Doctor Who Club of Australia

Greg · Last edited by Greg on Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:17 am; edited 1 time in total

Well, that was more like it! After the light-introductory episode and the we-can't-afford-too-much-CGI runaround episode, we finally get one with a bit more meat - a substantial threat paired with a mystery to solve. And set on a reasonably realised alien planet to boot!

The Ood were introduced last year without a lot of explanation as to how they became the slaves of humanity, so it's good to see that this is a substantial plot element this time around. It's also good to see the issue of slavery tackled, rather than leaving it just sitting there. As a show, Doctor Who has had a strong moral message (although sometimes oddly delivered), and the previous Ood appearance in The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit let the side down a bit.

I note that people posting at this forum didn't particularly agree with me about the (lack of) quality of Catherine Tate's acting last time. I was happier with it this time, as we weren't focusing solely on he face but rather got to see it in the context of the actions that led to her response. Either she did it better, it was presented better, or I'm getting more used to her... mix and match those options.

I wasn't so pleased to get the third or fourth version of 'taking her first step into a new environment' scene, although I do understand it both reminds the viewer of the situation and shows that we have a character who is very happy to be doing this, but we need a different way of showing this. (I'm sort of counting Astrid's arrival on Earth as a version of this scene...)

Overall, a solid episode, with both physical danger and a mystery to be overcome to resolve it, and a conclusion that should have made pretty much all viewers happy with the outcome.

Greg · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:38 pm Post subject:

Despite mt stated intention, somehow I only clicked 'average' - not my intention, and I'd change it if I could! Embarassed

Amano07 · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 84

loved it all the way through nice mystery and a great ewww moment near the end. I wasnt happy at the end when talk of a song ending came up... ..*sniff*...i dont like the sound of that one bit Sad

Sulp Niar · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:27 pm Post subject:

I... yikes. I mean... we weren't expecting much, surely? Did anyone seriously expect much from that? I mean, I knew it'd tackle slavery themes, and would have a revolution, and... man. I didn't expect to get so involved. I haven't felt this involved with a world created in 45 minutes since... ooh... 'Gridlock'.

What astonished me was how - and I never thought I'd say this - Donna was the only human being that was likeable. I initially thought the marketing girl would absolve herself, but to my surprise she ends up being close-minded and gets an appropriately sudden death. The military guy was basically just a nut. The scientist who actually was responsible for it all was technically doing the right thing, but I hated him anyway because of the number of deaths (human and Ood) he'd caused in the process. And then there was the fate of Tim McInnerny's character, which was immediately disturbing and then eventually satisfying and yet still strange, all at the same time.

And another episode with different music! I've noticed that stories that deliberately reference music in some way - 'Gridlock', 'Last of the Time Lords', and tons in the classic series - tend to feel unique and different, and this was no exception. The Song of the Ood is creepy and beautiful all at once. This is Murray Gold firing on all cylinders, and it's excellent.

I still can't get over it. The nastiness of it. The emotion of it. Just... so unexpected and lovely. The best episode ever.

*Goes to have a lie down*

meglos · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 670 Location: Perth

Very good. A great mixture of mystery, suspense and comedy. Catherine Tate is great. Also, is that the second time the disappearing bees has been mentioned. Whats all that about then?

Sulp Niar

Greg

Panecea · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject:

Has anyone noticed the continuity hints? They are tantalising. There was even a vague reference top the Doctor's acutal name.

The stories this season have been developing in complexity over the weeks. This particular story was nuanced and that, for me anyway, was the clinching attribute.

The villain was certainly a changed man after this ordeal. Good to see that violence wasn't used to solve this problem.

Hiruma · Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Australia

My favourite episode of the season so far. I love an episode like this. The whole of the universe or Earth wasnt at stake. At its heart it was a simple premise, save the Brain from destruction and thus save the Ood.

I loved the environment that we saw, the dilapidated old warehouse/factory site with the ice everywhere ( I wonder where this was filmed). It goes to show you that an Alien planet dosnt have to appear freakishly Alien, to be convincing as an Alien Planet. I could totally see the place had been taken over by Humans.

Donna Im not finding too bad. She is a little Tegan to me in approach and delivery. The Doctor was the one who was more subdued that usual this episode. This is how I prefer the Doctor, not the ADHD Doctor Smile

Who amongst us thought hte Devil was back on the scene when that mostly frozen ood shot up with Red Eyes? I know I did Smile

Tegan · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject:

Sulp Niar · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 10:20 pm Post subject:

A herring is a fish, not a bee.

Tegan · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:17 pm Post subject:

dave · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:34 pm Post subject:

I liked this a great deal, despite some evolutionary absurdities. Nothing more to add to the discussion, though; it's all been said.

KnottyEmily · Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 115 Location: Melbourne

Sulp Niar · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject:

Greg · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject:

Late-ish thought: Ood Sigma. Hmm...

Tegan · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:04 pm Post subject:

Sulp Niar · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject:

I am unfortunately not very well versed in the Marx Brothers' routines - the only Marx Brother I have any real knowledge of is Tom Baker. Smile

Tegan · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:57 pm Post subject:

FredDag · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 70

Absolutely loved this story. It became very close to a classic story for me. Too much to list to say that I loved. Though, I did love the creepy music around the Ood Brain, it's usually band based, but this music was damn right creepy and alien sounding.

I'm eating my words from last year when I heard Donna was going to be a companion, she's so good. I just love her, simple, questioning, a bit of spark and great with the emotions. So good to see this in Dr Who, that's so refreshing. The 10th Doctor bounces well off her and we are reminded so many times while he's around Donna that the Doctor is alien. That's great to see.

I think everyone else here has said all the good points I liked about the story. I can't find anything wrong with it. That's two brilliant episodes this year so far, yay!!