Post by Charlie Brown on Apr 24, 2011 12:21:11 GMT 1
A very strong opener. I really enjoyed the humour, and I’d managed to stay un-spoilered of the Doctor’s death, so that was a real shock. I think it only emerged this week, so that’s good work by the Beeb to keep it under wraps for so long. However, I did think it seemed like a rather… odd regeneration. Does anyone else think that this is how we’re going to see the regeneration limit resolved? (got another theory on that)
The Astronaut looked quite scary, actually, even just standing by the lake (which looked gorgeous, didn’t it?!) – Silencio, I think. So many questions – who was in it (my money’s on River)? Why was it in the lake (one of those tunnels that stretch all over the world?)?
It was an interesting start. I liked how we started with the French or whatever, because most people thought they were going to be in a later ep. The Doctor with Laurel and Hardy was good, and it was quite funny how Amy and Rory didn’t notice him, being too preoccupied with the envelope (from him). It was surprising how they weren’t with him, but I spose they might’ve wanted a bit of time at home – while he went hopping around for 200 years, before inviting them to his death.
The invitation to the previous Doctor was clever and timey-wimey (bumpy-wumpy, sorry) in a very Moffat way. It’s also good how Amy, River and Rory have this massive secret from the Doctor, which I suspect won’t be resolved until episode 13 – if at all this series. I felt for River when she was saying that she was ‘depressed’ by the fact that every time she sees the Doctor, he knows her less. For instance, he probably would have trusted her had he met her a few more times, but no, he turned to the Girl who waited.
I agree with Al, Rory didn’t have very much to do here, more there because Amy was. I’m hoping he’s going to emerge as more of a hero this season. However, some good acting from Arthur, with Rory’s typical comical reactions to everything (“Why do I always have to do it?” – implying that Amy, Rory and the Doctor had some adventures after ‘Christmas Carol’ before they went home). Good stuff.
The Doctor in this, for me, wasn’t as strong as usual. By this, I mean Smith’s performance. It’s definitely changed since his first filming run, but I’m not sure I like it (so far). He seems without as much enthusiasm, or passion. Maybe it’s just me, or maybe it’ll pick up.
“The Legs, the Nose and Mrs Robinson” – great line.
I liked it when the Doctor was in the Oval Office, taking notes, that was funny. Smith does comedic quite well, and I enjoyed it here. It was also clever to work out that the child was actually just looking out the window at the street names, and I’m really liking Canton.
The scenes in the warehouse, or whatever it was, were creepy. When Amy was trying to tell the Doctor she was pregnant, did anyone else think that she was going to tell the Doctor about his death? The ‘cliffhanger’ seemed a little… futile seeing as we see the Astronaut alive and well in the “Next Time” trailer – which is why I think these need to be thought about more carefully. Obviously they want to keep people hooked, but I think they should try and keep the illusion that what happened at the close of Part 1 is final, even though it never is, or it’s a handy way out in disguise.
The Silence. Not actually named on screen yet, I noticed. They were actually quite frightening (for little ‘uns, obviously). The Scream of the Silence was good, when it was killing Joy. It’s a very clever idea to have them making people forget. I bet it really got to some of the kiddies, thinking that they’ve seen these before in their lives, but never noticed, or remembered, them. A very good villain and I’m glad we’re going to see these beyond the opening episodes (SPOILER!).
The Silence in the tunnels were good as well, creepy and a bit frightened, in a way. River and Rory seemed to work together well, despite not knowing each other (this is only the second time they’ve met, and before they only said about 10 words max to each other). That’s another thing – when’s this in River’s timeline? She’s in the Stormcage, but that could place her between any of the S5 stories. In ‘Angels’, I think she just says something like “the next time you see me, the Pandorica Opens”, so that’s not necessarily the next time she sees him, which she obviously can’t tell.
The reappearance of the Lodger TARDIS (whether it the same one (more likely with Moffat) or just one of the same class or type) was interesting. Episode 11 was written as a filler for Gaiman’s transferred episode, wasn’t it? So, do you think this TARDIS’ inclusion came as a result of its appearance there (and the Moff wanted to reuse it) or do you think it was happening anyway, and he asked GR to write it in? I think the latter, considering how far ahead Moffat plans, and he likes to leave hints and teasers behind that you only notice when you go back.
I’m glad Rory’s OK (thanks, Next Time trailer!) but I was taken until then that he’d been killed. Good cliffhanger (as I already said, made pointless by the thing that came 30 seconds after!), and I’m much looking forward to “Day of the Moon”.
Overall, a really good episode, with top notch acting from all – even the minor characters (Joy). I liked the TARDIS cloaking device (and River’s “every time”), and enjoyed it all. The episode looked beautiful, more good work from Toby Haynes there (who I don’t doubt we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the near future – and not just on Who). Music was good, if a little quiet and inappropriate in places (for me).
An excellent episode! 9/10 (may need to be amended after Part 2)
The Astronaut looked quite scary, actually, even just standing by the lake (which looked gorgeous, didn’t it?!) – Silencio, I think. So many questions – who was in it (my money’s on River)? Why was it in the lake (one of those tunnels that stretch all over the world?)?
It was an interesting start. I liked how we started with the French or whatever, because most people thought they were going to be in a later ep. The Doctor with Laurel and Hardy was good, and it was quite funny how Amy and Rory didn’t notice him, being too preoccupied with the envelope (from him). It was surprising how they weren’t with him, but I spose they might’ve wanted a bit of time at home – while he went hopping around for 200 years, before inviting them to his death.
The invitation to the previous Doctor was clever and timey-wimey (bumpy-wumpy, sorry) in a very Moffat way. It’s also good how Amy, River and Rory have this massive secret from the Doctor, which I suspect won’t be resolved until episode 13 – if at all this series. I felt for River when she was saying that she was ‘depressed’ by the fact that every time she sees the Doctor, he knows her less. For instance, he probably would have trusted her had he met her a few more times, but no, he turned to the Girl who waited.
I agree with Al, Rory didn’t have very much to do here, more there because Amy was. I’m hoping he’s going to emerge as more of a hero this season. However, some good acting from Arthur, with Rory’s typical comical reactions to everything (“Why do I always have to do it?” – implying that Amy, Rory and the Doctor had some adventures after ‘Christmas Carol’ before they went home). Good stuff.
The Doctor in this, for me, wasn’t as strong as usual. By this, I mean Smith’s performance. It’s definitely changed since his first filming run, but I’m not sure I like it (so far). He seems without as much enthusiasm, or passion. Maybe it’s just me, or maybe it’ll pick up.
“The Legs, the Nose and Mrs Robinson” – great line.
I liked it when the Doctor was in the Oval Office, taking notes, that was funny. Smith does comedic quite well, and I enjoyed it here. It was also clever to work out that the child was actually just looking out the window at the street names, and I’m really liking Canton.
The scenes in the warehouse, or whatever it was, were creepy. When Amy was trying to tell the Doctor she was pregnant, did anyone else think that she was going to tell the Doctor about his death? The ‘cliffhanger’ seemed a little… futile seeing as we see the Astronaut alive and well in the “Next Time” trailer – which is why I think these need to be thought about more carefully. Obviously they want to keep people hooked, but I think they should try and keep the illusion that what happened at the close of Part 1 is final, even though it never is, or it’s a handy way out in disguise.
The Silence. Not actually named on screen yet, I noticed. They were actually quite frightening (for little ‘uns, obviously). The Scream of the Silence was good, when it was killing Joy. It’s a very clever idea to have them making people forget. I bet it really got to some of the kiddies, thinking that they’ve seen these before in their lives, but never noticed, or remembered, them. A very good villain and I’m glad we’re going to see these beyond the opening episodes (SPOILER!).
The Silence in the tunnels were good as well, creepy and a bit frightened, in a way. River and Rory seemed to work together well, despite not knowing each other (this is only the second time they’ve met, and before they only said about 10 words max to each other). That’s another thing – when’s this in River’s timeline? She’s in the Stormcage, but that could place her between any of the S5 stories. In ‘Angels’, I think she just says something like “the next time you see me, the Pandorica Opens”, so that’s not necessarily the next time she sees him, which she obviously can’t tell.
The reappearance of the Lodger TARDIS (whether it the same one (more likely with Moffat) or just one of the same class or type) was interesting. Episode 11 was written as a filler for Gaiman’s transferred episode, wasn’t it? So, do you think this TARDIS’ inclusion came as a result of its appearance there (and the Moff wanted to reuse it) or do you think it was happening anyway, and he asked GR to write it in? I think the latter, considering how far ahead Moffat plans, and he likes to leave hints and teasers behind that you only notice when you go back.
I’m glad Rory’s OK (thanks, Next Time trailer!) but I was taken until then that he’d been killed. Good cliffhanger (as I already said, made pointless by the thing that came 30 seconds after!), and I’m much looking forward to “Day of the Moon”.
Overall, a really good episode, with top notch acting from all – even the minor characters (Joy). I liked the TARDIS cloaking device (and River’s “every time”), and enjoyed it all. The episode looked beautiful, more good work from Toby Haynes there (who I don’t doubt we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the near future – and not just on Who). Music was good, if a little quiet and inappropriate in places (for me).
An excellent episode! 9/10 (may need to be amended after Part 2)