Custard and fishfingers.

Nevyn

Well thats that then.
I am still skeptical, Matt Smith has a wonky head and I hate the clothes.
Snips to come looked intresting but hope the series won't be relying on cameos of stars and known baddies.

Rowley Birkin QC

Yup, thought it was a pretty weak episode for a series opener. Villain was a nonsense to be honest and it weakened the whole story for me.

nucking futs

Thaedydal wrote: »

Well thats that then.
I am still skeptical, Matt Smith has a wonky head and I hate the clothes.
Snips to come looked intresting but hope the series won't be relying on cameos of stars and known baddies.

+1, my heart sunk a little when I saw that guy (Chris Moyles?) coming up later in the series.

But at the same time it's unfair to judge a new Doctor by their first episode. Remember "Rose"?

Raphael

I'm also holding out my judgement, new doctor was a bit overly wibbly for my liking, but then again he was mid-regeneration. Hopefully he'll get better.

Nevyn

Well at least it has actual time travel in it, even if it was wonky along with the rest of the episode and the raggy Dr.

thusspakeblixa

For a season opener, I actually think that was the strongest in the 'new' DW.

Far better than rose or that one with the hospital on the moon anyway. It will get better as this series goes on.

John 187

Just watching Confidential now, thought it was great (laughed like three or four times.) the style and tone seems differnet then the RTD/Tennant years which I think is a good idea. Really looking forward to the rest of the run.

nucking futs

Did Amy's character remind anyone else of a combination between Elliot from Scrubs and Donna?

Also, lol at the kissogram line

Wibbs

Raphael wrote: »

new doctor was a bit overly wibbly for my liking,

Ahh here now!

He wasnt too bad. Better than I thought he'd be TBH. It'll be interesting to see if hes got legs over time though.

The opening muzac is defo a step back IMH. Titles graphics not much better.

The Sparrow

I thought that was excellent. Perfect opening episode... introduces everyone and leaves a bit of intrigue for what is to come. I liked the new Doctor. After the success of Tennant a zany Doctor is the template but they managed to do that whilst differentiating Matt Smith and there were a few laughs/ scary bits. Plus Amelia is HAWT!

She has those great deer caught in a headlight eyes so I think she will be a good companion. There is no point having an amazing villain in the first episode because they would take away from the other characters that we are just meeting.

Shame about the new music though... Why did they change it?!

anotherlostie

I really enjoyed it. The Doctor is always a bit mad after a regeneration, so I expect him to tone it down a bit. I LOL'd when he

hit the tree

but found the whole

food scene

pointless.

Is this going to be the episode discussion thread? In which case a reference to Spoilers will be needed in the title or else every post will have tags (or people giving out about other posts not having tags).

Edit: I hated the music too, especially the intro. Titles, not so much. But I really hated the spoilers at the end - it seemed way more than ever given before. I'd prefer a little mystery.

iguana

Did anyone else really dislike the flickery rewind effect when anyone was remembering? It happened when the Dotcor was remembering that someone on the green was filming something other than they sun and when Amy was remembering the fishy alien in the room.

thusspakeblixa

iguana wrote: »

Did anyone else really dislike the flickery rewind effect when anyone was remembering? It happened when the Dotcor was remembering that someone on the green was filming something other than they sun and when Amy was remembering the fishy alien in the room.

They were talking about that on Confidential.
I'm in two minds about it. On one hand it is something brand new and fresh. On the other, it is a bit CSI for my liking.

ixoy

thusspakeblixa wrote: »

For a season opener, I actually think that was the strongest in the 'new' DW.`

Me also - the season openers have been very poor generally and this one was actually quite decent.

The plot was grand and it had a vague horror feel to it. This, coupled with Moffat's perchance for doing gothic/horror, makes me hopeful for a sort of Hinchcliffe era.

Quibble: The TARDIS flew over London with the Millennium dome very visible. However, that was 12 years ago to our present, making it 1998 - was it there then? Or is Amy from the slight future?

I quite liked Matt Smith here too - refreshing after the mugging OTT performance of DT. He started off arms akimo but, as the episode wore on, he toned it down as he became more settled in his regeneration. The food bit was a bit annoying, but not as irritating as the Master's gobbling in "Last of the Time Lords".

Music? I thought it was better than the bombastic tune we've had so far. Original series still had better mixes though.

New TARDIS? Generally like it but not sure what I think of the console itself with all the knobs and typewriter, etc.
Also was that coatrack there before? Can't recall it - and it's very like the one from the Tom Baker era.

Season's plot about the fracture in the universe - could be interesting as long as it's not just doing what RTD does and keep having people muttering it for the whole season and claim that as clever foreshadowing.

Also can we not discuss, in any way, the spoiler bits revealed at the end of the episode? I purposely didn't watch and don't think they belong to this thread at all. Create another thread for spoilers.

iguana

ixoy wrote: »

Quibble: The TARDIS flew over London with the Millennium dome very visible. However, that was 12 years ago to our present, making it 1998 - was it there then? Or is Amy from the slight future?

It was '96, there were another 2 years at the end.

I assumed he took off in early 2005 and as he flew through the sky he sort of "warped" out of the horizon sending him back to '96.

Killer_banana

I'm surprised at the reactions; I really liked it. No where near as good as Steven Moffat is capable of but considering he's the new head writer introducing a new Doctor, a new TARDIS and a new companion it is really good.

The food scene was a bit stupid. I know it was trying to illustrate the fact that he was completely 'new' in a sense but it just went on for too long. Although I did like the line 'You're Scottish, fry me something.'

I like the chemistry betwen the Doctor and Amy as well although I do hope it goes no further than this because I've had enough Doctor/companion romance to last me a lifetime. The flickery camera thing is alright. I liked it when Amy was remembering the room but not on the green. Just bugged me really and seemed unnecessary in that scene.

The bad guys were pretty crap. Very RTD in my opinion which isn't a good thing. Still it was pulled off a lot better than RTD would have IMO. I also liked how they referenced

River Song's description of the Doctor (whole armies would run when they saw him, opening the TARDIS with a snap of his fingers)

but did it with some subtlety so it actually fit his character and the episode.

There was a lot of other stuff I liked but I can't really remember it all now and I don't want to clog up the forums by reciting ever litle detail so I'll leave my reaction there. One more thing though, the Doctor has accidentally

left Amy for twelve years and then two more

, why on Earth trust him to

bring her back in time for her wedding?!

(Yeah that's kind of the point that he won't but still).

iguana

Killer_banana wrote: »

One more thing though, the Doctor has accidentally

left Amy for twelve years and then two more

, why on Earth trust him to

bring her back in time for her wedding?!

(Yeah that's kind of the point that he won't but still).

Yeah I know, neither of them seemed very bright in that scene, though I guess they were purposefully ignoring the obvious. I knew right away what was happening the next day too.

nucking futs

ixoy wrote: »

Also was that coatrack there before? Can't recall it - and it's very like the one from the Tom Baker era.

I'm pretty sure it was. Can't find a pic online but I'm sure I remember seeing it in the previous Tardis

Also Starring LeVar Burton

I enjoyed the whole episode... I didn't mind the food scene at all - thought it was pretty funny...

Busi_Girl08

LOVED IT!!

I really liked Matt Smith, he seems to have a bit of every other doctor in his portrayal, and then his own little spin. I did giggle at the "fishfingers and custard" bit

I'll be honest though, I don't really like Amy Pond. I don't know, just something about her pisses me off. I'll give her a chance, maybe she'll get better as the series goes on, but I just found her a bit annoying tonight

The villian, meh. I thought it was too similar to the villian in the hospital on the moon episode. (fugitive alien hides out among humans, and human inhabitants (this time the entire planet instead of the entire building) are in danger until they are detected by the superior yet malevolent intergalactic powers that be)

I also liked the whole thing of everyone taking out their phones in the face of the imminent apocalypse

Strong start, I thought. I really like the new Doctor, the new companion might grow on me (eventually), and the new TARDIS panel is...interesting.
Not to crazy about the opening titles though

Overall, 8/10

Nevyn

CaptainNegative wrote: »

I enjoyed the whole episode... I didn't mind the food scene at all - thought it was pretty funny...

I was disappointed he didn't have a cup of tea.

Busi_Girl08

Thaedydal wrote: »

I was disappointed he didn't have a cup of tea.

I was waiting for some mention of pears.

ixoy

Thaedydal wrote: »

I was disappointed he didn't have a cup of tea.

Asking for jelly babies would have been much funnier.

.SONIC.

CaptainNegative wrote: »

I enjoyed the whole episode... I didn't mind the food scene at all - thought it was pretty funny...

+1

made me laugh, is it just me or was that ep. funnier than all previous seasons????

cant wait for next week

Ridley

Killer_banana wrote: »

One more thing though, the Doctor has accidentally

left Amy for twelve years and then two more

, why on Earth trust him to

bring her back in time for her wedding?!

(Yeah that's kind of the point that he won't but still).

Is she? I took her to be

running away with the man she's had a thing for, or at least obession with, since childhood.

Killer_banana

Ridley wrote: »

Is she? I took her to be

running away with the man she's had a thing for, or at least obession with, since childhood.

Well she said to get her back in time for the next morning. I think it's a bit of both, she does want to marry Rory (think that's his name) but she wants to have adventures with the Doctor and she can't really decide which she wants more so she's trying to have both even though she knows it own't work.

Busi_Girl08

Ridley wrote: »

Is she? I took her to be

running away with the man she's had a thing for, or at least obession with, since childhood.

I thought that as well. When I saw

all the dolls and drawings

and then the

wedding dress

, my first thought was

"Oh god. Please, not another companion who is in love with the Doctor"

I didn't hear the "Back in time for tomorrow" bit though.

Killer_banana

Busi_Girl08 wrote: »

I thought that as well. When I saw

all the dolls and drawings

and then the

wedding dress

, my first thought was

"Oh god. Please, not another companion who is in love with the Doctor"

I didn't hear the "Back in time for tomorrow" bit though.

She said 'Can you get me back for tomorrow morning?' and he said 'I could get you back five minutes ago, why?' and then she just said that she had stuff. I heard somewhere that

Rory's going to spend some time in the TARDIS so I doubt she's going to end up running away for good although she will miss her wedding. What is it with the Doctor and ruining red heads weddings? :P

K-9

I wasn't expecting to much in the way of memorable villains in it, its his first episode so just getting people comfortable seeing him as the Doctor is the main aim. Thought they introduced Amy well into it, quiet funny and I liked the "you're Scottish, fry something" line and throwing the bread and butter away.

From the first episode and interviews and trailers, I think he'll settle in.

Liked some of the retro touches with the Tardis.

Biggest disappointment barring the new music, we wont see Amy in that uniform again!

nothing

I enjoyed the episode a lot, and wasn't let down. I thought the acting was great, I think Matt Smith slots in perfectly as the Doctor, I like Amy so far, and I thought the episode was almost up to par with other Moffat eps. Well better than his Eccleston ep but not as great as the likes of Blink. But I digress. It was a fun opening, I liked being introduced to all the new stuff, and I'm already looking forward to next week.

Motley Crue

In hate the clothes, makes him look like a prat, but I like the assistant...she's quite foxy...and I've not felt that way about a Doctor's Assistant in some time!

Interesting, if nothing else, and a decent opener (certainly better then the opener Tennant/Tate did for SE4) and I'll be watching it next week provided nothing else gets in the way. Although it rarely does.

Nice to see some interesting guest spots from famous faces. Interesting about the wedding angle, wonder if the boyfriend is the groom, and I'd be interested to find out what exactly is going on there. Wondered what exactly was the significance if the Doctor went back to see Amy as a child after the events of the episode but before he invited her to come away....was that going to be an important meeting?

ixoy

Motley Crue wrote: »

In hate the clothes, makes him look like a prat, !

Ah but I quite like the costumes - it reminds me of the original series, where the costumes were a bit daft (and at least it's not a cricketing outfit or the Time Lord equivalent of Forty Coats).

Coldzone

I thought it was very good for a season premier Matt Smith looks like a good choice for the Doctor.
Did anyone else notice when

Amy asks why me at the end and says it's cause the Doctor's lonely, the screen has the crack on it?.

Ziggy_1972

I liked it. The first story is always going to be difficult because it has to set up the characters, but I think Matt will work out well.

I noticed the hat-rack too, but I think it's always been there, over the years.

As for the new Tardis, it has always been suggested that the Tardis is more than a vehicle, that it's alive, if not exactly sentient. It makes sense that it would be given the ability to regenerate too.

BlitzKrieg

I liked it.

I always felt RTD gave the doctor who revival a sort of 90's spice girls *brit* feel I know its a bit of a weird term, but with Billie Piper and almost everything taking place in north london and many other touches it always felt like how the UK whored its entire nationality with the spice girls and austin powers.

This doesnt have that feel, the first chunk of the episode is very good I thought, I like the bit with the crack, the praying to santa and the doctor's jumble of dialogue. As someone said earlier it has that element of horror to it that could only be found on the bbc back in the 70's and 80's.

When it jumps forward its more carried by its characters then the actual plot from here which is a shame, except I think it plays out well the characters are interesting and they bounce off each other very well. And despite there being alot of running its not down long corridors with no end in sight.

Its easily better then Rose and Christmas special/New Earth, and better crafted then Smith and Jones and Partner in Crime. So as an opening it is pretty strong and as an introduction to a new doctor it does a much better job then the christmas special (which got lost for a big chunk in the middle nazal gazing) As for introducing a new doctor compared to Rose...Rose had an easier time cause it was a new doctor after such a long gap, here its running off a very successful run from david tennant, honestly the step over from tennant to smith has been very easy. I expected to hate him but I actually really like him....and Amy Pond's legs

i really liked her legs


How much is it to get one of those outfits I wonder...

K-9

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

I liked it.

I always felt RTD gave the doctor who revival a sort of 90's spice girls *brit* feel I know its a bit of a weird term, but with Billie Piper and almost everything taking place in north london and many other touches it always felt like how the UK whored its entire nationality with the spice girls and austin powers.

This doesnt have that feel, the first chunk of the episode is very good I thought, I like the bit with the crack, the praying to santa and the doctor's jumble of dialogue. As someone said earlier it has that element of horror to it that could only be found on the bbc back in the 70's and 80's.

When it jumps forward its more carried by its characters then the actual plot from here which is a shame, except I think it plays out well the characters are interesting and they bounce off each other very well. And despite there being alot of running its not down long corridors with no end in sight.

Its easily better then Rose and Christmas special/New Earth, and better crafted then Smith and Jones and Partner in Crime. So as an opening it is pretty strong and as an introduction to a new doctor it does a much better job then the christmas special (which got lost for a big chunk in the middle nazal gazing) As for introducing a new doctor compared to Rose...Rose had an easier time cause it was a new doctor after such a long gap, here its running off a very successful run from david tennant, honestly the step over from tennant to smith has been very easy. I expected to hate him but I actually really like him....and Amy Pond's legs

i really liked her legs


How much is it to get one of those outfits I wonder...

What I notice from the posts on here is that there is isn't much criticism of his age or his look, personally.

Yes, the tweed and dickie bow is a bit naff, but that IMO is a good thing. Its a hark bark to previous Doctors and he didn't look out of place with the 10 doctors.

That is promising. The big fear from when he was announced has been largely allayed. So, overall, the episode achieved its aim.

I liked Amy Ponds legs too but more the ladder on them! Ahem! Straightens tie Dickie Bow!

The Sparrow

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

....and Amy Pond's legs

i really liked her legs


How much is it to get one of those outfits I wonder...

I know... swoon:o

Nevyn

K-9 wrote: »

What I notice from the posts on here is that there is isn't much criticism of his age or his look, personally.

I have been calling him FrankenEmoFetus Dr from when I first saw him.
I am waiting to see if the has the depth and reach the role can require or
is that going to be smoothed out for him by the writing team.

And I still think that is face looks like someone tacked on a heap of prosthetic skin over it. I keep looking for the seams and wanting to pull the mask off to see his real face.

There is fúck all he can do about his looks and age, maybe he will act well enough or be posisitoned well enough in the series that his age and looks are no longer such a distraction, I wait to see what happens.

K-9 wrote: »

Yes, the tweed and dickie bow is a bit naff, but that IMO is a good thing. Its a hark bark to previous Doctors and he didn't look out of place with the 10 doctors.

True but I hope they do something with his hair.

K-9 wrote: »

That is promising. The big fear from when he was announced has been largely allayed. So, overall, the episode achieved its aim.

Glad you feel that way, unfortunately it didn't do that for me.

K-9

Thaedydal wrote: »

I have been calling him FrankenEmoFetus Dr from when I first saw him.
I am waiting to see if the has the depth and reach the role can require or
is that going to be smoothed out for him by the writing team.

And I still think that is face looks like someone tacked on a heap of prosthetic skin over it. I keep looking for the seams and wanting to pull the mask off to see his real face.

There is fúck all he can do about his looks and age, maybe he will act well enough or be posisitoned well enough in the series that his age and looks are no longer such a distraction, I wait to see what happens.



True but I hope they do something with his hair.



Glad you feel that way, unfortunately it didn't do that for me.

Overall Thaed, you seem to be in the minority, so the episode achieved its goal, I suppose its different from Tennant and Ecclestone who had Hollywood looks or names, compared to most of the previous Doctors.

He looks a bit odd, but sure so have a few Doctors!

His acting capability will be the test, a few dodgy points, but Tennant was the same at the start, he took time to grow into it. Time will tell.

Ridley

Busi_Girl08 wrote: »

I thought that as well. When I saw

all the dolls and drawings

and then the

wedding dress

, my first thought was

"Oh god. Please, not another companion who is in love with the Doctor"

I didn't hear the "Back in time for tomorrow" bit though.

Neither did I to be honest, but she does just dismiss it as "stuff" and

she did make NURSE Rory, who I assume is the fiancé dress, as David Ten-- The Doctor.

Motley Crue

I'm not gonna complain when the new assistant looks like this:D

Busi_Girl08

Am I alone in thinking that Matt Smith is actually kind of cute?

Doctor DooM

Busi_Girl08 wrote: »

Am I alone in thinking that Matt Smith is actually kind of cute?

Well I am male so cute not really but I certainly don't think he's the abhorrent freak alot of people are making out. He looks quirky. This is good.

Killer_banana

Busi_Girl08 wrote: »

Am I alone in thinking that Matt Smith is actually kind of cute?

He's not bad. No he's nothing compared to Tennant (who is?;)) but I think he's better looking than a lot of people are making out. IMO he looks better than Eccleston,even when Eccleston was young, but I guess each to their own.

As for Amy....do we get to see more of her kissogram outfits? :P

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Motley Crue wrote: »

I'm not gonna complain when the new assistant looks like this:D

I guess its too much to hope that this is actually a screenshot from an upcoming episode...

Killer_banana

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1143446/Whos-girl-Matt-Smith-cross-dressing-role-helped-land-role-new-Time-Lord.html

The BBC has signed a three-year deal with Smith worth £600,000, with an option for a further two years.

I'm surprised about that. Considering he's an unknown following one of the most popular Doctors I would have though the contract would be shorter. I'm not complaining though, I think he's going to be a really good doctor.

DingosAteMyBaby

thought it was an absolutely fantastic episode. matt smith really won me over and really like Karen Gillan as well! definitely aimed at a younger audience than the previous series! Hopefully Stephen Moffat will keep up this standard:)

ixoy

K-9 wrote: »

Overall Thaed, you seem to be in the minority, so the episode achieved its goal, I suppose its different from Tennant and Ecclestone who had Hollywood looks or names, compared to most of the previous Doctors.

He looks a bit odd, but sure so have a few Doctors!

His acting capability will be the test, a few dodgy points, but Tennant was the same at the start, he took time to grow into it. Time will tell.

Exactly how I feel - it was only the relaunch that focused on a "good looking" Doctor (you can probably include the 1996 TV movie in there too and perhaps Davison). Before that the Doctor was generally older, a bit scattered, etc.
I mean did many people have the hots for Hartnell or Pertwee?

What matters to me isn't eye candy but what they can bring to the role as an actor. It's far too early to know for sure, but I believe Matt Smith is promising from this first episode.

Killer_banana

Watching it again now, is the hospital Rory works in the same one that Donna was in (or at least thought she was in) in Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead?

Ginny

It was lot better then Smith and Jones or Partners in Crime but you can never really judge a Doc/Companion pairing until the second or third episode.
The food scene was a bit much I think, we get that he's a bit wibbly and only getting used to his skin.
I'm hoping Amy isn't so wide eyed all the time with the Dr. rescuing her over and over again.

Obviously she's in love with him to some degree, I'm hoping it isn't reciprocated, that would be a bit weird.

The wedding aspect was glaringly obvious I though as soon as she asked to be back, pity really the wedding sctick has been done before.

I am really looking forward to the series but thats a lot more to do with SM being at the helm the MS being the new Dr.
But please please please don't let them bring Rose and her teeth back in some way.

Killer_banana

Ginny wrote: »

But please please please don't let them bring Rose and her teeth back in some way.

Well from what I've seen of Moffat in interviews, he refuses to bring back old characters, be them previous companions, villains or Doctors, unless there's a good story to tell with them. Which means we've probably seen the last of Rose since all the ways to bring her back, good and bad, were used up long ago. I like Rose, I do, but God she was overused.