of sci-fi in my opinion, but this just seemed nonsensical. And not in like a creative or cheeky doctor who way. But more in it doesn’t know what it wants to do or be. Which is perplexing since Davies always seems so good at nuance. The characters are so flat and aliens motivations are so awful. Which is typically where Doctor who shines is in the motivations of its villains. I hope Davies pulls back to his roots. But this feels like such a disappointment.
Nah i`ll stick with the classic years thanks. The Doc is done
I agree. Both the thin plot and the cringe really put me off. Kinda disappointing tbh. Nothing against the acting, that was alright and think they could do some great stuff with a better plot and script. Why shift to fantasy over science fiction is what I want to know.
Yeah trying to change it into something it's not.
Completely agree with your review. It wasn’t good and Gatwa has very little chance if this is the standard to come. I’m out.
Thanks for taking this bullet for me. I'm glad I didn't waste the time and money for a month long D+ sub just to watch these few sad episodes that have successfully shredded the history of the Doctor. And that's on top of the damage already done by Chibnal.
I'm devastated over the changes Dr. Who has suffered since the 50th anniversary, back when Doctor Who was something special, something to be excited about, something you looked forward to.
I threw in the towel halfway through Capaldi's run, and haven't looked back since.
As a fan since the days of Tom Baker, I resent the destruction of 50 years of accumulated lore that's been trashed by Chibnal and Davies. It's especially heinous as they sacrificed that history on the alter of trendy political ideology.
If this was a new concept tv show, I'd wish them well in their search for their "modern audience", but its not, so I can't wish them success. I hope they go down in flames. I'll bring the marshmallows.
This new series feels more like a spin off. I think they are going down the Spider man route with multiple versions of the Doctor - Gatwa seems to be the 'Miles Morales' version of the Doctor. Unfortunately, the show does NOT feel like Dr Who or even a childrens show - dancing in a kilt in a gay bar with a guy and transexuals/tranvestites. Hmmm., well it's different, but is it really appropriate for kids? This is more like a scene from Queer as Folk than Dr Who. Also, there's too much sexual innuendo and double entendre - "I just got Snowman-ed", "I spent a long hot summer with Harry Houdini" etc. Houdini was married with kids, so the joke is wishful thinking on RTDs part. TBH, the new episodes feel like RTD's fantasies - Gatwa running around in his underpants for 20 mins of the Giggle. What's that all about? DT's doctor regenerated with a full set of clothes, so the fact Gatwa was in his pants is because RTD wanted to see him in his pants. Meh, not my Doctor. Bring back DT!
Doctor Who hasn't been good since the David Tennant seasons, and it has literally nothing to do with casting. It's the writing. I don't know what happened to the writing team, but every episode was written is such a puerile way. Almost nothing was actually solved by the Doctor, it just kind of resolved itself by either the villain making a huge blunder or "sonic screwdriver". And the writing only got worse when Jody Whitaker took over. She's a great actor, and I liked her Doctor, but she had so little to work with. The entirety of Whitakers episodes were filled with 'member berries'. Literally the only thing that's been improved by the IP being picked up by Disney is the special effects budget, something the BBC was woefully inadequate with, but in the early Dr Who series was gotten around with great writing. And them bringing back David as the Doctor and Tate back as Donna (the most popular companion in the modern seasons, again not because it was Tate, but because of the writing) was clearly a decision made higher up to attempt to draw people back in after the disastrous last 2 seasons. Pity, like I said, it had nothing to do casting, what they should have done is hired a decent writing team.
So, when is Dr Who coming back on tele? It's been ages since he fell out of the burning TARDIS...I know Capaldi's a hard act to follow, but it's been long enough to continue the show by now. All of these parody/fanfic episodes are starting to wear thin.
🤣
Cringe
It's The Goblin King. That''s WTF it is.